Lily’s Mother

In the living room, where the atmosphere was presumptively spine-chilling because of two factors: Stephanie and Clara. Honestly, on Clara, I don't know if she just sees me only as a potential sex mate or a love interest—I can't tell. On the other hand, Stephanie was the obvious one.

Why are they acting like this?

It must be related to the girl who snuggling my body like a child while sitting on my lap. Can you guess who the girl is? From all the options, it must be obvious because it was Lily. She's acting like a child who wants attention out of nowhere while clutching a diamond-shaped pendant.

After a few weeks of ignoring, she immediately turned into like this. Who am I to question? I did what a man would do in this situation and that's spoiling her by stroking her hair gently, spoiling her essentially. I'm great at that. It's my talent to spoil sad girls. I'm proud of that.

Hohoho~

In Stephanie's eyes, there's a deep emotional sentiment whenever she glances at Lily like a mother looking at her pitiful child. Occasionally glancing at me angrily. Like, what's her problem? I'm doing everything I can to give her head pats and hugs! I must say it's a difficult task to carry out—Trying my best not to get a raging boner, or else it would ruin the moment and make things awkward; especially, since the woman in front of me is extremely beautiful.

How difficult~

"Steph! Where did you go! I'm so worried about you!'" Rinna yelled at Stephanie.

Listening to her voice makes my ears bleed, but her bunny ears are more disturbing. The fluff can't be resisted.

Stephanie looks away before she gave Rinna her response. "I totally... completely forgot about you... When I got here... I completely forgot your existence... Sorry..."

"Are you serious! Existence!?"

"Pfft—!" I chortle.

Hearing Stephanie's response, I can't help myself but laugh. In addition to that, Rinna's dumbfound expression was priceless.

"Hahahaha..."

Stephanie embraces her leg to hide her beet-red face from me. Shortly, I stop laughing and place my chin on Lily's right shoulder, observing Rinna, who still has the same expression. Lily doesn't even seem to mind at all. To be frank, the uneasiness in my chest was gradually disappearing.

"Say, Rinna. What is your real purpose for coming in here?"

"Hm?" Rinna looks at me with confusion.

"Don't play dumb. There's no way the council would send someone like you nor the department. The law states you need to be 18 to enter decent jobs unless you're an adventurer. And, you don't seem to be an adventurer."

Rinna's shoulder flinches. "U-Uh... I'm not really... But, it's true that I was sent here!"

"What for?"

"Well... As an investigator, I need to keep things private."

"You're not even an investigator! You just admitted it earlier!"

"Nah-uh. How can you tell that I'm not lying earlier?"

"..."

"See? You don't have any evidence. I may be just tricking your mind."

"..."

During our conversation, Rinna's bunny ears were jerking up.

"... Really—"

"Young master Claude. Madam told me that there's an investigator coming, but she didn't specify if it's really related to Lady Lily's case."

"See! I told you!" Rinna exclaimed.

"Fine... I'll believe you... But, you're still suspicious." I squint my eyes at her.

"Give me a break! Ms. Maid already told you and I have the pendant! What do you want from me?"

"Hm..."

'I don't buy her detective shtick, there's probably something behind it. Got a feeling.'

"If you're here for Lily's case... Wait, is the case even in the court yet?"

"O-Of course! Fa—Why wouldn't they send me otherwise? I'm here to interrogate Princess Lily for the killing of William Valentin during her age of ceremony. According to the reports of Wilford Valentin statements, Princess Lily killed his son for no apparent reason and it was unjustifiable, seeking prosecution against her."

'Okay... Now, that the situation was taken over the court. He's now seeking justice for his son? Great.'

I was expecting Lily to shiver and have her mental breakdown by now. That's why I prepared myself before Rinna spoke. However, surprisingly, Lily was listening to Rinna focusing all her attention on listening. Like, she's preparing herself to face head-on what's coming to her.

"However, on Princess Lily's defense, according to the report, William Valentin has violent tendencies and sexual conduct base on the reports of other victims that are prosecuting against him, that are showing now. Safe to say, you're in a good spot."

"You're more like a lawyer than an investigator. So, what are you trying to tell?"

