The Flower Of Eternity
Chapter 34: Mother's Love

Upon Anna's return from Westeria, the tasks piled up were already waiting for her. Reports from the men he was assigned to oversee the Palace's repair work at Schiereiland he received that day as soon as he returned to Noord. The report stated that the repair of Schiereiland Palace is now complete. The condition of the Palace was back to normal and they were ready to accept the move of the Tsarina to Schere. Anna would make Schere the Imperial Capital of Schiereiland, replacing Noord who was too cold for her. Another reason was because he increasingly found it difficult to heal himself from his pain if he continued to be in the Noord Main Palace. There are too many memories with Xavier there.

But before she starts moving in, Anna has to settle matters with Orient first. And before that, Anna had to prepare the Steel Dragon first if the negotiations with Emperor Haru failed.

And before he could start all that, he first had to make sure his daughter was healthy.

Princess Vierra suddenly developed a high fever upon returning to Noord. Since it was the first time Vierra had fallen ill, Anna was so panicked and could not think clearly as she usually did. She was so afraid that her daughter's pain would become severe. She was afraid of losing her daughter. So he called them all; the doctor, the Palace herbologist, the magicians who were experts in the field of healing even sent an army of Wolves to summon Saintess Lucia who lived at the top of Reux mountain to immediately heal her daughter.

But after the examination, the conclusion was only one, his daughter's fever was caused by a long journey with teleportation magic when the baby was that age could not go much more with teleportation magic. And the cure was so simple, namely a kiss full of love from Anna that can immediately lower her daughter's fever so that the drug prescribed by the doctor, which is, palace herb concocters and witch-made potions are no longer needed. Anna's wolf envoys were immediately summoned back to the Palace so there was no need to pick up Saintess. He never expected that the healing method he used with Xavier would apply to his daughter as well.

***

"God! You've been up so early?" Irene asked the next day. Irene accidentally woke up before sunrise to visit her granddaughter. But as soon as she entered her grandson's room, she was shocked to find Anna in it.

"I can't sleep all night. I'm afraid he's sick again." Answer Anna. She was holding her daughter and standing by the window, looking at the sun that was just about to rise.

"So you didn't sleep all night and just kept holding her like that?"

Anna nodded.

"He's healed. You can take turns with me looking after him. Now sleep for a few hours." Irene.

Anna shook her head, still not releasing Vierra. "I'm not sleepy at all."

Then a voice came from outside the door of Vierra's room. "Your Majesty, I'm Eliza. Can I come in?"

"Come in, Eliza." Said Anna.

Eliza went into Vierra's room. "Your Majesty, this morning you have a scheduled visit to Smirnoff House and Schiereiland Palace. Do I need to cancel?"

"Yes. Cancel it. I'll be with my daughter all day so cancel all my schedules."

"No. You're not gonna cancel. Princess Vierra's healed and there's nothing else you need to worry about. You can go to the Smirnoff House now. I'll take care of Princess Vierra." Irene.

Anna looked at Irene. "No. My daughter needs me." Anna's eyes look haphazard from crying last night. He again nailed his gaze to the Princess who was soundly asleep, worried that her daughter had a fever back. "Eliza, you can go." Added. Eliza left the room immediately.

"So much as the whole of Imperial. Everyone needs you." Irene Timpal.

"My daughter needs me more than anyone. He's the most important thing to me and I'm not leaving him." Anna insists. He was now sitting on the edge of the bed with Vierra sleeping on his arm.

"So the fate of this entire Imperial isn't that important to you? I can take care of Vierra. Don't you trust me because I've never been a good mother to my two sons?" Irene. He raised his tone.

Anna felt guilty for offending her mother-in-law. He knew how Irene still felt guilty for her absence from Xavier and Leon's life all along. "Mother-in-law, I didn't mean—“

"No. Of course not. I understand your anxiety, son. That's what it feels like to be a mother. Worrying incessantly, panicking and worrying when something bad happens to her, and when your child gets sick, you wish that pain could be your responsibility. It will continue forever even if your child grows up. I know exactly that feeling. The difference is, I felt all that without being able to do anything and could only watch as my two sons were sick and suffering while they were little." Irene paused for a moment, and continued, "And when I found out Xavier was suffering from Morta's poison, I really wanted to be able to bear the pain. I thought that after escaping the magic trap, after I returned to my sons, I could be more useful to them. In fact, even when Xavier was in pain I couldn't do anything to ease his pain. Until she died, I couldn't be a good mother to her."

"It must be hard for you." Just imagine Anna can't. Being helpless when her child is in trouble, when her child is on the brink of death, must make any mother frustrated.

Irene nodded, her eyes reddened withholding tears as she recalled those times. "I cried and screamed like crazy but it was all for nothing. It was only when my sons had grown up and did not need me anymore that I came out of that magic trap. But it's no use, it's too late, they'll still remember me as a mother who was never there for them when they needed a mother so badly."

Anna moved away from her seat, took Vierra and laid her daughter in the cot very slowly, worried that her daughter would wake up. Once again Anna landed a kiss on her daughter's cheek, hoping that any illness could not approach the sleeping princess. He then sat down on the chair opposite Irene and clasped her hand, "I'm sure Xavier and Leon don't think of you that way. They love you and they're grateful to have you as their mother."

