"It would be good if you also go to the palace tomorrow. Take Lucy with you."
Damian said, looking at his daughter lying down, taking his spot.
"Tomorrow? But tomorrow is... the day you receive your rewards from the palace..."
"I think it would be good for Lucy to see what kind of person her father is."
"Ah.... Yes. Since Lucy said that to you yesterday..."
Ariel lowered her gaze.
"It's because I'm lacking."
Ariel's expression immediately darkened as she blamed herself.
Damian didn't understand why Ariel was blaming herself, but it seemed better to just leave it be.
Because Ariel's concerned eyes finally looked straight at him.
"Lucy, you cannot shout or run to your father like you did last time here, understood?"
Ariel instructed about palace etiquette.
Ariel's philosophy was to raise a bright child, not an ill-mannered one.
"Yes, I understand, Mom."
Lucy nodded with a smile.
Originally, she wouldn't have brought a child to a place like this, but this time she brought Lucy because Damian had requested it.
Fortunately, since Lucy obeys well when taught, Ariel could relax as they moved to their seats.
"Duke Genova..."
In the solemn atmosphere, Damian knelt on one knee before His Majesty the Emperor.
Along with words honoring his achievements in suppressing the rebellion, it was announced he would receive rewards.
Ariel stood up from her seat and watched Damian while tightly holding Lucy's hand.
The sunlight through the window beautifully illuminated Damian's golden hair.
The same golden hair as Lucy's...
His straight nose bridge and blue eyes like the ocean, signifying his unwavering loyalty.
The living... Damian.
The warmth of the child's hand she was holding made it difficult for Ariel to look at her husband.
This wasn't the first time she had seen Damian like this here, but was it because her daughter was with her?
She no longer wanted to watch Damian receiving rewards, Damian kneeling before His Majesty.
At first, she had felt proud. The second time, she was worried. And the third time, she felt a bit resigned.
Damian, who had led many conquering victories, had become someone who boosted the morale of the knights.
It was the day he was departing for his second campaign, wasn't it?
She had gone all the way to the departing ship while pregnant.
Barely overcoming the fatigue from her pregnancy, she had personally tied a large handkerchief with his name and her name on it.
The words "Do you really have to go?" hovered around her throat, but in the end, she couldn't say them.
Watching countless knights board that ship, Ariel hung her head.
Because Damian wasn't the only one who was someone's precious husband.
"This war seems like it will be a long one."
Damian said dispassionately as he looked at the ship.
"Can you send me letters this time?"
"Letters?"
"Even just a short sentence is fine. Just knowing you're alive would be enough."
"Is that really necessary?"
Damian tilted his head and stared at the handkerchief Ariel had tied.
She had tied it to the hilt of his sword, but Damian untied it.
"Damian. That is......"
"I didn't know you believed in such superstitions. It will only get in the way. Just go back. You're not alone anymore."
"Yes..."
Ariel nodded and walked away. Fortunately, Damian had won that war and returned.
He wasn't there when she gave birth, and there were no letters, but it was enough that he made it back to the estate safely.
"....Mom?"
Lucy looked up at Ariel with a surprised face.
Ariel quickly wiped her tears with the back of her hand and gave Lucy a faint smile.
"Dad looks cool, doesn't he?"
Lucy's green eyes blinked.
"....Yes, cool."
Lucy nodded and smiled brightly at Ariel.
That.... made Ariel's tears well up again, so she bit her lower lip tightly to hold back her sobs.
"You just want to stop watching Dad being cool. Right?"
Ariel squeezed Lucy's small hand tighter and nodded.
Even though she knew she shouldn't show this to a mere seven-year-old child, her tears kept flowing uncontrollably.
If he goes to war again.
If he doesn't come back.
If Damian leaves, leaving just Lucy and her behind, what would she do?
She couldn't shake the disloyal thought that this glorious occasion seemed to be pushing him into war instead.
"...Duchess of Genova."
Ariel flinched at the gentle voice, quickly wiping her face and turning her head.
Her Majesty the Empress had approached Ariel.
"I greet Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire."
Ariel curtsied, composing herself as much as possible from her tear-stained expression just moments ago. It seemed Damian's award ceremony had ended.
