Valstad Imperial National Cemetery, Honorary Military Cemetery Area 101, Rank - National Hero.

Rosemary Midknight held a bouquet of roses and stood in front of her a heavy black granite tombstone engraved with the name of the deceased and the date of birth and death.

"Wicktingstromhald,

1698—1723

Baron of the Valstad Empire,

Guardian of the Holy Sepulchre, rightful lord of the Starfall Islands, adopted son of the Emperor, knight of oaths loyal to Her Royal Highness the Princess, colonel of the Imperial Guard of Valstad, recipient of the Diamond Oak Leaf Cross, hero of the Battle of Michischwagen. ”

The following epitaph is in the Emperor's own handwriting:

"He was a passionate and courageous man, loyal to his country, concerned about the well-being of his countrymen, he was born a warrior, he went vigorously when he went, and the battlefield was his best home.

SARANTOS Midnet, Emperor Valstarao. ”

Rosemary bent down and offered the rose in her hand to the tombstone, the breeze blowing her thick silver curls and tears glistening in her golden pupils.

(Dear Victor, time flies, and before you know it, you've been away from us for more than two months.) ）

During this difficult time, Rosemary washed her face with tears, and she locked herself in the princess's bedchamber, sad.

The pain did not seem to subside with the passage of time, and the pain intensified, and she suffered from depression and tried to kill herself several times, but fortunately the servants stopped it in time.

For a while, Rosemary always felt that someone was knocking on the door, and he could always smell Victor in the palace, or see the familiar tall figure in a trance.

The psychiatrist is not crazy about depression, but Rosemary feels like she is, she is tormented and wants to be free.

She remembered that Aunt Hannah, the old cook in the palace, had lived with her:

"Some people leave and leave, and if they don't see it, they don't matter, but there is always such a person, and his departure will hit your heart hard and make your world stagnate."

Obviously, for Rosemary to come, Victor was that person.

Although he is not the mother's own child, he is just an adopted son, but he treats her like a brother and sister, and cares for her like a real big brother.

Her memory has been distorted by her long depression, and Rosemary has almost forgotten when she fell in love with him.

(Yes, I am the Light of Valstad,

Growing up in praise, people say that I am the most beautiful princess in the world, and I have completely inherited the body and appearance of Her Majesty the Mother, and the princes and nobles of various countries compete to pay me courtesy.

I was a little pretentious, a little complacent, what made me fall in love with him at that time? ）

She tried desperately to remember, but she still couldn't remember, only remembered when she decided to marry him.

It was the summer of 1720, and she was still an adult.

Victor successfully defended the title of the retro knight athletic,

He took off his helmet and greeted the audience, who looked like a marble sculpture from the side, and the ladies were crazy about him, scrambling to wave their handkerchiefs at him.

(I remember vividly the fact that he rode to the stands on a tall horse, chose me among hundreds of noble ladies, and swore to be my knight of the oath in front of tens of thousands of spectators.) ）

Rosemary Midknight didn't care about rubbing her extravagant dress, she sat by the tombstone and remembered in a daze.

(He's so strong, a tall girl like me has never been able to pick me up easily, and Victor did.)

He hugged me as easily as he picked up a cat, put me in the saddle, and I snuggled up on my broad chest and enjoyed the breeze blowing in my face.

His beard was prickly, but I liked the pain, I hated smoking the most, I couldn't stand the smell, but he was different, I could even tolerate the strong smell of tobacco on his body.

He has shortcomings, but I turn a blind eye, and I don't know why, maybe this is what people call love and love.

Yes, I remember, it was when he was riding me on horseback that I decided to marry him. ）

At this time, a flock of migratory birds landed in the Imperial Cemetery to rest and eat, and a fat, fluffy and cute chick landed on Rosemary's soft shoulders, and it seemed that even the birds fell in love with her appearance.

In normal times, she would have excitedly caressed this cuteness in the palm of her hand, but now she is falling into the best memories, and no matter how graceful the bird's song is, it can't wake her up.

(I remember, another time, when I was still studying at the academy, it was raining outside, and Victor came to pick me up and take me back to the palace, and he said something that I will never forget:

"Honey, I brought an umbrella, can you borrow some rain above your head." ）

"The war has ruined all this, the people are gone, and the good days are gone."

A familiar voice interrupted the princess's memories, and the chicks on her shoulder were scared away.

"Rosemary, what are you talking to yourself about in this person?"

"Oh, it turned out to be William, I just remembered something funny, it's a shame for you to see the joke."

"I have to remind you that you have guano on your shoulders."

"It's okay, I'll just go back and change it, Her Majesty the Mother asked you to come to me?"

"It's not what you think, I went out on my own, and I planned to stop by to visit Brother Victor, and I happened to run into you."

Rosemary said gratefully, "William, it's good that you didn't forget Victor." ”

"Just kidding, how could you forget! We are good buddies, and we are brothers born and died on the battlefield! ”

"William, did you come back from the santium? Sister, how is she? ”

"Don't worry, your sister is recovering well, every time I change her medicine, it's a pity that she hasn't woken up yet, but I believe that patience always looks forward to miracles......

