Chapter 56

Vol . 6 Chapter 56

In short, the weddings were very successful . Both humanity and the elven imperial guards indicated that they were very pleased with it . Echte cried tears of joy as his daughter had married into the imperial family and couldn’t speak coherently in front of the queen . Vyvyan told him to forego the formalities and allowed him to bring his weapons into the imperial palace since we were basically family now . For the elves, being a family member of imperial family didn’t hold any extra significance because power was determined by mana . Echte was now a member of the imperial family, but he still wasn’t worshipped by anybody .

It was different for humanity though, except, Nier didn’t have any family so there won’t be anyone who rises into the heavens from the bottom-rung . That saved the empress the trouble of considering power balances .

The merry of the wedding continued until night before ending . Everyone enjoyed it as much as they could, filling the air with the smell of wine . You didn’t have to drink to get intoxicated . You could get drunk by smelling the air alone . Lucia had to leave early due to her health . That caught the attention of lots of people who tried to find out if I had an heir to which I denied .

I don’t want for everyone to know about Lucia’s pregnancy because if somebody is plotting something then Lucia who’s pregnant will easily become a target . I intend to have her stay with Vyvyan until she gives birth for the sake of keeping her safe . Lucia soon had to return to the elven side . I don’t want to part with her, but I don’t feel safe keeping her by my side .

Vyvyan can protect her better . As a man, I don’t want to admit that I can’t protect my wife because of my pride . But the truth is, I really am not as strong as Vyvyan, so I entrusted mom with her safety . I believe that Vyvyan will do everything in her power for her grandchild’s sake .

I have absolute confidence in my mom too . That is indisputable .

But now I’m slightly worried about Elizabeth since she wasn’t in a very good state today . She looked like she was forcing a happy smile . She was crying but it didn’t look like tears of happiness but tears of sadness . She left the party very early so I’m really worried .

“Your majesty, congratulations on your marriage to Miss Nier . ”

When I went back to my palace, all of the maids greeted me with a smile . I nodded to greet them back . They all received two empire gold coins today as a reward . A single gold coin is considered a huge amount for a girl from an ordinary family so they were particularly hard working when serving the guests today as well .

Nier doesn’t hold her liquor well so she left first . Lucia had already turned in . I carefully pushed the door open . The fire was already out . Nier was curled up and sound asleep . It looks like I can sleep in peace today . Luna who was sitting on a chair to the side stood up and took my cape with a smile . She quietly said: “Your majesty, congratulations on your marriage with Miss Nier and Miss Lucia . It looks like I will have to call Miss Nier, princess from now on . ”

“Uhm . You’ve worked hard too, Luna . I made you go through something so dangerous”

Luna shook her head and with a smile replied: “It’s alright . It was my decision to go and I decided on my actions . Thank you very much for coming to my rescue today…… You could have chosen not to come but you still did……”

“Don’t say that . ” I cut her off and sternly continued, “Luna, you’re as important as Nier and Lucia to me . I won’t abandon you for them . ”

“In that case, right here in front of Miss Nier, I mean, our princess, please kiss me . ”

Luna looked up at me with a smile but serious look . I lingered for a moment before taking a step back awkwardly . I was a little scared now . Don’t you think Luna’s request is a little too strange…? It’s basically playing with fire . Nier is drunk right now, but if she wakes up and sees me kissing Luna in front of her, I bet she’ll run her sword through this cheating husband of hers heart and Luna’s .

“I was joking, your majesty . ” Luna giggled softly and then picked up a paper bag . She said: “A man sent this over before . He said that it was clothes that you ordered . They are ready now . Are you going somewhere now?”

“Uhm . I’m going to go and see her majesty . ”

I took the paper bag then made a hand gesture to keep quiet and said: “If Nier wakes up, just tell her I haven’t returned yet . I think I’ll be back tonight… if nothing unexpected happens that is……”

“Alright, your majesty . ”

Luna didn’t say anything else . I got changed outside . This is the robe I asked to have made based on the information Vyvyan provided . The previous set was the set my father left behind . It wouldn’t be such a good idea for me to wear that one, but it looks like his tastes are similar to mine . The robe’s main colour was white .

It was very similar to what I usually wore . Could it be that Elizabeth had my clothes made according to her memory?

“Inard, did you know that our child, our Troy got married today?”

Elizabeth gently touched the long-sword in her hand and muttered to herself . Her eyes were full of tears . Several bottles of strong wine lay in all directions on the ground next to her feet and the air smelt like wine .

She gently and affectionately touched her long sword, the sword her husband gifted her . The sword was the sword elf-kings wielded, which is the only other thing Inard left with her other than their child . It was the last time he provided her with his protection . Inard can’t protect her at her side so he had to have the sword stay with her in his place . That was the last gentle gesture he left for her .

“Our son has grown up…… How ironic… He’s our child and yet neither of us watched him grow up . He was just a tiny infant back then . It’s like he grew up in the blink of an eye . He’s my child and yet I couldn’t see him…… You’re my husband, so why aren’t you by my side?”

A few drops of tears landed on her sword and ran down it slowly . Elizabeth ignored the tears coursing down her face . She spaced out as she looked at her long-sword . She wanted to see her husband on the sword one last time .

“When I watched our child’s wedding today, I noticed that he looks more and more like you . He’s becoming more and more like you back then…… I almost couldn’t hold myself back from hugging him…… His wedding reminded me of us . We didn’t even have a wedding, did we? Inard…… Our child has returned to my side…… Please… when… will you be able to return to my side? I can give up the throne and the empire if it means that you can return to my side . Let’s find some place and have a happy and peaceful home, okay? …… Let’s just lead ordinary lives… just like back then……”

The door to her room slowly got pushed open . Without raising her head up, she grouched: “Get lost . Without my orders, no one is all-……”

“Elizabeth……”

In a hazy state, Elizabeth looked up . Through her hazy vision obstructed by her tears and dizziness, that familiar long-white cape, that familiar smile and that familiar physique appeared in front of her……

Elizabeth looked at him blankly while she murmured her loved one’s name: “Inard……”

“Elizabeth……”

This wasn’t a dream……

Nor was it a hallucination from being under the influence……

Because Inard’s embrace was still as warm as it was back then . Hugging him put her ease… just like back then……