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Chapter 10
Thanks to Camilla, the two sisters had more time than usual and were able to catch up after such a long while. The daisy she gave her, which resembled her despite being slightly wilted, brought a smile to her face that even chased away her fatigue.
They even ate a simple meal in their room while chatting away, and before they knew it, the sun had already sunk considerably toward the horizon. Valentin, who still complained that organizing the documents was difficult, only returned to her quarters after having dinner with them as well.
Once the maid finished cleaning and left, a heavy atmosphere settled over the residence.
“Sergeant. I think there’s something we need to discuss.”
As expected, the moment the front door closed and the footsteps faded away, Todd’s expression and tone changed. Tracy immediately turned around and clasped her hands politely.
“Please, go ahead.”
Todd clicked his tongue irritably. Then he rolled his eyes and glanced sideways at Sadie.
“This isn’t something to discuss here.”
He soon waved a hand as if telling her to follow him. At that moment, accompanied by the sharp sound of teeth grinding, Sadie’s shoe struck hard against the wooden floor.
“Why are you two the only ones talking?”
“Sadie!”
Tracy shouted when Sadie stepped in front of Todd. Noticing Todd’s expression turn menacing, she grabbed Sadie, but the girl stubbornly resisted with even more strength.
“If it’s something important, I have the right to hear it too.”
Her green eyes, deepened by the night air, became even sharper as she glared at Todd. Tracy had no choice but to turn her around.
“Don’t be rude. I know you’re upset because you were left out, but you shouldn’t speak so aggressively.”
“I’m family too, so why am I always left out?”
“Pfft. Hahaha.”
The atmosphere had been quite serious.
Yet at the sudden sound of laughter, the sisters turned their heads toward Todd. As expected, he was frowning while wearing a cynical smile.
“You think you’re an adult just because you’ve grown a little taller.”
Step.
He took a step closer and looked down at her. Without realizing it, Sadie leaned toward Tracy. One corner of Todd’s mouth lifted even higher.
“You still have another five years to go, little lady.”
“…I told you not to call me that.”
“Sadie.”
Despite being someone she was somewhat afraid of, Sadie did not back down from the staring contest. Tracy gently patted Sadie’s shoulder and pushed her behind herself.
“Will this be over quickly?”
“…Hmph. That depends on what you do.”
“Sis…!”
Tracy gently shook her head at Sadie, who was still resisting, then turned around completely. She gestured toward the stairs and began walking, while Todd followed after giving Sadie a sidelong glare.
Click.
Todd’s bedroom door on the second floor closed. The room, which had once been a messy place where he had brought prostitutes, had been thoroughly cleaned thanks to Camilla.
Seeing Tracy enter his room alone, Todd placed one hand threateningly against the door.
“She’s completely trying to climb all over me.”
“…I can discipline her properly again, First Sergeant.”
At the firm way Tracy addressed him, Todd’s eyebrow twitched. Tracy’s sea-mist-colored eyes quietly glimmered.
“What you just did also constitutes psychological harm.”
“…What?”
There was thick disgust in Todd’s voice. Nevertheless, Tracy did not avert her dark, multicolored eyes from him.
That was because he could not lay a hand on Sadie.
The moment he harmed her, their contract would become null and void.
「Sadie is to be guaranteed a life as a noble under the protection of Dot Haskins of Sahiris, while Tracy will serve in the military in return and subsequently marry Dot Haskins.
However, causing physical or psychological harm to Sadie shall immediately be considered a breach of contract.」
‘Huh. Was the condition that her younger sister be allowed to live as a noble lady? Their love must be so passionate that she even specified the clauses regarding violence in such detail. Then what about you? Do you not care?’
When the oath was completed, Todd had read it several times as though he found it absurd. Tracy had been unable to properly answer his question as he stared at her.
Since blood had already stained her hands, she had no right to demand the protection of her honor.
Crunch.
The sound of Todd grinding his teeth came from his mouth.
“This is ridiculous. You’re not in any position to say that right now, are you? Why exactly did you go to the train station together?”
As expected, whenever things became unfavorable for him, he immediately changed the subject. Tracy thought that if she hesitated too long before answering, a slap might come flying, so she immediately spoke.
“It was just as the colonel explained.”
“Hah. You think what that bastard thinks is important? What the hell is wrong with you? The more you use a gun, the stupider you seem to get.”
“I couldn’t refuse the colonel’s orders. Besides, everyone who realized he was a colonel was too busy avoiding him. I also never acted rudely—”
Unable to bear it any longer, Todd grabbed her tightly by the shoulders, silencing Tracy as her lips pressed together. Faced with a man’s powerful grip, she could only grit her teeth.
