Book 16: Chapter 1


    Granted the privilege of transporting me, the White Deer King had her nose up in the sky again, especially toward Dragon Mom. Lucia was slightly upset. With a hopeless smile, I said, Dont worry about me, Lucia. Head on back first. Ill be back after some recuperation.


    Lucia tugged on my cloak and cautiously asked, But I dont want to stay in a pce without you Your Highness, can I bring the girls to Duargana? I want to see Mom and Dad, too.


    I looked over to Mommy Vyvyan as a means of asking. She rubbed Lucias small head and smiled: Thatd be nice. Duargana is also Lucias homnd, so its a nice idea to let her visit her parents. That will give the girls grandparents a chance see their granddaughters. Itd be too unfair on Echte, otherwise.


    As soon as Vyvyan said that, Elizabeth immediately said to Nier, Okay, then, Nier, you return to Hilles City for now. Daisy should undergo her baptism, too, now.


    Nier hesitantly looked at me. I nodded: Thatll be good. Ill be worried about leaving you alone in the Imperial Pce. With Mommy Elizabeth with you, Ill feel more assured. Oh, right, Ying, Xia, you two should return to the Imperial Pce first.


    Ying and Xia nodded. The two seemed eager to return. I spected Xia wanted to return because she wanted to cook, though. Xia really enjoyed working as a chef.


    Reassured, Nier nodded: All right, Your Majesty. I will head back, and then bring Daisy over.


    Elizabeth nodded: All right.


    Our group arrived outside the forest. Irina followed behind us and had her head down in silence the entire time. Camille silently gave her daughter a light hug around her shoulders. I asionally looked back, but I soon stopped, as I didnt dare to look her way. I couldnt bear to continue looking at her. Irina had just gotten pregnant, which was something she shouldve been jovial about, yet she was so poignant that she was on the verge of crying. We knew we couldnt be together. Still, reality was harsh.


    I sighed and stopped turning around. Dragon Mom, who was walking beside me, touched my hand. Quietly, she said, Its all right, Son. That is enough. You dont need to feel guilty anymore. Your life isnt here. Mommy doesnt want you to remain here forever, either. You should be at the Imperial Pce, not here.


    I let out a gentle sigh: I understand that. But nevertheless, I feel as though Ive let Irina down and the child when I look at her. The child will be born without a father. I cant acknowledge him even in the future if he was to stand before me. From your perspectives, hes the future of the dragon race but to me, hes just a kid.


    Dragon Mom smiled:  Some people are born with responsibilities. Son, youre so kind as always. Dont worry about things here, leave it to Mommy. The elves have Vyvyan, while humans have Elizabeth, so leave this ce to me.


    Im entrusting it all to you, then, Mom.


    Sure.


    Dragon Mom revealed a consoled smile after hearing me called her Mom.


    We could see thewn outside. We turned around, but I was the only speaker, as the others didnt have a good opinion of the dragons. After mincing the inside of my jaw, I said, Were off, then. A fair number of things have happened recently, so I guess were acquainted.


    Camille nodded: Uhm, I must apologise for what transpired. The entire world has been turned on its head in less than a month. I am very sorry about the misfortune you suffered. I apologise for what I did and for what my dragon kin did.


    I shook my head: It doesnt matter now. Its all in the past now. Plus, its not your fault. If Mommy Sylvanas isnt angry, I dont have anyints.


    Uhm, see you next time, then.


    Maybe we wouldnt meet again, but we still said that phrase.


    I shifted my gaze to Irina. It wasnt so bad speaking to Camille, as I had put the past behind me kind of. Irina, on the other hand, I just couldnt ignore.


    Irinas shoulders trembled subtly, but I couldnt leave the White Deer King to embrace her. All I could do was apologetically look at her. She didnt want to raise her chin. I knew her face was smothered in tears.


    Nier and Lucia were worried. I forced myself to take in a deep breath: Im leaving, then, Irina. Look after yourself and the child. Make sure to take care of yourself. You must make sure to be a good mother when the child is born. Raise him well. He is your son, after all.


    Irina responded with a small nod. Nheless, she refused to raise her head. We fell into an awkward silence. We didnt converse. I just looked at her shaking shoulders, but didnt speak. A short moment afterwards, Dragon Mom patted me on my thigh to indicate that I could leave. I tugged the reins in my hands then looked ahead, where Irina was nowhere in sight. I sighed and softly said, See you again, then, Irina.


    I didnt say farewell, but it was farewell for good. I wasnt going to the Northwest again. Irina wouldnte to the Imperial Pce, and I wouldnt acknowledge our child, either. He was never to be allowed in the pce even if he was a Prince. I guess that was sad in its own right.


    After I turned around, Nier and Lucia felt relieved to see that I didnt show any yearning or didnt bring Irina along. They giggled as I moved around. Irina never spoke the entire way or chase after me. We trained our sight forward and headed toward thewn. We went further and further away from the dragonsnds. I didnt turn back around, and Irina didnt speak. It was as if we were strangers just as when I first arrived there. I didnt bring anything. I take that back, I took a big batch of gold, but that was all.


    Camille touched her daughters shoulder and quietly said, Theyve left.


    Irina jolted. She then slowly raised her head. Her tears coursed down her face as if she was unleashing a storm onto the rotten leaves. She looked in the direction they left. She fused her fingers into steely mps. The pain was so much to bear that she bit down on her bottom lip until it bled.


    Camille pitifully caressed her daughter and softly acknowledged, Hes gone. As she trembled, Irina softly muttered, I know, I know Hes gone He wont He wont being back again