Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Wedding (1)
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1912.
The Republic of China is established.
The Qing Dynasty falls.
The Titanic sinks.
Meiji passes away, and the Taisho era begins.
The Balkan Wars break out.
Woodrow Wilson, famous for his advocacy of self-determination of peoples, is elected president.
History advanced along its predetermined rails.
And 1913 arrived.
"...Oppa, what are you thinking about?"
"Hm?"
As I lay in bed reflecting on the previous year, Elise, nestled tightly in my arms, asked.
Her soft, yielding body was intoxicating, so I pulled her even closer.
Elise giggled, and I whispered in response.
"Just that I don't want to go to work?"
"You don't want to go?"
"Yeah."
My performance had been recognized, leading to an unprecedented promotion to first lieutenant.
As a result, I was reassigned from a dead-end post to a more promising special staff officer role (Ordonnanzoffizier z.b.V.) that even allowed for a daily commute.
Our dear battalion commander had planned to make me his personal adjutant (after Manstein left for war college, freeing up the spot) and work me like a slave, but fortunately, division headquarters took my side.
While the battalion commander smacked his lips in disappointment, I was able to commute home to a blissful cohabitation life with Elise.
"...Oppa."
As we dozed in each other's arms, Elise quietly spoke up.
"A war's going to break out next year, right?"
"Probably."
It was as good as certain.
The great currents of history hadn't deviated. The Balkan Wars had unfolded exactly on schedule, so the Great War would surely follow suit.
So, stroking Elise's hair, I answered.
"Next year, most likely."
"In that case."
Elise rubbed her cheek against my chest, then looked up at me.
And beamed.
"We should probably get married soon."
I paused for a moment, then smiled and kissed her forehead.
Yes, we'd been engaged for ages, and this was the time of peace to do it. Peace wouldn't last long on this land.
"You're right. When should we schedule the wedding?"
"We should write to our families first. Oh, how about we each write to our own families?"
"I'll probably get shotgunned by your father-in-law..."
"Hehe, it's fine. My sister says he's already given up."
Hmm, is that really okay...?
I gave a troubled laugh, and Elise gently took hold of my cheek.
"From now on, no more 'Oppa.' I'll call you 'husband' instead."
Elise's gentle eyes suddenly gleamed with allure.
"Mwah-"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The sky was blue, and blue again.
Dressed in my crisp uniform, I stared blankly out the window.
The door burst open, and familiar faces filed in one by one.
"Congratulations on the wedding, Senior!"
"You stole my line again!"
Malon and Knoller, my junior cadets, bickered as they entered first.
"Whew, the day has finally come."
"Truly congratulations, Rommel."
The beaming Manstein and Manfred duo followed.
"It's been a while."
Student, my senior cadet whom I hadn't seen in ages, along with juniors, peers, and other seniors I'd been close with, poured in like waves.
The once-quiet groom's waiting room was soon packed, and a smile crept onto my face unbidden.
"I know you all have busy schedules. I'm truly grateful... and sorry."
"Sorry for what! I was getting sick of studying anyway. You dragged me out at the perfect time!"
"Yeah... exactly."
Manstein spoke energetically, and Senior Student nodded in agreement.
Why do I call Student 'senior' religiously but not Manstein?
Seniors are seniors in their own way... Don't think like that. Can't be rude to people who came all the way for my wedding.
"Anyway, thank you all."
"Yeah, yeah, you should be grateful."
"..."
How is he so consistent?
Muttering to myself, I tried to move past to greet the others.
But Manstein grabbed my shoulder with a mischievous grin.
"By the way, one year left, huh? People are starting to forget the initial shock and murmur some criticisms about you. What do you think?"
"..."
He was right.
A year was short, but just long enough for forgetfulness or complacency to set in.
My reports were still praised—from valuable references to the holy grail of military science—thanks to the top brass reforming the Imperial Army's structure.
But my old book The Great War had become niche as peace dragged on.
Lately, it was even getting hate. What kind of dark worldview is this? Satan worshipper?
It had a brief spike at the start of the Balkan Wars, but then sank again.
Its true value hadn't been revealed yet.
"Time will prove it."
"Right... end of next year. I'm looking forward to it."
To my quiet reply, Manstein rubbed his hands like a greedy Scrooge.
No Prussian officer wasn't a warmonger, so Manstein's reaction wasn't odd.
Not that I had room to judge. He looked forward to the coming war, while I'd prepared for it to be more miserable than anyone.
"Oh, and that economic plan on the verge of completion. Was that your doing?"
Manstein tossed it out casually, and I snapped to attention reflexively.
He meant the economic aspect of the Schlieffen Program. Officially, I knew nothing.
So I replied just as lightly, feigning ignorance.
"You mean that one pushing double-tracked railroads, conveyor belts, and standardized production lines? All I know is the skilled workers hate it."
"Hey, hey..."
Manstein slyly draped an arm over my shoulder.
I tried to shake it off in horror, but his words came faster.
"Right before the economic plan, rumor has it Count Schlieffen gathered Germany's brightest minds for a grand vision."
"Rumors are just ru—"
"My uncle-in-law said it."
"..."
As I mentioned before, Manstein's uncle-in-law was Hindenburg.
Hindenburg must have tipped him off about the Schlieffen Program.
But that was top secret.
Manstein's eyes flashed as he studied my face.
"What's top secret to a retiree? The real oddity is a mere first lieutenant knowing the empire's biggest state secret."
"I don't knooow, you jerk."
"Think I forgot your face? I can read people pretty well."
No, this guy really!
I furrowed my brow and said seriously.
"I'd hold back normally, but this is my wedding day. Do we have to talk about this now?"
"Whoa, calm down. You know my curiosity's pathological, right? Sorry."
"...We'll talk later. Seems Excellency Hindenburg has his own thoughts on it."
Manstein apologized with a gentle smile. Not fully satisfied, I replied anyway.
He nodded eagerly with a bright grin, then...
"Sure. And..."
His expression turned solemn as he patted my shoulder lightly.
"Congratulations on the wedding. Sincerely."
"Thank you, Senior."
His sincerity eased my mood, and I replied in kind.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Imperial German weddings required witnesses (Trauzeugen).
The witnesses legally and symbolically attested to and guaranteed the marriage.
Since family typically weren't chosen, I'd planned to pick from friends...
But after filtering, only Manstein remained. Is my social life okay...?
Anyway, he dropped his trademark smirk and took it seriously this time.
He was a genuinely good guy at heart.
"Groom, enter."
Mendelssohn's Wedding March soon filled the air, and we proceeded to the altar.
In the solemn atmosphere, I stood before the pastor. Manstein stood slightly back on the right.
"Next, we welcome the other star of this occasion. Bride, enter."
I clasped my trembling hands in front to hide them.
Soon, miraculously, the shaking stopped.
"..."
Elise.
Wearing a sparkling tiara and a snow-white wedding dress, she approached slowly from afar.
I couldn't see her red-eyed father guiding her, or her sister as bridesmaid.
I was entranced by the miracle.
My heart beat slowly.
Soon, Mr. Albrecht slowly transferred her hand from his to mine, and that radiant fairy entered my grasp.
"...How do I look?"
She smiled playfully and whispered to me.
But the hand I'd received trembled fiercely. I felt her heart pounding rapidly.
"Am... am I pretty?"
I suppressed a laugh and gently clasped her hands between mine.
"Beautiful."
And answered with all my heart.
"More than anything in the world."
Her gentle green eyes widened, and transparent jewels welled up.
She smiled brightly and whispered.
"I love you."