Should I help or turn away? I was deeply troubled.
If Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Groenendaal defects here, he will be investigated for his relationship with me, his lineage, and other issues. He may even be placed under surveillance.
In the process, my identity might be revealed. Or Admiral Claire might try to retrieve Celine, who left here, or she might go crazy with rage and harm me.
Celine Claire, daughter of Admiral Winston Claire, and Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Groenendael, son of Agnes Harrison, who is widely believed to have had an affair with the Admiral.
I don't know what kind of misfortune might befall me if I help them escape. Furthermore, isn't Celine the woman who knew about my misfortune and turned a blind eye to it? From both a rational and emotional standpoint, there's no benefit to be gained.
I looked out the window and down at the carpet, distracting myself from my confusion, until I finally made eye contact with Noah.
“Why not go to the permanent neutral country where his brother is...?”
"The Capel Federation? Your sister, a Belfordian, is the problem. They were defeated and trampled by the Belford Empire, a former enemy, centuries ago, so she still has a negative reputation. She's likely to be denied immigration or asylum. Jayce barely managed to settle down after lobbying high-ranking politicians. It was only possible because of his Medea appearance."
This must be a situation where neither of them is working. Why doesn't Celine seek advice or help from her father-in-law, the Prime Minister? Along with my doubts, I'm also worried about Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal, but I can't show it. My life and Noah are paramount. And I hope this daily life with the people who are by my side continues as long as possible.
I don't expect him to solve everything. I also know I shouldn't take responsibility for things I can't handle. It's not perfect, but the happiness and daily life I have now, married to him and fully together, won't come easily.
"I think it's right to refuse. Right now, I can't help them."
That was my conclusion.
A brief silence fell between him and me, and a gentle breeze blew through the open window, caressing his silvery bangs as he rested his chin on his hand, waiting for my response. The corners of his mouth slackened, like a beast relishing its fullness.
His scent was faintly carried by the wind.
“Noah, you are the most important thing to me. More than anyone else.”
At my addition, Noah's narrowed eyes slowly widened and stared intently at me. His slender fingers, drawing closer with the thickening scent of my body, tangled a few strands of my jet-black hair.
Beneath his lowered eyelashes, his strangely blue eyes looked lonely.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted, but rather than feeling good...”
He sighed softly, his words trailing off. I looked at him with worried eyes.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
Noah's eyes turned red, and he was filled with a vulnerability that only I could see.
“I don’t know. It’s like the feeling of wanting you to hug me.”
"What the heck, so cute?" I covered my mouth and smiled. I held out my arms as if beckoning him to come in, and a man much larger than me lowered himself, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me into his embrace. He held me tightly, his head nuzzling against my chest as if beckoning me.
“Since that day, I have had feelings I never knew existed.”
“That day?”
“When you lose consciousness and go somewhere.”
He must have been having a hard time alone at the time. I stroked his pretty hair. He spoke, his expression unseen.
"It was unbearable. More so than being surrounded by enemy soldiers in the trenches, being shot, or losing consciousness during a bombing raid. All I could think about was how I'd feel if you disappeared."
I looked at the yellow daffodils in the vase on the table across from me. Behind them, a full-length mirror reflected our reflections. I closed my eyes, feeling his body heat overwhelmingly filling my arms.
"Noah. I, too, have become a timid coward, and I've become more fearful. Ever since I found someone precious to me, I don't want to lose."
That's why I chose to ignore the danger posed by Lt. Col. Jeffrey Groenendael, who was trying his best to help me.
I decided to forget about it, dismissing it as an outsider's matter outside my closed sphere.
It's all someone else's business.
Celine arrived at the capital's mansion and sat opposite a hesitant Janet. It was clear, even without hearing it out loud, that she'd been rejected, so Celine sighed and asked a pointless question, as if to confirm her decision.
“Did the Duke refuse?”
“These are their opinions.”
"I see. I have no choice but to persuade the lieutenant colonel and submit an application for asylum to the Medea government."
“Wasn’t the reason you sought Miss Diana’s help to persuade Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal?”
Celine's face darkened. She knew that trying to persuade him directly to leave would be futile. If Diana had conveyed her need for the lieutenant colonel's assistance or her wish for him to seek asylum in Medea, he would have gone without hesitation, so she had sought her help.
“I don’t want to lose anyone. Not Dad, not the Colonel.”
Seeing Celine worrying, Janet sat up straight on the sofa and rubbed her knees for no reason.
“It would be nice if Lady Diana could help you...”
Celine chuckled self-deprecatingly. She's living her life adhering so well to the advice to close her eyes and cover her ears, pretending not to see or hear. Yes, that's right.
"It's not like we were on good terms, is it? I wouldn't help her without something to gain from it. Seeing as she didn't respond to my offer of useful information in return, I'm guessing there's no conflict of interest."
