272 – Turning one’s back (9)
After winning the war, Dalton and I were immediately called to the main base of the 1st princess army where Maria was.
When I got near Maria’s base, Dalton spoke to me in a trembling voice.
“Martin.”
“Yes, Captain.”
“I only trusted you and turned my back on you. “Her Highness Maria is really in love with you, right?”
At best we won the war, but hearing those words suddenly sent a chill down my spine.
At the same time, I was deeply troubled.
Should I just tell the truth like this, or should I confess to Dalton that I lied after Maria finishes her presentation?
I have no intention of continuing to lie to Dalton, so I have to tell him the truth at some point…
I guess I can survive only if I reveal that I lied after the public service award is over and I receive the award, right?
‘I’m sorry, Captain Dalton… but I have to live too.’
Just as I was thinking about how to respond to those words, we had already reached the main base where Maria was.
A sigh of relief came out of my heart.
“How can I talk about such a sensitive topic here? “Let’s have a drink together later.”
“I guess so.”
After finishing chatting, the two of us immediately got down on one knee in front of Maria and politely bowed.
“Baron Cologne, Martin von Cologne. In accordance with His Majesty’s orders, we succeeded in capturing the Margrave Otto and Estelle.”
Maria spoke in a cold, dignified voice worthy of a monarch.
“It is truly admirable that you were entrusted with a difficult mission but succeeded perfectly. I salute your performance. Okay, both of you, keep your heads up.”
At those words, Dalton and I lifted her head and looked at Maria.
“Hmm, there is one face I haven’t seen. “Who on earth is Kyeong?”
“This is Dalton von Maurer, the head of the Baron Maurer family and a baron. “I followed the advice of Martin next to me and turned my back on the Fourth Prince.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
At those words, everyone’s eyes turned to me.
I’m sure you want to say this because you’re getting so much attention that it makes the back of your head tingle.
‘Why is there someone else besides you?’
Maria also looked at me, tilted her head and asked.
“The only ones who swore to come under my command were the Baron and Lord Cologne, so why did you make other nobles turn against Otto?”
If you answer wrong here, neither Dalton nor I will lose our heads.
I captured Prince Otto, the head of the 4th Prince’s faction, and Dalton also made a great contribution by luckily succeeding in capturing Margrave Estelle.
However, if I answer incorrectly here, the unfortunate event will happen that my achievements will be diminished and evaluated.
“This time, I had full authority over the operation to attack Otto. “Isn’t that right?”
“What you said is correct. “I don’t know about the rest, but when attacking Otto, you had full authority.”
“In my judgment, it seemed difficult to defeat the guard unit protecting Otto with only 5,000 men. So, in order to make the operation a success, I went to persuade Baron Maurer, whom I had been friends with for a long time.”
To be honest, it was my fault for arbitrarily dragging Dalton in.
However, as there is a saying among politicians, no matter where you go, ‘If you apologize, you lose,’ if I bow my head…
I don’t know about Maria, but the nobles around her will probably think this is the time and try to bite her.
Even if it was just so that they would not see me, the surrendered general, climbing over their heads.
So, I have to be evil and assert that it is not my fault.
‘And it was a good thing that I brought Dalton in.’
Maria listened to me and nodded her head in agreement.
“Because the war was so urgent, it may have been difficult to report to me. Besides, how can we hold the Lord guilty for successfully capturing Brother Otto, who is tied up over there?”
At those words, the expressions of the nobles under Maria darkened.
And then a baron poured out his anger by pointing a point at me.
“No matter how much Sir Baron Cologne achieved great achievements this time. “How could you think of involving Baron Maurer over there, at the risk of exposing important military secrets based on your personal feelings?”
Do I really need to bring up the issue that I am trying to overcome like a worm?
“Didn’t I just tell you? If the risk had not been taken, the operation itself might have failed. Then, Her Royal Highness could have been defeated in this war.”
“That is a ridiculous excuse. “The fact that the person who said he would swear loyalty to fight for Her Highness, but put Her Highness in danger and made a contribution, is saying that everything is good as long as the result is good.”
