Clenching his fists on his knees, Arminius tried again. “I understand, my lady, but there aren’t many left.” He countered her answer truthfully. “Just this evening, the captain of the city guard was also… killed…” Hesitantly, the lieutenant revealed what even Julien did not know.
In any case, his knowledge spurred on the vividly dark vestige that was trapped in the lady’s heart, and her eyes turned to immediate shock. Thinking that it could not have been true, she helplessly stared at Arminius, whose expression was as sincere as it had been ever since they knocked on her door. Peering down at her wine that rippled within the vessel, she became even more torn. Julien removed his hand from his amulet and wondered whether Arminius was sure that this was how he wished to proceed.
Knowing that there would not be another chance, nothing could stop him as he pushed forward. “If not a leader, what this country needs now is a figurehead.” Arminius explained. “Anyone with a name, a name that is respected.” He hinted at her value, not only as a far more experienced administrator, but also as the Lady of the Rantzau.
Spiritedly, the corporal set his glass on the table as well and inched forward, his body righting. “Only with you can we fulfil the lord mayor’s—no, the king’s—wish.” Julien chimed in, bringing his hands into fists, too. “Bite, jegisk fræfrau. (Please, my lady.)” He joined his comrade’s plea.
“Do not do it for your husband, but for your son, and for the two million lives at stake.” Arminius deflected and reinforced his words.
It was hard for the lady to refuse their call to arms yet again. Perhaps more so than before, she became unsure. She may have understood their persistence, as it was what made a soldier in her eyes. Even if there was a hint of coercion, she did not mind. However, it was her lack of faith in her abilities that had kept her away from the work of her husband.
Looking into the fire, the embers of that night did not whisper to her like they always had. Instead, the shape of the flames brandished a vision that showed her what was to be of her home and her family if she did not try. The light gently flickered on her face, and the fire crackled. The two boys sat in silence and respect as a bead of sweat ran down one’s temple.
Her soft smile slowly came back as she turned to the lieutenant. “No wonder Paul went to you, lednened.” Lady Rantzau restored some of their hope. “Huisk frend rekengen sagen de œjbreteget ausdrukdingne. (Your friend knows exactly the right words to say.)” She spoke to the corporal in words that the foreigner could not understand.
Julien snickered, and Arminius turned to him, aware that they had been secretly discussing him. However, the rest of their conversation remained a mystery to the lieutenant, who felt like a toddler struggling to understand language. Given her tone, however, she must have meant well.
Her wine, with a drop left, was set on the table beside the two other glasses before the boys sat up, feeling that she was about to give her final answer.
Wiping her hands on her dress, the lady sat facing Arminius. “Very well.” She nodded, having been convinced by their determination, but there were additional terms she liked to affirm. “But you must promise me one thing.”
Their faces lit up. Julien glanced over to Arminius as if they had leapt over an impossible hurdle and a half. Whatever promises she desired, they seemed willing to agree.
“I want you both to be my counsel.” Lady Rantzau bowed, entrusting the task of guiding her through times of troubles. “Tell me what Paul wished to do, and our people will have certain peace.” She promised them that she would play her part beyond her limits.
Arminius sprang up from his seat out of awe. There was hope that he would finally be able to find the long-sought thing he had chased after. Perhaps peace was not yet ready for the rest of the world, but in their little corner in the northern lands, the chance for a realm to be in a state aside from war had come. It was the one thing he had ever wanted since he had envisioned his role in this world.
Stunned, Julien also rose to express his gratitude, only to have his comrade interrupt him by kneeling.
Holding a hand over his heart, he bowed before her, unafraid to show his gratitude. “Of course, my lady.” The lieutenant’s voice trembled with tranquil joy. “Anything for peace.” He mumbled to himself, but no one heard him clearly.
Flustered, Lady Rantzau lifted her head and held onto Arminius’s arms, urging him to stand up. “A, bite schdæen, ledne’d. (My, please stand, lieutenant.)” She brought out her native dialect, which surprised the corporal. “And no more jegisk fræfrau. It’s Ingrid.” Her character was much like the lord’s. The more they spoke, the more they realised that even her likes and dislikes were not so dissimilar.
Arminius rose from the floor and stood in the light of the fire that struck his arm. Having been embarrassed by his bow, Lady Rantzau patted down the dust from the lieutenant’s uniform, and out of all her actions, it was this gesture that caught Arminius’s eye. It reminded him of home in that instance, of how a mother would caringly shape her child up for school.238Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVM4qaZZgm
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