Zero no Tsukaima:Volume11 Chapter2

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Chapter Two: The Queen and the Duke

In the working room of the Tristania‘s royal palace, the queen was worrying alone. Because she sent a single letter to Louise in Germania before.

She was glad and felt relieved that her friend was safe, but though it did not turn out bad, she was still feeling uneasiness as well.

“Right now, for Galia, this doesn’t mean a thing…”

‘Fuh’ – she let out a long sight, just when the door was knocked.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Your Majesty.”

It was musketeer commander Agnes.

“Aah, you came at a right time, commander.”

Henrietta stood up and opened the door. Hard as steel, prideful Agnes and a few of her troops stood there. The queen showed a thankful expression on her face.

“Please choose a few trusted subordinates and get ready to go.“

“We are prepared to leave anytime. Your Majesty only has to tell us where.”

Interrupted by one of Agnes’s eager soldiers, Henrietta gave a slight smile.

“To La Valieres, then. Since it is an informal visit, please prepare a suited coach too.”

“Does something worry you?”

Agnes, noticing Henrietta’s tired face, asked without leaving the room.

“Yes. The letter that came from Louise.”

“It’s alright – she safely rescued that Galian princess.”

“That’s not it. She wrote that she will respectfully take any punishment I will deem to be necessarily. Does this child do not understand how worried she makes me?”

“Are you not going to punish her?”

Henrietta became silent.

“Was there an official protest from Galia?”

Henrietta shook her head.

“Then the only crimes would be breaking out of the prison and crossing a border without permission. No, because Galia was acting seditious lately, having a former royal family at a hand would not be politically bad at all. So benefits equal the losses. Therefore, how about settling with giving no rewards and no punishments?”

“You are kind, commander.”

“You Majesty, why did you insist on passing the judgment at La Valiere’s house?

“I wanted to publicly show, that regardless that she is my friend, the justice will be given equally.”

Agnes watched Henrietta with gentle eyes.

“You are overdoing it, Your Majesty. The court will be witnessed by the noble family members.”

“For that reason, I need to show the firm attitude.”

Henrietta, in a gesture of thoughtful fastidious girl, bit her lip. Agnes pulled out her sword with ease.

“I am Your Majesty’s sword. Just order me and I will serve you with this sword. Yet, I am sword and the shield. Whenever the danger will happen, I will shield Your Majesty with this body of mine. However, how many of those court nobles are Your Majesty’s swords and shields? Reliable in need, with ethics and reason of a simple servicewoman like me, a person, who would be completely devoted to Your Majesty. No matter what happens, they do not doubt you and have a heart of steel. If you have such friends – value them dearly, Your Majesty.”

Hearing Agnes’s words, Henrietta bit her lip. Her restless fingers started fiddling with the cloth of her skirt.

“But I agree with Your Majesty, only remission without discipline is no good. In this case, I will trust Your Majesty’s judgment. Then how about repaying for that little unpaid work from before?”

Henrietta shifted uneasily.

“We need everyone’s consent.”

“And how many from those ‘everyone’ could equal them in their noble deed?”

Henrietta became silent.

“It is everyone's answer.”

Agnes bowed and went out of the working room to prepare queen’s carriage. Left alone, Henrietta watched the letter from Louise.

Then she made a face that was about to cry.

“Everyone are just so selfish! Person's heart is a mystery! Not just me, the father, the whole family!”

After spewing out all the angry words, Henrietta pressed the letter against her heart. Besides, there was something she needed to talk with Louise’s family about. It was really saddening.

However, the first thing she needed to do was to express her gratitude for her friends safety, Henrietta thought.

“I am glad you are alright. Thank you, Founder Brimir, for brining my friend back, safe and sound.“

After leaving the working room, Agnes went to the stable to prepare the horses. Then she went towards the musketeers building nearside, and, after calling the vice-commander of the troops, gave her the instructions on what to do during her absence. It didn’t take long to finish the preparations. And now, riding the horse, she passed under the castle gates.

There, waiting for Agnes, stood a man, whose face was hidden by the deep hood.

Seeing the man, Agnes stopped her horse next to him.

“We’ll be heading to La Vallieres. You must come as well.”

“You did not bring me here to put me into the prison?”

Man’s hood moved. Colbert’s honest face appeared from there.

“There was no prison escape with your help.”

“What?”

“We can’t it be publicly known that one could escape from the prison with the help of just two people.”

Agnes had a displeased look on her face. Colbert sheepishly bowed.

“But why to take me to the La Valieres?”

“You don’t want to meet your pupils?”

Hearing those words, Colbert’s face lit up.

“Ah! Then they must have succeeded! I am so glad! Ahaha, I am really glad!”

Agnes called the subordinate musketeer to prepare Colbert's horse. After that, with the rest of the musketeers, they waited for queen’s carriage in front of castle gates.