But there were no good options at the moment. The little girl’s condition made it highly unlikely she would survive, and he wasn’t sure if she could even swallow the potion if they waited any longer.
"I hope it’s not some strange concoction. She’s already in enough pain," Sesil said, looking at the potion in Eric’s hand.
"I hope not, either." Eric uncorked the bottle, pried open the girl’s mouth with his fingers, and poured the potion in.
Eric then motioned for Sesil to sit down. They waited for a short while, and soon the girl’s breathing grew steady and the tension in her face eased.
"She seems much more comfortable." Sesil smiled.
"Thank God and the Holy Mother," Eric said.
"Thank God and the Holy Mother," Sesil repeated.
"But, in all seriousness, we should be leaving."
"Must it be today? She’s only just started to feel a bit better."
"But everything is already packed. And with so many Knights staying here, it’s causing a stir in Caen. Besides, the money I brought is almost gone. If we go to Rouen, your brother will cover some of my expenses.
You can ask a trustworthy Nun to look after her," Eric said, looking at Sesil.
"But... this might be good for the atonement of my father’s soul."
"Then let’s bring her with us. Caen isn’t far from Rouen. Even if we travel slowly, we’ll arrive in three days."
"Aunt Matilda wouldn’t agree. She’s always believed that all patients must be treated equally, without showing favoritism to anyone."
"A valid point." Eric nodded.
"Then how about two more days? If it comes to it, I’ll speak with Robert and have him compensate you."
"Then just leave it to me. I’ll arrange for her to be in Rouen. A Count has the right to decide a few things."
"Won’t that be too much trouble?" Sesil glanced at Eric.
"Please, you must allow me this opportunity to serve the princess," Eric said with a bow.
"Now that’s what I like to hear."
Sesil laughed and stood up.
Carrying the girl, she walked to the chapel doors and pushed them open.
At this time of day, the sunlight poured into the chapel, falling freely upon Sesil as well.
"You’ll be a good nobleman, Eric," Sesil said, stepping out of the chapel and turning to look back at him.
"Oh? I’m deeply honored." Eric followed her out and closed the chapel doors.
"Of course. That is, on the condition that the you I’ve seen so far is the real you. I hope he is." Sesil looked down at the girl in her arms. "There are hardly any good people among the Nobility, my own family included. One must be cold and ruthless to succeed, to acquire more land and wealth.
Yet that path often leads to slaughter. Countless lives, vibrant one moment, are lost the next for some inexplicable reason.
Why is a homeless child huddled alone in a haystack? Because some nobleman decided to conquer the village, just to add a few more pounds to his income. Or perhaps for no reason at all, simply to vent his emotions—destruction for destruction’s sake. There are so many nobles like that.
I must admit that my father, my brothers, and my ancestors are prime examples of this.
But I cannot resent my father, my brothers, or my ancestors, because I grew up under their provision, enjoying a privileged life that has spared me the bleak and uncertain existence of the common folk.
Yet, I cannot remain indifferent. So I’ve decided to do something, perhaps to atone for their souls: washing clothes for lepers, aiding the widowed and orphaned, praying for the poor souls nearing death.
I hope that this charity comes not from pity, but from duty—an inherent duty. With greater power and wealth comes greater responsibility.
Because everything is a gift from God: intellect, family status, birth, circumstance... all of it. Thus, one must never be arrogant or self-righteous."
"I couldn’t agree more, though few people share that sentiment," Eric said with a shrug.
"Yes, but every family needs someone like that."
"Which is why I think taking a break in Rouen every three months is a rather good option," Eric said, smiling.
"You’re teasing me." Sesil knew what he was referring to, of course.
"Not at all, Your Highness. I’m just saying that as long as your goodwill gets across, the rest is trivial," Eric said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Is that so?" Sesil sounded skeptical.
"Of course. God doesn’t sweat the small stuff. Allow me to end this discussion with the words of the great Saint Augustine: ’O Lord, wait a little longer, wait a little longer!’"
"I don’t know for sure, but I’d wager Saint Augustine wasn’t too fond of people quoting that." (Saint Augustine of Hippo was immersed in a secular life in his youth and only converted at the age of thirty-two. For a time, unable to give up his mistress, he added a line to his prayers: "Lord, wait a little longer.")
"Who knows? In any case, we really should be going now."
.....
「The Holy Roman Empire. Hesse. Treble.」 (The "Holy" in Holy Roman Empire was only added during the time of Barbarossa; the author is including it here for clarity.)
The recent edict of excommunication issued by Pope Gregory VII against Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV was now common knowledge throughout the Empire.
But that wasn’t even the worst of it. Far worse, Henry IV’s expedition against the Saxon Region last month had ended in failure. He had been forced to flee all the way to Bohemia—a truly humiliating retreat.