Cases where the monarchy was restored after a revolution were not uncommon.
There were cases where the royalists triumphed over the republicans, and cases where the military eliminated opposing forces and enthroned a king.
There were also instances where the populace, rebelling against the incompetence of the revolutionary forces or authoritarian politics, came to desire the monarchy once more.
But currently, within Padania, the forces for monarchist restoration were nearly crushed. It was thanks to the abilities of Padania’s Commander-in-Chief—Heiner Valdemar.
At times, a single outstanding individual could lead an era.
Heiner had resolved the problems that typically arose after revolutions—chaos and conflict, internal strife among the revolutionary forces, the ossification of dictatorship, and so on—in a considerably ideal direction.
Currently, Heiner was virtually an idol of Padania. Given the situation, the royalists could not exert any power due to public sentiment, and merely stirred discreetly from overseas.
‘If they are in exile in Frantche, there is a high probability they will receive help from foreign powers to restore the monarchy.’
Anette did not know the international situation well, so she could infer no further than this. But one thing was clear.
‘My father is King Piette’s nephew. I have inherited royal blood…’
If necessary, she would be used as a means for monarchist restoration.
Her mind grew cold and still. There were already several exiled royals; why would they reach out even to her? She could not know the details.
Whatever the case, she could not accept Ansga’s words as being wholly well-intentioned. In the past, she would have simply rejoiced at the hand of salvation extended by an old friend, but not anymore.
Anette turned away from the door and walked. The business card crumpled slightly in her grip. Her blue eyes took on a faintly cold light.
“Take my hand, Anette.”
“We’ll see.”
***
Anette checked the patronage list and the amount comparison table. Her slender fingers slowly traced down the numbers.
Overseeing donations and patronage carried out under the name of civic organizations was one of the tasks she had taken on when she married.
After the revolution, Anette’s name had been officially removed from this work. Still, she had been handling the final review. It was because no one wanted to take on this headache-inducing task.
Anette could truly pride herself on having handled the matter cleanly and transparently. No one acknowledged it, but she had.
[We must fulfill our duties. All of you listening to this radio are enlightened, and your acquisition of information is unobstructed. Your government does not censor the information that reaches you…]
Click.
Anette, finished reviewing the documents, turned off the radio. Her head throbbed again. She had opened the window to air out the room, but the headache did not subside.
Anette draped a shawl around her shoulders and went out to the garden. Recently, following the doctor’s recommendation, she had been walking for more than an hour a day. Not for her health, but because she hated being called lazy.
Anette, circling the garden, soon grew tired. These days, her body truly was not what it used to be. Since when had that been… She tried to follow the thread of her memory, then gave up.
Anette sat on a bench in front of the fountain. The afternoon sunlight made her body languid. The streams of water pouring from the fountain sparkled in the light. In that peace, she held a comfortable smile.
Ah.
It wouldn’t be so bad to die like this.
The thought came to her suddenly. Anette had always wanted to die at the moment she wished, in the place she wished. Right here, right now, she thought.
Isn’t it strange. That my breath keeps lengthening without my permission.
Anette closed her eyes and breathed in and out very faintly and slowly. Her breathing felt uncomfortable and alien.
Suddenly, murmuring voices were heard from behind. They were somehow familiar. Anette opened her eyes and turned around.
A man and a woman were walking along the corridor connecting the main residence and the secretariat office building. The tall, slender man was Major Eugen, and the red-haired woman beside him was…
‘Anelie Engels?’
The moment she realized, the woman looked this way. Anette stayed still without averting her gaze. Major Eugen, who had been saying something beside her, turned his head after Anelie.
As soon as he saw Anette, Major Eugen furrowed his brow. Anelie looked slightly surprised. After exchanging a few words with the major, Anelie approached Anette.
Anelie’s strides were large and confident. She quickly arrived in front of Anette and greeted her in a rather kind tone.
“Hello, Madame.”
“…Hello.”
“This is our first time meeting, is it not?”
“I suppose so.”
It was the first time she had faced Anelie directly. She had known her face from the newspapers.
However, Anette could not understand why Anelie was speaking to her. They were in a relationship that could not grow close even with empty pleasantries.
It wasn’t simply a matter of a fallen noble and a revolutionary. Anelie had publicly proposed marriage to Heiner. Anette was Heiner’s wife.
No matter how abnormal this marriage was, theirs was inevitably an awkward relationship.
“Do you have a moment? Could we talk?”
