Paris, December 1894, winter is beginning to get along well, sitting in the carriage heading towards the military school after receiving a letter stipulating my presence before the royal court
Brynjar Øvstegård, the most formidable soldier known for his ruthlessness during the war, of Norwegian descent and French nationality, stood erect, almost frozen, in front of the commander's office. His impeccable uniform contrasted with the inner turmoil he concealed with almost supernatural discipline. He was still unaware that, a few minutes later, his life would change dramatically.
—Captain Øvstegård, said a deep voice as he entered the room, you are under arrest for high treason against the French Republic.
His breath caught. At first, he thought it was a mistake, a bad joke. But the cold gaze of the man facing him, Colonel Henry, left no room for doubt.
-I don't understand, he said, surprised by these false accusations.
"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be used against you in court," the police officer said indifferently. He complied calmly.
The clock strikes 8. Carmen, still in her dressing gown, is sitting in her bed. She was reading a book while waiting for her husband. The manor had been strangely silent since her husband had gone to war. It had been more than 8 months since she had last seen him. This morning she was informed that her husband would be present around the afternoon. She was happy but also impatient at the idea of seeing her husband again. For her, it had been decades since they had seen each other. Three violent knocks at the door. She jumps. One of her servants comes to tell her that three guests are present.
"Good evening," she said in a soft but tense voice as she entered the room.
Three men in midnight blue uniforms are there. Three soldiers who work for the imperial family are surrounding them. Carmen takes a step back, her instinct frozen. But what were they doing so late at night at her house? Several emotions ran through her, but what tormented her the most was learning of her husband's death.
"Mrs. Øvstegård?" asked the soldier.
"I am Private Lyv, I am under orders from the Imperial Family.
Your husband, Captain Brynjar Øvstegård, is under arrest."
A brutal silence fills the room in an instant. The words seem to escape her without reaching her. She blinks, as if she doesn't understand. She thought she was dreaming, it wasn't possible. NO! NO! NO! she repeated to herself over and over again. She thought she was losing her mind for a moment.
Excuse me…? You… you're stopping him? For what reason? she said in a low voice.
"Suspected of high treason. He's been in our hands for an hour.
We have a search warrant. Please let us in," said the other soldier.
The two soldiers advance without waiting for an answer. Carmen mechanically steps back. Her gaze is fixed. She doesn't scream. She doesn't cry. She watches. She counts their steps, notes their movements. She still doesn't understand how her husband could have ended up in the clutches of the imperial family.
"They arrest traitors before dawn, just like they arrest assassins...
But he's a soldier. He gave you everything." Even silence, she said quietly, almost to herself.
The soldiers search the room. A drawer opens. Papers are seized. Carmen stands straight in the middle of the living room, her arms crossed, cold but dignified.
"You know he's innocent.
You know it, you feel it... and yet you obey," she said, looking up at the officer.
"I'm just following orders," the officer said, briefly looking down.
Me, yes.
She doesn't move anymore. The soldiers leave with a folder of documents, silence reigning. Carmen closes the door behind them. A minute passes. Two. Then she falls to her knees. No scream. Just the slow sound of her stifled breathing.
ma..madam it's.. really true what they said earlier said the scared butler
Don't worry, everything will be fine. I'll go tomorrow and find out what happened, she said.