9
- I love you, William. Do you love me?
Not once did he respond, not even later when they were married. He preferred to express his feelings with actions rather than words.
What kind of girl would that be enough for? Only a very gentle one or one who would be up to her ears in love. Theresia belonged to both groups, so she did not protest. She only repeated the question once in a while, hoping for an answer.
The days of married life passed quietly between them. As promised, William no longer allowed her to fight. Theresia didn't miss it. The voice of the Sword God was silent. Only occasionally did a sudden restlessness come over her. Then she would remind herself that she still had the blessing of the Sword Saint within her. When Wilhelm noticed this, he gently embraced her.
- Theresia...
He always knew, always saw what she wanted to hide. It made her instantly better.
- Do you love me?
It was the only question he stubbornly refused to answer.
10
As is true in life, there was a lot going on, Theresia and William had their ups and downs.
Their son, Heinkel, married a woman named Louanna. Soon Theresia became the grandmother of little Reinhard.
Two years later, disaster struck. It was no one's fault... Louanna fell ill and went into a coma. Heinkel could hardly be blamed for the grief caused by his sense of helplessness. He started drinking, ignoring everything and everyone, including his son, who needed someone close more than ever, someone to explain what was happening.
There wasn't much she could do. She felt guilty.
- I disagree! What are you thinking!? - he protested sharply.
Theresia remained adamant. She knew this was how she would react when she found out about the White Whale expedition. The world was threatened by one of the Three Great Mabeasts, so the king had summoned warriors from all over the kingdom to take part in the hunt for the monster. Theresia had only nominally been a Sword Saint for the past ten years, but now every pair of hands mattered.
She looked at William's face. He had only grown older. The gray hair had not taken away his attractiveness. A great fortitude could be seen in his gaze.
This is the face of the man I love. Who loves me.
She shook her head.
- I've already decided.
- And you didn't even talk to me about it?! Who forced you... - He interrupted. He already knew whose idea it was. He turned red with anger.
- That idiot... He has no shame...
- You have no right to say that. Neither do I.
Theresia also resented her son for forcing the king to summon the Sword Saint to fight, but she refused to blame him. Wilhelm clenched his teeth. He knew how his wife felt.
You can see he's gotten wiser with age. He understands that he can't do as he pleases because too many will suffer.
William could not accompany her on this expedition; he had duties of his own. At this time the ruling family was experiencing a terrible tragedy. The daughter of the king's brother, Lord Ford, had been kidnapped. All the Guardsmen were doing what they could to find her, and William was their commander. That was what he had to deal with now, not the White Whale, so instead of him, they turned to Theresa, who, though long out of office as Sword Saint, still had the blessing after all.
Wilhelm swore he would not let her touch the sword again. All this time he had held firmly to it. Theresia spent many years at home taking care of her family, something she had just willingly given up.
- William, do you love me?
For the first time in many years she asked the question again. She smiled. He didn't answer, just looked at her nervously.
That was what she had been waiting for. She deliberately distracted him with an uncomfortable question to hurt his shoulder. A quick movement of her hand was enough. The blessing of the Death God, which she had learned to control over the years, was going to be of great use to her now.
Wilhelm looked puzzled at the shallow wound on his shoulder.
She snuggled against his chest.
He looked at her surprised. She felt the warm j of his strong body. She kissed the wound on his shoulder.
- You can't come with me now. Your wound will stop bleeding, only if you stay away from me.
- What kind of foolishness is this! I'll follow you even if I'm wounded!
- You'd bleed out. What's the point in that? - She smiled softly and let him go. - I'm not joking. You really must not follow me. When I come back, I'll heal the wound. Everything will be fine. Have you forgotten who I am? The most powerful swordsman in the world! Right after you.
- You are breaking fifty now, it's not the same...
- Be quiet!
Twenty years of marriage and he's still a boor! He hasn't changed at all. He's still like steel.
- I love you, William.
Again silence answered her.
- Okay, that's enough. You tell me next time.
- The next time? - He furrowed his brow.
Theresia nodded.
- The next time we meet, I want to hear those words I've been waiting for all this time.
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