Chapter 9

In the past, the international students from the neighboring country, with whom I studied at the academy, returned to their homeland one after another. The nobles from the neighboring country, who had sought refuge in this country by relying on their relatives, also set off for their homeland.

I was invited as a lecturer to a high-ranking noblewoman's embroidery circle. Most of the participants were the young ladies for whom I had completed embroidery works in their place during my student days. What should have been a joy turned out to be a sorrow.

"There is very little we can do. When I thought of at least doing what we can, I remembered you."

The gathering for embroidery was attended by people with ties to the neighboring country. Their families and fiancés were in the neighboring country. Their smiles, which concealed their anxiety, were fragile, sad, and beautiful.

I envied those who could embroider for their families and fiancés who had returned to the neighboring country. I could not join their conversations, where they comforted each other's anxieties and encouraged one another, exchanging words of hope for the safety of their loved ones.

My best friend was officially announced to have died of illness. I could only pretend to pray for a peaceful sleep at her grave, which was actually a pile of others' bones, while wishing for her safety.

At the embroidery circle, we only knew fragmented information about the war. Just as I began to feel frustrated, news about the situation in the neighboring country started to come through bit by bit.

The rebel army gradually became known as the Salvation Army, and news of the young general leading the army began to spread to this country. It was also said that he bore a striking resemblance to the late crown prince.

The Salvation Army advanced on the capital to reclaim the royal authority. The knights who were supposed to protect the capital and the royal palace joined the Salvation Army one after another, and it seemed that the neighboring country was beginning to waver from its foundations. The rumor of the imminent restoration of royal authority made my heart race.

I wondered how the late duchess would have felt upon hearing such rumors. I began to pray not only for my best friend but also for the late duchess, who was buried next to her.

I bid farewell to the late duchess as the close friend of her deceased daughter.

In her later years, the late duchess forgot many things. But she still remembered me. This made me both happy and sad, and I visited her many times.

"Please take care of that child."

The old woman, who could no longer stand or eat and no longer recognized her husband or son, held my hand with her emaciated hand and repeated the same words over and over.

"Yes, I understand."

Each time, I replied with the same words. What else could I have said?

At the late duchess's funeral, I chose to wear the mourning clothes I had received from her, just as I did at my best friend's funeral. The late duke expressed his wish for me to continue visiting the mansion, and I took advantage of his kind words.

The rumors from the neighboring country eventually turned into reality when an envoy from there visited this country.