We had earned our first shiny gold star of victory on the battlefield in Rimmel, and now we sat waiting for the enemy again.
Even though we’d claimed a win in the first battle, we hadn’t completely eliminated our enemies. I hoped they wouldn’t come back, and I wished this could just be the end of it. But no matter how much I wanted that, I knew it wouldn’t work out that way. The plan was I had to deal with things here in my father’s place since he couldn’t leave the kingdom, not until my brother finished dealing with my uncle Wels and arrived here as my backup.
If the enemy made a move before my brother arrived, it would put us in an overwhelmingly unfavorable position. Even so, we knew we couldn’t retreat, because if we did, the enemy would easily be able to continue on and invade Tasmeria.
That was why we kept waiting here. We had to buy time before my brother showed up, to keep watch and keep them in check. Camping outside night after night was rough, but we were able to survive thanks to the supplies that Louis had sent along. Even though we came here very swiftly ourselves, I couldn’t believe how fast Louis had gotten all this to us. My fiancé was such a dependable, amazing person. I was reminded of that even more as I looked down at the supplies.
“Lady Merellis!”
I had a feeling about what was happening by the panicked tone in Anna’s voice, but I fought to maintain my composure. “What is it?”
“A message from our scout. The enemy has regrouped and has started to move again.”
I let out an inward sigh. I’d been afraid of this, and now it had actually happened.
“What about the relief squad from my brother?”
“Nothing yet…”
“I see… Fetch me a map, please.”
Someone else brought a map and briefed me on the situation at the same time—they explained the enemies’ numbers, their current location, and their projected route. As I listened, I visualized it all in my head. Since my brother hadn’t arrived, our best bet would be to either charge or to ambush them. We wouldn’t be able to use that narrow road again with the cliffs because the enemy would be cautious of that path due to the last battle. The scout said they were currently taking a route through a wide-open plain. We didn’t have enough time to lay a trap there. What should we do? Isn’t there anything we can do?
We were outnumbered, but surely there had to be some way for us to drive them back. We could not let them get to Tasmeria. If they did, the Tasmerian government and the royal army would get involved. How would that affect our relationship with Rimmel? We were currently in a cease-fire with Tweil, but would they break it and make a move? What would happen to the peace my father had worked so hard to obtain?
“You all fought well. Much better than anyone would expect from a domain’s guard.”
I just couldn’t think of anything that would do anything except buy time, but I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. To tell them they needed to retreat. My voice was trembling. Just hurry up and do it. Tell them to get away from here.
“If we retreat, the enemy will reach Tasmeria. Right?” Shrey said before I could say anything else. “We can’t allow dishonor to fall upon our master’s name. And we can’t afford to go to war with either Rimmel or Tweil. There’s only one path for us to follow, my lady.”
“I can’t tell you to march to your deaths.”
“And yet you have no intention of retreating yourself, no?” He asked sharply. I couldn’t say anything in response. He continued. “I see only one choice. We stay with you until the end.” He got down on one knee and bowed his head to me. One after another, the other members of the guard followed suit.
My heart hurt. Their loyalty made me so happy, but at the same time, I cursed myself for allowing them to come down this road with me.
“I’ll allow it,” I said. “Stay with me until the end, then.”
“It would be our pleasure.”
I closed my eyes for a moment so I wouldn’t shed tears in front of them. Crying could wait until everything was over.
“Once we get home alive, we’re going to book Madame Caluis’s place for a private party!”
Everyone cheered.
“That sounds good! Kreuz is gonna get a lot of attention!”
“M-maybe I’ll finally get up the courage to confess to Lurulia!”
Everyone laughed and started teasing each other. I could tell they were all just pretending to be in high spirits, but of course no one would admit it. No matter how cheerful they sounded right now, we all knew that wouldn’t change our situation.
We spent the night in that strange mood, pretending that everything was fine.