Prologue.

The moon slipped out from behind the clouds, dimly illuminating the dark room.

A red dress hangs on the chair, and a man’s clothes are scattered on the floor. The bed creaks in time with the woman’s sensual moans and the man’s rough breathing.

Dong. Dong. Dong……

As the temple bells finish tolling midnight, the man lets out a groan, and the woman’s cries of pleasure cease.

The man lowers his head and kisses the woman’s forehead. Her name flows from between his lips.

“Ah, Marien……”

Sidney opens her eyes slightly at the name he calls. She caresses the cheek of the man looking down at her. The feeling of his sweat-soaked skin and rough beard excites her once again.

Even though her whole body aches as if beaten, she still wants him……

“I… think I’m drunk.”

The man chuckles and buries his face in her palm. As he gazes intently at Sidney, the spark in his blue eyes was rekindling.

“I think I’m intoxicated by you too, Marien.”

Marien….. It was just a random name she had made up. Because… this man was her insufferable superior.

Always losing his temper over nothing.

And his obsessive-compulsive tendencies were so severe.

“I… prefer someone gentle……”

“I’ll be gentle.”

As their lightly touching lips parted… Sidney’s eyes slowly closed.

As their breaths intertwined, his touch became more lascivious. Heating up her body.

The moon must have hidden behind clouds again, as darkness fell once more. His voice resonated between their lips.

“May I turn on the light? I want to see your face clearly.”

“No.”

Sidney grasped his hand and whispered, “I’m too shy……”

In the darkness, the bed began to creak again. Thus, the two people, their reason numbed by alcohol, craved each other and drank in pleasure.

The two indulged in each other until dawn, falling asleep simultaneously as if on cue.

Sidney was the first to open her eyes. A sigh escaped her lips as she confirmed the man beside her.

“Ah.”

She slowly removed his arm wrapped around her waist and moved her body. It was a cautious movement, like that of a stray cat.

But as soon as she left the bed, her legs gave out and she staggered.

“Ugh.”

Startled by her own groan, she covered her mouth and slowly turned back. Fortunately, Logan was still asleep.

Sidney hurriedly put on her dress and left the room. In her haste, she only put on the shoes she had carried out after leaving the hotel room.

After leaving the hotel, Sidney hailed a carriage. Inside the swaying carriage, she squeezed her eyes shut and let out a pained sound.

“Ah, alcohol… is the enemy. Surely… the commander didn’t recognize me, right?”

All the way home, Sidney kept going over and over what had happened the previous night.

Chapter 1.

The capital of the Arsenal Empire, Marcel, was a trading port and a center of culture and pleasure.

As incidents and accidents were always occurring in Marcel, the Crown Prince formed an investigation team centered around Logan Redford, the commander of the Imperial Guard.

Upon entering the investigation room, one would first see four desks paired facing each other. Sidney Warden and Walter Asner sat side by side, with Andy Spencer occupying the opposite side.

December 31st, the holiday begins today.

As quitting time approached, the documents processed by the three piled up neatly.

The wall clock pointed to 5:50 PM. Walter stretched and spoke to Sidney.

“Ah, another year ends like this. Surely they won’t make us work overtime today?”

“Walter, you had Thanksgiving off… so you should work during the New Year’s holiday.”

Although the investigation team didn’t directly handle city security, they had to personally investigate incident and accident scenes. For this reason, they took turns resting on holidays and festivals.

Walter leaned towards Sidney and lowered his voice.

“Sidney, so about that……”

“No.”

“What? You didn’t even listen.”

Sidney cut him off sharply, not even sparing him a glance.

“I have plans this holiday too.”

At the word ‘plans’, both men’s eyes widened.

Sidney Warden, who was always desperate for overtime pay and holiday bonuses, was taking time off?

“Really?”

“Why are you so surprised?”

Sidney frowned and asked accusingly. Stammering at her interrogation, Andy scratched the back of his head.

“Ah, no….. I was going to introduce a woman to Warden.”

Sidney was living as a man due to circumstances. Such a proposal would only be burdensome to her.

“Wow, I’m hurt. What about me? Introduce me to a woman too.”

“The, the lady specifically said it had to be Warden.”

Despite Walter’s vehement protest, Andy’s gaze followed Sidney as she stood up. As Sidney was about to leave just like that, Walter put his arm around her shoulder. He grumbled close to her ear.

“I don’t know what women see in such a scrawny guy.”

“Even men find Warden handsome.”

Both Sidney, who was pushing Walter away, and Walter, who was clinging to her shoulder, froze with their mouths open.

What did he just say? As Sidney questioned herself, Walter pointed at Andy and shouted.

“Hey! Why is your face red?”

“It’s not.”

Andy denied in a small voice, his curly red hair. Meanwhile, his face was turning redder and redder.

“Spencer, thank you for the offer, but… I’ll have to decline.”

Sidney’s voice was husky and low. Moreover, with her thin build and tall stature, along with the habits and speech patterns ingrained from being raised as a man, there had been no reason to suspect she was a woman for four years.

Walter clung to Sidney again and bombarded her with questions.

“Sidney, did you get a girlfriend? Why are you refusing? Your plans today… are you meeting a woman?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, traitor.”

Just then, Sidney, who had grabbed the doorknob, was suddenly yanked back.

