After resting from the journey, Katerina walks with Arek through the camp, but she can see that many of the soldiers only have minor injuries, scratches, or some bruises, which she finds strange being in a war. Furthermore, the temple did not send healers to help them, another disadvantage for the army. The emperors undoubtedly expect them to win the war without help. Of course, in the original story they succeed, but losing many in the process. Katerina purses her lips, annoyed by the emperors' attitude. She may be cruel to her enemy, but those kinds of injustices make her angry.
They both continue walking towards the tent where the generals meet, but Katerina stops when she sees Lara. It was not possible that she was there. In the story, Arek and Lara meet at the end of the war, when he was seeking to take the throne.
"That girl... the albino..." Katerina points out.
"Lara Walter, she is the current leader of the Roses. Her father is ill and she took his place", Arek replies.
"I-it's not possible..."
How did she forget that detail? The protagonist's father was a renowned warrior in the Rosesky family, one more reason why Katerina hated her, because she was the daughter of an employee of her family and still managed to win Rowan's love. Did Lara appear in that place because she is changing everything?
"You must be Lady Rosesky. It's a pleasure to meet you. Lara Walter, my lady", the albino curtsies.
"His Highness was telling me that you are the leader of the Roses... I didn't know that Leader Walter was ill..."
"My father is already better. If you'll allow me, I'd like to speak with you... in private."
Arek guides them to a smaller tent and waits for them outside, although what Lara has to tell Katerina is something he knows.
"I am here not only as my father's replacement. The temple and the Marquis Rosesky sent me. Your father found me and took me to the temple. He knew that the empress was looking for the Saint, but by chance, it was the marquis who found me."
"So, are you the Saint?" Katerina asks. She needs to know more.
"Yes, the marquis learned that I used my power to cure my father's illness, so he spoke with the temple. They don't agree with what the emperors are doing either... they couldn't let me side with them. It is said that the empress was looking for me to marry the crown prince."
"That would make sense. My father has been asking for the annulment of my engagement to the prince, but the emperor won't agree. I guess they'll only do it when they have the Saint..." Katerina mentions.
"They won't have me. I apologize for your situation, my lady, but I would never support the emperors. I myself am seeing what is happening on this battlefield while they enjoy parties and a comfortable life", she expresses with annoyance.
"So, if His Highness Arek and I tell you that we plan to take the throne, what would you do?"
"I would be on your side, my lady. Your Highness is the one who is protecting Lutzalya. He is the one who knows best what his people need: a leader, not a couple of profiteers", she replies firmly.
"Having the Saint on our side would be an advantage. It would mean that the temple supports us."
"Of course, even if the temple doesn't support you, I would, if it's for the good of Lutzalya and its people."
"I'm glad to know that, because we will win this war and take the throne of Lutzalya. Those are the plans His Highness and I have."
"You have my support, my lady", Lara curtsies.
Katerina smiles slightly. Who would have thought she would have the protagonist on her side, although that's good. She won't have her as an enemy and Rowan will lose a great advantage, of course, as long as Lara doesn't fall in love with him like in the story. And there is also the fact that Arek could fall in love with Lara, which would not be convenient for her plans, although, for the moment, it is better not to think about that.
"Thank you for your words. Your support will, of course, be very helpful to His Highness", Katerina curtsies.
Lara leaves, so Katerina also leaves to go to the tent where the generals are. They introduce themselves to Katerina, so she lets them know that the ice witch they are talking about is her, although they don't believe her. Katerina shows her ice magic and lets them know that she has a plan to weaken the enemy troops. She leaves a couple of crystals on the table. They look like ice daggers, but she explains that they possess a spell that creates snowfall and lowers the temperature. If they leave them in strategic places in the enemy camp, they will suffer from the low temperatures, they will start looking for a warm place and they will want to cross the border, where they will be waiting for them with traps. They can use magic seals made by mages to create explosions, although these spells require a lot of energy for the mages. It's a risk they can take.
"It's a risky plan, but it's the opportunity we need," Katerina mentions.
"That's not true, but if we take risks, this will never end," adds General Graham.
"I want to try it. It's time to end this war once and for all." Arek looks worried, but it's a strategy they could try.
"My mages are willing to help if it helps us get home soon." Lara approaches.
She tells them that with her magic, she can help replenish the mana of the mages so that they are ready to fight if the plan doesn't work completely.
"Are you really a witch, Lady Rosesky?" asks one of the generals.
"Yes, I am. Do you want to kill me?"
"No, I would be grateful, even more so if the plan works, because I can return to my family," replies that general and the others agree.
"So yes, I am a witch, but the only ones who should fear me are the Ketzanians," Katerina gives a malicious smile.
The next step in the plan is to launch those crystals without being seen, so it must be done by those who can move stealthily, without the enemy detecting them. Katerina mentions that Jane and she are two, but they need others; there are several crystals, so that the magic lasts as long as necessary. Lara offers to take one, Jack would take another, and so would Arek. Other soldiers volunteer, those who are experts in surveillance, so only one is missing.
"I'll take care of this one." Everyone is surprised to hear a voice.
By the time they react, a person covered with a hood has taken the missing crystal, so everyone is on alert.
"Easy, I'm just showing that I can be stealthy", the boy speaks.
To calm them down, he takes off his hood, revealing his blond hair. Everyone is surprised to see his face, so they turn to look at Katerina and then back at the boy. They are practically identical.
"It's true... the Marquis Rosesky has two children... Lady Katerina has a twin", adds one of the generals.
"Thomas Rosesky, a pleasure, gentlemen," he bows. "Brother-in-law," he tilts his head slightly towards Arek.
Arek averts his gaze at the word. Thomas, meanwhile, greets everyone and tells Katerina that he will take one of the crystals. The meeting ends and they agreed to move during the night, so that it is safer. Thomas also withdraws, but upon seeing Lara, he follows her.
"Lady Lara, why didn't you tell me you were coming to this battlefield?"
"Why would I have to tell you, young master? You know that's what I trained for, to join the marquis' troops."
"But you've only been in training for two years. I know how capable you are, but this place...it's dangerous," Thomas holds Lara's hand.
"Those are the risks of being a Rose knight, but I'm fine. I know I'm doing it to protect my family and the empire. Besides, my family needs the money."
"You wouldn't have any problems with money if you become my wife...ouch!"
Lara pinches his cheeks hard.
"Don't underestimate me. I wouldn't rise in status that way. Besides, you're a brat."
Lara lets go of Thomas and leaves him there while the boy complains about the pain in his cheeks, but then smiles. He likes that Lara thinks that way, that she has those kinds of values and that she doesn't just take advantage because he likes her, to rise in status. He still remembers when he met her. It was two years ago, he was 16 years old and his father had taken Lara to the academy. The marquis explained to him that she was the daughter of Captain Walter, leader of the Roses, but that she had manifested a special power and it was necessary to protect her to prevent the empress from finding her, so she would be training at the academy. Lara, unlike him, was 19 years old, three years older, so for her, Thomas was practically a child. Still, Thomas stayed close to her, and when he least expected it, Lara had become his first love, and of course he confessed it to her, but Lara let him know that she had other plans, one where she didn't include marrying a boy younger than her or just to raise her status. But far from being disappointed, Thomas felt more affection for her, for that way of being and valuing herself.
…
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Comments
Nanami Tomoe
another love story catching my eyes 🤓
2024-12-18
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