“…they said it could have gotten better.”

Her trembling voice filled with emotion and tear-filled green eyes were so pitiful. It felt like I wouldn’t even mind giving her my heart if she wanted it.

Logan suppressed the urge to embrace her and sat down on the bed.

He offered his shoulder, but Sidney Warden lowered her eyes and composed her emotions alone.

In the past, her self-reliance had seemed so admirable and praiseworthy, but now it felt both pitiable and disappointing.

Hyle Wells was not only the Asner family’s physician, but also instructed military doctors at the Military Academy.

While I understand he had been treating Sidney due to that connection, considering the nonsense he spouted at their first meeting…

That fellow irritated me even more than Walter Asner. Logan glared fiercely at Hyle Wells and narrowed his eyes.

“Can you cure Miss Emilia’s illness?”

“I can’t guarantee a complete cure yet, but Miss Emilia’s symptoms have improved with the medicine I gave her.”

“That’s fortunate.”

“Lord Redford, to continue the treatment…”

“Treat her until she’s cured. If you have nothing else to say, you may leave.”

At Logan’s firm words, Hyle Wells said he would return in two days and gathered his bag to leave.

Sidney’s eyes, which had widened at the word ‘cure’, narrowed and turned fierce.

Just as her full lips parted as if about to unleash a sharp retort, Logan spoke first.

“Save your sister first.”

“Commander, I can handle…”

“What if you miss the timing for treatment?”

“…”

It was fine if Sidney resented him, and he didn’t care if he seemed petty.

If she had been someone who could put down her burdens and lean on others herself, Walter Asner wouldn’t have ended up looking like a fool chasing chickens.

Logan gripped Sidney’s hand tightly. And looking straight into her eyes, he said:

“Think of it as the terms of our deal changing slightly. I and House Redford… will protect your secret, your family, your title, and even your younger sister.”

“You make everything sound so easy, Commander.”

At the sarcasm dripping from Sidney’s lips and mocking tone, sparks flew in Logan’s eyes.

With the conviction that if he pushed just a bit more shamelessly… he could grasp the nape of her neck.

“So, what’s your answer?”

“You said you’d give me time to think.”

“Let’s have the wedding in two months.”

“Three months, you said.”

“One month from now.”

“…”

The fierce glare from her narrowed eyes sent chills down his spine.

Was one month too harsh? What if she flatly refused? Should he think of another way? As he was racking his brain…

“Fine. But let’s make it two months…”

“Agreed.”

Logan quickly cut in and kissed her lips. As she tried to pull away in surprise, he lightly grasped the nape of her neck and whispered:

“Since we’ve promised to marry… we’re engaged now, in a sense.”

“That may be the dictionary definition, but.”

He couldn’t back down here. Logan tucked her red hair behind her ear and said clearly:

“Sidney, that was the meaning of my proposal.”

“…”

Avoiding her green eyes that seemed to ask if this was really necessary, he looked down at her red, moist lips. Her lips pressed together like a clam, as if saying ‘not yet’.

Logan rose with a heavy body, pretending to be nonchalant.

“Come out when the meal is ready.”

“Yes.”

Sidney covered her mouth with the back of her hand and turned her head away. Seeing her cheeks flushed pink, it seemed she hadn’t disliked it that much…

Logan turned around slowly, convincing himself this retreat was for the sake of taking another step forward.

A marriage agreed to in the heat of the moment.

Though she said she needed time, that answer wouldn’t change… The conditions were so favorable to Sidney that she wondered if this was really okay.

The part where he repeatedly emphasized the marriage was real and the sudden kiss declaring them engaged was a bit bothersome, but otherwise things weren’t different from usual, so it seemed fine.

Clop-clop, clop-clop. As she listened to the sound of the carriage, she turned her head.

Logan Redford was probably the only one who could review documents so immaculately even in a moving carriage.

Watching the tree shadows passing through the window briefly brush against his neatly combed blonde hair…

“It’s been decided to link those who attacked Hamel Raker and Big Mouth Rick, who led this attack, and hand them over for court-martial.”

When their eyes met, he grinned as if he had known. Pretending not to notice, she fixed her gaze out the window and asked an appropriate question.

“What about Count Dean Hamilton?”

“We’ve managed to put him in the Imperial Army’s underground prison by insisting he was involved in the attack, but…”

“Will you hand him over to the judiciary?”

“Wherever he goes, he’ll pay the proper price for his crimes.”

How reliable. She nodded vaguely and withdrew her gaze. As the carriage gradually slowed, Logan spoke again.

“I’ll be going to see grandfather soon.”

“Are you going to Marien?”

“Yes.”

“I understand.”

Just then, the carriage came to a complete stop. Sidney opened the door and hopped out nimbly.

As always, she held the door and waited quietly, but he passed by with a face full of discontent.

