CH 48

Annette wore a slightly old, shaggy cape shawl and a deep black bonnet. Only the tip of her nose and mouth were visible under the shadow of the hat.

She stood before a full-length mirror that had handprints everywhere and checked her appearance. She looked like any normal family woman with a basket made of palm trees in her hand.

No one would think she was Rosenberg’s only daughter in this outfit. Annette straightened her wrinkled skirt and left the house.

The midday sun was still warm, even though it was well into autumn. Shopping stalls lined the streets under a vast sky.

“How about this? It’s in really good condition.”

“Well, how much is the basket?”

“I want to fix this………..”

The street was quite lively. Annette moved her steps, her face buried in the shadow of her deep-brimmed bonnet.

It had already been six months since she had left the capital. She had adapted to life in peaceful Cynthia.

When she first stayed at Catherine’s house, Annette had hardly gone out. In particular, she could not even set foot in crowded places.

She felt like someone would recognize her as the Commander-in-Chief ‘s ex wife. She thought they were going to throw stones at her, saying that she was of dirty aristocratic blood. Someone would point a gun at her, saying that she was the daughter of the military general.

She felt contradictory. How could she wish to die and yet fear death?

She spent months alone in the house, surrounded by helplessness, fear, and a sense of self-destruction. As such, Catherine and Bruner were completely oblivious to her.

In the quiet and monotony of her life, Annette slowly regained her stability. She even attempted to go out when Catherine’s stomach began to grow larger.

By the time it was six months, she was able to get around the market. It was a lot of development, although she still hid her face.

“Welcome.”

The owner of the fabric store, who was in the middle of a chat, greeted her cheerfully. Though she didn’t even look at Annette when she said the word.

Annette was pleased by his indifference, and quietly looked around at the fabrics. She was going to make clothes for Olivia. Her embroidery skills, which had been a mess, had recently almost returned to normal.

‘Since she’s still a baby, would pure cotton be better?” Or even circular knit— it’s a bit complicated to make…’

While Annette was struggling with fabrics, the store owner had a heated conversation with her partner.

“After Rutland, it’s Aslania or us.”

“Rutland, it’s because there are a lot of French people living in that region. There’s no reason it affects us.”

“Yes, and asking for the liberation of the French system is just another de facto pretext. Just give us some land.”

“Right…. without a declaration of war, barbaric bastards. It’s obvious that they will turn on us as well.”

“It is a hundred times better to go to war than to stagger along as before, taking all that can be taken from us and keeping the peace.”

“Needless to say. Royal, aristocratic, incompetent, and cowardly…”

“Now, at least, we have some relief. Regardless of whether there is a war or not, the commander-in-chief will be in charge of military command.”

Annette’s hand, which had been touching the cloth, stopped for a moment.

“Just the other day, they signed a treaty of some kind, an alliance. They said that it was done, but they said it was the work of the commander-in-chief.”

“I was worried because no matter how he was from the revolutionary army, he had been in the royal army for a long time and was too young and handsome, but he is really good at his job.”

Then the woman burst out laughing and slapped the shop owner on the shoulder.

“What else did you worry about because he’s handsome?”

“They say handsome would make you lose face.”

“That’s the word used only for flirting with women. By the way, doesn’t the Commander-in-Chief remarry?”

“I thought he just got divorced.”

“Well, there’s Senator Günther’s daughter. Wasn’t there talk of him getting engaged to this woman who was in the militia?”

“I think so………… But this isn’t the right time to remarry. I think he will when the situation is over.”

Annette pretended not to mind the conversation and walked as naturally as possible. Her heart pounded like someone who had been exposed for who she really was.

All the way across the store they talked about the issue of the Commander-in-Chief’s remarriage.

Annette’s steps quickened a little more. It seemed as if her own story was about to come out of their mouths at any moment.

Only after she was outside and the store door closed was she able to exhale the breath she had been holding back.

“How much if you mix the two halves like this…” (shoppers)

“…is that correct?” (Shoppers)

The hustle and bustle of the streets was particularly dizzying. Her hand holding the shopping basket began to tremble slightly. Annette nervously clenched her hands  and released them.

