Soon, everyone in the hall seemed to understand what was going on and broke into applause. As the clapping grew louder and louder, sharp whistles finally joined in.
The dignitaries present chatted among themselves.
"The French really are romantic!"
"How romantic! It's practically a match made in heaven!"
"I've never seen anyone throw herself into a man's arms like that before."
"Just goes to show that even a beauty can't resist a hero! She's fresh off the battlefield and already charging into another one to declare her claim! What a greedy woman."
"Indeed! Archduke Franz, you should give this brave duchess a proper reward."
Compared to the gentlemen's teasing, the ladies' remarks were rather more vicious.
"How improper! A duchess making a public declaration of love like that—are there no men in France?"
"French women really are frivolous! Just look at her. This certainly isn't her first time! She must be a repeat offender!"
"Her acting is so obvious! She just wants to attract Archduke Franz's attention."
"Why don't you try it next time?"
"Fine, I will!"
Amid the noisy chatter, Franz clearly heard the duchess speak in a voice so faint that no one else could make it out.
"We fought alongside the soldiers at the front, bleeding and battling, while you held a banquet in the rear. What do you take human lives for?"
Franz felt rather helpless.
"Why don't you say that a little louder so everyone can hear? Don't use a voice only I can make out!"
Franz was already regretting catching her, but if he hadn't, the duchess would likely have hit the ground and died on the spot.
At that moment, Franz looked toward his bodyguard, Zoche. The 181-centimeter-tall warrior woman could easily have caught the flying duchess too, but she had actually dodged