It was plain as day when I observed the Villendorfians’ behavior. They all ignored me, and I felt like a vase. But if I stayed the course, I’d feel guilty about leaving Faust to carry the brunt of the burden. My mother, Queen Liesenlotte, had promised to increase the ranks of my corps if negotiations went well. I was determined to work hard and provide results that were deserving of such a reward, at the very least.
“Martina, I’d like to speak with you about our peace negotiations,” I started.
“Yes, Your Highness?” she asked.
I didn’t hesitate to lean on a nine-year-old girl for advice. Argh, don’t criticize me! I’m an average person! What’s wrong with asking for help from others? I kept telling myself that and desperately suppressed the self-deprecating remarks that echoed in my mind.
“My mother told me that the key to negotiating peace was to slice Queen Catalina’s heart asunder,” I explained. “What are your thoughts about this statement?”
“Lord Faust investigated Queen Catalina beforehand,” Martina said. It was clear that she understood our situation. “And I helped him gather information and materials. At the inn we were provided in the royal capital, we heard poems and songs from a Villendorfian minstrel about Queen Catalina. We also received some stories about the queen and Lord Reckenbell, and we heard some rumors from the bureaucrat who arrived for negotiations. We did our best to gather as much information about Villendorf as possible, but frankly…”
She paused for a few beats. It seemed Faust had also done his best behind the scenes, but Martina sighed.
“We couldn’t really grasp anything vital,” she concluded.
I was in the same boat as well. Even my mother, with all her intellect, could only provide us with abstract advice. Slice Queen Catalina’s heart asunder… She hadn’t given us anything resembling a method. Catalina, the Coldhearted Queen, was ignorant about emotions. She acted indifferently and logically when she conducted her duties, and thus, she was a competent and efficient ruler. She possessed another abhorrent nickname: Catalina the Inhumane. The queen wasn’t despised or hated, but her actions were so cruel and heartless. Everyone in Villendorf knew of her talent and superb skills.
She respected Villendorf’s values and morals, but she didn’t genuinely understand them. These minuscule feelings of antipathy within the knights had turned into contempt for their queen. Until two years ago, Lord Reckenbell had acted as her guardian, but Villendorf’s hero was no longer with us.
“However, I’m aware that Lord Faust managed to form the germ of an idea,” Martina revealed.
“Did he find a way to slice open Queen Catalina’s heart?” I asked.
“No, I don’t think he found a clear answer to that.” Martina shook her head.
I guess I was hoping for the impossible.
“I wonder if there’s anything useful that I could do,” I wondered.
I knew that it was an embarrassing act to consult a nine-year-old, but with Faust in a duel as we spoke, she served as his replacement. And this child was bright. I didn’t think there was an issue in casting away my pride to ask for her opinion.
“Are you dissatisfied with being mere decoration?” Martina asked.
“I am,” I replied.
I remained honest with her and was eager to be of some use. Even if I was simply décor, I still wanted to offer my support somehow. At least let me sharpen a portion of the blade that slices the queen’s heart open.
“Then, um, if Lord Faust…well…” Martina trailed off.
“If he what?” I asked.
She struggled to get her words out and seemed to debate her thoughts for a few moments before she opened her mouth once more. “If he is harshly scolded by Queen Liesenlotte later, will you apologize on his behalf, Your Highness?”
“Pardon?” I inquired.
I couldn’t understand Martina’s implications. Is Faust going to do something that will earn him such a scolding? Never mind. I’ll just ask.
“Will Faust do something that would make him subject to a scolding?” I interrogated.
“He will,” Martina replied. “Judging from what I heard, I’m quite certain that Queen Liesenlotte will be simply furious. It seems Lord Faust doesn’t quite understand the depth of her anger either. Is it a good plan? Or maybe the act itself is meaningful. But even so… No, I’m just going around in circles.”
Martina continued to mumble to herself, attempting to organize her thoughts, and her muttering further aroused my curiosity.
“Could you tell me about this plan?” I asked. “I don’t mind apologizing at a later date. My corps is always doing something stupid, and I’m used to apologizing to my mother. Still, I need to brace myself for her anger.”
“I cannot tell you the details,” Martina replied. She shook her head.
“And why not?”
“Because your genuine reaction, standing in Villendorf’s throne room in front of a host of knights, is part of the gift we’d like to offer to Queen Catalina.”
“I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”
I gazed at Ingrid, the head of Ingrid Company, who was in the far distance as she rode atop her carriage. She was Faust’s personal merchant.
“Is the secret within that carriage that the merchant, Ingrid, seems to be guarding so closely?” I asked.
“Precisely,” Martina replied.
“I see…”
Ingrid Company’s guards weren’t protecting the other carriages that were filled with items for trade. They all surrounded one carriage and defended it as though their lives depended on it. Every now and then, a nervous Ingrid would head into the carriage and pop back out, visibly relieved that the item inside was safe and sound. What in the world is inside? What are they all hiding?
“Well, all right,” I relented. “If you can’t speak about it, I’ll drop the subject. I just need to help him mend fences, correct?”
“You would be a huge help if you could do so, Your Highness,” Martina said.
She breathed a sigh of relief and gazed ahead. The clangs of swords were replaced with clashes of armor. And that’s the match. Faust pushed another lord knight to the ground and made sure to tap his training sword against her neck.
“Ninety-eight duels, and ninety-eight victories,” the commander announced. The woman who’d guided us into Villendorf from the border loudly proclaimed the outcome of the duel. “The victor is Faust von Polidoro!”
“You’re by no means weak,” Faust said. “I was simply stronger than you.”
“I’ve no need for your words of consolation,” his opponent replied. Joy was apparent in her tone. “I can tell that you held back against me. I don’t blame you. You’re every bit the hero the rumors tell of, and I can now see why Lord Reckenbell lost in a duel against you. Our hero was defeated honorably.”
She spoke with understanding and a hint of grief like she was parting ways with her beloved. Only then was she finally able to accept the death of Lord Reckenbell and move forward.
Every knight who lost against Faust would utter the same words. The Villendorfians were performing a funeral of sorts—this was their way to honor the memory of Lord Reckenbell and finally acknowledge their grief. After ninety-eight duels, even a mediocre person like me could see the meaning behind their actions.
“Your hand,” Faust said.
“Thanks,” the lord knight replied.
He grabbed her hand and helped her up. Anhalt and Villendorf might have been enemies, but both parties carried their honor as knights. As I watched them, I felt pathetic about being unable to do anything useful at all. I’ll just accept Martina’s request and do as she asked. It’s the least I can do.
“I’m counting on you, Faust,” I murmured.
I was a mediocre person. When I found myself up against Villendorf’s queen, I could only rely on my trusty advisor. I gazed at Faust beginning his ninety-ninth duel and quietly prayed that this man could finally slice open the cold heart of Queen Catalina.