The decision
The next day, Raphael was lying down in his cell after Amy came and told him to act even sicker. He didn't argue this time and pretended to be sicker as she wished. If they want sick, they will have sick… Anyway he was sick, he just had to not care about looking proud. But he would not moan and groan and beg and all. He just laid down on the floor, his face not facing the door, while sometime coughing. Even then, he prefered to cough when he was alone. To look too pitiful would not look real… would not fit his personality… Amy said as he deemed fit… Lying down on the cold floor was not too comfortable but it was better than staying up. He had less effort to do with his real tiredness and fever weakening him. His throat was deeply sore, he had much fever and many other annoying symptoms but he was beginning to think with some relief that he really didn't have tuberculosis, it must be some laryngitis, pneumonia or simply some flu. But he really would like to have some medicine right now… Those sickness could be dangerous too… But as a guard was passing and he was lying down still, he suddenly thought:
What if the plan was to make me pass for dead so I could discretely get out? …I could do that… But if I pretend to be dead, would they believe it? The doctor examining me would have to be an ally… Humm… But if they did believe I am dead, they would probably throw my ex-vampire body in the fire and cut my head. To make sure I am purified and won't come back… Maybe it is a bad idea…
Still shivering because he was freezing, he put his arms around him, trying to keep himself warm once the guard got away.
He thought:
But actually, being burned sounds like a good idea… I'm freezing so much… We are in the middle of summer but those cells are so cold!
As the guard was now really gone, Raphael began to cough repeatedly before he got up and tried the door and window again, trying to cut the bars with some rock he found. But it was not too effective…
In the evening, Hilde came back with another request to the Duke. She was feeling a little worried since she now was alone. Dampierre had strangely disappeared. Last night at the end of their conversation, he asked for his pay. Hilde asked him if he intended to go away already and he assured her of his support, that he would stay until the end and many other promises that Hilde believed. But today, now that she gave him his pay, Hilde could not find Dampierre anywhere. She wondered if she should still go on with the plan but Dampierre had asked her many times yesterday to keep on with it, no matter what. So she thought maybe she should… Anyway it wasn't a bad idea to talk about a ransom… But where was Herr Dampierre?
As she and Duke Stefan ate together, both looking deeply absorbed by their own problems, she suddenly asked:
-What about a monetary compensation to the victims for Raphael Sorel's freedom? People always need money, it could help those who lack some because of Raphael Sorel's doings… It would be far more useful than killing him…
At the mention of money, the Duke raised his head. He was looking a little worried too: An Ottoman envoy had brought this morning a letter addressed to him to one of his lieutenants before he left. A very disturbing letter: His Ottoman creditors were asking him to render an account about the state of his debt. He was kind of worried to have failed his promise to pay off the debts of his predecessor when he came in power…
To promise to pay off the previous debts was a thing many Walachian rulers seemed to have used to get to power. Apparently many of them failed to pay off their debts even with the always higher taxes they gave their peasants. So today, in the position he was, so near of his destitution, Duke Stefan was very nervous to have received this letter from his Ottoman creditors. The Duke asked Hilde about her suggestion:
-Who would pay?
-Me. He saved my life, I owe him.
The Duke looked at Hilde.
-You really want to save him… Hildegard, you don't even know this man…
-I may not know him much but besides from owing him my life, I do not feel he deserves such a harsh punishment as death.
