The Brightnum Military Office, located not far from the royal palace, was a grand polygonal building with a large dome in the center.

As the office in charge of Wellington’s military administration, it was the largest among the kingdom’s military offices and was always bustling day and night, but it always exuded the solemn dignity unique to military institutions.

However, for some reason, the atmosphere today was oddly different from usual.

The cause seemed to be the lively sound of high heels echoing between the footsteps of the soldiers and clerks who never lost their composure even in emergency situations.

“Huh? Who is that lady?”

“Shh! She’s the only daughter of the Talbot Marquis family.”

“The Talbot Marquis family?”

At the unexpected name, the young sergeant’s hand holding a pile of documents tightened.

The Marquis of Talbot was a well-known power broker and a trusted advisor to the royal family.

However, to the soldiers, the name Talbot held more meaning than simply being a high-ranking aristocrat. It was because his brother had taken the position of the Judge Advocate General of the Wellington Army a few years ago.

The sergeant tilted his head as if he didn’t understand.

“But why is Lady Talbot here? I could understand if it was the military court where her uncle is.”

Amidst the soldiers in dark-colored uniforms, the fluttering hem of a light green dress was the epitome of incongruity.

Civilians entering this imposing space were usually intimidated, but the marchioness’s gait was as light as if she had come out for a stroll.

“Hey, didn’t you hear?”

At that moment, his colleague brought his lips to the man’s ear.

“There’s a rumor that she’s Captain Blaine’s woman. They’ll probably get married soon.”

“Married?”

Captain Blaine was a newcomer who had joined the intelligence department here less than a month ago.

He was known to have been the best talent at Chatham during his time at the military academy, but he openly declared that he had no intention of becoming a soldier, so it was surprising that he easily reversed his stance and entered the military office.

‘Even if it’s not a field position, an administrative officer is still a soldier belonging to the military, so what kind of change of heart is this?’

Moreover, unlike the military regulation of being commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduating from the military academy, he appeared from the start with the rank of captain, so his appearance naturally sparked a topic of conversation.

However, in fact, there were sufficient precedents for the sons of aristocratic families to use their power to obtain rank insignia because they wanted medals.

Moreover, Ansel Blaine was not an ordinary aristocrat, but the grandson of a legendary commander who left a mark in war history and the son of the Viscount Monmouth, who had served as an army major general.

The fact that someone with such a splendid background was diligently working in the intelligence department of the military office in a manner befitting his rank left a deep impression.

It was clearly a situation that required more than just an impressive impression.

In this situation, there were those who were dissatisfied with this young and capable captain, but no one could openly criticize him.

There were even rumors that the leadership welcomed his decision, making it even more so.

However, even so, using the military office as a place for private meetings was not desirable.

To have his lover, who was not even an official spouse, come to visit him at his workplace…

“So he called her all the way here just to see her face? They could have met after work, but to have her come to his workplace—”

“Shh, be quiet, Comer.”

At that moment, Lady Talbot and the clerk guiding her passed in front of them.

The woman, who was following the lightly bowing clerk, smiled slightly with a wink.

“Keep up the good work.”

“I can’t tell you how happy I am that you became a soldier, Ansel.”

The tea room for the officers was extremely quiet. It was because the young officers resting inside had hurriedly given up their seats the moment they saw Captain Blaine and Lady Talbot entering here.

“Because this is a place where common sense and order prevail.”

“…”

“Actually, I’ve wanted to see you in a military uniform for a very long time…”

Bianca’s voice was as gentle as a cloud. A smile of utmost satisfaction also appeared on her face.

It was because the sight of Ansel in a well-tailored dark green uniform with his dark hair neatly combed back was more enchanting than any other scene.

In contrast to her, Ansel, who had a stern expression, said without even touching the teacup in front of him.

“Don’t come looking for me like this from now on.”

“Why?”

Even though that cold attitude could have hurt her feelings, the way she picked up and ate a small cookie was innocent and lovely.

The tea is all good, but the cookies taste bad. After mumbling like that, Bianca asked again.

“Didn’t we say we couldn’t see each other until you got married? Then you should have just gotten married.”

“…Because this is my workplace. It’s not something I started with a light heart.”

To that solemn answer, Bianca just smiled brightly. After a short silence, Ansel added.

“Let me tell you, that broken engagement was an accident.”

“An accident, how interesting.”

“It means I didn’t intend for it to happen from the beginning.”

“Oh, really? I knew it would turn out that way. You didn’t love her anyway.”

Bianca slowly turned the teacup in the air and said in a leisurely tone.

“I think her name was Sarah Bailey? Well, she was quite pretty.”

