Episode 105. Cherry Blossoms Fall and Summer Roses
“You idiot with no sense.”
Jennifer frowned at Zimmer’s scolding.
“That’s a bit harsh. The sense is not you who is acting cool at the party.”
At that, Zimmer’s eyes turned red as if he were about to cry.
“The captain and Adele... will be breaking up soon.”
“What?”
“This is a farewell party, isn’t it?”
“What is that...?”
But before he knew it, a pack of dogs had gathered around him, lifted him over his head, and carried him away.
In fact, Zimmer was no different from the official singer of the White Ghost Knights.
He once said this when he was drunk.
His father was a noble, and his mother was a singer. His father fell in love at first sight after seeing his mother’s performance, and the two fell in love passionately, but that love died out in a few months.
His face, which had been smiling self-deprecatingly, saying that he was just the remnant of a short-lived flame, looked sad.
Maybe because he inherited his mother’s blood, or because of his painful upbringing, Zimmer’s songs seemed to shake the souls of those who listened to them.
However, he never sang when he was sober.
Jennifer, who was left alone, looked at Christine and Adele.
They were sitting in a pergola covered with vines.
A mysterious pink mood still flowed around them.
No one else could even interfere.
Did Zimmer say something unnecessary?
‘Yeah, he must have assumed it because he’s such a worrier.’
Zimmer, who was carried from head to head, was finally placed on a table.
His face, tinged with a rosy blush from the alcohol, was particularly red because the red sunset was setting behind him.
“I guess Zimmer is going to sing.”
Adele, who was sitting in the pergola, sparkled with interest.
“I heard his mother was a singer. He’s pretty good at singing.”
As if to prove Christine’s words, the once chaotic party venue became quiet.
The people who had been scattered and talking gathered around him one by one.
Soon, Zimmer slowly took a deep breath and began to sing.
The soft and beautiful voice spread across the sunset-tinted sky.
On that day when the red sun shone above your head,
Instead of answering, he pulled her slender waist into his arms and hugged her. He held her other hand and whispered sweetly in her ear.
“Yes, you’ll start with your left foot. Adele.”
“Yeah.”
One, two, one, two...
The two of them started slowly circling around the pergola, counting in their heads.
Everyone was so captivated by Zimmer’s song that they didn’t seem to care what the two of them were doing.
The sky had already darkened, and their eyes staring at each other shone like stars.
The place they were in was an old barn, and it was also the banquet hall of the palace.
“Now you’ve really become a good dancer.”
Adele smiled as she recalled her childhood.
“I’m a fast learner. Especially when it comes to physical things.”
“You’re lying. You kept stepping on my feet.”
“That’s because the teacher had other intentions.”
“You wouldn’t...”
“Yeah. I pretended I couldn’t dance and stepped on her foot on purpose. That way, she could keep teaching me. I liked being alone in the barn with her. It was thrilling and gave me a secret feeling.”
Adele was dumbfounded.
“You were a dirty conman.”
“I was a lover. Since then, I have lived with that teacher in my heart.”
He slowly stopped dancing and said,
“And from now on.”
“That I am terrible at singing.”
“...What!”
Adele burst into laughter as her tension eased, but he had a really serious expression.
“If he resembles me, our child will also be tone-deaf, so this is a serious matter.”
“Yes. When the child is born, we should hire Zimmer as a music teacher.”
“Good idea.”
“Then what’s the simple story?”
He hesitated for a moment and said with a dry expression like a mask.
“You will go to Russwolf alone.”
Thump!
Adele’s heart sank.
Even though she had already sensed it from his eyes.
“...What are you talking about? Leana is fine now. I know you two are being chased, but there must be a way to shake them off, right? You survived countless battles, and Leana is an excellent magician. Why on earth?”
Adele urged him to please think of another way. Her green eyes sparkled as if pleading.
However, Christine had already made up his mind and had a firm expression.
“Adele, Green Hill is actually completely sealed off right now. The priests of the Vatican have spread their magic circles, so it’s impossible for me to sneak out without them knowing.”
“What if we ask the Empress for help?”
“Yes, I asked her for help. I asked her to help you get to Russwolf. And I got a reply. She said she would let you leave Greenhill with the party welcoming Archduke Rusty tomorrow.”
