"Johann Oswald Eisen" Called Selvaria Bles, the woman with whom I had the pleasure and honor of serving with the last few days. She had called me to her command tent, though at the time I did not know why. Though the small box on the table next to her and the paper in her hands were enough to make a guess. Though I would never have guessed what I was going to receive.

"Whereas you have performed selflessly and heroically in the field, I hereby bestow upon you the Order of the Iron Star." I was taken aback. When I went out to cure Selvaria I didn't expect anything in return. Not really. Sure the boys teased me a bit after. Claiming I was probably going to get something. However I had waved it off. At most I was certain I would receive the same medal as everyone else who played a significant role in taking and holding Ghirlandaio. A medal to mark the occasion and nothing more. But the Iron Star? That was one of the highest medals a soldier could receive. One of the truest medals of honor. But she hadn't stopped there.

"Here I'll put it on you. Stick out your chest." That caught me even further by surprise. Though maybe it shouldn't have. She had always been nice to me. She trusted me with her life even though I was a coward. She had chosen me over all others, despite there being several that probably could have done a better job. She stood up for me and encouraged me. I was sure that was just how she was, especially as I spent more time by her side. However while she did care for those in her unit, she didn't do a lot of one on ones like she did with me. The fact that she did made me feel all kinds of nervous. A feeling that was apparently obvious.

"Heh, is no need to be stiff." She told me gently. I did my best to do just that. Though it wasn't easy. She was a beautiful and she was so close to me. Treating me almost like an equal. Not that that would ever be possible. She was a goddess in human form. Above all else. Even the emperor.

Not that I would ever say that outloud. Not even to her. After all from what I could see she WANTED to be the equal to us humans. Wished to be lowered to our level. Desired to be seen as a woman and a soldier. It was something I wanted to give her. In action and in words, if not in thought.

"You wear it well. Congratulations." She said after stepping back from me and giving me a once over. The new weight of the medal on my chest felt odd to me. Not heavy. Just odd. Like a reminder of the steps forward I had made. A weight that seemed to pull me forward as if to make me take even further steps.

"Sir! your words do me a great honor, sir!" I replied. Very glad for the fact I had my face plate on still. My cheeks were hot and no doubt redder than an officer's uniform.

"You were in the paper, you know. 'Oswald the Iron' they called you." She said with barely hidden amusement. Probably because of the coincidence. I of course had known what the papers were saying about me. They had been the source for a lot of good natured teasing over the last day or so. People saying that the timid mouse showed he was made of iron under his fur. It was better than them teasing me on my cowardice.

"Yes, the other boys in the squad were teasing me about it. The little mouse, square in the spotlight." I admitted to her. No harm in it really. Sure it was embarrassing, but I felt like I could let my guard down around her and admit small things like that. Just like she seemed to be able to. Like I wanted her to be able to do.

"This operation has given me cause to rethink my conception of supply and support in combat as well." She said with a small smile, "I plan to work on refining orders to cure and assist my men henceforth." That was good to here. Engineers needed more recognition. They were just as loyal and important to the war effort as any other soldier. It was also likely that with Selvaria starting this trend, that many would follow her example. She was after all the Valkyria and right hand of the Maximilian himself. I felt a little bit of pride that I was able to help her make such a change. Even if it hadn't been my intention.

"That being said, I heard you've applied to be reassigned from engineer to scout duty." She sounded a little confused at that. I couldn't blame her. It had been a tough choice for me. Truth be told I was still terrified of combat, and it wasn't like I needed to be a scout to stay with her. Afterall I was her personal engineer. But I wanted to be more than that. I wanted to be by her side no matter how dangerous the situation. I wanted to fight alongside. Prove to myself and her that I could handle the same danger she could. I wanted to make it so that no matter what happened, she would always have someone that cared for her by her side. Watching her back even if she didn't need it. Even if she never found out why.

"Yes, sir. I've thought about it for quite some time, now…" I had all intention of leaving it at that. In my mind I just couldn't tell her the truth. Tell her why I was doing this. And yet… "Though recently I found an important reason to do it."

"Oh?" she asked looking intrigued. One of her elegant eyebrows arched as she looked at me, as if trying to discover my motivations. "And what reason would that be?"

"You, sir. You are my reason." I said after taking a small breath to steady my nerves. She looked shocked at my words. I pushed on before she could say anything, "Your actions and words have inspired me. If it wasn't for you I would never worked up the courage to do what I did. I want to always be at your side helping you on the frontlines. Even if it means I can't help you in all the ways I could have as an engineer, I don't want to be left behind to only be called in when I am needed. You have been kind to me sir. And of that I wish to help you in all the same ways and more."

She looked more and more shocked as I continued to talk, and when I was done she blushed. She looked so pretty when she blushed. It helped remind me that before me was just the valkyria of the empire. Wasn't just a general of our vast army. But she was a woman. A woman who needed attention and support like anyone else. And it was for that woman that it did what I did, and said what I said.

