“Wake up . Wake up, Son . Wake up . ”

I opened my eyes and, in a bleary state, checked my surroundings . I didn’t know when I fell asleep . The promise of the rising sun came after the velvety night had its say . The golden orb and land prepared to rest once more . It no longer beat on my skin as it did at noon . In fact, the air outside was slightly cold .

Mom gently shook my shoulders . The book on my chest slid off . I sat up . My back ached a little as I slept in a chair . My teacup was no longer hot . The fruit was still glimmering thanks to the last hues of red from the ent.i.ty on the horizon . I looked at Mom with a tinge of bewilderment then stood up and slowly stretched my back out . My back cracked refres.h.i.+ngly . My blanket slid down . I picked it up and put it on the chair . I asked “Mom, how long have I slept for…?”

Mom stroked my head . She pitifully answered, “I’m not sure, either . You might’ve fallen asleep not long after we left . Son, if you want to sleep, then sleep on the bed . It’s not good for you to sleep on the chair, and it’s cold, isn’t it?’

“It’s not bad . Mom, did you sleep until now, as well?”

Mom smiled: “Uhm . The kids slept until now, as well . With the girls by my side, I feel so blissful that I don’t want to wake up . I came over after they woke up to find you asleep, to my surprise . I woke you up because I was worried you’d be cold and uncomfortable sleeping in the chair . ”

“I’m all right . I don’t even know when I fell asleep… I remember I was reading a book . ”

I picked up the book . I felt ashamed after I saw it, for I discovered that I pa.s.sed out after having read… practically nothing . Mommy Vyvyan touched the teacup then called a maid to switch it for a new hot cup . She sat down next to me and looked at the letter in front of me: “Son, what’s the letter about…?”

“Oh, the maid handed it to me . It’s addressed to you . I haven’t opened it, so I don’t know what it’s about myself . ”

I handed Mom the letter . She took a look . An imposing look flitted across her beautiful face: “It seems that humans have learnt to use their brains and won’t barge into my palace without permission . Mm, let’s see what they said . It shouldn’t be anything major . Hence, you don’t need to feel nervous, Son . ”

I nodded: “Mom, is something happening here?

“Didn’t Mommy already tell you? There’s nothing . There would never be anything major here . Don’t worry . Mommy’s subordinates were just giving a mission report pertaining to investigations in the forest . The forest is never peaceful, after all . Our Galadriel Tribe doesn’t just manage elves but also the forest . ”

“I see . It sounds as though I won’t be able to help . ”

While I was a member of the Galadriel tribe and the only descendant, I knew squat about mana . I never studied it before, after all . Troy also had a berserk mana condition previously, while Mommy Vyvyan never taught him how to utilise magic . Subsequently, I had no clue how to resolve mana problems in the forest .

With a curve to her lips, Mom caressed my head: “Exactly, so don’t worry . Leave it to Mommy . It’s nothing important, so just trust Mommy with it . ”

“Is it really nothing important…?”

Mom gave me a smile . Then, she scrunched the letter up and threw it into the fire: “Of course not . It’s just that the mana status in the forest has changed . It’s probably due to some species undergoing some changes . It might be a good thing for all we know, but it might also be bad . It’s essentially an annual occurrence now, which is why Mommy needs to go and take a look . ”

“I see . Well, I won’t get involved, then… I can’t solve mana problems, anyway… It’ll only make matters worse if I get in your way . ”

Satisfied with my response, Mom instinctively nodded in approval: “Which is why you should just leave it to Mommy . Here, you’re my son . As my son, you don’t need to worry about this . This is something Mommy needs to worry about . Oh, your tea is here . Do you want any refreshments?”

I picked up the hot tea and took a sip . The fragrant scent of the tea helped me sober up . Additionally, it loosened up my somewhat stiff joints . It felt as though my blood finally began to circulate . Mom picked up a fruit and popped it in her mouth . Next, she held a piece up to my mouth . I opened up for her to feed me . The sweet taste instantly dispersed and rewarded my entire mouth .

As I was savouring the taste, Lucia came over with her daughter in her arms . She was surprised to find me there drinking tea: “Your Highness, I never thought you would be here . I was prepared to hear Her Highness’ agitated yelling and find you missing . ”

“Do you see me as a man who would ignore your safety and run around, instead?”

“Are you not?” Lucia sarcastically stressed with her lips pursed into a smile .

Lucia came over and kissed me on cheek . I reciprocated the kiss and took hold of Vera at the same time . Vera hugged me around my neck . She blinked her large eyes as she looked at Mommy Vyvyan . Mom narrowed her eyes to play with Vera, which led to Vera cackling . I sat down, and Lucia sat down next to me . Lucia queried, “Your Highness, do you have any plans tomorrow?”

“Uh, no . I don’t have any changes to my schedule during my stay . You all like me staying at home, so haven’t I been doing just that?”

Lucia smiled: “It would be best if you could stand it, but I’m sure that, if you continue to hold it in for a prolonged period, then you might do something even more troubling later on . Your Highness, let’s go out for a stroll at noon tomorrow with just the two of us . Let’s stroll around in Duargana as we did in the past . We’ve left Duargana for a long time . Therefore, things might’ve changed considerably by now . ”

“That’s a good idea . Vera, Nona and I will be very happy to spend time together, too,” approved Mommy Vyvyan . She then narrowed her eyes and warned, “In saying that, Son, you should know the rules, right? Do not stay out later than your curfew; otherwise, I’llpersonally come looking for you . ”

I nodded: “I know… You all keep attacking me with this . It hurts my feelings . ”

“If you learn to not endanger yourself after getting hurt, Mommy thinks that’d actually be a good thing . ”