Reincarnated: Vive La France-Chapter 66: "Maybe someday I’ll follow you there.”

The train rumbled through the distant scenery far better than the smelly Paris.

After his conversation with General he directly rushed to Verdun without telling Renaud much about what happened.

His life is about to change, he doesn't expect much but atleast a ray of hope from the person he will meet.

Étienne Moreau sat by the window, fingers drumming lightly on the edge of the bench.

After hours of travel Verdun lay ahead, but it didn't feel like a return.

It felt like a goodbye.

Across from him, Renaud yawned loudly, kicking his boots onto the opposite seat. "You're awfully quiet, mon capitaine. That Paris air clog your brain or something. You have yet to tell me what happened in the office."

Moreau smirked without turning. "I've just been thinking."

"About Elsie?"

Moreau finally looked over. "About a lot of things."

Renaud stretched his arms, arching his back. "Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad we're coming back if only to drink proper wine and breathe some air that doesn't smell like cigarette ash and government bullshit."

"I've got news for you," Moreau said, leaning forward. "You're not staying long."

Renaud squinted at him. "What?"

"Shit happened and General told me that

you're being transferred to Paris with me. Permanently."

He then continued tell Renaud about the whole conversation.

After hearing all this Renaud blinked. "You serious?"

"Very."

Renaud leaned back and whistled low. "Well, shit. I thought you just dragged me into that last mess for fun, but I see now you're making a habit of ruining my peace."

"You're not upset?"

"Capitaine," he said with a grin, "I'd follow you into a sewer if it meant less paperwork and more drinks. Paris sounds like a step up. Besides… You need someone to keep your mouth from writing cheques the Republic can't cash."

Moreau chuckled. "You'll regret that loyalty someday."

"I regret it already."

They both laughed.

A comfortable silence followed.

Then Moreau added, more softly, "I'm going to see her."

Renaud nodded. "Of course you are."

They arrived in Verdun just past noon.

The streets had that midday calm, children's voices from homes and smoke rising from chimneys.

Life hadn't paused here.

It never did.

They walked together down the narrow lane leading to the café.

Inside, Elsie stood behind the counter, sleeves rolled up, her back turned as she wiped down glasses.

The bell above the door chimed softly as they entered.

She turned.

When her eyes met Moreau's, her whole face lit up. "Étienne!"

She moved around the counter and hugged him without hesitation.

It wasn't shy or uncertain, it was full of warmth and relief.

"You're late," she said.

"I had to bring the idiot with me," Moreau replied, jerking his thumb toward Renaud.

Renaud bowed exaggeratedly. "Sergent Renaud. Chief idiot at your service."

Elsie chuckled. "Welcome back."

"I heard about everything. The medal. Paris. You've become a hero. But I am sad you didn't wrote me a letter. I thought you were still a home enjoying family but newspaper told me otherwise."

Moreau smiled and replied. "Originally I was enjoying but a sudden call destroyed this peace..oh so much has happened many of which I cannot say to you. But it has been tough."

Her gaze lingered on him his uniform, the tired look in his eyes.

They sat at the usual table near the window.

Renaud muttered something about waiting outside and disappeared with a cigarette in hand.

Elsie poured him a glass of wine. "So… the great hero returns."

Moreau smiled. "Don't start."

"No, really," she said teasingly. "Medals, newspapers, talk of reforms… You've become something big."

He looked down briefly. "It's not as glamorous as it sounds."

She reached across, placing a hand over his. "But you're here. That matters."

He hesitated.

Then he said, "Not for long."

Her smile faltered. "What?"

"I've been transferred," he said. "To Paris. Officially. I leave soon."

Elsie froze.

She pulled her hand back slowly, her expression unreadable at first.

Then it twisted slightly, the hint of a frown.

"You're leaving again?" she asked quietly.

"Yes. This time… it's different. I don't know when I'll be back. Or if I'll be back."

There was a long pause.

She stood up, walked to the counter, poured herself a glass of water, then came back and sat down again.

"I thought...." she stopped, shook her head. "I thought you'd always come back here. Like before. After everything."

He said nothing.

"I was stupid," she muttered, not looking at him. "I let myself believe that maybe… this place meant something to you."

"It does," he said, firmly. "You do. That's why I'm telling you this now."

Her eyes flicked up to meet his.

"I don't want to lose you," he continued. "But I won't ask you to wait for me. I can't promise anything. Not in this world."

Elsie inhaled slowly.

"You're still terrible at this," she said with a shaky smile. "But I knew what I was getting into the moment I kissed a soldier."

She looked out the window.

"Paris," she said quietly. "Maybe someday I'll follow you there."

"I hope so," he said.

She nodded. "I'll think about it."

Moreau reached out and gently touched her hand again. "That's all I ask."

They sat there for a long time, hands touching across the table, saying nothing.

Outside, Renaud leaned against the wall, watching the street with a far-off look.

When Moreau stepped outside, Renaud took one last drag from his cigarette. "Well?"

"I told her."

"She'll be fine," Renaud said. "Tougher than both of us."

Moreau smiled faintly. "Yeah."

They stood together in silence for a moment.

Then Renaud clapped him on the shoulder. "Come on, mon capitaine. Let's finish what we started. It's time to meet Perrin that old sog and our friends. No matter what that base became our home. From your glory to death that base will be the start of it."

And just like that, they turned their backs on Verdun once more.

And behind them, through the café window, Elsie watched.

And smiled.