The Duke’s Daughter Is the Knight Captain’s (62) Young Wife - Chapter 74

Chapter 74

CHAPTER 74: WILHELM-SAMA, DEPARTING FOR WAR

「Chivalric Order, march! 」

「Waaaaaaaah~! 」

Today was the day Wilhelm-sama would lead the Chivalric Order to war .
The royal capital’s central square was packed with people since morning, the crowd seeing off the knights who were departing for war .
Although they were reinforcement for the Empire, it had been around a decade since a large-scale army was sent out like this . The Order had been out on skirmishes with other nations, suppressing bandits, and the like . But it had been a while since they were being deployed outside the country .
And so, with the thought of wanting to have a little look like this, people gathered around to see the brave figures of the knights .
Which included me as well .

「……Wilhelm-sama」

At the front, leading all the knights along the central square was Wilhelm-sama . Right behind him were the officers who were present in my first lecture, such as Vice-captain Victor and Battalion Commander Alexander .
A military strength of five thousand, the men’s Order—the Order of the Black Iron’s entire force .
It was said that the whole army would depart for war, leaving the royal capital’s defense to the Order of the Snow . As expected, five thousand knights marching in rows really felt majestic .
Though they were going as reinforcement, their morale was high since they were heading out in a large scale .

Wilhelm-sama fixed his gaze ahead and led his horse forward, not taking notice of the spectators waving their hands around him .
It was a dignified appearance .
But I only had one wish .
Wilhelm-sama, please, please, come back alive .

「Carol, it is dangerous to lean too far」

「……Forgive me, Father」

How could I be this selfish?
The other day, Wilhelm-sama promised to marry me .
Even so, on this day—even when I was now seeing Wilhelm-sama off to war, it saddened me to be apart from him like this .
But I just…I just…want to be by his side .
That was all .
My distance from Wilhelm-sama was infinitely far .
It was to the extent where I thought—if I could, I also want to head to war on that horse with him .

「It will be all right, Carol」

「……Mother」

「Wilhelm-sama said he will definitely come back . Then, Carol should believe in those words and wait . Wilhelm-sama has never broken any of his promises」

「……Yes」

It was not that I did not believe in Wilhelm-sama .
But this was war . No one could tell what would happen .
Nobody could guarantee Wilhelm-sama’s life .
The slowly advancing Wilhelm-sama…
I stood on tiptoe and stretched my neck as much as I could, to see that figure even a little .
Thinking that, if possible, I would like for Wilhelm-sama to take notice .

「Uun……I cannot see him very well」

「Ojou-sama」

「What is it, Natalia? 」

「If you want, shall I carry you on my shoulders? This way, Wilhelm-sama may be able to notice you」

「Great idea! 」

I agreed to Natalia’s wonderful suggestion .
I am short in stature; it would be difficult for Wilhelm-sama to see me . But if I sit on the tall Natalia’s shoulders, Wilhelm-sama would easily see me .
I shall seize the opportunity, then .

「Then, Ojou-sama, please climb on」

「All right, Natalia . I am relying on you」

「Then, I am standing up」

I sat on Natalia’s shoulders, and then Natalia stood up .
To my surprise, it was higher than I expected .
Everyone in the crowd could only see above their heads . Just that high .
And I was in a higher position than everyone else . In that spot, I waved with all my might .
I waved both my hands in wide arcs and saw Natalia in a fluster .
Forgive me, but I could not stop .

Wilhelm-sama was still looking forward .
He did not notice . What should I do?
Oh! Vice-captain Victor noticed . I waved my hands with all my might .
Vice-captain Victor nudged Wilhelm-sama . Wilhelm-sama slightly turned and was told of something .
And then .

Our eyes met .
At last, he finally looked over here .

「Ooh! 」

There were a lot of people here . They seemed to have gathered from all over the capital .
And yet, Wilhelm-sama was looking at me… among the many people who were here, only me .
What should I do? It made me happy all of a sudden .
I frantically waved at him .
Wilhelm-sama smiled and waved back .
Our feelings connected .

And then, Wilhelm-sama tapped his chest with his thumb .
For the others, how would they understand that gesture of Wilhelm-sama?
It might seem like he was filled with confidence, saying leave it to me .
But to me, it was different .
Only I understood what he truly meant .

I have firmly etched our promise in my heart—was what Wilhelm-sama was conveying with his action .

Aah .
Could there be so much happiness?
Wilhelm-sama and I, I and Wilhelm-sama . We were connected .

「Wilhelm-samaaa! 」

I shouted without thought .
But in any case, my voice got drowned out by the loud cheering .
Still, Wilhelm-sama nodded .
My voice had properly reached him .
My feelings had properly reached him .

「Carol will wait! No matter how long! Until Wilhelm-sama comes back! 」

I shouted so from the bottom of my heart .
For it to reach Wilhelm-sama .
I would always, always wait for Wilhelm-sama . No matter how long, even for eternity .

「I will wait! For the day you will make me your wife! 」

「Carol—!? 」

At the head of the Chivalric Order, Wilhelm-sama exclaimed so .