Book 16: Chapter 10
“Son, let Mommy explain!!” Mommy Vyvyan grabbed my cloak with one hand and worriedly shouted. “Let me explain. I can explain, Son. Mommy isn’t trying to pick on you, or give the White Deer King grief. Mommy just… just happened to give an unclear command… Mommy will kill them, okay? Mommy will kill them now. Son, don’t go; let Mommy explain… Please, don’t go…”
Mom waved her hand, summoning blades from thin air that amputated the frozen soldiers’ shoulders and beheaded them. I turned my head around to look at Mommy Vyvyan, who was about to cry, and sighed: “Mom, I wasn’t asking you to commit murder. I want to know what they mean by your orders. Also, what’s their issue? Why were they operating under your orders, yet didn’t recognise me and even attacked me? Additionally, what do you want with the white deer? What’s your reason for capturing white deer?’
“Mommy will explain… Mommy will explain… But come back first, okay? Come back first. Mommy will get you a cup of nice tea then we’ll calm down, and Mommy will explain to you.”
Lucia tossed the sword in her hand down then gave me a small nod when I looked to signal, albeit still feeling concerned. I knew she didn’t want to clash with Mommy Vyvyan, and she probably didn’t want to leave, either.
I shifted my attention Mom then the White Deer King. It was the first time the White Deer King was so scared that she glued itself to me and whimpered. I gently stroked her neck. Mommy Vyvyan’s presence incited fear, so I stroked her neck again: “It’s all right now. It’s all right now, White Deer King, it’s all right now. I will protect you. I will protect you. Don’t be scared. Don’t be scared.”
I wiped the White Deer King’s tears. Mommy Vyvyan quickly called for the imperial guards and demanded they protect the White Deer King around the clock. Still afraid, the White Deer King was reluctant to part with me, but I needed to listen to Mom’s explanation, while the White Deer King couldn’t enter the imperial palace. I caressed the White Deer King: “If you find yourself in danger again, just run. Don’t worry about anything and just run. Run to the North, and you’ll be safe. We’ll meet up again in the North. Make sure to stay safe. White Deer King, I don’t want to lose you.”
The White Deer King brushed her face against mine and then went off to the side. I then made my way to the imperial palace. Mommy Vyvyan walked by my side. She cautiously tried to hold my hand, but I pulled Lucia over before she could, cutting Mom off. Mom’s expression froze. Melancholic, she looked away. She tightly pursed her lips. She was afraid and trembling as you would see a child do after making a mistake.
Once we reached the guest room, Lucia shut the door and stood by the door to prevent anybody from eavesdropping. Mom grabbed a cup of tea and pot. She went out to boil the tea then came back with it. I sat on the sofa and didn’t mention a word. Mom placed the hot tea in front of me, and then sat in front of me in a reserved manner.
“Mom, I hope you provide me with a proper explanation.”