Chapter 72 - The end

After half a day of silent travel, the king was finally able to speak. The dryness in his mouth from days of sleep had finally subsided."You're Erika Raubenbraum, right?" he asked.Maruschka was still holding onto Erika, while the king was supported by the queen. Bauer sat beside Erika, who was seated at the center of the carriage."That's correct. I am Erika Raubenbraum, the daughter of Duke Walther Raubenbraum and the fiancée of your son," she replied firmly."Huh? I thought the prince broke off your engagement!" Maruschka exclaimed, surprised."Well, he never made it official. Also, would you mind letting me go sometime soon?" Erika asked, clearly embarrassed."That's not happening," Maruschka giggled mischievously."So, what's the plan now, kommandant?" Bauer asked.This was the first time the king and queen had heard the term, and they looked curiously at Erika's unconventional military attire."I think I'll maintain the engagement, even if only in name. It'll be beneficial for everyone. Both the duchy and the kingdom need legitimate heirs," Erika explained."Eh? Do you plan to stay in the capital from now on?!" Maruschka asked, agitated at the thought of Erika leaving."Of course not!" Erika refuted. "I have no desire to leave my home and my troops forever. But I may need to visit my dear future husband from time to time—lest he grow a brain of his own.""Why not just tell him to come to the duchy and take orders from you?" Bauer suggested."Huh, that's an even better idea! Why didn't I think of that?" Erika admitted, her tone lighthearted."Ahem," the king interrupted. "May I ask what you plan to do with us?""Nothing, as long as Theodore behaves himself," Erika replied nonchalantly.This eased some of the king and queen's worries. They exchanged a look of relief."Though, I do know my father-in-law has also been quite complicit in the conspiracy against our duchy," Erika added with a shrewd smile.The queen gasped. "What are you talking about?! Why would His Majesty—or my son—conspire against you?" she exclaimed."Why don't you ask my father-in-law beside you, Mother-in-law?" Erika said coldly.The queen turned to her husband. "Dear, what is she talking about?""How did you know I was involved?" the king asked, ignoring his wife's question."There's no way my dear future husband could have mobilized the Royal Army without your notice," Erika replied cryptically."If you know everything, why are you still going through with marrying Theodore?" the king asked, trying to divert the conversation."No particular reason, I suppose," Erika mused. "Political marriages are common in nobility, and finding another suitor would be a hassle. Besides, a broken engagement would tarnish my reputation."Everyone knew that an annulled engagement could spell disaster for a noblewoman's prospects. For Erika, Theodore was the safest option—someone she could easily control while maintaining legitimacy.The king and queen fell silent for the rest of the journey. The queen tended to her husband, while the king brooded over his and Theodore's mistakes.After two days of exhausting travel, Erika finally returned home."Ah, it feels so good to be back!" she exclaimed as she stepped out of the carriage, followed by Maruschka and Bauer. The king and queen disembarked shortly after.As Erika entered the palace, she was immediately swarmed. A crying Hanna rushed to her and clung tightly to her, burying her face in Erika's chest.Maruschka, standing nearby, bristled. "Lady Hanna, Erika has just returned! Can't you let her rest before throwing yourself at her?" she said through gritted teeth, trying to maintain a smile."Shut up, shut up! I don't care! She shouldn't have left me alone in the first place. I'm just reclaiming my spot!" Hanna retorted, her voice muffled."Alright, alright. I'm sorry. I won't leave you again," Erika said, patting Hanna's head."Bauer, take the guests to the guest rooms and arrange for their stay," Erika ordered.Bauer, who had been enjoying the scene, snapped to attention. "As you wish, kommandant," she said with a salute before escorting the king and queen."Come with me your majesties." Bauer said looking at the king and queen.The king and queen watched in bewilderment. The commanding, cold figure they had seen was now at the mercy of a young girl.When Bauer called them your majesties it sounded like a mockery. She didn't even bother to bow at them.At any other time this would be a punishable offense but now it only showed how hopeless their situation was.When Erika's parents arrived and saw Erika, they scolded her heavily."Where have you been for three days?!" Asked duke Walther."Not only did you made us worry, Hanna was crying as well. She thought you abandoned her and she failed at the task I gave her!" Said Erika's mother."You should apologise to her. She had been crying to me how she failed and how useless she was!" The duchess said."If Emil hadn't informed us that you were safe then we would have seriously been worried about what happened." The duke spoke."If Hanna really felt so sad about it than I have done things wrong." Erika thought in her mind."Please forgive me Hanna. I uh..." Erika couldn't find words to say to the young girl that was still holding her with her face in her bosom.Erika hugged her back as an apology. She wrapped Hanna around her arms as well. It made Hanna happy."Please, don't leave me alone like that again lady Erika." Hanna said.Erika could feel the tears rolling down her eyes that wet her field-grey uniform."But I don't think it's necessary to cling to lady Erika like this." Maruschka said pouting."Oh, Maruschka how are you? I didn't see you in a long time." Duke Walther said suddenly noticing her."What in the world are you wearing?! Did Erika drag you into her army as well?!" The duchess