Chapter 41

Eva Lemuria

Today I am riding in a carriage with my father back to the capital. My plan worked and it seems like the brown haired man I freed from the white nail woke up and immediately ordered a retreat. It seems he also asked for heavy guards and has been really jumpy. That part is not my problem though. We packed up most of the army while leaving some soldiers to begin to build a fortress on the border just in case. I was glad that we can go home and my father can finally rest, but he seems to have definitely sustained a permeant injury to his leg. I wish I had arrived earlier to help stop this war quicker.

Apparently, we will head straight to the castle and then my father will make an announcement with news to all the nobles that are being told to gather now. It has been so long since I have seen my home and then I realize that no matter how long I have been gone I still think of this place as my home. We had finally reached the city and I open the curtains to look out the window and watch the city pass by. I feel like everything is exactly the same as it was before. There are almost all humans here except a few rare people from the other races. I even see a few dwarves, but I know that they are probably being watched by the shadow guards until things calm down more here.

We soon reach the castle gates that are grandly opened to a line of troops on both sides of the road to welcome my father. He doesn't seem to care at all because this whole time he seems to have had his eyes closed. I wanted to talk to him some more but I don't know what to say at this point. I have never been very good at talking to others and because Father has always been so busy I have talked to him less than others. It doesn't change my love for him but I always wonder if he understands how I feel.

We soon reach the entrance to the castle and I look at the grand doors that I have never actually walked through myself because I have always gone to the side or just jumped through a window. I guess I really was a tomboy like my mother once said. We walk through the doors and then continue walking down the large and grandly decorated hallway until we reach the doors to the throne room. Some knights open up the door and me and father simply walk straight in while ignoring all the gathered nobles here that were summoned earlier. I notice that many are specifically looking at me. Some seem curious about my identity while others seem to realize who I am.

We soon reach the back of the throne room where several thrones sit to represent the current royal family. There are currently five thrones so I guess they haven't made one for Anne yet. I take off my halberd and lean it against my throne before I sit down. I place Munin on my right arm rest since I won't be needing it before I cross my ankle over my knee and lazily lean with my chin on my left hand. Munin looks at me before she starts to look over the shocked nobles. I can't blame them since the dust on my throne clearly says that I have never been seen here and everyone probably realized why I wasn't around. I have never once participated in politics, but today I personally walked into the throne room and sat down in what will be a discussion concerning the future of this kingdom. What probably makes it worse is my looks and attitude, but my father doesn't seem to care as he just walks to his throne and leans his cane against it before sitting down. Father then gets straight to the discussion.

“People of the Lemuria Kingdom. Today I called you here to tell you that both wars that we have been forced to fight should now be over. I wish we could have fought with fewer sacrifices, but we still have lost many men who we will make a memorial for later. Now then I am sure both kingdoms will probably be sending some ambassadors here later because it seems this war had some very special circumstances that I will only tell a select few of you later.” Father

“Father I don't think anyone in this room has one. You can speak about it if you like, but nothing that shouldn't be found out about the enemies later. It seems they can force others to speak if they wish.”

“I see. Very well I will speak of it now. Everything started with what my daughter Princess Eva has told me earlier. I trust her so I hope you will all believe what I am going to tell you now.” Father

After that father proceeded to tell the nobles about the nails and what they can do. He left out anything about my personal experiences but still informed them of everything they needed to know. I can see some hold doubt while others seem to not even care. Only a few actually show a serious expression to show their concern. I am sure my father can see them just as easily as I can so I will ignore it. My father then speaks of the battles that happened and how my intervention with both armies stopped the pincer attack. At that several nobles began to yell and ask questions about me and how I did it, but my father did not answer them and simply ignored any question about me. I through out the discussion was just playing with Munin while watching the nobles from the corner of my eye. Eventually, the throne room was filled with debates on what to do next and what precautions our kingdom should take. At this point, my existence seems to have been forgotten so I just analyze everyone and I looked for those that are corrupted or just normal scum. The fat pigs are obviously corrupted if the can be that big and greasy. Then there's those that look like they are carrying their own weight in gold jewels.

I was having fun looking at some of these nobles that simply look like clowns until it happened. The throne room doors that were closed because this was a private meeting burst open and then in walked the living storm that is my mother. Her eyes scanned the room filled with nobles and no one said anything because of the natural pressure she was giving off right now. Even I think I was pale and sweating a little from fright. Her eyes then locked on to me and she marched right up to my throne and looked down on me as I shrunk back into my chair. Mother reaches her hand towards me and grabs my shirt before pulling me up to her height. She looks me in the eyes until I feel an intense pain on my cheek and my head was thrown to the side. I look up at Mother and see an incredibly fierce face as I reach up with my hand and feel my burning cheek. This is probably the first time mother has ever shown such an angry expression to me and also it's probably the first time she's ever struck me. No matter what trouble or problems I got into in the past she would never actually hit me or seriously scold me. Mother then pulls me into a tight hug that feels like she trying to truly crush me. I was about to say something until I felt liquid dripping down on me. I look back to mothers eyes and see she's crying so I just lower my head.

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“So you know how to come home! You run away without a word and then come back without saying anything to me! Just watch how I will take care of you! I won't let you out of my sight again! Do you know how worried I have been about you for years? I only got a letter from you after so long, but it says nothing about where you've been or whats happened to you. Look at how much you've changed and you just sit there like it's the natural thing to do……” Mother

Mother kept rambling on while slowly tightening her hug that's around me. I don't think she would be able to actually hurt me if I put any strength into my defenses, but I could actually hurt her if I did that. I look around the throne room until I spot Father watching with an amused grin so I glare at him with a little killing intent. His grin quickly vanishes and then he stands up to walk over.

