And Augustus listened to the argument between the Marshall and the Admiral over the allocation of the budget, he couldn't help but feel the tension in the room. The Marshall had proposed that they continue the Ashington Fortress City project on the river that separated the Ferrel land from Hallgerd, citing the need for fortified defenses along the border. The Admiral, on the other hand, argued that the navy needed more funding to maintain and upgrade their ships, especially with the recent transfer of vessels from the Empire.
As they continued to bicker, Augustus noticed Livia, the spymaster, sitting quietly in the corner, observing the proceedings with a watchful eye. He couldn't help but feel suspicious of her, wondering what secrets she was hiding.
"We need to think strategically," the Marshall said, his voice rising with passion. "We cannot afford to leave our borders vulnerable to attack. The Ashington Fortress City project will not only provide a strong defense but also help to solidify our control over the surrounding region."
The Admiral scoffed. "And what about the navy? We need more funding to maintain and upgrade our ships. Without them, we are defenseless on the sea."
The Marshall bristled at the Admiral's words. "We are not defenseless on the sea. Our navy is already well-equipped and has just received additional ships from the Empire. We cannot neglect our land defenses in favor of the navy."
The Admiral shook his head. "We are not neglecting land defenses, but we must also ensure that our navy is capable of protecting our shores. The transfer of ships was a welcome surprise, but it doesn't mean that we can relax our efforts in maintaining our naval power."
Augustus watched as the argument escalated, the hostility between the Marshall and the Admiral palpable. He couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, as the ruler of Hallgerd, to find a solution that satisfied both sides.
But as he listened, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Livia's presence in the corner of the room, her watchful eyes scanning the room, only added to his suspicions.
Finally, he spoke up. "Gentlemen, I understand the importance of both our land and naval defenses. But we cannot let our disagreements weaken us. We must find a way to allocate the budget that benefits us all and strengthens our position."
The Marshall and the Admiral both turned to him, their expressions still hostile. But Augustus held his ground, his resolve firm.
"We will reconvene tomorrow with a new proposal that takes into account both our land and naval defenses. And Livia, I expect a report from you on any potential threats that we may face. We must be vigilant."
With that, the meeting was adjourned, and Augustus left the room, his mind racing with the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He couldn't help but feel that the tension in the room was just the beginning of something much larger and more dangerous.
And as the meeting ended, Augustus made his way to his study, feeling conflicted about his old betrothed, Alessandra Ferrel. While he had started to trust her during the war, the betrayal by her family had left a deep wound, and her recent letter only made it worse. He couldn't bring himself to hate her as he did Steinhauser, but he also couldn't ignore the pain he felt.
But he doesn't hate Steinhauser even with everything he did, even as he ruined his father's legacy. He was only a human who wanted the best for his land, a person who saw through the corrupt bureaucracy of the governor of the territory of teradosa highland. Augustus thought with a sad smile, how much could Hallgerd rise with them working together, and how familiar they were.
Augustus sat alone, gazing out at the evening sky from his balcony. The sky was a vast expanse of deep blues and purples, with streaks of pink and orange near the horizon, hinting at the fading light of the setting sun. The clouds were scattered and wispy, appearing as though they were painted across the sky with a delicate brush.
As he watched, the colors began to deepen and the sky slowly darkened. The stars began to twinkle into view, sparkling like diamonds scattered across a black velvet canvas. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow that illuminated the world below.
It was a mesmerizing sight, one that could have captivated anyone who looked upon it. But for Augustus, it only served to deepen his sadness. The beauty of the sky was a stark contrast to the darkness in his heart, the weight of his guilt and regret pressing heavily upon him.
He wondered if his father was looking down upon him from somewhere beyond the stars and if he could see the pain and sorrow etched upon his face. He wished he could go back in time and make a different choice, to save both Isabel and his father, but he knew that was impossible.
He thought of a better time, a time where he isn’t burdened by the weight of his responsibilities, a time where he was carefree, a time where the greatest worry he had was confessing to Akira. But that time is long past and no matter what you are, whether the greatest king Gilgamesh or the first hero, even he cannot achieve immortality. But that hasn't made him think of what could have happened if he didn’t get by the truck. ‘What could he have become’.
And as though of a better time, tears slip, tears slipped down his cheeks, the salty droplets staining his face as he stared at the endless expanse of the sky. The once beautiful sunset had now turned into a murky darkness, mirroring the bleakness that had taken hold of his heart.
He couldn't help but feel the weight of his past mistakes and the heavy burden of responsibility that had been thrust upon him. He longed for the days when life was simple, and he could dance with Isabel under the bright sun, feeling carefree and happy.
Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.
But now, as the reality of his current situation sunk in, he couldn't help but feel the crushing weight of loneliness and isolation. He was a leader, a figurehead, but at what cost? His heart was heavy, burdened by the weight of his failures and the loss of those he loved. How he wished he could have saved both of them.
And as he stared into the starry night, tears continued to fall on his face. He couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sadness and despair as he thought about all that he had lost. His father's legacy was now tainted by his death and the betrayal of the Ferrel family. His dreams of building a better future for the Empire and Hallgerd seemed like a distant memory, and he had lost the only person who truly shared his ambition and cared for him - Isabel.
