Vol.1 Ch.5: Another Night in Italica
In the guest room of the House of Formal, Empress Victoria writes a note and passes it to one of her guards, "Take this to Alnus Hill, Marshal Von Moltke will know what to do." The guard nodded and takes his leave. Meanwhile, she hears a knock on the door and there's Countess Formal peeking from it. She enters the room and does a small curtsy, "My my, what brings you here Countess Formal?" The empress asks. "Umm, you wouldn't mind if I invite you for tea in the garden?" The young countess wants to spend time with the empress, without hesitation, the empress replied, "Sure, shall we?" She holds the countess' tiny hand and walks down the hallway with her.
When they arrived at the garden, the countess leads the empress to her seat as a maid prepares a new spot of tea. Looking around the environment, Empress Victoria is amused by the colourful view of flowers, "Did you plant these flowers? They are so vibrant in colour." "Normally they are under my maids' care. This garden is made by my father," Countess Formal continues, "My father was a very generous man, he believed that civilization would eventually learn to respect each other regardless of their race. That's why he accepted people to his household without giving many thoughts on their backgrounds." "I am proud that you have such a good father." The maid passes out a small plate of sweets and preserved fruits for them with a cup of light herb tea, the empress thanks the maid and tastes a piece of preserved sugar-apple, "Hmm, not too sweet nor sour. Perfect match with this cup of tea." The countess giggles as they spend a wonderful afternoon.
Later at Alnus Hill. "The empress will be in grave danger! We must mobilize our troops to Italica and bring her back!" "No no no! The grand duchess has already told us we have a conditioned contract with that city, we can't enact conflicts with it!" "Then what we are going to do?! If the Kaiserin dies, who will lead us and the grand empire of ours?!" While the generals are debating whatever to rescue Empress Victoria, Grand duchess Alexandra is in pain as those noises are disturbing her, she stands up from her chair and slams her palms on the wooden desk, "Can you all just shut up FOR THE SAKE OF CIRI?!" Within a second, they are silent and she collapses on to her chair. "Gentlemen, I understand your feelings but the last words from the empress said that she will be fine. She is the daughter of Ciri, if ever a scavenger tried to harm her, they shall be cursed." Suddenly, Marshal Von Moltke enters the room with a paper note in his hand. "Your Grace," he bows to her and continues, "I have great news and bad news. The bad news is her majesty is in Italica right now, the good news is, she is fine and under the care of House Formal, she will return by tomorrow afternoon." With these words, the generals sigh in relief as the grand duchess ask, "So, did she make any arrangements or notice to you?" "Nothing, just orders to pick her up tomorrow." Taking his leave, he arrives at the cavalry depot and meets an officer in black, "Here is the paper from her majesty, your battalion will deploy tomorrow to escort her." "Understood, right on it sir." The officer returns to the building and gathers her regiment, "Alright ladies, we got our first job to do under a royal notice."
Night falls, Princess Pina gathers Bozes and Panache in her room. "Bozes, Panache, do you know that you just challenged the ruler of the Grand Germania Empire her imperial majesty herself? God bless us that her guards didn't get hurt as well as you, otherwise this is a violation to our treaty." The two knights regrate in silence. "Imagine that the power posses on her imperial army which can defeat a flame dragon for all I care! So if you try to declare war on them you better think twice. Otherwise the empire fall!" With those words, Bozes apologizes immediately, "I'm sorry..." In a moment of silence, the princess suddenly stated, "It is on you to apologize her personally, you have to offer your body to her." Bozes is in shock as she heard. "I know is degrading, but you will do whatever it takes." With these words, Bozes is in tension as Panache looks at her worriedly.
Later that night, Empress Victoria is reading a book about demi-humans, then there's Bozes in her lace lingerie nightdress stops in front of the door. Before she knocks the door, she hesitates, "As a daughter born into a noble household, I am prepared for this. But... but of all things, that I'll be ordered to offer my body to the ruler of our enemy's empire." She starts to weep but holds her tears, "This is for the sake of milady and the empire." She takes a deep breath and knocks on the door, as the empress responds, she comes in and closes the door behind her. Empress Victoria is surprised that one of the commanders of the Rose-order come to visit her, "So, what brought you here Miss Palesti? You have trouble with sleeping?" Bozes walks to the side of her bed and takes a small bow, "I am here to apologize, your majesty, for after what I have done today by challenging you into a duel." The empress shuts her book and smiled at her, "Don't put this too heavy in your heart, after all, we were strangers at the beginning, but after that duel, I think I have a liking to you." Bozes is surprised by what she said. "Please do sit, you don't have to stand all this time."
As she sits next to the empress on her bedside, she continued, "You have such talent on swordsmanship, I am astonished that her highness created this order by her own will." Bozes smiles, "Her royal highness is a person full of determinations, as we were trained to be soldiers, the other nobles laughed at us as we young girls that should not be dressed or do as the boys did. But after years, we became official knights but as a decoration to the empire." "So the order never went to battles or missions in the past?" As Empress Victoria asked, Bozes continued, "Yes, however, during the war between your empire her highness received permission from the Emporer, we are sent as an expedition force to Alnus Hill, that is the first mission ever we had." After the whole story, she turns to her with blushing cheeks, "Your majesty, as an apology, would you accept to offer my body to you?" With these words and some awkward silence, the empress laughs so hard that she bursts into tears, Bozes is confused. "My my, did the princess told you to beguile me? Oh my, my stomach hurts." After she calms down, she holds Bozes' hands and said, "As a maiden knight, we can call ourselves as sisters. But at this moment, you are just like a sister to me." Bozes starts to weep and hugs her, "Your majesty... no, sister..." With a relief, Empress Victoria hugs her back to comfort her.