────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Chapter 29

She was sitting on the carriage while Wilhelm was keeping his distance, something he had been doing since they had left the castle. She knew he was keeping his distance when she noticed Wilhelm was facing her with his back while standing in front of the thousand enlisted men and didn’t even glance at her. Furthermore, Wilhelm left for an expedition, so Reinhart just sat inside the estate and continued receiving news of his victories.

How amazing was that at first glance? She received six consecutive victories while sitting leisurely inside the estate. There was no news of their defeat, but those times still made Reinhardt choke. She had to stop and pretend to be a Lord in front of the place Wilhelm conquered and left. It was true acting. There were those people who just enjoyed it, but there were also those who felt anxious day by day.

Reinhardt was closer to the latter. She was close to enjoying the past, but she suffered anxiety as she went through a series of events. She lost a father to the Crown Prince and lost a childhood friend after being sent to war due to a hastily made judgment. So Reinhardt was happy with victories but also uneasy at the same time. In addition, her distant feelings for Wilhelm also played a part.

She hadn’t touched Wilhelm’s cheek since the day he brought in a thousand men. Countless times, she hugged Wilhelm, stroked his cheeks, and leaned back to relieve herself, but that was no longer the case. It was a shame for her to realize that the boy she once thought was nothing, was now actually piercing her heart. The agony that she wouldn’t be able to repay the heart of the boy that blindly followed her. And….

A revenge that takes place from one place to another, even if she didn’t intend it. The young man took Dietrich’s name in the name of ‘our’ revenge, but Reinhardt thought that it was for his own. Rather, her doubts piled up and tormented her.

Is this reasonable? Is it okay for everything to flow like this just because I’m living a new life again and having Bill Corona in my hands? Wouldn’t something obtained so easily crumble like sand?

But surprisingly, Reinhardt’s anxiety melted away a little when she saw the cloth wrapped around the handle.

On the other hand, Wilhelm’s face was stiff at her words, and he hid his sword again. She could see his fingertips trembling slightly as if he was embarrassed. It was very different from how he swung his sword in front of Count Murray. It made her laugh. She took a step closer to Wilhelm.

“That’s what I gave you. Show me.”

“… It’s dirty.”

As if he was choked, Wilhelm pursed his mouth trying to hide his sword, embarrassed. But a sword that is a lisle in length couldn’t be easily hidden no matter how big Wilhelm was. Reinhardt smiled brightly after a long time.

“It’s my sleeve, what could be dirty?”

Wilhelm, who had been looking at that smile as if he had lost his mind, lowered his head and stuttered.

“It was also stained with blood… … .”

“It’s okay,” she told him once again, “It’s okay, Wilhelm.”

After that, Wilhelm looked at her in disbelief for a moment.

It had been a long time since Reinhardt called Wilhelm’s name so tenderly. Ever since that day’s campaign, Reinhardt called Wilhelm’s name only when necessary. They didn’t even give them the chance to be alone. It was because it would be shameful for Reinhardt but it was also obvious that Wilhelm had a mysterious and painful time as well.

“… Here….”

Wilhelm held out his sword, quite embarrassed. He seemed reluctant to let her hold something dirty with her hand as when Reinhardt was about to touch the handle he tried to pull the sword back, but Reinhardt pulled it back from him. The sword handle was wrapped with a cloth.

The jacquard was a thick cloth and it was wrapped so tightly on the handle that it felt cushiony. Was the fabric from a long time ago this long and thick? It felt like it was already a long time ago since she ripped her sleeves off to give to him.

“You really cherished it,” Reinhardt whispered as she traced the cloth with her fingertips.

“…You asked for it back, but I was greedy… … .”

Wilhelm barely excused himself. Yes, you were. She held the sword and held it back to Wilhelm.

“No, Wilhelm. You don’t have to return it. Take it back.”

“…Rein.”

“It’s not about returning it, but…..”

Reinhardt bit her lip as she looked up at Wilhelm. Her hand touched his chest and Wilhelm flinched. They were both wearing black now. She was deliberately wearing mourning clothes. She couldn’t even attend Linke Hu’s funeral so she wore a black dress. It was meant to protest against the Emperor. Wilhelm also wore a black cloak over his armor as he was clothed in black. The top was decorated with black velvet. She admired the contrast between her white hands on the black velvet for a moment, before opening her mouth.

“The capital is probably dangerous.”

“….”

“I have something to tell you.”

She found Wilhelm’s hand and took it. Wilhelm, who was holding the crystal just like her, was puzzled and gave it to her without much resistance. Reinhardt held the two crystals in her hand that clashed together, trying to figure out how she should start talking. But just because she had time didn’t mean she knew the answer. She grabbed his hand and intertwined them with hers. Wilhelm was startled, but she didn’t care and gave him the crystal back before whispering to her softly – so no one could hear.

“… I didn’t tell you about something. I don’t even know how to tell you… but you’ll probably be able to get through the Crystal Gate without this”

“…Rein.”

She deliberately did not look at Wilhelm’s expression. Wilhelm called her name, but Reinhardt shook her head.

“It’s hard for me to explain how I found out. And now I’m afraid to see your face.”

“….”

“When you asked me to use you as a tool, I was embarrassed and scared. ‘Cause I really wanted you to take my revenge….”

Reinhardt paused for a moment, out of breath. Wilhelm squeezed her hand as if telling her to continue. She dizzily leaned lightly against his chest. She hoped that in the eyes of others, the tired Lord was only leaning to her knight.

Outside the estate, there were already bad rumors that the old lady and the young man were warming her bed. There’s no way that Reinhardt didn’t know about them. She just didn’t know that even here, people also say the same things about them. But Reinhardt couldn’t express her true feelings unless it was at that moment. So, just a moment.

