Late awakening (6)
There is one day left until the inauguration ceremony.
My father gave the knights a day off, but he was very busy.
'Can't you spend some quality time with your family today? We won't be able to see each other for the next few months.'
Even though I was upset, I couldn't help it. I couldn't act spoiled in front of my father, who was busy handing over the household duties to Kjer before going to war.
"It's your turn now. Trust your decision."
"Yes, Father."
I sat on the sofa in my office and quietly watched my father.
His usually blunt face is starting to show some color. He must be really happy to be participating in the war.
I drank my tea, suppressing the urge to hold my father again.
At that moment, my father, who had just finished work, approached me.
"Millenia, have you been waiting long?"
"No, Father. Are you finished?"
"Can I teach him the basics of the household in just a few days? I've given you the basic outline, so I'll leave the rest up to the older child."
"Big brother, he'll do well."
"Father believes so too. But, do you have something to say to me?"
"How about taking a walk? You've been in the office all morning until now."
"I was already feeling stuffy, but a walk would be nice. Let's go."
I held my father's hand and headed to the garden.
Even though I was wearing a thick shawl, the wind was cold. My father's jacket was draped over my hunched shoulders.
"Father, what are you going to do if you catch a cold?"
"Father is a knight too. I won't budge in this cold."
"When the Great Rift opens, It will be much colder than it is now, right?"
"I guess so. It's the middle of winter."
The soldiers will have to fight not only the monsters but also the cold."
"If supplies are properly prepared, war is better fought in winter than in summer."
"Why?"
"In the summer, we also have to fight infectious diseases."
“Ah.”
I nodded and stopped walking. My father affectionately stroked my hair that was blowing in the wind.
"Father, I..."
"What is my daughter trying to say that makes her hesitate like this?"
I got my sight back. I'm sorry for lying to you. I'm sorry for pretending I couldn't see.
The words that were on the tip of my tongue just lingered in my mouth.
Finally, I just smiled and let out a soft sigh.
"Take this."
"Oh, it's a handkerchief."
My father smiled faintly when he received the handkerchief. Then he tilted his head when he saw his initials embroidered on the corner of the handkerchief.
"Nadia, this girl. It seems like her embroidery skills have gotten worse."
"..."
I stayed up all night and made this. I chose the best one out of the eight handkerchiefs I finished.
In fact, I was hoping that my father would notice my embroidery.
Then I don't have to say with my own mouth the sins I committed.
My father didn't notice anything as if he was mocking my cowardice. He just neatly folded the handkerchief and put it in his bosom.
"Thank you, Millenia."
"...No."
In the end, I had to finish my walk without being able to say a single word I had prepared.
As I returned to the bedroom, feeling like I had swallowed a heavy stone, Nadia looked at me.
"Did you say something?"
"No, I couldn't say anything... Why am I like this?"
"Just tell me when he gets back. That's okay."
"..."
In my previous life, my father had not participated in the Great Rift. So I had no idea if he would return alive.
'If, by any chance, my father dies in battle...'
Today was my only chance to tell my father the truth. But I felt ashamed of myself for not having the courage to do so.
I grabbed my cane and linked arms with Nadia.
"Let's go to Rahon."
"Yes, Miss.'
Rahon's bedroom was a mess.
Nicola, who was unpacking a large bag in the middle of the room and tidying up his belongings, started nagging.
"No, we're leaving tomorrow, what if you haven't packed your bags yet?"
"I'm doing it now."
"So why are you doing this now? What have you been doing up until now?"
"You saw it too. Making medicine."
"That's why I told you not to do it! Everything is ready when you get to the rear!"
"Oh, really! If you keep nagging me, I'll desert."
"..."
Nicola pouted and stuffed his things into his bag.
Nadia coughed in the awkward silence.
"Ahem, can I come in?"
"Huh? Millenia?"
Rahon approached me with a bright smile.
"Why did you come here? You can call me."
"I can't do that to someone busy. Do you have a moment?"
"Of course. Nicola, bring the tea."
"Yes."
As Nicola stuck his lips out and went out, Nadia noticed and followed him.
Rahon roughly cleared away the clothes spread out on the sofa and then pulled my hand.
"Sit here."
"You don't have to do this anymore. You know I can see you."
"I do it because I like it. It's so I can hold your hand one more time."
"..."
"Just wait."
Rahon came over and picked up the bag next to the bed. He put it down on the table, and the sound was quite heavy as if I knew what was inside.
"What is it?"
"The black pill is a digestive, and the light green one is a headache medicine. This white powder is a disinfectant, and the one in the can is an ointment. If you get hurt, spray the disinfectant first and then apply the ointment. Oh, and I also put an antidote in there just in case. That won't happen, but it's better than nothing."
The bag was full of medicine. Nicola said you didn't pack your bags and just made the medicine, but it was for me.
"...Why are you giving me so much medicine?"
Like someone I'll never see again.
"I'm doing this for myself too. I think it'll make me feel safer."
I took out a handkerchief from my pouch, hiding my disappointment.
"Um... I wish you good luck."
Rahon looked down at the handkerchief. A faint smile appeared on his lips that had been pursed shut.
"Did you embroider this?"
"Surprisingly, these are Rahon's initials."
"Ah."
"Yes, you must be wondering if this is really a letter. But don't say it out loud. I'll snatch it away from you."
Rahon opened his eyes wide.
"What are you talking about? You're really good at embroidery."
"...Me?"
"When have you ever embroidered before? This is probably your first time, but the level of completion is incredible. You can feel a certain artistic sensibility. You must be a genius."
You can feel that way just from one initial?
'Are you kidding me?'
But Rahon's expression was serious. He scratched his cheek, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Oh, thank you. For liking me."
"Who wouldn't like this? I bet you only thought of me while you were embroidering this."
Rahon grabbed my hand.
"I'll come back and propose again. Until you accept."
"You'll have to propose to me for the rest of your life."
"That's good too. It means you can live your whole life excitedly."
Rahon grabbed my hand and placed it against my chest. My heart was pounding rapidly, thumping against my palm.
"You must stay in the rear, okay?"
"Then, I will never go to dangerous places."
I couldn't talk to Rahon for long.
I apologized to Nicola, who was crying and saying he had a lot of work to do and went to Ian's bedroom.
The owner's bedroom was neat and tidy. Ian's bags, which he had packed in advance, were neatly placed next to the bed.
In the Antiete Square in front of the Imperial Palace, the Allied forces gathered in preparation for the departure ceremony to be held tomorrow.
Naturally, Ian, the commander of the imperial army, also had to spend the night at Antiete Square.
His adjutant will come and get the remaining luggage in the morning.
I walked across the quiet bedroom to the bed.
"Miss, wouldn't it be better to give it to the little Duke tomorrow?"
"He'll be even more hectic tomorrow. How can I ask him for his time? It's not even that important."
"Still you should greet each other while looking at each other's faces."
We had already said goodbye, although it wasn't the usual 'take care' or 'have a nice trip' words.
My expression darkened without me realizing it. Nadia wrapped her arm around my shoulder.
"Oh my, what should I do, my young lady is upset?"
"It's okay."
I looked around the quiet bedroom.
The mansion that was bustling until now will be quiet tomorrow. I won't have any more reason to come here.
I put the handkerchief down on the bag next to the bed.
"Let's go."
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