Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Why Are So Many People Looking for Me?
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"It's okay, Mother. I'm really fine, so please stop crying."
I have to stop crying. Yes, I need to stop the tears now. But it just won't happen.
The more I do this, the more it only unsettles our youngest, Richi. I know that better than anyone.
This was something I'd already prepared myself for. From the moment I promised a future with Will.
When my husband headed to the battlefield, when Doug clung to me, and when that child went off to fight again.
And up to now, as Richi was born, grew up, and began showing interest in the military once more.
It's inevitable. The Reinhardt name, that glorious title, is always built on blood and sacrifice.
It's not a place where you toss the Empire's soldiers aside and live idly. We go into that hell together.
So far, Will and Doug have been lucky to survive, but who knows how long that luck will hold.
And just recently, I received word that our luck had finally run out.
"Madam. Richi's unit suffered a defeat, but the news hasn't spread yet."
"I'm sorry, Mother. I sent Richi into the jaws of death."
My husband trying so hard to act nonchalant, and my eldest son with a face pale as a ghost.
At first, I tried to stay strong. But when I thought of Richi, our baby boy growing up...
When I imagined his body rolling lifeless on the battlefield, my breath caught in my throat.
I prayed to the gods. Please, just this once more, grant me some luck.
Please help our youngest return home safely.
Did they hear my prayers? Finally, news of Richi arrived.
"Madam! News of the young master! He achieved great merit alongside a new war hero named Erwin! Madam? Madam?!"
No matter how great the merit, none of that mattered. As long as he was safe.
And now, holding Richi like this in my arms, it felt like I owned the whole world.
"...I heard the news. You rallied the remaining forces and kept fighting."
"I just gritted my teeth and struggled to survive somehow."
"Yes. Thank you, Richi. Thank you for coming back alive."
I have no interest in tales of the battlefield. I just want the children to come back alive.
Like today, returning whole, laughing with no injuries, chattering away.
That's why I can't stop my husband or my sons. There are countless mothers like me in the Empire.
Mothers praying desperately for their children to return alive. To come back and embrace them once more.
Will, Doug, and now Richi too. Because they bear the duty to send those sons back home.
I probably will never be able to stop my husband and children.
Anyway, with Richi back, I thought there'd be no more worrying.
But then I spotted the head maid hurrying toward me from afar.
What's wrong? Did something happen? Could it be Doug or Will this time—
"Ma-Madame. You need to go to the study right away."
"What is it? Don't tell me..."
"From the Kainel Duchy. The Duchess wishes to speak with you briefly."
...What could this be all of a sudden? The Kainel Duchy—that's the Clozen family, isn't it?
The home of the Victory Duke, Will's close friend. I've met people from there, but we've never had a personal magic communication like this.
I headed to the study anyway. I couldn't keep the Duchess waiting.
"Greetings, Duchess."
[Ah, it's been a while, Marchioness of Kenes. I'm truly sorry to contact you so abruptly.]
"No, no. But what brings this on so suddenly?"
[I wanted to express my gratitude. Normally, I'd say it in person, but given the circumstances... I must settle for magic communication for now.]
Gratitude? What on earth is this about? Why is the Duchess thanking me?
[I heard from Ariete. Your second son saved her life. If not for Richi, she would have suffered greatly.]
...Richi? This is the first I'm hearing of it as his mother?
[The moment I heard, the Duke himself wanted to visit your marquisate to express his thanks. He said he couldn't rest easy without doing so before heading to the front lines.]
"The Victory Duke wishes to visit the Kenes Marquisate."
[Yes. If possible... would a visit be alright? He should be the one asking, but with him heading to the front soon, I had to reach out instead.]
I was utterly bewildered. What in the world is going on? The Victory Duke visiting our territory?
Normally, I'd need to consult Marquis Will, but he's away right now.
And it's awkward to ask. I know how impossibly busy the Allied Forces Supreme Commander is.
"...As proxy for the Kenes Marquisate, I sincerely welcome the Victory Duke's visit."
[Wonderful. Then I'll let him know to go tomorrow.]