Those words succeeded in comforting Irene's heart. He understood how his two sons fell in love with the woman before him. Irene smiled at Anna and said, "Therefore, let me make up for all my shortcomings. Trust my grandson to me. Let me take care of him and take care of him while you're gone. If he is sick, there are doctors and witches in the Palace. And if he misses you, you can return to the Main Palace at any time with the help of teleportation magic."

Irene's words convinced Anna. With a heavy heart, she left her daughter behind and entrusted her to Irene.

That morning Anna went to the Smirnoff House before visiting Schiereiland Palace and deciding when she would move. Smirnoff is a long way from Noord. Normally, it takes more than a week to travel by horse-drawn carriage. Anna remembers how she, Leon and Louis had to travel for days from Schere to Noord to contest the election of Xavier's bodyguard. She was grateful that now that she had become Tsarina and held full power over the entire Imperial Kingdom including the Magic Tower, Anna could order the Palace Witch to take her teleported to the Smirnoff Region.

There, Ludwig and Constanza were waiting for him and welcomed him. Anna didn't take anyone, just a few bodyguards and a witch she trusted to drive her. Although Anna knows that Irene really wants to go with her to the Smirnoff House because Irene missed her childhood home when she was Smirnoff—'s adopted daughter and because her childhood home was where she was she first meets Kris, but Anna is relieved that Irene decides not to go with her and look after her daughter at the Palace. While Tyros who initially offered to accompany him to the House of Smirnoff got a rejection from Anna. Anna insists on keeping Tyros off all duties until her wedding day so that Tyros can prepare for her marriage to Theana.

"How are you doing?" Anna asked Constanza as the three of them were sitting in the living room of the Smirnoff House. "I've heard it from Ludwig. How many weeks are you pregnant?"

Constanza threw a fierce look at her husband.

"Come, baby. The Tsarina is your only immediate family besides your sisters. You want to keep it a secret from her, too?" Ludwig.

"Why are you keeping it a secret? It's the happy news you have to broadcast to all of Imperial." Anna said she did not want Ludwig to be blamed for telling Anna about Constanza's pregnancy.

Before Constanza answered him, Ludwig had already explained it to Anna. "Constanza is too worried that this is not the right time to have children, because the war with Orient is in sight. She doesn't want to have children at when—“

"I want to!" Constanza Cut. "I'm so envious that Anastasia already has children and I keep looking forward to when I can have children too. I am so grateful for the presence of this child. I want the presence of a child. Or maybe three—“

"Five, baby." Ludwig. "That time you told me you wanted to have five children because combined, we have a total of five houses to inherit."

"Yes, five." Constanza twisting the eyeball. "The problem is, now is not the right time to announce it. Orient spies were once in this house and stole Morta's bombs. Don't you guys understand? Orient spies were once that close and we don't know at all. If the Orient already knew that I was pregnant, I don't know what they would do to harm me and the child I was carrying. Because they didn't know— and I didn't know it at the time, so they just stole Morta's bomb."

"really. Stress is not good for the baby." Anna agreed. "So what are you feeling right now? Nausea? Easily tired? Unstable emotions?"

"He was a little more often angry..." Ludwig. But then he continued, "Not really. He's usually like that." His words were answered with a gripping plot from his wife. But Ludwig was used to it, so he returned with a smile that instantly made Constanza soften again.

"My condition is fine. I'm healthy as always. There's no sign of anything. It's only the sixth week anyway." Constanza said to Anna.

Anna seemed to recall her early pregnancy while they were still in the Orient. How it feels like it's long gone. And Anna was so grateful to have made it through those times. "When I was pregnant with Vierra, I was like a dying man in week six. I really couldn't eat or drink anything and could only lie down all day. Xavier didn't sleep for days because he kept me up all night."

As he said it, Anna's mind went back to recall those times. At first Xavier really had no idea that she was pregnant and Anna had no intention of telling her until she made it through the early days of her pregnancy which was very difficult. Xavier is puzzled that his kiss can usually heal anything that makes Anna sick, but that time he can't. Eventually Kaze and Shuu bring a healer and Xavier is told that Anna is pregnant. Anna is initially worried that Xavier will remember Anna's pregnancy in their past lives, as she conceived Nordlijk long ago, he could barely survive until the other three dragons begged him not to maintain his content. Anna is grateful that Xavier, Kaze and Shuu believe in her in this life, that Anna can get through it so she doesn't have to lose her daughter. They were even looking for potions for Anna so that she could stay healthy. It is inconceivable what would have happened if Vierra had never been born, after Xavier's death, without her daughter, Anna would have been completely alone.

Thinking about it made him miss his daughter. But he knew that it would be better for Vierra to remain in the Palace. He did not want his daughter to fall ill again. So inevitably, even though it felt heavy, Anna held back her longing.

Constanza seemed to notice Anna half-thought after mentioning Xavier's name in her previous sentence. So he hurriedly chimed in his words to get Anna's mind distracted.

