Previously
To protect the soldiers from Henrietta's disruptive influence, Kalinin assigns her as a chaplain's assistant under Priest Ronda. Henrietta takes her new role of 'providing comfort' very seriously, aggressively pursuing soldiers like Sergeant Nick to offer religious guidance.
Sergeant Nick’s squad was granted a two-day reward leave as a group. The reason was their diligent religious activities. A squad-wide reward leave was rare, but Priest Ronda’s enthusiastic recommendation had made it possible. On top of that, it was still summer, so the intensive training season had not yet begun.
Though it was only two days, the squad members polished themselves up and dressed to the nines to enjoy their precious time off.
Henrietta, however, wore her military uniform just as it was. The other squad members recoiled as if they were looking at a bug.
“Are you really going out dressed like that?”
“Because my uniform is the newest clothes I own.”
The civilian clothes Henrietta had arrived in when she enlisted were far too worn out.
The squad members could roughly understand her reasoning, but they still set out while keeping as much distance from her as possible.
“Private Matyas. Don't get so carried away by your first leave that you cause trouble.”
“Yeah. You can’t go around hitting people in uniform.”
“I don't hit people without a reason. I hit them because they deserve to be hit.”
Hearing words that sounded unmistakably like those of a domestic abuser, everyone became genuinely worried.
“That's why you ended up in prison, Private Matyas. That’s trouble.”
“Don't worry. If I have a reason to hit someone, I’ll be sure to keep their mouth shut.”
That remark promptly shut the mouths of the other squad members as well.
In silence, the members of the 24th squad walked toward the nearest town. It took about an hour to get there. If they wanted to play to their hearts' content and still return by evening, staying as close as possible worked in their favor. Furthermore, the town was a commercial hub well equipped for soldiers to enjoy. Since it had sprung up largely because of the garrison, its primary economic activity was trade rather than farming.
Henrietta had stayed at an inn here for a few days before enlisting. Back then, however, she had no money, so she couldn't even tour the town. Taking a tour. She couldn't remember how long it had been since she could sightsee in a city with such a light heart.
When she lived as Count Zalt’s trophy, she had to care about other people's judgment whether she was indoors or outdoors. The perfect attire, the perfect makeup, the perfect poise. It was only natural that her outings had grown scarce.
Come to think of it, going out purely for leisure felt like a first. Her heart fluttered for no real reason.
“Private Matyas, anywhere you want to go?”
Johnny, who had grown considerably friendlier over the past few days, spoke to her casually. Henrietta nodded and answered.
“Yes. I have somewhere I need to stop by.”
“Oh, really? Well… then go handle your business.”
“Yes. I’ll be heading this way.”
With that, Henrietta went on her way with light, cheerful steps without looking back once.
Johnny stared at her back in exasperation.
When receiving a group leave like this, the unspoken rule was to hang out together and return together. Usually, the highest-ranking soldier decided where to go. They had asked her first only because this reward leave was thanks to Private Matyas.
And yet, she announced she had places to be.
Johnny ended up looking foolish for making the effort to ask. Dudery patted Johnny on the shoulder and quietly offered comfort.
“Try to understand. She’s not like us.”
“Because she’s a noble?”
“No, because she’s out of her mind.”
The squad members all burst into laughter in total agreement.
Unaware of this, Henrietta was so excited that she even hummed to herself.
Spending money she had earned with her own hands brought an incomparable delight. She had a feeling something wonderful was about to happen. The breeze was cool, her steps were light, and the sky was clear—damn it.
How nice it would be to have a clear sky on a day like this. Instead, it was an ominous gray.
‘No, on an outing, a few clouds are better than scorching sun!’
Looking up at the sky, Henrietta shook off the fleeting uneasiness that had gripped her and sought out a general store first.
She bought plain white stationery and an envelope without any patterns, borrowed a pen from the shopkeeper, and penned a brief message.
After writing the letter, she moved on to the post office. Now, all she had to do was send this letter to her aunt, and her errand for today would be complete.
For a poor private, however, even sending a letter wasn't simple.
“Huh? Fifteen silver? It’s that expensive?”
Fifteen silver just to send a single sheet of paper! Did that make any sense? Regular people wouldn't even be able to live apart from their families. Without money, they couldn't send letters, leaving them cut off from all news.
Of course, silver wasn't actual silver anymore. The era when currency was minted in silver was in the distant past; current silver was paper currency. Even so, Private Matyas’s monthly pay, which was more precious than real silver, was only thirty silver. A single letter would swallow half her paycheck.
As a horrified Henrietta repeatedly asked if it was truly fifteen silver, the postal clerk tilted his head in confusion.
“It shouldn't matter if it's fifteen silver or fifteen gold. Aren't you a soldier? Soldiers can send letters for free through military mail.”
“Pardon? Truly?”
“Yes. Just use the military mail.”
Henrietta’s tearful face instantly brightened.
Wearing her military uniform had been an exceptional choice after all. Had she worn civilian clothes, she wouldn't have been able to send the letter and would have wasted money on the stationery. In fact, out of sheer regret, she might have eaten the paper. In any case, the letter wouldn't have gone out until the month after next.
“Thank you for letting me know!”
Henrietta gathered her letter and left the post office.