With that, the brief magic communication with the Duchess ended.
Still dazed, Will's words suddenly came to mind.
"Madam. It seems the second son might beat the first to marriage."
"He made a betrothal with a friend long ago. I said it half in jest, just in passing, but that friend took it seriously."
Am I imagining things? Why do I suddenly feel like we need to prepare for the second son's wedding?
More importantly, tomorrow the Victory Duke visits our territory!
"Ma-Madame?! I didn't mishear that, did I?!"
I felt sorry for the butler and head maid nearly fainting, but what could I do?
The Victory Duke has to head to the front lines immediately, and he's squeezing this visit into that sliver of time.
"Oh no... We have so much to prepare right away!"
Only three dukes exist in the Empire, and one visiting our territory is an honor for any noble.
But when that duke announces a visit not a month ahead, but one day, it's enough to drive you mad.
As the butler and maid fretted over whether to celebrate or panic, I wiped my tears and resolved to prepare as the lady of the Kenes Marquisate.
"You have that look like you have something to say."
The Victory Duke smiled as he gazed at his youngest daughter sitting across from him.
Whenever she wore that sulky expression, his guess was always spot on.
"Of course I do, Father. The Kenes Marquisate? Isn't this too sudden?"
"Hahaha. Already worrying about your in-laws?"
"Father!!"
He teased her, but Ariete was right on every point.
Even for a regular noble guest, you seek permission days in advance.
Showing up unannounced exposes their shortages—it's rude to the host.
Especially when the visitor is one of the Empire's three dukes, the pinnacle of nobility.
For such a duke to notify just one day ahead? This isn't a visit.
At best, it's rude. At worst, it's dismissing them with ducal authority!
"But what can be done? I absolutely must thank him face-to-face, and today is my only window. I have to move to the front lines this afternoon."
"You could go after everything's over."
"Who knows when that will be. Besides, I want to discuss your marriage too."
Ariete cried out "Father!" again. Still, the Victory Duke just laughed.
And so, the father and daughter, along with their minimal entourage, arrived at the Kenes Marquisate.
Aware of the abruptness, they'd kept their numbers as small as possible.
No formalities—just like a personal errand.
"Welcome to the Kenes Marquisate, Victory Duke Excellency."
The Victory Duke patted the butler's shoulder in greeting.
"Sorry for the sudden visit."
"Nonsense. It's an honor to host an old friend of the Reinhardts."
"Hearing that makes me feel even sorrier. Come, let's go."
Leaving the entourage at the outer castle, only the Victory Duke and Ariete proceeded inside.
Considering the ducal prestige, it was the utmost courtesy to the Kenes Marquisate.
"Greetings, Victory Duke Excellency."
Welcoming them at the inner castle were the Marchioness of Kenes.
"Pleased to see you again, Victory Duke Excellency."
And Richi, standing in for the Reinhardt family head and Douglas.
"I hope you've been well, Marchioness. I'm truly sorry for coming so suddenly."
"Not at all. For a man as busy as yourself to carve out this moment is an honor in itself."
"Knowing my rudeness, I still came to thank the young man who saved my daughter—and to express my gratitude to the Marchioness who raised him."
At the suggestion to move, the four headed to the drawing room.
No sooner had they arrived than the Victory Duke seized Richi's hand, conveying a father's thanks.
For sticking with her in that hellish battlefield, for risking his life in her dire moments.
"It was only natural, Victory Duke Excellency."
The Victory Duke beamed even brighter at Richi's reply.
"Hearing that makes me even more grateful. Marchioness, you've raised a fine son."
"Your words leave me at a loss, Excellency."
"No need for that. Seeing this, it seems we'll soon be in-laws thanks to our children."
"...Pardon?"
The Marchioness faltered at the Victory Duke's words. Then she recalled her husband's.
"He made a betrothal with a friend long ago. I said it half in jest, just in passing, but that friend took it seriously."
No way—is this man that friend? He just said "an old friend" without mentioning it was the Victory Duke! How was I supposed to know?!