asked."This is the only way I can be of use to lady Erika." Maruschka said as her face blushed pink.But this made Hanna sad again, as she was left behind out of Erika's secret life.Erika's next words caught everyone else by surprise. They didn't expect such a thing to happen."Mother, father, I have the king and the queen with me. Bauer currently took them to the guest room.""Huh, what?! Why do you have them with you?!" The duchess almost screamed."Didn't the royal family conspire against us to imprison us and have our lands taken away?! Why did you bring them here?!" Walther spoke now."They are hostages to make sure the prince Theodore remains loyal." Erika laid out her plans bluntly."I can't believe my little daughter would be capable of such atrocious acts." The duke said rubbing his forehead."Well, it's all the better to have you marry the prince than finding another suitor after your marriage is annulled." He added."All the better if our daughter gets to stay with us." The duchess said.Both Marushka and the duke nodded in agreement.While both Hanna and Maruschka didn't like the idea of Erika marrying the prince, they accepted it quietly since she'd still remain in the duchy away from the prince."I'll talk to his majesty during dinner. Let them rest for now." Walther said."Also as punishment, Erika you'll stay here with Hanna and Maruschka until they decide its enough." The duchess laughed.Leaving Erika to Hanna and Maruschka the duke and duchess left.At night during dinner the Duke and the duchess spoke with the king and queen about the marriage.Both the families accepted the marriage and it was set for the following month. The royal family had no way to disagree anyways.For the marriage, prince Theodore was to come to the duchy himself.Erika could still remember the haughty brat from five years ago who acted all self important. But now the situation is reversed.Maruschka and Hanna had now become the two ladies in waiting for the princess consort and the future queen. They were both happy with this.However, they argued about who'd spend more time with her all the time.This way time passed in a bliss for Erika. Everyday she'd check how things were going for her Wehrmacht.The Grossdeutschland and Brandenburg regiments both returned back to the duchy after a week.On the other hand, the grenadier regiment 950 continued with occasional missions inside the dark forest.Erika's parent also visited Erika's Wehrmacht barracks and how things were run there one day.They were mesmerised by the proficiency and the effectiveness of the army.Though both of them sulked for a while when were denied to ride on the gliders.Erika, Maruschka, Emil, Bauer and Stiegler all vehemently denied this on the basis that they were now too old for such adventures.Maruschka bragged to Hanna about how good it felt to fly in one and how the world looked from the sky.This infuriated Hanna who cried hugging Erika to let her ride one, though denied by Erika.After a month, a lavish ceremony was held to marry Erika to prince Theodore.Both king and queen were present at the ceremony along with the duke, duchess the Landsturm family, Paul, Weilding and even Maruschka.The prince and his entourage were not very lively. Theodore has been subjected to a live show by the Luftwaffe fly-over everyday all throughout the month.This show reminded him that he cannot hide from Erika's scrutiny and must do as he is told.He maintained an artificial smile throughout the ceremony and quietly accepted what came to him. Sometimes he and his friends showed their discomfort.After spending two days with Erika, he left for the capital again. Neither he nor his friends were willing to stay in the duchy for long.Only the king's scoldings and Erika's sharp gaze made him stay.Though Erika was not really excited to share a room with Theodore for even a minute, she still decided to bite the bullet.Maruschka and Hanna decided to remain unmarried and as Erika's lady in waiting forever. Though Bauer still remained her personal maid.However, Bauer's duties were lessened as were Emil's as Erika's personal maid and butler. They both now focused more on their military duties.When asked about the need for heirs to Landsturm, Hanna made a shocking reveal."I have an older brother who is currently married to a noble girl of another kingdom. He will be the next heir to my family." She said to Erika."Huh, you never told me about it!" Erika exclaimed."Well, he was supposed to be the heir to that house but recently his in-laws had another child. So he is returning back." Hanna explained."And you never asked me about. So I never mentioned about him." She added.Erika and Maruschka both were shocked and didn't know what to say.Maruschka gritted her teeth, "Grr, I thought I'd be able to get rid of you!" She said.Erika laughed hard at this along with Hanna while Maruschka pouted.After a few years, Erika had already become a mother. She has a son with Theodore who looked just like the former king.Theodore's attitude also changed somewhat and he became a caring father.Though he remained in the capital as the new king while Erika, now the queen remained in the duchy.The king and queen also became doting grandparents and often quarrelled with the duke and duchess about whether this boy would become the next duke or the prince.Hanna and Maruschka never changed and they always remained by Erika, always fighting for Erika's attention.They sometimes sulked over the fact that Erika now had to look after her son.Erika also matured a lot and became a very beautiful woman.Her Wehrmacht was now commanded by Emil with Bauer as the second in command.Looking back at her life until now, she thought about how she a reincarnated villainess became a Wehrmacht general and how she took her revenge against the prince.