Chapter 10
It happened one day when Curtis happened to pass by the junior officers’ break room. Inside, Chloe and a few others were playing cards for money—and gossiping about him.
“Should I go in there and shut them up?”
He could hear the insults flying around freely behind the door. They were talking trash about their superior and his close friend, after all.
Noel, clearly uncomfortable, asked Curtis if he wanted to intervene, but Curtis just waved his hand.
“I complain about the king all the time when we’re alone too, don’t I?”
“Still….”
“If a subordinate who hasn’t slept in three days calls me a lunatic behind my back, that’s just part of being a functional adult.”
Of course, if someone called him a lunatic to his face, Curtis would punish them with some lovely exercise in the training yard. But the break room? That was their one place to relax. Curtis could understand that much.
…Besides, he honestly didn’t want to go through the hassle of replacing his aide again.
All in all, Curtis didn’t mind Chloe. If he ever got sent back to the battlefield, he might even pull her into the army with him.
He had actually considered her as a potential strategic bride. The reason he boldly claimed her in front of the king was that he thought Chloe Ambroise was a decent and capable person.
And that capable aide had done an excellent job pretending to be his lover out of nowhere. She was quick-witted, good at adapting. After tonight’s banquet, Curtis had moved her up in his internal rankings from “a decent person” to “someone I actually like.”
So if his aide wanted a proper, official proposal? He could do that.
Honestly, he felt a bit guilty. It wasn’t like she’d expected to become his fiancée all of a sudden.
Marriage for love was a fantasy for someone like him, but Chloe wasn’t royalty. As a minor noble, she could hope for a love match. Her lower status actually made that easier.
If she’d always dreamed of a romantic proposal, well—he could give her that.
“You recognize this gem, I assume? It’s called the Flame of Divinity.”
It was a famous jewel.
If Noel found out he’d been keeping it in a desk drawer, he’d probably faint. But Curtis had his reasons. He kept it nearby so he could propose on the spot if a promising match ever came up.
It was the kind of ring that would make anyone think marrying him was a very good deal.
He just hadn’t expected to use it like this.
Curtis smiled gently as he looked up at her.
And was met with a face that looked like it had just bitten into a lemon.
“…Warrant Officer?”
Something was definitely wrong. He could feel it.
****
Surprisingly, Chloe and Curtis did have one thing in common: they were both quick at reading the situation.
Curtis narrowed his eyes.
“You didn’t want a proposal?”
Saying yes here would only make things worse.
“…No, sir.”
“Then what did you mean?”
Chloe took a deep breath.
“Sir. When someone wants something from another person… usually…”
She’d clearly decided to just be direct, but she still stumbled a bit. That was enough for Curtis to realize what she actually meant:
“When someone makes a request, they’re usually sincere. Telling you to kneel wasn’t a proposal—it was a way to make you beg.”
“Warrant Officer Ambroise. Have you gone insane?”
Honestly, that was a very dignified response for someone who’d just been told to kneel by a subordinate.
But Chloe felt a sudden wave of frustration. After all, hadn’t he said something equally insane in front of the king?
She wanted to ask if he was crazy, but she held back. This was the military.
Still, she wasn’t in the mood to laugh it off as a joke, either.
“Sir. If you think what I’ve been through today isn’t enough to make someone go crazy, maybe I should request a medical check-up from the infirmary?”
Her tone was sharp enough to land her in military jail. Curtis immediately closed the ring box in his hand with a loud snap.
It was a fancy velvet-lined box, made to avoid unpleasant sounds. But Curtis made it click shut on purpose.
“That’s even less funny than the ‘darling’ thing. Enough with the jokes, Warrant Officer Ambroise.”
“It’s not a joke.”
His beautiful purple eyes darkened.
“Are you seriously telling me to do a formal service inspection? Right now?”
“Exactly.”
The tension between them crackled. Chloe clenched her fists on her lap. Curtis leaned an elbow on his knee and rubbed his forehead, clearly irritated.
Chloe swallowed and spoke again.
“Sir. According to Ibaneres Army’s tactical manual, during negotiations, it’s more effective to clearly state the terms and the reward.”
“Warrant Officer. I’m a brigadier general. You think I haven’t read that book?”
“Then I suppose there’s no need for me to explain further.”
Her response was polite but insolent, and a vein visibly popped on Curtis’s forehead. He shut his eyes for a moment, took a slow breath, and finally said,
“Fine. Marry me. I won’t ask you to fulfill any duties as the Duchess of Berg, or anything else. If you want, I’ll divorce you later and take the blame myself.”
Not exactly romantic.
And Chloe’s reply was just as blunt.
“That’s it?”
Curtis wasn’t surprised. He’d expected this.
“I’ll give you whatever reward you want. First, I’ll cancel today’s pay cut. As we discussed in the ballroom, you’ll get your incentive. I know you want a transfer, so—”
“Transfer, canceled pay cut, promotion. I was already aware of those during the royal audience.”
“…Then what do you want? A service inspection?”
Curtis, usually calm and composed, was losing his temper. His usually decisive aide was suddenly speaking in circles.
But instead of her usual quick apology, Chloe bit her lip—and talked back.
“If you don’t want to, don’t do it. But starting tomorrow morning, I’ll go back to being your loyal aide—who’s recently gone through a breakup.”
“Breakup?”
Curtis stared, dumbfounded. Chloe tilted her head playfully.
“I’m aware that lying to His Majesty is a serious offense, sir.”
“What are you—”
“We told the king we were getting married. But let’s say I went home, took a bath, and realized I couldn’t handle the pressure. So, we broke up.”
Not technically a lie to the king. Just pretending they had split up.
Curtis ground his teeth.
“Warrant Officer Ambroise. Are you aware that insulting royalty is a crime, too?”
Oh, so lying to the king is wrong, but telling me to get on my knees is totally fine?
Chloe clearly understood what he meant—and beamed at him.
“Well, if you marry the Duke of Glintland, you’ll lose your royal status anyway.”
Not my problem. Dump me, and your life’s a mess either way.
Curtis gaped at her. Was she insane?
He wanted to argue—but he was so stunned, nothing came to mind. After a few seconds of floundering, he finally shut his eyes tight, took a deep breath, and said,
“…Warrant Officer. I’ll give you one last chance to take it back.”
“Oh?”
Chloe gave an impressed smile.
“I’m amazed, sir. You still think you’re in a position to offer me anything.”
Curtis forced himself to ask,
“…Do you remember I’m your superior officer?”
“Of course. You blocked my marriage path, made me your fake fiancée, and now you can’t do anything without my permission, sir.”
This was too much. Curtis jumped to his feet.
“…I may be desperate, but I refuse to marry someone this insane. Forget it. This never happened.”
Chloe didn’t respond right away.
But only for a second.
She then gave him a bright smile and waved sweetly.
“Of course, General. I hope you find happiness on the shores of Glintland.”
Go ahead and marry her, if you hate me that much.
Curtis Shan Berg had risen to leave, but now stood frozen in place—his hand trembling in frustration.
