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AU 716.
Their wedding took place at Manheron Church, located in the heart of Launceston. It was the largest and most ornate church in the capital, with massive stained-glass windows filling both walls.
The chapel was packed with well-dressed guests, each one a member of the Margrave Dietrich family. The groom's chair was empty.
It was a turbulent time due to the revolution that had taken place among factory workers, but the faces of the guests showed no signs of worry or concern.
Heiner hid his contempt beneath his face. He then forced a bright smile. Today, at least, he had to be the happiest groom in the world.
The host announced the bride's entrance. Heiner stood erect before the podium, gazing at the dazzling white figure approaching from the end of the street.
His bride walked towards him along the flower path.
She was holding the hand of Marquis Dietrich. The veiled bride, holding a white bouquet, looked flawless and pure.
Standing before her, Heiner felt an inexplicable fear. She looked so beautiful and pure that it was frightening. The lump in his chest throbbed, and he cried out in pain.
Finally, the bride arrived at the altar. Heiner took her hand from Prince Dietrich. Her hand, wrapped in a white lace glove, gave off a feeling of being untouchable.
The bride and groom stood facing each other. Heiner reached out with a trembling hand and carefully lifted her veil.
Following the veil, a long, white neck, a slender jawline, red lips, rosy cheeks, and eyes as blue as the deep sea were revealed one after another.
His bride smiled shyly. Before the sublime face before his eyes, Heiner groaned silently. A tangled web of emotions swirled around him.
I want to ruin such an innocent woman.
Or I just want to hold this hand and run away to a faraway place.
I want to take this splendid and happy world away from her.
Or maybe I just want to get away from this noisy and harsh world together.
Just, just a place where we are everything to each other...
They stood facing the stage. The pastor's sermon continued. Heiner tried to submerge the emotions swirling like smoke.
“To Heiner Valdemar, your husband: Do you take the bride, Annette Rosenberg, as your wife before the Lord and these witnesses, and swear that you will honor and love each other and fulfill the duties of a husband as long as you live together according to the law of matrimony?”
“I swear.”
"Annette Rosenberg, do you take Heiner Valdemar as your husband before the Lord and these witnesses? Do you swear that you will honor and love one another and fulfill the duties of a wife as long as you live together according to the law of matrimony?"
“I swear.”
"By this, you have promised to be husband and wife before the Lord. By this beautiful vow and this holy covenant, we hereby declare you to be lawfully married."
Following the pastor's declaration, the audience erupted in applause. Annette turned to him, beaming like a blooming flower.
They placed wedding rings on each other's ring fingers. Heiner gazed at their hands, their matching rings glittering, for a moment, then tilted his head and kissed their rosy lips.
"...I love you."
He whispered between his falling lips.
“I love you, Annette Valdemar.”
Truth and lies blurred in this moment. All he could do was utter a confession, like a distant fall, from his lips. He kept his eyes glued to the bride's brightly smiling face.
Sunlight streaming through the stained glass bathed them in a radiant glow. They kissed again. The sound of bells filled the chapel.
The child sat on a chair in the dark hospital hallway, his short legs dangling beneath the chair.
Heiner watched the child silently from a few steps away. Joseph was reading a book alone. His profile seemed particularly small and lonely.
A child who lost his parents in the war was so shocked he couldn't speak. Doctors couldn't be sure whether the symptoms were temporary or permanent.
Without a guardian, the child should have been transferred to an orphanage long ago. Annette seemed to care, so she allowed him to stay longer.
Heiner made a slight noise so as not to startle the child. Joseph raised his head. Heiner slowly approached the child and carefully sat down beside him.
“...Is it that book again?”
It was a book called "The Adventures of William" or something. Heiner frowned slightly, then remembered Annette's comment about how scary he looked, and his expression softened.
“Aren’t you tired?”
Joseph shook his head. He must have read the same story dozens of times, yet he never got tired of it. He couldn't understand children.
For some reason, Joseph, though he seemed to find him difficult, no longer seemed wary. Heiner attributed this to Annette.
The little boy was now completely alone. And the only person he had any connection with was Annette, his friend.
Heiner looked down at Joseph's round head for a moment.
