Six days after a carrier pigeon had sent a message, Vasa Cellon arrived at the Arpad military camp. It is reasonable to assume that she traveled nearly without eating or sleeping given the distance from the south. Vasa dismounted the steed with a stern expression.
“What about Emmerich?”
“Please go this way.”
She was led to Emmerich’s barracks by the knight who was waiting there. Agnes was inside waiting when she opened the door. Vasa spoke coldly as soon as she saw Agnes’ face.
“Lady Vasa, Count Cellon…”
“Please leave us together.”
“……I’ll do that.”
Although rude, Agnes didn’t hold her responsible. She simply gave a silent nod before leaving.
Vasa inhaled deeply. She has no idea why the bed where he is lying down appears to be so long. When you remove the cloth cover, the first thing you’ll notice is Emmerich’s serene expression.
He appeared to be in a good mood as the corners of his mouth were up. Seeing that, she felt her stomach twist.
“You idiot.”
Her words came out without hesitation. It was the first time in a long time that Vasa spat out foul language at him.
“Are you trying to become a hero? How can you attack the enemy’s camp alone and become a bait?”
She stretched out a hand and held her brother’s abdomen. The white, smooth cloth fell. Her red eyes shed tears as she spoke.
“You stupid bastard. Just because of a woman? Why would you do that? Why, I… Ugh, Emmerich. The wounds on your stomach haven’t healed yet.”
Despite their grumblings, he was a dependable brother, friend, and parent in place of his parents, who died young.
I should have stopped you when you announced your intention to go to war.
“What am I supposed to do if you leave me like that?”
Over the curtain, a wail could be heard. Agnes, who was loitering outside, eventually bowed her head in response to her sob.
“Let’s go, the wind is getting cold.”
“No, I need to speak with Miss Vasa. She’s come a long way,”
When Laslo approached, he draped a thick coat over Agnes’ shoulder. She had an unusually pale appearance compared to when Zoltan initially reported Cellon’s death.
– Princess, Count Cellon has passed away.
– ……What?
– It’s all my fault. He became the bait instead of me? Count Barania and he engaged in combat.
With a sad expression on his face, Zoltan announced Cellon’s obituary. When he reached the barracks, he cut the string around his waist and put Emmerich to the ground, but it was already too late.
“I’ll talk to Miss Vasa; please go inside and rest; you haven’t slept well in a while.”
“It’s all right.”
Agnes shook her head, her expression not in the least bit relaxed. Vasa did not come out until half a day had passed. Her eyes swelled from crying so much.
“I’ll take him south right away; I don’t want to stay here any longer.”
“…….”
“Emmerich liked to go out to sea by boat. He always asked me to spray his ashes on the sea when he died. So, hurry up Emmerich, I mean, Emmer, heuk.”
Vasa, whose speech was gibberish and illegible, broke down in tears. Her wounded chest could not feel any solace. Squeezing her words out, Agnes spat them out.
“It’s all my fault, Miss Vasa; I called him in and put him on the battlefield; please put all the blame on me.”
“We will assist you if there is anything we can do to help.”
Laslo continued in a composed manner. Vasa shook her head.
“I don’t need anything; all I want is to get Emmerich back to the South as soon as possible,” she replied.
“All right, I’ll make arrangements for the army of Cellon to depart immediately.”
Then Vasa said.
“No, I’m leaving the army until the war is over; you’ll need it.”
“……thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me.”
Vasa asserted sternly. Then she instructed the knights to carry Emmerich into the casket. Agnes looked at the coffin with a bitter expression on her face. She asked Agnes before mounting the horse.
“You are aware that he has feelings for you right, Duchess?”
“…… I know.”
When they reconnected in Germo and continued the war together, she naturally realized what she had been unaware of when she was in the South. Emmerich occasionally reminded her of Laslo in the way he regarded her. Agnes had to bear more guilt as a result.
Vasa’s eyes, which resembled Emmerich’s, were fixed on Agnes.
“Then that’s okay. The next time we meet will be at the palace. May your future be filled with limitless glory.”
It was an elegant and smooth tone, but she couldn’t help but notice the sharp blade hidden within it.