I arrived at the derelict house. The White Deer King ran too fast, causing to feel sick. I went to the side to throw up for a while before looking up at the rundown house. The house didnt qualify as a house. It reminded of temporary dorms set up on construction sites. Actually, this one was worse. This one was essentially rocks piled on top of each other and held together with mud. There wasnt even a piece of cloth to keep the rain out for the flat ceiling. If it rained, it was unlikely you could take shelter inside. It wasnt a house. It was barely better than the house Inard put together in the desert. However, I saw Elizabeth, who wore a surprised expression, there.
Befuddled, Elizabeth asked, Son Wait Son Why did you co from the Imperial Palace? Why? Shouldnt you have co back from this direction?
I nodded: Yes. Youre right about that, but we may have missed each other. I never thought youd be waiting for here, either Sorry, Mom, sorry. I made you wait long. How are you supposed to live here? Co back to the Imperial Palace with .
Elizabeth didnt reject . Instead, she gently grabbed my hand and hopelessly smiled: Maybe Im not suited to being a mother. I did my best to construct a small house to wait for your return. I wanted to be the first to see you return, only for to completely fail. I truly am not worthy of being a mom.
No, thats not true, Mom. I am very touched that you were willing to wait for here. Youre my Mom. Dont say sort of stuff again.
I firmly held Mommy Elizabeths hand. She nodded with a smile, and then affectionately stroked my face. Her gaze was filled with boundless gentleness and satisfaction. In a soft voice, she said, Son, you look fine now. Mommy can finally feel reassured. Mommy cant sleep whenever Mommy thinks about your condition as a consequence of protecting Mommy. Mommy was very worried sothing would happen to you. Mommy was very worried that you couldnt be saved, but youre now here and looking so healthy, so Mommy is very, very satisfied and happy. Mommy is so glad youre here with Mommy, Son.
Once she finished, Elizabeth put into her gentle embrace. I gently hugged her back. I felt her warmth. I had lots I wanted to say to her, lots and lots, from my adventure to Inard. I just didnt know where to start. At the very least, I only asked I could hug Elizabeth then. I just wanted to give her a good hug.
Elizabeth gave gentle strokes as though she was frowning, because she felt sorry for , since my skin had beco scales: Its all right. Its all right, Son. It hurts, doesnt it? It must hurt, right?
Mom apologetically touched my face and scales. I vigorously shook my head. I replied, Its fine. It doesnt hurt whatsoever. Plus, thanks to these scales, blades wont be able to hurt henceforward. Not even magic can harm .
I see. Im glad, then. Im glad, then. Mommy Elizabeth revealed a bright smile and hugged tightly in her embrace once again. She stroked my head with relief and consolation. In a shaky voice, she said, Im so glad; Im so glad. Son, Mommy cant always protect you from your side in the future, so youll have to protect yourself. You must be wary of those around you. Mommy is glad that you have people who love you around you and people who are willing to protect you. Youll have lots and lots of people coming to you in the future. Theyll co to you with all sorts of requests. They all have all sorts of ambitions. So may even try to usurp your rule. Lots of loyal soldiers will die, but youll also have people who work sincerely. Distinguishing between them is sothing everyone must go through. Those who can do a good job distinguishing them will beco wise rulers.
Elizabeth then cupped my face and went on in her soft voice, Mommy knows you want to be a fair and just King, but Mommy must tell you that being fair and kind will always put you on the weak side. If you want to control fairness and kindness, you may have to go through countless adversities. Not even Mommy wants to let you continue down that path, but youre my son
Elizabeth paused. She then hoarsely choked over my shoulder. She was unable to continue speaking due to her tears torturing her. I kept silent and just tightly hugged her. Elizabeth released her arms around to wipe her tears. She then took in a deep breath so that she could continue speaking. She hugged again and continued on my shoulder: Youre my most cherished treasure. Mommy wont stop you from walking the path you wish to walk, but Mommy should stay by your side to protect you. Unfortunately, Mommy cant do that Mommy cant continue staying here. Mommy is very happy to confirm youre okay. Mommy will think of you from Hilles City. You must take care of yourself for Mommys sake. If its still possible, co see Mommy more often.
Mom!
Elizabeth smiled helplessly. She then touched my cheek. Her hand was warm. She slowly ran her hand across my face with firm strokes. It was as though she was trying to rember every inch of my face, yet as though she was feeling despair and anguish, as she didnt want to let go. She then sincerely, yet sadly, said, It cant be helped. It cant be helped, Son. Mommy has to go back. Rosvenor Empire needs ; Hilles City needs , too. Mommy wants to stay by your side, but Mommy cant Its impossible Mommy has to go back; else, theres no way Rosvenor can operate.
The smile Elizabeth looked at with contained so much helplessness and sorrow. I went to speak, but my mind drew blanks. I was planning to inform her of the good news that I could live, and then live together with her. I suddenly realised, though, that she didnt say shed be living with forever when she ca up.
As the Empress of the Rosvenor , humanity needed Elizabeth; therefore, she couldnt stay in the North forever. My body was now impervious to blades and magic, but I couldnt get her to stay.
I shouldve known at the start. Elizabeth couldnt stay by my side forever. She had to return; I didnt want to let her go, though. I seriously didnt. It was so hard for to survive the ordeal, yet I had to bid my mom goodbye. She visited the North to see the birth of her grandchild, but what about next ti? She couldnt leave Hilles City citing, I want to see my grandchild next ti. She had no reason to visit again. Shed never be able to visit again, as a matter of fact.
Henceforward, only I could go visit Elizabeth. Did I have the ti for that? Would I be able to find ti between work in the North, my wives and children to take Daisy to Hilles City for a vacation? Id have ti for a vacation, but Id only have enough ti to go to Troy City. I didnt have enough ti to go to Hilles City.
Once Elizabeth returned, the two of us would be separated by another layer of identities. Id be the King of the North, while Elizabeth would be the Empress of humanity. Logically, wed have to avoid eting in private. If we were separated, not only would it be hard for us to et, but our mother-son relationship would also go stale. That was why shes so upset and despondent.
Elizabeth knew it was her fate, but she couldnt fight it. I didnt know if she gave up due to what happened in the past. Either way, she had accepted it despite it hurting her more than anything.
Elizabeth had never been as strong and great as her exterior suggested. Deep down, she was still a teenage girl who was crying tears of despair inside the forest. She was still the young girl in the cold, misty forest desiring sobodys warmth. She eventually identified as the Empress and had a military under her command. Still, when she was alone back then, she was a young girl who hugged her knees and wept. She had always been that sort of woman. Always. She had always been a girl who needed soone to protect her.
I reached out to hug Elizabeth tightly in my embrace. She froze for a mont when I hugged her, and then she began to tremble intensely. The tears she had held in ca out. Solemnly, I stated, Mom, you dont have to leave. You dont have to leave . Ill protect you, Mom. I told you, Ill destroy your cage. Ill give you the freedom you want. Youre my mom, so you should be by my side. Ill protect you. In the past it was my father. This ti, please let stay by your side forever. Please, let stay by your side forever Mommy Elizabeth I I really love you
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