Chapter 303: Forward March! (2/2)

”Be safe, father.”

As for Helga, she was still too young to speak and was in Linde's arms, who once more had a worried expression on her face; as Berengar kissed his infant daughter on her forehead, Linde spoke the words on her mind.

”I will pray for you!”

For some reason, Berengar found this funny and chuckled lightly as he dragged the beautiful young woman into his arms. Linde was far from devout; however, if there was one time she prayed to the Lord God almighty with any sense of sincerity, it was when her man went off to war.  After he embraced his lover, he kissed her passionately before saying his departing words.

”I love you.”

Linde responded in kind before letting go of Berengar's grasp.

”I love you too!”

With that said, Berengar turned to Henrietta, where he patted her on the head. The girl instantly hugged him. Over the past few years, she had begun to grow into a beautiful young adolescent girl. Berengar would soon have to think about finding her a fiance. However, such thoughts were interrupted as the girl began to cry into Berengar's steel-plated chest.

”Be safe, dearest brother!”

In response to this, Berengar hugged his little sister before replying to her.

”I promise I will return safe and sound.”

After a few moments, Berengar forced himself out of Henrietta's grasp as he walked over to Honoria and grasped ahold of her hand before walking out the door of the building. He said his goodbyes to her as they approached the river port of Kufstein. Honoria had a far more critical job while Berengar was at war, leading her crew of salty wenches as they raided the Italian shipping vessels.

As such, Berengar kissed her goodbye at the entrance to her ship in front of all her crew members, Elfrun in particular looked away in disgust as she saw Honoria fall for such a playboy once more. After making out with the gorgeous young princess, Berengar said the exact words that he left Linde with.

”I Love you, Honoria.”

In return, Honoria put on a smug smile before responding to Berengar's words with a snarky remark.

”I know!”

After saying that, Honoria hopped out of Berengar's arms and onto her sloop of war, where she immediately began to depart; as the ship started to sail down the river Inn Berengar called out to her one last time.

”Be careful!”

In response, Honoria smiled and blew a kiss to Berengar; it was only after the ship was out of sight that Berengar reunited with his army and departed for war. After reflecting upon the recent past, Berengar soon found himself asleep with a broad smile on his face.

He would not awaken until the dawn of the next day, and when he did, it was to the sound of an artillery barrage going off. With such a thunderous noise acting as his alarm clock, Berengar knew that the Siege of Verona had begun.

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