Ch#52
***
She didn’t understand.
She was stronger than the Knights of Morte, so surely she could be of help.
She tried persuading him once more.
“Wouldn’t it be better if at least one of us went? This is something I can do to help.”
“You are not a knight; you are the Grand Duchess.”
But Victor was adamant.
“How could I send the lady of the house—my wife—to such a dangerous place? It would disgrace my knights.”
“Victor.”
“Amarion, please.”
She looked up in surprise.
Victor’s face was filled with agitation. His twisted expression revealed an indescribable pain.
“Please stay here. Please.”
She couldn’t say anything more. Seeing Victor’s expression, she couldn’t bring herself to argue. In the end, she nodded silently.
Victor smiled softly, as if relieved.
“I heard there’s a young lady named Catalina among the wounded. Stay by her side and be her strength.”
“…All right.”
“When she recovers, we’ll hold a grand welcome banquet. Invite all the vassals and have the chef prepare exquisite dishes. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
His voice was truly sweet.
But she merely lowered her head and stared at her sword.
She knew he was worried about her. No matter the method, his desire to protect her was genuine.
In the past, the affection from this alluring man would have made her ecstatic.
But not anymore.
Was it because she now knew how extreme his ‘methods’ could be?
A new, urgent voice broke the silence.
“Your Highness! The healers are looking for you, Your Highness!”
She closed her eyes tightly to clear her mind.
Glancing briefly at Victor, she returned to the patients.
***
Since then, they had been busy for days. Victor organized the subjugation force while she tended to the injured.
Diederick handled everything admirably, but there were still duties only she could perform as hostess.
She moved busily about, visiting the sick and caring for them personally.
She ordered that herbs and ointments be used generously and hired village healers as well.
Mary fretted over her unprecedented busyness, but Amarion appreciated having less time to dwell on Victor.
She should have told him his condition was improving.
It wasn’t fully cured yet, so they could discuss it later.
Setting aside her thoughts, she entered Catalina’s room.
“Catalina, how are you feeling?”
“Amarion!”
Catalina, who had been resting against the headboard, sat up happily.
“Welcome! I was just getting bored.”
“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
“Not at all. Your healers are excellent.”
She smiled softly.
Amarion smiled and sat beside the bed.
She had visited every afternoon for the past few days.
Catalina’s wounds had healed quickly, leaving her bored and requesting company.
Catalina shared Capital rumors, while Amarion spoke of life in Morte.
Strangely, Catalina seemed upset that Amarion had remained in the castle for a month.
“I read your letter, but did you really stay only in the castle? At the Grand Duke’s request?”
“Yes.”
“I rushed here because I feared as much… It was just as I thought.”
Catalina muttered something inscrutable.
Amarion tilted her head, puzzled.
“I like it here. The castle is comfortable, and the people are kind.”
Catalina seemed about to speak but bit her lip.
Instead, she suddenly launched into talk of a popular Capital bakery.
Amarion was baffled but joined in.
Truthfully, she most wanted to discuss Victor, but she refrained from gossiping about him, even with Catalina.
So she focused on cheerful topics.
Chatting about madeleines—a new dessert all the rage among ladies—and the Imperial Palace’s daily balls helped dispel her darker thoughts.
After a while, there was a knock.
“Come in.”
The door flew open.
A mop of flaming red hair startled her.
“Sir Carlz!”
It was a face she hadn’t seen in ages. Sir Carlz of Denion bowed upon seeing her.
“I’ve come to visit the lady.”
Sir Carlz stood beside Amarion.
He mentioned being swamped with subjugation preparations, barely sleeping—and indeed, he looked exhausted enough to be a patient himself.
‘Why is he in Catalina’s room?’
Noticing her gaze, the knight explained.
“The Denion estate borders Catalonia’s. My father and the Marquis are old friends. He’d be furious if I didn’t visit the lady of Catalonia.”
“Oh my, such intentions are hard to take at face value.”
Catalina interjected with a smile.
Sir Carlz’s face soured instantly.
His demeanor shifted markedly before ladies.
Amarion blinked, looking between them.
‘What’s this?’
Catalina covered her mouth with a white hand, smiling.
“I’m still amazed Sir Carlz is a knight. As a boy, he was a rascal splashing mud on girls’ skirts.”
Sir Carlz grinned brightly.
“I never imagined a vicious, money-grubbing girl would become a socialite queen.”
His tone was gentle, but the words were an insult.
Amarion couldn’t suppress a smile.
She feigned sternness and chided playfully.
“Sir Carlz, mind your manners with the lady.”
“If there’s one lady I’d refuse to serve even unto death, it’s her.”
Sir Carlz grumbled.
Catalina clutched her forehead dramatically.
“Ah, your words sting worse than a monster’s claws. I must write to Count Denion at once, or I shan’t endure.”
“You really—!”
“What?”
Their bickering continued at length.
‘Is that why he said he’d die before attending a Catalonia banquet?’
She giggled, recalling Carlz from the social season.
It was amusing to see two paragons of etiquette snarling.
Even without the monster attack, Amarion would have hosted a tea party for the three.
A sudden question arose.
Monsters.
The subjugation force would depart soon.
‘Will the Knights of Morte truly be all right?’
She cautiously interrupted their glaring match.
“Sir Carlz, I have a question.”
“Ask away, Madame.”
Sir Carlz turned polite, bowing.
She asked carefully.
“Can the Knight Order truly subdue all the monsters alone? Victor said so…”
A shadow crossed Sir Carlz’s face.
He looked years older.
Glancing at Catalina, he sighed gloomily.
“Not really. The situation is graver than expected.”
The knight paused, then continued.
“Reports of griffins descending mountains, dark wolves in daylight. Merchant losses, including Catalonia’s, are rising. Even with mercenary intel, too many variables. We can’t handle it alone.”
He sighed again.
“As chief of staff, His Highness should join us.”
Amarion shot to her feet, alarmed.
“No! Victor is still ill. What do you mean he’s needed?”
“That troubles me too, but…”
“What if I went instead?”
Silence fell.
The knight’s blue eyes bored into her, calculating.
Then he spoke.
“I’m a knight sworn to protect this land, Madame. I’ll risk danger. But for you, it’s different.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
She stated firmly.
“People are getting hurt, and I can’t just watch. It’s foolish not to act when you can.”
Her hands clenched.
“I’ve always lived that way. It’s all I know.”
In Amari, there was never a day without fighting.
From the moment she first gripped a sword, she believed that if she didn’t fight, someone else would die.
And it was true.
Her homeland teemed with the weak.
A scratch for her was fatal for them; a monster she slew in one stroke terrified like a dragon.
She couldn’t rest.
Not for a moment.
No matter how grueling.
She was born to protect her people.
Finally, Sir Carlz sighed and nodded.
“…Ask His Highness yourself. If I speak, he’ll truly have my head.”
“It’s a miracle he’s alive, serving the Grand Duke.”
“Catalina!”
Catalina’s jest eased the tension.
Amarion smiled faintly amid their renewed quarrel.
A decision solidified.
She resolved to confront Victor somehow.
***