The Duke seemed to think for a while before he answered:
-Well then, if you absolutely want to save him from a more cruel punishment, I could exchange him to your justice for a monetary compensation like you proposed… It could be fair… And more acceptable than only freeing him… Then you shall do with him as you wish… But I should try to see how much… I must estimate the damage he caused… I already sent some officials to take a census of the population to estimate how much death he was responsible for… I hope you do understand it may be a highly cost… Not only the murders he did himself, but also those he pushed his minions to commit…
Hilde looked at the Duke and nodded. She did wonder indeed how much people Raphael killed… Here and anywhere else… Like Siegfried, he probably didn't know himself…
Some days later, as Hilde was still staying at the castle, waiting for the Duke's estimation, she learned of the coming of an Ottoman creditor to the castle. The Duke told her with some apprehension that he had waited for his visit since he received the letter and that this visit may also play in the balance of Raphael's value. Then the feared official came. Surprisingly, the creditor's servants and escort were not very numerous: only about a dozen…
As the Duke nervously received this official visit, Hilde stayed near him in the salon, not understanding a word of what both men were saying since they were speaking Turkish and she never learned that language. So she stayed there, not understanding a word they said, smiling when one of them looked at her… A real boring princess role…
The two men spoke for a while then seemed to have come to an agreement. The Duke turned toward Hilde and asked her if she would accept to pay a certain sum for Raphael. Hilde estimated that it was not too much: The Duke knew Wolfkrone wasn't the richest kingdom either and Raphael was not that important, so he asked a big sum but not that big. Hilde agreed and the Duke continued to discuss with the creditor for a while before both seemed to agree to some arrangement in Turkish. Then the creditor got up and prepared to leave.
While the creditor got up, he suddenly stroke his long moustache and Hilde suddenly got some suspicions. Where had she seen this gesture before? Probably many Ottoman men did it since many of them had long moustaches… But this creditor… He suddenly looked familiar… She muttered in German:
-Oh… Mein Gott… Could it be… ?
But she didn't say a word as the Ottoman creditor was leaving the room with the Duke.
What Hilde and the Duke didn't know was that the letter and the creditor were false: Dampierre had carefully wrote the letter after he last spoke with the Princess, until late in the night, taking every details into account so that it looked official and hired some false Ottoman envoy to deliver it as he left to try to hire with his pay some people who would pretend to be the creditor's escort while he would play the main role. But he hadn't told Hilde since she didn't want to play a false comedy. He had to deceive her too.
The next day, Raphael waited for Amy's visit like he did since she was allowed to visit. But she was late, he worried. He suddenly heard some people coming, but they seemed more numerous than just Amy and Siegfried. He suddenly got scared: Were they coming to execute him?
He backed to the far side of the cell and waited anxiously. This time he would not try to look pitiful, it looked like it may be his execution so he would fight. When the door opened, some guards came inside. Even if he did feel sick, Raphael took a proud attitude and asked with some difficulties because of his sore throat:
-What do you want?
-The Duke wants to see you. You have to follow us.
-For what?
The guard simply answered:
-Come with us.
Raphael thought that this must not be too bad, if the Duke wanted his execution, he may have ordered it without seeing him first… The guards would have read his execution sentence… But maybe not, maybe the Walachian prince wanted to say the sentence himself… to mock him…
Nevertheless, Raphael followed the guards. He would only know by going and he didn't have much choice… The guards led him to a salon where Duke Stefan and Princess Hildegard were waiting for him.
Raphael kneeled before the Duke and the Princess after having glanced at their expressions to try to guess what awaited him. The Princess seemed to have a kind and satisfied look on her face, but Raphael thought he did detect some kind of embarrassement… while the Duke seemed a little haughty but satisfied, yet with a bit of worry too. But none of them looked angry or cold… Raphael concluded this could be good… Maybe. The Duke noticed that Raphael didn't look too well; even if he didn't try to show it, the prisoner seemed tired and feverish like the guards told him. Maybe he really did well to get rid of him… The Duke then addressed him:
-Raphael Sorel, I do recognize that you are now a normal human, completely purified from the evil of Soul Edge. However, you still did many crimes in my country, so I cannot allow you to go free.
Raphael stared at the Walachian prince, eager but a little nervous to hear the rest.
-…So I asked for a ransom for you. For the damages you caused. Princess Hildegard kindly accepted to pay. You are now her prisoner and shall abide by her justice.
Raphael gazed at Hilde who was smiling kindly before he lowered his head again. He tried not to show it but he was trembling as relief was now fully reaching him. He would have liked to thank the Princess for her efforts and the Duke for allowing him to live as politeness would require but he was speechless and his sore throat prevented him to speak. Anyway, the Duke continued to speak:
-The castle and all its possessions are now belonging to the Walachian crown. Of course, the castle already belonged to the country but your possessions are now taken as payment for your crimes. You only shall be allowed to keep some clothes.