“Should I grab something to eat now?”
Just as she began walking again in search of a tasty, budget-friendly restaurant—
Whoosh—!
“Ack!”
Sure enough, the ominous sky opened up and began to pour.
“It must be a passing shower, right? Ugh. Please stop quickly.”
Henrietta ran pressed tight against the buildings in search of shelter. Soon, she found a canopy overhead and stood beneath it to wait out the rain.
The downpour was so heavy that puddles formed on the ground in no time. Bored, Henrietta peered down at her reflection in a puddle. Her hair was short now, but she was still pretty. Being pretty was a tremendous advantage, and she took pride in it. The misfortunes she had suffered until now weren't the fault of her beauty, but of vile people.
Come to think of it, there didn't seem to be any vile people in the Krakow army.
‘Wait. Thinking about it now, isn't that a bit offensive? Why is Amelia popular while I get treated like dirt?’
Just as Private Matyas, completely failing at self-awareness, was pondering this utterly useless question—
Splash—!
“Aah!”
A passing carriage rolled straight through the puddle. Henrietta, dazed for a moment, was doused by the spray.
“Ugh. I don't want to do laundry! With this rain coming down, driving such a huge carriage, they could at least be careful!”
If she did laundry on a day like this, it wouldn't even dry properly. What an insolent carriage!
Still, she didn't want to sprint through the rain just to flag down a carriage that had already passed. She settled for hurling a cursing gesture at its departing rear.
Then the carriage came to a halt.
Did they see that?!
As she stood there panicking, the coachman opened an umbrella and swung the carriage door open. Out of the open door came sharply pressed trousers and gleaming shoes, followed by someone bending forward slightly….
‘Division Commander?’
Having taken the umbrella from the coachman, the Division Commander was walking straight toward her.
Looking squarely at Henrietta.
‘Ah… He isn't coming for me, is he?’
She certainly didn't want to run into the Division Commander while on leave!
Walk past. Please, just walk past.
“It seems you were splashed. Are you all right?”
Misfortune, however, never bypassed Henrietta. She replied with a dejected face.
“Yes. Well, if it doesn't dry, I'll try requesting another set from the supply depot.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. It's not as though you were driving the carriage, Division Commander.”
“No, I meant to the supply officer.”
“Ah.”
Unable to find anything else to say, Henrietta shut her mouth. An awkward silence was on the verge of settling in when the Division Commander spoke again.
“Where are you headed in such heavy rain?”
“Are you offering me a ride?”
“No, I meant to lend you an umbrella.”
Henrietta looked up at the sky. From the far reaches of the horizon, the rain clouds were beginning to scatter.
“It’s fine. It looks like it will stop soon. Please go on your way.”
“Well….”
The Duke hesitated as if he had something more to say.
“Is there something you wish to say?”
“I have a question. I want to buy a present for my nephew, but I don't know what to get. I'd like your advice.”
“Do you buy presents for your nephew often?”
“Not really. But he sent me a gift, so I want to return the favor.”
“What did you receive?”
“Jellies.”
“Ah!”
Recalling the taste of jellies, Henrietta smiled, her eyes crinkling.
“Indeed, sweets are always right. Cheap ones have their charms and high-end ones have their elegance, each possessing their own distinct flavor, but jellies stand out among them. First of all, the texture—”
“…Are you telling me to buy my nephew jellies?”
“No, that's just my preference. How old is your nephew?”
The conversation had finally found its footing. It had managed to get there on its own, which was almost worthy of praise. Kalinin answered with a sigh.
“Nine.”
“At that age, they don't really appreciate high-quality things. Just get him something like a cashmere teddy bear. That's an age where they love anything with a nice texture.”
“He’s a boy.”
“My, do you hold such prejudices? Boys like teddy bears too. My cousins were always coveting my teddy bear and trying to take it from me.”
“That was just bullying.”
Struck right where it hurt, Henrietta narrowed her eyes.
“Private Matyas. Are you glaring at your Division Commander right now?”
“No, sir! Absolutely not! I merely thought that you didn't seem fond of my advice, Division Commander. What were you planning to buy before you ran into me?”
“I thought of getting a rocking horse or a book.”
“Isn't that far too cliché?”
“It is. I’ve bought them several times already.”
“Even so, a gift carries one's heart, so no matter how many times you've bought it, it will feel fresh to him. Well then, I shall take my leave.”
“Is that the extent of your advice?”
“Yes.”
“I'll take you to your destination in the carriage. In return, put a little more sincerity into your advice.”
“No, thank you. There is no need for that now. The rain has stopped.”
The Duke raised his head. Come to think of it, the sound of raindrops tapping against the umbrella had ceased.
“Right. The rain….”
Folding his umbrella, the Duke felt an absurd sense of bewilderment upon realizing Henrietta was no longer in front of him. Seeing that she had already walked past him, the Duke also started walking. He wasn't following her, however. The carriage just happened to be in that direction. But then Henrietta stopped beside his carriage and looked back.
“A good gift just came to mind. Would you like to go with me?”
“You can just tell me what it is.”
“I happen to be heading that way myself. We would only end up running into each other at the shop anyway.”
“I believe I would be faster.”
Climbing into the carriage, the Division Commander added:
“Let's go together.”