CH 49

[…Therefore, please declare in Congress that Padania will enter the war as an allied force.]

A period was struck at the end of the sentence. Heiner stared at it for a moment. The starting point of countless sacrifices had begun with just one sentence he had written.

He gathered up his papers, handed them to his secretary, and stood up. He rubbed his tired eyes and his vision blurred and then became clear again.

He put on his coat and stepped out into the hallway. The sound of his shoes echoed in the cold, dark passageway.

“But if it was like that… I’d have told you three years ago.”

As he entered the main building, he suddenly stopped in his tracks. Heiner inadvertently tried to put his hand near his ear.

“You have achieved your goal and no longer need to deceive me.”

It happened again. Without any warning, without any time. Traces and memories of Annette appeared suddenly, like delusions or ringing in his ears, tormenting him.

“I didn’t even know that…”

Heiner clenched his fists. Then he took another step.

“— I loved you more for three years.”

His eyes darkened and sank. A low murmur flowed out like a cold breath.

“Lie.”

You have never loved me. Even when I was the only one left for you, you never loved me.

It would have been a light amusement in the past, and at that time it would have been as much as an impending hug. It was nothing new.

It was a fact that he had been painfully aware of for a very long time.

How could a woman like you possibly love me?

“Ha.”

Heiner gave a small laugh. It was ridiculous to see him talking to himself about a story that had already ended a long time ago.

He was becoming more and more insane. He wondered if he would be able to maintain his position as commander-in-chief with this kind of mentality.

From the very beginning, the castle had been built for this one woman. Now she was gone, and only the castle walls remained.

Heiner stopped in front of a large window and looked out into the garden. A huge, white fountain caught his eye. It was the same fountain that Annette had used to sit on a bench looking at.

In the past, Heiner had occasionally spotted her sitting there on his way to and from this hallway. Then he would stop his busy steps and watch her for a while.

From here he could only see the back of the bench, but he observed her with great agility and alertness, as if he were a spy uncovering a secret.

Heiner’s eyes, which had been tracing a moment in the past, clouded over. He wondered suddenly what her face looked like sitting on that bench.

A happy or peaceful face was not portrayed at all. The image he had seen of her for the past three years was all stained with dark colors.

When he moved his gaze, he saw his own face reflected in the dark window. The expressionless face was like a dead giant tree. He silently moved his lips.

Are you happy now?

***

The radio was broadcasting about the war all day long.

The story was that France had invaded Aslania’s western front with fast maneuvers without a declaration of war. It said that Padania had so far shown no definite military movement.

Apart from the chaos in the world, Annette’s life flowed along without much change. She was still not very good with a knife, the house smelled like a baby, and the nearby market was bustling as usual.

But word got around that Padania would soon be fully involved in the war. Annette had a vague premonition of the end of her life.

While she was folding the laundry, she heard the sound of a key turn. It was still early evening. She looked curiously at the door.

It was Catherine who entered. For some reason, she looked a little nervous, unlike usual. Annette stood up with a puzzled expression.

“Catherine? You’re already here?”

“Oh, uh, I finished work a little early.”

It was a strange excuse. What kind of fruit store finished its operation this early?

“Is that so…..?”

Annette sat down without further questioning. Catherine took off her coat and looked around.

“Is Olivia sleeping?”

“Yes, a while ago.”

“Thanks for watching her. Hmm, you didn’t go out today, did you?”

“I was home all day.”

“Do you have anything else to do tomorrow?”

“Maybe …… I can go out for a bit…?”

Annette asked, puzzled, wondering if she had to leave the house. But Catherine visibly panicked and waved her hand.

“No, no. I was told to stay home. The atmosphere is a bit violent because of the war, and anyway, it’s a bit

It’s not safe.”

“Catherine, what’s wrong?”

“Huh? No, nothing. I’m a little nervous because of the war. And the fact that they’ve declared war.”

