Chapter 4: Cecilio’s Return
LATER that same night, Ignacio visited Bertine’s room in a bit of a panic. Only a few moments earlier, she and Dorothée had arranged some of the food she’d bought on the table so they could eat supper. Bertine looked exhausted as she dined on bread, dried meat, an apple, and water.
Upon entering the room, a single glance told Ignacio how badly he and the rest of the staff had blundered.
“I sincerely apologize for the lack of leadership and consideration displayed thus far.” He bowed his head.
“Did the guards speak to you then?” Bertine asked.
“Uh, yes. I had no idea you and your people had gone so long without food and water. Again, I’m terribly sorry…”
“They sent up dinner earlier, but we had no desire whatsoever to partake of anything those awful people made,” she said. “After all, food is something one consumes precisely because they trust the individuals making it, yes?”
Ignacio nodded in mortification.
“On that note, Ignacio, I plan on departing tomorrow. If I continue to remain here, I’ll just be known as the woman demanding to be made His Excellency’s wife. And I will not suffer such misery. I intended to wait until His Excellency returned, but I have had more than enough of this nonsense.”
“Lady du Jeanne, I realize it would be too difficult for you to return to your homeland, but might I suggest a sojourn to the Empire? I would be more than happy to help you in this regard.”
Bertine only smiled sadly.
“I cannot. To choose such a path means giving the Empire an opportunity to cast false aspersions on the Kingdom of San Luenne. For my father is a chancellor, you see. No, I shall strive to do my best in this country.”
It was heartbreaking to listen to the daughter of a marquess speak with such resignation. The tableau was made worse by the simple but common fare of bread and water she consumed. Nevertheless, Ignacio accepted Bertine’s wishes.
“I insist on introducing you to a trustworthy property agency. It’s the least I can do, so please take my letter of introduction with you,” he told her.
✦ ✦ ✦
THAT night, Bertine and Dorothée packed their belongings. The next morning, the guards they’d come to trust kindly transported their luggage to her carriage. Followed by the carriages holding Dorothée and the rest of her servants from San Luenne, Bertine left Cecilio’s estate.
✦ ✦ ✦
SEVERAL hours later, Bertine handed over two things to the five servants who had accompanied her to this country. One was a letter to her father containing a general outline of events. And the second was a few gold coins she told them to use for their travel expenses on their journey back to San Luenne. She had confirmed that with the end of the war, ships once more passed between the Kingdom and the Federation.
Though they wept bitterly over Bertine’s misfortune, they also were overjoyed to return home. Once the farewells were said and done, they boarded the coach Bertine had hired for them. It left, bound for the port.
After seeing them off, the first thing Bertine and Dorothée decided to do was buy clothes. Bertine’s outfits in particular, fashioned after the style worn by imperial aristocrats, were too conspicuous here. They had wasted no time changing into their new attire in the shop and now wore dresses bourgeoisie women of the Federation favored.
Clad in their new clothes and shoes, they entered their carriage. It too had been replaced by an unassuming second-hand one. Bertine had sold the five coaches her father had furnished her for a handsome sum. Her fattened wallet with its fresh infusion of gold coins attested to the sale. She had also sold off the rest of the bulky, valuable items her father had insisted she take with her.
“Dorothée, I’m so glad you studied the Federation’s official language with me. I don’t know what I would have done if you couldn’t speak it,” Bertine said, appreciation lacing her tone.
“To be frank, my lady, I had not enjoyed being your conversation partner back during your education, but now I’m truly grateful for the experience myself.”
“Say, Dorothée, how do you think Father will react when he reads my letter and discovers I shan’t be coming home?”
“Well, considering my lord’s position as chancellor, I’m not sure he can tell you to return. But I will remain steadfastly by your side, my lady.”
“I’m invincible so long as I have you.”
Once the two of them were alone, Bertine read Ignacio’s letter of introduction then shred it to pieces without hesitation.
“He wrote that I should be treated well because I’m the daughter of a marquess from the Kingdom of San Luenne,” Bertine sighed. “Despite knowing very well that it would only hinder me tremendously if others knew my background. Because as far as the people of this country are concerned, I’m just a silly woman from the losing side who shamelessly tried to become their champion’s wife.”
“Hm, yes, I see your concern. Anyone here would wonder why they needed to ‘treat you well’ in such circumstances.”
“We’ll take our time making the rounds with merchants in this country without revealing my true identity. You shall take the lead and I will be your maid,” Bertine said.