Father!
Anna rushed over and hugged Viscount Rotrega.
He had been running all night, and he was filled with the sll of wind and sweat.
He smiled compassionately as he patted his skinny daughter on the shoulder with his thick hand.
Im sorry. I didnt co early enough. Youve done so very great things here, havent you?
Viscount Rotrega asked with an admiring look on his face as he held Anna in his arms.
Anna smiled gently and responded humbly.
I just did what Rwanda taught . It would have been dangerous if we didnt help each other, so of course we had to do it.
No, without Annas help at that ti, we would certainly have held a funeral now. Ive been greatly indebted to your daughter.
Henrik Alpatio praised Anna and gave Viscount Rotrega a squeeze on the shoulder.
Anna replied with an embarrassed smile.
Co on, stop it, lets get in quick. Father ca too hurriedly and didnt seem to have a proper al.
I feel a little dizzy. Co on, lets go in.
**
Oh, by the way, Anna. I have a letter that ca from you.
Having eaten outside, Anna decided to go to her room for a while to organize her luggage and change out her outdoor clothes.
She was in a hurry to get to her room, but Rotrega caught her and handed her a letter.
This is the letter you told about, isnt it?
It was a letter with a rose-patterned seal on it. The sa seal was attached to the letter Roselyn sent last ti.
Anna hugged the letter given by Viscount Rotrega with a brightened expression.
Because of the long-awaited letter, she could not manage her expression.
With a flushed face she hastily seized the letter and ran upstairs.
There were green eyes watching Anna from a distance, but Anna was too excited to notice them.
Anna read the letter even before she changed her clothes.
She carefully removed the seal and read the beautifully written letter.
The flowing writing began with To the lady of the pink rose forest.
[It appears that I will be attending the July Festival.
I dont want to see my ex-husband destroy any more of our family. I also owe you a debt that I have to pay back.
I hope I can see you then.
With love,
From a farr at a carrot farm.]
Oh my God.
A farr at a carrot farm. Anna burst into tears as she read each letter of her best friends cute nickna.
Shes coming. Anna was happy to be able to see Roselyn much sooner than she expected. It was sowhat hectic, but she was just grateful that she might be able to see Roselyn safe.
Thank God, thank God. Im really glad
Anna patted her chest several tis, then carefully opened the envelope of the letter. Roselyn didnt leave any really important information in the letter. She used deep and thick envelopes, especially when writing secret contents.
And this ti again.
When Anna opened the envelope of the letter, there were small letters written tightly in the deepest part.
[Anna, maybe sothing big will happen at the July festival. So if you co, co secretly and carefully. I just want to see you safe.
Have you t the man by any chance? If you havent, you dont have to try too hard. Nothing can take precedence over your safety.
If you cant win him over, dont be too hurt. Its difficult enough as it is. We just have to hold him back a little bit when it happens.
If we cant do that, Im ready and willing to deal with him.
Im ready and able to take anything that cos my way.
So lets just think about seeing each other again, safe and sound.]
Anna took a deep breath.
This letter was Roselyn herself.
Rosies words, Rosies kindness, Rosies resoluteness were still blended into her letter.
Oh, youre really safe, Rosie.
Anna felt relieved after all this ti.
She was proud to see Roselyn so much safer and stronger after such a terrible experience.
Thats my Empress.
Anna frowned and sobbed, her eyes turning red for no reason.
It was reassuring to receive Roselyns letter.
It made her feel even lighter, as if she had been walking through a hazy fog.
July Festival.
She had to leave now to arrive before it started.
Anna was getting more and more nervous.
***
When Anna returned after changing her clothes and finally drying her reddened eyes, Viscount Rotrega had already finished his al.
Im sorry. I ca down too late.
After a few monts of looking into Annas apologetic eyes, Viscount Rotrega hugged his daughter tightly again.
What are you sorry for? Its all right, it can take a while for a woman to change her clothes. I was hungry too, so I ate in a hurry, hahaha!
father.
By the way, I rode the horse for a long ti, so Im tired. How about we rest today and talk again tomorrow?
Laughing softly, Viscount Rotrega patted Anna on the head.
Anna was married and took the position of the Empresss maid of honor, but sohow the attitude of Viscount towards Anna seed to have returned to her childhood.
Her father, who was always out and about due to his extroverted nature, always held Anna in his arms when he ca ho.
Anna felt a strange surge of emotion at that mont.
Good night. Ill go up first.
