On the day of the departure ceremony, I shared a deep kiss with Hilda at Breisburg's west gate. Daniel and Sabine—who had recently started receiving lessons from Bertheim's butler Wilhelm Göring—little Bodo, and Hans and Priscilla, who were deeply disappointed about being left behind, all came out to see me off.
Hilda firmly urged Oscar and Ted to assist me no matter what. My soldiers weren't assigned to the infantry but instead served as my personal escort. Michael's retainers were part of the escort forces as well. Michael, the ten Lance Cavalry knights, and I took the front.
In the center rode the Crown Prince, wearing gorgeous plate armor with a silver sheen and a red cloak trimmed with gold and bearing the Duchy of Beren's crest. He held a helmet adorned with tall red feathers. On either side, Vermeer, Eisenach, and four other guard members surrounded him protectively.
"The prince looks so dashing."
"Truly magnificent. How can he be so imposing!"
