Editing Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter4

“Now, did you just say ‘Void’?”

That night...the queen, enclosed in the living room of the La Vallière house, confessed a secret.

The duke La Vallière was sitting wordlessly in front of the fireplace, watching the flame burn. Next to the father, two elder sisters were listening carefully with a serious looks on their faces.

Karin Desiree was there too, she changed her mantle back to her usual duchess dress. The sharpness of the eyes that fearsome knight of Heavy Wind had, also disappeared somewhere. An indescribably quick change.

Louise’s and Saito’s friends – Guiche, Kirche and others, due to Henrietta’s request, were taking a rest in the room nearby. 

Saito and Louise themselves were sitting together on the sofa, nervously fiddling their fingers. Because Saito was severely injured by Karin’s wind magic, some body parts of his were covered in bondages. Even Henrietta’s water spells could not cure him completely.

Henrietta, who sat in the top seat, gave a strong nod.

“That’s right. Louise’s awoken element... is the legendary element of ‘Void’.”

The duke La Vallière, fiddled with his mustache for a while, then stood up slowly and approached his daughter.

Then he gently patted Louise's head.

“Such fairy-tale thing is hard to believe. Void element disappeared from the history long time ago. And only religious theology still asserted that ‘it existed’...”

Karin’s sharp eyes shone as she made a small cough.

“I believe it.”

“Karin.”

“My spell was canceled by Louise’s spell today...It started to shine even though I could not see any explosion. Was that the ‘Void’, Louise?”

Louise nodded.

“It is so, mother.”

“Hmm...”

The duke La Vallière fell silent. Eléonore fell down on the floor.

“Void... You – void? It’s impossible to believe...”

Cattleya stood up and began to look after her elder sister.

Henrietta continued talking.

“I myself could not believe it as well. However, it is true. "Void" returned and it’s not just Louise who controls it.”

The family members felt silent again.

It felt like silence lasted for an eternity. 

Finally, the duke La Vallière broke the silence.

“I would like to hear the intentions of Her Majesty’s visit.”

Taking a deep breath, as if finally setting her mind on something, Henrietta looked straight at the duke La Vallière.

“Please entrust Louise to me.”

“She is my daughter. Her body and the mind are dedicated to you, Your Majesty.”

“There’s no need for such formality.”

Henrietta motioned to Agnes.

Then Agnes nodded and opened the big leather bag at her side and took the black mantle out. Duke La Vallière’s eyes widened when he saw the crest shaped Lily on the purple lining.

“This is Royal family crest... young Marinanne used to wear this mantle!”

“Louise, you were already given the punishment for illegally crossing the national borders.”

“Y-yes!”

“Wear this.”

“B-but this...”

“Yes. Wearing this, you’ll become my sister. In other words – you will be the second successor to the throne.”

“G-g-g-gracious. Or should I say too gracious...”

“You, your power is too great. This is a huge responsibility for one’s shoulders, and the obligation to help the country this way will be remembered twice as much.”

Henrietta watched Louise with stern eyes. On wobbly legs, like frog bitten by snake, Louise received it.

Duke La Vallière’s mouth opened wide to this unexpected Louise’s promotion.

“Your Majesty, I wish to express my gratitude for such warm reception of my daughter. No, even the biggest gratitude, cannot compare to such warm reception. However, there is something I’d like to ask Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“Does Your Majesty know what to do with this legendary power that my daughter has? Indeed, "Void "is a legend. It even was able to cancel Karin's magic, so that power is considerably strong. Did you use it in a war of the recent war campaign?”

“This...I will reflect it deeply.”

“My daughter is neither a cannon ball nor a flaming arrow. If some bad things are done to my daughter, Your Majesty...”

“Then?”

“Then, alas, I will throw away the history of serving the Royal family for years, and cross wands with you.”

It was not the duke but the father sympathizing with his daughter. Seeing that, Saito’s chest began to throb.

Hearing such duke’s words. Agnes tried to pull out her sword. Henrietta stopped her.

“Then, I myself, have a question for the duke. For you as an old time noble and the protector of this country’s pride and dignity.”

“Yes?”

“Why does war happen? We who are wise, who reign over other lord’s creations, who are more outstanding than mythical beasts and demi-humans - what for do the same family members fight against each other?”

“...”

“On countless occasions wars happened. With our own eyes we see our important people being injured or die. I too, caused a war blinded by revenge. The result – not only important for me people, but many other people died... parents, children, brothers and friends were lost. I myself am carrying the crime that can never be taken off my shoulders.”

“...You are not responsible for that war, Your Majesty.”

“No, under my name, everyone fought, got injured, died. If I myself don’t shoulder it, who will?”

Henrietta deeply lowered her head.

“I want to use Louise's power... for something right. But how should I do, if I can’t even understand the current myself yet? However, I do not intend to use it to fight. Please believe that, duke.”

“I fear Your Majesty, that even if there is no intention to use it to fight, sooner or later time will come when it will be necessarily to use it anyway. No, such strong power attracts people.”

“It is as duke says. Now, other countries are active behind the scenes too. I want a strong power for those who try to take us. I want to put it in a hand, because I want to defend Louise from such fellows.”

“It’s exactly why I feel uneasy. There are enemies who want strong power. What if it is only words Your Majesty?  Now you say you are determined, but who can guarantee it doesn't change sometime? Is there something with which Your Majesty's determination can be proven?”

Henrietta veiled her eyes embarrassed. She tried to think of something to prove her way, and gave a deep sigh. 

