Chapter 52 Anne's Determination
Anne immediately bowed as well, "Your Majesty, this matter doesn't just concern Warlinekza. If the armies of both countries join forces and launch a direct attack on the Soth Empire, the consequences would be unthinkable!"
"Please let me go to the eastern battlefield as well. I'm willing to use my life to protect the Soth Empire and absolutely won't let their scheme succeed!"
"Nonsense!"
Rolf had been thinking about who to send, but hearing Anne volunteer like this, he immediately became furious. "Forget that you're just a woman - now that you're the only one left in the Virlet family, how could I possibly let you go to the battlefield? Swords have no eyes in war. If something happens to you, how will the family continue? Don't you still want to restore the Virlet family?"
Anne spoke urgently, "Your Majesty, the Virlet family has no cowards, and no weaklings who are afraid of the battlefield. When my father was still alive, he also allowed me to go to battle with him in the future. I..."
Rolf slammed the table, his eyes showing disapproval. "I know what you mean, but you should also understand why I made an exception to allow you to transfer your title to your future husband. I hope you can live safely and happily as your father expected, not fall on the battlefield like your father and brothers. You're about to officially inherit the duke title. You'll have everything you need for the rest of your life, and Queen Mother Smith and I will protect you and make sure you're not wronged. Isn't that good?"
"Your Majesty!" Anne stepped closer. "But I can't just be someone who hides behind others and enjoys herself. If I can inherit my father's title, then naturally I can go to the battlefield like he did. Your Majesty, please!"
"They're not just the empire's enemies - they're also the murderers who killed my family. How can I pretend I know nothing!"
Seeing Anne still wouldn't back down, Rolf became somewhat impatient.
"Stop talking. I know very well what I can agree to and what I can't. Since you're a woman, just stay home like a woman should. Don't go anywhere. Consider it keeping yourself alive for your father and the others."
He called out loudly, "Bring two guard knights - no, four... You will immediately escort Duke Virlet back to her territory. Without my royal decree, she is not allowed to leave the Virlet estate... not allowed to leave the family territory at all!"
Originally he wanted to say she couldn't leave the Virlet manor, but he remembered that Anne was now definitely going to be a duke.
Whether for the sake of old friends or for her dignity and duties as a duke, he couldn't confine her to just the manor.
Rolf sighed and refused to look at Anne anymore.
The guard knights surrounded Anne, making a "please" gesture. She glanced at His Majesty the King behind the desk with his back turned to her. A flash of disappointment crossed her eyes, but she knew she couldn't say anything more now.
"Your Majesty, I know you mean well, but the Virlet family has no one who fears death - only those willing to give up everything to avenge the family. Anne doesn't want to continue making things difficult for you, but please believe me, if I could go to the battlefield, I would never throw my life away. If you're willing to give me this chance, I will prove this to you. I promise."
The tall king's figure suddenly froze. When he turned to look at Anne, there was no more anger on his face. He just looked at her quietly, as if looking at an old friend long gone. After a long while, Rolf sighed, "You may go."
"I won't take back my words, Anne. I'll handle the eastern battlefield situation properly. Since you put down your sword to become a proper lady, don't pick it up again. I'll pretend you never came, and you should forget about all this too."
With that, he waved his hand.
The guard knights immediately blocked Anne's view and escorted her out of the palace. At the gates, horses and a carriage were already prepared. Anne was put into the carriage while the knights mounted up - they were escorting her all the way back to Virlet territory.
Anne sat in the carriage, her heart filled with helpless emotions, unable to say anything.
Of course she understood His Majesty's good intentions, but why did he keep mentioning that she was a woman, telling her to do what women should do?
What should women do?
Was drinking tea, admiring flowers, and discussing fashionable dresses and jewelry what women should do? Was playing the role of a delicate lady what women should do?
She was Duke Skoda's daughter, a child of the Virlet family. She was born with the blood of battle flowing in her bones. How could she be willing to be just one among thousands of ordinary people?
Back when her father was still alive, he personally taught her swordsmanship and personally promised to take her to the battlefield. Her brothers practiced swordplay with her and taught her archery. In those wonderful days, no one ever said that as a girl, she couldn't do these things.
After her father and brothers died, her mother asked her to let go of her obsession with the battlefield and become an elegant lady, to marry and have children. She agreed, but three years passed, and while everything else could be forgotten, only when her hand gripped a sword hilt did Anne feel her heart come alive again.
She was destined for the battlefield.
Titan Manor.
Early in the morning, Holden heard the news that Duke Virlet had gone to the royal city to see the king. He was stunned, and after confirming that this information came from the messenger at the post station, his feelings were complicated.
These past few days at home, everyone was unhappy because Candy had made a huge scene with Trion and barged into Mephist's room demanding account books for Titan Manor's expenses. Now whenever spending was needed, Mephist would argue with Candy on behalf of Trion, who wasn't good at debating.
Holden couldn't help but remember when he first returned to Titan Manor, and even back on the battlefield. Then, Anne managed the household and no one ever fought over money. Even mischievous little Nina would happily show off her new jewelry to him.
Why did the house become like this once Anne left?
Holden didn't understand, especially when facing Candy. These past few days they had argued several times - about money, about what she perceived as targeting, even about inexplicable suspicions.
Before, on the battlefield, they rarely argued. Even when they did quarrel, it was only about differing opinions on tactics or poor coordination that didn't meet expectations. But as long as they got satisfactory results in the end, like that pursuit after repelling the enemy, these small shining problems would only bring them closer together.
But now?
Holden looked at Candy sitting on the sofa with a cold expression, and Trion on the other side sitting in silence. He just felt incredibly fed up.