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“Are you going right away?”
The butler standing in the hallway asked her with a gentle expression. Annette stopped walking and nodded.
"... Yes."
“Shall I send you news of Joseph from time to time?”
“I would appreciate it if you could do that.”
She couldn't be with Joseph, but she thought it would be nice to hear stories about the child growing up.
The butler said with a big smile.
"It seemed like Joseph missed Miss Rosenberg a lot. Apparently, he was having a hard time adjusting to life in the official residence, surrounded by strangers."
“Is that so...?”
Annette expected the butler to say something like, "Why don't you take Joseph with you? The child would like it that way."
But the butler said nothing more about him. He simply wore a gentle smile.
The chief butler of the residence originally came from a family of butlers who had served the Count's family for generations. After her divorce, he was almost the only one in the residence who had not been hostile to her.
A brief silence passed between them. Annette hesitated for a moment, then spoke cautiously.
“Have you heard anything about His Excellency?”
It was time for a reply from him, but it hadn't arrived yet. She completely understood the delay, given the exhibition, but for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The butler's eyes narrowed slightly at Annette's question. It seemed as if he knew something, but he quickly shook his head.
“I only hear the news through the newspaper.”
"...Yes."
“I hope he returns safely.”
Annette felt as if her true feelings had been revealed. "I guess so," she muttered, lowering her eyes.
"Well then, butler, I'll be going now. Stay healthy."
“Thank you. I hope you, Miss Rosenberg, stay healthy, wherever you are.”
Despite his age, his voice was clean and neat. Annette smiled faintly and turned her head. Then, suddenly, the butler called out to her.
“Miss Rosenberg.”
Annette paused and turned to him. The butler, with his usual kind face, asked quietly.
“You have no intention of returning to the official residence, do you?”
For a moment, her eyes wavered. She couldn't understand why the butler was asking such a question.
A brief silence fell. Annette looked at the butler searchingly, but she couldn't read anything from his wrinkled face.
Annette soon lowered her eyes and gave a slight nod in response.
On her way back from the market, Annette found a small piano abandoned on the side of the road in front of a house.
The piano was quite an expensive item. Most people wouldn't dare buy it, so why was it being offered like this?
She assumed that they would be relatively leisurely since they live in the resort town of Santa Molino, but she didn't know it would be this much.
Annette unconsciously glanced around. After confirming no one was around, she hesitated for a moment before approaching the piano.
She placed her hands full of luggage on the pavement. She opened the piano lid, revealing the keys. She carefully pressed one of them.
She wasn't expecting much from the keyboard, which looked worn, but it produced a relatively clean tone. She thought it would be fine with a little tuning.
She looked around the piano like an anxious puppy, then sighed softly. She wondered what she was doing.
Annette picked up the luggage she had put down. She glanced at the piano one last time before running away.
And a few hours later, a shadow fell again in front of the piano.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the piano was still there. Annette looked down at it with a worried look.
“...I’m going crazy.”
She muttered softly and opened the piano lid again. The surface of the keys, bathed in the midday sunlight, shone white.
Time passed like flowing water.
Annette continued to exchange letters with Joseph and Ryan. It seemed they planned to begin actively looking for a place for Joseph's adoption after the Commander-in-Chief returned.
Joseph was still struggling to adjust to life in the official residence. Every letter she received hinted at his desire to visit her. But Annette made a point of not responding.
Meanwhile, Ryan was astonished to hear that Annette's new home was Santa Molino. He told her that his family home was in Noverberg, a town right next to Santa Molino.
Ryan congratulated her on her new beginning and told her that he would visit Santa Molino as soon as he was discharged.
Annette continued to write to Heiner. Still, there was no reply.
The season was passing the beginning of summer.
After the war in the Southern Channel, including the island of Pasala, was completely over, articles about deciphering the code appeared prominently in the newspapers.
And the person who contributed most to deciphering this code was undoubtedly Annette Rosenberg.
She was awarded a substantial sum of compensation at the national level. Annette donated the entire amount to an orphanage established for war orphans.
The incident brought Annette's past achievements as a pianist into the spotlight, and she was immediately flooded with interview requests.
Annette accepted the request from one of them. In this war, it was a newspaper that focused primarily on individual stories, rather than the larger scale of the war or battles.
"Jannis: I heard that not all pianists know how to analyze sheet music.
A: That varies from pianist to pianist. However, I was relatively familiar with both music score analysis and composition, having learned both from my teacher. I've even actually composed music myself.
Jannis: You composed the song yourself?
A: Yes, I was interested in composing.
Jannis: Sorry. Actually, this is the first time I've heard of a noblewoman composing music, let alone playing an instrument.
A: (Laughs) I've never heard of it either.
Jannis: So, have you stopped composing now?
A: I quit. But now I'm thinking of starting to study again.
