Chapter 10
Thanks to Camilla, the two sisters suddenly found themselves with plenty of free time and were finally able to catch up after so long apart.
Although the daisy Tracy gave Sadie had wilted a little, seeing the smile bloom on her sister’s face—one so much like the flower itself—was enough to wash away all of Tracy’s fatigue.
They even ate a simple meal together in Tracy’s room, chatting nonstop until the sun had nearly set.
Valentin, who still claimed he had mountains of paperwork to finish, stayed through dinner before finally returning to his quarters.
After Camilla finished cleaning and left as well, a heavy silence settled over the house.
“Sergeant.”
Todd’s expression and tone changed the moment the front door closed and the sound of departing footsteps faded.
“I think we need to have a talk.”
As expected.
Tracy immediately turned around, folded her hands neatly in front of her, and stood at attention.
“Yes, sir.”
Todd clicked his tongue in annoyance before glancing sideways at Sadie.
“This isn’t something we should discuss here.”
He waved a hand, silently telling Tracy to follow him.
At that very moment—
Crunch.
The sound of clenched teeth echoed.
Sadie’s boots struck the wooden floor as she stepped forward.
“Why do only the two of you get to talk?”
“Sadie!”
Seeing her block Todd’s path, Tracy called out sharply.
She noticed Todd’s expression darken and hurried to pull Sadie back.
But Sadie refused to budge.
“If it’s something important, I have the right to hear it too.”
Her green eyes, made even darker by the evening shadows, stared directly at Todd.
Unable to do anything else, Tracy gently turned her sister around.
“Don’t be rude.”
“I know you’re upset about being left out, but you can’t speak to him like that.”
“But I’m family too! Why am I always excluded?”
“Heh.”
Then—
“Hahaha.”
The sudden laughter broke the tense atmosphere.
The sisters turned toward Todd.
Just as expected, he wore a mocking smile beneath deeply furrowed brows.
“So you’ve grown a little taller and suddenly think you’re an adult?”
He took one deliberate step closer.
Towering over Sadie, he looked down at her.
Without realizing it, she instinctively leaned closer to Tracy.
The corner of Todd’s mouth curled even higher.
“You’ve still got another five years before you can call yourself one, little lady.”
“…I told you not to call me that.”
“Sadie.”
Even though Todd intimidated her, Sadie refused to back down.
Tracy gently patted her shoulder before easing her behind herself.
“Will this conversation take long?”
“Hmph.”
Todd snorted.
“That depends entirely on how you behave.”
“Titi…!”
Sadie still resisted.
Tracy slowly shook her head before turning completely toward Todd.
As he gestured toward the staircase and began climbing, Todd shot Sadie one last glance before continuing upstairs.
Click.
The door to Todd’s room on the second floor closed behind them.
Only two days ago he’d brought prostitutes into this very room.
Now, thanks to Camilla, it was spotless.
As Tracy stepped fully inside, Todd planted one hand against the doorframe above her shoulder in an unmistakably threatening manner.
“She really thinks she’s getting bold.”
“…I’ll make sure to discipline her again, Master Sergeant.”
Her steady reply made Todd’s eyebrow twitch.
Tracy’s mist-colored eyes quietly shimmered.
“What she just experienced also qualifies as psychological harm.”
“…What?”
Disgust dripped from Todd’s voice.
Even so, Tracy didn’t avert her eyes.
Because he couldn’t lay a finger on Sadie.
The moment he did—
Their contract would become null and void.
“Sadie shall live as a noblewoman under the protection of Dot Haskins of the Kingdom of Sahiris. In exchange, Tracy shall serve in the military and, afterward, marry Dot Haskins.
However, if Sadie suffers physical or psychological harm at his hands, the agreement shall immediately be considered breached.”
“Ha. So your condition is that your little sister gets to live as a noble lady?”
“You even specified violence in detail. You really love her that much.”
“What about you?”
“Don’t you matter?”
When the contract had been completed, Todd had read it several times in disbelief.
When he’d looked at Tracy and asked those questions…
She hadn’t been able to answer.
Her own hands were already stained with blood.
She no longer believed she had any right to protect her own dignity.
Creak.
Todd ground his teeth.
“You’ve got some nerve.”
“You’re hardly in any position to say that.”
“Why exactly did you go to the train station together?”
Just as expected—
The moment the conversation turned against him, he changed the subject.
Knowing she’d probably be hit if she hesitated too long, Tracy answered immediately.
“Exactly as Colonel Seymour explained.”
“Hah.”
“You think I care what that bastard thinks?”
“You’ve spent too much time firing rifles. You’re getting dumber by the day.”
“I couldn’t refuse a colonel’s request.”
“Besides, everyone who recognized his rank stayed out of our way. I never behaved disrespectfully toward—”
Todd finally snapped.
