Chapter 5
The man everyone believed had vanished without a trace was standing right in front of me.
Yet somehow…
No one else seemed to realize that the missing man was him.
If nobody knows who he is, how do they know he’s missing? And if nobody recognizes him, how do you recognize him?
It was the sort of situation that required a very long explanation.
Anyone hearing it for the first time would probably frown and bombard me with questions.
I couldn’t blame them.
I felt exactly the same.
The fact that I alone recognized him while everyone else simply walked past him was so unbelievable that I found myself staring at him for quite a while.
“The date of the joint funeral will be announced soon.”
That had been his final remark before we parted ways after he had helped me through everything at Naval Headquarters.
“…Is it really alright for you to be walking around like this?”
It was a rather foolish question.
A faint crease appeared between the Young Duke’s brows.
“I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t.”
“No, I mean… the navy officers would recognize you.”
He didn’t answer.
For some reason, I suddenly felt awkward.
I lowered my head before rambling on unnecessarily.
“Ah… I came to look for work. Luckily, the position was still available, so I have an interview next week. It’s at the Russell Marquess’—”
Before I could finish, he suddenly pulled me toward him by the shoulder.
Startled, I looked up at him blankly.
Then I heard the grumbling voice of a middle-aged man behind me.
“Hey! Why are you standing around blocking the entrance?”
His tone was filled with irritation.
Dropping the hand he’d raised impatiently, he clicked his tongue.
“Must be your sweetheart or something. Keep her under control! Next time I won’t be so forgiving!”
He shot me an annoyed glare before striding into the post office.
I had almost been shoved straight into the sharp corner of the building.
Swallowing hard, I stared at the pointed edge only a short distance away.
It was the first time anyone had ever treated me like that.
Müsen.
The peaceful city where life was good.
The city where most people were kind and easygoing.
Right before my eyes…
That image was slowly beginning to crumble.
After calming my racing heart, I spoke.
“…Thank you.”
Once at the harbor.
Once at Naval Headquarters.
And now once again outside the post office.
For some reason…
I always seemed to end up indebted to him.
Smiling awkwardly, I continued,
“I’ve been talking about such pointless things. You’re probably busy, so I shouldn’t keep you any—”
“This isn’t a suitable place for a conversation.”
His quiet voice interrupted me.
“…What?”
I looked up at him, puzzled.
Had he just said…
He wanted to continue talking with me?
“Didn’t you come to the post office for something?”
“It wasn’t anything important.”
He smiled politely.
“So… where was it that you found work? I don’t think I heard you properly.”
He extended a hand toward me.
I stared at the large hand in confusion before instinctively placing mine in it.
His grip was gentle as he guided me away.
What is this?
Why is he so interested in where I’m working?
Even after we’d walked quite a distance away from the post office, I couldn’t figure it out.
Then I suddenly remembered his question and hurried to answer.
“I haven’t actually gotten the job yet. I just have an interview next week.”
I smiled sheepishly.
“It’s at the Russell Marquess’ estate.”
The arm beneath my hand stiffened for the briefest moment.
He stopped walking.
“The Russell Marquess family… in Bölen?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“The pay is excellent.”
“I’m not sure I’d recommend it.”
“If you’re worried because Lady Russell has a difficult personality—”
Just then—
“Official announcement!”
Someone shouted from the town square.
The voice was urgent.
Both of us turned simultaneously toward the sound.
“A military notice has arrived! Please gather to read the official announcement!”
The color drained from my face.
If it was an official military notice…
Then it could only be one thing.
The date of the joint funeral for the fallen soldiers.
It was a bleak Wednesday, with snowflakes drifting gently through the air.
The joint funeral for the fallen soldiers was held that day.
Together with the surviving soldiers…
And the bereaved families…
We mourned my father and all those who had lost their lives in the war.
I was standing beside my father’s coffin, which rested within a deep grave.
One by one…
I tossed white lilies into it.
Then someone quietly approached my side.
