Chapter 19

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12 Years is a Long Time

(Hildea’s POV)

I was really surprised for a moment, but seeing the boy’s serious face, I suddenly felt nervous without realizing it.

‘What does he want from me? What is he going to say?’

However, the words Gabriel said were more than I expected.

“Letter, I’ll send you a letter.”

I couldn’t answer for a second.

Then I remembered Gabriel’s promise that he would be sending a letter to Rosé.

However, Gabriel’s words are not over yet.

“If you send me a letter, I would definitely reply.”

“What?”

I frowned slightly, because I couldn’t hear his mumbled words, but Gabriel’s shoulders flinched.

‘What? Was there a bug?’

However, as I look over the boy’s shoulder, I can’t see anything. Just as I was about to tilt my head,

“I would be happy to receive a reply from the Young Miss.”

“..Huh?”

I open my eyes wide.

I thought that he was rapping, because he was talking way too fast.

(P/N: Should’ve rapped his proposal to her XD)

It feels so unreal, since he always spoke slowly before.

‘Did he ask me to write a reply?’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘I don’t have anything to say to him, so it’s a very difficult request.’

Then it suddenly occurred to me.

‘Ah... Is he asking me to tell him anything about Rosé?’

(T/N:My gosh Hildea hahahaha.. Imagine receiving a letter from her then once Gabriel opens it, it’s all about Rosé.)

He may ask me some things that would be difficult to request from the person involved. Only then did I understand the boy’s complicated mind and calmly nod.

“Okay, Duke. I will send a letter as well.”historical

“..Why aren’t you calling me Gabriel?”

“?”

‘Why would I call you Gabriel? And why are you frowning like that?”

Gabriel’s face hardened, as if the previous moment when he had been friendly with me was a lie.

Along with my slightly wrinkled forehead, I feel like I’m frowning as well, but I just can’t control it.

I think it would be best to just acknowledge it again.

“Excuse me!”

Then Rosé intervened.

Seeing them happily talk about something, I took a step back.

“Lady Rosériel.”

Gabriel’s expression relaxed as soon as he saw Rosé. They look very friendly as if they’re really close.

I look over at my father instead of feeling offended, because it’s quite normal for the people around me to hate me and treat me coldly.

Father then nods at me, and I take a step back and grab Rosé’s hand while she continues to chatter.

“Then, My Lord, let’s go.”

With the sound of people moving, Gabriel jumped on his black horse.

This will be the last time that I will see the little boy on a big black horse.

As I watch the procession of Gabriel and the knights who follow him resolutely leaving as if they wouldn’t look back, I see Rosé who keeps smiling next to me.

‘Wait, why is she laughing?’

“Rosé, aren’t you worried?”

“Huh? What did you say sister?”

‘Why are those eyes sparkling like jewels?’

‘Is it because she’s still a young girl, and she doesn’t know that her future fiancé is leaving for a dangerous battlefield?’

I want to offer some consolation.

“It’s okay, Rosé. The Duke will return safely.”

“Hehe. is that right?”

“Rosé?”

Rosé holds my hand tightly and laughs like a naughty little girl as she watches me closely with satisfied eyes.

“But the way, sister.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“What angle do you like?”

“What did you say?”

‘Even though she’s my younger twin sister, Rosé usually says things that I can’t understand at all. What did she mean by that?’

(T/N: Haha I guess the reason why Rosé was happy, is maybe because she will be painting Hildea and sending it to Gabriel. She must have asked for a higher payment. Haha poor Gabriel being scammed by our little schemer.)

“Hmm, never mind then I’ll decide for myself. I think the front angle is the better choice!”

“.....”

The girl said outrageous things and smiled softly, all while looking so innocent.

Even if I don’t understand what she’s talking about, it seems like whatever happens, her smile will never age.

I think it’s Rose’s own way of not being depressed about what happened, and I patted her pink hair gently.

I feel so sorry for Rosé, but they have no choice except to wait since Gabriel will be tied to the battlefield for up to 12 years.

And when he comes back, that will be the beginning of the novel <Young Miss is Sweet>.

I turn away slowly as their appearance gradually fades in the distance.

-?ˋ ━━━━━━ ? ? ━━━━━━ ˊ?-

(3rd Person’s POV)

The woman with the most noble status in the Mielle Empire still retained her graceful appearance over the years.

However, an anxious expression was reflected on her face, which didn’t match the soft music surrounding her.

“As expected, I really hate it.”

The woman was hysterically biting her neatly-trimmed, long nails.

And her son, the Crown Prince Benjamin, who glanced at her thinking that her habit looked unsightly, did not bother to point it out. He was just worried about his mother.

“Mother, please stop that, your nails will be damaged.”

“Son, Crown Prince.”

“Yes.”

When their eyes finally met, the Empress had a stern face.

“If Gabriel marries Hillington, your position as Crown Prince and as heir might be in danger. That abominable Detroit is pushing for it!”

“I know Mother.”

Benjamin hardened his face.

Detroit, his father and his mother’s husband. But they were never close.

He was a father who valued the unblemished blood of Belfius more than his own son.

Anxiety swelled inside him, but Benjamin nodded softly.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best, Mother.”

