Chapter 5
Should he have followed her?
Or should he have stayed away?
Confusion.
Anger.
An anxiety he couldn’t even explain.
A storm of emotions raged inside Valentin.
Because he had watched Tracy from the moment they met until she entered her residence.
He had never intended to spy on her.
He had only followed because he thought his earlier behavior had been inappropriate and wanted to apologize.
When he found her earring, she had looked slightly upset, and it had continued to bother him.
But as he watched her wandering through the palace garden, sighing as though burdened by countless thoughts, he couldn’t bring himself to approach.
He considered leaving it for another day.
Yet seeing her all alone kept him from walking away.
The fireworks had startled him too.
But Tracy had looked even more frightened.
He had almost gone over to reassure her.
It’s only fireworks. You’re safe.
Instead…
Seeing her frozen in place, silently staring up at the sky with such heartbreaking loneliness…
He couldn’t interrupt.
Then came Todd’s harsh words.
The slap.
Valentin’s expression darkened.
He wanted to intervene.
But he worried that if she realized someone had witnessed such a humiliating moment, it would only wound her pride further.
That only made him more concerned when she left the palace on foot instead of taking a carriage.
At the same time…
He couldn’t openly accompany her.
She might simply run away.
When she encountered those street thugs, his heart nearly stopped.
He had already taken a step forward, convinced he needed to help—
Only to freeze in astonishment as she subdued the men almost instantly.
At the same time…
Her swift movements overlapped with the memory of the sniper who had fired those incredible shots at Osgum Pass.
It sent a strange thrill through him.
When she finally reached the residence after walking for so long, he sighed in relief.
Then…
She suddenly stopped moving.
Unable to ignore it, he cautiously approached.
The reason became clear almost immediately.
Revulsion surged toward his old friend.
Even after that…
Tracy calmly walked around the neighborhood before returning.
Watching her enter the now-quiet residence and close the door behind her…
His stomach twisted.
Someone he could never see again crossed his mind.
That made it impossible to leave things as they were.
No matter what…
This wasn’t how a man should treat his fiancée.
This was wrong.
She deserved someone better.
And so…
He decided he wouldn’t stand by and do nothing.
He would interfere.
As a friend.
Knock.
Knock.
The sound echoed through the otherwise silent house.
The sun had already climbed high into the sky.
But it was still too early for the owner of the house to be awake.
Having spent the entire night on the sofa, Tracy reflexively sat upright.
Quickly straightening her rumpled clothes, she walked to the front door.
“Who is it?”
“Ah.”
“Good morning, Sergeant Tracy.”
It was Valentin.
At the sound of his smooth, low voice, Tracy frowned.
“…Sergeant Major Haskins is still asleep.”
“Hm.”
“That’s a problem.”
“I came regarding the negotiations.”
Negotiations?
That word belonged to Todd’s world.
Not hers.
Her expression relaxed slightly.
She knew nothing about administrative affairs.
Still…
She did know that Alstow had no official diplomats.
Considering how important the negotiations are…
It makes sense for a senior officer to handle them.
She understood that much.
What she didn’t understand was…
Why such important business required coming all the way to someone’s private residence.
She remained standing where she was.
“Then… why discuss negotiations in a private home?”
“I’ll explain once I’m inside.”
“Would you mind opening the door?”
“…”
She flinched, feeling as though he had seen straight through her reluctance.
She was living here as someone else’s dependent.
She had no justification for refusing the homeowner’s friend.
Reluctantly…
She turned the doorknob.
Creak…
When the door opened, Valentin stood outside—
No longer in military uniform.
He wore civilian clothes.
A light gray overcoat.
Matching trousers.
A brown waistcoat over a crisp white shirt.
A burgundy ribbon tie.
Combined with his gentle features, he looked like someone who had stepped straight out of an old painting.
His blond hair shimmered beneath the morning sunlight.
For a moment…
Tracy simply froze.
“Thank you, Sergeant Tracy.”
“…Not at all.”
“I’m sorry for making you wait.”
His bright smile and cheerful greeting made Tracy instinctively lower her eyes.
She couldn’t understand why someone so obviously attractive made her feel so uncomfortable.
After opening the door completely and stepping aside, she quietly made way for him.
“Excuse me.”
Valentin entered.
As he passed by…
She caught the faint scent of something cool and refined.
Nothing like the constant smell of sweat she had always associated with soldiers.
Her eyes widened slightly.
“You should close the door.”
“There’s quite a bit of dust outside.”
“Ah… yes.”
Snapping out of her daze, Tracy hurriedly shut the door.
