Chapter 82 - My Biggest Regret!

The throne room felt heavy with the weight of the impending doom. My mother, sat rigidly on the throne with a pale and drawn face, her gaze fixed on the trembling amazonian scout.

— Speak! — she demanded, her voice sharp as shards of ice. 

Crouching, the scout sweated with trembling knees. — Q-Queen... warships... approaching the island... — she stammered.

My mother's composure shattered, leapt from the throne, with her eyes wide with disbelief. — WHAT?! — she exclaimed, her voice rising in alarm. — Impossible!

I, consumed by a cloud of emotions—anger, frustration, and a deep-seated resentment towards my mother—turned and fled the throne room. I needed to move, to release the pent-up fury within me.

Standing, with clenched fists. — ARTHUR HENRY! — my mother's voice echoed through the chamber, lace with a mixture of fear and fury. — COME BACK HERE! IT iS AN ORDER!

But I ignored her, my feet pounding against the marble floor as I raced through the palace, the weight of my anger propelling me forward. I thought I had to move, to fight, to unleash the rage that had been simmering within me for far too long, but I ended up disobeying the queen's orders. I not only disobeyed, but I disrespected her...

…

In the center of the capital city of the island, we were trying to stop an enemy attack, we didn't know if it was coming from Greece or the assassins of Aca. Zeus had already declared the extinction of the Amazons, and Aca did not give up wanting my mother in his arms.

The screams of the amazons, the clash of steel, the eerie glow of enemy fire—it was a chaotic and hard day for the amazons.

— Arthur, come back here! — riding her horse, my mother chased me through the invaded city.

— Ahhh!! — some Amazons reacted to the invaders' swords with shouts.

I saw her, a sight of silver and crimson against the backdrop of the burning city, riding towards me on her magnificent warhorse.

— What are you waiting for? — I roared; my voice hoarse with fury. — Get off those horses, and fight! — I grunted, breaking the neck of a man in black.

My mother, her eyes wide with fear and sadness, seeing another coming after me, threw her spear with deadly accuracy. I turned my head away from the spear and saw it pierce the heart of an enemy soldier.

With a furrowed brow and veins on her face. — Arthur! — she shouted, her voice stern. — After this, we will have a VERY SERIOUS conversation! — My mother grunted. 

The tone, the steely glint in her eyes, sent a shiver down my spine. This was not the usual doting mother, but the fierce lioness queen, an amazon warrior, who took care of and protected me from everything.

— Slash! — I slit an enemy's throat and sighing, looked around.

— Ack!! — The man holding his throat, fell to the ground.

My mother got off the horse with her golden dress that shone in the moonlight, a red cloak that crawled on the ground attached to her dress and a golden wreath on her head. She placed her hand on the face of an enemy and lifting him up, threw him away.

Seeing the soldiers surround me, my mother ordered with veins on her face. — Go back to the palace! — my mother's voice ringing out above the din.

— Slash! — With just one swing of her sword, she cut off the heads of two men. 

Her movements were fast, flashy and precise, radiating a pink light. She was like a scythe, her every move a masterpiece of martial artistry.

— THUD!! — The two bodies fell and joined those already on the ground.

With veins on my face, a grunt escaped my lips. — Leave me alone! — I growled. 

The tide turned. The enemies outnumbered and outmaneuvered, began to retreat. With a final bone-jarring strike, I dispatched my opponent and, with a reluctant sigh, mounted my mother's horse and rode back towards the palace. 

My mother placed her hands on her hips and sighed. — Was it necessary to take my horse...? — her voice carrying a hint of amusement.

I ignored her, my mind still reeling from the battle.

…

An hour or two later, I found myself back in my chambers, I continued my saga of grudge.

With veins on her face. — WHY DON'T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE? — I screamed.

With a furrowed brow, she looked at me, her eyes shining with sadness and exasperation. — What does 'leave me alone' mean, Arthur?! — she asked, her voice gentle. — I am your mother. You are being unfair!

— You say you don't like secrets, — I raged, — but you're the first to hide things from me! And on top of that you lied to me! — I exapted, turning my back on her.

— Love, — she said, her voice trembling. — it's been a year. A year, and you still haven't forgiven me?!... Y-You barely speak to me, you barely look at me. — You don't call me 'Mother' anymore... — her voice grew weaker and weaker.

She took a few steps towards me, but I moved away from her hand, unable to bear the anger of looking at her. — You know how much I miss grandma, — I said, my voice thick with emotion. — Do you also know that I saw my father's head being cut off that night?! Do you even know what it's like to have everything taken away from you?! — I said with clenched fists. 

I was looking at the floor, turning my back to her. Funny, right? She didn't know who her father was, lost her husband, lost her mother and her people died yet a teenager said to her 'You don't know what it's like to lose everything...' 

Looking at my back, she lowered her head. — Forgive me, son... I-I didn't know, I thought when you asked if he died... — Trembling, her voice barely a whisper. 

Tears fell through her sad face, she felt guilty and undevoted, but I interrupted her speech. My mother was dejected, red faced, trembling body, her gaze downcast and her breathing failed.

I wiped my face and turned around to face her. — YOU THOUGHT WRONG! — I screamed, my voice cold and unforgiving. — You know who poisoned her, you always knew, and you still keep it from me! — I cried, bursting out of the room.

I slammed the door shut in anger, the sound echoing through the silent chamber. I had hurt her, deeply. And now, seeing Alucard strangle her, this weight of regret pressed down on me, heavy and suffocating

Crying, my mother's shoulders slumped. — My child... I can't you forgive me... — she whispered, her voice breaking. — This hurts so much... 

With a pale face, my mother sank to the floor, her body trembling. — Arthur, I love you so much... Why can't you... Ahhh... — she murmured, her voice barely audible.