Celine and Diana's relationship lacked the usual familial bond and love, instead focusing on cold, pragmatic interests. The two sisters were practically strangers. Despite not being related by blood, Janet, who considered Diana and Celine family, felt a pang of pity.
“Don’t be too heartbroken. I will stand by your side and help you.”
Celine smiled prettily. She took Janet's wrinkled hand in her soft, white one and said,
“I’m so happy to have someone by my side who gives to me without asking for anything in return, without any conditions. Nanny.”
Celine, her cheeks flushed brightly, swept back her long, platinum-colored hair.
"I believe Father's priority plan will be to assassinate Prime Minister Groenendaal. He'll likely execute it before the peacekeeping coalition to counter the Allied forces is organized and announced to the world."
Admiral Claire attempted to persuade the Emperor, seeking to restore his diminished authority, to sign a treaty with Frogen and bring Belford into the ranks of the conquering alliance. The Prime Minister, who consistently opposed war and advocated for participation in a peace coalition, was a thorn in his side, given his influence and popularity. Celine concluded that she could not prevent his death. If she revealed the possibility of an assassination plot, her father might die. Janet's brow furrowed in anguish.
“Next up, Lieutenant Colonel.”
At her words, Celine smiled sadly.
"After the Prime Minister's death, we have no choice but to seek protection from Medea and apply for asylum. We can submit press articles and copies of parliamentary minutes showing his intention to join the Medea-led peace coalition. That would be the basis for political persecution."
Celine's lips twisted as she finished speaking. The Prime Minister's affectionate voice came to mind.
“If Jeffrey does anything wrong to you, tell me right away, because this father-in-law will give him a bad time.”
Prime Minister Groenendael was a devoted father-in-law to Celine. He showered her with jewels and dresses, and even purchased the most expensive and luxurious mansion in the capital city of Lourdes for their new home. His love for his daughter-in-law was so profound that she could not help but feel guilty and uneasy about the prospect of his death.
"He's a good man. But my father is more important to me. I hate the sins he committed, but he's still my biological father."
Celine muttered to herself. Janet was staring at the tips of her shoes, which lay neatly on the carpet.
“...Why did the master allow the young lady and the lieutenant colonel to marry?”
Celine smiled calmly, her hands neatly placed on her knees.
“He thought I would give up.”
“Are you saying that he did that to make the young lady give up her feelings for the Lieutenant Colonel?”
It was meant to show that even if they were married and living in the same house, it would be of no use. While the intention was to make her hate and resent the lieutenant colonel, Celine, far from harboring revenge, is desperately trying to protect him. Unrecognized and unloved, she clings to him, striving to do so. Admiral Claire, struck by this, feels a wave of anger and guilt and joins forces with a Duke politician who supports the Frogen Empire and seeks the position of Prime Minister of Belford, determined to eliminate him.
As the daughter of a high-ranking official, Celine's mother, Countess Claire, struggled for her husband's promotion and helped him rise to the rank of admiral, yet she received no love. Janet's eyes grew redder as she gazed at the pitiful Celine.
The resignation and despair of the woman who climbed the cold stone tower barefoot in the frigid winter, ready to throw herself and her daughter into death. As she recalled this, an unbearable pity weighed heavily on Janet's heart.
Janet drove her old car out of the capital and back to the port city. Entering the mansion, she scanned the empty hallways and headed toward the admiral's quarters.
Janet, standing in front of the room, cautiously opened the door. She entered the room, muffled her footsteps, and slowly walked toward the admiral's safe, turning the dial.
Janet, who discovered a letter with no sender written on it in the open safe, turned around once more, looked around, looked out the window, and then opened the already torn envelope.
“This is it.”
Crouching down, she swallowed hard before opening the letter and checking its contents. Janet's eyes widened as she carefully read it.
“What is this...”
Janet, gasping for breath, covered her mouth, put the letter back in, and closed the safe door. She felt dizzy, her vision turning yellow. Slowly backing away, she left the room and hurriedly returned to her own room.
Janet hurried to her desk and began to write frantically. Her hands trembled, and she dropped her pen several times, sighing heavily and clutching her head.
[ "The wind traveler who came to deliver the letter asked.
“How about going to the city where the girl lives?”
The black shepherd answered.
“I’ll be in this forest. I have to protect Captain Shepard.”
The wind traveler began to persuade with a sad face.
“There’s going to be a forest fire soon. You shouldn’t be here.”
The wind traveler who hugged the black dog eventually shed tears.
"You're dying. Please, if you care about me, help me. I don't want to lose you. For the sake of the girl, you can't die." ]
Unfortunately, her desperate message did not reach Diana.
If Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Groenendaal defects here, he will be investigated for his relationship with me, his lineage, and other issues. He may even be placed under surveillance.
In the process, my identity might be revealed. Or Admiral Claire might try to retrieve Celine, who left here, or she might go crazy with rage and harm me.
Celine Claire, daughter of Admiral Winston Claire, and Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Groenendael, son of Agnes Harrison, who is widely believed to have had an affair with the Admiral.
I don't know what kind of misfortune might befall me if I help them escape. Furthermore, isn't Celine the woman who knew about my misfortune and turned a blind eye to it? From both a rational and emotional standpoint, there's no benefit to be gained.
I looked out the window and down at the carpet, distracting myself from my confusion, until I finally made eye contact with Noah.
“Why not go to the permanent neutral country where his brother is...?”
"The Capel Federation? Your sister, a Belfordian, is the problem. They were defeated and trampled by the Belford Empire, a former enemy, centuries ago, so she still has a negative reputation. She's likely to be denied immigration or asylum. Jayce barely managed to settle down after lobbying high-ranking politicians. It was only possible because of his Medea appearance."
This must be a situation where neither of them is working. Why doesn't Celine seek advice or help from her father-in-law, the Prime Minister? Along with my doubts, I'm also worried about Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal, but I can't show it. My life and Noah are paramount. And I hope this daily life with the people who are by my side continues as long as possible.
I don't expect him to solve everything. I also know I shouldn't take responsibility for things I can't handle. It's not perfect, but the happiness and daily life I have now, married to him and fully together, won't come easily.
"I think it's right to refuse. Right now, I can't help them."
That was my conclusion.
A brief silence fell between him and me, and a gentle breeze blew through the open window, caressing his silvery bangs as he rested his chin on his hand, waiting for my response. The corners of his mouth slackened, like a beast relishing its fullness.
His scent was faintly carried by the wind.
“Noah, you are the most important thing to me. More than anyone else.”
At my addition, Noah's narrowed eyes slowly widened and stared intently at me. His slender fingers, drawing closer with the thickening scent of my body, tangled a few strands of my jet-black hair.
Beneath his lowered eyelashes, his strangely blue eyes looked lonely.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted, but rather than feeling good...”
He sighed softly, his words trailing off. I looked at him with worried eyes.
“Are you feeling unwell?”
Noah's eyes turned red, and he was filled with a vulnerability that only I could see.
“I don’t know. It’s like the feeling of wanting you to hug me.”
"What the heck, so cute?" I covered my mouth and smiled. I held out my arms as if beckoning him to come in, and a man much larger than me lowered himself, wrapped his arms around my waist, and pulled me into his embrace. He held me tightly, his head nuzzling against my chest as if beckoning me.
“Since that day, I have had feelings I never knew existed.”
“That day?”
“When you lose consciousness and go somewhere.”
He must have been having a hard time alone at the time. I stroked his pretty hair. He spoke, his expression unseen.
"It was unbearable. More so than being surrounded by enemy soldiers in the trenches, being shot, or losing consciousness during a bombing raid. All I could think about was how I'd feel if you disappeared."
I looked at the yellow daffodils in the vase on the table across from me. Behind them, a full-length mirror reflected our reflections. I closed my eyes, feeling his body heat overwhelmingly filling my arms.
"Noah. I, too, have become a timid coward, and I've become more fearful. Ever since I found someone precious to me, I don't want to lose."
That's why I chose to ignore the danger posed by Lt. Col. Jeffrey Groenendael, who was trying his best to help me.
I decided to forget about it, dismissing it as an outsider's matter outside my closed sphere.
It's all someone else's business.
***
Celine arrived at the capital's mansion and sat opposite a hesitant Janet. It was clear, even without hearing it out loud, that she'd been rejected, so Celine sighed and asked a pointless question, as if to confirm her decision.
“Did the Duke refuse?”
“These are their opinions.”
"I see. I have no choice but to persuade the lieutenant colonel and submit an application for asylum to the Medea government."
“Wasn’t the reason you sought Miss Diana’s help to persuade Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal?”
Celine's face darkened. She knew that trying to persuade him directly to leave would be futile. If Diana had conveyed her need for the lieutenant colonel's assistance or her wish for him to seek asylum in Medea, he would have gone without hesitation, so she had sought her help.
“I don’t want to lose anyone. Not Dad, not the Colonel.”
Seeing Celine worrying, Janet sat up straight on the sofa and rubbed her knees for no reason.
“It would be nice if Lady Diana could help you...”
Celine chuckled self-deprecatingly. She's living her life adhering so well to the advice to close her eyes and cover her ears, pretending not to see or hear. Yes, that's right.