The Viscount went up to the room where he was guided.
Anna turned and watched her father ascend the stairs.
At that mont, Henrik was coming out of the dining room.
Uncle Henrik.
Hi.
They both called out to each other at the sa ti.
Henrik, smiling obliquely, spoke first.
Lets talk for a minute. I think its ti for to do what you asked.
***
Henrik walked up to the office with Anna.
Anna sat in the seat she had taken before, and Henrik took a seat on the couch across from her instead of the top seat he had at the ti.
Would you like so tea?
No, thank you.
All right. Okay. Its ti he cos..
As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the office opened with a light tap on the door.
It was Perso.
Why is that person?
Henrik walked around with Perso when they were outside, but Perso did not wait or escort him inside the office.
Moreover, now it was ti for Anna and Henrik to talk privately.
Anna stared at Perso with surprised eyes.
Perso gave Anna a slight nod and a brief greeting, then sat down in the upper chair as he walked by her.
His deanor was so natural that it almost felt arrogant.
It wasnt an arrogance that made the other person uncomfortable, but the very kind of arrogance that was natural to soone who had been raised to be a noble from birth.
From that mont on, an uneasy ripple spread in a corner of Annas heart.
And as if to confirm that uneasy feeling, Henrik called Anna with a sorry smile.
I couldnt have said anything before. I didnt an to deceive you, but I want you to understand that there were circumstances.
What do you an?
Anna clenched her fists nervously and looked at Henrik with shaky eyes.
Henriks gaze turned from Anna to Perso.
This is Duke Perso Gertium.
The surprised Anna held her breath.
***
Tamon, Asha, and the knights, passing Orkins, entered Tanatos through Nylux quickly.
The forced march was repeated as they rode all day on horseback, then slept in their sleeping bags on the hard floor, and then rode again.
Even so, they were fine when it was warm, but from the mont they entered Tanatos, the harsh cold wind was too much for them to bear with just a sleeping bag.
From today on, we must build a barracks, even if it is simply for sleeping.
It seems we must slow down our march a bit. If we dont, well collapse before we arrive.
There are children here. Please, lets take a break, General. Hmm?
Asha also agreed with the words of the Platanus knights who looked like they were dying.
She had been silently running after them so far, but she was also reaching her limit.
And it wasnt just the knights and Asha who were tired.
The children in the fast-moving carriage and Asrell also suffered to the point of throwing up once or twice a day. Their physical strength had already reached the bottom.
This is no good. Well have to adjust our speed.
There was a huge difference physically and psychologically between running a forced march in a warm place and running in extrely cold weather.
At least since they had entered Tanatos, they certainly had to march in good physical condition.
Tamon saw Asha nod and reached out a hand to point to the plains.
Thats where well rest for the day, since its out of the wind. The sooner we can get the tents up, the sooner we can rest even for half an hour.
Yay!
Lets build the barracks before it gets dark, guys!
The knights hands and feet beca faster in order to rest as quickly as possible.
As expected, they were so skilled that the twenty or so knights rushed in and built five barracks.
Asha went inside the barracks that was assigned to Tamon and herself.
It was just a sleeping bag with so fluffy wool bedding on top, but she was so tired that her body sank.
There was a small brazier in the hut, but it didnt convey any great heat, but just looking at it made her feel relaxed.
Asha rubbed her stiff legs and feet as she sat on the thick, woolen blanket, waiting for Tamon.
Wooooooooo!
The beasts cry rang out for a long ti, as if it was watching them from sowhere.
Yes, the white wolves have been inhabiting the area.
Asha scanned the location, recalling the map of Tanatos.
The topography of Tanatos ca to her mind vividly.
Only a days walk from here and theyll reach the Black Canyon.
After passing through the Black Canyon and following a narrow mountain road for about five days, they will reach the Kralturian
Mountains.
The Kralturian Mountains were said to be guarded by the spirits of snow and ice.
Below that, Bern, the city of snow, ice, and gold.
It was the capital of Tanatos.
It was the place where Roselyn was born and raised.
Lady Asha, Asrel said its almost dinner ti.
Arsene walked in quietly to tell Asha about dinner, but quickly fell silent.
Asha, who had never shown her tiredness throughout the run, fell asleep as if she were collapsing on her bed.
Arsene quickly covered his mouth with his hand and quietly stepped out of her barracks.
Around that ti, Tamon was entering the forest beyond the campsite alone without having dinner.
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