Thinking his fits had been quiet lately but now his tantrum disease had flared up, she followed him at a suitable distance.

As soon as he arrived at work, Logan Redford called Walter Asner and Andy Spencer to his office.

After some perfunctory talk about the Conrad incident, he revealed that he would be discharged in two months.

“…and I’d like to recommend Sidney as my successor. What do you two think?”

“I’m in favor.”

“I agree as well, but…”

“But?”

Andy Spencer hesitated, glancing at Logan. But when Logan urged him on, he straightened his posture and stated his opinion clearly.

“Commander, even if you take off your uniform, please remain as an advisor to the investigation team.”

“Sidney, what do you think?”

Given that the investigation team was created for Crown Prince Edward, friction with Duke Yant and the police was inevitable. The title of advisor was the perfect justification for Logan Redford to step in.

Since they were going to be married anyway and would need to meet often, being linked through work would mean they wouldn’t have to worry about others’ gazes…

Sidney swallowed a laugh that threatened to escape and cleared her throat.

“Ahem, it seems like a good idea. If you’re alright with it, Commander… I’ll come to see you frequently.”

A mysterious smile spread across Logan’s face, which had been stiff until then.

His intense gaze was so burdensome that her face flushed hot. When she glared at him to stop staring, he quickly shifted his gaze to Walter Asner and sneered mockingly.

“If you’ll go that far… I have no reason to refuse. Isn’t that right, Lord Asner?”

“When have you ever refused after considering the reasons, Commander?”

Even after retorting immediately, Walter Asner was still fuming. It wasn’t the first time the two had acted so childishly. Andy Spencer handed out papers, changing the subject.

“Please check this for a moment. There’s an official notice that key figures from the Anes resistance have crossed the border to avoid being caught.”

The Kingdom of Anes had fallen to become a vassal state after their defeat. While some resistance was to be expected, the resistance movement was becoming more organized and radical as time passed.

“Again? Those border guard bastards, are they not even checking properly…”

Walter Asner complained, roughly shaking the paper. In contrast, Sidney neatly folded the document and asked a question.

“Lord Spencer, do we have names or information on these key figures?”

“That’s all there is.”

“What? I thought they issued warrants?”

“Either they don’t know which wanted persons crossed over, or it’s top secret.”

The governor-general’s office established in the Kingdom of Anes. What were they trying to hide? Sidney looked at Logan with a serious expression. He seemed to be thinking the same thing, his eyes troubled.

“Sidney, discreetly inquire with those working at the Anes governor-general’s office and border guard.”

“Understood.”

After the meeting, Sidney wrote letters to her academy classmates along with Walter Asner.

As she wrote down mundane daily happenings and greetings, Walter grumbled.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just ask them directly? These guys won’t remember what they said while drunk anyway.”

Sidney folded the filled letter sheet and put it in an envelope as she asked:

“Have you ever sent letters to these guys?”

“Why bother?”

What reason would there be for dark-skinned men to awkwardly exchange greetings?

They’re happy to meet by chance and consider no news to be good news. As for promises to write if they ever need help…

“If they don’t remember, those guys will have to rack their brains and worry.”

“Oh, brilliant! Sidney, you’re a genius.”

At Walter Asner’s playful gesture of a thumbs up, Sidney wrinkled her nose. Smiling wickedly like a mischievous child enjoying a naughty prank.

“Extra! Extra! Serial killer Count Dean Hamilton! Trial date set!”

A boy’s shout rang out across the square where the Cloud statue stood tall.

Passersby briefly stopped and flocked to the boy. Andy Spencer, who had been walking alongside, said “Excuse me for a moment” and dashed into the crowd of people.

Walter Asner jerked his chin towards a tavern and grumbled.

“Sidney, let’s go in first, just the two of us.”

“No, let’s go together.”

At the unenthusiastic response, Walter put his arm around Sidney’s shoulders and whined.

“Ah, I’m cold and hungry.”

Sidney grunted “Ugh” and frowned, and Walter quickly withdrew his hand with an awkward laugh.

“Sorry. Force of habit…”

Ding-a-ling, as a clear bell sound rang out, the sound of loud chatter and laughter assaulted their ears.

The landscape paintings hanging on wooden walls the same color as the wooden floor, and the groups of three or five sitting together raising their glasses were mostly people working in the administrative district or belonging to the Imperial Army.

After exchanging eye greetings with familiar faces, they took seats at a table by the window.

Walter Asner ordered from the waiter.

“Three lamb stews and drinks here, please.”

Ding-a-ling, with the clear bell sound, the door opened and Andy Spencer entered with a flushed face.

Walter waved his hand saying “Wo!” and Andy quickly walked over, spreading a newspaper on the table. Then pointing at an article, he whispered in an excited voice:

“Look at this.”