Raphael thought with sadness that yet again, another one who will sell his books to pay his debts… But right now, what were his books compared to his life?
-You are also exiled from Walachia. You are to leave the country forever. If you do come back, you will be put to death without any judgement.
Raphael had the intention to never come back anyway so this sentence was not too painful… As the Duke seemed to have finished talking, Raphael then found the strength to speak to him:
-… Merci, Votre Majesté for your kind judgment… I am grateful to you… I shall leave as your ordered and never come back again.
He then looked at Hilde.
-I am forever in your debt, Votre Altesse… Rest assured that I shall not disappoint you. I shall honour your trust and I shall never hurt another innocent again. I shall accept any punishment that you will deem fit for me.
Hilde addressed him:
-Well, I am glad to hear that. Like Duke Stefan said, you shall have to leave this land. I shall depart tomorrow morning with my army. You and your daughter shall secretly accompany us. We shall escort you outside of the Walachian border. To not anger his people too much, the Duke will pretend that you died in the dungeon…
The Duke added:
-For now, you may go see your daughter. She is not aware of the decision. She will be happy.
Raphael made a radiant smile to the Duke.
-Yes, she will! Merci encore, Votre Majesté!
Still escorted by guards since he was now Hilde's prisoner, Raphael went to see his daughter. He would have liked to run to her but he had to follow the guards who were not walking fast enough for him. When Amy saw her father at her door, she jumped at him and hugged him.
-Papa!
-Amy, I'm free!
They remained hugged together for a while, crying in relief together.
-I hope you won't catch my flu…
-I don't care. I'm so happy to see you! But you are really sick?
-Just a little annoying sickness, not much… Do not worry…
After they stopped hugging, Raphael told Amy, rectifying what he said:
-Well, to be honest, I said I am free but I am now Princesse Hildegarde's prisoner…
He made a small smile.
-But I think it means I am free… Or if she decided to punish me, I think the sentence shall be acceptable… We shall leave the country with her tomorrow morning.
Then the guards told Raphael he had to accompany them to his temporary bedroom. He was not in the dungeon anymore and had been given a small guarded room with a small bed, simple but much more comfortable than the dungeon's cold floor.
-Well, Amy, I shall have to leave you now. But we shall see each other tomorrow. For now, I shall go take a bath if possible. I stayed in the dungeon for, what, two weeks? Three? How much time did I stay there?
-For too long…
-Yes… Well, whatever, to stay this long doesn't help to smell good. Alors bonne nuit Amy, je t'aime, fais de beaux rêves…
-Bonne nuit papa, Je t'aime… and yes, I shall sleep so well tonight… And you must rest too, you really look tired…
-Tired but so relieved!
After leaving Amy's bedroom, Raphael coughed again but he knew he would now feel better with a good bath and a good night sleep now that he was freed from this horrible cell and saw Amy.
The morning after, Hilde and her army were in the courtyard, preparing to go when Raphael and Amy arrived, accompanied by Walachian guards. They both had a simple bag of clothe with them. In fact, Amy had three since the Duke personally allowed her to bring more but Raphael held them for her. He was still ill but with the good night he had and some medicine, he was already feeling much better. Hilde came and addressed them:
-You both shall come in the coach with me, Gerhilde and Waltraute, so that no one sees you.
-In the coach with the Princesse, what an honour for a prisoner! exclaimed Raphael.
-Prisoner, just for some times… As I owe you my life, I shall free you outside of the borders.
Raphael smiled at Amy to confirm he was right and that they had nothing to fear.
-That is extremely kind of you, Votre Altesse…
-I really do owe you my life… I insist that you and Amy accompany me. If you hadn't decided to lower the drawbridge, I would be dead by now… You did so much for me Raphael, not only did you save my life in Ostrheinsburg but Herr Dampierre told me you helped him with the medicine for my father. Thank you again. I am so happy, my father shall soon be healed!