She stared at me for a full minute if not more. Absorbing what I had said. Atleast thats what I think she was doing. Eventually the blush died down and she was able to school her expression. "Thank you, Johann. I…" She shook her head before continuing but her lips had the barest hint of a smile and her cheeks just tiniest shade of pink. "Regardless of your role or reason I-I'll have you stay in my unit. I look forward to more good work from you, Johann." She said her voice only hitching a little bit as she saluted. A salute I returned with a crisp "sir!"

I had thought that would be it. I had expected at that moment to be dismissed. I had of of course been wrong. "Now how about some food? Tonight will be my treat, to celebrate your decoration." She had said with a calm face. Though her voice had a hint of something more. As did her eyes. All of which caught me off guard.

"S-sir, It would be an honor. Are there any suitable restaurants nearby?" I wasn't all that knowledgeable of the area. I was also very curious to know what kind of meal she would like.

"Oh, I hadn't planned on anything so fancy. I simply thought I'd cook you something here." Wait she wanted to personally make something? And she had planned to do so all along? At least that is what I could guess from the way she said it. My mind was blown.

"What? G-General, you cook?" I couldn't stop myself from asking. Though the blush that answered me made me a little happy I hadn't.

"Y-yes, well… Now and again. When the mood strikes me." She replied looking to the side. She was obviously embarrassed. It was then that I realized that this was just another of those things she did. Something Selvaria did to remind herself that she was infact a woman. Something to indulge herself with that wasn't war. That had nothing to do with her bloodline.

"Being out in the field, I doubt we will find anything special by way of ingredients, but I will work with what I can get." She continued, looking back at me. She seemed to get her embarrassment back under control. The confession of my motivations probably wasn't helping her with that.

"Wow… The-thank you, sir."

"You know. if you really want to by my side as much as you claim, you are going to have to be a little less formal. When we are in private, call me Selvaria. Understood, Johann?" There was that slight amusement again.

"Y-yes si- I mean Selvaria."

"Good. Shall we head to the mess hall, then? You can tell me what you'd like along the way." With that we left the tent.

The rest of the night is a blur to be honest. I had requested something small and simple. Yet even then her cooking had been delicious. A fact I had informed her of. It had brought another small blush and smile to her face. Her smile was so beautiful. She really needed to do it more often.

I never told her why I wanted to be by her side. I don't think I ever will. Ever since she first opened up to me I felt my heart slowly move toward her. If I am honest with myself. I believe I am falling in love with her. However I'm not going to fool myself. Despite how friendly she is towards me, I doubt I'll be anymore than a friend and soldier that she will use as a way to make herself feel more like a woman. Someone who could ease her loneliness out on the field in a small way. But that was alright. If a rank-and-file grunt like me could ease her loneliness, even just for a time, that'd be enough for me.

I know I can die. I know the risks. But this is what I want. I won't regret my choice. When that final day comes, I want to have spent every one before it with her. My place is there, fighting for, and with, her.

-Johann Oswald Eisen

Selvaria slowly lowered the book she held in her hands. She lifted a gloved hand to her eyes and wiped away the wetness that had started building. She shouldn't have read this. She shouldn't have snooped.

Ever since Johann had confessed to why he wanted to be a scout, her trust in him had grown. It was now to the point where he was for all intents and purpose her second in command. The one person she could trust above all else. She never stopped dropping her facade of a strong warrior general around him. If nothing else she did it more often as time passed. Many claimed that she was spoiling him with all the attention she gave him. Little did they know that it was Johann who was spoiling her, by letting her do all the feminine things that she wished to do.

At the moment, he was on a mission. A solo scouting trip. It was the type of mission that she could entrust to only him, and yet it made her feel apprehension to do so. She feared the day that he would fall under her command. It was always a possibility. Many had already, and each one had hurt. Yet she knew that if Johann were to ever fall, her heart would break.

As such, she had decided to go into his tent. To try and learn a bit more about her only close friend. Maybe get him a surprise for when he got back. That was when she noticed the book. She hadn't thought twice to open it up and see what it was about. She didn't know that he had been the type to read. Oh what a fool she had been.

The entry she had just read was not the last one, or even one of the last. She hadn't gotten that far. Nor was it the first, which mostly chronicled his early days, when he was a timid engineer that didn't know why he was in this war. However that didn't matter. Reading about Ghirlandaio from his point of view had been eye opening. To watch the man change in his own words. To see his thoughts. To know what he knew. She felt ashamed of herself.

Yet, at the same time, she was happy. He had feelings for her. He didn't just see her as the valkyria. Nor as some weapon, or general. He saw her as a woman that wanted to be loved. Someone who needed companionship. While she was sure she would find more if she read further, she closed the journal and placed back where she found it.

Her heart and soul would always belong to her savior Maximilian. However Johann had somehow found a way to get in. She found that she did have feeling for the once timid man. He had always been could a mouse. But overtime he had become HER mouse. Someone that stood by her side and always put her first. Supported her in every way she had needed to be supported.

She smiled as she thought about her right hand man. She now had the perfect surprise in mind. It may not be proper, but she could get away with quite a bit. Besides there were already rumors flying around.

Maximilian had awoken a part of her. He had made her want to be a woman. However it had been Johann that had made her feel like one. Maybe it was time she had rewarded such dedication in the only way it could be.