“Wait. When did you become so gentle?”

“Because I want to be a good son to my mother.”

“You can’t be compared to that venomous Belfius.”

The Empress clicked her tongue as if she didn’t like his son’s soft voice, but the boy was ready to kneel at the very least whenever his mother spoke.

(T/N: You bish.. tsk..)

“There’s nothing that I can do about your innate nature, but keep in mind that I did not raise you to be hesitant at any crucial moment.”

“Of course.”

“If you have a sword, you should swing it when the time is right.”

“Of course, Mother.”

Benjamin loved and respected his mother very much.

Growing up, he was told countless times that he should be a good son, and he was willing to do anything to achieve it.

“However, why did Gabriel suddenly change his mind about being uninvolved? I really can’t figure it out. I’m worried that he and Hillington might have done something that we’re not aware of.”

Benjamin laughed softly.

It wasn’t because he heard the story of the unlucky Belfius boy, but because he was happy to hear the charismatic voice of his Mother.

“Who knows what’s happening inside their residence. But you don’t have to worry, Mother.”

“Why?”

“No matter what their intentions are, it was all useless. He has to be away during the war, and far from the Hillington family for many years. That means they won’t have any contact at all.”

“Yeah.. You’re right.”

A strange expression appeared on the Empress’s face.

It has been in planning for a very long time. Thanks to this, the young Duke of Belfius, who was only 12 years old, was driven out to fight on the battlefield.

‘And that is where life and death intersect. No matter when and how you die, isn’t it a place that no one knows about?’

“If he doesn’t come back, his marriage won’t be possible in the first place. Isn’t that right, son?”

The Empress reached her hand out, and Benjamin walked over to her knees and rested his cheek against her hand.

(P/N: Def momma’s boy with some mommy issues right there *shudders*)

“Baby. With a little patience, everything will be fine. This mother will give you a splendid empire.”

“Yes..”

Such a strong empire that no one dares to touch the Imperial power.

Looking at those viciously shining eyes, Benjamin held his mother’s hand tightly.

“That’s why you have to do your best for this mother, Always. Live for this mother. Did you understand?”

“Yes, Mother.”

-?ˋ ━━━━━━ ? ? ━━━━━━ ˊ?-

(3rd Person POV)

12 years later.

It was a bloody war that lasted for 12 long years.

The momentum of the Mielle Empire army, which displayed powerful abilities with words, was truly strong.

However, the strength of the opponents who resisted and fought to survive was not inferior, so the sluggish confrontation continued.

As a result, the number of dead could not be counted, and the Empire suffered serious wounds.

However, this would not last long. The situation has been reversed.

“The end is coming.”

The man looked at the opposing camp, which was quiet, with his cold eyes and frosty voice.

(TN: OMO Gabriel!!!!)

A few days ago, the man successfully caught a very large prey.

The arrow that was fired by his hand penetrated the shoulder of the most valuable quarry.

Thanks to this, the commander-in-chief of the opposing camp suffered a fatal injury and has since been in an unstable situation.

“If the leader collapses, the charter will also be broken.”

A handsome man watches with a frigid face.

He is Gabriel von Ellen Belfius, the commander-in-chief of the Mielle Empire’s army and the living god of war.

His loyal subordinates bowed their heads with satisfied smiles, and Gabriel’s lieutenant, who had been by his side during the worst of times, spoke kindly.

“Everything will come to an end in this attack, my lord.”

“Yes. However..”

It was that moment.

“Huh? My Lord, isn’t that a response letter?”

Soon, a letter from a pigeon* flying in the sky, fell into Gabriel’s hands.

(T/N: *A military support animal who’s delivering the letter.)

Everyone became alert.

‘What’s the news? I wonder if there is any movement in the enemy army?’

Gabriel read the letter indifferently.

“..Ha.”

“My Lord? What’s wrong?”

The subordinates were shocked when they realized that their superior, who was always collected and cold-hearted, was suddenly shaking his hands.

‘What kind of news would give him such a reaction?’

Because they had previously thought that they were already taking the lead, dark clouds appeared on the faces of his subordinates.

‘What if the battle starts again unrelentingly..?’

Just then, Gabriel raised his head. The subordinates were startled.

It was because a grim expression, which looked as if it could cut through anything, suddenly appeared on their superior’s handsome face.

Their platinum-blonde leader growled with a tone that seemed to have crawled out of hell.

“Kill them.”

‘What?’

“I’m going to kill them all and go back.”

‘What did he just say?’

“This war will be over in a week and we will all return.”

(TN: Hahaha Gabrielle)

Everyone was shocked, with their eyes wide open. ‘What the hell is he talking about? A week, seriously?’

The closest lieutenant checked what was written in the letter that Gabriel had thrown away in anger, and his face hardened.

‘So this is it? What’s the big deal about this?’

The lieutenant handled the paper over quickly so that no one else could see it. An indescribable irritation appeared on his face.

What was written there was simple.

It was not related to the enemy head showing serious advancement, nor related to the commander of the enemy’s army, who was unconscious, miraculously awakening from a serious injury.

‘Tsk..’

It was the news that the two young girls of Hillington were going to make their debut to the public.

TO BE CONTINUED...