‘Perhaps they found out who I am and deliberately broached the subject ……?’

She knew it was an overly sensitive thought, but it didn’t stop her from feeling uneasy. Annette stood still and closed her eyes. The murmur of words slowly filled up in her head.

At that moment, a shout echoed through the place.

“Extra!”

Startled, Annette raised her head. The paper was fluttering down. At the same time, a bicycle swished past her.

A boy selling newspapers was distributing an issue with a large, black title.

“Extra! Extra!”

People buzzed, picked up, and read the extra editions. Annette, who had been in a daze for a moment, also picked one up. The large, bold title inscribed at the top was the first thing that caught her eye.

[Rutland Defeated, Document of Surrender Signed.]

The hastily issued paper contained only the core content in a simplified form. Annette’s eyes moved along the lines.

[Rutland’s 1.2 million troops were annihilated in the Red Line War. Signing of a document of surrender, including huge reparations and the leasing of major ports. France’s demand for exchange of Aslania territory expected…………]

Annette covered her mouth with one hand. She read it over and over again, but the conclusion was the same. Rutland had lost the war.

The result was quicker and more futile than expected. No one had expected Rutland to surrender so easily.

Shocked people began whispering.

“So what happens now?”

“We’ll probably declare war on them, too, won’t we? We are allies…”

“Are we really going to join the war now?”

“I don’t think so…not right away. Because you never know when a declaration of war will lead to a real military action….”

“I think our participation in the war is planned anyway. Oh Lord!”

“It’s going to happen at some point anyway. Everyone must not be afraid, must not avoid, must enlist our sons with patriotism!”

The surroundings quickly became chaotic. Some people expressed enthusiasm for the war, while others could not escape shock and worry.

Some middle-aged women with grown sons wept.

Annette slowly removed the hand that covered her mouth. Shaky breaths flowed out from it.

Hearing the news of Rutland’s defeat made the war truly felt.

Padania’s entry into the war was imminent.

***

“France plans to incorporate the three peninsular countries into its sphere of influence in order to pave the way to the continent. It must be stopped!”

“Not right away! The manpower and material losses we will suffer while helping them are too great. We must be prepared with supplies to defend against a possible invasion of the mainland in the future.”

“What are you talking about? If we let this go, it will be like a foothold to Padania! We need to make a move right away.

Aren’t we going to do more damage trying to postpone it?”

The excited chiefs of staff began to argue, banging on their desks. Heiner stood alone at the top of the table, arms crossed, quietly staring at the map.

“The war has just ended, and France won’t be able to give it all. Now is the time!”

“We can’t stop them completely with this anyway! It would be much more efficient to prepare for the mainland invasion!”

The news of Rutland’s defeat, and its horrific annihilation, had everyone on edge. Several arguments were exchanged, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense.

Heiner uncrossed his arms, not taking his eyes off the map. As the discussion escalated into an argument, he banged his hands on the desk.

“Your opinions are well taken.”

The low but powerful voice silenced the audience instantly. Silence passed for some time. The previously overheated atmosphere gradually subsided.

Heiner, still looking at the map, slowly opened his mouth.

“In effect, the annexation of the sphere of influence is not a matter for us to decide. Because the three countries may not want war. Whether voluntarily or involuntarily….The problem we face is…”

Heiner’s finger swept slowly over the map.

“Here, Terra Rossa.”

He pointed to the southern region of Aslania.

“It is the largest granary and contains vast reserves of resources. France will surely demand an exchange of territory, and if Aslania is not willing to accept it, they will send a large armored force into Terra Rossa. It’s a land they’ve had their eyes on for a long time.”

“But the time is right…………….”

“It’s unclear. We can’t move quickly either. First we will formalize our entry into the war.”

This meant a declaration of war. The general staff gasped. All of them had expected this, but what came out of the Commander-in-Chief’s mouth had a different weight to it.

“Military action will commence only if Aslania requests assistance.”

Heiner raised his head. His gray eyes, ashen after the bombing, shone sharply.

“In the meanwhile, we’ll complete the construction of defensive fortifications on the western front of Padania.”