Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Firewood
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Business at the General Staff Headquarters wrapped up quickly.
I finished some administrative tasks and chatted with a few familiar faces about doctrine.
Most of the personnel had moved over to the Great Headquarters, so it felt pretty quiet overall.
Well, quieter than peacetime, anyway.
"Shall we go, then?"
"Yes!"
After that, Elise and I followed Schneider with the mindset of going on a date.
Apparently, my face wasn't well-known yet, since no one approached me figuring out who I was.
Some gave my uniform and blue badge curious looks, though.
"...So, you racked up all those achievements on the Eastern Front? You weren't hurt, were you?"
"I got some minor cuts and scrapes, but no bullets, so don't worry."
"That's a relief. I was so worried..."
"Doesn't look like I'll be commanding up front anymore, so no more worrying. And I can write letters more often now."
"...Really?"
"Of course."
As I soothed Elise with our murmured conversation, we arrived at our destination before I knew it.
It was the studio where Richthofen had his photo taken.
"Major Erwin Rommel, I see you've been promoted. A real pleasure to meet you. I'm a fan."
"Pleasure to meet you too."
The photographer greeted me with sparkling eyes.
I shook the hand he offered and returned the greeting.
"...And this lovely lady beside you is your wife?"
"Yes, Elise von Richthofen."
Elise beamed happily at being called his wife and answered with a bright smile.
The photographer's eyes sparkled even more as he spoke to her than when he looked at me.
"What a perfect pair. I can tell we'll get some great shots today!"
"Oh, can I get in one too? With my husband?"
"Why wouldn't you be able to!"
"Hold on a second."
Wait, things were heading in a weird direction?
I hurriedly tried to rein in their excitement and whispered to Elise.
"Think about it again. Since this is propaganda material... you could get a lot of nasty comments from enemy soldiers or civilians."
Put nicely, insults. In reality, she'd face all sorts of unimaginable sexual harassment and filth.
Not just behind her back—they might say it right to her face.
And if they did, I'd shoot them on the spot, but how would I heal Elise's wounded heart?
Better to prevent it altogether.
"Hmm, yeah, you're right."
"See? We'll take our own photos later. For now..."
"But I want to declare it to the whole world."
Wait, why's she coming closer? No, I can't allow...
Elise grinned mischievously and snuggled up against me just a little.
Ah... nooo... not here, I can't...
"Don't touch my husband, because he's mine."
"Urk."
"You'll be going all over the place from now on, and who knows if some woman... some person might try to seduce you."
Love had her completely blinded.
"To prevent that, I want to stake my claim first... Can't I?"
"Ughhh..."
If it were anyone else acting like this, it'd be so cringey I'd leave the room, but coming from Elise, it was different.
I surrendered to those wide, sparkling eyes looking up at me.
How many times had I lost already...?
"...Fine. Let's do it."
"Yay!"
Elise was an adult too, so I had to respect her opinion.
I just hoped she wouldn't get hurt too badly.
"Alright, first the gentleman here. We need to do your portrait shot, so miss, if you could step back for a moment..."
"Okay!"
Elise, who had been clinging to me, scampered happily to the photographer's side.
As he adjusted the camera, the photographer suddenly asked out of curiosity.
"By the way, Elise von Richthofen... Does that mean you're related to the Red Baron of the Western Front?"
Elise nodded vigorously.
"Yes, he's my big brother!"
"No way! So, Mr. Rommel, that makes Manfred your brother-in-law?"
"That's right. We're close alumni from the same cadet school too."
The photographer got even more excited at Elise's words followed by mine.
"Incredible! The Red Baron and the Red Fox are family! Oh, hold that pose!"
Bang! He flashed the light and continued.
"Let me take a few more! Would it be alright if I mention to the papers that you two are family?"
"..."
His voice was so thrilled, he probably wouldn't keep it secret even if I asked.
'Manfred being family isn't a big deal... Might cause a little stir, but nothing major.'
