* * *
Bang-!
As the sound of gunfire grew closer, my whole body stiffened, and I broke out in a cold sweat.
The dizziness that made my vision go black had lessened a little, but it was still scary and difficult.
I dragged my reluctant feet and barely made it to the front of the training ground.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Startled by the rapid gunfire coming from the shooting range, I collapsed to the ground.
But I had vowed to overcome this. Acting like this in a country where gun ownership is allowed is just too pathetic!
Just as I was trying to stand up, putting strength into my weakened legs, a hand reached out to support me.
Which kind-hearted soldier is it? I looked up to see.
“Are you here for a test of courage?”
Masera asked in a tone that was hard to tell if it was a reprimand or affection.
“I came to get stronger.”
At my words, he gave a gentle smile.
“The war is over; there’s no need to push yourself.”
Ta-ta-ta-!
Another gunshot rang out. He wrapped his hand around my trembling shoulder.
“When I was a boy soldier, before going to the battlefield, I was selected for the boy honor guard. I received ceremonial drills and weapons handling training to show to important people.”
It was a kind of showy parade.
He took out the rifle slung on his back and explained, then cleared his throat. He seemed a little embarrassed.
“Would you like to see?”
“Yes. I’m dizzy, so please show me quickly.”
I answered that because it seemed like he had built it up to show me. Of course, I was also curious.
If it was something that man was showing me, I thought it would be okay even if it involved guns.
“This is one of the weapons handling techniques.”
He skillfully began to twirl the rifle with one hand.
From what I remembered seeing on military entertainment shows, it was a very difficult move.
I clapped as I watched the rifle spin around, float in the air, and then spin again in his hand.
“Wow! It’s like a magical girl!”
How could a handsome, sparkling officer twirling a gun not be cool! But why is he suddenly showing off in front of me…?
After finishing the weapons drill in front of me, he subtly checked my reaction.
“I only show this to you. Once I get my star, I won’t have the chance to do it in front of others.”
“Oh, I’m so happy.”
But why?
Perhaps sensing the question in my eyes, Masera adjusted his officer’s cap and opened his mouth.
“I thought it might make you less scared.”
Did he understand my intention to overcome my fear? Looking again, there was an eye sticker on the rifle.
I couldn’t have put it there, could I? Did he put it there so I wouldn’t be scared…?
He took my hand, which was slightly touched, and led the way.
“Wouldn’t it be better to face it together than alone?”
Instead of letting me find a way to overcome it alone, he was telling me to overcome it together.
My heart ached at that.
Don’t be weak, me! Don’t forget your resolve to protect that man with the heart of a strong and valiant warrior!
Even so, I clung to him like a cowardly koala.
* * *
Bang-!
She had confidently said she would overcome her fear, but Cynthia had her head buried in Masera’s military coat, hiding.
Her small body flinched every time a gunshot rang out. It was like protecting a rain-soaked puppy.
Masera, who had inadvertently fulfilled his personal desires, looked troubled.
‘I didn’t aim for this.’
Just then, someone’s rebuke came from behind.
“Not that I don’t appreciate the kangaroo act, but did you have to drag someone who doesn’t want to be here to the shooting range? It’s cold out here.”
Brigadier General Steve, who had visited the official residence for work, was looking at the two of them.
Cynthia, who peeked her head out, looked at him clicking his tongue.
“Brigadier General didn’t drag me here. I’m afraid of gunshots, so I’m doing training to get used to them.”
“You should just try shooting a gun yourself. You’ll realize it’s nothing once you’ve shot one.”
Brigadier General Steve began to show off, raising the corners of his lips.
“If you want, I can let you use the state-of-the-art indoor shooting range in my official residence. I’ll even give you 1:1 lessons.”
Masera’s brow furrowed fiercely.
“Why are you giving lessons to someone else’s wife? Even though your shooting score is lower than mine.”
“But you don’t have a warm indoor shooting range, do you?”
“I’ll build one starting tomorrow.”