As Hilde contained herself to not exult too much in joy, Raphael looked at her and smiled. But he was kind of confused: The medicine for her father? I never did anything for her father… Unless… The ingredient for his daughter may have served for both… Maybe Monsieur Dampierre made some money out of it? Selling the rest of the potion… How strange… both suffering from the same rare illness?… Whatever…
-It was my pleasure, Votre Altesse… But speaking of him… Where is Monsieur Dampierre?
-I have no idea… Some days ago, he asked for his pay and I haven't seen him since…
Hilde was still suspicious of the Ottoman creditor but she kept her doubts for herself. She was embarrassed to have been part of some kind of scam…
-Ah bon…
Raphael thought he would see him in three months then… for this partnership proposition… But why did he leave so quickly? That was strange indeed…
In fact, under the guise of the Ottoman creditor, during the formal discussions, pretending that he mostly came to supervise and not collect, Dampierre had asked nonetheless in Turkish to the Duke some small advance on the debt he owed the Empire to calm the Sultan, after he made sure the Duke had accepted Hilde's ransom for Raphael, pressuring him for it with some mentions of his feared master, the Sultan Murad III. He estimated that he could take some reward himself for the deed he had done… Anyway he used some part of his previous pay to pay his sidekicks… So when the Duke paid, now certain Raphael would be freed, Dampierre quickly left the castle with the money and his sidekicks.
Once the coach and the army began to leave, Raphael saw the castle getting farther and thought about the night he and Amy came there, more than a year ago. It was night, they were desperate and lost… Now they may have lost many things, like his precious books but they were leaving the place free from their cursed illness and free of everything. So the sadness he felt at first leaving his home became relief as they were now getting away from this place full of bad memories. They would now begin a new life! He addressed Hilde:
-Merci, Votre Altesse. Once again, I thank you for your kindness. But to be honest, I didn't believe you really wanted to save me…
-Well, to be honest as well… I have something to tell you that I did not tell you before because I wasn't certain you would get out of prison one day… but Kilik and Talim both wanted to see you again. They would like for their master, and in the case of Talim, her master who is also her grandmother, to see you… They made much purification on you yet they would like for their master to see you…
-Why? asked Raphael who was slightly scared.
Why did they wish to see him? Were there some chances that he would turn back again…? He remembered his disturbing dreams and the blood on his hand that he licked… He hadn't told anyone… But it could be only old instincts… He didn't feel any bloodlust since he got purified… No need to jump on people to drink blood… Just this disturbing attraction to his wound… But maybe he should visit before it became serious if it did… And Amy, was she completely healed? She didn't tell him of any disturbing behaviour she may have had… Her purification had been going on well, Kilik and Talim didn't make any other purification ritual on her, so she probably was okay… But indeed, they should go see those masters…
-I do not know, answered Hilde. I myself think you look fine but I think you should listen to their advice and visit anyway. Kilik said you could go to the abandoned Ling Sheng-Su temple ruin where he would meet you and take you to his master and Talim said you could come to the Philippines in the Wind village. She said the wind will surely tell her of your presence in the country and she will come to greet you.
-Very well, I wanted to thank them, so I might as well go there…
-But first, they were going in Ostrheinsburg, so we may go see if they are still there… It's on the way to my kingdom… If you wish to accompany me, you are welcome…
Amy who hadn't spoke like the two bodyguards, suddenly muttered:
-I would like to thank them too…
-You didn't have the occasion to thank them? asked Raphael.
-Well, I thanked them… but it was not heartfelt. I was too worried about you, about everything that happened… I was kind of … euh… in fact, not too friendly. I have been cold with everybody… Now I would like to sincerely thank them.
Amy remembered she told them to get lost more often than thanking them… Meanwhile Raphael looked at her tenderly: His daughter was so sweet and kind!
The army made some halt on the way to Ostrheinsburg, one of them was near Ober-Getzenberg. Siegfried asked Hilde if he could go see his mother who lived there.
-Of course, said Hilde. She understood Siegfried's eagerness to see his mother since she was so impatient herself to see her father.
So Siegfried left the temporary camp and rode for a while until he reached a big house.