There was only one person who would come to stand beside me…
Johannes Schultz.
But I didn’t have the strength to acknowledge him.
I simply continued throwing lilies into the grave in silence.
After quite some time…
The man I had assumed would remain silent finally spoke.
“I was close to Petty Officer Prim.”
“…”
“I believe it’s time I delivered the message he entrusted to me.”
My hand froze halfway through tossing another flower.
I drew in a sharp breath.
I couldn’t answer.
My breathing became ragged.
My eyelids trembled, forcing me to squeeze them shut.
Then his calm voice drifted toward me with the winter wind.
“He said…”
“…that he loved you very much.”
My hand clenched the fabric of my skirt so tightly it trembled.
My fingers turned white.
“He asked me to tell you not to grieve too much.”
“…”
“He said that if you lived happily…”
“…then someday, you’ll meet again.”
“…”
“Those were his final wishes.”
I hadn’t witnessed Father’s last moments myself.
But somehow…
I could imagine them.
Tears threatened to spill over once again.
I lowered my head.
What illness did Father die from?
What were his final moments like?
Those questions rose to my lips.
But if I opened my mouth…
I knew I’d burst into tears.
All I could do…
Was bite down on my lip with all my strength.
“You’ll meet again someday?”
Miracles like that didn’t exist.
Father was dead.
There would never be another meeting.
“My deepest condolences.”
His quiet voice weighed heavily upon me.
It almost sounded as though he were gently telling me…
It was time to let Father go.
Staring at the pile of white lilies covering the coffin…
I slowly closed my eyes.
I thought I had already cried every tear I had left.
Apparently…
I had been wrong.
Once again…
I broke down in tears.
Right in front of Johannes Schultz.
Only after my eyes had swollen so badly that I could barely open them did I finally stop crying.
By then…
The military cemetery had become completely empty.
The setting sun painted the western sky crimson.
Beneath that scarlet sky…
He was still standing there.
“I’m sorry.”
I lifted the black mourning veil from my face and wiped my eyes with the handkerchief he had given me.
“I don’t know why I always end up making such a fool of myself whenever you’re around, Colonel.”
The Young Duke gave a small shake of his head, as if to say it was alright.
“I heard it was just you and your father living together.”
He looked toward the grave.
“I also heard you were studying pharmacology.”
I looked at him in surprise.
“Father even told you that?”
I smiled faintly.
“You two really must have been close.”
He silently nodded.
That made me strangely relieved.
At least Father hadn’t been completely alone on the battlefield.
He’d had someone he could trust.
A faint smile appeared on my lips.
Seeing it, Johannes spoke again.
His gaze remained fixed on my father’s coffin.
“I may be overstepping…”
“…but I still can’t recommend that you work for the Russell family.”
“If you’re trying to dissuade me because Lady Russell is difficult to serve…”
I smiled politely.
“…then thank you for your concern. But I’ve already made my decision.”
“No.”
He calmly shook his head.
“I don’t think living in another city would be easy for you.”
Then he continued,
“I’d rather offer you something more practical.”
Help?
Was he pitying me?
Without realizing it, I frowned and turned to face him.
He turned toward me as well.
“If you’re offering out of sympathy…”
I met his eyes.
“…you’ve already done more than enough for me.”
“Sympathy…”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“That’s certainly a believable reason.”
“…Pardon?”
His blue eyes remained as unreadable as ever.
“But no.”
“I simply can’t ignore the daughter of someone who once helped me.”
He paused.
“And as it happens…”
“I know of a suitable position nearby.”
Nearby?
A job offer?
I was immediately interested.
But showing too much enthusiasm would have been embarrassing.
So I pretended to remain indifferent.
“…Where?”
Looking back now…
I sometimes wonder whether that wasn’t actually his first marriage proposal.
Bathed in the crimson glow of the setting sun, his eyes held an almost mysterious color as he made his offer.
“Miss Prim…”
“How would you like to work for the House of Schultz?”