Watching the two of them growl at each other, Cynthia smiled brightly.
“It’s okay, I know how to shoot a gun.”
The two men turned to look at her at the same time.
Brigadier General Steve looked puzzled.
“You know how to shoot, but you’re afraid.”
“I wasn’t afraid from the beginning.”
‘I’ve experienced war for longer than you have.’
Cynthia sighed and shook her head.
Brigadier General Steve smiled again.
“Then would you like to show me your skills? At the indoor shooting range, where we also have silent rubber guns…”
He’s not the owner of an indoor shooting range, so why is he being so persistent! Cynthia looked fed up.
Masera took Cynthia and left the spot with a serious expression.
‘There are a lot of men who are subtly flirting.’
If she’s pretty in my eyes, that means she’s pretty in other guys’ eyes too.
He had already seen many men glancing at Cynthia at various social events.
But he couldn’t control her by telling her not to smile because her bright smile was so pretty.
‘The problem is with the guys who covet what belongs to others.’
Teasing her for smiling so easily at anyone was one of the past offenses he had committed.
“Brigadier General.”
She was sitting next to him in the shade, and she looked up at him.
Her ruby-like eyes seemed to sparkle even more today.
“Thank you for helping me.”
Masera stared blankly at her smiling face.
‘Should I just ban it after all?’
* * *
Masera, dressed in a dark suit and coat, was sitting in a dimly lit space. The faint light hanging from the ceiling flickered occasionally.
‘Why.’
The moment the tip of his black leather-gloved hand rested beneath his chin, his quiet thoughts cast a shadow.
‘It doesn’t seem like she hates me enough to throw me in the trash.’
The person who had always crossed the line and approached—no, pushed their way in—now felt like they were taking a step back.
She sometimes wore the expression of someone hiding unavoidable circumstances.
“Brigadier General. It couldn’t be helped, really.”
Lost in thought, he looked at Oliver Visente, who was sitting across from him.
Unlike in the past, when he had sneered at him for becoming a butcher like a war orphan, he was now desperately begging.
‘It couldn’t be helped.’
It was the excuse Masera hated the most.
Oliver, who had been sent back to the gambling den, had used Stefan’s remaining assets, the illegitimate child, as collateral to get out.
Then, he had approached the officers’ wives and tried to borrow money by selling Cynthia’s name, which led to him being caught and brought here.
‘If the adoption law hadn’t changed at the right time, Count Vicente would have used my assets as collateral too.’
Why would an organization lend such a large sum of money to an old man with nothing?
The fact that he had involved not only himself but also Cynthia and the Duke’s family…
‘Is the goal the royal family?’
It was clear that the organization, which had recently undergone a major overhaul with a change of leadership, was targeting the royal family.
The first generation was the abandoned informants of the empire, and the current second generation would be their children or close associates.
That was the conclusion he had reached based on the information he had gathered, the incidents the Free Association had caused, and the interrogation of Oliver just now.
‘And perhaps revenge.’
Masera slowly lowered his eyes. Beyond the chain of thoughts, Oliver’s excuses continued.
“I cherish my only son. He lost all the money he had saved up, and we broke off relations. I gambled to pay back the money and try to get along with him again…”
The rationalization and lies were disgusting.
Masera habitually took out his pistol and aimed it.
Oliver’s face turned pale as he faced the muzzle.
“S, save me…”
Suddenly thinking of Cynthia, Masera put the gun back in.
“Your son doesn’t have any assets to use as collateral. As of today, I’ve confiscated everything.”
“Pardon?”
Oliver, who was now in a situation where he would be caught again, wore a terrified expression.
“Count Vicente still owes me a debt.”
He sighed softly and added.
“Accept reality and live like a slave, or end your life as an escape from reality, do as you please. However, if you bother my wife any more than this.”
Masera stood up and warned in a chilling voice.
“Then I’ll show you exactly how I, the butcher you used to call me, handle beasts.”