His hand clamped down hard on Tracy’s shoulder.
Her words stopped instantly.
His grip was so powerful that she could only grit her teeth.
The tendons in her neck tightened.
Her choker suddenly felt unbearably tight.
“What exactly are you proud of?”
“Hm?”
“Why are you judging what other people see with that stupid little brain of yours?”
This wasn’t the usual intimidation.
It was slower.
More relentless.
At times like this, there was only one thing she could do.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Hah.”
“It’s already happened. People already saw it.”
“What difference does ‘being careful’ make now?”
“I have no excuse.”
Bang!
The punch she had anticipated landed against the door instead of her.
Todd knew Sadie could hear it downstairs.
He had done it intentionally.
Tracy silently accepted his anger.
“Hey.”
“I’ve been putting up with your sister’s attitude for a year and a half.”
“The least you could do is use your head.”
“…I was careless.”
“Oh, right.”
“Was it because there wasn’t even an engagement ring?”
“No.”
“Everyone already knows we’re engaged.”
“So whether there’s a ring or not doesn’t really—”
“I told you I wasn’t asking what you think!”
His voice exploded.
“I made you who you are!”
“I let you live in this country!”
“If you want to keep carrying yourself like the future Duchess, then learn to behave properly so you can improve my reputation!”
Crack.
The wood beneath his fist splintered slightly.
He was, after all, trying to rebuild a nearly ruined noble family.
A family whose only strength was a mediocre negotiator.
He had claimed he would reform her.
Thinking about that…
Tracy could understand why he was angry.
If she had been in his position…
Perhaps she would have done whatever was necessary as well.
She lowered her head.
“I’ll do exactly as you instruct, Master Sergeant.”
“……”
Only then did Todd finally step back.
His expression seemed noticeably calmer now.
Carefully, Tracy raised her eyes.
He looked… somewhat satisfied.
“That’s more like it.”
“Yes.”
“Well then…”
He started to say something before rubbing his chin.
His tongue clicked against his teeth.
“Forget it.”
“We’ll deal with that later.”
“…What is it?”
“Anyway.”
“Be careful whenever you go outside.”
He clearly had no intention of explaining.
It was also a warning not to pry.
Tracy lowered her eyes again.
“Understood.”
“And do something about your little sis—”
He caught himself just before finishing the insult.
“Educate your sister.”
“Yes.”
She understood exactly what he’d almost called Sadie.
But seeing him remember the contract and stop himself at the last second, she answered calmly.
A quiet chuckle followed.
Todd placed a large, heavy hand on her shoulder.
Tracy instinctively tensed every muscle in her back and abdomen.
“Good.”
“As long as you understand.”
Pat.
Pat.
She barely resisted the urge to squeeze her eyes shut as he casually patted her shoulder.
Fortunately, Todd soon withdrew his hand.
“Seymour’s been giving me headaches.”
“I’m exhausted.”
“I’m going to bed.”
“You can leave.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching him walk farther into the room, Tracy immediately slipped outside.
She quietly closed the door and descended the stairs without making a sound.
Halfway down stood Sadie.
“…Sadie.”
“Let’s go to bed.”
She spoke as though nothing had happened.
Sadie’s brow furrowed.
“Why is it always like this?”
“Sadie.”
At Tracy’s firm tone, Sadie lowered her eyes in reluctant surrender.
“…Okay.”
A moment later, when Tracy had nearly reached the bottom of the stairs, Sadie reached out her hand.
Her glossy green eyes seemed to say,
You’re all I have.
Unable to help herself, Tracy smiled.
And he wants me to be strict with someone this precious…
Someone so lovable…
“Titi.”
After washing up, the sisters lay together in the same bed.
Wrapped beneath a blanket in the dim room, they quietly comforted one another by gently playing with each other’s hair.
“…You don’t have to go back to the battlefield anymore, right?”
The unexpected question widened Tracy’s eyes.
A moment later, her expression softened.
“No.”
“The negotiations will end successfully.”
In truth…
Probably would have been more accurate.
If necessary, she could still be sent back into combat.
But telling that truth would only place another burden on this little girl.
And Tracy couldn’t bear to do that.
Sadie looked at her for several moments before blinking slowly and letting out a small sigh.
“That’s a relief.”
As Tracy gently patted her head, Sadie closed her eyes.
In the pale moonlight, her sleeping face looked peaceful.
Sleep well…
My little sister.
Tracy whispered the words only in her heart.
She waited until Sadie’s breathing became slow and steady before quietly slipping out of bed.
Still barefoot, she silently made her way to the sofa in the living room.
…And I’m sorry.
I’m sorry I can’t share that dream with you.
Because tonight—
Just like every other night—
She would have to fight the voices that only she could hear in the silence.