“…”

“Especially those blue eyes.”

At those words, Ansel’s eyes slowly narrowed. He responded coldly.

“Whatever it is, just stop worrying about it now.”

“Ansel, you’re not thinking of not going back home, are you?”

“…Of course not.”

Ansel, who seemed tired, recited in a bitter tone.

“I just need a little time.”

He had gone home to apologize for breaking off the engagement on his own, but unfortunately, he was unable to meet his father.

He was only told by the Viscountess that his father was still angry. Even though it was expected, his vision automatically turned dark.

Since that day, Ansel had left home as a way of self-reflection.

When he realized that his father had not sent any word even though he knew Ansel had visited the mansion, he finally realized how complacent he had been.

For the Viscount of Monmouth, who valued honor and dignity above all else, allowing a marriage to a commoner must have been a great decision.

Ansel was vaguely aware that the viscount must have done countless behind-the-scenes work to minimize the uproar that the marriage would bring to high society.

But he broke off the engagement without any consultation.

It was obvious that it would feel like not just a rebellion but an insult to his father.

It would have been better if he hadn’t boasted that he would play the role of a mediator to resolve the long-standing conflict with the earl, but Ansel at the time was completely blinded.

By the thought of taking a permanent place in that woman’s life under the name of family.

Anyway, this was the first time such a situation had occurred between the father and son. Naturally, it was the first time he had gone to apologize and the first time he had been shunned by his father, so everything was confusing and awkward.

However, Ansel soon realized that the way to appease his father’s anger was not through earnest apologies or tears, but through proof.

Thus, he decided to become a soldier.

It was the one and only choice left for him to follow his father’s wishes. Choosing the military office in the capital instead of a military unit was also the result of following the viscount’s wish for his son to stay in the capital.

Of course, it wasn’t a place he could easily enter just by choosing, but he was able to easily secure a position here thanks to the enthusiastic recommendation of Major General Layton, the principal of Chatham.

A clear voice rang in Ansel’s ear as he was lost in thought.

“What if that time takes longer than you think? The situation doesn’t seem to be very good. Honestly, I didn’t expect him not to give you any help in getting settled.”

Bianca shrugged her shoulders.

As she said, his maternal grandfather and father did not provide direct assistance. Ansel replied in a monotonous voice.

“Let’s be clear. I didn’t ask for help. And the family name is still supporting me, so it’s not an exaggeration to say that I received help, right?”

In fact, in aristocratic society, working for a living was considered a shameful thing, but as the heir to a military family, Ansel was in a natural position to be seen as starting work to gain experience.

Above all, people only thought that the viscount had deliberately sent his son here and had no idea that Ansel was out of favor with the family.

Ansel was staying in the barracks provided to the officers here, and people thought that was also the viscount’s order for a rich experience.

“I think you were lucky too, Ansel. But if you continue to be shunned by the Viscount, you will eventually collapse. That’s what I’m worried about.”

Ansel narrowed his brows at Bianca’s attitude, as if she knew the current situation very well. A lower voice followed.

“Did you meet my mother?”

“Yes. She said she had never seen the Viscount so angry.”

At those words, Ansel automatically felt gloomy. But since they already knew he was here, all he could do now was silently show them.

Perhaps his father was testing him.

“Just this isn’t enough to correct your mistake.”

Just as he was about to wrap up his thoughts, Bianca continued.

“There is a way to completely suppress the widespread story of the broken engagement in high society and also change the Viscount’s heart. A very dignified and powerful way.”

“…”

“Marry me, Ansel.”

The face of the woman who slightly raised her chin looked quite confident.

Ansel faced her without a hint of agitation.

He had lived his whole life with the thought that if it wasn’t the woman he wanted, it didn’t matter who he married. So there was nothing surprising about Bianca’s words.

“That will never happen.”

But still, it wasn’t time yet.

“…Your stepmother is pregnant with the Viscount’s child. That woman is already treating you as someone outside the family. Don’t you have any thoughts even now? You need to be proactive, Ansel. The family is your everything!”

Bianca rarely raised her voice. It was because she couldn’t understand Ansel’s lukewarm attitude, which was unlike before.

It was very true that the family was everything to Ansel Blaine.

The honor of the family and the responsibility for it had truly been the foundation of his life for a long time.

But not anymore. Strangely enough, he was deeply relieved by the news of his stepmother.

He even felt that thanks to that news, his hesitating heart had finally straightened out.

By clashing one last time.

Ansel finally opened his lips.

“I’ll tell them when I see them next time.”

“…”

“That I sincerely hope the child will be born safely this time.”

The smile that spread across his beautifully sculpted lips was utterly elegant.