“…Dietrich told you. You are a hard-working person.”

Unexpectedly, it was Wilhelm who spoke first.

“So even if you loved recognition and raised me like a puppy in your arms, I was going to be a b*st*rd anyway.”

“…You were?”

”You have to play people like chess pieces. I’m saying that you don’t have to give each one of them love and try to raise them like a dog in your arms.”

It was as if she could clearly hear his nostalgic voice in her ears. Wilhelm continued to speak softly.

“But Rein, before Dietrich even told you that, I – ”

“Wilhelm, listen.”

“… … Rein?”

Reinhardt then lifted her head and looked up at Wilhelm. There was the trust and kindness that had been hidden in those eyes. The bewildered young man looked down at her with trembling eyes.

“I don’t need other workers,” She said again, “I need you, so always come back to me.”

“….”

“It doesn’t matter if you want to be in the archipelago or what kind of work you will do. It doesn’t matter even if you leave me. But, you must always come back to me as long as you have this sword. This is what I’m giving to you.”

“Rein, I….”

“You can return the sword if you don’t like it.”

Wilhelm licked his lips, then smiled softly. He bowed his head and whispered in her ear, “I will definitely come back.”

“…Wilhelm.”

“So, give this to me.”

The man’s hard, calloused hands stole Hu Linke’s sword from Reinhardt. After gripping the handle with the thick, wrapped jacquard, Wilhelm placed his hand over Reinhardt’s hand holding the sword, and clasped it. Although his body temperature wasn’t hot, it warmed Reinhardt’s body from her hand to her head and down to her toes.

“Thank you.”

Wilhelm laughed with his low voice in her ears. Reinhardt unconsciously felt her ears go hot.

“I have something to tell you too,” Wilhelm whispered to her calmly.

“What?”

“About the crystal gate.”

Reinhardt’s golden eyes stared intently at Wilhelm. Wilhelm narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“…I knew.”

“Since when?”

Wilhelm’s smile grew wider.

“That… I can’t tell you yet.”

“… But!”

Reinhardt was perplexed. She wondered if this kid knew that he was the emperor’s illegitimate child.

But since when? I wonder if he knew it from the beginning? But Reinhardt immediately remembered the first time she met Wilhelm and thought it was impossible. The young man in front of her now was unable to speak properly when she first met him. He was more like a beast and not a person.

When did he find out? Could it be that someone who knew Wilhelm told him about his bloodline? Reinhardt looked up at Wilhelm with a fierce but confused gaze. Is it only me? Wilhelm had a strangely relaxed expression on his face – it was as if he knew Reinhardt would be upset.

Their surroundings suddenly became noisy. Reinhardt looked at the noise with bewilderment. A familiar knight was running towards them.

“Forgive me for being late!”

Argen Stugall. He was Fernaha Glencia’s aide, but he was now acting as Wilhelm’s aide knight. It was possible because his face was less known than Fernaha Glencia’s. Wilhelm looked over and whispered to Reinhardt, “I think it would be difficult to tell you now.”

“…Then let’s talk later.”

“Yes.”

When he put the crystal in her hand and with Argen Stugall coming near, Reinhard suddenly realized the answer to one of the questions she had throughout Wilhelm’s expedition to the territory. The answer was simpler than she thought.

The reason why Fernaha Glencia suddenly returned to their territory, why the Marquess Glencia lent him private soldiers without saying anything: Wilhelm, who wanted to avoid confrontation with the Emperor, probably used the card about his bloodline against Marquess Glencia. Even if she became Luden’s Great Lord and joined hands with Marquess Glencia, the Emperor wouldn’t be anxious if he discovers that he has another bloodline here.

Human beings are very selfish. The moment the Emperor discovers that a stranger inherited his bloodline, he will develop a blind faith that his bloodline will follow and serve him. The Emperor was the perfect person to believe that way – he had an empire and power. So who wouldn’t follow him?

Reinhardt’s mind went blank. To what extent did this kid think and act? Then Wilhelm, who was about to walk away from Reinhardt, whispered to her again, as if he had just remembered.

“Right, Rein.”

“… Hmm.”

“I haven’t told you about the prize I want to receive, right?”

“…Ah.”

She thought for a moment about what Wilhelm was talking about and then realized. It was after the war, she remembered the young man shyly sitting in front of her while awkwardly twisting his body and talking. He grew remarkably taller, but the way he talked to Reinhardt was the same boy she knew, so she erased her doubts as the memories of what she said to him came back to life. It was so weird. It was just a year ago but it felt like 10 years had already passed.

“As you said… I always came back alive, so give me a prize.”

Reinhardt had a foreboding that if this young man asked for something, she had to give it to him. A person who owes a debt that he or she cannot afford is bound to have to give anything to the other person. But what the hell would Wilhelm ask for? Do I have anything good and great to give to the man who has bestowed me with great territories?

She didn’t know what Wilhelm would ask of her, but Reinhardt naturally felt the pressure.

“Wh-what prize?” She stuttered involuntarily.

The boy – no – the man’s laughter grew stronger. His answer was unexpected – no – it wasn’t that it was unexpected.

“You.”

“ …Me?”

“Yes, Rein.”

A soft voice fell in Reinhardt’s ear, which had become hotter than before.

“I love you, Rein.”

At that moment, Reinhardt felt emotions that she had never thought of in detail: emotions like anxiety, fear, and warmth that she felt whenever she met Wilhelm’s gaze on her. These emotions have just been thrown at her in the name of love. Reinhardt felt the strangling feeling on her neck had been loosened.

(T/N: Who cares about the age gap? Aww I’m squealing aack (●’◡’●)ﾉ)

—

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────