He got down from his horse and went toward the house with some nervousness. On his way there, he had wondered if he should tell everything to his mother or if it was better not to. He thought truth was very important but maybe if his mother didn't know any of what he did, he should keep quiet about it. It would only hurt her to know he was the one who killed his father and that he was the one who devastated Europe as the Azure Knight.
But as he came toward the door, Siegfried was more and more nervous: What if his mother discovered he had killed his father? His Schwarzwind companions knew about it and they came from the village… but maybe they didn't tell… Maybe he should not have come back… Did she learn he was Nightmare? Would she forgive him for any of this? But he wanted deeply to see his mother. For so long he could not come back or prevented himself from coming back, fearing to hurt his mother too. But he wondered now how she was, he worried for her. If she allowed him, he would hold her in his arms and tell her he loved her very much and missed her.
He knocked at the door and someone opened. Probably a servant. His father had some servants, probably his mother still had some since she was the knight's widow but Siegfried didn't know that one answering right now.
-Guten Tag… May I see my mother? Margaret?
-Margaret Schtauffen?
-Ja.
-This house does not belong to her anymore… She is dead.
-What?
-She died two years ago.
As the servant spoke, Siegfried could not believe it; he tried to look behind the servant to see if his mother was there but didn't see anyone.
-… How did she die?
-I think it was sickness.
-…
The servant continued.
-She is buried with her husband in the graveyard.
Now fully realizing his mother's death, Siegfried stayed in shock for a while before he thanked the servant and left the house. He went to the graveyard.
Once he found his parents' grave, he kneeled in front of it and cried.
-… Mami…
He cried for both his parents for a while until he sensed a presence behind him. He turned around: A young woman was looking at him sadly.
-Salia…
-Siegfried… You finally came back…
She added sadly:
-… And you finally found out about your mother…
-She… she died of illness?
-Yes. One winter had been very harsh. She died of the flu she had caught.
Siegfried thought that at least, she hadn't been killed or something… She may have died peacefully…
-… Did she learn… about me?
-She never learned what you did. We would never have told her… She thought it was unknown brigands who attacked the knights… Not us…
His childhood friend added:
-… Because, you are not alone in this… We were all in the attack… But you fled because… well…
-…Yes… Because I killed my father…
Siegfried didn't like to remember those painful memories but he was also relieved. At least he hadn't killed his mother with grief.
-… Did she think I was dead?
-Nein. She kept hoping for your return…
Siegfried had some regrets to not have come back sooner to see her… Yet he knew he could not have… If he did, he may have killed her too… He changed the subject.
-How are the Schwarzwinds? Do you still exist?
-Nein. We disbanded after you left… You were our leader… Without you… we were nothing… We are all normal peasants again… I hate that… My dad asked me to throw away my sword and marry like a normal girl… I resisted his wish for now but I'm thinking about fleeing the village… I don't want to get married and I can't stand the pressure anymore! And you? What did you do? You look nice with long hair…
Salia Olschmidt was the only girl in the Schwarzwinds. She was one of the guys, acting like the boys, fighting and all… To see her now dressed as a peasant woman was strange for Siegfried. But she did look nice too. Yet he got embarrassed by her compliment: What did she mean by that? Just a compliment? Not more, he hoped… He suddenly remembered: It was Salia, she was one the guys, so it was nothing more… He thanked her:
-Danke… Well, nothing… Well… Not much… Huh, Yes, much… But not much good…
Siegfried wondered if he should tell her about Nightmare since she already knew his horrible sin of having killed his father. But he decided not to. Not now. He didn't want to talk about those horrible things now. He had enough. He suddenly lifted his head as Salia looked at him a little confused by his vague answer. She saw that his eyes were now shining with pride as he spoke.
-Well, I did one good thing; I now work for Princess Hildegard Von Krone! She accepted me as one of her knights! She is the fair and just ruler of the Kingdom of Wolfkrone! It is an honour to serve her!
-Wow! I'm glad you found this place! You seem happy with it! …Unlike us with our boring life…
-… I'm sorry. But… so… there is no Schwarzwinds anymore? You really didn't keep on?
-Nein. We needed you… But you want to see them? We could go meet them before you go! …Because… you won't stay for long… Won't you?