Click.
The house fell silent.
Only the careful sound of Valentin’s dress shoes against the wooden floor remained.
He slowly looked around as though searching for something.
“What is it?”
“…This residence feels rather large.”
“And quiet.”
He simply smiled as though it meant nothing.
Tracy interpreted it differently.
“Sergeant Major Haskins is sleeping upstairs.”
“Shall I wake him?”
“Ah.”
“There’s no need.”
“I came without making an appointment.”
“I’ll wait.”
“…Very well.”
Tracy looked at his overcoat before politely clasping her hands together.
Valentin blinked in confusion.
Then shook his head.
“I’m not taking it off.”
“So there’s no need.”
“…Ah.”
She unconsciously parted her lips.
Whenever Todd stayed home during leave, he had insisted she learn how to take a gentleman’s coat properly.
Seeing her surprised expression, Valentin smiled bitterly.
“Besides…”
“I don’t want to trouble my savior over something so trivial.”
He intended it as a joke to lighten the atmosphere.
Instead…
Tracy narrowed her eyes.
Realizing his mistake, Valentin immediately raised both hands.
“I know you asked me not to call you that.”
“But I simply can’t help it.”
“It doesn’t sit right with me otherwise.”
“…”
She fell silent.
What kind of custom was this?
Refusing to let someone who had supposedly saved his life even hang up his coat?
Unable to hold back any longer, she finally spoke.
“I truly don’t understand.”
“Why do you keep calling me your savior?”
“I don’t remember ever saving you, Colonel.”
“Ah…”
“Hm.”
The brightness in Valentin’s blue eyes dimmed ever so slightly.
“It’s… an embarrassing and rather painful memory for me.”
“About six months ago…”
“We fought an unexpected battle at Osgum Pass.”
“I took only a single special operations squad with me.”
“We lost half our men.”
Listening to him, Tracy slowly searched her memory.
Six months ago…
Osgum Pass…
Something had happened there.
But it was blurry.
She had fought in far too many battles.
There had been several operations involving Osgum Pass.
None stood out clearly anymore.
Or rather…
She had deliberately stopped trying to remember every battle.
The only people she truly remembered were those she had watched through her sniper scope.
It would actually be easier if he simply told me who I killed.
Then I might remember.
“That day…”
“You shot the grenadier first.”
“Then you destroyed the boulders and triggered the landslide.”
Tracy’s shoulders twitched.
It sounded as though he had read her thoughts.
Her dull silver-blue eyes widened.
“If it was six months ago…”
“At Osgum Pass…”
She trailed off.
Hope flickered inside Valentin’s sea-blue eyes.
Without realizing it, Tracy swallowed.
“I… think you’re right.”
“Hah…”
“That’s a relief.”
“I’m glad you remember.”
“…”
She froze.
To him…
Her sniper support had been an act of salvation.
To her…
She had always been told it was merely her duty.
Never think you’re a hero just because you’re a sniper.
I never believed I was saving anyone.
I only believed I was killing someone’s family.
Watching Valentin smile with genuine relief despite losing half his men that day…
An overwhelming sense of guilt settled inside Tracy.
Which only made her reject even more strongly the way he kept praising her as his savior.
She lowered her head deeply.
“I’ve been chatting idly while leaving my guest standing.”
“Ah, no.”
“It’s my fault…”
Valentin hurried to respond.
Halfway through speaking, he suddenly coughed.
“Ahem…”
He touched his throat awkwardly.
Seeing that, Tracy straightened immediately.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Ahem…”
“I was going to decline…”
“But if you don’t mind…”
“I’d appreciate it.”
His voice remained slightly hoarse.
He looked apologetic.
Tracy immediately bowed politely.
“I’m sorry for being such a poor hostess.”
“I’ll bring it right away.”
She moved the blanket from the sofa before heading into the kitchen.
Searching for a drinking glass, she noticed a cup stained with reddish marks sitting in the sink.
Ignoring it, she opened the cupboard.
Inside were several cups and bowls.
On the upper shelf sat a glass jar that appeared to contain tea leaves.
Unfortunately…
It was just out of reach.
She had to stand on her tiptoes.
Just then…
The sound of footsteps stopped behind her.
She stretched a little farther.
“I’ll get it.”
Heavy footsteps crossed the wooden floor in quick strides.
Startled, Tracy immediately turned around as Valentin approached.
The moment he reached out—
She reflexively grabbed his wrist.
Her silver-blue eyes grew wide.
His vivid blue eyes widened as well.
For a brief moment…
They stood face to face.
Far closer than either of them had expected.
