CHAPTER 31 - Fersen goes to America

- This dance party was a total disaster - the man groaned, hiding his face in hands.

- I'm not going to lecture you, Fersen - Oscar replied dispassionately, putting a sugar cube in a cup and pouring tea - You are an adult and you are responsible for your own actions. You knew well that you would not be able to stop yourself.

- Please don't bring me down - the Count sighed - Our fate is sealed anyway.

The woman set her cup down on the table, folded her arms over her chest, and closed her eyes. For a moment she enjoyed the warmth of the afternoon April sun. Then she looked at her companion sitting in the chair next to her. Fersen looked completely broken.

- Are you sure you want to do this? - she asked seriously.

- It would be better. For her and for me - he replied, rubbing his forehead nervously - You can see that it all escalates. And it would only get worse.

- But why America? - she looked at him attentively - If you want to get away from gossip, come back to Sweden. Why going into the middle of the war?

- I don't know, Oscar.. - Fersen stood up, leaned against the balustrade of the balcony and looked into the distance - I just feel that this is what I should do. I'm a soldier after all. Besides.. Won't it be a great adventure? - he turned and smiled, but his eyes remained serious - I will see a completely different world, meet new people, maybe even become a war hero.

Oscar snorted loudly.

- You'll die sooner.

- Oh, black thoughts at once - Fersen laughed, this time sincerely - And even if I do, it would completely solve my problems, wouldn't it?

- You're an idiot - the woman blurted, taking a cookie from a tray and biting at it angrily.

- I like your sharp tongue, Oscar - Fersen said, sitting back next to her - And the fact that you're always honest.

- What did I get from it? - she muttered gloomily - One moron tried to kill me and thanks to this miraculous event I do not remember a moment from over two years of my life..

Fersen paused and regarded her carefully. Two weeks ago, she told him the whole truth, not forgetting also any details of her dream. He had looked at her differently since then.

- It's not a good idea to make enemies out of high-ranking people - he nodded, taking a cup for himself - But you don't know for sure it's de Guemene. You also don't have any evidence. His words a week ago might have been sheer coincidence.

- Possible - Oscar bit her lip thoughtfully - And you're right, I have no evidence.

- Even if you did, it wouldn't do any good. The prince cannot be touched, you know that. Try not to annoy him anymore.

- I do not care! I have nothing more to lose anyway - she blurted out and then fell silent. Familiar, though completely incomprehensible, pain began to appear somewhere near the heart.

- Oscar.. - Fersen started hesitantly - I know it's a stupid idea, but maybe.. you would come with me.

She shook her head firmly.

- My place is here, next to Marie Antoinette. I can't leave her alone now that you leave.

- Promise me you'll take care of her, will you? - he said pleadingly, taking her hand.

- Of course - she smiled, squeezing his hand in response.

A week later, on May 4, 1780, Hans Axel von Fersen boarded a ship in the port of Brest and sailed to America. It was seven long years before he returned to France.

…

July 1780

- Okay, Jerome, let's try it again! - Oscar shouted - Let me just attack for a moment!

The man nodded and took a defensive stance. For a while, only the clash of crisscrossing swords and their tired breathing were heard.

- I'm exhausted - the woman said finally, lowering her sword, but a satisfied smile wandered on her lips. Her fettle was now even better than before the accident. The hard work of the past few months seemed to pay off.

- Is that all, Oscar? - her opponent asked.

- I think that's enough for today - she nodded - See you tomorrow morning.

The man gathered their swords and headed back towards the manor. Oscar looked after him thoughtfully. Some time ago, she asked him to call her by name. At first, he did not want to agree, saying it was not appropriate. However, he had recently broken into it, and the atmosphere immediately became more relaxed. Oscar didn't really know why she did it. Even though she gradually remembered her own life from before her memory loss day by day, sometimes she was doing things she would never expect of herself. Like this closeness to Jerome. Sometimes, only for a moment, she realized how much this strange dream influenced her. She really missed someone like Andre was in that dream. A close person to confide in. Which would support good advice. And who she would laugh with sometimes. Her friendship with Jerome and Fersen gave a substitute for this. However, it was not the same. The bond with that Andre was unique.

Andre. No, she didn't want to think about Andre. While the pieces of the puzzle of her life were slowly popping into place thanks to the hard work and help of others, the memories of this man were actually erased as if he did not exist at all. And Oscar herself did not know if she wanted to try to revive these memories or if she would rather leave everything as it is.

- I'm sorry, Mademoiselle - the voice of the maid broke her thoughts - A letter has come. From Count Fersen - Sylvie handed her a sealed envelope and, without waiting for a reply, rushed back

Oscar sat down on a stone bench in the shade of a large linden tree. Bees buzzed overhead and the scent of the flowers was stunning. The thicket of leaves gave a pleasant shade from the strong summer sun. The woman broke the seal and took out two sheets of paper, written in fine, elegant script. The letter engulfed her so much that she didn't even notice the person sitting next to her.

- Good news? - suddenly she heard a voice close to her ear. She jumped up sharply – I am sorry, Oscar, I didn't mean to scare you - the old man laughed.

- I didn't hear you come, Father - she smiled in response - It's a letter from Fersen. The Count made it to Newport unhindered. So far, there are no fights going on there and it is quiet, they are working on setting up a camp.

- I'm glad to hear. Were you worried about him? - the general asked, watching her carefully. He wondered many times what was his daughter's relationship with the young Count Fersen. They appeared to be very close friends, and that made him happy. Even though he raised this daughter as if she were a son, he was well aware of her true nature. He was also aware that a day might come when Oscar would tell him she wanted to get married.

- Of course, Father - the woman replied firmly - Fersen is my friend, and it has been a long and dangerous journey. I'm glad he arrived happily.

The general narrowed his eyes, trying to understand his daughter's true intentions. Sometimes he couldn't understand her at all.

- Oscar.. - he began hesitantly - I think you like this man very much.. Remember.. If you ever want to change your life, please come to me and let's talk about it, okay?

The woman looked at him with genuine surprise. It was the first time her father had said something like that. She had never heard him questioning the rightness of his choice from the past.

- I can assure you, Father, that I am completely satisfied with the life I lead and that I am not going to change anything - she smiled, trying to cheer him up.

- Your words fill me with joy, Oscar - the general sighed with relief - You have no idea how proud I am of what you have become, what a wonderful commander you are. I couldn't have imagined a better heir.

- Thank you, Father - she put her hand gently on his - But why suddenly these words? Did something happen?

- No, nothing! You don't have to worry - he replied quickly, afraid that his daughter would see fear in his eyes - Are you sure you don't want to take the whole month off? The Queen doesn't mind.

- Two weeks is enough - she laughed - And so I was immobilized for a long time by this accident. I want to work.

- Are you going somewhere? Arras? Normandy?.. - he asked, his heart beating. He sincerely hoped that his daughter would choose the first place after all.

- I don't feel like traveling. I'm staying at home this year - she replied, looking away. She folded the letter cards methodically and stuffed it into her vest pocket.

- So, I am all the more sorry that I have to go on this mission now - the general said sadly - We would spend some time together.

- There will be an opportunity, Father - the woman smiled - Are you leaving today?

- Yes, right after lunch. I think I should be back in a month, maybe a little earlier.

- Let's go then - Oscar got up, and the general behind her – Our good Marie would be impatient.

Reluctantly, the man stood up. The daughter clearly did not want to talk to him about Fersen. Nor about Normandy. And he worried to death. The dreams that had begun to emerge again after so long did not improve his mood. But he couldn't tell her about them, ever.

General left that afternoon. Exactly a week later, Andre appeared at the manor.