"Actually, I'm here just to send the message about the case to Princess Lily and about the hearing that will happen a week from now on."

In response, the entire atmosphere of the conversation went into silence.

"Basically, you're telling me... You know what, just continue on. I can't deal with your shenanigans."

"Wha...That's basically it."

"Fine... Why did they even send a person? Can't they just send a letter or something...?"

"I tore it because I'm bored. But, worry not, I remember all of it" Rinna has a proud look, as it's the normal thing to do.

"Haa... You're an idiot."

"Hey! How dare you!"

When she was about to stand up, two fury gazes were sent to her from Stephanie and Clara, which she sat right back to her seat, cowering in place.

Then I carry Lily into her room, leaving the three behind me. After going inside Lily's room, I lay Lily down on her bed and crouch down to meet her eyes. Her swollen eyes are still visible from all the crying.

"Are you okay now?"

Lily nods in response.

"Do you want something? Food? Drink?"

"Sorry for misbehaving for the last few days."

"It's all right. I understand your situation, so don't worry about it. As long as you're fine, it's all good. What happened when I was gone earlier?"

Lily shows the pendant in her hands.

"What is this?"

"It's from my late mother who passed away 2 years ago before my age of ceremony. She's Anya's original contractor before me. Other than Master Irene, she's one of my inspirations to strive on becoming stronger and to protect the people of my kingdom. It's the duty she bestow to me and what she died for."

Listening to her story, I'm having some mixed feelings about it. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Are you sure about telling me that?"

"Yes..."

I smile thinly at Lily.

Lily then continues her story. "Being a guardian of the kingdom is the duty of a female elven because it's one of the requirements of the Fenrir's contract. That's why, out of my brothers, I'm the only one who meets the requirement. Since I meet the requirements, I now bear the responsibility of taking my mother's place. However, the Fenrir can't have two contractors, that's why my mother has to die as per the tradition of the elves."

While listening to that, my face grimaces. "You're saying. For you to be the next guardian, your mother needs to sacrifice her own self to benefit the kingdom?"

"Yes. It's been our tradition for thousands of years. The birth rate of the elven race was low, but we have a long life span to compensate for that. When Mother gave birth to me, she's already 482 years old."

482?! That's impressive, but it saddens me that Lily could only manage to be with her for about 14 years despite their life span. Perhaps that's the reason she keeps calling her mother's name. Thinking about it, I suddenly recall my mother back in my world. She's a lively and caring mother.

"Also, that's the reason we keep the kingdom hidden. We are prone to hostility from other races. For the last 300 years, no war has transpired because of my mother—They call her the Frost Maiden and they fear her. The pendant Stephanie gave to me was the pendant of my late mother. It's the pendant she cares the most, the pendant that symbolizes all of her greatness and love for the kingdom."

"Stephanie gave it to you?"

"Yes. Look, inside of the pendant there's a small magic stone; it's a recording." Lily opens the pendant, and a projection appears in the air.

In the projection, there's an extremely beautiful elf that similarly looks like a grown-up Lily. She's the most gorgeous person I've ever seen in my entire life, the aura around her exudes maturity and dignity. Just glancing at her eyes makes me feel small.

[Lily, my daughter. I have long known once you were born, our time with each other is limited, but I want you to know. The world is big and I want you to take a closer look at it before bearing everything on your shoulders. Live for yourself first, before the kingdom. Understand yourself, then understand others. And, as your father would say. 'Face everything with your eyes forward on your goal, along with everything you have.'. Another thing I want you to remember, I love you. I love your father, brothers, and especially you. You're my little baby forever.] Lily's mother grins tenderly, then fades away.

Listening to it, I can feel the emotions coming from the message of Lily's mother. I glance at Lily, as I was expecting her to cry; however, she only displays a simple smile. A smile full of mixed emotions with her eyes showing determination and willpower.

"Thanks, mother."

Lily glances at me.

"You'll stay in my side forever, right Claude?"

"Of course," I said confidently with a smile on my face.

Although at that moment, I could feel something's wrong. The feeling of digging my own grave.

"Thank you, Claude."

"What for?"

"Thank you for everything." Lily smiles radiantly.

"No problem."