Friends in Conversation

Matilda Augustus, one of Emperor Rosetta's most outstanding children, was praised as the highland flower of the empire and the brightest jewel of Alderan.

These dazzling titles, layered atop her already exceptional bearing, made many people instinctively revere her and hesitate to approach.

Even so, she had close friends of her own.

The Wendell Family heir before her, who had inherited the title of Wolf General, was one of them.

"We've already exchanged formalities. You can relax," the imperial princess said with a smile, giving Andesa a slight nod. "It's been nearly two years since we last met, hasn't it? The last time you returned to the capital, I happened to be away handling matters in my fief. We just missed each other."

"The necessary rules must still be observed," Andesa said, relaxing slightly but remaining ramrod straight, as meticulous as ever. "The last time I returned to the capital... was after the defeat at the Paramel Highlands standoff. It was hardly glorious. If we had met then, I'm afraid I would have felt rather awkward..."

"The standoff at the Paramel Highlands... I heard what happened," Matilda said with a hint of regret, dressed in black. "You can't shoulder all the blame. The battlefield changes by the moment. At the very least, your judgment brought nearly all the soldiers back to Winterwolf Fortress."

"...It's hard to put into words." Andesa recalled that rainy night, and in the end, could only sigh.

The members of the delegation accompanying Princess Matilda were quickly settled in to rest throughout Winterwolf Fortress. Matilda and Andesa then left the castle's main hall together and came to the fortress's towering walls. They strolled along the route the soldiers used for daily patrols, walking across this frontline outpost on the empire's northwestern border.

The bitter winter wind