Nicholas was still trying to talk, "Mother, but I..."
"You're a father too," said Queen Marianne, cutting Nicholas off quickly. "If you don't care as much about your people, at least think about your sons. What will happen to them if you died, trying to save another man?"
Nicholas was stunned to hear that.
"You know the polemic that is taking place among the royal officials about Luciel and Jan, right? Even though many of them are currently silent, it doesn't mean they agree and actually accept Jan and Luciel as successors to the throne of Riga," Queen Marianne continued.
She added, "They are silent now just because they are afraid of offending you. They still respect you as the king of this country, the true heir from the Hannenbergh's line. However, when you're not around, what do you think they will do to the two boys?"
This time Nicholas didn't know what to say. He knew his mother's words were true, but…
Sigh.