Book 15: Chapter 19


    Since when did I start wanting to hug Elizabeth? Perhaps it was after I got married, when I saw Elizabeth drunk alone in her room, murmuring Inards name? Im still not sure. I knew Vyvyan much better than I knew Elizabeth. My initial impression of Elizabeth was a majestic, dignified and tyrannical Empress. Afterwards, I learnt she was a mom no different to Vyvyan. She was a mom who loved me, yet was clumsy. Later on, I discovered she was actually a scared, young girl all along. Elizabeth wore countlessyers of masks, making it virtually impossible to see her true thoughts. Fortunately, I eventually learnt what they were.


    Mommy Vyvyan got everything she wanted. She had her parents, her brother and me. She possessed powerful mana and a superior lineage that allowed her to rule without any threats to her rule. There were no natural disasters or man-made disasters in the elvennds. It was what Vyvyan desired for it to be. She didnt need me to take care of her or protect her. I just needed to be her son. I just needed to be a son who depended on her and needed her thigh to sleep on. The circumstances were different for Elizabeth, though.


    Elizabeth didnt have anything. Nothing she wanted stayed with her. Her parents, her husband and even I left. She couldnt keep anything. She couldnt snatch anything. She quit trying. She was the Empress, the heart of the empire, but she was still just a girl roaming the forest, looking for warmth. She wouldnt struggle; she didnt dare to struggle, because she was just a pitiful child without others around her.


    Uhm, I know I know, said Elizabeth.


    Elizabeth leaned on my chest. She sounded as though she was sighing, yet sounded as though she was murmuring. She closed her eyes. The warmth of her body closest to my heart transferred into my blood and circted to every corner of my body. She tenderly wrapped her arm around my back. In a gentle tone, she said, Mommy knows. Mommy knows Mommy loves you, too My most beloved son Mommy was scared, truly very scared youd be angry with Mommy Mommy was afraid youd never acknowledge me as your mom, but youre so gentle. Mommy cruelly left you behind, but you still called me, Mom. Mommy really loves you so much


    I didnt speak; instead, I tightened my arms around Elizabeth. She smiled: Its truly so blissful to have a son. Son, with you by Mommys side, Mommy will have an embrace to rest in and lean on. Mommy wont have a man to lean on when Mommy returns. This is thest time. This is thest time Mommy will rest in your embrace. Let Mommy have a good rest. Let Mommy have a good rest


    When I heard Mommy Elizabeth choking on her tears again, I clenched my teeth, and then grabbed hold of her hand. Her hand was somewhat rough, but nheless, warm. Fearful, she quivered. She was prone to being scared. She wanted to have somebody keep herpany, but it was impossible. She, herself, had already given up.


    I said it before, Ill destroy her cage. I have bathed in the blood of a dragon. I can no longer be hurt, yet I cant keep my mom by my side. Whats the point of this power? I asked myself.


    If your dad could see you, he, too, would probably be happy. I know you went to the ce your father died. I wonder if you saw your dad there. Inard didnt stay with you for long. You might not have any impression of him. Now, though, youve grown up, so I dont feel as though I owe him.


    Mommy Elizabeth raised her head from my embrace and touched my face. She nostalgically chuckled.


    I was very annoyed when I saw the yearning and love in Moms eyes. I said, Mom you dont have to continue missing Inard. Inard never missed you. While you were waiting him for eighteen years, he never thought of you once. He was romping with a dragon in the desert when you were missing him! You can go and ask the dragon. I brought back. She considers herself his legitimate main wife!


    To my surprise, Elizabeth looked at me with a sluggish look. I expected her to be upset, sad or perhaps angry, but she didnt wear any expression. She even shook her head with a smile: Its all right. Mommy was the one who left anyhow. Mommy left you and your father behind. I had no hope that hed return to my side. It doesnt matter anymore. Its all in the past now. Son, Mommy is happy as long as youre by my side. Inard gave me warmth and was the first to protect me. He also gave me love. Thats enough. What hes done has nothing to do with whether or not I love him.


    I couldnt take it anymore, so I aggressively kissed Elizabeth on the lips. She violently jolted. Elizabeth sent me reeling. I eventually crashed into a wall. Frankly, that wasnt enough to hurt me anymore. As a matter of fact, I was worried Id destroy the wall, instead.


    Elizabeth shouted with regret but more so anger, Son! What are you doing?! What are you doing?! Im not your wife! Im your Mom!


    Elizabeth hadnt finished, but she approached me due to concern, since I was grabbing my head as I pathetically got to my feet. She carefully sped my face. With a tinge of fear in her tone, she said, Are you all right? Are you all right? Son, sorry Sorry Mommy shouldnt have hit you so hard, ugh!!


    I grabbed Mommy Elizabeths hand without any hesitation and pressed her up against the wall. Having bathed in dragon blood, I was longer the old me. I was stronger than Mommy Elizabeth. She was strong, but she now couldnt move her wrist that I had a grip on. Although she could give me a thrashing as she would if I was criminal perpetrator, Mom was worried about hurting me, so all she did was desperately try to break free.


    I kissed Elizabeth without hesitation. She didnt resist this time, but she bit my tongue, instead. As a result, I released her. She raged, What are you doing?! Son! Youre my son! What are you trying to do?!! Im not your wife!


    While she said that Elizabeths tears continued to st all over the ce. I let go of one hand. I easily restrained her with one hand. I pressed down on her ck hair that was wildly swinging about and stopped her from shaking around. Her gaze was filled with terror and tremendous grief.


    I sincerely said, Mom, I want to protect you. Ive remembered what happened that night. Ive recalled all of it. Mom, I want to protect you. Didnt you say that Im very simr to Inard now? I can give you what Inard gave you. Forget Inard. Inard betrayed you, but I will never betray you. I told you before that Id destroy that cage, and I will protect you. Im your son, but its a fact that I like you. Be with me. Ill let you be with me, Mom. You can be whoever you want by my side. You can be my mom if you want, too. Just dont leave me


    When I mentioned that night, Mom shuddered, and then meekly lost all of her strength. She weakly leaned onto the wall and stopped struggling with her hands. She bit down hard on her lip and shifted her line of sight away. I knew she was resisting, fighting the urge to exin herself and the tears that wanted to surface. I quietly added, I will protect you, Mom. Ill let you stay by my side. Believe me. Believe in me, Mom. I can give you what Inard gave you. Please stay by my side Dont leave I love you Mom I really love you


    Mommy Elizabeth didnt respond. I kissed her again. This time, she didnt put up any resistance. Her cold and trembling lips were still so soft.


    I released Elizabeth for a while to wait for her reply.


    All right She muttered under her breath.


    I smiled and then kissed her once again Mom didnt resist, but she didnt respond, either


    The White Deer King watching us from behind snorted. Displeased, she turned her head away. The White Deer Kings gaze then abruptly stopped on the opposite side of the road. A dark silhouette appeared on the opposite side of the road at some point. Not even the White Deer King noticed the individuals presence. Perhaps the individual, like the White Deer King, was too focused on watching the pair. The silhouette looked frail and weak, simrly to a sheet of paper swept up by a strong wind. He looked as though hed copse at any moment