In a last attempt to assure her, clenching his fists on his knees, Arminius tried. “I understand, my lady, but there aren’t many left.” He countered her answer truthfully. “Just this evening, the captain of the city guard was also…killed…” Hesitantly, the lieutenant revealed that not even Julien had known.
In any case, his knowledge spurred on the vividly dark vestige that was trapped in the lady’s heart and her eyes turned to immediate shock. Thinking that it could not have been true, she helplessly stared at Arminius whose expression was as sincere as he had been ever since they knocked on her door. Peering down at her wine that rippled within the vessel of glass, she became even more torn. Julien removed his hand from his amulet and wondered whether Arminius was sure that this was how he wished to proceed.
Knowing that there was never to be another chance, nothing could stay him, as he pushed forth. “If not a leader, what this country needs now is a figurehead.” Arminius explained. “Anyone with a name, a name that is respected.” He hinted at her value, not only as a far more experienced administrator, but as the Lady of the Rantzau.
Spiritedly, the corporal set his glass on the table as well and inched forward, his body upright. “Only with you can we fulfill the king’s…no…the lord mayor’s wish.” Julien chimed in, bringing his hands into fists also. “Bite, jegisk fræfrau. (Please, my lady.)” He joined his comrade’s plea.
“No, do not do it for your husband, but for your son, for the two million lives at stake.” Arminius deflected and reinforced his words.
When they had put their words in that manner, it was hard for the lady to refuse their call to arms yet again, perhaps more so than before, the lady became unsure. She may have understood their persistence as it was what made a soldier in her eyes even if there was a hint of coercion that she did not mind, however, it was her lack of faith in her abilities that kept her away from the work of her husband. Looking into the fire, the embers of that night did not whisper to her like they always did, and instead, the shape of the flames brandished a vision that showed her what was to be of her home, her family, if she did not try. The light gently flickered on her face and the fire crackled. The two boys sat in silence and respect as a bead of sweat ran down one’s temple.
Her soft smile was slowly revived as she returned to the lieutenant. “No wonder Paul went to you, lednened.” Lady Rantzau restored some hope on their faces. “Huisk frend rekengen sagen de œjbreteget ausdrukdingne. (Your friend knows exactly the right words to say.)” In words the foreigner could not understand, she said to the corporal.
Julien snickered and Arminius turned to him, knowing that they have been secretly speaking of him but the rest of their exchange remained a mystery to the lieutenant who felt as though he was a toddler being unable to process language. Given her tone, however, she must have meant well. Her wine, with a drop left, was set on the table beside the two other glasses before the boys sat up, feeling that she was about to give her answer
Wiping her hands on her dress, the lady sat facing Arminius. “Very well.” She nodded, having been convinced by their determination but there were additional terms she had liked to affirm. “But you must promise me one thing.”
Their faces brightened, Julien glanced over to Arminius as if they had leapt over a hurdle and a half that they once thought was impossible to cross. Whatever promises she desired, they seemed willing to agree.
“I’d want for you both to be my counsel.” Lady Rantzau bowed, entrusting the task of guiding her through their times of troubles. “Tell me what Paul wished to do and our people will have certain peace.” She promised them that she would play her part to her limits.
Arminius sprung up from his seat out of awe and in him, there was hope that he would finally be able to find the long-sought thing he had chased after. Perhaps, peace was not yet ready for the rest of the world but in their little corner in the northern lands, the chance for a realm to be in a state aside from war had come. It was the one thing he had ever wanted since he had envisioned his role in this world. In shock, Julien stood as well to thank her but he was interrupted by his comrade who dropped to his knee.
Holding a hand over his heart, he bowed below her, unafraid to show his gratitude. “Of course, my lady.” The lieutenant’s voice was shaken by tranquil rejoice. “Anything for peace.” He mumbled to himself that none heard clearly.
Flustered, Lady Rantzau raised her head and held onto Arminius’s arms, urging him to stand, even if it was by the rule of her land that he was beneath her in rank. “A, bite schdæen, ledne’d. (My, please stand, lieutenant.)” She brought out her native dialect that surprised the corporal. “And no more jegisk fræfrau. It’s Ingrid.” Her character was much alike the lord the more they spoke that even her likes and dislikes were not so dissimilar.
As granted, Arminius rose from the floor and stood himself in the light of the fire that struck his arm. Having gained the embarrassment of having received his bow, Lady Rantzau patted down the dust from the lieutenant’s uniform and out of all her actions, it was this that caught Arminius’s eye. Somehow, it reminded him of home in that instance, of how a mother would caringly shape her child for school.9Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXwFIZzR6O
