I Once Thought I Had No Place, Being Married Off to An Enemy Nation as A Token of Apology but That Was Only for One Night - Chapter 21

I could hear the sound of footsteps tapping against the floor. There was a warmth in my arms and a faint sensation of light. When I blearily opened my eyes, I saw the nape of a red haired neck. I immediately realized that Frieda was carrying me on her back.

“In these situations, is it not traditional to use a bridal carry?” I asked.

“I shall leave that role to Emperor Albert. I see you have awakened. Since you are capable of such flippant remarks, I assume you have recovered somewhat?” Frieda replied.

“Yes, I feel much better after a short nap. How long was I asleep?”

“Only about five minutes.”

Frieda explained that after checking my condition and deciding there was no immediate danger, she had carried me out of the Hexagram Sanctuary.

“Then head toward the plaza. Once the stampede subsides, the reports should arrive there,” I instructed.

“I am already heading there with that exact thought in mind,” she said.

“As expected of a capable lady in waiting,” I remarked.

I gave a small chuckle and slid down from her back, standing on my own feet. “Thank you. I am fine now.”

“Are you truly alright? If you are tired, I can carry you all the way to the plaza.”

“That is a tempting offer, but I must refuse. If the soldiers see me in such a state, they will become anxious,” I explained.

“Empress Noel, to think you would consider even that. Very well. I shall say no more.”

Thus, we returned to the courtyard. The number of injured people had increased since before, and frantic medical treatment was ongoing. However, I could not see Ludwig or the units Frieda had brought with her.

“Ludwig is reportedly out with the subjugation force. He is currently rescuing units that were isolated nearby, so I expect him to return as soon as that is finished,” Frieda informed me.

“Then let us wait for his return,” I said, sitting down in the shade of a tree.

Frieda did not sit but remained standing beside me. “Empress Noel, shall I bring you a meal or something to drink?”

“No, I am fine.”

Rather than hunger, I felt a deep drowsiness and rubbed my eyes. Frieda gave a wry smile. “You may sleep in your room if you wish.”

In truth, there was nothing more I could do. However, I felt I could not sleep peacefully until I saw the conclusion of this event. When I expressed that feeling, she sat down beside me. “Then at least close your eyes and rest for a while,” she suggested.

I wondered if I should take that as an invitation to use her shoulder. “I shall borrow it for a moment,” I said.

I leaned against Frieda and closed my eyes. However, the moment I tried to sleep, rest eluded me.

“Frieda, how long do you think it will take for the effects of the purification to manifest?”

“Even if the stampede ends, the monsters will not immediately lose their ferocity. However, the movements of the monsters that were heading toward the Capital should change,” she explained.

“Then the situation should shift very soon,” I noted.

As we spoke and I drifted in and out of sleep, a cheer erupted from the entrance of the plaza. I snapped my eyes open and looked at Frieda.

“Please wait a moment. Yes, I can hear the voices now. It seems Ludwig’s unit has returned. I can also hear people shouting that the monsters have retreated,” Frieda reported.

“Then it was a success,” I whispered.

I felt a profound sense of relief from the bottom of my heart. The faces of everyone in the plaza brightened all at once. Before long, the group led by Ludwig came into view. Among them were Riot, Kai, and Christia, whom Frieda had brought along.

“The rescue was in time!” “It was thanks to the reinforcements Lady Frieda brought!”

Such voices could be heard coming from all directions.

“It turned out well, Empress Noel,” Frieda said.

“Yes, the hard work was worth it,” I replied, exhaling a sigh of relief.

In the next moment, a massive cheer went up.

“Long live Lord Ludwig!” “Long live Lady Frieda!” “Our thanks to the knights and the Saintesses!”

A shower of gratitude rained down. It was a scene like the finale of a play. I was merely a supporting character watching from the wings.

“Frieda, the suppression of the stampede has been confirmed. Ludwig will have much to do, so let us save our report for later,” I suggested.

“But Empress Noel, are you certain you are fine with that?” she asked.

If I jumped into that circle, I too could bask in the spotlight. However, I shook my head.

“It is fine.”

“But you wanted to be recognized, did you not?”

“I did. But if I boast of my achievements here, would it not look like I staged the whole thing for credit?” I asked. I found that thought rather unpleasant. “More importantly, there are people like you who understand what happened. For now, that is enough.”

I stood up and headed toward the castle to borrow a guest room. However, as I walked across the plaza, a voice calling my name echoed through the air. I turned around and saw Ludwig running toward me.

“Ludwig, what is the matter?” I asked.

“I should be asking you that. Did you truly purify the Hexagram Sanctuary?”

“I did. Do you mean to say you still do not believe me?” I asked, feeling a twinge of shock at the possibility.

“No, that is not it. I do not doubt you. I am simply genuinely surprised,” he replied.

That meant he had not believed in me initially. I felt a slight pang of loneliness, but that lingering feeling vanished in the next instant. Ludwig dropped to one knee in front of everyone and offered me the salute of a formal subject.

“Many lives were saved thanks to you. Although some were lost, we were able to bring their remains back. I shall never forget this debt of gratitude for the rest of my life,” he declared.

“No, I,” I started to protest.

“Furthermore, I apologize for my numerous discourtesies. Your ability was the real thing. I am truly sorry for doubting you,” he said.

Ludwig, who had disliked me so much, had apologized and recognized my work. I was glad I had worked so hard. My chest felt tight, and I inadvertently felt like I was going to cry. Just then, I heard a young girl’s voice shouting “Papa!” from behind me. I turned around and saw Anna clinging to a soldier on a stretcher.

Although some were lost, we were able to bring their remains back.

Ludwig’s earlier words came back to me. “I truly cannot get used to this,” I whispered.

I had worked hard. I believed I had gained the reward for that effort. However, I had not reached the thing I truly wanted to protect. That frustration was unbearable.

“What exactly can you not get used to?” Ludwig asked with a puzzled face, looking at my back. I could not turn around because my heart felt so heavy.

“I spoke with that girl earlier. She said her father was part of the rearguard. She believed her father would return safely to celebrate her birthday. But I,” I started.

“I see. Many of those who served as the rearguard did not return, but thanks to them, we were able to save many citizens. That girl should feel proud,” Ludwig said.

I gripped my fist tightly. “Perhaps. But she surely wished for him to return safely above all else.”

“I am sure she did. That is why it is good. Looking at them now, I am certain they will celebrate her birthday grandly,” Ludwig remarked.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked, turning around in surprise.

Anna was still clinging to the soldier on the stretcher, but the soldier was gripping Anna’s hand in return.

“He is alive?” I gasped.

“Because the monsters began their retreat so quickly, we were able to rescue the isolated units in time. That soldier is one of the men we saved then. That is your achievement, Empress Noel,” Ludwig said firmly.

“Mine?”

Ludwig nodded strongly. Someone shouted, “Long live Empress Noel!” and the voice spread like a ripple. A shower of gratitude fell upon me. I had always seen only sad endings, but this time, there were lives that had been saved. I could feel the reality of it.

“I am so glad I worked hard,” I whispered. I covered my mouth with my hands and wept quiet tears of joy.