Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 3 Paradise

Chapter 89 From Rose to Bud

<Danube River>

"So that flare was nothing."

Finally, they could ease up and the city's walls grew smaller and smaller. The riverbank soon became the only form of land they could see as their boats drifted down the Danube River. For Alya who had rarely spent a day outside Vienna's walls, the sight was-

"It's empty," Alya muttered, knees close to her chest. The sky was the same, but the air was different. She couldn't describe it, but at the very least, it was better than the smells of the palace. Dyes and perfume were so heavy before she became Queen. One of her first orders was to limit the products that nobles adorned. Met with controversy but it was necessary. Edelweiss was the only acceptable smell in her palace. The garden was filled with those sweet flowers, they weren't overpowering but gentle like powder on the tip of one's nose. The sweat and blood of Valkyries in her vicinity didn't help this impression of the world outside of Vienna.

"Yes, your Majesty. But I think we didn't need to worry much."

"Captain would've protected."

"Ellie would too," Cathay commented.

The rest of the Valkyries nodded, they grinned as if they hadn't just escaped hunger and filth. They were her prisoners hours ago and yet here they were in high spirits. Only Cathy looked worried, but it was natural for her.

"Float bucket, we will diverge on foot at the river's bend," Cathay commanded.

They spoke like soldiers but to Alya, they were just commoners. Gone was the noble dialect and it was the short but effective communication of people. It's not to say nobles were people but there were often countless meanings behind formal words. Though it wasn't a headache for Alya to deal with, it was prevalent. Even Vera spoke to her in this manner but there were times when she slipped. The five Valkyries escorting her weren't educated.

Eventually, they reached the Danube's bend. With their weapons sheathed and their supplies slung over their shoulders, the Valkyries formed a guard around Alya. It was far from the regal escort she was used to, they didn't maintain a perfect three-pace distance behind her. They didn't stand with a stiff air as if their life depended on their duty. Cathay led them and the rest fell in behind or in front of Alya. How peculiar.

The water gurgled behind them as they released the boat back into the river. Several ropes shot out from the other row boats, ensuring that the property wouldn't go missing. Those boats could be used as stretchers for the injured. They weren't heavy for Valkyries to carry.

"It's too silent. I can only hear the rustling of grass and the crickets. They chirp."

"Your Majesty-"

"You need not hold such formalities with me," Alya replied hesitantly. To be honest, they were strangers and without her authority, she was at their mercy. What if they wanted revenge for being imprisoned? What if they held a grudge? "I need to apologize for your imprisonment."

The Valkyries tensed when they saw the Queen dip her head. It was a low bow, beyond ninety degrees. Improper for a Valkyrie to receive from Royal lineage. Some grew embarrassed, the others awkwardly accepted the Queen's apology. Still, Alya knew she made them uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the dialect of the court and the dialect of Koleston's Valkyries were too far apart to bridge the gap in understanding.

"Your Majesty, I don't believe you need to apologize." Cathy started slowly. Her words were spaced and careful although the Queen was effectively powerless.

"There's no justification."

"Your Majesty," Another Valkyrie butted in. Through the cracked lenses of her glasses, she did her best to assess the conversation. "Though we suffered. Though our friends were never treated we understand that it's not your fault. It's not to say that we don't resent you. I do resent you, my friends nearly died but those false letters aggravated the start of the war. The Overseers ... actions were frightening, never before had the church held a mass execution. I understand that in the Revelation as a prop, you were trying to unite your people. You did so to prevent a rift from spreading, to prevent your people from killing each other. You were tricked and it's reasonable to believe that the Overseer was deceived as well."