“...Shall I read you a book?”
And he blurted out words he would never normally say.
The last time Annette asked him to read to the child, he made an excuse and ran away.
A bright smile appeared on Joseph's face. The boy nodded and handed the book to him. Heiner hesitated, his expression still unsure, even after he asked, before finally accepting the book.
“...Once upon a time, there was a legend in the Kingdom of Grandel.”
The story was simple. William, a country boy, hears a legend about a unique flower that promises happiness.
“William traveled over mountains and rivers all season long in search of flowers.”
William the Wanderer sets out on an adventure north, enduring all kinds of hardships to find the flower.
“And William finally found the flower of happiness on the snow-covered mountaintop.”
But he can't bear to pick the flower that has bloomed so beautifully, so he turns around and walks away.
“After a long adventure, William returned home. His family welcomed him home with tears in their eyes, having been away for so long.”
The child's breathing was raspy as he clung to him. Heiner continued reading the book in a calm voice.
"William found great happiness in his family. He regretted his past life as a scoundrel and diligently helped his parents with the farm work."
It was a far cry from Annette's vivid retelling of the situation. Heiner knew it, but it was the best he could do.
“And they lived happily ever after.”
A voice without a note of high or low put a period on the fairy tale. Then silence fell. Heiner glanced at the child.
Even though it was a very boring story, even in his own opinion, Joseph looked satisfied.
“...Was it fun?”
Joseph nodded. He wondered if the child could read or write. He felt it would be a bit difficult to keep reading to him like this.
“Don’t you want to see Annette?”
The child's lips twitched. It seemed as if he was saying he wanted to see her.
"Me too."
Heiner muttered softly. Then, as if remembering something, he asked Joseph.
“Did Annette say she was going to write you a letter?”
Joseph nodded several times, more vigorously than before. Heiner's face became slightly blurred.
“...I wasn’t the only one?”
For some reason, he felt empty. He knew it was childish to do this to a child, but he couldn't help it.
But a faint smile played on his lips. The hospital lights flickered a few times. Heiner stroked the child's head.
“Arriving at Sinsier Station! If you’re getting off at Sinsier, please get off at this station!”
The train quickly became crowded. Annette, having packed her bags, looked out the window at the city of Sinsier. Perhaps because of the war or the bombings, it felt even more desolate than before.
Since the bombing, restoration work has begun, starting with major facilities, and is said to be nearly complete. However, much of the city center remains untouched.
Annette got off the train and caught a carriage heading to the old town of Sinsier. Her companion recognized her and greeted her.
“Oh, hello.”
“Ah... hello.”
“My name is Lily Sherbet.”
“This is Annette.”
"I know."
The woman smiled and offered her hand for a handshake. Annette awkwardly took Lily's hand. At the same time, the carriage jerked as it started to move.
“I heard you’re a famous person recently.”
“...Is that so? I haven’t been reading the newspaper much lately.”
"I saw a positive article, so don't worry. Where are you going?"
“Let’s go towards the old town.”
“Old Town? Near Guardford Street? Do you live there?”
"No, I have an acquaintance who lives there. It's been a while since I visited. I haven't been able to contact them."
"Ah..."
Lily's expression clouded slightly. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before opening her mouth.
“You know there was a bombing in Sinsier, right?”
“Yes, I heard... Was there any bombing in the old city area?”
"There was a lot of bombing. But as you know, Sinsier itself is a densely populated area. I don't want to say anything bad to someone who hasn't been here in a while, but..."
“It’s okay. I would appreciate it if you could tell me.”
"The Old City suffered the most damage. The buildings were so old that even air-raid shelters weren't suitable. If you're planning to visit a damaged area, try the refugee camp on Simon Avenue."
Lily added hastily, perhaps noticing Annette's expression suddenly worsening as she listened to her.
"The damage to the building was severe, but the casualties themselves weren't that severe. I hope everyone is safe."
“...Yes. That will be true. Thank you so much for letting me know.”
“What? You served on the front lines.”
Lily placed her hand on Annette's, which was resting on her skirt. The stranger's warmth was warmer than she'd expected.
