Getting ready (2/2)

"What about me?" Eruin, the second oldest son, asked.

"You will help your brother," Frederic replied, giving a brief nod. Eruin nodded in return and resumed eating.

"The rest of you will stay here, hidden. If it comes to it, you all will flee to the capital." Though questions hung in the air, no one spoke. The atmosphere at the lunch table was tense, everyone aware of Frederic's anxious demeanor.

That afternoon, Frederic called his wife, Avice, to his office. "Avice, about what we were discussing this morning... I want to understand where those thoughts came from."

"I found out Ella fainted because of distress... distress over this arranged marriage. She doesn't want this," Avice explained, pausing as she waited for his reaction. To her surprise, he remained silent.

"... You agree with me, don't you?" she pressed. "We're going to lose in the end if we proceed with this marriage. And Ella doesn't want it either."

"Then what do you propose? That we simply break our cooperation with Cuthred?" Frederic asked, his tone measured.

"Yes, because we now have a greater future without them than with them."

"You say that because of the papers and all those things?" Frederic's voice carried a note of skepticism.

"Yes, but more important than that, we have someone who is connected to the heavens. If it wasn't for him, we would still be the same. Dare I say, we might have ended up joining Cuthred's house and banner."

Frederic looked thoughtful. "I think we should keep that man called Robert close to us, but I mean, really close. We can't lose him. Just imagine what other amazing things he could bring us!"

"But he is close to us! He's my property now and has to obey me," Frederic countered, though there was a hint of doubt in his voice.

"No, dear, you're relying on fear to control him, but that won't end well. We need to lower his wariness against us by treating him differently. We must bind him to us in a way that's more secure."

"Woman, are you saying..." Frederic's eyes narrowed as he considered her words.

"Ella should marry him," Avice finished, her voice firm.

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"Milady! Something is wrong outs—!" Bella burst into the room without knocking, only to find Ella and Rafael locked in a kiss. Startled, they broke apart, Ella blushing furiously while Rafael eyed Bella with a mix of irritation and curiosity.

"So, what's happening outside?" Rafael asked, breaking the awkward silence.

"Right," Bella stammered, regaining her composure. "When I left the mansion, I saw soldiers gathering and marching. Outside the walls, more soldiers, people, and clerics were running towards the outskirts of Calistoga. I don't know exactly what's happening, but I fear the war is near."

"Oh God!" Ella gasped, her face paling.

The war? But Julius told me the enemy was only attacking in the north because there was a kingdom to the west... Rafael's thoughts raced as the realization hit him. Motherfucker! They're helping the enemy! Both the Swabia and Austrasia kingdoms are attacking us!

"I need to speak with my father. Bella, let's go," Ella said, her voice trembling with urgency.

"I will be outside," Rafael replied, his mind still spinning. I need to see firsthand how these people fight, what weapons they use... and how I can use this information.

Ella approached her father's office, her heart pounding. "Servant, I need to speak with my father," she said to the man standing beside the door. He nodded and entered the room. Moments later, the door opened, and she stepped inside, finding her father seated as usual, her mother by his side.

"Father, Mother, is it true that the war has reached our lands?" Ella asked, her voice trembling.

"Yes, unfortunately it has, but you don't have to be scared. Our soldiers will protect this place with their lives," Frederic assured her.

"I understand, but... how? Why is this happening?" She looked down, her voice tinged with sadness. Frederic's heart ached to see his daughter so fearful.

"Ella, my dear, there is no need to be afraid. I've sent a message to the capital requesting backup. We have our commander and his elite soldiers ready to defend this place. And if something goes wrong, we're preparing an escape route," Frederic said, trying to comfort her.

"Come here," Avice called, pulling Ella into a warm embrace. "We must stay united against the enemy and not give in."

Frederic joined the hug, holding his daughter close. "Ella, you know that everything I've done has been with our family in mind, right? When I proposed that you marry the son of Count Cuthred, I did it thinking of your future."

"You did not!" Ella cried out, pushing him away. But the moment she realized what she had done, fear overwhelmed her. "I—Please forgive me, Father! I didn't mean to say that!" Her voice shook with panic.

Was I that bad of a father? Frederic thought, guilt creeping in.

"Ella, calm down. I'm sorry, my dear, for everything." Avice smiled at Frederic as their daughter looked at him with wide, tear-filled eyes.

"I hope you can forgive me," Frederic said softly, opening his arms. "F-Father! Of co—" she hesitated, "of course I forgive you," and accepted his embrace.

"I want to make things right. I know you don't want to marry Icarus, so from now on, you don't have to marry him anymore."

Ella stared at him, disbelief and hope warring in her expression. "I won't force you into anything. You're free to choose whoever you want to be with."

"... Whoever I want?" she asked, still skeptical.

"Yes, my little flower! Your mother and I will support you," Frederic promised, moving closer to Avice. Tears of happiness welled up in Ella's eyes.

"What's happening?" Avice asked after their daughter left the room. The entire time, she had felt something was off. It was the first time she had seen Frederic so gentle.

"I don't understand," Frederic murmured, confusion clouding his features.

"You. You've never spoken to Ella like that. You've never spoken like that to anyone," Avice said, concern evident in her voice.

Frederic looked into her eyes, his expression grave. "Dear..."

Avice felt a chill at the tone of his voice. This wasn't normal.

"In a week, the battle will begin, and you all are going to flee. That will be the last day I see you," Frederic said, his voice heavy with resignation.

"What?! What nonsense are you talking about?" Avice's voice rose in panic.

"Avice!" He gripped her shoulders firmly. "We only have a thousand men! It's impossible to protect our lands from the enemy! Even if we call the commoners and peasants, it won't be enough."