Oppressor sss3

    Special side story. Amor Fati (3)

    ***

*** Read the complete translation here https://www.patreon.com/collection/188783

****

    Annette stirred in his arms. Heiner reflexively tightened his arms around her, then let go at a whispered 'wait'.

    His arms felt empty without the warmth. He frowned, half-opening his eyes to see rounded shoulders glowing in the yellow light.

    Long golden hair spilled to one side, a bare neckline, bony joints along a smooth back....... clicked. The lamp was switched off, and in an instant the room was dark.

    Heiner pulled her slender body toward him, and as he pulled the covers over her, he felt a sense of security return.

    After a moment's tossing and turning, Annette rolled over, burying her face in his chest and exhaling a breath. There was a comfortable silence for a while.

    "Annette."

    Heiner, who had been stroking her back, suddenly spoke.

    "You don't want to go to the capital, do you?"

    He could feel her body responding in small ways. Anette, lying there exhausted, slowly raised her head and asked,

    "The capital?"

    "I don't mean moving, of course, just a little traveling."

    "Well, we did go once, early last year......."

    "You went to a conference, that's all, I stayed in a hotel, and we came right back."

    "Yeah, we did."

    Her trips to the capital were usually for two reasons. Composition-related work, or visiting Joseph.

    Even then, it was only once a year. Annette was an early member of the Padania Women Composers' Society, but she rarely participated in the capital-based gatherings, except for regular recitals.

    And as for Joseph, he came to Santa Molly every vacation anyway, so there was no reason to go except for graduation ceremonies.

    "But why the capital all of a sudden? Is there something you need a partner for?"

    "Not really...... and even if I needed a partner, I wouldn't go if you didn't want me to."

    Heiner pressed his lips to her forehead, then released it.

    "I have to go up there at the end of the month for a committee meeting, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."

    "Oh, the committee......."

    Annette muttered.

    Heiner had been appointed as a non-executive advisor to the Commander-in-Chief after his retirement. Though ostensibly a civilian, he would sit on committees and key meetings to advise the military when requested.

    This often took him to the capital, where he would stay for days at a time. But so far, she hadn’t followed.

    While the war had largely quelled the hostility toward Annette, Lancaster was still not a comfortable place for her.

    "I'm just asking, so do what you will."

    "It's been a long time since I've been to the capital."

    "There's a new department store behind the Place de la Brittany, and they've just built a big new movie theater. You know, if you need clothes or makeup or..... Anything you want, you can buy it."

    Annette made a ‘mmm’ sound. Her obscured face was hard to read.

    He'd asked the question in an easygoing manner, but in truth Heiner was worried she'd get bored here.

    Santa Molly was a vacation spot with beautiful terrain and sea views, but it was a suburb far from the city. Even the most spectacular scenery can get boring if you see it every day.

    Of course, he didn't mind being stuck in the middle of the countryside with Annette for the rest of his life. No, he didn't mind, but rather welcomed it.

    But he wasn't sure Annette would be happy with that. It had been a long time ago, but she had been raised in the splendor of culture from a young age.

    In fact, his biggest worry was that she might mistake the boredom of the monotonous routine ⋯⋯⋯⋯⋯ for boredom with her marriage.

    Call it a foolish worry, but he couldn't help it; he'd always been overly sensitive where she was concerned. It was an instinct.

    "Well, I don't know, I'm......."

    Heiner listened, a little nervously.

    After a moment's consideration, she gave a short yawn and buried her nose in the nape of his neck. A half-drunken whimper escaped her lips.

     "Actually...... I just like being in Santa Molly with you......."

    Heiner's eyes widened slightly. It wasn't much of a confession, but it made a pleasant rumble in his chest.

    Annette's breath tickled his neck. Heiner fiddled with her hair, then turned his head and kissed her lips.

    Annette moaned softly in exhaustion. There was an occasional wet sound as their flesh tangled. After a long kiss, their lips parted.

    Annette said in between slightly quickened breaths.

    "But...... you're going up there, it wouldn't be a bad idea to visit the hospital, after all, the president of the association offered me a meeting the other day, and I haven't gotten around to it yet...... and I'd like to visit the hospital as well......."