Jannis: I see. This is a bit of a tentative question, but... was it because of this incident, or because of your hand injury, that you decided to start studying composition again?
A: Both are correct. There is one more important reason.
Jannis: Can you tell me why?
A: I originally thought I had no talent for composing. So, I never released any of the many songs I'd completed long ago. I gave up and just lived on...After a long time, someone said this to me.
My talent and effort are genuine. He knows how much effort, how much struggle, and how much pain I endured to become the only contestant without a single mistake in the competition.
He knows I have a talent and interest in composing, not just playing. I've never officially released any songs, so if I had, things would have been different.
I'm still not sure if what he said is true or not. So I'm going to check. If it's not true, I'll hold him accountable. (Laughs)"
Time continued to pass, driving away the heat. One day, when summer was well and truly gone, the final victory news arrived from Cheshire Field.
It was a victory for the Allied forces.
From this point on, the Axis powers' front lines scattered across the continent collapsed simultaneously. This was because Frances's economic power, already in jeopardy for some time, had reached its limit.
Another season passed. That winter, an unprecedented cold spell struck the continent. The number of enemy deaths from frostbite reached an all-time high.
The war that seemed like it would never end was finally entering its final pages.
On January 21, AU 723, as cold snow was falling, Frances surrendered to the Allies.
After Frances's surrender, the official end-of-war declaration by Heiner Valdemar, the commander-in-chief of the Allies Nations forces and commander-in-chief of the Padanian Army, was broadcast over the radio.
[On January 21st, the belligerents jointly declared that they would abolish the existing armistice agreement and move toward a peace agreement, completely ending the state of war that had caused enormous damage and bloodshed on both sides.]
This radio broadcast was broadcast all over the country, from the front lines where blood was still fresh to the mainland where the damage from war had not yet reached.
[In accordance with this immediate and complete armistice agreement, all hostile acts and armed actions of a military nature will be prohibited, and prisoners of war and detainees of both sides will be exchanged.]
Some people rejoiced at the end of the war, while others were still grieving over what the war had taken away.
[People of Padania. We have overcome long adversity and stand at a pivotal point in history. At this juncture, our government and military will do their utmost to bring about the reality of complete peace. I offer my support and applause to all who have fought for peace and justice.]
A yellow butterfly, having flown a long way, landed gently on the barbed wire of the front line. Beneath the wire, amidst the graying dirt from countless shell explosions, a small, light green sprout was sprouting.
[...I will give you victory.]
The butler standing in the hallway asked her with a gentle expression. Annette stopped walking and nodded.
"... Yes."
“Shall I send you news of Joseph from time to time?”
“I would appreciate it if you could do that.”
She couldn't be with Joseph, but she thought it would be nice to hear stories about the child growing up.
The butler said with a big smile.
"It seemed like Joseph missed Miss Rosenberg a lot. Apparently, he was having a hard time adjusting to life in the official residence, surrounded by strangers."
“Is that so...?”
Annette expected the butler to say something like, "Why don't you take Joseph with you? The child would like it that way."
But the butler said nothing more about him. He simply wore a gentle smile.
The chief butler of the residence originally came from a family of butlers who had served the Count's family for generations. After her divorce, he was almost the only one in the residence who had not been hostile to her.
A brief silence passed between them. Annette hesitated for a moment, then spoke cautiously.
“Have you heard anything about His Excellency?”
It was time for a reply from him, but it hadn't arrived yet. She completely understood the delay, given the exhibition, but for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
The butler's eyes narrowed slightly at Annette's question. It seemed as if he knew something, but he quickly shook his head.
“I only hear the news through the newspaper.”
"...Yes."
“I hope he returns safely.”
Annette felt as if her true feelings had been revealed. "I guess so," she muttered, lowering her eyes.
"Well then, butler, I'll be going now. Stay healthy."
“Thank you. I hope you, Miss Rosenberg, stay healthy, wherever you are.”
Despite his age, his voice was clean and neat. Annette smiled faintly and turned her head. Then, suddenly, the butler called out to her.
“Miss Rosenberg.”
Annette paused and turned to him. The butler, with his usual kind face, asked quietly.
“You have no intention of returning to the official residence, do you?”
For a moment, her eyes wavered. She couldn't understand why the butler was asking such a question.
A brief silence fell. Annette looked at the butler searchingly, but she couldn't read anything from his wrinkled face.
Annette soon lowered her eyes and gave a slight nod in response.
***
On her way back from the market, Annette found a small piano abandoned on the side of the road in front of a house.
The piano was quite an expensive item. Most people wouldn't dare buy it, so why was it being offered like this?
She assumed that they would be relatively leisurely since they live in the resort town of Santa Molino, but she didn't know it would be this much.
Annette unconsciously glanced around. After confirming no one was around, she hesitated for a moment before approaching the piano.
She placed her hands full of luggage on the pavement. She opened the piano lid, revealing the keys. She carefully pressed one of them.
