The figure that appeared from the darkness was Logan Redford. He exhaled white cigarette smoke and pointed with his eyes towards the terrace window.

Sidney put her sword back in its sheath and ran over to open the window in one breath.

Cold wind and cigarette smoke rushed in, causing the blue curtains to billow and flutter.

Logan Redford flicked his fingers to discard the cigarette and entered, asking:

“What are you doing up?”

And you? Sidney swallowed the words that rose to her throat and closed the terrace window again.

Papers that had fluttered recklessly flew about, scattering here and there on the floor. Logan was bending down to pick up the papers.

Sidney answered while organizing the scattered documents on the desk:

“I was analyzing the incidents and accidents that occurred in Marcel last month and this month.”

Once things were somewhat organized, Logan held out the papers he had collected.

“Because of the Anes resistance forces?”

“Yes, if they infiltrated Marcel, they would surely have caused chaos.”

“So? Did you find anything unusual?”

“I’m about to look into it now.”

Sidney replied casually while putting each document back in its place. Logan, who had been quietly looking down at the papers, sat on the edge of the desk.

“Even for Walter Asner, it couldn’t have been easy to obtain such records from the police force.”

The records of when cases were filed with the police. Even if not the originals, it’s unlikely the police would have willingly handed them over even to Walter Asner, heir to the Asner marquis family, using personal connections.

He must know it would only have been possible with the permission of Police Chief Steve Deniro.

Sidney looked up from the document she was reading. The blue eyes of Logan that met hers were as sharp as the blade of a sword.

“Sidney Warden, report on how this came about.”

When her name was called, Sidney assumed an attention posture while holding the documents. Then, fixing her gaze below her superior’s eyes, she opened her mouth.

“Before following procedures, I utilized my connections to request cooperation from Police Chief Steve Deniro.”

“Without reporting to your superior?”

“I thought Chief Deniro would refuse.”

“And after receiving the documents?”

“I was planning to report after reviewing them in the morning…”

Questions and answers were exchanged rapidly. Sidney, who had been speaking without hesitation, faltered. It was because she belatedly realized her mistake.

She should have reported when she received the documents, even though she had been with Logan Redford for two days straight.

“I apologize.”

Logan stared at her for a moment, then held out his hand. Sidney instinctively started to reach out her hand but then withdrew it and spoke seriously.

“Commander.”

“…!”

“If you have nothing more to say.”

Sidney indicated the door with her eyes, asking him to leave.

Just feeling annoyed and hoping Logan would leave soon, she glared at the door. At the end of a suffocating silence, Logan let out a long sigh.

“You, have nothing to say?”

“…”

“There must have been more than one strange thing at the main house… You’re the type of person who has to solve questions immediately when they arise, aren’t you?”

That’s right. Someone who needs to find answers one way or another, why wouldn’t she want to know? She looked at Logan as if seeking an answer.

He approached with a serious face and gently took her hand. When she stepped back in surprise, he frowned and said:

“It’s already been discussed, Grandfather just picked on you unnecessarily.”

“What was discussed?”

Though she had merely asked back, Logan showed his white teeth in a grin, as if greatly pleased about something.

Moreover, he took a step back as if dancing with light steps, circling to the side. She looked up at Logan while taking one step at a time, her hand still held by him.

“If I want to get married and inherit the family, don’t ask or question what kind of woman I bring.”

“Why? Wasn’t any woman fine?”

“What?”

“You said you were marrying Marien because it was bothersome and annoying to explain again…”

“Ah, that’s right.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and added, “That’s how it was.” His low, husky voice and gaze were profound, as if pleading something.

Her vision swayed dizzily as it lowered.

Logan’s tightly closed lips, his jawline with stubble, his pleasing Adam’s apple and neckline, and the collarbone and firm chest muscles visible through his open shirt…

Goodness, this isn’t right. The moment she closed her eyes tightly and shook her head lightly, her body spun and fell onto the bed.

As she reflexively tried to get up, Logan Redford’s face came into view. He propped himself up on one hand on the bed and sneered mockingly.

“Love at first sight? Can’t stop thinking about me? Only I can make you a man? Sidney Warden, if I had spouted such nonsense…”

“What are you…”

“Wouldn’t you find it contemptible? I do too. So, yes, in that sense… it has to be you.”

Logan buried his face in her neck with a bitter smile, as if he knew everything.

She felt a strange sense of relief at the hot breath spreading on her neck and the weight pressing down on her body. Sidney gently stroked Logan’s back, which was stiff unlike her own, and said:

“I was just… ‘shocked’. A bit flustered and too surprised.”

