DWUSS 03

Chapter 3.

The war had come to an end, and since Greta had no intention of flying planes anymore, it was time to say goodbye to the base.

Greta silently shouted toward the base she had come to love. Goodbye! Farewell! Adiós! She felt like singing out loud, but she compromised by only singing in her head.

If anyone heard her, it would be mortifying…

Even if joy calls me elsewhere—

My rest place is my small home—my home alone—

Oh—my—beloved—home—!

“Captain Holt!”

Ah—she nearly jumped. Greta instantly wiped every trace of expression from her face and turned around. One of her subordinates, facing her with the expression she’d perfected as her “stern superior officer look,” saluted and reported:

“Major Atkinson requests your presence.”

“The Major?”

Even Greta couldn’t help the drop in her stomach when she heard the title Major. It was instinctive. Why would someone that high up call for her…?

Even during the fiercest period of aerial combat, she’d never crossed paths with Major Atkinson. Why now…?

Ah. Of course. Greta quickly relaxed, understanding. It must be because of her discharge request. Maybe he intended to persuade her not to leave. Thinking that made it far less frightening.

Greta nodded, still wearing her serious superior officer face.

“Understood. I’ll go see him. Dismissed.”

The subordinate—whose name she couldn’t even remember—saluted again and walked off.

Greta headed briskly toward her destination, mind racing. What if the discharge isn’t approved? What should she argue? That she’s done her duty? Would the Major even accept that?

Ugh, surely not. If she says she’s leaving of her own accord, they wouldn’t stop her… right?
If they really refused—Greta was prepared to run away. She meant it! Truly!

She had zero intention of staying even one more day.

Maybe she should cry if he says no…

Walking toward the Major’s office, Greta felt more solemn than during any battle she’d flown into. She knocked, face rigid.

“Sir, Captain Holt reporting.”

“Come in.”

Surely… surely he wasn’t going to say no, right?

Steeling herself, she stepped inside.

There was already someone there.

The moment a familiar back came into view, Greta’s composure collapsed. Why was he here?

The old Major Atkinson motioned to her.

“What are you doing? Sit next to Lieutenant Collins.”

She had no idea why Percy had to be here, but she followed orders anyway.

Maybe… maybe this wasn’t about her discharge after all.

That would almost count as good news.

“For what reason did you call me, sir?”

“I received your discharge request, Captain.”

Damn it, so it was about that.

Greta resisted the urge to look at Percy. Why did he have to be here for her discharge?

Was the Major planning to use Percy as bait or something…?

“Sir, I—”

“To be brief, the military is willing to approve your discharge. Losing a war hero like you is a tremendous loss, of course. Truly regrettable. I never imagined you’d want to leave the military this quickly.”

He rambled, but the point was clear: they would approve her request. Greta held back the urge to grin.

“I believe I’ve fulfilled my duty.”

“You achieved remarkable accomplishments in this war. The military values that highly. Do you have plans for life after discharge, Captain?”

Why ask that?

A bad feeling tingled at the back of her neck, but she answered.

“I plan to take things slowly and build a new life.”

“A marriage plan?”

She almost choked. Greta couldn’t stop herself from blurting:

“Excuse me?”

“I’m asking if you have a fiancé or someone you’ve promised to marry.”

What? Marriage? Here? In the Major’s office?

It had to be small talk. Absolutely. She was just overreacting from nerves.

Greta answered casually.

“No, sir.”

“You don’t?”

“No, not yet.”

Great—now he would launch into a long speech about finding a good husband, starting a family, and repaying the nation again through childbirth.

This is why talking to upper brass was exhausting—their minds were older than a biplane rusting in a dusty warehouse.

But unexpectedly, the Major didn’t start lecturing.

He didn’t offer advice about marriage or motherhood.

Greta suddenly realized—this wasn’t small talk at all. His tone was that of someone issuing an order.

“Before we can officially approve your discharge, there’s a condition.”

“A… condition, sir?”

“The nation,” he inhaled, “wants to arrange your marriage.”

…What?

“In other words, your spouse has already been chosen.”

Chosen?
Greta slowly turned her head. Her lieutenant was staring at the Major with a pale, frozen expression.

It was bizarre. Greta had never seen Percy wear that expression during the entire war.

No way. Impossible. A horrible, ridiculous idea flashed through her mind—but she shoved it away.

Then the Major confirmed it.

“You are to marry Lieutenant Collins.”

“Sir, that’s an inappropriate joke.”

“It’s not a joke. I never imagined I’d be giving an order like this, but it’s real. The nation wants your marriage to Lieutenant Collins.”

“If you don’t intend to approve my discharge, you can just say so.”

“Captain, calm yourself and listen.”

Percy’s face was stone-still, gaze lowered to the desk. Seeing her supposed future husband looking like that pulled Greta back from shock.

“You’ve gained enormous public support. Everyone knows your name. They know your aircraft. The whole country knows you led us to victory. Through you, the nation found hope.”

It was true. Greta had nothing to counter that.

“You’re not just an officer anymore. You’ve become a symbol. And the government wants to add meaning to that symbol—to ‘use’ your influence.”

“But… Collins is my adjutant. We flew together for the mission. Our relationship never progressed beyond that.”

“Is that truly the case?”

The Major slid something across the desk. A widely circulated imperial newspaper.

Greta picked it up and stared at the front page.

A love blossoming in war
‘The partners who brought peace promise a new life together’

Beneath the bold headline was a large black-and-white photo of Greta and Percy—kissing and holding each other.

There was no room for denial. It was undeniably them.

A hammer might as well have struck the back of her skull.

When… was this taken…?

“Sir, that meant nothing.”

Greta laughed dryly.

“We had just won the war—the enemy surrendered—we were just excited. It wasn’t romantic! Right, Percy? Say something!”

But damn Percy Collins remained silent, staring at the desk like a statue. Greta was stunned. Why wasn’t he defending himself?

He suddenly felt like a stranger.

“Whatever happened between you two is none of my concern. What matters is: the photo exists. And it’s on the front page.”

His gaze pierced through her.

“I’m not here to punish you. What I’m telling you is that once this reached the public, it became more than a scandal.”

“Sir…”

“This isn’t a scandal. It’s a truth the entire nation wants to believe. They adore you—and they adore this love story. If we tell them it was just a misunderstanding, what do you think will happen? The nation has already decided to support this romance.”

He gave her a look full of regret.

“I’m sorry, Captain. But this marriage has become unavoidable. Once the state is involved, it’s beyond your control.”

“……”

“You’re a hero. Heroes need a narrative. And the Empire wants this one. With your marriage to Lieutenant Collins as a premise, your discharge is approved.”

Greta was as stunned as Percy.

This had to be a dream…

As if to crush that fragile hope, the Major added:

“You two are officially in love. This is the nation’s final mission.”