Chapter 67: Departure Ceremony

That strange feeling tickled her heart again whenever Damian stood beside her.

“I’ll write and send you letters often.”

Once again, something stirred deep within her chest.

“You really are so tearful. Anyone would think I’m going off to die. When you act like this, how am I supposed to walk away?”

“It’s not that… it’s just windy. And please don’t say things like that. Lady Shasha is here with us. Do you know how bad that kind of talk is for a child’s emotions? It could scare her.”

“Scare her?”

Damian chuckled and pointed to Princess Charlotte, who was mid-yawn. She didn’t even cover her mouth, and then awkwardly scratched the back of her head with a grin.

“She doesn’t seem the least bit concerned. When I return, I should find her a new etiquette teacher. Look, she doesn’t show a shred of princess-like grace.”

“What am I supposed to do when I’m sleepy?”

“Charlotte, like I said last time—don’t be such a handful.”

“Hmph. But Sister said she likes me.”

Boom!

A second cannon blast thundered from the warship, signaling preparations for departure. Damian turned to check, lightly pressing his index finger to Princess Charlotte’s forehead.

“Take care of her.”

He didn’t need to say who he meant—Edelweiss already knew he was talking about Princess Charlotte.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Though his tone wasn’t particularly gentle, his affection for Princess Charlotte was clear, and Edelweiss nodded.

Boom!

A third cannon blast rang out from the warship.

Damian’s expression hardened.

“It’s time.”

Edelweiss bent her knee slightly, holding her dress and bowing her waist.

“Thanks to Your Highness defending the coast of Rejenoel, we are able to live in peace.”

It was the same salute as before. Following Edelweiss, Princess Charlotte and the other onlookers paid the same respect.

As Grand Admiral of the navy, it was simply the fulfillment of his duty—permission to raise their heads was denied.

Because it was the same salute, she thought he would give the same reply as last time. Yet Damian’s response was completely different from what Edelweiss expected.

“…..Your Highness?”

He quietly took Edelweiss’s hand and brought it to his forehead.

Warmth spread from his fingertips, and the weight of it made her heart pound.

Edelweiss instinctively held her breath and stared at him.

There wasn’t the slightest tremor in his eyes.

“I will guard that peace—and keep it forever.”

He then knelt on one knee, closing his eyes for a moment. Apart from the Emperor, naval officers never bowed their heads—especially before their assembled soldiers.

Yet he acted as though they were the only two people in that place.

Bringing someone’s hand to one’s forehead signified complete submission.

Those who understood its meaning blinked rapidly at Damian in disbelief.

“So that’s why the Grand Admiral hurried to marry.”

“Live long enough and you see everything.” They whispered among themselves.

Even Edelweiss felt as if she were dreaming.

“…..What—”

Damian pressed a kiss to the back of Edelweiss’s hand and let it go, then turned and walked away.

“My intensive education worked, right? He’s a real person now!” Princess Charlotte whistled and joked. Edelweiss laughed back at her, then watched until the warship had fully left the harbor.

Fortunately, the fog that had blurred their sight slowly lifted, and the sky was clearing.

***

The blue night sea heaved as though holding its breath.

At the very prow of the warship gliding over the dark waves, Damian stood.

From the torn sleeve of his left arm, the dried blood’s metallic scent drifted on the cold sea wind.

He’d left it unattended so the handkerchief Edelweiss embroidered wouldn’t get soiled.

Why was he cherishing that little handkerchief so much, letting his heart be entangled by it?

Finding his own behavior puzzling, Damian let out a faint chuckle.

Through the darkness came the powerful beat of wings, ringing in his ears.

He raised his head absently. A hawk circling low in the sky landed straight upon his shoulder, its talons harder than cold metal.

A strip of white ribbon secured a sheet of parchment neatly to its leg.

For an instant his body stiffened.

‘…..Edelweiss?’

The soft scent of jasmine clinging to the ribbon chased away the smell of blood; she flashed into his mind at once.

Damian lightly clenched his left hand, then dazedly reached out his right to untie the ribbon.

He unfolded the parchment fluttering in the sea breeze. The jasmine fragrance deepened, as if Edelweiss were beside him.

Inside were lines of neat, tightly written script.

「Dear Prince Damian,

It has already been two months since your departure. I have heard news of your victory. I hope you have not been hurt.

Lady Shasha has grown another span in height. She seems to sprout taller by the day. Lately she appears to have given up teaching Elba how to somersault.

Instead, she is trying to train him to catch feed tossed into the air; I’m not sure that will succeed.

Elba simply doesn’t understand. I can already see Lady Shasha growing weary as she demonstrates it herself.

You don’t have to write back. I’ll simply keep praying for Your Highness’s safe return.

Farewell.

—Edelweiss Oberlin Blossomweaver Lorendel.』

Damian only now realized that two months had already passed. It felt like Edelweiss, with her worried gaze at the departure ceremony, was still right in front of him.

Though he had gone to the battlefield countless times, he had never once received a letter like this.

He had seen others rejoice when receiving letters from family, but at the time, he hadn’t quite understood the feeling.

Now he did.

Now he knew why they risked their lives out here—

so that their families could enjoy one more day of peace.

Hearing about such an ordinary, peaceful day—how could one not smile?

He could clearly picture Edelweiss’s face, lovingly watching over Charlotte and writing the letter by hand.

Even Princess Charlotte’s noisy voice, yelling while trying to train the parrot, echoed like a phantom in his ears.

For the first time, Damian didn’t feel that this moment was wasted.

Because the peace of those two had been protected.

Before now, everything had only ever been duty.

Just then—

He heard cautious footsteps approaching.

Without hesitation, Damian drew the pistol at his waist and aimed it at the intruder’s head. He was just short of pulling the trigger.

“Admiral!”

It was his aide, Kyle. The worn silver epaulets on his shoulders trembled as he stood at attention, heels clicking together.

“What is it?”

Damian lowered the pistol and gave a slight nod.

“Your Highness… might I suggest treating your left arm?”

Kyle’s voice carried hesitation but also unwavering loyalty and concern.

Damian kept his gaze on the parchment and spoke quietly.

“I’m fine. See to the more serious cases first. And… handle the fallen properly. Preserve the remains, and make sure they’re returned to the families with their dog tags.”

“But—”

Though they had won, the battle had left many wounded and fallen.

This kind of injury could be treated at any time. It wasn’t like he had lost the use of his arm.

“Major Kyle.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t make me say it twice.”

The short, firm command made Kyle fall silent. He bowed and stepped back.

Only the sound of waves remained.

Maybe because he had left it untreated, the pain in Damian’s left arm was growing stronger over time.

He clenched his teeth hard and took a deep breath, trying to suppress the pain.

But it didn’t ease.

So he thought of her.

‘Edelweiss.’

Saying her name made his chest feel tight and suffocated.

At the same time, the pain in his left arm felt oddly clearer—

Was it the name, twisting in his head, that caused such discomfort?

A headache rose from the tangled mess of emotions he couldn’t define.

He had never said it aloud, but—

Damian had known Edelweiss even before they met.