Chapter 89: The Last Supper
And so, the king began to live in this remote area under the alias of Henry.
It seems that Roberto’s house was destroyed, so he couldn’t return to the village and decided to stay at Daniel’s inn for a while.
The king often wandered around the outskirts, gathering wild vegetables and getting milk from cows. But even when Ilsa saw the thin, bald-headed old man, she didn’t realize that he was the king.
“Hey, Diana. Who is that person staying in your mountain cabin recently?”
Diana broke into a cold sweat but quickly presented the backstory she had prepared.
“Oh, that person is Henry, who escaped from the urban area. He wants to go hunting, so he asked if he could stay. No one is currently using that mountain cabin, so I thought it would be okay to lend it to him…”
“Is that so? But you shouldn’t just let someone with an unknown background stay.”
“Well, um… But I understand the suffering of losing a home in the war…”
“That’s true! Diana, you’re such a kind girl.”
While Diana laughed and tried to hide it, she gently stroked her growing belly, which had been showing more movements lately.
Although her morning sickness had subsided, she wondered if she would be able to act quickly if a major event occurred before giving birth.
As her belly grew larger, her anxiety also increased. She knew she couldn’t back down after saying those words in front of her husband.
“By the way, Diana, when is your due date?”
“It seems like it will be around summer.”
“That’s good… I wish I could get pregnant soon too…”
“Well, that’s… There are various factors involved, you know.”
“That seems to be the case. It’s easy to get pregnant when you want to, but it doesn’t happen when you can’t.”
My sister, she seems to have various worries.
Living is a wonderful thing, but suffering always follows.
Having finished knitting the lap blanket, she placed it on her lap and let out a sigh.
When she worries, her stomach hurts. Then the fetal movements also become quiet. An indescribable sense of tension always lingers in Diana’s stomach.
She gazes at the newspaper her sister brought in.
It seemed that Latgip was in a state of chaos. There were even discussions about whether a third country would intervene.
Because the king was absent.
(I wonder how long His Majesty intends to live here.)
Diana looked outside the window, and it was at that moment.
From a distance, a large group of horses carrying people approached here. Diana covered her mouth and her heart raced with nervousness.
“Oh? I wonder what that is.”
Ilsa also seemed to notice the anomaly. Then, the front door slammed open, and Leon and George, who were supposed to be out in the back mountains, rushed in.
“Hey, what’s that?”
George asked, and Diana trembled. The moment she had been dreading had finally arrived.
Diana carefully observed the people on horseback.
They didn’t seem to be soldiers. Some of them were carrying weapons, but most were unarmed civilians.
“…Are they militia?”
George muttered, thinking the same thing.
“It’s dangerous to stay here.”
Leon said, taking Diana’s hand.
“Everyone, let’s escape on horseback!”
“…What’s wrong, Leon? Why are you so scared?”
“Why… Because my pregnant wife is here!”
“I understand your feelings, but… This remote area is surrounded by mountains. There’s no escape.”
George calmly stated.
“They’re probably here for looting. If we leave now, we’ll likely be shot. It’s best to escape while they’re busy looting. I’ll go to the mountains.”
“I see… the mountains…”
“You all should come too. My brothers and I are familiar with those mountains, so we’ll be fine.”
However, Diana was preoccupied with something else.
The crowd of people on horseback.
They were all equally thin――
Diana couldn’t believe that those emaciated individuals, who seemed to be nothing but skin and bones, had such energy. The looting she had witnessed before was clearly carried out by robust and energetic individuals.
“Ilsa.”
Suddenly called by her sister, Ilsa flinched and looked up.
“Um, can you boil as many potatoes as possible?”
Everyone present held their breath.
“Diana, what on earth are you saying…”
“Those people are hungry. If we give them food, maybe we can drive them away.”
George laughed disdainfully.
“Don’t be foolish. It’s not that simple. They’re here to loot, you know?”
Diana retorted.
“George. Have you ever been looted? I have. That’s why I know they’re not looters.”
George was overwhelmed and remained silent. Diana stood up calmly and prepared a pot.
“Hey, Diana…”
“Leon, bring the salted boar meat from the pantry.”
As she spoke, Diana dropped oil into the pot and started sautéing flour.
She mixed it with milk and continued stirring until it thickened. Just as a delightful aroma filled the air, Ilsa finally mustered the energy to get up.
“You’re right, Diana… Let them eat something delicious. They might be on edge because they’re hungry.”
The men stared blankly, observing the heiresses of Heinz Trading Company.
The room was filled with the pleasant scent of steam, and the chimney emitted the gentle aroma of lunch.
Daniel rolled in.
“Hey! Leon, the looters are getting closer!”
“Oh, perfect timing, Daniel. Could you bring all the wine from your inn here?”
“Huh?!”
“Please. That wine will surely save our lives.”
“What kind of logic is that…”
Just do as I say. Prepare for the party.”
Leon slumped down on the spot.
“Diana… Have you finally gone mad?”
“What are you talking about? Come on, Leon, work too! Is the boar meat ready?”
[insert page=’4633′ display=’content’]
[insert page=’4587′ display=’content’]
Leave a Reply