“Your majesty……”
“I know what you want to say, Nier.”
I turned around and looked at Nier. I shook my head and said: “Nier, It’s not that I don’t care about the kids, but that I can’t show that I care. They’re trying to threaten me with the children right now. I can’t let all of my efforts go to waste like that.”
Nier stood behind me. The look in her eyes was complex. That was the first time I saw her gaze have life in them in all the time I’ve known her. Her eyes started to emit emotions even though those emotions weren’t reserved for me. She pursed her lips together tightly, looked at me and spoke in a soft voice like she had to muster all of her strength: “Your majesty… I… I… beg you… I beg you… please… protect the children.”
I turned around and looked at Nier with surprise. It was the first time Nier looked at me so earnestly. It was the first time she pleaded me in a soft voice. I hesitated for a moment and then looked at her. I don’t know if what I’m doing can protect those children. My goal isn’t actually those children to be honest. And because of that, I didn’t budge despite the conditions the merchant gave me. My only goal is to find out what’s going on behind the scenes. The lives of the children have nothing to do with me.
If I could save the children while I’m at it, that would be for the best. However, I won’t throw away all I’ve done and am doing to save those children.
I can’t throw away everything for a beauty. Moreover, Mera was also a beauty.
I looked at Nier and said: “If possible, I will do my best.”
“I beg you… You must save those children… They… You are the only one who can help them, your majesty. This is my only wish. Please save the children.”
Nier knelt down on one knee in front of me. Her voice was somewhat hoarse. She lowered her head, looked at the ground and continued, “I don’t have any way… I can’t do anything. You are the only one who can save those children. Luna said I could rely on you. I beg you… I beg you, please save them for me… I beg you… please help me.”
I looked at her with surprise. It was the first time Nier was on her knees begging me. I don’t think I’d see this scene if it wasn’t for those children. I walked over and helped her up. Nier wiped the corners of her eyes and raised her head. I saw her pair of cold green eyes. They looked helpless and in despair for the first time. If I don’t help her, those children will be taken away by the church. There was also the missing daughter of the wandering drunkard and the four female elves, which was sufficient to prove that the church will do something to the children. Nier was truly afraid.
Nier looked at me and said in a low voice: “Luna said that I could rely on you… so, I… want to ask of you……”
I nodded then looked into Nier’s eyes and replied: “Nier, I can’t guarantee that I can save the children, because… I can’t throw away all my efforts for them. I did what I did in order to find something to threaten them with to find out what I want to know. If these two matters compete with each other, I won’t help you.”
“But… your majesty……”
“If possible. If possible, I’ll definitely help you.” I looked at Nier, grabbed her shaky hand and continued, “If I can save the children, I definitely will. I promise.”
“Uhm.”
Nier nodded and then lowered her head to wipe the corners of her eyes again. I finally noticed that Nier had always appeared strong in front of me. Her back looked determined and lonely, but Nier was the same as every other girl when they feel despair. Maybe she was even sillier than them. Nier had never begged anybody. In fact, she doesn’t even know how to beg someone or who to beg. She probably wouldn’t have spoken to anyone in the past since it would’ve been pointless.
Nier has protected lots of people but she has no way of protecting that which she wants to protect. No one can match her sword skills, yet she couldn’t kill the target she wanted to kill. Nier was a bird trapped in a cage.
She was very beautiful, but she couldn’t break out of her cage. If she could experience happiness, then life as a bird in cage would still be considered beautiful. However she’s now seen the outside world because of me. This is was the first time she had something she wanted to protect. Unfortunately, the caged bird was completely ignorant. I let her see the outside world, but never promised I’d let her see it to the end.
I looked at Nier who had her head down. I don’t know where I got the courage from, but I reached my arms out and pulled her into my embrace. Nier reacted with shock. She quickly extended her arms out to push me away. She covered her chest and staggered back two steps. She looked at me with anger and loudly exclaimed: “Your majesty! What are you trying to do?!”
“Ah… sorry, I just subconsciously……”
I apologised and smiled. Nier stood still for a few seconds. Her expression then slowly changed to anger. She adjusted her clothing and then looked at me as she sternly exclaimed: “Your majesty, please pay attention to who you are. I already told you this the first time we met: don’t ruin the atmosphere in the palace, did you forget? I am your bodyguard, not your wife. If you have romantic feelings for me, please allow me to reject! I will return to being a Valkyrie afterwards, and so I hope you have some self-respect!”
“Sorry, Nier, it’s my bad.”
I looked at Nier and smiled hopelessly. Nier looked at me as the anger on her face slowly dissipated. It then became the disdainful expression she usually gives me. She looked at me and went “hmph”. She then bowed slightly and said: “Well thank you then, your majesty. I shall not disturb your rest tonight any further, goodnight, your majesty.”
“Alright, goodnight Nier.”
Nier turned around, went to her own room and pulled the door open. I sat on my bed and undid my buttons. I let out a sigh of relief and lied down on my bed. I closed my eyes but all I could see in my mind was Nier‘s beautiful face sobbing. I opened my eyes and looked at my hands I hugged Nier with. I smiled helplessly to myself and then covered my face.
Good grief, I feel terrible.
I’m meant to be loyal to Lucia. I rejected mom, and yet here I am falling for Nier. I can’t help it. Nier was the first one to welcome me home and the person I admire. She looks cool from behind. I don’t think I could look so determined like that in this lifetime.
Nier closed the door and pressed her hands on her chest firmly. She looked at the wall in front of her terrified. Her heart was beating like crazy. It was the first time her heart beat so fast after becoming a Valkyrie. She looked at her left hand with shock. Why? Why was her mind completely disordered and lost for words when it was just a quick hug?
Nier dived onto her bed. The burning sensation in her chest couldn’t be put out.
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