Though a smile threatened to break through, she desperately tried to suppress it.
Satisfaction!
Now get a slight grasp of what I was feeling all this time, she muttered in her mind.
“Miss Vallière.”
“Ah, yes! W-what?”
Julio smiled.
“Excuse me. I am being called, I will have to leave you for a moment.”
“Eh?”
Julio elbowed his way through the crowd until he stood in front of the General on the platform. Julio’s pretty face made Saxe-Gotha’s women sigh. “Isn’t this officer handsome?” “He is not an officer but a Priest?” One could hear whispers all around.
It looked like in front of General de Poitiers, not only Julio, but some other nobles were lined up as well.
After confirming that all nobles gathered up in front of him, the general twitched his mustache.
“Eeh, I introduce these brave men to you all. They fought in Saxe-Gotha’s liberation war, like legendary heroes they stood their ground with weapons in their arms. Only by their efforts this marvellous victory was achieved. Thus, as a general authority, I present them with the Medal of White Hair Soul.”
Applause rang.
Next, the officer call the recipient’s names in order.
“De Vineuil Independent Musket Infantry Battalion, 2nd Company Commander, Guiche de Gramont!”
“Y-yes!”
Louise’s mouth dropped.
“Guiche?” as in Guiche, their Academy of Magic classmate?
“He and his men, bravely fought in the streets single-handedly. Moreover, they were the first to clean streets of orcs. The mission was a success, and they freed up more than a few dozen of houses. Applaud him and his men!”
Thunderous applause rang. Guiche, with a wide yet somewhat shy, accepted the reward on the neck. A young person, with a similar face to his, came out and clung to Guiche.
“Psst, I heard that's Field Marshal Gramont’s youngest child.” “There now is the second son…” “Nooo, could it be 'The Lion’s' child…” rumors flew.
Louise felt strange. That stupid Guiche is rewarded? Can’t be, I wonder what Montmorency will say when she hears this! Maybe change her opinion a little?
Apparently, it was an elder brother that clung to him. He didn’t look comfortable while receiving his older brother’s blessings.
Somehow she envied Guiche.
Blessed by a family and acknowledged by them…
Though Louise military achievements were much bigger than Guiche’s, things like this could not be done publicly.
However, once this war ended… when the peace comes… she will tell her family about her large military achievements and loyalty to the mother-country.
Maybe then they will change their opinion about her. But for now, she cannot stumble and take even the slightest credit for her own achievements.
When thinking she remembered Saito’s mistakes. The feint mission sneaking into the town failed thanks to Saito. She watched him, while throwing occasional side glances.
The user of legendary power. A mistake in using them and they got themselves in a pinch yesterday. Saito should be more prudent, Louise thought.
Chapter Six: Truce
In Tristainia, capital of Tristain, inside a workroom, a 17 year-old queen closed her eyes in silent prayer.
It was fairly cold in the workroom, where all useless decoration were taken away.
Like in a mausoleum.
In the center of the room, wrapped up in a black dress and covered with a thick veil, Henrietta was kneeling.
In front of her stood a small altar, decorated with a small image of Founder Brimir inside.
Founder Brimir’s image looked like it was a mould for Halkeginia’s advent.
His hands extended wide as if opening the door, an abstract image. It was not easy to see him as a person.
The reason for that was because drawing the Founder's traits in detail was considered disrespectful.
To tell the truth, no one knew the Founder's detailed traits anyway.
While she was silently praying, she heard someone knocking on the door.
“Your Majesty, it’s me.” It was Cardinal Mazarin's voice.
At first she went to grab the wand and recite the “Unlock” spell… but then Henrietta shook her head, placed the wand on the table, stood up and unlocked the door.
Mazarin, entered Henrietta's workroom, and apologized as she puckered up her brows.
“Were you in the middle of work? Forgive my impoliteness.”
“It’s all right,” Henrietta answered.
“I’m not so sure about that. You were praying from dawn till evening. Even if I go somewhere or come back, it's still the same.”
Mazarin watched her coolly. The rumors that, after the Albion invasion, Henrietta prayed all day long were true.
Henrietta tried to explain herself.
“This powerless Queen can do nothing but offer her prayers.”
“Why you are dressed up in black? White suits Your Majesty much better.”
“It’s a war. Many officers and men have fallen. I'm mourning.”
Mazarin, shifting his eyes in embarrassment, reported to Henrietta.
“Yesterday, our allied forces captured Saxe-Gotha. This way, our positions in Londinium were secured.”
“Please send my congratulations to General de Poitiers.”
“Certainly. One more thing…”
“Bad news?”
“That’s right. The allied forces demand the replenishment of their food stocks. It is necessary to send more at once.”
“But, based on the calculations, it'll take another 3 weeks,”
Mazarin said while looking at the report in his hand.
“Saxe-Gotha's resources were emptied. Our army had to give some to the local residents.”
“Are enemies worried about the food as well?”
“No. The purpose is to make our army worried. They foresaw our food shortage and took all the food from the residents.”
“That was cruel.”
“It's a war.”
Henrietta nodded.
“Please make the arrangements.”
“Certainly. However… the state of our treasury is making us more and more worried.”
“And the Minister of Finances?”
“He is conferring with the Gallia ambassador.”
“Gallia?”
“The debt application. It takes a lot of money to fight.”
Henrietta watched her own hand. Then she said in constrained voice.
“We have to win. So, we only to have to win. We will return money from Albion’s purse then.”
“Though the day when that purse is obtained seems to be drifting away a little.”
“What?”
Henrietta's face became cloudy. Bad news seemed to favor this side.
“An enemy request for a truce came.”
“Truce? For how long?”
“From the day after tomorrow, until the end of the Advent Festival. It is custom that between Advent Festivals the war also takes a break.”
The Advent Festival continues till the tenth, the biggest festival in Halkeginia. Because the Advent Festival starts during the first day of the new year… it will start after another week or less.
“Fighting will stop for as many as two weeks? No way! Custom or not, such a thing cannot be admitted! Moreover, they can’t be trusted as they shamelessly broke the truce agreement before! They tried to attack the Academy of Magic and take all those children hostages! With such cruel company…”
The Academy of Magic was attacked the day after the invasion fleet had left. Though the students were fortunately safe, repressing it still claimed some lives.
“Although it doesn’t inspire confidence, we don’t have much to choose from. We still need to bring over the food. Until then, the army cannot move.”