The carriage rattled. Lily smiled and said.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Their wedding took place at Manheron Church, located in the heart of Launceston. It was the largest and most ornate church in the capital, with massive stained-glass windows filling both walls.
The chapel was packed with well-dressed guests, each one a member of the Margrave Dietrich family. The groom's chair was empty.
It was a turbulent time due to the revolution that had taken place among factory workers, but the faces of the guests showed no signs of worry or concern.
Heiner hid his contempt beneath his face. He then forced a bright smile. Today, at least, he had to be the happiest groom in the world.
The host announced the bride's entrance. Heiner stood erect before the podium, gazing at the dazzling white figure approaching from the end of the street.
His bride walked towards him along the flower path.
She was holding the hand of Marquis Dietrich. The veiled bride, holding a white bouquet, looked flawless and pure.
Standing before her, Heiner felt an inexplicable fear. She looked so beautiful and pure that it was frightening. The lump in his chest throbbed, and he cried out in pain.
Finally, the bride arrived at the altar. Heiner took her hand from Prince Dietrich. Her hand, wrapped in a white lace glove, gave off a feeling of being untouchable.
The bride and groom stood facing each other. Heiner reached out with a trembling hand and carefully lifted her veil.
Following the veil, a long, white neck, a slender jawline, red lips, rosy cheeks, and eyes as blue as the deep sea were revealed one after another.
His bride smiled shyly. Before the sublime face before his eyes, Heiner groaned silently. A tangled web of emotions swirled around him.
I want to ruin such an innocent woman.
Or I just want to hold this hand and run away to a faraway place.
I want to take this splendid and happy world away from her.
Or maybe I just want to get away from this noisy and harsh world together.
Just, just a place where we are everything to each other...
They stood facing the stage. The pastor's sermon continued. Heiner tried to submerge the emotions swirling like smoke.
“To Heiner Valdemar, your husband: Do you take the bride, Annette Rosenberg, as your wife before the Lord and these witnesses, and swear that you will honor and love each other and fulfill the duties of a husband as long as you live together according to the law of matrimony?”
“I swear.”
"Annette Rosenberg, do you take Heiner Valdemar as your husband before the Lord and these witnesses? Do you swear that you will honor and love one another and fulfill the duties of a wife as long as you live together according to the law of matrimony?"
“I swear.”
"By this, you have promised to be husband and wife before the Lord. By this beautiful vow and this holy covenant, we hereby declare you to be lawfully married."
Following the pastor's declaration, the audience erupted in applause. Annette turned to him, beaming like a blooming flower.
They placed wedding rings on each other's ring fingers. Heiner gazed at their hands, their matching rings glittering, for a moment, then tilted his head and kissed their rosy lips.
"...I love you."
He whispered between his falling lips.
“I love you, Annette Valdemar.”
Truth and lies blurred in this moment. All he could do was utter a confession, like a distant fall, from his lips. He kept his eyes glued to the bride's brightly smiling face.
Sunlight streaming through the stained glass bathed them in a radiant glow. They kissed again. The sound of bells filled the chapel.
***
The child sat on a chair in the dark hospital hallway, his short legs dangling beneath the chair.
Heiner watched the child silently from a few steps away. Joseph was reading a book alone. His profile seemed particularly small and lonely.
A child who lost his parents in the war was so shocked he couldn't speak. Doctors couldn't be sure whether the symptoms were temporary or permanent.
Without a guardian, the child should have been transferred to an orphanage long ago. Annette seemed to care, so she allowed him to stay longer.
Heiner made a slight noise so as not to startle the child. Joseph raised his head. Heiner slowly approached the child and carefully sat down beside him.
“...Is it that book again?”
It was a book called "The Adventures of William" or something. Heiner frowned slightly, then remembered Annette's comment about how scary he looked, and his expression softened.
“Aren’t you tired?”
Joseph shook his head. He must have read the same story dozens of times, yet he never got tired of it. He couldn't understand children.
For some reason, Joseph, though he seemed to find him difficult, no longer seemed wary. Heiner attributed this to Annette.
The little boy was now completely alone. And the only person he had any connection with was Annette, his friend.
Heiner looked down at Joseph's round head for a moment.
“...Shall I read you a book?”
