Chapter 377: Establishing the Bohemian Royal Army (2/2)

”I wasn't hiding; I merely dropped my pen and was retrieving it. Tell me, Veronika, why are you here in my study?”

Veronika was intelligent enough to realize that Berengar was full of shit despite his reasonable defense. Nevertheless, she did not come here to accuse him of hiding like a coward; she came here to ask Berengar a question that was on her mind. As such, she walked over to Berengar and gazed at him with her tiny, blue, and green eyes, and proceeded to inquire about the state of her home country.

”If you don't mind me asking, how is Bohemia faring? I've seen so many incredible things during my brief tenure here within Austria that I am concerned for the well-being of my people.”

Berengar sighed as he once more sat down upon his leatherbound reclining chair. He poured himself a drink in his infamous skull chalice as he did so. He had long since delegated this cup explicitly for personal drinking within his study; after all, it was not exactly what one would call the most civilized piece of art. After taking a sip from the fortified wine, he placed the chalice upon his desk before revealing his thoughts on the matter.

”It is recovering, but the wounds of war take time to heal. Bohemia is in a rough state after years of bloodshed, and now I have to rebuild it. It may take years, but I promise you, one day within your lifetime, when you finally return to the land of your birth, it will be far grander than you remember.”

Veronika smiled as she heard this, maybe it was because of the wealth and happiness she had witnessed throughout the ordinary people of Austria, but the little girl had faith that Berengar would be able to live up to his claims.

However, her next question came as a shock to Berengar; the girl had only been with him for a month max, and yet she seemed to be impatient.

”So, have you decided who my future husband will be?”

Berengar instantly choked on his wine as he heard this, to listen to a ten-year-old girl so blatantly speak about the prospect of marriage was something Berengar would never become accustomed to no matter how long he lived within this medieval world.

As such, he shook his head as he deflected the issue

”I'm sorry, Veronika, I've been much too busy to come to a proper conclusion on the matter. Besides, you're still young; you should enjoy your youth before thinking about such serious matters. It will probably be years before I find you a proper match, so enjoy your time here in Kufstein while you can.”

Veronika began to pout as she heard this; truth be told, she was more worried about who Berengar might marry her off to than anything else regarding her personal life. The last thing she wanted was to be married to some old pervert. However, ultimately she nodded her head and ran up to Berengar, where she latched onto his side like a bit of lamprey, thanking him for the hospitality he had shown her thus far.

”Thank you, King Berengar, you have been most kind, and I look forward to the years where I shall live under your roof!”

Berengar had a bitter smile on his face; this girl was far too formal. Nevertheless, he quickly detached himself from her grasp and responded appropriately before shooing her from his study.

”You are most welcome, Princess Veronika, now. If you don't mind, I have some work to do, so please enjoy yourself. I'm sure Hans and Helga could use a proper playmate...”

In response to this, Veronika smiled and curtseyed as she had been taught to do by Henrietta during her stay in Kufstein; after doing so, she left Berengar in his study. Where he proceeded to fill his chalice once more, he sighed heavily as he partook of the fortified wine before expressing his thoughts aloud.

”In six years, I wonder what the relationship between her and Hans will be. Hopefully, everything will go smoothly, and I can marry her off to my son. After all, I wouldn't mind having a cute daughter-in-law like her...”

After saying this, Berengar quickly got back to work, for the Kingdom would not run itself.

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