“…Very well.”
At Anette’s permission, Anelie gestured to Major Eugen as if to tell him to go on. Major Eugen disappeared with a thoroughly displeased expression.
Anette quietly gazed at his retreating figure.
‘So Major Eugen and Anelie Engels know each other.’
Perhaps it was only natural. Major Eugen was Heiner’s close aide. He might have been Anelie’s comrade during the revolutionary army days.
Whatever the case, it was obvious that Anelie was not kindly disposed toward her, either.
Anelie asked with a bright smile.
“I’ve wanted to meet you, and here we are. Shall we sit here and talk? Or we could walk.”
“Sit.”
“Thank you. The garden is truly beautiful. You must manage it well.”
“I am not the one who manages it.”
“Ah, I see. I had heard that you used to manage it in the past…”
“That was long ago.”
Anette replied flatly. She felt no need to converse amiably with Anelie.
“…How is life at the residence? I heard you refrain from going outside.”
“I simply live quietly.”
“You seem to be a quiet-natured person. Truthfully, I’ve only seen you in newspapers, so I hadn’t imagined you would be this sort of person.”
“Is that so?”
Unable to find more to say, Anelie smiled awkwardly. An awkward silence passed. Anette spoke with an expressionless face.
“Miss Anelie, you couldn’t have come because you were truly concerned about my well-being. If you have something to say, please speak freely.”
At the direct words, Anelie seemed flustered, pressing and then parting her lips. After hesitating for a moment, she eventually opened her mouth as if having made up her mind.
“I heard you demanded a divorce from His Excellency.”
“Did my husband say so?”
“No, Major Eugen told me. His Excellency does not agree to a divorce… I heard the reason why as well. Though I could not accept it.”
“And so?”
“To be honest, I do not like you, Madame.”
“…”
“It is closer to hate. Though I imagine you feel the same. When I think of what Count Dietrich did and the things you enjoyed under him, I shudder. Also, I respect His Excellency as a person. I do not think you suit him.”
The words spilled out as if they had been pent up.
Anette quietly observed the jets of water shooting high from the fountain. Beside her, Anelie let out a light sigh.
“…That concludes my personal feelings. Publicly speaking, for the sake of keeping the moderate republicans and liberals in check, the marriage negotiation between His Excellency and me must succeed. You may not know, but the recent international situation is unusual. Internally, Padania needs to be put in order first. Even for the sake of smooth conscription, should war break out.”
“As for the divorce…”
Her voice came out slightly hoarse. Anette briefly cleared her throat before continuing.
“That matter would be better discussed with my husband. It is no longer within my authority.”
“Madame, I am giving you a warning.”
Only then did Anette face Anelie. Anelie still wore a kind expression.
“His Excellency is bearing the damage for the sake of this marriage, but what happens when that damage exceeds a certain point? Of course, we cannot attack His Excellency. Nor do we intend to.”
“…”
“Remember this, Madame: you have many enemies.”
Anette had no difficulty understanding Anelie’s meaning.
The easiest method for a judicial divorce was to create grounds for fault on one side. This was something the revolutionary army, the parliament, and the press had done very well until now.
To drag Anette down to the point where Heiner could not endure the damage.
“Miss Anelie, I know that you people used me in your propaganda war.”
Anette spoke while looking straight into Anelie’s red eyes.
“At first, I felt it was unfair. Even things I was hearing for the first time became my fault. I wanted to explain. I wanted revenge, too.”
“To think that none of it ever happened…”
“The mentally ill firmly believe they are not insane, don’t they? Perhaps I am the same. Perhaps I am actually the one in the wrong, and I alone am crazed enough to believe in my own innocence. Isn’t that right? If everyone in the world except me says the same thing, then naturally I must be the one who is wrong.”
“…”
“By the time I started thinking that way… my will to explain and my desire for revenge had all vanished. I do not resent you people. I know why you did it. I respect that cause. I mean it.”
Anelie’s pupils shook, as if she had heard something most unexpected. Anette looked at the fountain again. The high-soaring streams of water broke into white spray and fell.
“Miss Anelie, as I said, the divorce is no longer within my authority. But I understood your words well. Do not worry too much.”
The jets of water soared up. They received the light from high above and fell.
Anette slowly rose from the bench. Standing with her back to the light and looking down at Anelie, she spoke as if making a declaration.
“…This marriage will soon come to an end.”
Anette smiled quietly in the shadows.