“There is no. I will be honest, even I do not fully believe in myself. Therefore, there is no way to prove it.”

After that, Henrietta smiled. It is not a careworn, but a sincere smile that touches every person who saw it.

“Therefore I... would not want a friend whom I cannot completely trust nearside. I want a true friend who could point out my mistakes. A friend who, when seeing me straying from the path of virtue, would not hesitate to turn her wand against me...”

The old duke watched Henrietta. For a while, after looking deep into her eyes, he returned the glance back to Louise.

“Didn’t you tell your father before, that ‘the awoken element is fire’? Was that a lie?”

Louise nodded in shame. 

“It was something like that, father.”

“It is alright Louise. But it should be the first and the last time you told your father lies.” 

Then, duke turned back to Henrietta,

“I am an old aristocrat. An old-fashioned elderly person. Somewhat, when I was young, things were simple. Loyal with honor and pride, defending only it, and there was no worry to be scorned by anyone. However... the times are different now. Now, since the power of the legend revived - old justice, old sense of values... they all might lose their meaning.”

The duke looked at Henrietta, like at his daughter.

“Your Majesty said before, that you ‘cannot believe in yourself’. Such doubting mind... is the best guide to enter the brighter future.”

“Father-sama.”

Louise ran up and clung to her father.

“You are growing Louise. My Louise. This father thought will stay the same forever. However, you already started your own life.”

Father gently patted his daughter's head.

“Just father’s garrulity. Devotion is to point out mistakes. And... the courage is to admit them. True courage. Louise, do not forget. My little Louise.”

“...Father.”

“Whenever you are in trouble, always return here. Because here is your home.”

Duke kissed Louise’s forehead and quietly pushed her away. Then he deeply bowed to Henrietta.

“Take care of this inexperienced daughter of mine. I pray the founder’s divine protection for the road you walk.”

For a while silence followed the words...then Duchess Karin clapped hands.

“Karin.”

“The long story seems to have ended. Though it is late, let’s prepare for the dinner. Though is a poor way to entertain You Majesty, who comes all the way here, please attend. Louise, call your friends and come; Cattleya, Eléonore, please continue your favors as host.”

Like gracious soldier from the past, Karin briskly left the room.

Following her, two elder sisters left. Then Louise went to call Guiche and others..

When Saito also tried to go, he was stopped by Henrietta.

“...Princess.”

Though Henrietta’s face clouded for a moment, she still was able to force a smile.

“I apologize.”

Saito’s cheeks dyed red and he looked down.

“No... there is no reason to. I did a selfish thing to begin with.”

“Courageous gentlemen are like wild falcons and stallions. They say ‘I am going’, and they go without turning back.”

Henrietta received the mantle received from Agnes and handed it to Saito. Chevalier's crest was sewn up on it – it was knight‘s mantle.

“Take it back. What the queen gave once - cannot be returned.”

“But...”

Saito hesitated.

“This is not the chain that binds you. These are the wings for falcon. It won’t hurt you to wear it.”

Henrietta said. Saito nodded and received the mantle.

Henrietta watched with tenderly smiling eyes as Saito put the mantle on. 

The look in her eyes surprised Saito for moment.

The fever in her eyes that she used to show for Saito recently, now was gone.

Instead, it was a pair of lonely... very lonely but determined eyes, that understood their resolution. 

When Henrietta drew her mouth to Saito's ear, and silently whispered.

“Calm down. It’s not the face you should show to the queen.”

“Eh?”

Abruptly, Henrietta extended her left hand. He won’t make mistake this time. Saito, feeling slightly nervous, gently took the offered hand and pulled it to his lips.

Then Henrietta gave a happy smile and left the room.

Like a shadow, Agnes followed her.

The meaning behind Henrietta’s words left hanging. However he could not understand it well somehow. No, it was not love. Something different.

Something different.

As I thought, it was just her momentarily loneliness.  That’s why she depended on me this much. That’s ok. But those words just now, what meaning did they carry?

Though she was a little lonely, Henrietta was still prideful.

When Saito tried to leave as well, he was called to stop by the duke La Vallière duke who stayed last.

“Wait.”

Saito trembled. A cold shiver went down his spine. Somehow he had a bad feeling about this.

In his mind he revived the recent event in the courtyard. 

He saw him pushing Louise down in the shallop, and ordered to behead him. Maybe he, as Louise’s papa, person with high position, doesn't remember commoner's face?
  However, circumstances are circumstances. Somehow he could guess that he made an indelible impression back then. Maybe at least, Louise’s mama, Karin was not there long enough to remember? 

“Incidentally, I have not heard your name.”

“S-Saito. I am Saito Chevalier De Hiraga.”

Saito added the title to his name. Maybe he would not be treated with suspicion this way.

“It’s our first meeting.”

After these duke’s the La Vallière words, Saito could only feel a great relief inside.

I'm so glad. I won‘t be necessary killed. F-Founder Brimir-sama, thank you... Saito dedicated his deepest gratitude to the founder in whom he did not believe.

“Yes. It’s our first meeting after you became Chevalier.”

In a single moment, Saito was thrown from heaven down to the depths of hell. The duke La Vallière, placed a hand on Saito's shoulder.

“Calm down. I cannot order to behead Her Majesty's knight of imperial guards.

“T-thank you very much!”

“However, how about a little practice before the dinner?”

The duke grasped Saito's shoulder, with such strength, that a man of his age could not posses.

“Ouch! Aiiiiiiii!”

“So that your body remembers whose daughter you are trying to wolf away.”

Duke dragged Saito away.