Logan tilted his head slightly and stared at her. His deep voice resonated near her neck.

“…Can I kiss you?”

“No.”

“That’s disappointing.”

Contrary to his words, Logan withdrew without lingering. He lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling without moving. She carefully spoke to him.

“Are you going to sleep here?”

After a moment, Logan turned over with his eyes closed, like a child throwing a tantrum in his sleep.

When Sidney, unable to move due to his long arms and legs, squirmed, he let out a low laugh and mumbled.

“Just for a moment, like this…”

She glanced at him, wondering what he meant. Logan closed his eyes tightly and hugged her even more firmly. Then, pressing his forehead against hers, he muttered as if complaining:

“I’ll just hold you like this.”

“Even though it’s your house… this is the bed I was using?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“What about pajamas? This isn’t even your usual pillow?”

“Mm-hmm.”

His answers, made by humming through his nose, were consistent, as if none of that mattered. Watching him trying to sleep with such a comfortable expression made her feel a bit wronged.

For someone who could be this easygoing, why did he act so sensitive every time they shared a tent on the battlefield?

Sidney stroked Logan Redford’s bangs as he slept soundly and whispered:

“The light’s not even off and the desk is a mess…”

“…Mm-hmm.”

His reply came in his sleep, followed by steady breathing. As she quietly gazed at Logan’s face, her eyelids grew heavy.

Logan opened his eyes drowsily at the faint sound of the terrace window rattling in the strong wind.

The first thing he saw was Sidney, sleeping fitfully in his arms. He slowly slid his arm under her head, lifting it.

Then, moving his fingers to straighten her tangled hair, he muttered:

“…You still sleep well.”

The fact that papers were spread out on the desk and the light wasn’t turned off, the fact that they hadn’t properly covered themselves with the blanket – none of this prevented Sidney Warden from sleeping soundly. And with her there, the same was true for him.

Usually unable to fall asleep easily due to insomnia, and even when he did sleep, waking up sensitive like this. But with Sidney by his side, he didn’t need to force himself to sleep by swinging his sword until exhausted or drinking strong alcohol.

It was okay even if not everything in the tent was neatly in its place.

Because he could use that as an excuse to completely possess the terribly indifferent Sidney.

Not that she always listened obediently. If she felt his demands were excessive or too much, she would immediately glare at him and argue calmly. While cleverly maintaining the line that should be kept with a superior.

When did he start being swayed by Sidney Warden?

When he realized she was a woman? When she appeared as Marien? When he brought her into his unit? Or on that day, in that place…

Logan pressed his lips to Sidney’s forehead as if she belonged to him, and mumbled:

“…Was it when we first met?”

Beyond his slowly closing vision, memories of that day 4 years ago flickered.

It was a day of pouring rain. The Arsnel Imperial Army, with the 5th and 6th battalions and even Logan’s 7th battalion joining forces, had achieved an overwhelming victory against the Allied forces.

Before celebrating the victory, the commanders and officers of the three battalions gathered in a tent for a strategy meeting.

Steve Deniro, commander of the 5th battalion, was pointing at a map and explaining his strategy.

“The retreating enemy forces have headed towards Lake Aio. There will surely be a clash with the imperial forces escorting new recruits from the rear. If we surround them like this, we can completely annihilate the enemy this time.”

They couldn’t support the new recruit escort, but to leave them as bait in enemy territory… However, if they tried to rescue the new recruit escort, they could be caught in reverse by the Allied forces.

While everyone was keeping their mouths shut and watching for reactions, Logan Redford stepped up to object.

“If we follow Lord Deniro’s strategy… we’ll be sacrificing not only the new recruits but also the escort forces as bait. Instead, it would be better for our 7th battalion to quickly join the escort while the 5th and 6th battalions strike the enemy’s rear.”

“If the 7th battalion pulls out, we can’t completely surround the enemy. In the end, those bastards will slip away again like rats.”

Steve Deniro immediately voiced his opposition.

As the 5th battalion commander who had lost the most subordinates, his desire to kill all those mortal enemies was understandable. But that didn’t mean they could sacrifice innocent new recruits.

Logan slammed his fist on the conference table and glared with bloodshot eyes.

“Rather than killing more enemies! We should save even one more of our own men!”

Steve Deniro didn’t even blink. Instead, he sneered at Logan mockingly.

“Lord Redford, have you not considered that one enemy you let escape might kill dozens more?”