    "Whatever you want."

    Heiner kissed all over her face, then pulled the soft woman close to him. Their bodies pressed together, the heat of their lovemaking not fully dissipated, as the night wore on.

    ****

    After the war, the art of cinema flourished along with commercialism.

    Movie palaces were built, complete with organs, and star actors began to appear.

    The Valdemars arrived at a large movie theater in the Brittany district, the center of Lancaster and the site of the former capital mansion of Rosenberg.

    Stepping out of the taxi cab, her hat pressed deeply to her head, Annette took in her surroundings. She laid her hand on Heiner's outstretched arm and whispered,

    "I guess the fashions have changed. Everyone has shorter hair."

    Heiner hadn't realized what she meant until she said it. His eyes scanned the bustling streets of the capital with a nonchalant gaze.

    Most of the capital's women, who wore dresses or suits without wide sleeves, wore their hair in thick waves. Their hats were all narrow-brimmed bucket hats.

    "Everyone looks so sophisticated."

    Annette said admiringly. Heiner took a moment to study her attire; it didn't look particularly out of time, but it was certainly a bit out of step with the capital's fashion.

    She had once been a fashionable member of Lancaster's social circle.

    Annette's face was one of pure amusement, but for some reason he felt his mouth bitter.

    "Let's go straight to the department store after the movie."

    "Department store? Are you going to buy something?"

    Without answering, he led Annette into the movie theater building. Inside the gleaming, state-of-the-art building, she forgot to ask more and spat out a gasp of admiration.

    ***

    "My goodness, the last movie I saw was only three seconds long! They really do advance so fast. How do people move so naturally on the screen?"

    Immediately after watching the movie, Annette spoke in a high-pitched tone. Heiner could tell how excited she was, considering she's usually quiet and reserved.

     "I can see why it’s so famous, even though it's in black and white, it looks so......."

    Heiner grinned and escorted her out. He honestly didn't even remember the movie as he watched his delighted wife.

    He was happy to see her enjoying it like a child for once. He was glad they had come together. As they made their way to the entrance, the sounds of men's conversations drifted into his ears.

    "She was pretty, pretty pretty......."

    "......Certainly deserves to be called the most beautiful woman......."

    Heiner glanced warily to the side. The sudden movement made Annette tilted her head, wondering what was wrong. A group of gentlemen smoking cigars and talking came into view.

    "Is it too...... she’s a star at such a young age......."

    "She’s only sixteen......."

    Ah, the actress.

    Heiner shrugged it off as nothing and led her to the entrance.

    Leaving the theater, they headed straight to the nearby La Louise department store. The interior of the department store, lined with extravagant goods, was even more luxurious than the movie    theater.

    Annette was drawn in by an employee, who took her measurements as though she was just going to look around.

    At Heiner's request, the sales associate brought in a selection of trendy clothes that were made to fit her measurements. But Annette was reluctant to try them on, saying she would rarely wear them.

    In the end, contrary to her initial determination, Annette bought two outfits. They were very formal suits that she would only wear to church.

    After a short shopping trip, they visited the hearing center where Heiner was first fitted for hearing aids. It was for a routine checkup.

    "It’s not worse than you were last time, and your tinnitus is especially better. If you keep going to your checkups and take care of it, it shouldn't lead to any further hearing loss."

    Annette listened to the doctor nervously, then looked back at Heiner, her face brightening. This was good news for them, as they had feared the worst and even permanent hearing loss.

    "If you get into the habit of focusing on the sounds you want to hear, like conversations, in the noise of everyday life, it will help your rehabilitation."

    After the examination, they left the center hand in hand. As soon as they stepped out onto the semi-dark street, the dizzying noise of crowds and cars assaulted their ears.

    "Thank God."

    Annette said over the noise. Heiner turned to her.

    "I was actually very worried...... I'm so glad you're okay."

    Through the noise, her voice sounded strangely clear. Heiner squeezed her clasped hands.

    The rehabilitation habits the doctor had advised were directional.

    The sound he wanted to hear had always been with him.

    ***

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