With that casual thought, I nodded.
"Do as you like."
"Thank you!"
...Unaware of the ripple effects it would cause.
Click! Click! After a few more shots, the photographer sent Elise to my side.
She came right over and took my hand.
"Now, the two of you together. I'll be selling these to papers targeting women readers, but I'll pay you modeling fees separately."
"Is that okay? Elise aside, I'm no model..."
"Nonsense! Of course I have to! These aren't even propaganda shots!"
He shook his head firmly at my concerned remark, resolute.
"Alright, strike a pose. Just be natural and relaxed."
"...Yes."
But posing for photos with Elise proved trickier than expected.
Given the era, getting too close could invite serious backlash.
Click! We settled for lightly holding hands, but the photographer kept praising it and snapping away.
"Here's the result. What do you think?"
"Oh. It turned out better than I thought."
The photos were surprisingly good, so I smiled in satisfaction, but...
"Hmm..."
Elise seemed to think otherwise.
She flipped through them with a dissatisfied look and shook her head.
"No, I bet we can do even better."
"Elise?"
Ignoring our surprise, she boldly demanded of the photographer.
"Let's take a few more. But do them our way."
"Pardon? Oh, sure."
Perhaps intimidated, he nodded quickly.
Then Elise grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the street.
"Come on, follow me!"
Her smile caught the sunlight streaming in just then, and we followed her like we were entranced.
Even Schneider, who had been dozing off with his head nodding on a bench, jolted awake in surprise.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Elise led us to a quiet nearby park.
And had the photographer shoot from behind some bushes.
"Wait, like this, the lens will be obscured by the foliage."
"Yes, exactly."
The photographer stared blankly at Elise's beaming smile.
...Even so, staring at another man's wife like that was a bit much.
I subtly put my hand on Elise's shoulder to warn them both.
Only then did he clear his throat awkwardly and listen.
"Focus on us, but frame it so the bushes partially hide us for a secretive feel."
"That's basically candid photography... Ohhh!"
"See? It'll make for some beautiful shots!"
"Let's do it! I'll get the angles perfect—just hold your poses!"
"...?"
I stared at them in bewilderment. I could almost understand how the French commander felt hearing my initial plan.
I had no idea what was going on, but the mood demanded agreement.
As I debated pretending to understand, Elise mercifully came back and led me to a bench.
"Okay, husband. Just act like you normally do?"
"But the camera..."
"Ignore the camera. Just look at me."
Elise grabbed my face, which had glanced at the photographer, and turned it toward her.
Then she boldly hugged me.
"Huh? Wha?"
"Mr. Rommel! Your expression's too stiff!"
"Come on, just go with it naturally."
The photographer and Elise said together, but I couldn't relax easily.
This was... too embarrassing to be photographed.
I awkwardly hugged her back stiffly, unsure what to do next.
"Hm?"
Noticing my state, Elise whispered teasingly.
"Are you that nervous?"
"N-nervous? I'm an invincible officer, you know."
"Hee hee hee, right. My husband's a great war hero... And only I know he has this cute side too?"
"Hey... you..."
"I like my cute husband too. Maybe even more than the usual one."
"...Ha ha."
Her smile was pretty, but so infuriating. Where did she learn this?
Provoked by Elise's words, I pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Eek?"
"Who's cute, now?"
"W-wait. We're too close."
My mind must've been corrupted by those damn Germans too. Getting this riled up over words like that.
Still, seeing Elise flustered and blushing was quite satisfying.
"Knew you wanted something like this?"
"Husbaaand..."
I whispered softly in her ear, and this time Elise was at a loss.
With that, we started getting lost in the moment.
"Ooooh...!"
"...Is this really okay?"
Click! Click!
...Completely forgetting about the camera.
Schneider muttered worriedly, and the photographer ended up taking actual candid shots.
These photos weren't just pictures—they were the firewood ready to set all of Berlin ablaze tomorrow.