The Gap Between You and Me - Chapter 55
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A few days later, Herietta came to Edwin’s room. When he asked her what was going on, she held out the document she was holding.
Above the document was an inscription stating that Mackenzie’s eldest son, Hugo McKenzie, would be freed from military service because he did not meet the age requirements for conscription. In the lower right corner, the coat of arms of the Brimdel family was largely engraved.
Duon kept his promise. He was starting to get worried as it took quite a bit longer than expected to get things done. Edwin was relieved and overjoyed. But Herietta, on the other hand, only smiled vaguely.
“Aren’t you happy?”
“Of course I’m happy.”
Edwin was puzzled to see Herietta appear not as happy as he thought.
Was she startled by the sudden news? Or did her heart become dull after waiting too long? It was different from what he expected, but it was an understandable reaction if anyone tried to understand it.
“Edwin, I have a favor.”
Herrietta handed Edwin the second document. It was a document containing Hugo’s birth information.
“Could you bring these two documents to the military base stationed in Bangola? Show them to the person in charge there and they will send Hugo home.”
Most of the troops currently stationed in Bangola were under the command of the Knights of Demner. Edwin was also a member of the Knights of Demner in the past and had been in the northern region for over a year. Because of that, he was familiar with the area around Bangola village, and he also knew the Knights of Demner well.
I wonder who became the commander of the Knights of Demner? Edwin recalled the days when he was still a member of the order.
“I’m sorry, Edwin. I know it’s quite a long way from here to Bangola, but I have no one to ask but you.”
“Is Miss Herietta going with me?”
Edwin asked. At that, Herietta quietly shook her head.
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can go. This is where the two countries’ forces are fighting. My parents would never allow it.”
“I’m relieved. If you told me that you were going, I would have stopped you.”
Edwin said with a faint smile on his lips. He rolled up the documents he had taken from her and held onto them.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. I might even be able to come back within a fortnight.”
At Edwin’s words, Herietta put on a surprised expression.
“A fortnight? Doesn’t it usually take 10 days to get to Bangola? It would take about twenty days to get back and forth, you know.”
“Yes, you are correct.”
Edwin nodded.
“But I’m a fast rider, so maybe I can get to Bangola within five days.”
“Five days?”
“Yes. Oh, but it might be a little late on the way back. I will be with young master Hugo then.”
Still, to think that he could come back in a week. No matter how much Hugo whined that he was having a hard time, he wasn’t going to pay attention.
Edwin seemed very calm as he declared that he would cut the travel time by as much as half the time it took to get there. Had someone else said it, she would have laughed at them thinking it was just an absurd bluff, but she knew Edwin meant what he said. Herietta looked at him with a bewildered look.
“But Edwin, when you come, don’t be in a hurry and take it easy. No one is chasing you from behind, so there is no need to rush.”
“It’s fine. I am trained for this kind of thing.”
“But still, five days is too tight.”
Herietta frowned and said.
“If you drive a horse too hastily, you might get into an accident. Edwin, you know how many people have been seriously injured by falling off horses, right? Besides, Hugo isn’t even very good at horseback riding yet…”
“…”
“Even if you come back a little late, I hope that both of you will return with your limbs intact. After all, protecting your health and safety is the most important thing.”
Herietta said with a serious expression on her face. Edwin stood still as if the truth of the world had been revealed to him.
Edwin blinked as he looked at Herietta.
Health and safety is the most important thing? Now, is this really the master he knew?
After a while, he realized the situation and started laughing out loud.
“To be honest, I never imagined those words would come out of Miss Herietta’s mouth.”
His pleasant laughter echoed throughout the room.
“It feels like the roles have changed somehow. Health and safety. Isn’t that what I usually say to Miss Herietta?”
“… I know. I know how ironic that sounds coming from me, thank you very much”
Herietta made a stern expression and muttered. Embarrassed, her earlobes turned red.
“But it makes me feel uncomfortable. Even though I am the one sending you to such a distant place, if you come back hurting yourself, I… really…”
Herietta trailed off and bit her lower lip. When he looked at her, she looked noticeably pale. Her eyes which were looking straight at Edwin were filled with a sense of worry and guilt that could not be hidden.
“Sorry, Edwin. I have to apologize to you.”
After thinking for a while, Herietta immediately apologized. Edwin narrowed his brows.
“Why are you saying that?”
“I heard that a lot of knights were dispatched to Bangola this time. Rumor has it that not only the Knights of Demner, but more than half of the Knights of Brimdel are stationed there. If that’s true, maybe someone you used to know when you were still in the Knights Order might be there and recognize you.”
Hearing Herietta’s words, Edwin’s expression was slightly disturbed. Just like she said, he had once joined the Knights Order. He didn’t just join the Knights Order as a normal soldier, but he was part of the Knights of Demner, which was known as the most elite unit of the Knights Order in the Kingdom.
However, it appears Herietta was unaware of such specific facts. It was nothing surprising. Because she was here, in Philioche, while he served as vice-commander of the knights of Demner. And Philioche was so isolated that it was impossible to even know who the next king would be unless there was a deliberate effort.
Edwin pondered for a moment whether he should let Herietta know about it, but he soon gave up. It wasn’t something he had to hide from her, but that didn’t mean he didn’t see any reason to remind her of it.
Edwin looked at Herietta. She was wearing a look of guilt, insecurity.
Without saying anything, he could guess what Herietta was worried about. She must have been worried that he would probably go through something bad when he went there.
He wanted to tell her it was okay, but he couldn’t. In fact, it was a very realistic and valid concern.
If he headed to Bangola now and went in search of the Knights of Demner who would be garrisoning there, he would most likely run into someone he knew. No matter how many years have passed, the personnel change would not have been very big. Those who joined the Knights Order with him would still be in the Knights Order.
If a man who was the heir of the most powerful family in the kingdom returns one day as a slave, the lowest rank in the kingdom, how will they react?
Surely there will be people who will act with the same attitude towards him as in the past, but there are only a few. Edwin has come to know very well how much the attitude of the other person can change depending on the position and situation of the other.
In the past, taking on this task might have been something he would be reluctant to do. After all, no matter what anyone said, he was still a person of high self-esteem and spirit.
But now it was different. It seemed that he would not care if he was given any sympathy or scorn because of someone who recognized him.
If only he could help Herietta.
If only he could.
Before he knew it, his values and priorities changed. Focusing on a woman, his life revolves around her helplessly.
“Miss Herietta, do you remember?”
Edwin asked quietly, putting down the document he was holding in his hand.
“The oath I made to you in Lavant.”
‘…You.’
‘I acknowledge you as my only lord, and the reason for my existence. Please do not hesitate to wield me, your faithful sword and servant.’
“My oath that day was sincere, without a single lie.”
Edwin took a step closer to Herietta. His serious gaze turned to her.
“I will do anything you ask of me. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as it is to accomplish your will.”
“…”
“I will gladly follow you no matter what happens.”
If allowed, I will be a knight just for you without hesitation.
Edwin slowly knelt in front of Herietta. Then he gently brought her hand, which had been drooping weakly, toward him.
“Even if it breaks my body and sets it on fire.”
He lowered his head and kissed the back of her hand.
“All for my lord, Herietta Mackenzie.”
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