Even if the Dawn Abandons You - Chapter 9

A few days before the tragic end of the Charleroi dynasty.

“Are they all to be shot?” Anais asked, hoping she had heard it wrong. The topic had shifted to the Civil War in the South, and she wondered why the story suddenly took that direction. Anais had anticipated the story would focus on sending supplies to Bassbourg and deploying more Revolutionary Army officers, but it was now clearly heading towards the eastern tower.

“Yesterday, the Imperialists attempted to rescue the royal family again. The civil war is dragging on, and this is already the third rescue attempt. Given the current situation, do we need to keep these troublesome hostages?”

“But have you forgotten that there is a five-year-old child among the imperial family in the eastern tower?”

“I didn’t realize that a 5-year-old would be valuable, and all I see is the blood of the people.”

Edmund’s rebuttal made Anais clench her teeth. It wasn’t because she had no counterargument. Morally speaking, she clearly had the upper hand in this matter. What Edmund Lambert advocated was a ruthless and inhumane act of shooting all the members of the royal family imprisoned in the eastern tower without trial. From a humane perspective, anyone would oppose such an action.

However, when Edmund mentioned the “blood of the people,” Anais realized that the outcome of this debate had already been decided. They had risen up and taken a stand against the corrupt leaders who fattened themselves by draining the people’s blood. So, the moment Edmund uttered those words, whatever human duty or common sense dictated, it became the justice within that meeting room.

Anais turned her head towards Enjolras, who had remained silent throughout the discussion. It was an unspoken plea, asking if he also believed this was the most suitable path. But the response she received was an unsatisfying avoidance of eye contact. At that moment, Anais realized that even Enjolras agreed with Edmund’s opinion.

In the battle where her answer was predetermined, it was Arianne Champollion who unexpectedly came to Anais’ aid. Arianne had always preferred to observe quietly, but she now spoke up, supporting Anais who had been enduring alone.

“Regardless, shouldn’t there be a trial? It’s only fair. A firing squad is not the answer. This will surely be revealed later.”

“I agree. Apart from what may be said later, how are we any different from those in the past who executed criminals without trial?”

Arianne’s words, which deviated slightly from morality, were supplemented by Auguste Germain, providing the reasoning Anais had desired. The summary execution of political criminals without trial was a remnant of the past when Antoine XIII and Henry the Great suppressed the revolutionary forces. Among those present, there was not a single person who hadn’t lost a comrade to the hasty and heartless bayonets. But would they repeat the same mistakes just because it was “efficient”? Anais found it unacceptable. However, Edmund didn’t seem to share her sentiment.

“I don’t have the ability or the need to hold a trial right now. If we waste time and resources on an obvious case, it may become an excuse. If Countess Basbourg manages to rescue a member of the royal family…”

“Aren’t you concerned about the young princess and prince surviving the trial?”

Prince Henri’s daughter, Louise Henriette de Charleroi, was ten years old, and his son, François Serge de Charleroi, was only five. Even if a trial were held with the imperial family as defendants, there would be no logical reason to convict the young children, let alone the other adult members. When Anais pointed this out, Edmund fixed his glasses and stared at her, then spoke.

“What difference does that make, Anais?”

“I beg your pardon?”

“I believe that even if the young princess or prince survive, if they cannot be convicted and there’s no reason to keep them confined, they will be handed over to the Restorationists.”

Ultimately, this meeting had one purpose—to break the spirit of the Imperial Restoration and the resistance in Bassbourg. The fate of the imperial family imprisoned in the eastern tower was just an intermediate step towards that end. The Imperial Restoration faction’s cause was the survival of the imperial family. Even if it was the second prince whose whereabouts were unknown, how could they rebuild the “legitimate imperial family” if all members of the royal family were killed? In that case, Edmund was right. But was it the right thing to do? Anais Belmartier believed that since they had succeeded in the revolution, they should adhere to the righteous path even more. Edmund’s focus on efficiency lacked the shining values they had proclaimed while wearing badges symbolizing freedom and human rights, waving their flags.

“If Catherine de Basbourg manages to secure at least one member of the imperial family, he or she will be crowned emperor immediately. I believe we should prevent that by any means necessary. Do you disagree?”

“I do. It’s quite different. Even if we were to kill innocent children for that reason, we wouldn’t be fighting to create a better world.”

Anais fiercely shot back at Edmund with her intense blue eyes. But Edmund did not avert his gaze and spoke with a clear voice, emphasizing each word.

“We haven’t built any world yet.”

With that, Edmund took out a cigarette from his coat’s inner pocket and asked for a lighter. He ignited the cigarette and wisps of smoke swirled in front of his eyes. After taking a drag, Edmund exhaled and flicked the cigarette, as if he had heard an interesting sound.

“We may have achieved a great revolution, but when we look at the problems before us, it doesn’t mean complete victory. I won’t stop you if you want to live in a flower garden by yourself, but I think you’re misunderstanding something.”

His intelligent, cold voice devoid of emotion filled the room along with the smoke.

“The world is still a battlefield, Anais Belmartier.”

In the end, only Anais and Auguste voted against the execution of the imperial family at that meeting. Except for Arianne, who abstained, everyone else voted in favor. It was the day when the cold and tragic fate of the imperial family imprisoned in the eastern tower was sealed.

? ? ?

The world is still a battlefield.

Even in her dreams, Edmond’s final words echoed in Anais’ mind.

After parting ways with Philippe and meeting two other comrades in the Revolutionary Army, including Auguste, Anais returned to Dunang’s house and slept as if dead from evening until the next morning. She hoped for a restful dream, but instead, her dream replayed the unforgettable scene from that meeting.

Anais woke up slightly later than usual, changed her clothes, and prepared to go out, trying to ease the soreness that enveloped her body. There were many patients to attend to in Dunang that day. However, Anais decided that when she had some free time, she would go to Rue to check on the progress of the civil war. She couldn’t comprehend Edmund’s belief that the world was still a battlefield and, while tending to people’s physical well-being, she would report on the civil war with a scaled-down perspective. As much as she couldn’t understand him, she believed she needed to know better, even if it meant nothing in the near future.

Thus, a new day began in Dunang, shining brightly.

In other words, it was also a day with Leonard as a neighbor. In the small village of Dunang, all the villagers were neighbors, and in fact, Leonard’s house and the house where Anais had set up her hospital were located within a short distance of less than five minutes on foot.

Thanks to Philippe, the urgent fire between them had been extinguished. If Anais had the spirit to endure Leonard’s resentment towards her, there would be nothing difficult. However, an unexpected challenge awaited her. The excessively kind-hearted people of Dunang, who were far-reaching and romantic, secretly hoped that the two young individuals from the capital with pleasant personalities would develop a warm neighborly relationship and perhaps even more. It would have been fortunate if it had ended with mere hopes, but some people, including Mrs. Bruni who had brought potatoes the last time, would roll up their sleeves and try to take the lead in advancing their relationship. It was a challenging situation.

And each time Leonard treated her with his unmistakably stern attitude, albeit not entirely faultless, Anais found it difficult. While her circumstances may be as unpleasant to him as they were to her, Leonard managed to maintain the facade of Leo Serdieu, never revealing his true self to those who attempted to associate him with the enemies of his blood. He carried on his work steadfastly.

Thus, Anais Belmartier and Leonard Antoine de Charleroi’s peculiar neighborly life continued. And as days passed, Anais’ insomnia worsened.

Then, one day, a knock came at Anais’ door. She had been resting at the table as there were no patients to attend to.