Weina felt slightly relieved. She stood up and walked out of the rest area, accompanied by several generals to the flag bridge corridor. In the hall below, soldiers cheered at the good news. When they saw the woman appear unharmed, their cheers amplified. They threw their caps high and shouted for her.
Weina looked joyful, waving to the soldiers and gripping the metal railing of the bridge corridor.
Alte noticed her white knuckles and sighed silently, covering his hand with hers. Weina looked at him gratefully.
After Anna’s capture, Weina returned to Odin while Alte stayed behind to lead final cleanup operations.
When Anna was escorted back, Weina met with her for the last time. In a small rest room, two guards stood vigilantly beside Anna. The two women sat face to face, appearing more relaxed than the guards. Anna had changed into a simple blue dress.
Bare-faced, she remained beautiful, with fear and madness replaced by despair and silence.
“You will return to Odin with me, Annie,” Weina said softly. “You will be detained and await trial.”
Anna lowered her head, stirring her coffee.
“Heinrich’s father and Barbara’s mother have returned to their territories, and Amelia and George Anna have also returned. If you want to see them, I can call them back.”
“Understood,” Anna replied softly.
Weina signaled the guards to take Anna away.
Anna was escorted back to her room and unexpectedly encountered Alte at the corner of the staircase.
In his neat military uniform, Alte appeared even more mature and handsome, causing Anna’s expression to change. She looked at him almost obsessively.
Alte made way for her, nodding.
Anna suddenly asked, “You’re actually willing to call me by name now, Alte?”
Alte replied coldly, “Lady Anna.”
This formal address deepened Anna’s meaning. “Lady? I almost forgot. I was already a queen, the Duchess of Degaris, and perhaps soon even that will be gone.”
Alte pursed his lips, expressing no opinion. He cautiously prevented Anna from becoming cold.
“You never liked me, right? Your Highness. If you had this title, I could have given it to you back then. I wanted so much to give you this title.”
“Just a title, my lady,” Alte finally faced her frankly. “I valued, respected, and loved you.”