Actually, I came back from the mental hospital, and your second brother Konstanz still looks crazy.

He didn't even recognize me, he just smirked at me, the doctor's manic mental illness is difficult to correct, this is troublesome, His Majesty the Emperor is worried about this. ”

Rosemary stood up and gently dusted the hem of her skirt:

"It's been a lot of disasters lately, isn't it, come and see your big brother Victor, he must be missing you over there."

William Einfurt walked to the tombstone and bowed deeply,

He didn't bring flowers, just mourned silently in his heart, and then took out a beautiful rain flower stone from his pocket and put it in front of the tomb, which is the folk custom of his hometown of Tajiavi City, using stones to convey love blessings

"Rosemary, it's been a long time since I've seen you laugh,

It's been so long, it's time for you to come out, and Big Brother Victor must want you to start a new life in the hall. You've got to figure out a way to get yourself back on your feet. ”

Rosemary Midknight shook her head:

"I tried, but it didn't work.

I've tried to watch a burlesque puppet show, I've been to a circus show, but it didn't work, and I think my smile has gone with Victor. ”

"It's not good, look at your face, it's just terrible, you should find time to play the piano and paint, and fill your soul with art."

"You know, William, I don't sing anymore,

My favorite harpsichord, is now covered with dust.

Sometimes, I even think that laughter is a blasphemy against one's own sorrow, what do you think? ”

"I understand your feelings, Rosemary,

But it's useless to tell you those big truths, after all, everyone knows that life needs to go on, and everyone knows that you can't live in the shadow of the deceased for the rest of your life.

Your body will warn itself to stop these sad feelings that are not good for your health, but there are times when you ......"

The two stood side by side, looking at the gloomy sky, and Rosemary was silent for a few moments before speaking again:

"William, I've decided."

"Huh? What was decided? ”

"It's the one my mother kept trying to force me to do."

"Oh...... You're marrying Prince Solan......

Truth be told, Rosemary, I hate to comment on this, it's just tortureous.

On the one hand, it is related to your happiness and freedom of love, and on the other hand, it is related to the safety of the country, and only a great person like His Majesty can make a decisive choice.

I really don't want to think about it! Let's steer clear of this topic, shall we? ”

"William, at first I thought you were a guest sent by Her Majesty the Mother, and I wanted to scold you a few words.

But guess what? I've seen it now, and I've already decided when my sister had surgery. ”

Fine beads of sweat appeared on William Einfurt's forehead, and he looked around to make sure that no one was eavesdropping before whispering to Rosemary:

"Have you decided to run away from home? Escaping this damn political marriage?

I can help you! Let's live on the outskirts of Tadavi for the time being, my family has many properties there, and when His Majesty changes his mind, I will send you back to the palace!" ”

Rosemary said gratefully:

"Thank you for taking the risk for me, but what you're doing is the exact opposite of what I've decided now.

I think so, my sister is willing to sacrifice everything for the country, so wouldn't my eldest sister look very bad!

It's time for me to grow up and make some sacrifices like my mother, and I'm sure Victor will forgive me, after all, I'm not betraying him, I'm just betraying myself, and I don't feel bad when I think so. ”

William's eyes widened in horror:

"Na! You...... Do you want to agree to this family business? ”

Rosemary nodded at the fraction:

"Remember the lesson of the old professor, Mr. Wilson, whose history is always shocking and unanimous, and tragedy is always repeated.

There is no point in struggling, this is my fate that I can't escape, political marriage is a lingering nightmare in the hearts of rich and noble daughters, born in the royal family, I have long been free to go. ”

"Rosemary...... I...... I don't know what to say about that......

After all, this is about your happiness for the rest of your life, you better be cautious, if you change your mind, I am willing to help you escape from the imperial capital at any time. ”

"That's treason, you'll be shot."

"I don't care, Edgar is saved, I'm not afraid of anything now!"

"William, you're so interesting, no wonder she likes you.

Forget it, that's all!

It's not too early, let's say goodbye to Victor, let's sing to him, okay? Rosemary Midknight held back tears.

William looked a little worried:

"Singing? Excuse me.

Rosemary, I think you're in a bad state of mind right now, but don't go crazy like your second brother! I still have something to go first, do you want me to send you back to the palace? ”

"Don't worry, I'm fine! Let's go, I'll sing it to him myself!" ”

William Einfoot was anxious on his way home, looking back from time to time, fearing that Rosemary would do something stupid, such as crashing to death on a tombstone.

But the reality knew that his worries were unnecessary, and he could clearly hear the singing voice not far behind him, which was a Valstad folk song called "Where Are the Flowers".

The man who sang must have been so broken that every word and note William heard seemed to weep blood:

“

Flowers, flowers, where are you?

They were all picked by the girls.

Girl, girl, where are you?

Marry a fellow and be a good wife.

Where's the guy, guy?

Sign up to be a soldier and go to war!

Where are the soldiers?

Lived in an icy grave!

Grave, where is the grave?

It's in the bright flowers!

”