I leaned on the door outside, I heard her... I should've said that I loved her too...

…

The resentment, the anger, the sadness I felt for her lasted for years. I pushed her away, I stepped on her, and made it clear so that everyone could realize it, the anger because of her lies, the secrets...

Running her hand through my hair. — S-sweetie, — she had whispered, her voice trembling, her hand gently massaging my hair, a gesture that both comforted and repelled me. — I thought I'd pay you a visit, since you didn't come back in summer vacation... — she continued, resting her hand on my cheek. — Forgive me... forgive me for everything. I know you don't want to see me, but I had to come here, and I'm glad I came... this m-may probably be the last time we see each other... 

The words hung heavy in the air, each syllable a tiny dagger piercing my heart. Her voice, usually so vibrant, was now a mere whisper, a fragile echo of the woman I once knew. I could see the pain etched on her face, the years of sorrow weighing heavily on her shoulders. It was a sight that should have filled me with remorse, yet I remained stubbornly cold and indifferent.

On this day the Future Academy was destroyed, I was arrested, and it was here where I met Mara. I was sixteen, I had already killed Brunhilde and Apollo. I had chains on my legs, neck, hands and sealed acupoints.

I moved my mother's hand away from my cheek, my gaze cold and nonchalant in her direction. — Don't touch me! — I spat, my voice cold and venomous. — You disgust me!

Her hand, trembling with a mixture of sadness and fear, fell back to her side. A single tear escaped her eye, tracing a path down her weathered cheek. The sight of her distress, the raw vulnerability in her gaze, should have shattered the icy armor I had built around myself. But it didn't. 

Again, my mother tried to touch my chest with her trembling hand. — D-Darling... Don't do this to me... — she whispered as I tapped her hand.

…

Even when it was to save her, I remained stubborn, I hardened my heart. Consumed by resentment and anger. I pushed her away, further and further. I was able to be the cause of my mother's tear-stained face...

With dark circles under her eyes and pale skin, she looked at me. [Son, please listen to me...]

One year had passed since the Future Academy's demise, she rescued me from prison. I found myself seated in the meeting room of the Amazons' palace. Here she was thinner, it was clear that she hadn't eaten in a long time, her skin pale, her face gaunt and drawn, her gaze weak and melancholy, her eyes were hollow with profound sadness. I later learned that she had gone into severe depression, had anxiety and a lack of will to live.

Today my heart swells with regret just remembering my mother's sadness, her tears, and knowing that she almost committed suicide because I didn't love her as I should.

I scoffed, my cold and rageful gaze fixed on her. [Did you just get me out of prison to use me?! Despicable, don't talk to me!] I spat telepathically.

Yes, she lied. Yes, she hid things from me. Yes, she was wrong. She allowed and omitted horrible and inhumane acts, but she is my mother! She's mine... My Mother...

…

Twenty years ago, the United Kingdom was celebrating. The province of London was a riot of color, the paved streets awash in a sea of vibrant hues. Flowers of all kinds cascaded from every window box, a fragrant blanket of blossoms blanketing the city. But it was in Camelot where the true jubilation resided. The multitude of people, a sea of face at the foot of the palace, their eyes fixed on the royal balcony, eager to catch a glimpse of the greatest joy that the most beautiful woman in the kingdom would bring. 

My beloved mother lay on the bed, her hair damp with sweat, clinging to her brow. Her white tunic wet. She cradled a tiny bundle in her loving arms, a newborn baby, her tearful eyes shimmering with a mixture of exhaustion and ecstatic joy. — My love... — she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion, her finger tracing over the delicate lines of the infant's face.

The midwives looking at my mother with faces flushed with excitement, buzzed around the bed. — Ownn... The queen is so beautiful, even in this situation she is still the most beautiful... — they murmured among themselves, their voices awed.

— It's a boy, ma'am, — a midwife announced, her voice filled with wonder.

My mother's eyes, brimming with tears, widened and took the shape of pulsing hearts. She showered the tiny blood-soaked infant with kisses, her touch gentle yet fierce, a lioness protecting her cub. — My little charming prince, you are so beautiful... — she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

The baby, startled by the sudden onslaught of affection, let out a vigorous cry. — UWAAAH!! — a sound that filled the room with a joyous cacophony.

One of my mother's handmaidens, Bethany, approached the bed, her face beaming. — Madam, you need to rest... — she urged, her voice gentle.

My mother's gaze fixed on her son, shook her head and instinctively took out her breast and placed it near the baby's mouth. — I don't need to rest, — she declared, her voice firm. — I want to be with my son...

King Heinrich with a flushed face with excitement, burst through the door, his eyes wide with wonder. — ANDROMEDA!! — he exclaimed, his voice booming through the room. — Are you okay?! — he strode towards the bed, his concern evident in his eyes and sweaty forehead.

My mother, lying back against the pillows, smiled at him, her eyes sparkling. — Look at him, Heinrich... — she said, her voice trembling with emotion. — Arthur is so handsome, just like me...

Heinrich, his face radiating with joy, sat on the edge of the bed, his hand gently resting on mother's shoulder. — My loves... — he whispered, his gaze fixed on the tiny infant.

He leaned closer, his eyes filled with awe. Heinrich had a huge, unremovable smile on his face. — Haha! My son! My son, Arthur! — he exclaimed, his voice filled with happy chuckles. He looked at me with his blond eyebrows in the shape of swords.

Love your mother! Father and mother, we only have once in our lives, we won't have them again. Love your parents as much as you can! 

Yes, they disrespected you. Yes, they mistreated you. Yes, they hurt you. They abandoned you! But love them, no one ever loses by loving their parents! As much as you seem to have lost, look closely and you will realize that when your parents die, you will be able to say, "I loved my parents!".