From Noble mtl dot com
In Prince Otto’s faction, Otto is the craziest guy, so I thought I was really going crazy, but this time the nobles are harassing me.
Is it true that there is no heaven wherever you run away?
I feel like I’m going crazy and crazy.
Furthermore, this isn’t any kind of school, and I got tired of talking nonsense about how the process is more important than the result.
Even if you follow the correct process in the first place, if you fail, it’s essentially the same as if you didn’t do anything, so what kind of nonsense are you talking about?
“Baron Gulden thinks Baron Cologne’s contribution is very great, but it almost put His Majesty in danger. “You must take that into consideration as well.”
At those words, Maria gritted her teeth and walked to where Baron Gulden was and got angry.
“Baron Cologne risked his life for me and persuaded his Baron Maurer to capture not only Otto but also Margrave Estelle. And at that time, if you had tried to get my answer and consent as leisurely as you claim, our army would have definitely been defeated.”
It is a clear fact that we were able to easily win because my operation was successful.
But even if I failed, the battle situation between both armies was almost tense right before the operation…
Even if Prince Otto wasn’t captured, we can’t say that our army would definitely be defeated because of my failure…
Maria probably knows that too, she obviously wants to keep me safe. In part, it may be to highlight and mention my achievements.
‘Otto, compared to that trash, you’re still an angel.’
No, it would be rude to Maria to compare her to that guy, right?
“That is an interpretation too favorable to Baron Cologne.”
When Maria heard those words, she looked at Baron Gulden as if she were looking at trash on the side of the road.
“Although Baron Cologne surrendered while serving Otto, his loyalty is beyond doubt. “In addition, isn’t it too petty to try to disparage the person who has made the greatest achievements with just these charges?”
When Baron Gulden heard those words, his eyes widened and he froze in a daze.
Calling a noble person as petty or mean-spirited is an insult on a similar level to cursing one’s parents, with a bit of exaggeration.
For those who value their honor more than their own lives, this is an unbearable humiliation.
“So, I will not accept your opinion. “Baron Gulden, I hope that the time will come when you will surely enhance your reputation by making greater achievements after Gyeongdo.”
When Gulden heard those words, his body only trembled and he did not make much of a rebuttal.
Once the atmosphere was settled, Maria held out the back of her hand towards me and Dalton.
“Although the work is still ongoing, there is no longer any need to doubt the two barons’ loyalty to me. “Swear your allegiance.”
With those words, Dalton immediately kissed the back of Mary’s hand to show courtesy to her monarch.
Maria had a serious and cold expression.
“Please continue to treat me well, Baron Maurer.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. “I will fight and defeat your enemies, no matter who they are.”
“Don’t forget that mindset.”
Dalton stepped back after completing the ceremonial oath of allegiance.
Then Maria held out the back of her hand again.
Unlike when she received her oath of allegiance to Dalton, she was smiling brightly.
“Baron Cologne, you have already sworn loyalty to me. But now that Otto, who had been shackling you, is gone, be sincerely loyal to me again.”
…… You took the pledge of loyalty, so what are you thinking about taking it again?
I can’t understand it with my head, but what can I do?
If I have to do it, I have to do it. If it’s unfair, I have to be the king.
And I kissed the back of Mary’s hand.
“In order to repay the grace you have given me, I will sacrifice my body and mind to protect Her Highness’s happiness.”
“I will believe in the scriptures, so that my heart will never change. “You can just leave now.”
After hearing that, Dalton and I immediately left the room.
And here I was going to confess the lie I told.
“Captain Dalton, that is actually… Her Royal Highness is…”
Before I could hear the rest of what he said, Dalton laughed and patted me on the shoulder.
“I honestly thought it was a lie that you stole the princess’s heart? But because you kissed the back of your hand. “Her face turned red and she smiled brightly.”
“……?”
“Anyone can see that this is the reaction a girl in love would show to the man she loves. f*ck, what a bastard.”
Then Dalton stroked my head.
“I was anxious coming over here, but thanks to you, I feel relieved now. After all, a guy who has three beauties is different.”
After hearing those words, I gave up thinking of resolving this misunderstanding.
It’s not because I don’t know what harm Dalton will do when he hears that what I said was a lie.