True Feelings and Resolve

With the war council over, the Baldyk army with Marquis Fahlcrantz as its supreme commander, began it preparations in the earnest to get ready for the expedition.

The army’s formation and composition, weapons and equipments, acquiring provisions, managing the supply trains etc.

There was a mountain of things to do, and even with no breaks through the day or night, it’d still take at minimum, three days for the preparations to finish.

In the meantime, me and Liz had taken a break from the academy, and were staying in the Fahlcrantz mansion……..although.

“Did I, go too far……..?”

Laying on the bed, and staring at the ceiling, I muttered to myself.

2 days had already passed since the expedition had been confirmed but, to be honest, I had not seen Liz again in that time. Even though we were both living inside the same mansion………

I said all that, so it was a bit awkward to for me to go and talk, and not to mention, it was clear that Liz was actively avoiding me as even when I asked the servants about her, they all refused to tell me anything.

And Maya was the same. As apparently she’s getting ready for her next mission for the spies alongside Morten and was not sending me any reply either.

“I wanna meet her ………”

I muttered to myself again but, this time around, I needed Liz to come to the realization herself and so I simply couldn’t break first.

Considering the future as well, I had to.

As I turned over on the bed again and again in anguish—–*knock*knock*

“Prince Rudolf, pardon my intrusion.”

Marquis Fahlcrantz entered the room, so I quickly got back up in a hurry.

“Wh-what’s the matter?”

“Tomorrow morning, as soon as the preparations are complete, we will be able to depart for the Svalier territory it seems.”

“I see.”

Good. Looks like things were proceeding smoothly.

But, I see……..looks like my first battlefield was fast approaching.

These past two days, I had been imagining it over and over again.

Fear and guilt at the very thought of having to kill people, as well as the fear and anxiety over the chances of myself getting killed……..and also, the strange excitement over finally getting my chance to settle the matter with Wilhelm.

All my emotions seemed to be running havoc inside me, making a mess, so I tried to loosen my collar to try and hold it all down and keep my calm.

“And alongside that, I have also prepared this for you, Prince Rudolf.”

What he presented to me, was a sword.

On the blade, instead of the usual flute in the middle of the sword, it had a unique pattern inlaid into it.

“Passed down our Fahlcrantz family for many generation, the sword is called Nægling. I believe it will quite suit your sword style as well, your highness.”

“You’re giving this, to me…….?”

I took the sword from Lord Fahlcrantz’s hand, and almost dropped it from its unexpected weight.

But………it wasn’t just needlessly heavy for the sake of it either.

This sword was filled with the history of the Fahlcrantz family, as well as the feelings of the Marquis who had entrusted this sword to me.

“Thank you very much……..I will prove myself worthy of wielding this sword, I promise.”

“kuku………I look forward to it.”

The Marquis then, proceeded to ruffle my hair and pat my head with his rugged hand.

.

.

“ehehe……….”

Holding it aloft to the moonlight, I sat on a bench as I admired Nægling.

The happiness of becoming the successor to the Fahlcrantz name, as well as being granted this sword made me smile like I did when I was child.

The sword was closer to a claymore than a straight sword so at my current height it was a tad too big but, like the Marquis said, my style was more used to thrusting so a longer sword did indeed suit me best.

“Alright!”

I stood back up with vigour, and began practicing so that I could get used to this sword as quickly as possible.

It was then.

“Lord Rudy.”

“Liz……….”

Liz appeared, holding her spear in hand.

Was it because I hadn’t seen her in two days? Or was it the moonlight playing tricks on me?

But her beauty almost seemed ethereal to me, making my heartbeat rise in an instant, as I was left completely captivated at the very sight of her.

“Lord Rudy……..may I ask to have a match with you?”

Saying that, Liz took a stance with her spear.

Her aquamarine eyes were filled with both resolve and determination, that I didn’t see two days ago.

“………very well.”

I too, turned to point Nægling’s sword tip towards her.

Unlike our usual training bouts, we both were holding real weapons. If we make a mistake, either of us could end up badly injured………well, maybe not.

After all, neither me nor her are so bad at swordsmanship/spearmanship that we make a mistake like that.

“Then……..here I come!”

With the proclamation, I kicked off the ground.

Nægling’s blade was indeed longer but in terms of reach, a spear still had it beat. Then, I simply need to do the same as that time………the day I properly confessed to Liz. I simply need to repeat that move.

However.

“Ah………….”

The tip of Liz’s spear stopped only a few centimetres before my throat.

As if showing both her feelings and resolve, unwavering, not missing its mark.

“It is, my loss it seems.”

“Thank you very much.”

Accepting my declaration of defeat, Liz moved her spear away and bowed formally.

Seriously, every single move she makes is so graceful, reminding me just how beautiful she was……..

“Lord Rudy………will you, talk with me for a while?”

“Of course. However many minutes, or hours you may want, I will.”

“fufu………it won’t be that long.”

Shrugging my shoulders, as I spoke in jest, Liz too chuckled in response.

“Two days ago, Lord Rudy, after being scolded by you, it made me think over all sorts of things. Just why did you become so angry back then.”

“…………………..”

“At first I didn’t understand. As absurd it may sound, I even felt angry at you Lord Rudy. Why won’t you understand my feelings?– I thought.”

Saying that, Liz lowered her eyes.

I simply waited, for her next words to come.

“But………then I began to think. Why did I want to protect Lord Rudy so much? Why did I make such an oath? I started to recall it all. And then….”

“………And then?”

“fufu, I realized how stupid I was being. The entire reason I wanted to protect you so much was because I wanted to be beside you. Because I wished to be with you, for the rest of my life.”

Liz’s eyes ensnared me, refusing to let go.

So as to tell me her next words…….her feelings, her resolve.

“I, wish to be together with you. Always, and forevermore. And if I were to lose my life to protect yours, I would be unable to be by your side any longer, no?”

Saying that, Liz put her tongue out and showed a wry smile.

This was indeed the resolve I was looking for from her.

I, simply didn’t want Liz to sacrifice herself for my sake. No, I wanted her to always be with me as well………and so, I was waiting for her to have the resolve, the confidence of keeping herself safe no matter what while she protected me as well.

“And what about you, Maya?”

Liz turned around, and spoke into the darkness, making Maya appear with her face averted.

“W-well, of course, I don’t intend to die either. In the first place, I have a lifelong duty to make sure that Prince Rudolf continues to eat his carrots after all, right?”

“Why is your duty being a bully, huh??”

Maya pouted, and I glared at her.

“Lord Rudy…….so please, let us stay by your side as well. I promise you, I will protect you, and myself.”

“I, Maya Brandt, intend to follow you both till the end of eternity.”

Both of them put their hands to their chest, and waited for my answer.

And so.

“The feeling’s mutual. Please stay with me, beside me for the rest of my life. I promise you, I will keep you both safe. And of course, while keeping myself safe as well.”

“Yes!”

“I look forward to it, Prince Rudolf.”

Me, Liz and Maya, under the watchful gaze of the shining moon, smiled and swore an oath to each other.

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