I could live more freely in humanity’s lands. While I lived as the Prince in the elven lands, their society was relatively ordinary. As a consequence, I couldn’t see the special rights of being a Prince – under the definition that special rights included more than being respected.
There weren’t any special privileges in the elven lands since wealth and authority weren’t goals for them. In humanity’s lands, on the other hand, my status as a Prince granted me the right to do plenty of things. Further, there were lots of instances where my status as a Prince could be used. For example, I could use it when attending all sorts of balls or banquets and so forth. While I had a strong dislike for them in my early days, after I learnt the quintessence of balls, I was able to find some ways to entertain myself at them.
I gradually developed a sense of joy when people complimented me. I was aware that their praise wasn’t sincere, but I’m not convinced there’s nobody who doesn’t want to hear nice comments about them. Mommy Elizabeth also developed a fondness for taking me around everywhere since I came back. She was especially proactive in introducing me as her son. She bragged about me at every opportunity.
As I rarely attended events with Mommy Elizabeth, she’d take me around everywhere with her when I came to Hilles City for the sole purpose of showing me off. I could accept that, and I always went along with her. She also brought up Daisy’s baptism no matter if it was a ball or some other event. Daisy’s baptism, therefore, became the hottest topic. Mom allowed those who weren’t invited to come and view the baptism, but there was a limit to how many people the church could accommodate. As a result, the entry price reached a preposterous price. Still, there was a line at the ticket stall at the entrance of the Royal Palace from early morning.
In my opinion, it wasn’t good for people to stand around spectating Daisy as if she was an animal. I didn’t think Mom meant any ill-will, and it was for Daisy’s sake, as there should be family spectating another family member’s baptism. If Daisy was to be baptised in a tense manner with just us and the watchful Valkyries, then it wouldn’t be considered a baptism. It’d just be… excessively tense.
The purpose of Daisy’s baptism was to raise awareness of her existence. Letting her be known through the baptism was letting people know that her position as the successor to the throne was set in stone. Moreover, those who could afford the ticket prices to enter the church had their own income and high status. They wouldn’t dare to harm Daisy in that setting.
Daisy’s baptism was tomorrow. All of the Valkyries in the Royal Palace headed over to the church, while the military occupied the interior of the city. All members of satellite states were under surveillance. Anything that appeared within a radius of ten metres was shot down even if it was a bird. Safety in the church had to be guaranteed. The formation and scale of things was comparable to Elizabeth going out on a tour.
Nier was a little on edge since night time. Not only did she bring out her Valkyrie uniform again but also sharpened her long sword. Her gaze turned familiar, yet distant. I knew that Nier. That was the Nier before a battle. That was the time when she’d sharpen her sword by the side of my bed as I slept.
A maid carrying Daisy, who kept on crying and making a scene, pushed the door open with a smile: “Royal Princess… Archduchess Daisy has kept on crying. Perhaps she wants to see you…”
Perhaps Daisy was crying and fussing all night due to nervousness for tomorrow’s baptism. I didn’t think such a young child would know what will happen, though, would she…? I reached out to grab hold of her. This time, she chose to kindly let me hold her. That said, she still reached out to her Mom.
Nier looked at Daisy with a helpless smile and, in a soft voice, explained, “Sorry… Daisy. Mommy really wants to hold you, but Mommy is holding a weapon. You’d best not come near Mommy at the moment, because you’ll get hurt.”
Nier was right. Nier wasn’t just armed with a sword when she was in her Valkyrie mode. She was practically the sword herself. It had been a long time since I saw that gaze of hers. I was certain she must’ve wanted to personally protect her daughter. That explained why she reverted to her Valkyrie mode. Daisy didn’t listen to her mother’s explanation, nonetheless. She desperately reached out to her Mom. Hopeless, I carried her over to the bed and placed her down. I then went up to Nier and gently pressed my hand down on her sword. I softly said, “Go and hold Daisy. I’ll take your sword for now.”
“But…”
I laughed under my breath: “I know that, as a mother, you can’t trust anyone else to protect your daughter; however, she’s your daughter. If you can’t even hold her when she’s in front of you, what’s the point of protecting her? Mommy Elizabeth once left me in the elven lands as a way of protecting me. Do you think that she’s happy with that decision now? Do you think Mommy Elizabeth… feels that she protected me?”
Various emotions flitted across Nier’s face. I sat down by her side and grabbed hold of her hand. I took her sword from her. Voice soft, I said, “Right now, the difference between you and Mommy Elizabeth is that I’m by your side. Nier, I’m right here next to you. I’m your husband and Daisy’s father. Therefore, protecting Daisy isn’t your concern alone. I, too, will protect her, so go and hold her first.”
Nier stopped to think before nodding: “… Okay.”
Nier reached out to pick up Daisy. Daisy’s cries gradually softened. She grabbed her Mom’s breast. Nier dallied for a moment before removing her uniform with a soft laugh. Daisy gently pressed her hand onto her Mom’s breast and began to tenderly suckle.
“Daisy, my daughter, Mommy will definitely protect you. Mommy will protect you no matter what. That’s a promise. Mommy will stay by your side, so Mommy will definitely keep you safe from harm.”
Nier’s eyes beamed with affection. I never would’ve believed that she’d have such an affectionate gaze in her half a year ago. I gently pulled the two of them into my embrace. I whispered, “Dad will protect you, too. Dad will always be by your side to protect you. Nier, I’ll always be by your side, as well. There’s no need for you to worry.”
“Uhm, Your Majesty, I trust you. Our daughter’s baptism is tomorrow. If I’m being honest, I’m feeling incredibly nervous at the moment… I’m genuinely, very worried that something will happen…”
“It’s all right. Come what may, I’ll always protect you and Daisy. I couldn’t do so in the past, but I absolutely can now.”
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