The sound of Angelie's heels echoed across the stone floor as she made her way to the central meeting room. The lights were warm with a hint of haze. The scent of herbs mingled with the smell of medicine, lingering behind her.
She recalled the image of Chloe lying on the bed, her tiny body almost entirely covered in white bandages. Her face was less pale, and her eyelids were fluttering lightly. Mirabel had fallen asleep beside the bed, but her hand remained on Chloe's wrist.
At that moment, she was sitting next to Chloe, watching the little girl intently.
Angelie closed her eyes.
The feeling was both relieving and tightening. Part of this world could still be saved and reached, and was therefore still worth protecting.
She had done what she had to do. But why did her chest still feel empty, as if something had slipped away before she even realised it was there?
The Vinni house flag fluttered in the grand hall. The door swung open and Angelie stepped inside first, holding her head high. Behind her came Gray, clad in silver armour and with eyes as cold as steel.
However, Vinni Duke was absent. Instead, a young nobleman with slicked-back hair, wearing white silk robes, was already seated in the room, holding the treaty in his hands.
"Please be generous and forgive our family, Duchess," he began, speaking politely yet indifferently.
"The current Count is facing serious health issues. I am Elsten, his authorised legal assistant."
Angelie stood still, refusing to sit down.
"Does that cunning man not dare come and sign?"
Angelie curled her lips. Of course. That was his way.
People who are used to hiding in someone else's shadow never let anyone see them get their hands dirty.
Elsten smiled for a moment:
"We will still comply with the rules, sir. However, the count's absence does not violate any principles,"
Gray growled from behind.
"Is it not a violation? You bastards are showing contempt for the Duchess!"
Elsten remained silent, merely pushing the treaty towards Angelie. She looked down at the clean, smudge-free paper, each letter sharp and perfect.
She held the pen. The metal tip touched the paper, producing a faint sound reminiscent of teeth being clenched together.
For the family, anger had to remain silent. Rebellion was swallowed whole, along with the ink.
"Your turn."
Elsten smirked.
He signed his name, then took a seal bearing the symbol of Vinni Family from the golden box. He pressed it onto the paper with just enough force to make a soft 'thump' sound.
" Our Count looks forward to a smooth cooperation."
He did not stand up. None of Vinni's soldiers came forward to see them off, either.
There were no drums. No ceremony. Only the sound of their own footsteps accompanied them as they left the hall.
Once they reached the grand hallway, Gray exploded.
"He calls that manners?"
Angelie glanced at him. She finally sighed.
" For them, silence is the only form of politeness."
At noon that day,
The wind blew against the flags bearing the sword emblem. The Blade army marched steadily along the main road, crossing the final boundary into Vinni territory.
Angelie rode at the forefront.
Gray urged his horse on, trying to catch up with her. After a moment of silence, he spoke. "Maddam, according to the additional terms of the treaty, around a thousand soldiers from Vinni Family will be joining us."
Angelie did not respond.
Gray continued,
"They call them 'support troops'..." Gray scoffed "but everyone knows they're chains"
"They'll have people at all our watch posts and barracks. We won't be able to tell if they're up to something."
Angelie kept her gaze fixed ahead.
"I know."
She squeezed the reins slightly.
Gray's eyebrows furrowed.
Angelie took an almost inaudible breath.
"For them, it's the embedded forces."
Angelie didn't continue immediately.
"For us, they're first bargaining chip," she said.
Gray pondered, then asked,
"Madam, what about Elsten signing in Vinni's place? Could he turn against us?'
Angelie answered without hesitation.
"If Vinni wants to deny it, he can easily claim that Elsten overstepped his authority."
"And if I object?"
"They'll use the excuse that the treaty has been sealed but not yet approved by the internal council."
Gray gritted his teeth.
Angelie continued:
"On paper, the treaty is in effect. But politically, it exists in a grey area — ambiguous enough for both sides to invoke and disavow as they see fit."
She paused for a moment.
"We don't actually need a perfect treaty."
"What we need is for the royal family to know that the two houses are in coalition."
Her words hung in the air. Gray didn't speak to argue — he knew he had no more questions.
The branches and leaves swayed gently. The Blade army paused in a maple forest beside a stream.
Night fell quickly. The campfire had just been lit. No one spoke much — they were too tired to discuss politics any further.
Gray put the leather map into his hip pouch, then sat down beside the fire to relax.
"Gray, how are Chloe and the injured knights?"
Angelie asked, approaching from the command tent.
"Madam, Chloe has regained consciousness, but she still can't walk. Randor is more severely injured and is still having his wounds dressed. The others have almost recovered."
Leaving Gray behind, Angelie quickly turned through the other tents.
She pulled back the curtain bearing the red cross symbol.
The light from the small oil lamp reflected off the white bandage fabric, revealing the silhouette of a small figure inside.
Chloe was lying on her side . A thin blanket was pulled across her waist.
Mirabel was sitting beside her, telling her something, and they were both laughing.
Angelie walked in. No one noticed.
It was only when Mirabel turned back to get another towel that their eyes met. She was surprised. Then she immediately lowered her head.
"You've arrived."
Angelie remained silent. She only gave Mirabel a confirming look.
Chloe sat up for a moment, but Mirabel held her back.
"No need," said Angelie, gesturing.
"You just stay there."
"U..m"
"How do you feel? Does it still hurt?"
Chloe hesitated.
"Yes, but not as much as before."
Angelie tilted her head slightly.
"So… you can still feel."
"Good"
Mirabel turned to speak, but Angelie looked at her.
"Take care of her. Feed her soft foods. Make sure none of the external wounds reopen."
Chloe pressed her lips together, her gaze wavering for a moment. Then she spoke.
"Madam, is Randor all right?"
"He is fine."
Her gaze lingered on Chloe, but she lowered her voice almost as if to warn her.
"You should try to get enough rest."
She paused.
"And if you really want to protect someone..."
Angelie held her old silver sword emblem tightly.
"You have to survive first."
As she spoke, Angelie turned away.
Mirabel lowered her head once more, bringing the bowl of meat porridge mixed with fragrant herbs closer to Chloe. At the same time, she gently pulled the blanket up to the girl's chest.
Chloe remained silent, her eyes still following Angelie's cloak as it gradually disappeared behind the fabric of the tent.
Angelie's hand paused briefly by the curtain, then dropped down.
Chloe didn't say another word. Instead, she lightly touched the bandage on her chest, as if to remind herself that she was still alive.