a genuine touch of regret. "Duty. The heads on our shoulders are not much sturdier than others''. We have a family depending on these heads to survive."
Reluctantly, the former noble girl cast one last glance at the apparatus and manuscripts on the table, then offered a serene smile to the two soldiers. "Well, then, Messieurs, I shall go with you."
With composure, she rolled her wheelchair out from behind the table, letting the soldiers, one on each side, roughly lift her fragile body, dragging her away from the humble abode she cherished.
This empty room held no one to bid her farewell, yet she couldn''t help but turn back to cast one last lingering gaze at the drawer beneath the table.
Within Charlene''s drawer, she left behind a letter, later dampened time and again by the glistening tears of our heroine:
"My dearest, brave friend, do not grieve too much for me! I have said before that I accept with equanimity all kinds of fates thrust upon me. My great Edith, I draw strength from you, I have once created a miracle for you; thus, I am no longer afraid of anything! This Charlene sitting here, though her body may be feeble and frail, you must believe that her courage is worthy of your friendship!
"Please do your best to keep my death a secret from Raphael. Brother is not as strong as you; I have unwavering faith in his bravery, but he is too easily moved by emotions! I fret that this news will shatter his heart. However, one day he will inevitably learn the truth; by then, the tears you shed for me will no longer arouse dreadful suspicion over you! After the storm subsides, perhaps you will gather in this small room; with quivering and touching voices, you''ll read Charlene''s letter in bloom. And maybe my spirit will walk to your side, my palm gently resting on your shoulders, soothing you from sorrow and longing''s plight!
"Farewell, my friend, my guiding light! I would not write too long, lest it needlessly deepen the sorrow of those I hold dear. Adieu, bless your Charlene - how glorious she feels to journey towards death, singing the anthem of liberty!"
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"Andre! Andre!" Edith screamed, rushing towards Quenet.
The guard who was clearing the way for him imp