"Is the norm really that bad?" Ask Constanza. Because as far as she can remember, when her mother was pregnant with her sisters, her mother only experienced mild nausea in the morning.

But Ludwig answered the question, "He was pregnant with a Dragon child, baby—I told you about this. Of course, the condition will be worse than ordinary pregnancy. I once read in a book from the Orient library, long ago, it was almost impossible to give birth to a Dragon child safely. Several times the wife of the Water Dragon in the Orient died while pregnant with her child. Some have given birth to her, but the mother died after giving birth." Ludwig explained. "I'm surprised myself, if Xavier knows how difficult it is for you to conceive her child since in your old life, why she—“

"Oh, Ludwig! Don't discuss! That's their choice. Did your sister marry my cousin just to hold hands?" Constanza protests live. He then turned to Anna, "Sorry, sometimes my genius husband isn't as smart as people talk."

"It's okay." Said Anna. "Actually, we've been in agreement since the night of our wedding in Orient. At first she was very careful with me knowing what would happen if I carried her child, but I assured her that I wanted a child from her no matter what the risk. I want to have a complete family with him. Of course it took effort to make her believe that I would be fine. Until he finally couldn't argue with me anymore and gave up."

"Southern women are stubborn." Ludwig's Comment.

"And the Northern man is hard to woo. Too careful and too polite, I think. Your Honor, if you knew how much I tried to seduce her when we were newly engaged and she would only think of me as a mere fiancee of formality without really trying to get to know me. He wouldn't even look at me at all! Until I thought I must be engaged to an ice sculpture from the north, not a prince." Constanza.

Ludwig seemed embarrassed to hear him being talked about like that. Anna could only smile at the couple. Anna is grateful that Constanza and Ludwig were able to get married even though Ludwig had not received the blessing of his mother, but according to the tradition in the North, Ludwig had to get the blessing of his parents before he could marry Constanza.

"Then how did you survive the pregnancy of Princess Vierra?" Ludwig asked, still curious. Typical of the curious Clera people. "I'm just worried that Constanza will experience something similar. Maybe there's some medicine I need to get ready for?"

"Help from Saintess." Answer Anna.

Anna also tells the story of Saintess Lucia who lives on Mount Reux which until now she has never met again. And then their conversation continued to a more serious stage, which was about the continuation of the Steel Dragon making project carried out by Ludwig and several technicians sent by Eugene. Ludwig stated that he was very grateful for the arrival of all the reliable technicians. But he asked Anna to give him more time. Anna understood that Ludwig now had to pay more attention to the condition of his pregnant wife and could not spend too much time in her study nor in the assembly place of the Steel Dragon. His concentration is divided between his wife and his work. And that made it difficult for Ludwig to work on the Steel Dragon quickly. But Anna couldn't give Ludwig any more time either. Because as soon as Leon came home with Eri in front of him, he already had to start his plan.

"Isn't there any other witch who is as genius as you and can help with your work?" Anna finally asked. If he can't give extra time, then at least he needs more manpower. Westeria technicians are geniuses, but they are not genius magicians like Ludwig. Anna needs a genius magician who is not only an expert on magic, but also on machinery and technology. Someone like Ludwig. "What about your brothers? Didn't they learn magic? They must be just as genius as you."

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Honor. But Wilhelm was still learning basic magic whereas Heinrich had no magic talent at all. They won't be able to." Ludwig. He then seemed to be silent in thought.

"Please don't mention Eleanor Winterthur. She's a great witch and very smart, I know that. But not him. Not because I still can't forgive him for what he did to Xavier and Leon, but because he's locked up in the Northern Palace right now. He can't come to Smirnoff to help you." Anna said immediately before Ludwig recommended the name.

"Oh, I did not think at all to mention his name in front of you, Your Majesty. I'm afraid you could burn down our house if I mentioned it." Ludwig. Anna knew Ludwig was just kidding. She was not so happy to burn down her mother's childhood home just because she heard Eleanor's name called. "Again, 'the witch'—maaf I don't want to mention her name—she has no knowledge of high-level machinery and technology although I have to admit she is indeed very smart. Not to be arrogant, but as far as I know no witch comes to my mind who can help me. Nothing, except just one name. And I'm sure this guy won't be willing to help me."

"Why do you think so, Grand Duke?" Ask Anna.

"Because I betrayed him like my father betrayed him. He won't forgive me for helping me." Reply Ludwig. His eyes expressed sorrow and regret.

Anna further wonders who the witch Ludwig is referring to. So he again asked, "Who—“ but before finishing his question, the question was answered.

And it was not Ludwig who answered him, for it was too much for Ludwig to go back to calling him after the painful betrayal he had committed.

Constanza was the one who mentioned her name, "Selena." He said, "My beloved mother-in-law."

***

A poem from King Xavier's journal written for Anna:

You still ask me about the day of my birth

So here I'm telling you, my darling

The day you declared your love

*Is the day of my birth.**

I was a dead man without your love

It is you who brought me to life

And now I will live for you

And your love only.

*(The original poem was written by Nizar Qabbani with changes)