“No. Why am I alone...?”
“Leana and I are already known to the Vatican. If we move together, you will be in danger.”
“So you want me to run away and find a way to live alone?”
When Adele glared coldly, Christine held both of her hands in soothing gestures.
“I’m not running away. I’m asking you to call the White Ghost Knights in Russwolf. There are over 10,000 of my soldiers there.”
“So you’ve decided to go to war with the Vatican?”
“Don’t worry. Lady Isabelle will help you here. And if Russwolf’s reinforcements attack the Vatican, we have a chance of winning.”
“You can just send someone else. Why should I...?”
Christine took out a sealed letter from his inner pocket.
“This is my order. They will only move if you go.”
Adele could no longer insist on staying by his side.
If she didn’t go, she wouldn’t be able to help him.
“Can you hold out until Russwolf’s reinforcements arrive?”
He smiled as if he had no worries.
“Don’t worry.”
He caressed Adele’s cheek, still looking like she was about to cry.
“I’m sorry. It’ll be hard to get married when the cherry blossoms bloom in the Lake Garden. Instead, let’s get married when the roses bloom there. I’ll definitely get back by then.”
“Flowers... Flowers... I don’t care. Just come back safely.”
Because you are my flower.
Adele hugged his neck and kissed him as if she were being driven by some kind of passion.
Christine also hugged her slender waist so tightly that it almost broke her and swallowed her soft lips. She could feel hot blood through her thin skin.
Her breath came out like a sob.
Zimmer’s singing could be heard from afar, and the sky had completely darkened.
Where are you, my love?
Our rose is fading, but your fame still shines from afar.
Many will remember you in the distant future.
They will lay flowers on your grave.
So I will stop forgetting.
The promise I made with you, the red rose of May, the blue and shining time...
After the party, when everyone was asleep, Adele packed her simple luggage and left the mansion of the training camp.
Jennifer was to be her escort until she went to Russwolf.
Christine and Zimmer followed them quietly, seeing them off.
“Are you leaving?”
“Is this all because of me?”
Leana tried to keep her expression calm. But she could tell how much she was blaming herself inside.
“You’re making a big mistake. You’re not that great of a person.”
Leana snapped at Christine, who was laughing coldly from afar.
“That’s right. I didn’t know that this was all planned by the great Count.”
“Leana.”
When Adele called, Leana stuck out her tongue.
“I’m sorry, Adele. And I’ll never forget today’s party. The food was delicious, the dress was pretty, and it was a dreamlike day.”
Adele hugged Leana warmly.
“I was happy, thanks to you, too. And please take care of Chris while I’m gone.”
And she whispered softly.
“He may look like that on the outside, but he has a cute side to him.”
Leana glanced at Christine, who was frowning, and replied softly.
“I don’t agree with that, but I’ll keep other women away.”
“You’re strong.”
The two women made a kind of pact with their eyes.
And Adele stood in front of Christine for the last time.
“Come back safely, Chris. If you get hurt even a little... I won’t let you go.”
“Hmm.”
He replied indifferently, but Adele knew how much emotion he was holding back.
She couldn’t look at him anymore either. She felt like she was going to cry at any moment.
“Let’s go, Jennifer.”
It was late at night when they arrived at the Rodwell dukedom.
Isabelle, who had been waiting inside the mansion, handed Adele a small vial.
“Dissolve this in water and wash your hair. It’ll make you look blonde.”
“Should I disguise myself as blonde?”
“And cross-dressing.”
“How cool to become a blonde woman in one day.”
Isabelle explained roughly to Adele, who was laughing self-deprecatingly.
“Tomorrow, I’ll go to Nixus Bridge with the party that’s going to greet Grand Duke Rustis. It’s the only passageway that currently allows access to Greenhill. After crossing the bridge, you’ll take the carriage I’ve prepared and go to Russwolf. I’ve loaded everything you need.”
“It’s easy if I just listen to you.”
“I hope it’s easy.”
The next morning.
Before daybreak, a magnificent carriage and twelve knights on horseback left the Rodwell residence.
They were the party going to greet Grand Duke Rustis.
Isabelle and her maids were in the carriage, while Adele and Jennifer were disguised as knights escorting her.
