Bonus Chapter: Trude and Rauda

Bonus Chapter:
Trude and Rauda

 

IN THE TERRITORIES of Fanoss House, a new gravestone was erected beside the one for Hertrude’s parents—for her little sister, Hertrauda. Flowers decorated the grave, yet Hertrude approached with a bouquet of her own. Her maids stood a few feet away, as well as some knights of her personal guard.

“I finally made it here to see you, Rauda.”

She had been busy in the wake of the principality’s defeat. Following her demotion from princess to duke’s daughter, Hertrude acted as the representative for her region. She hadn’t yet had time to visit her sister’s grave.

Tears trickled down her cheeks. “Why did things have to happen like this? I should have been the one who died. But here I am alive, and you’re gone.”

If things had gone to plan, Rauda would have lived. But Rauda’s maids and guards now looked after Hertrude instead.

“Everyone is gone. Mother, Father, even Vandel. Now that I don’t even have you anymore, I’m all alone.”

The sisters had decided from a young age to use the Magic Flutes to exact revenge on the kingdom. They had known the price. Hertrude had volunteered to go first in hopes of protecting her younger sister.

“It should have been me… And yet here I am.”

It had been just the two of them for so long, after they lost their parents. They’d fought, of course they had, but they had always made up right away. Rauda was so precious to Hertrude; she’d wanted her little sister to live on.

The day before Hertrude rode off to declare war on the kingdom, Rauda came to her room, demanding they sleep together, like they had as children. Hertrude indulged her, and the two had shared a bed for the first time in years. Even now, Hertrude could remember how Rauda cried when she left.

“If only I’d been more mature, more capable…” Because now Hertrude knew the truth—that their retainers had manipulated them. She cried, clinging to her little sister’s tombstone. “Rauda, I’m sorry. I was so powerless that you had to sacrifice yourself. I’m so, so sorry.”

Where had they messed up so badly?

The servants kept silent as Hertrude sobbed onto her sister’s grave. Still, after a while, a man sent directly from the kingdom checked his pocket watch. “Representative Fanoss,” he called, “it’s about time we leave.”

Those around him, all from the former principality, protested.

“At least give her a break when she’s visiting her family’s graves!”

“Surely you know how long Lady Hertrude has waited to come here.”

“You kingdom people have no compassion.”

The man’s expression turned cold. “If we delay government affairs here, it will cause disruptions in the capital. And the only reason she has any time at all to visit is because we permitted it. She should be grateful.”

Not much time had passed since the war’s end. The man from the kingdom didn’t have much sympathy for Fanoss House. “Thousands died when you invaded our lands. You brought this upon yourselves,” he went on. As far as he was concerned, the only reason the kingdom hadn’t wiped out Fanoss House was because it would cause more issues. They were doing Hertrude a favor by keeping her alive.

Hertrude wiped her tears, stood, and started toward the carriage. “My apologies. Let’s go back.”

The servants loyal to her lowered their eyes, vexed at their powerlessness.

The man from the kingdom snorted. “Indeed, you have caused enough trouble. You’d best be obedient from now on. Although I doubt resistance would do much for you in your current state.”

“You bastard!” One of the knights pulled a fist back, ready to swing, but Hertrude stopped him.

“Enough! I am sorry for keeping you waiting. Let’s hurry back to the castle.” She hastened her steps toward the carriage.

The man sneered at the knight. “If anything happens to me, they’ll send Earl Bartfort here instead. You sure you can handle him?” Pleased with his threat, the man spun around and marched off.

Hertrude, though, wasn’t impressed. Pathetic coward, trying to use Earl Bartfort’s name to intimidate us. Leon wouldn’t invade Fanoss over something so minute.

As she climbed into the carriage, she recalled the adventure she’d shared with him. It hadn’t been all that exciting. They had only explored some old ruins near the elves’ village, but she looked fondly on the memory.

Oh…that’s right, that elder told me something back then… Something about walking beside my fated partner. Leon sprang to mind as Hertrude pictured the fortune the old woman had foretold. If I had tried harder to bring him over to my side…maybe things would have worked out differently.

Perhaps Rauda would still be alive, and perhaps the principality wouldn’t have fallen. Hertrude briefly entertained the daydream but shook her head. I can’t think of that right now. I have to keep my head on my shoulders.

Fanoss House needed her. She couldn’t waste any more time lamenting how things had turned out.

As her family’s graves receded in the distance, Hertrude silently called out to them. Rauda, Vandel, now that you’re with Mother and Father, I want you to watch over us.