Story 22. Happiness
Chapter 313
When Poliana announced her travel plan to Yapa, the head of the Sitrin guards tried to gather some of his best men to escort her. Poliana, however, refused, “I’m fine on my own.”
“Mistress, it could be dangerous.”
The head of the Sitrin guards was insistent and Poliana understood. If she was in his position, she would’ve done the same. Even the best of young knights could face danger when traveling alone. All the powerful and important figures needed to be protected at all times. For example, Lucius the First was always shadowed by Sir Ainno. When Sir Ainno wasn’t available, the emperor was guarded by many of his loyal knights.
Except for very special and rare occasions, Lucius the First never forgot his importance, which was something Poliana needed to learn. She needed to take care of herself better. The emperor did this very well because he knew that if he got hurt, those around him will suffer even more.
The head of the Sitrin guard informed Poliana that he would gather a few of his very best knights. Poliana contemplated, not liking the fact that she would be taking the best fighters away from Sitrin for her personal use.
‘I will just take a few knights but leave most of the guards behind.’
With the change in the Acreian military law, all the knights and the guards of different cities now belonged to the kingdom. Lucius the First made it this way to strengthen his hold, but Poliana realized a disadvantage of this change. In the past, the nobles could use their families’ knights as their personal escorts. However, now that all of the knights belonged to the emperor, using them for personal protection seemed inappropriate. It felt like abusing the emperor’s own personal army, but it would look even stranger if she hired more guards for herself with her own money.
Sitrin was not very far from Yapa. The road to the capital was also well paved and safe.Poliana said to the head of the guards again, “I’m fine on my own. I can go by myself.”
Sir Donau offered firmly, “No, you can’t go alone, Sis. I will travel with you as an escort.”
The head of the guards seemed relieved, “If Sir Donau is accompanying you, then I am happy with that. Thank you, Sir Donau.”
Sir Donau traveled alone from the south to Sitrin, which was a much more dangerous and long journey. Poliana understood why the head of the guards seemed relieved, but she couldn’t help feeling bitter towards their double standard. No one became concerned when Sir Donau decided to travel alone, but when Poliana decided to go by herself, everyone seemed adamantly against it.
Poliana decided that it was all because of her lack of skills. If she was the genius knight of the century like Sir Ainno, people would’ve felt comfortable letting her travel all over the kingdom by herself. Poliana chose not to think that it was because she was a woman. It had to be because of her lack of skills.
Gerald’s wet nanny was upset with Poliana’s travel plan. The nanny was head over heels over the newborn, who was the most beautiful baby she has ever seen in her life. She was clearly a slave to Gerald’s beauty and charm.
The nanny understood that all noble ladies did not raise their babies themselves, but she still believed that a mother should not be absent from the newborn’s side for at least a few months. When she showed her concern, Poliana replied simply, “This boy survived the hardest training in this kingdom. He also was a baby who made me crave the worst tasting food in this kingdom. Gerald is perfectly healthy so he will be fine without me for a while.”
Poliana believed that her son would be able to survive even if he wasn’t fed for three days.
The most worried among those in Sitrin was the head of the vassals. His mistress has already brought something, more specifically someone, incredible to Sitrin. He became anxious about what she might do next when she returned to Yapa. Poliana tapped the vassal’s back kindly and said to him, “I will make sure Sitrin doesn’t get involved in whatever happens next.”
“Mistress! Just return home safely!”
Poliana looked at him oddly and thought, ‘He is talking like I am going to Yapa to die or something.’And just like that, the brother and the sister left the Sitrin castle. Sir Donau made sure their pace was slow since it was only a few months ago that Poliana gave birth. At first, Sir Donau insisted on Poliana riding the carriage to travel more comfortably. He was planning on driving the carriage while Poliana rested inside. Of course, Poliana refused to be treated this way. She insisted on riding her own horse, and Sir Donau knew he couldn’t convince her otherwise. He shrugged and let her do what she wished.
While they traveled, Donau begged Poliana to tell him whatever she was going to do before she does anything. He knew he couldn’t stop her from making mistakes, but Donau at least wanted to be aware of what was coming. Poliana revealed what her plan was to him.
“I want to remain a knight till the day I die, Donau.”
“…”
“After talking to you yesterday, I thought about it all night last night. I am his highness’s knight. If he orders me, I would be only happy to jump into a ring of fire. I am willing to do anything for him, even if it means I will lose my reputation or even my life. For his highness, I can even give up being a knight. However, this only applies when his highness and I remain the emperor and his knightess. But if what he told me is true… That he loves me… Then this is different. Our relationship will no longer be strictly the emperor and the knightess.”
Only
“Sis…”
“You are right, Donau. His highness’s love confession might be real. I admit that it is possible that he might be in love with me, but that still doesn’t mean I want to become the empress.”
“I can understand that.”
People said that a woman’s happiness comes from marrying a good man and forming a nice family, but this did not apply to Poliana. Poliana was the happiest when she was allowed to hold her sword. Even if she became part of the warmest family, if she was forced to give up her sword, Poliana knew she wouldn’t be happy.
Poliana then murmured, “But I realize that I can’t leave Gerald as a bastard.” She knew she needed to make her son legitimate. This determination wasn’t from her motherly love but from her loyalty to the royal family. If Lucius the First had several sons already, Poliana wouldn’t have felt so strongly about this. However, the emperor only had one daughter. There was a good chance that he will sire more children in the future, but there was no guarantee. For now, Gerald needed to officially become the emperor’s son to preserve the royal bloodline.
In addition, Gerald was her son, which meant that she should take responsibility.
“Exactly, so what do you plan to do?” Donau asked.