Augustus wiped away a tear that had slipped down his cheek, feeling the weight of his humanity. He was just a man, after all, with flaws and weaknesses. He had hesitated when given the choice to save Isabel or his father, and that hesitation had ultimately led to his father's death. He had failed in his duty as a son, as a leader, and as a man.
As he sat there lost in thought, Herrieta, his current betrothal, entered the room. She had always been a political betrothal, but over time she had grown fond of Augustus as a friend and someone she trusted. Seeing him like this, heartbroken and vulnerable, made her heartache. Even though he doesn’t know many people believe in him to lead them to a better day from the merchant to the soldier patrolling the border with the Farrel and the Teradosa highland, or the brave sailor who faces the might of the ocean to protect what he believes in.
Henrietta knew Augustus better than he thought. She had seen through his facade of trying to become a machine, to distance himself from the emotions that made him human. But she saw the pain he carried with him, the guilt and the regret, and it broke her heart.
She sat down next to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Augustus," she said softly. "You don't have to be strong all the time. It's okay to feel. It's okay to be human."
Augustus looked at her, surprised by her understanding. He had always assumed she was just another politician, someone who cared only for power and status. But at that moment, he saw her for who she truly was - a kind and compassionate woman who cared deeply for him.
They talked for hours, sharing stories of their struggles and fears, their hopes and dreams. Despite their differences in upbringing and status, they bonded over their shared humanity.
As the night wore on, Herrieta stood up to leave. "Remember, Augustus," she said, placing a hand on his cheek. "You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be you."
Augustus watched her leave, feeling a sense of warmth and comfort he hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe he didn't have to be a machine after all. Maybe it was okay to be human.
As Herrieta left, Augustus tried to hold onto the feeling of warmth she left behind. But as the Marshall entered the room with the report on Project Ashington, he was forced to put his emotions aside and focus on his duties as Count Hallgerd even if that title sound wrong even if the decree demoting Hallgerd have been a few months ago.
The Marshall cleared his throat before speaking. "Your Highness, I bring a report on Project Ashington," he said, handing over a thick folder of papers.
Project Ashington was a fortress city being built at a crossing between their border, and Augustus knew its importance. However, cannon production was delayed due to the time required to cast them, and to make matters worse, they were being prioritized for the Navy instead of the Army.
The Marshall expressed his dissatisfaction with the prioritization, but Augustus understood the need to maintain a strong navy. It was a delicate balance of power that required constant attention. He made a note to prioritize the production of cannons for the army as soon as possible.
But as he went over the reports, his mind kept drifting back to Alessandra. He couldn't shake the feeling of betrayal, and the thought of her made him feel like he was suffocating. He needed to focus on his duties as a prince and a leader, but the pain and anger he felt made it difficult.
He let out a sigh and rubbed his temples, trying to clear his mind. It was going to be a long night.
But then he thought of Alessandra, and the warmth he had felt when he spoke to Herrieta seemed to fade away. He couldn't let himself forget the pain and betrayal he had felt at the hands of the Farrels.
Augustus sat back in his chair and rubbed his temples, deep in thought. As he considered the implications of Project Ashington, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of amusement at the thought of the Farrels' reactions.
"I can already hear them now," he murmured to himself. "Complaining to the Emperor and the Duke of York, acting as if we're the ones in the wrong."
He sighed, knowing that the Farrels would likely be panicked by the project. The thought brought a small smile to his lips, but it was quickly replaced by a frown as he remembered the pain and betrayal he had felt at their hands.
He leaned forward and reached for the report on Project Ashington that the Marshall had just handed him. As he read through it, his frustration grew at the delays in cannon production and the prioritization of the navy over the army and fortifications.
"We can't let politics and bureaucracy get in the way of our defenses," he muttered under his breath, knowing that the safety of their people was at stake.
Augustus shook his head, trying to push aside his conflicting thoughts and emotions. He knew that he had to focus on his duty as a prince and a leader, even if it meant putting aside his personal feelings.
But deep down, he couldn't help but wonder if there was a way to reconcile his duty with his emotions. Could he find a way to protect his people and seek vengeance against the Farrels while also finding happiness with someone like Herrieta?
The answer eluded him, but he knew that he had to keep searching. For the sake of his people and his sanity.
Meanwhile in the Lyonnaise on a balcony, a woman in saintly clothes is seen looking up to the sky with tears streaming out her eye as she observes the cosmos with an eye as pure as the sun. “How are you doing Anii ki?” she spoke in a quiet voice as she continued to observe the sky.
“Natsumi we have to go, it's something about the prince gala that is happening in two months,” remarked a man behind her.
“I know Fujiwara, I just miss my brother you know.” Replies Natsumi as she wipes away her tears. “Now get out of my room and get ready to meet the emperor”.
“On it ma’am,” said Fujiwara as he rushed out, not risking the anger of the person responsible for healing.
“I miss you, Onii Chan, I miss you, it's been hard alright having the world balanced on our shoulders,” she said after she went in to get ready for the group talk with the Emperor.