WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS

Translator: Abood

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Friedrich's Battlefield

Chapter 23: Entering the Castle

“Yes. That will do nicely.”

In one of the rooms of the Hosenfeld estate, Doris the steward offered Friedrich a warm smile as she spoke.

A table was set up in the room for a standing reception. Friedrich, dressed in his uniform, held a wine glass in one hand. Today, he was being tested on whether he could properly carry himself with etiquette in a formal social setting. With the glass in hand, he had exchanged words with Doris, who was acting the part of a noble guest, and responded without fault. He had just now received her approval.

“You really are a quick learner, Friedrich. It’s a pleasure to teach someone who picks things up so easily.”

“It’s thanks to how clearly you explain things, Miss Doris.”

“My, what a flattering thing to say.”

Since becoming a retainer of House Hosenfeld, Friedrich had been receiving proper instruction on formal etiquette for ceremonial occasions. Doris had taken the role of his tutor, and through regular practice, he had reached the point where his conduct no longer betrayed his humble origins.

"Hey, Miss Doris, what about me?"

Hmm, Yurika dear… your posture is graceful and charming. You’ve gotten much better at putting on a composed smile, too. But when it comes to speaking… in formal settings, it might be best if you said as little as possible, at least for now."

"Hehe, got it."

Doris gave a small, slightly troubled smile, and Yurika giggled in return.

Just then, the door to the room opened.

"I'm coming in."

The one who stepped inside was Matthias. As the master of the estate entered, the three of them gave a bow.

"Doris. How's Friedrich's conduct coming along?"

"Quite well, sir. I believe he could present himself properly in any public setting as your retainer. Whether it's a meeting, an audience, or a social gathering, he will do just fine."

Hearing Doris's answer, Matthias gave a nod.

"Good. You've done well. And you too, Friedrich."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now then. Time to put that effort of yours to use."

Friedrich tilted his head slightly at those words.

"Her Highness Crown Princess Claudia Edelstein has issued a summons to the royal castle. She specifically requested that you accompany me."

"…She asked for me?"

Friedrich’s expression stiffened. It made sense that Matthias, a general of the Royal Army, would be called upon by the Crown Princess, but he couldn’t grasp why someone like him who’s merely a retainer, would be directly requested to attend.

"That's right. It's unprecedented for someone like me to appoint a former orphan and commoner as a personal retainer and bring him into the army. It seems Her Highness has taken an interest in you. She said she’d like to meet and speak with you... Oi, no need to make that face."

Seeing Friedrich’s increasingly rigid expression, Matthias gave a wry smile.

"I’m honored beyond measure. But to be granted an audience with Her Highness when I haven’t even seen real combat yet, it’s far too much for someone as unproven as me. Perhaps I could—"

"Don’t bother pretending you can turn it down. You’ll stand before Her Highness, offer a salute, and respond when spoken to. Doris already approved of your manners, and with your cleverness, this shouldn’t be beyond you."

"…Understood."

Friedrich let out a quiet sigh and gave a resigned nod.

"Count Matthias, may I go too?"

"No. The audience with Her Highness was granted to Friedrich alone."

"…But I’m supposed to be his bodyguard."

Yurika furrowed her brows, her expression clearly displeased.

"No weapons are permitted during an audience with royalty. Not even a dagger. So there’s no point in you acting as his guard."

"I think I could still take down one or two people barehanded."

"And what would you do after taking down the royal guards? Anyone who says something like that is even less suited to stand before Her Highness. And don’t even joke about that outside the estate."

Matthias spoke with an exasperated look, then turned back to Friedrich.

"In any case, this is final. The audience is in two days, so get yourself ready."

・・・・・・

Unpleasant appointments always seemed to arrive faster than pleasant ones. In the blink of an eye, two days had passed. Now Friedrich found himself passing through the royal castle gates, led by Matthias.

At the top of a steep slope that led up from the plains, towering walls over ten meters high loomed, rejecting all would-be intruders. This was the heart of the kingdom. The only accessible entrance which is the main gate, was built with iron reinforcement and thick wooden planks that are unyielding and secure. The road leading up to it from the capital was narrow, designed to prevent large armies from advancing all at once.

Within the castle grounds lay the royal family’s residence and the administrative hub of the kingdom, along with barracks, stables, storage facilities, gardens, and even a small farm.

It was Friedrich’s first time within these walls. He looked around, taking it all in. The space so vast that he wondered if the entire city of Volga, his hometown, could fit inside with room to spare.

The main hall rose four stories high. It was fortified with multiple towers and defensive structures, giving an impression not of extravagance, but of solemn grandeur and steadfast purpose.

“......”

As he looked up at the main hall, Friedrich's lips twisted into a slight frown, and he let out a quiet sigh, one barely loud enough for even himself to hear.

So here he was.

Of course, he understood that if he ever wanted to become someone of real worth in the military, meeting royalty was inevitable. But this wasn't the timing he had hoped for.

Being summoned simply because someone wanted to ’see what he was like’ felt far from ideal. As he was now, he was just a dull and unremarkable young man. He could only imagine the disappointment he was bound to cause. What he wanted, or what he needed was to achieve something first. To earn recognition. To walk into that hall with pride, not hesitation.

And to make matters worse, Yurika wasn’t at his side today. That alone left him unsteady. She had been with him nearly every day since he was five. Facing the most nerve-wracking moment of his life without her felt like standing on unsteady ground.

‘I want to go home’, he thought.

Still, he passed through the heavy doors of the hall. Following behind Matthias, he walked between the saluting royal guards, stepping into the place where the royal family resided.

The interior of the manor was as expected, a majestic sight.

The entrance hall extended up two stories, and the first thing to catch Friedrich’s eye was an enormous portrait, likely of Queen Waltrude Edelstein, the founding monarch.

The sculptures and paintings lining the space did not serve to beautify the hall so much as to overwhelm its visitors with the majesty and authority of the royal house. It felt deliberate. Intimidating by design.

Would this be a view he’d grow familiar with in time? The thought drifted through Friedrich’s mind.

“Count Matthias Hosenfeld. Her Highness, the Crown Princess awaits. I shall escort you.”

It was a court official who greeted them, though his focus was clearly on Matthias. The man turned and began walking. Matthias followed behind him, and Friedrich brought up the rear.

They moved through a corridor lined with evenly spaced portraits, the soles of their shoes tapping against the dark brown floorboards. Up a flight of stairs, then down another hallway.

At last, they arrived at a door, its surface adorned with intricate carvings and gold trim.

Standing watch before it were two royal guards. The court official turned to speak.

“Her Highness the Crown Princess. I have brought Count Hosenfeld."

"Let them in."

The voice from beyond the door was the same strong female voice Friedrich had heard during the enlistment ceremony.

Matthias handed over his weapon to one of the royal guards, and Friedrich passed his sword and dagger to the other. After checking briefly to confirm they weren’t carrying anything else, the two guards stepped aside.

As the official opened the door, Matthias stepped inside first. Friedrich took a small breath and followed after him.

Footnotes:

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