The Duke’s Daughter Is the Knight Captain’s (62) Young Wife - Chapter 73

Chapter 73

CHAPTER 73: PROMISE

「Then, Carol . I shall take my leave」

「Y…Y-Y-Ye…Y-Yes……」

I was too surprised by what Wilhelm-sama said that I ended up stuttering .
For me, it was like a groundbreaking event happened . Yet why are you so calm, Wilhelm-sama?
I could only stare at the back of Wilhelm-sama who turned and went away .
And when Wilhelm-sama turned the corner and his back could no longer be seen, my knees gave away and I plopped down to the ground .
Was this a dream?

「O-Ojou-sama……? 」

「Natalia……」

「Y-Yes? 」

「Could you hit me……? 」

「Why, Ojou-sama?! 」

Not understanding my meaning, Natalia could only cry out .
But I only wanted to make sure it was not a dream . I pinched my own cheek but felt no pain at all, too elated to feel it .
So this dream…was really not a dream?
From Wilhelm-sama’s own mouth, he said he…l-l-l-loved me—!

「……」

I stood up .
And with wobbly steps, went inside the manor’s entrance . Richard and Mary seemed to be saying something by the entrance, but I still felt like I was lightly floating and heard nothing .
I walked to my room like that . Climbing the stairs, passing through the corridor, and walking through the door . All throughout, I felt like I was floating on air .
Then, I finally reached my room .
Onto the bed I dove straight .

「U-Um, Ojou-sama」

「……What…is it? 」

「It is almost time for dinner……」

「Please tell them I would not eat……」

In such a state, I would not be able to swallow some dinner .
It was too shocking that I somehow could not wrap my mind around it . A lot of things happened, and my mind was in a complete chaos .
I had said time and again that I had been yearning for Wilhelm-sama for a long, long time .

The Wilhelm-sama who, after confessing to him at the evening party, just stared at me like he did not know what I was talking about .
The Wilhelm-sama who, despite trying to refuse my marriage proposal at the garrison, held me close when I was in a pinch .
The Wilhelm-sama who ate the packed lunch I brought with relish .
The Wilhelm-sama who saved me from Robert’s clutches and carried me back home .

「Aah……」

The Wilhelm-sama who offered for me to be a temporary lecturer at the Order .
The Wilhelm-sama who, despite his busyness, rushed over when His Highness came to our house .
The Wilhelm-sama who fed me when we were eating out today .
And then—the Wilhelm-sama who told me he loved me .
Various perspectives, various scenes, and various Wilhelm-sama flashed in my head .

But .
Wilhelm-sama was going to war .
I would not know how the battle would progress . I would not be able to know how tough it would be .
He said he might lose his life .

But .
But, but, but .
Wilhelm-sama said—“Once I come back from war, let us get married” .
He acknowledged me as his fiancée .
He decided to be together with me .
Was there any such happiness besides this?

「O-Ojou-sama……」

「Natalia, that is all for today……I would like to be left alone……」

「B-But……」

My tears came pouring out one after the other . It was not out of anxiety, sorrow, despair, nor dread that Wilhelm-sama might go to war .


It was out of great joy for being accepted by Wilhelm-sama .
Therefore…
Though I wet my sheets and dyed my pillow with tears, my lips could not stop from breaking into a smile .
Was this what they meant by “a heart is full”?

「Ah! 」

However, I suddenly realized .
My head whipped up . My eyes opened wide .
I forgot something important .
Wilhelm-sama told me he loved me . He proposed that once he returns from war, we would marry .
And all I could do was be stunned speechless .
No .
It must not remain like this .
As a lady, I must properly accept the confession of love I received and, in turn, must confess my love .
Then, what are you being in a daze for, Carol Ambrose?!

「Natalia! 」

「Y-Yes? 」

「I will leave immediately! Please come with me! 」

「Eh? Um…did something……? 」

I ran .
I threw the door open and rushed out into the corridor . I heard Natalia call out 「Ojou-sama—! 」from behind me . But it was all right . I am slow-footed, so Natalia would soon catch up to me .
Right now, I must give a proper response . If I do not—!

「Carol, what are you……」

「I am going out for a bit, Mother! 」

「The dinner……」

Passing by my mother, I continued to run . Right now, there was something more important than dinner .
I resolutely ran through the corridor and rushed down the stairs .

「Oof!? 」

I lost my footing and fell on my bottom .
Down the stairs I went—with my bottom hitting the every step . My bottom was throbbing, but I was able to quickly descend the stairs . So all was well .
Enduring the throbbing of my backside, I proceeded to the front doors .

「What are you doing, Carol! 」

「Father! I am going out! 」

「What on earth is going on! 」

I ignored my father’s words .
There was a matter I must first take care of . I must catch up to Wilhelm-sama before he could go back home .
Passing the front doors and through the gates, I ran further down the street .
I lifted the hem of my skirt which was hard to run in . I knew it was improper to show my feet .
But if I could, I would even want to take off my shoes which were hard to run in .

「Ojou-sama—! 」

I heard Natalia’s voice nearby .
She was truly following well . Then, it was fine .
Now, let us see which direction Wilhelm-sama went to .
He was surely just around the street . Could it be he was currently heading towards the garrison?
Then, I would race him there .

「Oof! 」

I tripped over my own feet and tipped forward .
I fell face first into to the ground . It hurt . I hit my nose .
Would my nose be bleeding? That aside, my face was smudged with mud . But there was no time to wipe it off .
I seemed to have scraped my knee, and it slightly hurt . But it did not matter .
—I ran .

「Ojou-sama, what is the matter! 」

「I must…catch up…with Wilhelm-sama……! 」

「Why!? 」

Smoothly ignoring Natalia’s question, I focused my all on running .
At this rate, I was worried if I would be able to catch up . But all I could do was run .
I ran through the streets, passing through a crowd throwing me strange looks .
Until finally—I found that back .

「Wilhelm-sama! 」

「Hm……? 」

Shoulders twitched at the sound of my voice, and Wilhelm-sama turned around .
On the perpetually masculine features was a look of question .
Wilhelm-sama probably disliked a woman with such a disgraceful appearance, with a face smudged with mud .
But then .
If I miss my chance now—there might not be any more opportunities .

「W-What happened, Carol? 」

「Wilhelm…sama……! 」

「H-Hmm……? 」

I approached Wilhelm-sama, who looked bewildered, and took his hand .
With a muddy face, in muddy clothes, and holding down my ragged breaths, I steadily looked up at Wilhelm-sama .

「I…as…well! 」

「Y-Yes……? 」

「I as well! I love you, Wilhelm-sama! 」

I would be soiling Wilhelm-sama’s clothes once again . This time not with tears, but with mud .
Still, I firmly held onto his waist .
I, too, would firmly express my feelings .

「Please! This Carol! Please take as your wife! 」

Muddy face with muddy clothes, dripping with sweat, and covered in scratches .
Still, I properly confessed my feelings .

「All right」

Wilhelm-sama nodded, and gently stroked my head— .