-Nein. I have to go soon. I have to go back to the Princess. I'll just come to salute them quickly. To see everybody… I missed you all…
Siegfried made one last prayer for his parents' peaceful last rest and went to see his old childhood friends.
He didn't stay for very long but he was happy to see them. He then went back to Hilde's camp. Hilde went to meet Siegfried.
-So did you see your mother?
Siegfried looked at her sadly and shook his head.
-She is dead.
Hilde looked at him sadly.
-Oh… My sincere sympathies, Siegfried…
-She died two years ago. At least she never learned… all I did.
While they spoke together and Hilde tried to comfort Siegfried, Raphael who was near, wondered if his own mother had died of her sickness by now or if she was cured. But he was less worried than he would have been before; he remembered how she treated Amy, he remembered how she treated him. She could have died now, he didn't care anymore; he was not angry anymore, it didn't please him but it didn't pain him. It was just out of curiosity that he wondered… He had many places to go, but going back to Rouen to see his family was not among them.
Some days later, they arrived in Ostrheinsburg. The place was guarded by Imperial soldiers of Rudolf II. Hilde asked them if Kilik and Talim were still there but the guards told her that the two left some days ago after having completely purified the place. But even if the place was now purified, the Imperial soldiers had been ordered to keep anyone from trespassing. Hilde then came to see Raphael and Amy.
-Well, I am sorry but Kilik and Talim are gone. They have left some days ago. I think you shall have to go in Asia to find them… Sorry for the delay this trip gave you…
Raphael courteously answered:
-No problem, we only enjoyed your delightful company a little longer. It was a real pleasure, Votre Altesse.
And he gallantly kissed her hand. Hilde continued to speak:
-It has been a pleasure for me as well… Well now, this is where we shall part. We must now say goodbye, I must return to my kingdom! And to my father! You are free to go wherever you wish now! I shall lend you a horse for your travels. Gerhilde shall bring it to you.
She made a graceful curtsy to Raphael and Amy while Raphael gallantly bowed in front of her with Amy also doing a curtsy.
As Hilde was going back in the coach while giving orders to leave, Siegfried came and handed Raphael and Amy their beloved Flambert and Albion.
-The Princess asked me to hand you these when we would part…
He then said to Raphael:
-I already told you but I am really glad you're free.
-Well, again, merci for what you did for Amy and me.
Amy then told Siegfried:
-Oui, merci for all the visits you allowed me. For your concern…
-It was the least I could do. You deserved it.
Gerhilde came with the horse and while Raphael was now speaking with Siegfried, she handed Amy a bag of money and told her it was a gift to them from the Princess.
Raphael told Siegfried:
-Can I speak to you for a second?
Siegfried didn't understand as Raphael took his arm and led him a little farther.
Then once alone, Raphael told Siegfried with a smile:
-You know, the Princesse was looking at you in a special way…
Siegfried blushed.
-Wha… What do you mean?
-Well, the Princesse really likes you. All along the way, she furtively gazed at you as you rode near the coach…
Siegfried blushed even more. He knew she appreciated him but as a knight only… She couldn't really love him…
-… She did?
-Oh oui… Sometimes she didn't even listen to what I was talking about… I just had to say 'Siegfried said that, Siegfried did that' and I got her attention back.
Siegfried suddenly stared sullenly at Raphael before he said:
-You're mocking me.
-Non, not at all.
Raphael wasn't smiling anymore, he had a very serious air and Siegfried thought that he seemed to tell the truth.
-… You think the Princess… loves… me?
-Yes. Princesse Hildegarde loves you. Very much…
Siegfried seemed surprised and continued blushing while muttering something incomprehensible. Raphael didn't understand a word but smiled and continued on a serious tone:
-So stay near her. Try to show her that it's her you love, that it not just duty and gratitude. She shall realize one day your feelings for her and will certainly do something about it.
This statement seemed to frighten Siegfried.
-… I don't… I don't think… Our social rank…
-If she really loves you, she will forget it… But you have to show her that you love her.