Adele, who had become a handsome blond man, was now wearing the uniform of the Rodwell Knights. She wore plate mail over chain mail and carried a sword, looking like a knight. She had benefited greatly from the horseback riding and swordsmanship lessons she had learned in her spare time.
“Doesn’t it look too good on you as a man?”
“That’s right. I’m afraid I’ll get proposals from women.”
Adele and Jennifer joked around to ease the tension.
However, they couldn’t help but feel nervous when dozens of guards joined them at the palace.
Even though she was disguised as a man, there might be some among them who would recognize her.
“Damn it, I didn’t expect the guards to join.”
“I forgot that Grand Duke Rustis is now the Emperor.”
Adele quickly turned her back on the guards.
But the problem wasn’t the guards.
“You idiot with no sense.”
Jennifer frowned at Zimmer’s scolding.
“That’s a bit harsh. The sense is not you who is acting cool at the party.”
At that, Zimmer’s eyes turned red as if he were about to cry.
“The captain and Adele... will be breaking up soon.”
“What?”
“This is a farewell party, isn’t it?”
“What is that...?”
But before he knew it, a pack of dogs had gathered around him, lifted him over his head, and carried him away.
In fact, Zimmer was no different from the official singer of the White Ghost Knights.
He once said this when he was drunk.
His father was a noble, and his mother was a singer. His father fell in love at first sight after seeing his mother’s performance, and the two fell in love passionately, but that love died out in a few months.
His face, which had been smiling self-deprecatingly, saying that he was just the remnant of a short-lived flame, looked sad.
Maybe because he inherited his mother’s blood, or because of his painful upbringing, Zimmer’s songs seemed to shake the souls of those who listened to them.
However, he never sang when he was sober.
Jennifer, who was left alone, looked at Christine and Adele.
They were sitting in a pergola covered with vines.
A mysterious pink mood still flowed around them.
No one else could even interfere.
Did Zimmer say something unnecessary?
‘Yeah, he must have assumed it because he’s such a worrier.’
***
Zimmer, who was carried from head to head, was finally placed on a table.
His face, tinged with a rosy blush from the alcohol, was particularly red because the red sunset was setting behind him.
“I guess Zimmer is going to sing.”
Adele, who was sitting in the pergola, sparkled with interest.
“I heard his mother was a singer. He’s pretty good at singing.”
As if to prove Christine’s words, the once chaotic party venue became quiet.
The people who had been scattered and talking gathered around him one by one.
Soon, Zimmer slowly took a deep breath and began to sing.
The soft and beautiful voice spread across the sunset-tinted sky.
On that day when the red sun shone above your head,
you promised
to return when the roses bloomed.
to return when the roses bloomed.
It was a folk song handed down in the Kalame region.
It was about a lover who had gone to war, so soldiers often sang it.
“Chris, let’s go up front and listen.”
Adele smiled brightly and grabbed Christine’s hand.
She seemed more excited than usual, perhaps because she was drunk.
“Adele, your face is red.”
Adele giggled, caressing her cheek.
“I had a few shots of punch, but I’m in a clear mind. I can dance.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Christine got up from his chair in the pergola.
“Would you like to dance, Countess Weiss?”
He extended a hand and bowed politely to request a dance.
Adele’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected title.
“Countess Weiss. It sounds good.”
Adele took his hand and got up lightly.
“I was saving it to call you when I got married.”
“Then why don’t you call me then...?”
It was about a lover who had gone to war, so soldiers often sang it.
“Chris, let’s go up front and listen.”
Adele smiled brightly and grabbed Christine’s hand.
She seemed more excited than usual, perhaps because she was drunk.
“Adele, your face is red.”
Adele giggled, caressing her cheek.
“I had a few shots of punch, but I’m in a clear mind. I can dance.”
“That’s a good idea.”
Christine got up from his chair in the pergola.
“Would you like to dance, Countess Weiss?”
He extended a hand and bowed politely to request a dance.
Adele’s eyes widened slightly at the unexpected title.
“Countess Weiss. It sounds good.”
Adele took his hand and got up lightly.
“I was saving it to call you when I got married.”
“Then why don’t you call me then...?”
Instead of answering, he pulled her slender waist into his arms and hugged her. He held her other hand and whispered sweetly in her ear.