"I greet Her Majesty the Empress of the Empire."
Lucy, beside Ariel, also curtsied and kissed the Empress's hand.
Once the greetings concluded, the Empress's hand gently moved over Ariel's shoulder, lightly patting like a feather, comforting her.
"I've always burdened you. The Duke of Genova may have the blood of Iron, but you do not. I'm well aware you've suffered greatly for many years."
The Empress gave a wry smile.
"No, Your Majesty."
"Before being the Duchess, are you not a woman? I understand that feeling. When I was the Crown Princess, His Majesty participated in a war. I cried so much. Come to think of it, the Duke of Genova had received his dukedom after that. Since I married later than you."
Ariel nodded quietly.
"But after that, the Duke went to war incessantly. His Majesty had no choice after becoming Emperor... Yet thanks to the Duke of Genova always lending his strength, the people of the Empire and many in this country are able to live happy lives."
"No. All peace is thanks to His Majesty the Emperor's righteous politics and magnanimity. Genova is always grateful to be able to assist as a subject."
"Your eyes are still red."
The Empress comforted Ariel with a gentle smile, looking at her red eyes.
"I've been there too. There was a time I lost my temper for the first time with the previous Emperor, asking if the wars could stop. You can probably imagine how I felt. Men just don't understand why waiting safely is so difficult, utterly unable to comprehend."
"...No."
"But you see, that's a husband's heart. Wanting his wife to be safe in a secure place."
Ariel slowly blinked as she looked at the Empress.
"The Duke of Genova is always thinking of you. Oh, this... I came to see you since you brought your daughter. Her name is...?"
"I'm late with the introduction. Your Imperial Majesty, my name is Lucy."
Lucy curtsied again to the Empress.
"She has your eyes, Duchess. Wasn't Lucy seven years old?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Seven years old."
"Our Crown Prince is eight. Wouldn't they make good friends?"
The Empress smiled at Lucy. Ariel pulled Lucy close with a slightly flustered look.
"Lucy is still too young and unfamiliar with the palace. I worry she may trouble the Crown Prince... We of House Genova have Derek, who is eight like the Crown Prince. As fellow boys, they may become good friends?"
The Empress smiled and nodded at Ariel's words.
"I see. Then it would be good to have tea with Mrs. Jessica next time. More importantly, may I walk the gardens with Lucy? Is that alright?"
"Ah..."
"I would love to, Your Majesty. Mom, I'll walk the gardens with Her Majesty and return."
Lucy let go of Ariel's hand. Ariel tried to grab her urgently but Lucy was quicker.
"Haha. They did say your daughter is a miniature Damian. Indeed so."
"Mom! I'll be back. I'll go play with dad!"
Ariel was left alone, bewildered as she watched Lucy and the Empress's retreating figures.
Clenching her empty hands, Ariel anxiously watched their backs.
***
"I'm late with my greetings, Duchess."
"...Lord Charles."
Unclenching her fists, Ariel smiled brightly at Charles.
He was the eldest son of Count Gorman, Damian's direct subordinate.
Filling in for the ever-reluctant Damian, Lord Charles would at least send letters once every few years.
Not just checking in, but providing detailed accounts of whether Damian was unharmed and what had happened recently - she was always grateful for that.
If there weren't even those letters, she would have been truly anxious.
"I was unable to attend the victory banquet yesterday as I had to meet the royal physician."
"Oh, so that's why you were absent. You weren't seriously injured, I hope?"
"Nothing major, I'm alright. Just a scratch near my leg. Haha..."
"That's a relief."
"Yes, well..."
As Charles nodded to take his leave, Ariel urgently opened her lips to him.
"Um, by any chance... Lord Charles, has the rebellion been completely suppressed?"
"Hm? Ah! ...Haha! Yes! You can consider this rebellion completely suppressed. Even if there are further assignments, the Duke will likely not be able to attend now."
As soon as Ariel heard Charles's words, she couldn't help but beam a radiant smile.
Then, quickly composing herself, she carefully asked him.
She had been repeatedly disappointed too many times in the past.
After all, no one had expected Damian to go for this rebellion either.
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