“Ugh.”

Just as she was about to collide with Logan Redford, who was opening the door, Walter grabbed Sidney’s shoulder and pulled her back.

As sparks flew from Logan’s eyes, Walter greeted him with his usual glib manner.

“Commander, you’re here.”

Thanks to that, Logan’s mouth, which seemed about to let out a roar, closed tightly. Sidney, who had finally come to her senses, stepped aside from the door.

Thump, thump, Logan, who was passing by her, suddenly stopped.

“Sidney Warden, the list of night shift workers for today?”

“I’ve put it on your desk.”

Sidney answered, meeting his eyes.

“Your destination during the holiday?”

“Yes, I’ve written it down.”

“The report on the last kidnapping case?”

“That as well.”

Logan raised his hand and Sidney shut her mouth tightly. Finding nothing else to nitpick, Logan spoke gruffly with a displeased face.

“Make sure you can be contacted at any time.”

“Understood.”

“You have plans, you say?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Logan, who was particularly harsh only on Sidney, and she, who ended every sentence with ‘sir.’

Logan smirked, signaling the end of the suffocating exchange. His next target was Walter.

“Walter Asner, gather the night shift workers and go to the square.”

“What about you, Commander?”

“……”

At Walter’s tactless question, Logan’s aggression suddenly dropped. Instead, contempt flashed across Logan’s face towards Walter.

“I apologize.”

Walter bowed his head with an awkward smile. It always ended like this. Thanks to that, Logan rarely bothered Andy Spencer.

With a bang, Logan entered his office, and Sidney frowned and muttered.

“Why is he in such a bad mood?”

“On days like this, all men without women are like that. I envy you, Warden.”

“Even if the Commander had a woman, I doubt he’d have anything to be happy about……”

“……”

What nonsense is this now? Even if Logan didn’t show interest in women, he was still at a virile age……

Walter glanced at the office and whispered as if sharing a secret.

“I heard Holden saying before. That… it’s useless.”

“What is?”

Sidney asked with a look that said ‘what are you talking about?’ Andy, who had been following Walter’s gaze downward, gasped.

“Hick, you mean he’s impotent?”

“So… how envious must he be of Sidney going to meet a woman? Tsk, hurry and go.”

Walter shooed her away with both hands as if swatting a bug. Thus, Sidney left work, almost pushed out by Walter.

‘So that’s why he was acting up. How did it….’

She clicked her tongue briefly, looking back at the brown stone building over her shoulder.

Recently, as the Arsenal Empire had won the war, the capital Marcel was more lively than ever. People could welcome the new year with family, lovers, or friends who had returned home after a long time.

Thanks to this, despite the cold weather, the streets were crowded with people. Sidney, moving along buried in the crowd, turned up the collar of her black coat and hurried her steps.

As the melody celebrating the victory could be heard on the biting wind, passersby began to hum along one by one. Some sang along loudly.

No matter how loud the singing became, Sidney’s lips didn’t even twitch.

“Long live Arsenal!”

“Wooooah!”

Sidney raised her head at the cheers, and a wide square spread out before her. In the center stood a white statue of overwhelming size.

The Great Conqueror, Emperor Claude.

He was on a horse with its front legs raised, holding a sword high in the sky with his cape fluttering. The military band seated in front beat their drums. As if they had been waiting, people sang in unison.

Oh, arise. For my homeland.

Oh, fight. In the name of Arsenal.

Warriors of Arsenal, fear not.

For God has given light to Arsenal.

With that light, we shall drive out the darkness.

Was the madness of the ten-year war being revived to that song?

While everyone stamped their feet and raised their voices, contempt and derision spread across Sidney’s face.

Just then, someone touched Sidney’s shoulder and called out.

“Sidney?”

Sidney turned slowly and opened her eyes wide. The woman hugged Sidney tightly and rejoiced.

“It is you! My friend, Sidney Warden!”

“Why are you here? Where are your guards?”

Victoria Owello took Sidney’s arm and smoothly changed the subject.

“When I thought about seeing you… I couldn’t wait at home. So I came out to meet you.”

Sidney looked around and let out a long sigh. There was no one who looked like Victoria’s guard anywhere.

– December 31st, evening in Marcel. Your Vicky.

A short and concise telegram. That was the reason Sidney had taken time off.

“What if we had missed each other?”

“All roads in Marcel lead to Claude Square.”

Victoria winked with a bright smile.

That’s true. When Emperor Claude designated Marcel as the capital, he first laid out six roads radiating from the square. The resulting seven districts were classified into commercial districts, residential districts, and so on.

“Let’s go.”

“Okay! But you’ve really become handsome.”

“……”

Sidney silently pulled Victoria’s small shoulder close, as if protecting her. Then she pushed through the bustling crowd and left the square.

As they entered Mayfield Avenue, the streets became less crowded. As it was the 7th district, the noble residential area, the roads and buildings were well-maintained.

“Sidney, I heard your superior is bullying you?”

“Did you hear from Walter?”

“Well… you always just say you’re fine in your letters……”

Victoria avoided Sidney’s eyes and mumbled evasively. If only it had ended there.

A moment later, Victoria pressed close to Sidney and whispered as if sharing a secret.

“Sidney, I’ve been thinking… I think that superior of yours likes you.”