“Cough, Luna love why don't you let Eva go now. We need to finish this meeting so the nobles can go home and then you can continue attacking, Cough, checking on Eva. She's here now and that's what matters. Plus looking at her I don't think she knows how to react right now so come sit down over here with her. You two should come sit down as well.” Father

Mother releases me but doesn't take her hand off my shoulder as if I will run away. I turn to look at who my Father was speaking to and I see George with formal clothes and an incredibly cold expression as he walks straight to his throne beside Father and sits down. Behind George is a little girl that looks like Lora when she was younger. She seems to have a much more meek appearance as she hides behind the familiar maid. I look up from her to the owner of the leg, Julie. She is looking straight at me with tears in her eyes. She then does something completely unreasonable for a maid and pounces at me with open arms. I shift to the side a little and she flies right past me onto the ground. I walk to my throne that is beside Mother's and sit back down.

“Princess Eva! Why would you dodge my hug? I have missed you for so many years! Princess if you wanted to run away I would have joined you! I wouldn't even inform your parents!” Julie

“What was that you damn maid?! And don't just abandon Anna so quickly! You are such a hopeless person. Where is Anna?” Mother

Mother looks around until she spots the little girl that had waddled to where I was sitting. She's looking up at me with clear curiosity and I am completely helpless. I was never good with Lora when she was a little girl like this. Lora would just follow me around everywhere and was satisfied with just that so I never actually played with her that much. I don't know what Anne wants from me so I can only watch her watch me. The staring contest is broken though as Mother walks up and picks up the Anne and then places her on my lap. Anne opens her eyes wide until she seems content and just shifts around until she's comfortable sitting across my legs.

“Whats wrong Eva? Don’t want your own little sister sitting with you?” Mother

Mother still has very cold eyes as she looks at me and It’s really affecting me. I can tell she's still very angry at me for running away and will definitely not let this go easily. She walks over and sits on her throne next to me. She keeps staring at me waiting for an answer. So I can only shake my head and mutter quietly “No.”

“Good, She's already grown up listening to stories about how great her big sis is from her other sister and perverted maid. Of course, she would want to spend time with her big sis that she hasn't actually seen all her life because her big sister decided to run away.” Mother

I never knew Mother was so good at pressuring someone with guilt like this. Her expression is so cold looking at me that I can only look down. When I do look down I can only watch Anne sitting comfortably on my lap while Munin is having a staring contest with her while sitting on my arm rest. They keep staring at each other until Anne reaches for Munin, only for Munin to shift out of the way. Anne doesn't give up and keeps reaching for Munin as she shifts back and forth. I just put my chin on my hand as I get comfortable to watch this probably never ending game of theirs.

“Ahem, now then we can get back to trying to come up with some plans for the future. With the information, my daughter has brought we know that these people are dangerous and are almost unnoticeable with the white nails in their chest. Then there is also those with the white hammers that are used for putting the nails in others. For now, I believe we should just simply strengthen our defenses while keeping an eye open for any suspicious movements. Also, I would like to announce that both my son George and daughter Eva have authority to move our soldiers if they want. I will assign Eva to look for those with the white nails so if she moves or asks for anything I expect your cooperation. Is this fine with you Eva? Of course, this will happen in a couple of days after you rest at home for a bit.” Father

“I understand”

I mutter quietly before my father then dismisses everyone to leave the throne room. I am sure he probably wanted to speak more and bring up other discussions, but the glare he's receiving from Mother seems to have pressured him to end it today. I want to run away but I can't with Anne and Munin playing on my lap. As soon as the doors to the throne room shut the only sound left is the noise Anne and Munin are making as they play. I keep my head forward even though I can feel Mothers gaze directed at me.

“Mother, why are you bothering with her? Nothing had changed since she was gone. You barely would have seen her anyway in this time. She either would have been at the academy or she would have been adventuring away from home either way.” George

“Because she didn't say anything! She doesn't seem to have cared at all that she left us without a word for years and then she shows back up while looking like this. Your father told me she was injured, but to be missing an entire arm! She doesn't even seem to appreciate that we were worried. And take off that mask as well! Why do you wear that? Is there another injury that you have?” Mother

Crap mother starts reaching for my mask and I can't move without dropping Anne of my lap. Luckily Father steps in and grabs Mothers hand while gently patting it.

“Luna you know that if you keep acting this way you will simply drive her away. You need to give her some space so she'll be comfortable. We don't want to pressure her so much. I know in the past you loved to just pour out your affection, but she's an adult now. She's already nineteen years old.” Father

“Hah?” Am I nineteen? 

“Look at that she doesn't even know how old she is! She's been doing who knows what all this time and comes back looking like that! I want to just lock her up and keep her at home at this point!” Mother

“No!”

I panic at the mention of being locked up and without worrying about Anne I shift while grabbing my halberd and gain distance from my Mother. Everyone is looking at me as Munin appears on my shoulder and then I shift again and fly out of the throne room and run away. I keep flying until I am outside and I spot my old training ground. I go inside and lean against the wall while holding my head. I didn't think I would react that way, but I don't think I can ever be in that situation again. I cannot bear to be locked up anymore. I didn't think I would grow such a serious fear of it to the extent I would run away from my own family. I think I even dropped Anne on the ground. She will probably start to fear me like George now. I lay down against the wall and closed my eyes as I take deep breaths. I will go back after I have calmed down a bit.