She wasn't expecting much from the keyboard, which looked worn, but it produced a relatively clean tone. She thought it would be fine with a little tuning.
She looked around the piano like an anxious puppy, then sighed softly. She wondered what she was doing.
Annette picked up the luggage she had put down. She glanced at the piano one last time before running away.
And a few hours later, a shadow fell again in front of the piano.
Fortunately or unfortunately, the piano was still there. Annette looked down at it with a worried look.
“...I’m going crazy.”
She muttered softly and opened the piano lid again. The surface of the keys, bathed in the midday sunlight, shone white.
***
Time passed like flowing water.
Annette continued to exchange letters with Joseph and Ryan. It seemed they planned to begin actively looking for a place for Joseph's adoption after the Commander-in-Chief returned.
Joseph was still struggling to adjust to life in the official residence. Every letter she received hinted at his desire to visit her. But Annette made a point of not responding.
Meanwhile, Ryan was astonished to hear that Annette's new home was Santa Molino. He told her that his family home was in Noverberg, a town right next to Santa Molino.
Ryan congratulated her on her new beginning and told her that he would visit Santa Molino as soon as he was discharged.
Annette continued to write to Heiner. Still, there was no reply.
The season was passing the beginning of summer.
After the war in the Southern Channel, including the island of Pasala, was completely over, articles about deciphering the code appeared prominently in the newspapers.
And the person who contributed most to deciphering this code was undoubtedly Annette Rosenberg.
She was awarded a substantial sum of compensation at the national level. Annette donated the entire amount to an orphanage established for war orphans.
The incident brought Annette's past achievements as a pianist into the spotlight, and she was immediately flooded with interview requests.
Annette accepted the request from one of them. In this war, it was a newspaper that focused primarily on individual stories, rather than the larger scale of the war or battles.
"Jannis: I heard that not all pianists know how to analyze sheet music.
A: That varies from pianist to pianist. However, I was relatively familiar with both music score analysis and composition, having learned both from my teacher. I've even actually composed music myself.
Jannis: You composed the song yourself?
A: Yes, I was interested in composing.
Jannis: Sorry. Actually, this is the first time I've heard of a noblewoman composing music, let alone playing an instrument.
A: (Laughs) I've never heard of it either.
Jannis: So, have you stopped composing now?
A: I quit. But now I'm thinking of starting to study again.
Jannis: I see. This is a bit of a tentative question, but... was it because of this incident, or because of your hand injury, that you decided to start studying composition again?
A: Both are correct. There is one more important reason.
Jannis: Can you tell me why?
A: I originally thought I had no talent for composing. So, I never released any of the many songs I'd completed long ago. I gave up and just lived on...After a long time, someone said this to me.
My talent and effort are genuine. He knows how much effort, how much struggle, and how much pain I endured to become the only contestant without a single mistake in the competition.
He knows I have a talent and interest in composing, not just playing. I've never officially released any songs, so if I had, things would have been different.
I'm still not sure if what he said is true or not. So I'm going to check. If it's not true, I'll hold him accountable. (Laughs)"
Time continued to pass, driving away the heat. One day, when summer was well and truly gone, the final victory news arrived from Cheshire Field.
It was a victory for the Allied forces.
From this point on, the Axis powers' front lines scattered across the continent collapsed simultaneously. This was because Frances's economic power, already in jeopardy for some time, had reached its limit.
Another season passed. That winter, an unprecedented cold spell struck the continent. The number of enemy deaths from frostbite reached an all-time high.
The war that seemed like it would never end was finally entering its final pages.
On January 21, AU 723, as cold snow was falling, Frances surrendered to the Allies.
After Frances's surrender, the official end-of-war declaration by Heiner Valdemar, the commander-in-chief of the Allies Nations forces and commander-in-chief of the Padanian Army, was broadcast over the radio.
[On January 21st, the belligerents jointly declared that they would abolish the existing armistice agreement and move toward a peace agreement, completely ending the state of war that had caused enormous damage and bloodshed on both sides.]
This radio broadcast was broadcast all over the country, from the front lines where blood was still fresh to the mainland where the damage from war had not yet reached.
[In accordance with this immediate and complete armistice agreement, all hostile acts and armed actions of a military nature will be prohibited, and prisoners of war and detainees of both sides will be exchanged.]
Some people rejoiced at the end of the war, while others were still grieving over what the war had taken away.
[People of Padania. We have overcome long adversity and stand at a pivotal point in history. At this juncture, our government and military will do their utmost to bring about the reality of complete peace. I offer my support and applause to all who have fought for peace and justice.]
A yellow butterfly, having flown a long way, landed gently on the barbed wire of the front line. Beneath the wire, amidst the graying dirt from countless shell explosions, a small, light green sprout was sprouting.
[...I will give you victory.]
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