Chapter – 17
Valentin’s consultation was simple. He didn’t dig too deeply, and the questions were focused on the benefits between Allstow and its allied nations.
After giving the answers he wanted, Tracy immediately headed to Sadie’s room. She only met his eyes a few times, and even when leaving, she tried not to look up.
“Are you satisfied, Colonel?”
“My questions are all answered, but hey—you told me too late. Three days? How am I supposed to find solutions to all this in that time?”
However, Valentin’s voice echoing in the hallway bothered her. What did he mean by “too late”?
Tracy slowed her steps and walked quietly.
“What do you expect me to do? The palace summoned me. And is that my fault? I told you on the first day—I’m only on a short leave. It’s your job, you should’ve prepared better.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know it’s my fault… but still, I’ve been coming here for days. Once I go back, it’ll be hard to see you privately.”
Their tones sharpened slightly with mutual frustration, but Valentin’s smooth way of speaking eased the mood.
Still, Todd’s words felt strange—like broken glass.
‘Summoned by the palace? Does that mean he’s entering in three days? And if he says they won’t meet… does that mean he’ll stay there for a while?’
She had never heard this before. He was supposed to stay in the palace only until the victory banquet, then wait for the results of the negotiations.
Had he received a letter while she was away? Or did he get news from somewhere he visited late at night?
With a complicated mind, Tracy entered Sadie’s room.
“Titi.”
“Huh—?”
Sadie’s voice snapped her back to reality. Sadie looked a little displeased.
“Do I talk in my sleep a lot?”
“…What?”
At the random question, Sadie sighed lightly.
“You weren’t paying attention earlier either. I’m asking if I kept you awake.”
Oh, that.
Tracy smiled softly.
“You sleep very quietly. Sometimes you even wake up in the same position.”
“……”
But Sadie still didn’t look convinced. She let out a deep sigh and clasped her hands tightly.
“I’m worried. You used to sleep uncomfortably in the army… maybe sleeping in a comfortable place still feels strange?”
“…That’s not it.”
“But you space out sometimes, Titi.”
At Sadie’s words, Valentin’s voice suddenly came to mind.
‘Light redness in your eyes. Unnatural tension around them. Standing blankly for a while, and sometimes trembling hands.’
‘If you keep going without sleep like this, you’ll die suddenly. Sleep in your bed, not on the sofa. I’m saying this because I’m truly worried.’
Genuine concern…
Last night, she had tried having tea time with Sadie and then going to sleep. But lying beside Sadie, who slept peacefully, only made the hallucinations and guilt tighten around her even more.
The voices grew louder. Gunshots, explosions, and dying screams became more vivid.
Whenever she opened her eyes, drenched in cold sweat, Sadie would be sleeping like an angel.
That lovely sight made her heart feel like it was being stabbed.
What Sadie wanted was for her to rest peacefully—but Tracy couldn’t even grant that small wish.
In the end, she couldn’t meet her eyes.
“Sorry. I’ll listen properly.”
“……”
That wasn’t the answer Sadie wanted. For a few seconds, she said nothing.
When Tracy glanced up, those green eyes were staring straight at her.
“…Sadie.”
“I actually hated it when you followed everything Todd said. But I endured it.”
“……”
“But if this keeps going, that man—no, Haskins—is going to devour you.”
Her words were sharp and firm.
Tracy frowned.
“What do you mean, Sadie?”
“You know, Titi… Haskins looks like a spider to me.”
“Sadie.”
“Spiders inject poison into prey caught in their web, wrap them up, and dissolve their insides before eating them.”
She was avoiding the direct answer—but saying only one thing.
“You’ll be left as an empty shell.”
She was saying Tracy was in danger.
Tracy tried to pull her hand away, but Sadie held on tighter.
“Titi.”
“Sadie, don’t say things like—”
“Let’s tell the Colonel.”
Tracy’s silver-blue eyes widened.
“…What?”
“You said he’s a friend. But he feels completely different from Haskins. He seems like a good person.”
What did that have to do with anything?
Tracy let out a hollow laugh.
“Sadie… are you thinking of using his kindness?”
“If he’s a friend, you can say something! Haskins only sees you as a subordinate who takes orders!”
She couldn’t deny it. It was true.
But dragging Valentin into this was too selfish.
It would be like begging him to fix everything she couldn’t handle.
“That’s impossible…”
“But Titi!”
“That’s enough, Sadie. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Titi—!”
Click.
Sadie called from behind, but Tracy firmly left the room.
Arguing with her only sister didn’t feel good—but she had no choice.
‘What are you thinking… I was proud you’d grown up, but maybe I taught you wrong.’
When their mother gave birth to Sadie, the Duke of Blackburn ordered the doctor to save both.
But despite all efforts, their mother died.
Even as a child, Tracy never once hated her little sister.
Instead, she felt guilty that only she and her brother had memories with their mother.
So she gave Sadie everything their mother had given her.
Because of that, their father recovered quickly, and Sadie grew up bright and kind.
Until a year and a half ago.
‘I don’t blame you for having no one to rely on. But Sadie… this is different.’
She couldn’t say it out loud.
Because she knew what would happen to their relationship if she did.
She had endured until now—and she believed she could keep enduring.
Even if it was hard, she could stay strong for Sadie’s future.
But reaching out to someone else—
Especially someone who had shown kindness without expecting anything—
Tracy shook her head.
‘I was firm. Sadie will understand… like always.’
She spent time in the kitchen and storage room, trying to calm herself.
Before dinner, she heard Valentin was leaving and went to the living room.
Fortunately, Sadie seemed to have calmed down, though she still looked a little down.
“Take care.”
“…Yeah. Thanks.”
Todd said goodbye, and Tracy bowed lightly. Sadie did the same.
Click.
Valentin left with a bitter expression.
As soon as his footsteps faded, Todd prepared to go out. Tracy approached him.
“Master Sergeant.”
“What.”
His annoyed expression made her speak quickly.
“I overheard earlier… could you explain what you meant about going to the palace in three days—”
“Ah, you don’t need to know. Anyway, I’m going out. Go to sleep on your own.”
He waved his hand dismissively and left.
Before the door even closed, Sadie came to her side.
“Titi, what does that mean? The palace?”
“…I don’t know. We’ll have to ask when he comes back.”
But no one returned to give them answers until dawn.
And as Tracy endured another night of pain in the darkness, she had no idea her fate would begin to change the next morning.
“Are you sure the appointment will really happen?”
Todd spoke with a hint of whining.
The other person clicked his tongue.
“How many times do you need to hear it? Didn’t I already confirm it? The negotiations just aren’t fully finished yet.”
“…Damn it, I’m still uneasy. Do you think they’ve forgotten me? Todd Haskins—the one who set everything up, now promoted to Master Sergeant—”
“Stop bothering me! Would I keep meeting you if I’d forgotten your contribution?!”
At the sharp response, Todd flinched slightly. Silence fell for a moment.
“Stop being so impatient. You’re making me anxious too.”
“…Sir Will.”
“That’s enough. Everything is going according to plan, so don’t worry.”
A strange smile spread across the man’s lips.
“No one can stop it anyway.”
Only then did Todd finally relax.