The tendons in her neck stood out. It felt as though her choker were tightening around her throat.
“What exactly have you done so well? Hmm? Why are you judging how you look to other people with that stupid head of yours?”
Unlike his previous threats, there was something more lingering and obsessive about him this time. There was only one thing she could do in a situation like this.
“…I’m sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“I’ll be more careful from now on.”
“Ha. It’s already happened, and people saw it. What difference will being careful make now?”
“I have no excuse.”
Bang!
The violence Tracy had expected was directed at the door. Since he knew Sadie could hear it from downstairs and had done it anyway, Tracy silently endured his anger.
“Hey. If I’ve been putting up with that woman’s behavior for a year and a half, then you should at least know what to do on your own.”
“…I was careless.”
“Ah, yes. Still, was it because there wasn’t even a ring at the engagement ceremony?”
“No, that wasn’t it. Everyone already knew that we were going to be married, so the meaning of a ring—”
“I told you I wasn’t asking for your opinion! I’m the one who made you a countess! I’m the one who let you live on this land! If you want to keep holding your nose up as a duchess, didn’t I tell you that you have to behave properly so you can improve my reputation by staying at my side?”
Crack.
The fist he had slammed into the door was slowly crushing the wood.
He had stepped forward to reform her, determined to revive a family that was nearly ruined—one that was too insignificant even to serve as a proper negotiator. Considering all that, Tracy could understand why he was angry now.
If she were in the same situation, she would have done whatever it took as well.
Tracy bowed her head.
“I will do as you command, First Sergeant.”
“……”
Only then did Todd pull back. His expression seemed somewhat calmer, so Tracy cautiously raised her eyes.
He looked slightly satisfied.
“That’s more like it.”
“…Yes.”
“Then, tsk….”
He seemed about to say something, but instead rubbed his chin and clicked his tongue.
“Never mind. We’ll deal with that later.”
“What…?”
“Anyway, be careful when you go outside.”
The fact that he refused to say what “later” meant was a warning not to pry too deeply. Tracy lowered her eyes again.
“Understood.”
“And educate that little—… your sister.”
“…Yes.”
She understood the insult. However, since he had apparently noticed the oath and stopped himself at the last moment, she was able to answer calmly.
A quiet chuckle soon followed.
When his large, thick hand landed on her shoulder, Tracy tensed the muscles in her back and abdomen, barely suppressing the urge to squeeze her eyes shut.
“Good. As long as you understood.”
Pat. Pat.
She barely managed to endure his casual pats without flinching. Fortunately, Todd soon withdrew his hand and stepped back.
“I’ve been thinking so much because of Seymour that I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep, so you can leave.”
“Understood. Good night.”
Seeing him head farther into the room, Tracy quickly left. She carefully closed the door and descended the stairs as quietly as possible.
At the bottom of the stairs, she saw Sadie standing about two steps up.
“…Sadie. Let’s go to bed.”
The casual remark made the girl frown.
“Why is it always like this?”
“Sadie.”
At Tracy’s firm call, she lowered her gaze as though giving up.
“…Okay.”
Then, a little while later, when Tracy had almost reached the bottom, Sadie reached out her hand.
As though she had no one but her older sister, Sadie’s glossy green eyes gazed at her, and Tracy could do nothing but smile.
How could anyone tell a sister like this to be harsh with her?
She was so adorable.
“Titi.”
By then, Sadie had washed up and was lying in the same bed when she spoke.
The sisters, wrapped in darkness like a blanket, gently stroked each other’s hair and offered one another the comfort of silence.
“We don’t have to go to the battlefield anymore, right?”
At the unexpected question, Tracy’s eyes widened before softening.
“Yes. The negotiations should be settled smoothly.”
In truth, probably would have been the more accurate word.
She was still in a position where she could be made into a combat soldier if things went wrong. But hiding that truth was the only way to ease the burden weighing on this little girl’s heart.
After looking at each other for a moment, Sadie blinked several times before letting out a short sigh.
“That’s a relief.”
Then she closed her eyes beneath Tracy’s gentle patting. Her face, illuminated by the faint moonlight, looked peaceful.
Sleep well, my little sister.
Tracy spoke to her silently in her heart. She waited until Sadie’s breathing became steady and regular, then carefully slipped out of bed.
Without even putting on her shoes, she quietly made her way to the sofa in the living room.
‘And I’m sorry, too. Because I can’t dream together with you.’
Because tonight, too, she had to fight against the hallucinations that echoed through the silence.
