THE ORDER FROM THE EMPRESS

A knock on the door drew my attention as I checked the papers along with Camilla. I'm not certain how many I can manage, but I suppose I can sign this overnight. I have to train tomorrow, that's why I have to finish this as soon as I can. "Come in." I sigh as Vien greeted me with a bow.

A knock on the door drew my attention as I checked the papers along with Camilla. I'm not certain how many I can manage, but I suppose I can sign this overnight. I have to train tomorrow, that's why I have to finish this as soon as I can. "Come in." I sigh as Vien greeted me with a bow.

"I've come to fetch you, Your Highness. The knights are waiting for you at the gate." I glanced outside, but I couldn't see anything, but darkness. It's night after all. 

"Do you want to come with me?" Camilla turned her face towards me as I asked her a question. "I thought you were going to see them off by yourself?" She said while arranging the papers

"You're already here, and it would be rude to leave you alone. So you might as well come along with me. You should bestow your blessings before they leave. As a symbol of support, that is." Camilla accepts my hand as she stands up.

It was a fine evening when we went outside. The moon is crescent; crickets keep on being noisy; and the birds are simply flying around, chirping like a lady. It was a peaceful night and yet, it felt far too empty. Perhaps it's because I'm used to people in the palace being loud and irritating throughout the day.

But I also enjoy the nighttime since it's cold and peaceful. "Greetings, Your Highness." Augustus exclaimed with a nice expression on his face. "I'm going to remind you that you're not going to play on the battlefield," He smiles with a positive attitude.

"This is the first time I've been given the opportunity to prove my worth, Your Majesty. I'll make every effort to bring victory and to expand my forces when we get there." Expand forces, he says?

"Are you going to be friendly solely to gain subordinates?" He nods as he continues. "I have a plan, Your Highness. I will inform you after a few weeks." It's not that I don't trust him, it's the fact that they might get attached to other people. They don't need someone who will not benefit the Ethereal Empire.

"You might be forgetting about my existence, Sir Augustus." A freezing blizzard appears to combine with the wind as the Empress speaks. You know the price you'll pay once you betray the Empire; make certain you won't get attached to other opponents." The fear in her eyes seemed to vanish as her gaze was locked on the knight.

"I wouldn't forget, Your Majesty. Because I already offered my life to this Empire who treated me like I'm SOMEBODY and not just SOMEONE." He bows as Camilla bestows her blessings.

"From this day, I'm giving you the command to rule your forces. I wish a healthy and happy life for all of you, Sir Augustus. You may now raise your head." The knights bid their farewell with a happy expression on their faces.

"They'll be fighting on the battlefield. And, despite the fact that they have a significant chance of dying, they depart with such a cheerful smile on their faces. They must think that this is a game." I said while looking at the carriages.

"Perhaps they just don't want us to be concerned about them. Of course, they're scared, Your Highness. But even so, they didn't want to express it in front of you as you would address them as weak individuals. And you didn't raise them that way, so they decided to think of it as a vacation, so they wouldn't be afraid to leave." Worry.. I'm not worried as I can see determination in their eyes.

But perhaps, I'm wishing that they'd survive until the end. After all, they're my knights. My subordinates and I'm the ones who taught them things they should know.

"They will be fine." Camilla states as if she's trying to ease the atmosphere. "His eyes are honest and loyal. I'm confident he would never betray the Empire."

"Do you feel disrespected?" I chuckle as she crosses her arms and looks at me. "I'm your fiancé and you've brought me here to bestow my blessings and not just to stand here, acting like a statue." I can hear Vien's giggles as she nods.

"You changed your attitude in just a snap." Not to mention that her eyes were dead serious when she said those words. She didn't pause for a second and did she stutter? No. Not even in the slightest. 

"It's in my nature, Your Highness. It's obvious that you're satisfied, so shall we stop and head back? We have a lot of work ahead of us." I directed Vien to head back to her quarters. She bows in a mocking manner while giggling as she leaves. The audacity of this woman to laugh at me.

"Aren't you cold?" I asked as she continued to stare at the sky as if she was having deep thoughts.

"No. I just like the atmosphere. But, Hel? Can you do me a favor?"

"Depends on whether I can do it or not."

"How about letting me join on the battlefield? I'm capable of wielding a sword." I tried to feel the wind on my skin by closing my eyes slightly. She said those words as if it was easy to do.

"What's with the sudden request?" I asked.

"I just don't like it when you're the only one who's protecting me all the time." In other words, she wanted to fight alongside me.

"I'm protecting you so you can protect the Empire, Camilla. I already informed Lithia that she should look after you if we're not back for a year. Please accept my apologies, but I am unable to fulfill that request. You must remain in the palace and keep an eye on the Empire for me. Raise your sword for your people and fight alongside me." I must be that 'only villain' who should remain standing.

My sole purpose is to rule over people and force them to kneel before me. How lovely it'll be to give their attention just to me. "Then you should make a pledge to me." It doesn't appear to be a request, but rather an order from a high-ranking authority. I paused as she looked at me with such determination in her eyes.

"You shouldn't die on the battlefield and come back alive." I couldn't suppress my laughter any longer and came out laughing. It was funny in my hearing.

"You think I'm going to die? We're not yet married, Lady Rosenblitz." I get down on my knees and kissed her forehand. As a symbol of my pledge. "Do you know who you are talking to? I'm Helvetica Ethereal. And you'll be Camilla Ethereal in no time." I raised my head, locking my gaze on her as I continued. "I wanted to bring victory and only victory, so it'll not be embarrassing to show my face in front of you. Until then, be someone who is well-suited to the position."

"In order for me to achieve that goal, I needed you to assist and trust me."