And he blurted out words he would never normally say.
The last time Annette asked him to read to the child, he made an excuse and ran away.
A bright smile appeared on Joseph's face. The boy nodded and handed the book to him. Heiner hesitated, his expression still unsure, even after he asked, before finally accepting the book.
“...Once upon a time, there was a legend in the Kingdom of Grandel.”
The story was simple. William, a country boy, hears a legend about a unique flower that promises happiness.
“William traveled over mountains and rivers all season long in search of flowers.”
William the Wanderer sets out on an adventure north, enduring all kinds of hardships to find the flower.
“And William finally found the flower of happiness on the snow-covered mountaintop.”
But he can't bear to pick the flower that has bloomed so beautifully, so he turns around and walks away.
“After a long adventure, William returned home. His family welcomed him home with tears in their eyes, having been away for so long.”
The child's breathing was raspy as he clung to him. Heiner continued reading the book in a calm voice.
"William found great happiness in his family. He regretted his past life as a scoundrel and diligently helped his parents with the farm work."
It was a far cry from Annette's vivid retelling of the situation. Heiner knew it, but it was the best he could do.
“And they lived happily ever after.”
A voice without a note of high or low put a period on the fairy tale. Then silence fell. Heiner glanced at the child.
Even though it was a very boring story, even in his own opinion, Joseph looked satisfied.
“...Was it fun?”
Joseph nodded. He wondered if the child could read or write. He felt it would be a bit difficult to keep reading to him like this.
“Don’t you want to see Annette?”
The child's lips twitched. It seemed as if he was saying he wanted to see her.
"Me too."
Heiner muttered softly. Then, as if remembering something, he asked Joseph.
“Did Annette say she was going to write you a letter?”
Joseph nodded several times, more vigorously than before. Heiner's face became slightly blurred.
“...I wasn’t the only one?”
For some reason, he felt empty. He knew it was childish to do this to a child, but he couldn't help it.
But a faint smile played on his lips. The hospital lights flickered a few times. Heiner stroked the child's head.
***
“Arriving at Sinsier Station! If you’re getting off at Sinsier, please get off at this station!”
The train quickly became crowded. Annette, having packed her bags, looked out the window at the city of Sinsier. Perhaps because of the war or the bombings, it felt even more desolate than before.
Since the bombing, restoration work has begun, starting with major facilities, and is said to be nearly complete. However, much of the city center remains untouched.
Annette got off the train and caught a carriage heading to the old town of Sinsier. Her companion recognized her and greeted her.
“Oh, hello.”
“Ah... hello.”
“My name is Lily Sherbet.”
“This is Annette.”
"I know."
The woman smiled and offered her hand for a handshake. Annette awkwardly took Lily's hand. At the same time, the carriage jerked as it started to move.
“I heard you’re a famous person recently.”
“...Is that so? I haven’t been reading the newspaper much lately.”
"I saw a positive article, so don't worry. Where are you going?"
“Let’s go towards the old town.”
“Old Town? Near Guardford Street? Do you live there?”
"No, I have an acquaintance who lives there. It's been a while since I visited. I haven't been able to contact them."
"Ah..."
Lily's expression clouded slightly. She seemed to hesitate for a moment before opening her mouth.
“You know there was a bombing in Sinsier, right?”
“Yes, I heard... Was there any bombing in the old city area?”
"There was a lot of bombing. But as you know, Sinsier itself is a densely populated area. I don't want to say anything bad to someone who hasn't been here in a while, but..."
“It’s okay. I would appreciate it if you could tell me.”
"The Old City suffered the most damage. The buildings were so old that even air-raid shelters weren't suitable. If you're planning to visit a damaged area, try the refugee camp on Simon Avenue."
Lily added hastily, perhaps noticing Annette's expression suddenly worsening as she listened to her.
"The damage to the building was severe, but the casualties themselves weren't that severe. I hope everyone is safe."
“...Yes. That will be true. Thank you so much for letting me know.”
“What? You served on the front lines.”
Lily placed her hand on Annette's, which was resting on her skirt. The stranger's warmth was warmer than she'd expected.
The carriage rattled. Lily smiled and said.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
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