Book 12: Chapter 39
Three months later.
Nona and Vera were easier to take care of than Daisy. It seemed as though the elven children were able to communicate better with Lucia through mana. Nier wasn’t able to communicate with Daisy. In saying that, Nier seemed to be able to understand what every cry from Daisy meant. Daisy was very clingy toward Nier. Her gaze was always chasing after Nier. Daisy didn’t seem to be too fond of me… She pushed me away every time I went to hug her… I was her father…
It seemed that elven infants developed faster than human infants, which I presume was due to mana. Vera developed a bit faster than Nona. Vera appeared to understand that I was her father and Lucia was her mother in just three months. However, the scariest part was that she seemed to be more affirmative that Nier was a threat to her.
The girls’ vigilance didn’t seem to be due to mana, but Lucia’s thoughts transferring to them. It wasn’t Lucia’s intention, but the two girls confirmed that Nier was a threat. They couldn’t show their vigilance, yet, but I was sure that their relationship with Nier in the future, mm, wouldn’t be too good. That said, Nier didn’t look as though she planned to become friendly with them. She wasn’t even willing to spare them a look after Daisy was born.
I didn’t perceive that to be a very good situation. Lucia and Nier should’ve been taking care of the kids together, since Vera and Nona would have to call Nier “mom”, and Daisy would have to call Lucia “mom,” as well. Otherwise…, how could I be called their father?
Nier has disappeared now, though. Yes, disappeared. Never would I have imagined that Nier would leave me. Could you imagine that? After dismounting me that night, she slept with me, but I never saw her again the next morning when I woke up. She left Daisy to Mommy Elizabeth and left. She didn’t leave a letter or message of any sort behind. Her Valkyrie uniform, a set of light armour, her sword and a horse vanished together with her. I had no clue what happened after. I had no clue where Nier went or why she left.
“Nier won’t run away, Son. Don’t worry. Remember that she was once a Valkyrie. She will never leave you once she has chosen you. I wouldn’t consider this running away from home. I guess she has something she wants to do. Weren’t you always hoping for her to have something to do?”
Mommy Elizabeth didn’t seemed concerned in the slightest. She sat next to me with Daisy in her arms. It appeared that Daisy needed to be breastfed, as well. Fortunately, we had somebody prepared in the palace. I anxiously paced back and forth inside the building. I sent all of my guards out to search for Nier. It was the first time the Imperial City was under martial law. Nobody was allowed to enter or leave.
I was ready to send the military out to search for her. I wasn’t trying to capture and haul her back. I was just worried she meet with trouble. The North hadn’t yet completely settled down. What was I going to do if she ran into trouble? There was no doubt she was very skilled with a sword, but she hadn’t used one in almost a year!