The Lady Justice

Chapter XXV: To Interrogate, and Be Interrogated

Lady Katherine Harrington of Johanne

15 October, Year 1 of Sebastian VI, Emperor of the Longbournian Nations' reign

Longbourne Military Academy for Women, Amöneburg

The Longbournian Nations

As the Sun peaked over the horizon, flooding the sanatorium in an orange glow, snores of all kinds reverberated in the atmosphere. Some were deep, some were high-pitched; some were loud, some were airy.

And some were so soft, they gently tickled the fine hairs on my neck.

Although snores usually annoyed me, I could not be happier to hear them this morning. The rescue mission had been successful, and everyone had returned home to the Academy a few hours ago, safe and sound. All the girls who had been kidnapped were now sleeping soundly in beds all around me, their bellies full with food and water, their bodies on the mend, and their minds at peace.

Regardless, I had made sure to station five Corporals within the room, and three Corporals outside. One could never be too careful in these dangerous times.

At that moment, I heard the sanatorium door burst open, and footsteps approach me. "Well, well, well, this is an interesting scene," a dry voice commented behind me.

"Hush, Mistress Hohenstaufen," I whispered, recognising her voice, "everyone is still sleeping."

The Princess strode forward to face me, and crossed her arms, as she looked around. I could not help but press my lips together in amusement, as I followed her gaze.

Two young girls, one slightly older than the other, were sprawled on the bed in front of me in the strangest manner possible.

Cadet Hartmann's nightgown was hitched up until her knees, exposing pale legs marred by deep, but healed scars. One long limb was twirled around the bottom right bed post, and the other thrown over Cadet Eichmann.

Cadet Eichmann, on the other hand, was almost hanging off the side of the bed, with her hand entangled in Cadet Hartmann's brunette curls. All their pillows lay on the floor – around poor Prince Albert, who had eventually taken to the floor to sleep - and their blankets were hanging on top of the headboard behind them.

"Imagine watching this happen over the last few hours, Mistress Hohenstaufen," I chuckled as quietly as I could, as I waved my hand across the chamber, "it was very entertaining."

The Princess laughed softly. "I do the same when I am asleep," she admitted, "but I find this more interesting."

She raised an eyebrow at me, as she pointed to the Emperor, who happened to be fast asleep in the chair next to mine, his head resting on my shoulder.

This was also a miracle of time. When he had fallen asleep last night, his head had been leaning against the wall on his other side.

I shook my head. "My shoulder is about to be dislocated from my neck, Mistress Hohenstaufen. Your brother sleeps like a sloth, and weighs heavier than an elephant - and I am tired of trying to move him," I was exasperated, "see?"

I prodded him hard in his sides. In response, he simply proceeded to snuggle deeper into the crook of my neck. His lips pressed against the thin skin stretching over my collarbone, as he slept on, unperturbed.

I froze, as my breath caught.

Suddenly, I was very aware of my blood pulsing beneath the bare skin that his warm lips rested on, of his stubble that brushed against my collarbone, of his soft, soft nose that caressed the column of my neck.