“Yes, you’ll start with your left foot. Adele.”
“Yeah.”
One, two, one, two...
The two of them started slowly circling around the pergola, counting in their heads.
Everyone was so captivated by Zimmer’s song that they didn’t seem to care what the two of them were doing.
The sky had already darkened, and their eyes staring at each other shone like stars.
The place they were in was an old barn, and it was also the banquet hall of the palace.
“Now you’ve really become a good dancer.”
Adele smiled as she recalled her childhood.
“I’m a fast learner. Especially when it comes to physical things.”
“You’re lying. You kept stepping on my feet.”
“That’s because the teacher had other intentions.”
“You wouldn’t...”
“Yeah. I pretended I couldn’t dance and stepped on her foot on purpose. That way, she could keep teaching me. I liked being alone in the barn with her. It was thrilling and gave me a secret feeling.”
Adele was dumbfounded.
“You were a dirty conman.”
“I was a lover. Since then, I have lived with that teacher in my heart.”
He slowly stopped dancing and said,
“And from now on.”
He stood still for a moment and looked at her.
Adele also stared at him and said nothing.
The wind was gentle, and everything was quiet.
At some point, Zimmer’s singing voice disappeared and could not be heard.
Only the two of them had a solid time.
“Shall we go listen to Zimmer’s song now?”
Adele was the first to break that time.
She wanted to run away out of some inexplicable fear.
“I have something to tell you, Adele.”
“After talking so much up until now, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Adele tried to run away.
But he held her wrist tightly and did not let go.
“One is simple, and the other is serious.”
“The serious one... what is it?”
Adele also stared at him and said nothing.
The wind was gentle, and everything was quiet.
At some point, Zimmer’s singing voice disappeared and could not be heard.
Only the two of them had a solid time.
“Shall we go listen to Zimmer’s song now?”
Adele was the first to break that time.
She wanted to run away out of some inexplicable fear.
“I have something to tell you, Adele.”
“After talking so much up until now, what are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Adele tried to run away.
But he held her wrist tightly and did not let go.
“One is simple, and the other is serious.”
“The serious one... what is it?”
“That I am terrible at singing.”
“...What!”
Adele burst into laughter as her tension eased, but he had a really serious expression.
“If he resembles me, our child will also be tone-deaf, so this is a serious matter.”
“Yes. When the child is born, we should hire Zimmer as a music teacher.”
“Good idea.”
“Then what’s the simple story?”
He hesitated for a moment and said with a dry expression like a mask.
“You will go to Russwolf alone.”
Thump!
Adele’s heart sank.
Even though she had already sensed it from his eyes.
“...What are you talking about? Leana is fine now. I know you two are being chased, but there must be a way to shake them off, right? You survived countless battles, and Leana is an excellent magician. Why on earth?”
Adele urged him to please think of another way. Her green eyes sparkled as if pleading.
However, Christine had already made up his mind and had a firm expression.
“Adele, Green Hill is actually completely sealed off right now. The priests of the Vatican have spread their magic circles, so it’s impossible for me to sneak out without them knowing.”
“What if we ask the Empress for help?”
“Yes, I asked her for help. I asked her to help you get to Russwolf. And I got a reply. She said she would let you leave Greenhill with the party welcoming Archduke Rusty tomorrow.”
“No. Why am I alone...?”
“Leana and I are already known to the Vatican. If we move together, you will be in danger.”
“So you want me to run away and find a way to live alone?”
When Adele glared coldly, Christine held both of her hands in soothing gestures.
“I’m not running away. I’m asking you to call the White Ghost Knights in Russwolf. There are over 10,000 of my soldiers there.”
“So you’ve decided to go to war with the Vatican?”
“Don’t worry. Lady Isabelle will help you here. And if Russwolf’s reinforcements attack the Vatican, we have a chance of winning.”
“You can just send someone else. Why should I...?”
Christine took out a sealed letter from his inner pocket.
“This is my order. They will only move if you go.”
Adele could no longer insist on staying by his side.
If she didn’t go, she wouldn’t be able to help him.
“Can you hold out until Russwolf’s reinforcements arrive?”
He smiled as if he had no worries.
“Don’t worry.”
He caressed Adele’s cheek, still looking like she was about to cry.
