Book 15: Chapter 57


    So, you have to go out again? asked Lucia, with a soft sight. She gently patted Nona, who was in her arms: Did you not say that you wouldnt be leaving again? I thought you were serious. I guess that means I was stupid for believing you.


    I smiled helplessly. Then, I touched Lucias head. I looked at the ahoge on Lucias head twitch and exined, Sorry, Lucia. I promise that I wont be going anywhere dangerous this time, though. Im not going to some strange ce, either. I promise Ill be in the North. Im just heading northwest.


    Lucia didnt buy any of it. She then sighed again: Your Highness, do you still not understand? It doesnt matter where you go. Once you leave, youll definitely be at risk I wont stop you this time, either, but I hope you bring Ying with you.


    Is Ying already capable of being a bodyguard?


    I was quite surprised. I wasnt informed of Yings situation. She was still training with Tanya. Honestly, the two of them were verypatible. Because Tanya was a child, the majority of people disrespected her to a degree. However, as she was the captain, they had to respect her on a surface level; they couldnt get serious when a kid was imposing upon them. Yings case was different, though. Ying was a serious girl; therefore, she acknowledged Tanya as her leader for as long as Tanya was her captain. Further, she genuinely respected her on the surface and deep down. Tanya was also very happy to be respected, so the two of them would get along very well.


    Although she hasntpletely graduated, Ying can counter magical species. So ordingly, by bringing Ying along, you will be safer if you run into magical species.


    Lucia sighed, and then looked at me with a hopeless expression. She seemed to havepletely given up on dissuading me. The worst insult a man could suffer is making his wife reveal an expression of utter despair as Lucia did. I sighed. I gently hugged my wife. Nona, who was between us, looked at Lucia and I with a smile. If my memory does me justice, that was the first time we were so close.


    Nona reached out to grab our chests. She giggled and tried to get me toe closer. Unfortunately, I was going to have to leave her behind for some time. I gave Nona a kiss on her forehead: If we were in the past, Id definitely bring Ying, but I cant bring her this time. Ill bring Dragon Mom this time. You should know that dragons are the strongest species, so Ill definitely be safe.


    Lucia smiled: I feel more reassured after hearing that. With that said, Your Highness, you still havent told me where you are going. Is there some secret ce in the North that you cant tell me about or are you going to search for another woman? I am at my limit with that, you know? Your children are this old already, so if you go out there and mess around with more women, youre ridiculous.


    I shook my head with a hopeless smile: Lucia, I will never do that again. I will never hurt you again. I dont have the foggiest idea as to where Im going this time. More precisely, Im not sure of the exact location. All I know is that Im heading somewhere northwest. Im going to search for Dragon Moms dragon kin. Im searching for the dragons in the N-


    Stop!! yelled Lucia, with a frown before I could finish.


    Nona wasnt the only one who was frightened, because I was startled, too. Lucia continued in a loud voice, Are you out of your mind?! The dragon race is the elven races fiercest nemesis! Do you not know that already?! The dragon race is very dangerous for male elves, such as you!! Countless elves have died to them. Dragons are elves born nemesis! We even designated their territory out as out of bounds, yet here you are approaching them on your own ord?! Are you crazy?!


    No I mean, youre right But look at Dragon Mom. I dont think its <em>that</em> dangerous


    Queen Sylvanas is a different sort of dragon! If you and Queen Sylvanas werent rted, do you not think that she wouldve killed you?!


    Lucia had always viewed dragons as very dangerous existences. It was only fair, though, as all elves consider dragons to be dangerous wild beasts. After all, they had always been at odds with dragons. Dragons had victimised countless elves. As a pure-blooded elf, it was only natural that she was afraid of dragons. I didnt consider them that scary, nevertheless.


    I dont think theyre that frightening


    I cant stop you if you insist on going, but I adamantly ask that you take Ying with you. Ying is the only person who can y dragons. Furthermore, if you see a dragon, can you guarantee that Queen Sylvanas will stay on your side? If the dragons attack you, who will Queen Sylvanas help? asked Lucia. Stern, she continued, Perhaps I sound as though I am crossing the line by saying this, but nheless, you must be wary of dragons. They have always been a race that attacked us, and that fact still stands. Normally speaking, there are only two sorts of people who would search for dragons. The first type is the type who wants to y a dragon. The other is those who no longer want to live. You have children now. What need is there for you to go there?


    Lucia sounded truly very vignt and prejudice against the dragon race. I think Lucia would consider it for the best if Dragon Mom wasnt in the North. I sighed and touched her head. In a soft voice, I said, Its fine, its fine


    Thats your attitude every time!! eximed Lucia, before I could finish. You do this time and time again. You always try to cate me with gentle words, and then run into danger. In the end, Im left worried sick! This attitude of yours angers me, but what can I do?!! Im your wife! All I can do is wait here! You never just go and do things; instead, you tell me first, and then you leave me worried by myself!! You always say, its all right, its all right. You think that puts me at ease?! Ive told you before, but you refuse to listen to me! I tell you its dangerous, but you insist on going!! You dont care about anything!! Were never part of your concerns!!


    Lucia literally roared out all of her inner thoughts. Once she was done shouting, I was truly scared shed throw Nona straight onto the ground in her emotional state. However, she continued to tightly hug her daughter and sit onto the bed. She looked away. I walked over to her. Nona looked at her mom fearfully. She reached out to me, wanting to go to me. Lucia wouldnt let go, though. I pressed my hand on Lucias shoulder. Before I could speak, she spoke out first, albeit facing her back to me: Sorry, Your Highness, I got a little bit too worked up I got a bit too wilful Your Highness. I am your wife I already feel very blissful that I got to marry you I cant ask for so much If you have to consider things out there and us at the same time, you wont be able to do anything. You just have to do what you want to do. Im happy as long as you cane back. I will wait for your return here I just want you toe back.


    I couldnt hold my feelings in anymore, so I pulled her into my embrace. I tightly hugged her from behind and stroked her face. I could feel her cold tears on my hands. Lucia bit down on her lip to avoid her sobs being heard while she finished what she wanted to say. I subconsciously hugged her and rested my head on her shoulder, Lucia Please dont be so understanding, okay? It hurts me so much when youre so understanding How can I leave when youre so understanding? Sorry Lucia I know that its meaningless for me to say any more I know that my apology is pointless, but I can promise that Ill be back as soon as I can, and I promise toe back safe and sound. I will definitely return to you and our girls!


    Im not understanding Im not Im your wife So I should think this way and do this Im your wife, so I must ensure everything I do is for you replied Lucia. Her body quivered a little, but she remained in my arms. In a soft voice, she carried on, Im your wife Im now the wife of the Prince I love most Thats why I must do whats best for you But why? Why? Why do I feel that life has be tougher after marrying you?


    Sorry


    I dont want to hear your apology It makes me sound as though Im burdening you


    Lucia turned her head around to gently kiss my lips. She then pushed my arms away and stood up. She ced Nona into her crib. Being sleepy, Nona yawned, and then shut her eyes. She grabbed onto her sisters arm.


    Lucia gently stroked her daughters heads and, with her back facing me, said, What can I do? I love you too much. I know I should be angry about these things. I know that I should be angry about you not being considerate of me. But despite that, my mind is nk when I see you. I just want to be by your side I feel Im already living in bliss when I think about my current circumstance Therefore, I cant think of anything. Your Highness, you must be careful out there You muste back, Your Highness, you must. My Prince Safe travels.


    Uhm.


    I got to my feet and gave Lucia a light hug. She had suffered too much. She went through so much for my sake. It was time she experienced bliss, yet I kept taking advantage of her love and patience. As long as she was by my side, however, shed be able to wait forever and love forever.


    Ive never disappointed you, Lucia. Never.


    <strong>Glossary</strong>


    *Ahoge  Its whatsmonly seen in Japanese anime and manga. Its the single strand of hair that sticks out from the top of the characters heads. At the top of my head, Konohana Kitans Yuzu has one.