"It's not like we were on good terms, is it? I wouldn't help her without something to gain from it. Seeing as she didn't respond to my offer of useful information in return, I'm guessing there's no conflict of interest."
Celine and Diana's relationship lacked the usual familial bond and love, instead focusing on cold, pragmatic interests. The two sisters were practically strangers. Despite not being related by blood, Janet, who considered Diana and Celine family, felt a pang of pity.
“Don’t be too heartbroken. I will stand by your side and help you.”
Celine smiled prettily. She took Janet's wrinkled hand in her soft, white one and said,
“I’m so happy to have someone by my side who gives to me without asking for anything in return, without any conditions. Nanny.”
Celine, her cheeks flushed brightly, swept back her long, platinum-colored hair.
"I believe Father's priority plan will be to assassinate Prime Minister Groenendaal. He'll likely execute it before the peacekeeping coalition to counter the Allied forces is organized and announced to the world."
Admiral Claire attempted to persuade the Emperor, seeking to restore his diminished authority, to sign a treaty with Frogen and bring Belford into the ranks of the conquering alliance. The Prime Minister, who consistently opposed war and advocated for participation in a peace coalition, was a thorn in his side, given his influence and popularity. Celine concluded that she could not prevent his death. If she revealed the possibility of an assassination plot, her father might die. Janet's brow furrowed in anguish.
“Next up, Lieutenant Colonel.”
At her words, Celine smiled sadly.
"After the Prime Minister's death, we have no choice but to seek protection from Medea and apply for asylum. We can submit press articles and copies of parliamentary minutes showing his intention to join the Medea-led peace coalition. That would be the basis for political persecution."
Celine's lips twisted as she finished speaking. The Prime Minister's affectionate voice came to mind.
“If Jeffrey does anything wrong to you, tell me right away, because this father-in-law will give him a bad time.”
Prime Minister Groenendael was a devoted father-in-law to Celine. He showered her with jewels and dresses, and even purchased the most expensive and luxurious mansion in the capital city of Lourdes for their new home. His love for his daughter-in-law was so profound that she could not help but feel guilty and uneasy about the prospect of his death.
"He's a good man. But my father is more important to me. I hate the sins he committed, but he's still my biological father."
Celine muttered to herself. Janet was staring at the tips of her shoes, which lay neatly on the carpet.
“...Why did the master allow the young lady and the lieutenant colonel to marry?”
Celine smiled calmly, her hands neatly placed on her knees.
“He thought I would give up.”
“Are you saying that he did that to make the young lady give up her feelings for the Lieutenant Colonel?”
It was meant to show that even if they were married and living in the same house, it would be of no use. While the intention was to make her hate and resent the lieutenant colonel, Celine, far from harboring revenge, is desperately trying to protect him. Unrecognized and unloved, she clings to him, striving to do so. Admiral Claire, struck by this, feels a wave of anger and guilt and joins forces with a Duke politician who supports the Frogen Empire and seeks the position of Prime Minister of Belford, determined to eliminate him.
As the daughter of a high-ranking official, Celine's mother, Countess Claire, struggled for her husband's promotion and helped him rise to the rank of admiral, yet she received no love. Janet's eyes grew redder as she gazed at the pitiful Celine.
The resignation and despair of the woman who climbed the cold stone tower barefoot in the frigid winter, ready to throw herself and her daughter into death. As she recalled this, an unbearable pity weighed heavily on Janet's heart.
***
Janet drove her old car out of the capital and back to the port city. Entering the mansion, she scanned the empty hallways and headed toward the admiral's quarters.
Janet, standing in front of the room, cautiously opened the door. She entered the room, muffled her footsteps, and slowly walked toward the admiral's safe, turning the dial.
Janet, who discovered a letter with no sender written on it in the open safe, turned around once more, looked around, looked out the window, and then opened the already torn envelope.
“This is it.”
Crouching down, she swallowed hard before opening the letter and checking its contents. Janet's eyes widened as she carefully read it.
“What is this...”
Janet, gasping for breath, covered her mouth, put the letter back in, and closed the safe door. She felt dizzy, her vision turning yellow. Slowly backing away, she left the room and hurriedly returned to her own room.
Janet hurried to her desk and began to write frantically. Her hands trembled, and she dropped her pen several times, sighing heavily and clutching her head.
[ "The wind traveler who came to deliver the letter asked.
“How about going to the city where the girl lives?”
The black shepherd answered.
“I’ll be in this forest. I have to protect Captain Shepard.”
The wind traveler began to persuade with a sad face.
“There’s going to be a forest fire soon. You shouldn’t be here.”
The wind traveler who hugged the black dog eventually shed tears.
"You're dying. Please, if you care about me, help me. I don't want to lose you. For the sake of the girl, you can't die." ]
Unfortunately, her desperate message did not reach Diana.
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