“I’m sorry. It’ll be hard to get married when the cherry blossoms bloom in the Lake Garden. Instead, let’s get married when the roses bloom there. I’ll definitely get back by then.”
“Flowers... Flowers... I don’t care. Just come back safely.”
Because you are my flower.
Adele hugged his neck and kissed him as if she were being driven by some kind of passion.
Christine also hugged her slender waist so tightly that it almost broke her and swallowed her soft lips. She could feel hot blood through her thin skin.
Her breath came out like a sob.
Zimmer’s singing could be heard from afar, and the sky had completely darkened.
Where are you, my love?
Our rose is fading, but your fame still shines from afar.
Many will remember you in the distant future.
They will lay flowers on your grave.
So I will stop forgetting.
The promise I made with you, the red rose of May, the blue and shining time...
***
After the party, when everyone was asleep, Adele packed her simple luggage and left the mansion of the training camp.
Jennifer was to be her escort until she went to Russwolf.
Christine and Zimmer followed them quietly, seeing them off.
“Are you leaving?”
She turned around at Leana’s voice.
She climbed up on the high wall and came down gently to the ground.
“That’s right, Leana. I felt bad about leaving without telling you...”
She climbed up on the high wall and came down gently to the ground.
“That’s right, Leana. I felt bad about leaving without telling you...”
“Is this all because of me?”
Leana tried to keep her expression calm. But she could tell how much she was blaming herself inside.
“You’re making a big mistake. You’re not that great of a person.”
Leana snapped at Christine, who was laughing coldly from afar.
“That’s right. I didn’t know that this was all planned by the great Count.”
“Leana.”
When Adele called, Leana stuck out her tongue.
“I’m sorry, Adele. And I’ll never forget today’s party. The food was delicious, the dress was pretty, and it was a dreamlike day.”
Adele hugged Leana warmly.
“I was happy, thanks to you, too. And please take care of Chris while I’m gone.”
And she whispered softly.
“He may look like that on the outside, but he has a cute side to him.”
Leana glanced at Christine, who was frowning, and replied softly.
“I don’t agree with that, but I’ll keep other women away.”
“You’re strong.”
The two women made a kind of pact with their eyes.
And Adele stood in front of Christine for the last time.
“Come back safely, Chris. If you get hurt even a little... I won’t let you go.”
“Hmm.”
He replied indifferently, but Adele knew how much emotion he was holding back.
She couldn’t look at him anymore either. She felt like she was going to cry at any moment.
“Let’s go, Jennifer.”
***
It was late at night when they arrived at the Rodwell dukedom.
Isabelle, who had been waiting inside the mansion, handed Adele a small vial.
“Dissolve this in water and wash your hair. It’ll make you look blonde.”
“Should I disguise myself as blonde?”
“And cross-dressing.”
“How cool to become a blonde woman in one day.”
Isabelle explained roughly to Adele, who was laughing self-deprecatingly.
“Tomorrow, I’ll go to Nixus Bridge with the party that’s going to greet Grand Duke Rustis. It’s the only passageway that currently allows access to Greenhill. After crossing the bridge, you’ll take the carriage I’ve prepared and go to Russwolf. I’ve loaded everything you need.”
“It’s easy if I just listen to you.”
“I hope it’s easy.”
The next morning.
Before daybreak, a magnificent carriage and twelve knights on horseback left the Rodwell residence.
They were the party going to greet Grand Duke Rustis.
Isabelle and her maids were in the carriage, while Adele and Jennifer were disguised as knights escorting her.
Adele, who had become a handsome blond man, was now wearing the uniform of the Rodwell Knights. She wore plate mail over chain mail and carried a sword, looking like a knight. She had benefited greatly from the horseback riding and swordsmanship lessons she had learned in her spare time.
“Doesn’t it look too good on you as a man?”
“That’s right. I’m afraid I’ll get proposals from women.”
Adele and Jennifer joked around to ease the tension.
However, they couldn’t help but feel nervous when dozens of guards joined them at the palace.
Even though she was disguised as a man, there might be some among them who would recognize her.
“Damn it, I didn’t expect the guards to join.”
“I forgot that Grand Duke Rustis is now the Emperor.”
Adele quickly turned her back on the guards.
But the problem wasn’t the guards.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment