Two days later.

"What would happen to me?" Fern was looking out the window at the courtyard. The melancholy mood didn't suit Fern, but Hilda couldn't do anything about it.

The entire dowry, as well as the bride's gown, had been prepared. Even if this courtyard was quiet, Hilda could hear the servants on the other side of the wall hustling.

Tomorrow is the wedding. Fern was going to the count's manor the next day. Hilda has the option of leaving as well. However, looking at Fern, Hilda couldn’t feel any happiness.

"What are you worried about so much? Soon enough, the first imperial prince would return. He would..." Hilda couldn’t finish her sentence because Fern stared dagger at her.

Hilda was convinced that the first imperial prince adored Fern. After all, he was willing to support his political opponent in exchange for this woman. But times had changed.

She had taken away what was supposed to be his. His woman would marry someone else and have a child with someone else. No one will be happy if something like that happens.

[AnnonBee: Do you know what this situation is called?]

"Are you serious about marrying me when you return?" Fern didn't even look at Hilda while she was asking the question.

Even though Hilda couldn't see her face, she could tell what kind of expression she was making. 

Fern was, after all, a very proud young lady. And whether she hates her (H), they weren't close enough for Fern to ask Hilda for a favor.

"I want to apologize." Hilda could hear her guilt muttering. Despite the fact that she had no intention of breaking the little girl's heart, it resulted from her lustful action.

"I understand." The voice sounded anything but cheerful. But it sounded especially rough to Hilda's ears. She walked up to her and turned to face her. She didn't even realize she (F) was crying until then.

"No, you don't get it." Hilda couldn't stop sighing. "I spoke with the Emperor, and he said he would allow you to divorce after I returned from the border."

She was heartbroken even if she didn't want to be. "What is the point of it? I'll be nothing more than a discarded woman. I would be a woman without a man, a child, or a family. I… I…”

Hilda grabbed her in her embrace before she could finish her sentence. "Pay attention. I believe the eldest brother will support you as soon as he returns."

"You don't have to lie if you don't want to tell the truth. I know it will not happen. You don't have to comfort me."

After that, Fern didn't say anything, but her tears kept soaking Hilda's dress. "You know, if I don't earn some merit, I might not be able to earn a noble title," Hilda sighed.

Fern raised her head, with tears in her eyes and a deep frown on her face. She couldn't understand why Hilda was talking about something so pointless.

"I won't be able to have a consort unless I earn a noble title. Rhea is my primary wife, but I can raise you as my concubine if you wish."

After that, there was silence. Fern remained silent, and Hilda stopped inquiring. The snow that had accumulated over the long winter was already melting.

The wind was still biting them, but there was a hint of warmth in them. Maybe it was the chilly wind or something else Hilda didn't know about, but Fern buried her face in Hilda's hard stomach.

"Hilda, please allow me to bear a child."

“Huh!” Fern's actions were perplexing enough, but her words were even more so.

"Don't misunderstand me." Fern, on the other hand, kept her face buried in her dress and asked, "What if I don't get pregnant? Won't they send more men into my room?"

Hilda had no response to this question. Even though they had been together for a few days, Hilda never did it with Fern after the second night. On top of that, they had no way of knowing if Hilda had completed her mission successfully.

"I don't want more man to..." Fern couldn't finish her sentence. Although Hilda understood what Fern was saying, she lacked the words to console her.

Hilda couldn't be happy about it even if she wanted to. She felt helpless, yet she was angry. She was sure that if it had been possible, Fern would never have asked such a question.

For a prideful girl like Fern, asking for help was akin to losing her life. And Hilda was someone against whom she always felt superior. 

Hilda understood how desperate Fern actually was to ask her to help with something she (F) would despise to do.

Although Hilda wanted to blame the situation on society's feudalism, she couldn't deny that her involvement had resulted in such a sticky situation.

Hilda was still entangled in self-guilt as she looked at the docile Fern. Fern did not believe she had any time to waste. She pushed Hilda away and walked away from her window-side divan bed.

“Maid!” she called, and two young maids entered. "Make preparations for the bath of my prince and me."

They'd grown accustomed to Hilda referring to Fern as 'my princess.' They didn't think there was anything wrong with it. So they nodded and walked away.

But it sounded different to Hilda's ears. After all, it was the first time Fern had addressed her in such a manner. It was the first time Fern had called her ‘my prince.’

Fern, on the other hand, didn't have time for such futile thoughts. She turned to Hilda and inquired, "Don't you have the fertility potion? Get it out."

“Huh?”

"The fertility elixir. You've got it, don't you? Do you recognize I only have today to accomplish it? If I am unable to conceive today..." 

The sadness vanished in an instant, and she asked Hilda solemnly, “What are you worried about so much? You got nothing to lose.”

She turned around and walked away without waiting for Hilda to respond. However, she stopped at the door. 

"You don't intend to compete for the throne, do you?" she said as she strode aggressively towards Hilda.

Hilda was taken aback by the unexpected question, but she shook her head. Fern, pleased with her response, added, "don't you dare. You won't be able to defeat the second prince, let alone the elder brother."

‘Throne? It would be fantastic if I could live that long.’ Hilda laughed in her heart but didn't dare to frighten Fern.

"It's a lot better. None of us would survive if you competed for the throne and lost. Forget about Rhea; They will kill every one of your descendants and shadow wives. Elder brother is very good to those he loves, but not to those who oppose him..."

Hilda waited for Fern to finish her thought, but she never did. Fern walked out of the room without looking back.

*****************************

The vernal equinox arrived on schedule. The time had come for Hilda to depart from the imperial capital. 

There was only a few citizens present when her army passed through the streets of the imperial capital. Whatever the reason was, Hilda wasn't concerned.

The emerald flag was swaying in the breeze. Outside the city walls, the army had already gathered. 

The cavalry of 200 men that had followed Hilda was the best of the troops she had been training for months.

Her bow and spear-carrying cavalry certainly drew a lot of attention in a world where cavalry meant fully armored knights on a fully armored steed.

Hilda, on the other hand, couldn't focus on them right now. She was preoccupied with coaxing the young lady into her embrace.

"Take a look at me, Rhea." Hilda took both of her cheeks in her hands and turned her face towards her. "I'll be back shortly. Before I return, you must take care of the manor. Can you do that for me?”

Rhea continued to shake her head vigorously. She wrapped herself around Hilda and buried herself in Hilda's chest. And it was clear that her tears were not going to stop.

Hilda looked helplessly to Wolfy for assistance. However, as soon as her gaze met Wolfy's, she averted her gaze. Hilda could only sigh as she looked at both of the girls.

'Did it really have an effect on their mood?' Hilda couldn't help but be perplexed. "Wolfy, come here," she said.

Wolfy pretended she didn't want to listen to Hilda's command, but she approached her anyway. Hilda drew her into her embrace as soon as she got close enough.

"How can I leave if you're crying so much?" Hilda couldn't stop herself from teasing. Wolfy grumbled, "As if you wouldn’t." Rhea looked at her with expectant eyes.

"Come on. Even if you guys don't listen to me, think about those who are growing inside both of you."

Rhea looked at her as soon as Hilda said it, and Wolfy touched her almost perfect stomach.

"If you cry too much, the babies would be harmed. Can you look after them until I return from the border?" Hilda grabbed Rhea’s chin and kissed her. "Can you?" she asked again.

Rhea nodded as the tears flowed. Hilda then kissed Wolfy. Even if she tried to resist, her body was more honest.

"You have to be careful because you are carrying my eldest." Hilda messed Wolfy's hair a little.

At this moment, it didn’t feel like Wolfy was almost double the age of Hilda. She was like a reluctant little woman who was unwilling to let go of her lover.

Hilda had to persuade them a little more before they waved her off with puffy eyes. Only then did Hilda mount her emerald-armored steed and lead her cavalry out of the city.

There were 300 servants and 500 carriages beside the 4100 soldiers. It may not appear to be much, but when seen in person, it was breathtaking.

'How many of them would come back?' Hilda couldn't help but be vexed.

Looking back at the tall city wall, Hilda wished she could stay behind the wall's protection. But, in reality, she wouldn't be able to return to the capital for at least three years.

Even so, she would only be able to return with pride if she had earned some merit. Fighting with her life on the line was something she had never done before, nor did she want to do, but...

Her trusty steed continued to lead her army to the border, oblivious to the tangle in her heart.

This is the end of volume one. I would have taken a break, but as I already had an unwanted break, The schedule will continue.

And I remember that I had said there will be the use of Hilda's other organ. However, it would felt like a fan service rather than the part of the sstory line. So, I have moved it to the latter part of the story.