CH 73

CHAPTER 73: PROMISE

「Then, Carol. I shall take my leave」

「Y…Y-Y-Ye…Y-Yes……」

I was too surprised by what Wilhelm-sama said that I ended up stuttering.

For me, it was like a groundbreaking event happened. Yet why are you so calm, Wilhelm-sama?

I could only stare at the back of Wilhelm-sama who turned and went away.

And when Wilhelm-sama turned the corner and his back could no longer be seen, my knees gave away and I plopped down to the ground.

Was this a dream?

「O-Ojou-sama……? 」

「Natalia……」

「Y-Yes? 」

「Could you hit me……? 」

「Why, Ojou-sama?! 」

Not understanding my meaning, Natalia could only cry out.

But I only wanted to make sure it was not a dream. I pinched my own cheek but felt no pain at all, too elated to feel it.

So this dream…was really not a dream?

From Wilhelm-sama’s own mouth, he said he…l-l-l-loved me—!

「……」

I stood up.

And with wobbly steps, went inside the manor’s entrance. Richard and Mary seemed to be saying something by the entrance, but I still felt like I was lightly floating and heard nothing.

I walked to my room like that. Climbing the stairs, passing through the corridor, and walking through the door. All throughout, I felt like I was floating on air.

Then, I finally reached my room.

Onto the bed I dove straight.

「U-Um, Ojou-sama」

「……What…is it? 」

「It is almost time for dinner……」

「Please tell them I would not eat……」

In such a state, I would not be able to swallow some dinner.

It was too shocking that I somehow could not wrap my mind around it. A lot of things happened, and my mind was in a complete chaos.

I had said time and again that I had been yearning for Wilhelm-sama for a long, long time.

The Wilhelm-sama who, after confessing to him at the evening party, just stared at me like he did not know what I was talking about.

The Wilhelm-sama who, despite trying to refuse my marriage proposal at the garrison, held me close when I was in a pinch.

The Wilhelm-sama who ate the packed lunch I brought with relish.

The Wilhelm-sama who saved me from Robert’s clutches and carried me back home.

「Aah……」

The Wilhelm-sama who offered for me to be a temporary lecturer at the Order.

The Wilhelm-sama who, despite his busyness, rushed over when His Highness came to our house.

The Wilhelm-sama who fed me when we were eating out today.

And then—the Wilhelm-sama who told me he loved me.

Various perspectives, various scenes, and various Wilhelm-sama flashed in my head.

But.

Wilhelm-sama was going to war.

I would not know how the battle would progress. I would not be able to know how tough it would be.

He said he might lose his life.

But.

But, but, but.

Wilhelm-sama said—“Once I come back from war, let us get married”.

He acknowledged me as his fiancée.

He decided to be together with me.

Was there any such happiness besides this?

「O-Ojou-sama……」

「Natalia, that is all for today……I would like to be left alone……」

「B-But……」

My tears came pouring out one after the other. It was not out of anxiety, sorrow, despair, nor dread that Wilhelm-sama might go to war.

「Ah! 」

However, I suddenly realized.

My head whipped up. My eyes opened wide.

I forgot something important.

Wilhelm-sama told me he loved me. He proposed that once he returns from war, we would marry.

And all I could do was be stunned speechless.

No.

It must not remain like this.

As a lady, I must properly accept the confession of love I received and, in turn, must confess my love.

Then, what are you being in a daze for, Carol Ambrose?!

「Natalia! 」

「Y-Yes? 」

「I will leave immediately! Please come with me! 」

「Eh? Um…did something……? 」

I ran.

I threw the door open and rushed out into the corridor. I heard Natalia call out 「Ojou-sama—! 」from behind me. But it was all right. I am slow-footed, so Natalia would soon catch up to me.

Right now, I must give a proper response. If I do not—!

「Carol, what are you……」

「I am going out for a bit, Mother! 」

「The dinner……」

Passing by my mother, I continued to run. Right now, there was something more important than dinner.

I resolutely ran through the corridor and rushed down the stairs.

「Oof!? 」

I lost my footing and fell on my bottom.

Down the stairs I went—with my bottom hitting the every step. My bottom was throbbing, but I was able to quickly descend the stairs. So all was well.

Enduring the throbbing of my backside, I proceeded to the front doors.

「What are you doing, Carol! 」

「Father! I am going out! 」

「What on earth is going on! 」

I ignored my father’s words.

There was a matter I must first take care of. I must catch up to Wilhelm-sama before he could go back home.

Passing the front doors and through the gates, I ran further down the street.

I lifted the hem of my skirt which was hard to run in. I knew it was improper to show my feet.

But if I could, I would even want to take off my shoes which were hard to run in.

「Ojou-sama—! 」

I heard Natalia’s voice nearby.

She was truly following well. Then, it was fine.

Now, let us see which direction Wilhelm-sama went to.

He was surely just around the street. Could it be he was currently heading towards the garrison?

Then, I would race him there.

「Oof! 」

I tripped over my own feet and tipped forward.

I fell face first into to the ground. It hurt. I hit my nose.

Would my nose be bleeding? That aside, my face was smudged with mud. But there was no time to wipe it off.

I seemed to have scraped my knee, and it slightly hurt. But it did not matter.

—I ran.

「Ojou-sama, what is the matter! 」

「I must…catch up…with Wilhelm-sama……! 」

「Why!? 」

Smoothly ignoring Natalia’s question, I focused my all on running.

「Wilhelm-sama! 」

「Hm……? 」

Shoulders twitched at the sound of my voice, and Wilhelm-sama turned around.

On the perpetually masculine features was a look of question.

Wilhelm-sama probably disliked a woman with such a disgraceful appearance, with a face smudged with mud.

But then.

If I miss my chance now—there might not be any more opportunities.

「W-What happened, Carol? 」

「Wilhelm…sama……! 」

「H-Hmm……? 」

I approached Wilhelm-sama, who looked bewildered, and took his hand.

With a muddy face, in muddy clothes, and holding down my ragged breaths, I steadily looked up at Wilhelm-sama.

「I…as…well! 」

「Y-Yes……? 」

「I as well! I love you, Wilhelm-sama! 」

I would be soiling Wilhelm-sama’s clothes once again. This time not with tears, but with mud.

Still, I firmly held onto his waist.

I, too, would firmly express my feelings.

「Please! This Carol! Please take as your wife! 」

Muddy face with muddy clothes, dripping with sweat, and covered in scratches.

Still, I properly confessed my feelings.

「All right」

Wilhelm-sama nodded, and gently stroked my head—.