CH 4

Sweet Home (Part 1)

The imperial palace was right in front of me. The familiar doors were opened for me. I entrusted the White Deer King to a guard before I walked to the main door. Mommy Vyvyan was already standing there in prim form and anxiously awaiting me. When she saw me, she excitedly ran down the stairs and hugged me. She kissed my cheeks over and over while caressing my head. Tone cheerful, she effused, “You’re back, Son, you’re finally back. Mommy has been waiting here for you for a long time. Let Mommy have a hug. Mommy is so glad, Son. You’re finally back.”

I gave Mom a light hug then looked at the maids and guards around us. Embarrassed, I expressed, “Mom, I’m a little embarrassed…”

The maids and guards all seemed to be used to that sort of scene; therefore, they just watched us with smiles. Mommy Vyvyan nonchalantly flicked her blonde hair that was messy due to her leaping at me. She spoke as though they weren’t there: “It’s fine, Son. It’s normal for a mother to love her child, isn’t it? You don’t need to worry about a thing here. You just need to peacefully enjoy life here. Mommy is here to handle everything, so just focus on recuperating and nourishing your body.”

I nodded. I nostalgically scrutinised the imperial palace. I used to live there as the Prince and didn’t have to worry about a thing. All I had to do was live with Mom. I still didn’t need to worry about anything as it wasn’t my imperial palace but Mommy Vyvyan’s. I just need to lead a peaceful life there.

“Let’s go, Son. Mommy has prepared your room for you. Everything has remained as before. Lucia, Nona and Vera have also arrived. Do you want to see them first?”

I responded with a firm nod:“Uhm.”

Mommy Vyvyan laughed jovially then wrapped her arm around mine: “Let’s go see them together, then. Nona and Vera really like this place. They are elves, huh? They’re both happy to return to their elven home.”

Maybe Mom was right; they were elves, after all. There was still hardly any mana in the North. The North was only warmer thanks to Freya’s usage of physics. I was worried about whether or not the girls’ mana could develop normally. The two were as close to the elven spring water as could be in the elven lands. It might’ve been an excellent opportunity for them to develop their mana. If living in the North impacted their mana development, I’d be forced to have them grow up in the elven lands. Mommy Vyvyan would be happy about that.

Mommy Vyvyan and I crossed the corridor. Worried, I asked, “Mom, if my two girls grow up in the North, will they be deficient in mana? There’s no mana in the North, so will that affect their growth?”

Mommy Vyvyan nodded and then smiled: “Absolutely. Elves must rely on the mana from the elven spring water. Why would we have fought each other back then, otherwise? The two girls will only have enough healthy mana if they’re by the elven spring. In saying that, as aforementioned, mana volume doesn’t hold much significance. The key is how it’s used. Sometimes, having no mana is a form of bliss.”

The difference Mom mentioned made me nod with a hint of bitterness. I always wanted to prove that lineages weren’t as important as love was. Nonetheless, lineages were unquestionably important for elves. Since Lucia was an ordinary elf, our Nona was also an ordinary elf. Her mana wasn’t outstanding, which meant that she’d never be able to qualify as an Elven Queen. Fortunately, there was Vera. Vera’s powerful mana relieved all of the elves. That was the reason they could give their blessings to my marriage to Lucia. Nobody, other than my moms and I, knew about knew about Vera’s real genealogy, though.

Mommy Vyvyan slightly tightened her hold on me when we mentioned Vera. Quietly, she said, “Son, I plan to bring Vera to my side when she’s seven. I’ll personally teach her how to control mana and utilise magic. She’s the future ruler of elves, so her magic prowess must be a notch above everyone else… Mommy has destroyed the Tower of Heaven. As a result, the only way for Vera to prove herself in the future is her ability to control the green flame in the fire. Also, Vera… actually…”

The two of us stopped in front of Lucia’s room. I nodded and then pressed my hand on the door knob. I replied, “Mm, that’s totally fine; after all, Vera will need to lead elves in the future. I will send her to you after she turns seven. You must miss her, too.”

“I really like Nona, too…”

“I know, but elves don’t care too much about her. I don’t mind. Nona and Vera are both my daughters. Their difference is not a reason for me to love them differently. My Nona is also cute, and I’m proud of her.”

I’ve just returned, but I’ve already heard gossip. After hearing Vera and Nona were visiting the elven lands for the first time, the maids were excited to see Vera. Nobody mentioned Nona once. It was as if she wasn’t my child.  I wouldn’t be surprised if they prepared daily necessities for Vera, alone. That was just how elves were by nature. Mana was power.

I pushed the door open. From the infant cradle, Lucia stood up and cheerfully looked at me. She wasn’t wearing the clothes in the North but the long dress elves wore in the elven lands. Next to her was Echte, who quickly got to his feet. He gave us a bow: “I apologise for my impoliteness, Your Highness, Prince.”

“No, it’s fine, Guard Echte. Sit. The two girls don’t belong to me alone. You’re their grandpa.”

Vyvyan generously waved her hand. Lucia obediently walked over to my side, and we gave each other a light hug. Then, she went up on her toes and gave me a kiss on my lips. She gushed, “Your Highness, the girls seem very happy to return here for the first time.”

“Are you happy, as well?”

I kissed Lucia back. Shy, she lowered her head: “It’s not that I don’t like the North because I will like it wherever you are. It’s just that I’m very familiar with all of this… Furthermore, it has elven qualities.”

“I’m glad you like it.” I touched Lucia’s head then went over to the bed.

Echte moved aside in a flustered fashion. Vera and Nona turned their tiny heads to face me. They then cheerfully extended their hands toward me as they called out to me. I touched their heads and then bent down to give them both a kiss. They patted my face with their tiny hands, which seemed to be their way of telling me not to leave. Their cheerful laughter brightened the room’s ambience. Mommy Vyvyan watched us from the side with an affectionate look. She gently caressed my head. In a tender tone, she commented, “They’re just like you, Son. They’re clingy as you were clingy toward me when you were young. Seeing them reminds me of you.

I looked at Lucia and softly laughed, “They’re my kids, our kids, after all.”

“Yes. Yes, indeed… my Prince!”