Chapter 51

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 51

Chapter Title: Letters from the Frontlines

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The letter was simple and straightforward.

"To Agatha in the capital.

The march is going smoothly. We're riding nonstop except when the horses need rest.

We passed two villages today without stopping. There's a large river, so water is plentiful. One of my knights has a talent for stew, so the meals have been satisfying.

Tomorrow we'll cross the plains, so we stopped by a village in advance to stock up on vegetables and fruit. No issues so far.

I'm doing my utmost to reach Caden territory before preparations there are complete.

Agatha, I hope you're resting comfortably at the mansion. Avoid anything dangerous and stay healthy.

I'll return soon.

Your husband, Enoch Aratus."

It read more like a report than a letter. Agatha checked it again for any missing parts, then burst out laughing.

"What's this? It's like he's never been in love before."

Then it hit her—he probably never had a proper romance.

He'd said he hadn't liked Esther Portoni, after all.

For a man who'd lived his life on the battlefield, she might be his first real love.

"Guess I need to teach him how to write letters."

She muttered with mock seriousness, but her lips curved in delight.

Agatha called for Jessie.

"Where's that colored stationery we got from the shopping district last time?"

"It's in this drawer. Madam, shall I bring the scented ink too?"

"There was a purple-tinted one, right?"

She'd bought colored paper along with some unusual inks.

The purple ink shimmered subtly in the light, changing hues while releasing a faint lilac scent—a special item.

At Agatha's words, Jessie opened the ink case and smiled.

"Perfect—there's a fresh, unopened bottle."

"Bring that too."

Writing in purple ink on pale grass-green paper made the letters look romantic and endearing.

Agatha took care with every stroke as she began her letter to her husband.

"My husband, Enoch Aratus.

I read your report. Esel the aide already explained most of it before I even opened the letter.

What I really want to know is how you're doing. I made sure you had the finest bedrolls— is your sleep comfortable? I packed plenty so no meal would lack meat. How was it?

If anything's in short supply, let me know by letter. I'm always ready to send whatever you need.

Looking at the map, you have to cross the Pinit Toontra.

Fruit will be scarce in the desert, so I'll arrange for dried fruits and jams. Make sure to pack them.

What do you think about while riding? I'm always thinking of you here at my desk.

As requested, your Agatha, resting comfortably at the mansion."

She finished the letter and added her signature beside her name.

The sparkling purple ink with its subtle fragrance filled her with a sweet warmth.

"Like it?"

"Yes. Perfect."

Agatha sealed the letter with a sprig of purple statice and wax, in high spirits.

"Send it like this."

"Yes!"

The letter Agatha had so carefully written returned with another reply.

"It took quite a while this time."

"He's been on the move the whole time my reply was en route."

Weeks, not days, had passed since the last one.

The next would take even longer, probably.

She placed Jessie's delivered letter on the desk.

"But he wrote several pages this time."

Unlike before, the envelope was quite thick. Opening it eagerly revealed two sheets of paper and a bracelet made of twisted thread.

"Oh! That's why it was so bulky."

Agatha laid the bracelet, strung with purple sapphires, on her palm. It wasn't ornate or flashy, but cute and pretty.

Had he bought it passing through some castle town?

The tale of a husband thinking of his wife on the road and buying her a gift was classic romance, straight out of novels and folktales.

"Shall I put it on for you?"

"Yes, on my right wrist."

The thread bracelet with its sapphires fit Agatha's wrist perfectly. She extended her arm, twisting her wrist this way and that.

It suited her better than expected.

Each twist made the sapphires sparkle in the light, the silver thread brushing her skin with a pleasant touch.

Now for the letter.

Unlike the plain white paper and black ink before, there was a change this time. A small flower was pressed to the first page.

"So cute."

She tapped it lightly, hearing a faint rustle. Gazing at the dried flower that hadn't lost its color, Agatha smiled softly.

"My dear Agatha."

Even the first line rang true.

"Are you well? I am.

The bedroll is soft and warm—no chills even camping. Sometimes it's almost too hot.

We're just before the desert now. Received the dried fruit and jam. It was apple jam—my favorite. I'll savor a bite every day.

I don't think much while riding, actually.

I review Caden territory's terrain and ponder strategies. Every few days, a new one comes to mind.

On fully restful evenings, I gather the knight order's command staff for strategy meetings.

We discuss the same things repeatedly, but it's never boring. These meetings have turned near-defeats into victories and saved us from death traps many times.

Only when I lie down to sleep do thoughts of you arise. I miss you.

I made the bracelet myself. I wanted a gem matching your eyes, but it's hard to find here. I'll buy you a new one when I return.

Writing this before entering my bedroll. Night's deep. I believe once this war ends, we can be together long-term.

I'm fine, so don't worry. Stay healthy yourself.

From afar, your husband Enoch Aratus."

Agatha finished reading but kept silent for a long while.

It was clumsy. Enoch's personality shone through—how he was faring, what he was thinking.

That's what made it feel so real.

Her heart ached.

No words of hardship or suffering, yet she could vividly picture his struggles.

Her chest tightened. Agatha drew a small breath and gazed out the window.

Enoch wouldn't return until autumn, at earliest.

"Now if I send a letter, it'll reach him at the front?"

"It should."

"I need to send a gift too."

A necklace would be perfect. The gem—a deep gray moonstone matching his eyes.

"Call the jeweler."

"Yes, Madam."

Summer was drawing to a close.

The necklace, with its smooth platinum chain and opal-cut moonstone, was sent to the frontlines with a letter.

Meanwhile, Agatha began reorganizing the Aratus family from the mansion.

So no one would dare scheme against Enoch again.

She'd finish it perfectly before his return.

Unlike heir apparent Noblesse, Agatha—as the official lady of the Aratus house—had the power to do so.

On one side, the Aratus-Noblesse allied forces arrived in Caden territory and plunged into war.

On the other, letters of abject surrender poured in from Aratus blood relatives whose funds had been choked off by Noblesse merchants.

News of Enoch's victory arrived right at summer's end, as Agatha had predicted.

At word of a courier horse from the front, Agatha hurried down to the mansion's first-floor hall.

A dust-covered rider dismounted with a beaming smile, presenting a scroll stamped with Enoch's seal.

"Rejoice! The Aratus forces have captured Caden territory in a great victory!"

Hooray!

Cheers erupted everywhere—from the knights left at the mansion, to stewards, retainers, and servants.

"The walls fell on the first day, and the entire Caden family was captured on the second. Evidence was found too, so the commander is advancing to the next territory."

"Congratulations, Madam!"

"Congratulations!"

This was the first retaliation from one of Agatha's husbands since her political marriages began.

"Now those fools won't dare point a blade at Madam."

"With the evidence, we can strip the second-in-line of succession rights too."

"You can rest easy now, Madam."

Until now, it had all been passive defense under the emperor and her husband's protection.

Agatha looked at her moved retainers, reflecting on everything that had happened.

We've truly turned the corner now.

It felt like half the heavy burden she'd carried her whole life had lifted.

"Is he all right?"

"Of course. Not a scratch on him."

Finally, a smile touched Agatha's lips.

"Madam, an envoy from the palace has arrived."

Her close maid, Jessie, spoke respectfully. It was an imperial messenger from the emperor.