-… I… She has her duty to her kingdom… and I understand… I can't… She sees me as a soldier… not…as…
-Well, stay near her anyway. If she changes her mind, you shall be there. Don't let anyone else take your place! You wouldn't want her to marry another knight, wouldn't you?
-My… How… What… and how do you know I lo… huh… muttered a very embarrassed Siegfried. Why did Raphael told him that? Was it so apparent?
-It's so obvious to see… answered Amy who suddenly surprised both men. Each time you talk about the Princesse, your tone changes… your eyes shine…
Raphael began to smile in amusement while Amy outlined a mischievous smile. They both looked maliciously at Siegfried who was completely red with embarrassment. He really thought he had succeeded in keeping his love for the Princess secret and now those two… The Princess and her army were about to leave so Siegfried quickly left Raphael and Amy.
-Huh… I… I have to go! Well, Guten Tag!
Siegfried jumped on his horse and went away as the army was just beginning to move again.
-And that is how you get rid of someone… said Amy. Raphael looked at her. Amy's remark was funny but it wasn't his intention.
-I didn't want to get rid of him. I really wanted to help him.
-I know… You acted almost like if you were Siegfried's father…
-Well, I saw myself more as a big brother, not his father… He is younger than me but I am not that old…
-Whatever. But I wondered: What would you tell me if I loved someone one day?
-Euh… That is one day, like you said… It's not that soon… You're only fourteen now…
-Turning on fifteen soon… I already received a marriage proposal…
Raphael looked at her with almost a scared look.
-Not now?
-Non, I meant in Toulouse. The Duke's son… You know… You scared him away…
-Ouf! Yes, I remember… I thought someone just asked you now… I hope you are not already interested in boys… Because you may be old enough to get married but I want you to be my little girl for at least five years… ten years… more…
-I'm not interested, don't worry. But I just wanted to know: If I choose someone one day, you will hate him, right?
Amy looked at her father's reaction. The question took Raphael by surprise.
-… To be honest, I… hope not. I want you to be happy. But he better be good to you or I'll kill him. I don't want some son-in-law who would boss you around, disrespect you and cheat on you… He must be kind to you! Have respect! Even adulation toward you! As you deserve! And he better show up in ten years or more. Or I'll kill him.
Amy outlined a smile and chuckled.
-I love you, father. And don't worry, I don't intend to choose someone that soon. Maybe in seventeen years…
-Why seventeen years? …But that's good. I won't argue with this.
-I don't know why seventeen years… The number popped in my head… But in fact, I don't even think I will choose someone one day. I don't think I will fall in love one day… It doesn't really appeal to me… I just wanted to know what you would say about it.
-Well, in fact Amy, it's hard to tell how I will really react… It depends how you love him, how he loves you, how he treats you… How I like his face and if he comes in seventeen years or before… Of course, I will be a little jealous if you love someone else one day. Mostly if you neglect me then… But you have to have other people around you. Children all grow up one day… You have your own life… I cannot always keep you to myself… I realized it while I was in prison…
-You will always be my favourite, papa. I'll never neglect you.
She hugged him and he hugged her back.
-I love you, my sweet butterfly.
They were both very happy: they were free, they had each other and they could go anywhere. The once frightening sun was now shining brightly on them.
I did use some historical facts in the story. Duke Stefan will be deposed and exiled by the Turks in July 1592 when he will fail to pay back his debts. Apparently Raphael's ransom combined with the high taxes to the peasants will not be enough…
The next ruler won't be too lucky either: Alexandre cel Rău (the evil) ruled from 1592 to September 1593, raising even higher taxes for the people before he is also destituted and, executed.
At least the next, Mihai Viteazul (the brave), will last seven years because he decided in 1594 to execute the creditors who were ruining Walachia, declaring by this, war to the Ottoman Sultan.
From 1591 to 1610, seven rulers will have occupied the Walachian throne, two of them having occupied it two times (having for some reason had to leave it temporarily then came back). There was also the Holy Roman Empire, the Ottomans and the Hungarians who each wanted to put their own 'puppet-ruler' on the throne. So there was a lot of changes in the government at that time and Dampierre used some real politic to get Raphael's freedom.
