Chapter 63

"…Madam, is this acceptable?"

Elle, the head maid who has served the Almeria Duke family for generations, asks me as she offers me a piece of clothing.

It is a simple, almost masculine garment, far too plain for a 'Duchess' to wear.

"Yes, it's fine."

I remove my accessories and take off my dress. In its place, I put on the clothes Elle has offered. I tie my hair into a single, casual braid and put on a coat. Finally, I fasten the sword I took from that hidden room to my belt.

"…Are you going?"

Seeing me in this attire, my husband asks.

"Yes."

Neither of us speaks. Silence dominates the room.

Instead of speaking, both my husband and I look into each other's eyes. ……They say the eyes can speak volumes. I can clearly sense the words my husband wants to say… but will never utter. He doesn't want me to go, but he can't stop me. His eyes seem to say as much.

I'm sure my husband feels the same. ……He doesn't want me to leave. If something were to happen to him while I'm away, I would regret it forever. But I must go. To protect what is precious to us. My husband, I'm sure, can feel my conflict just by looking into my eyes.

I smile, as if to swallow my thoughts, and speak.

"…Don't be afraid. I will definitely return to you, alive. ……The only place I will return to is by your side."

My husband also smiles, as if repeating those words to himself.

"Yes. I believe in you. ……Though we cannot run together, my heart will be with you. I will share the burden you must bear and protect you from anything that hinders your actions… The vow we made in the past has not changed. Run as far as you can."

"Yes… Yes. I will go, my lord."

With that, I head towards the Anderson Marquess family. After a brief greeting, I am immediately led to my brother, Parkes.

"…Iris has already informed me of the situation."

My brother begins the conversation in a particularly solemn tone.

"Yes. Brother, I'm sorry, but…"

"…Your daughter is really thorough. She has created a just cause for our troops to go to the Almeria Duke family, and to top it off, she has already informed the First Prince."

My brother interrupts my words, a wry smile on his face.

"The troops have already been assembled, but I can't send many."

"That's understandable. ……How many men?"

"A hundred active soldiers. They are mostly the ones who fought alongside you on the battlefield."

"Then it will be fine."

I feel relieved inside at my brother's words. I hadn't really expected such a number of men to be sent.

"But I have only called them to assemble and have given no orders. Whether they will follow you is up to you."

He seems to be indirectly asking, "Can you make them follow you?"

"That's fine. ……They will surely follow a lord's order, but I will be leading them. If I, as the leader, cannot make them follow, we might end up as a disorganized mob on the battlefield… I believe that's what you're worried about?"

But that was something I had already anticipated. More than that, I had considered it a given.

"…You still have a good sense when it comes to battle."

"That's rude. I used to be like that, but now I can navigate the social world as a Duchess just as well as anyone else?"

"That place is also a battlefield for you, isn't it?"

"…Indeed."

I laugh in agreement.

"Well, it's fine. Thank you very much, Brother."

"I wish you good fortune in battle."

"Yes."

I leave the study in high spirits and head to the arena where the Anderson Marquess family's guards have gathered.