Catherine mumbled, “I have to change out of my clothes,” and went into her room. Annette looked at her back with worried eyes.

When the laundry was finished folding, Catherine came out into the living room again after changing her clothes. She drank water in the kitchen as if she were thirsty.

Annette gathered up the folded laundry and called her.

“Catherine.”

“Huh?”

“What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Is it about me? Did someone recognize me?”

Catherine’s hand with the glass trembled. Annette was sure of her reaction.

“…There is, isn’t there?”

“No, Annette, not because of that.”

“There is no need to hide it on purpose. It’s a fact that they will find out one day anyway.”

Annette said calmly. Catherine, whose lips were moving as if she was at a loss for words, let out a sigh.

“If only it had been as light as Hans’ mouth………..”

Hans was the man Annette had once met at the fruit stand. Catherine was away that day. He ran into her (Annette) before she had time to hide her face.

He seemed to finally recognize who she was.

In fact, Annette was not that surprised by the situation. In the meantime, her face had appeared in countless newspapers and magazines. It was rather strange that no one had recognized her sooner.

She could not understand Catherine, who had put herself on the line from the beginning. Unless she was going to live in hiding in the house for the rest of her life, it was bound to happen at some point.

“Catherine, please tell people what kind of relationship you and I have.”

Annette said calmly but decisively.

“What……”

“If you don’t, they could be misinterpreted as you helping me. So it’s okay to help me, but apart from that you are a victim and your brother was in the revolutionary army. You had nothing to do with me or the nobility in the first place.”

“Saying that doesn’t help, Annette.”

“It’s useful to Catherine and Catherine’s family. I don’t care what they say about me, but I won’t stand by letting them misjudge you. It could hurt your business.”

“Why don’t you care what they say about you?”

“I really don’t mind. I’m used to it by now.”

“Why does it matter if you’re used to it or not anyway ……!”

Catherine’s voice rose slightly higher. Annette was taken aback and stopped talking. But still, the question remained unanswered. She couldn’t care less what people said about her.

Catherine, who had been looking at Annette with an uncertain face, quickly turned around.

“…… Anyway, don’t go out for a while.”

***

Annette hesitated for a moment in front of the telephone. She repeatedly turned the dial to the number on the business card and stopped.

Finally she made up her mind and turned the dial. A regular beep sounded from the receiver. Annette bit her lower lip as she waited for the phone to connect.

[St. Lawyer’s Office].

“Oh, hello. I’m a client who previously proceeded with a divorce through St. Lawyer. I called to ask him about something.”

[What is your name?]

“Annette… Rosenberg.”

When she said my name, she heard an “ah” sound from the other end.

[Please wait a moment. I’ll put you through to the attorney.”]

“….. yes.”

Annette waited for her lawyer, on edge. She called him with doubts, but was glad to see that it still seemed to be progressing.

Soon she heard a familiar voice over the phone. 

[This is Fabien Saint. It’s been a long time, Miss Rosenberg. How are you?”]

“Hello, Mr. St. I am well. I called because I wanted to ask you something. Is it alright?”

[I am glad to hear that you are well. Of course. Please feel free to ask.]

“When I left the official residence after my divorce, I left behind all the alimony payments and related bank documents…will this still be paid to me, if my rights are still valid….”

Annette asked nervously, twisting the phone line between her fingers. It was a piece of property she had thrown away. It was quite embarrassing to ask for it again, but right now there were more important things  than her pride.

[Hmmm ….. Your rights are legally valid, but since a lot of time has passed, it could be considered a waiver of authority depending on the circumstances…….. I think I have to check with your ex-husband first, but if you don’t mind, can you wait a moment? I will call you back soon.]

“Yes—Thank you.”

Annette hung up the phone and did not leave her seat. She stared at the telephone, folded her arms, leaned against the wall, and then repeated the process of pacing around again.

Ding-

Annette picked up the receiver as soon as the phone rang.