DWUSS 06

DWUSS

Posted by george.adam, Released on November 5, 2025

Chapter 6.

They were the happiest couple in the Empire.

At least, that was what people believed. Even in the midst of brutal battles where death brushed past them at every turn, they never let go of one another. In the end, they protected both the fate of the Empire and their love — the couple of the century.

How romantic, people said — two pilots soaring together through the sky, bound by unwavering love and trust. And on top of that, the protagonist of the story was none other than a war hero admired by the entire Empire.

Greta Holt and her handsome, loyal adjutant felt like characters deliberately created to captivate the public. Their story was so flawless that it felt almost unreal — yet no one noticed.

Because the whole Empire wanted to believe it.

People needed someone to prove that beauty and hope could survive, even during a war that was slowly devouring everyone’s lives.

That chosen person was Greta.

In other words, this was the new mission she received after the war. She was to marry Percy and live happily. Once again — for the sake of the entire Empire.

Greta became the Empire’s victory trophy.

The wedding was grand, yet dignified. Reporters swarmed around them, eager to photograph the moment they exchanged eternal vows. While the ceremony bustled with excitement, the bride and groom were left alone in the waiting room.

Neither Greta nor Percy wanted a wedding dress. Neither needed one. Both wore their air force uniforms — they were no ordinary bride and groom.

Unlike the excited chaos outside, they looked as if they were attending a funeral.

No one spoke first.

No one even dared to try.

This marriage was a trap, clamped tight around their lives.

“Your fate is really something,” Greta muttered bitterly.

“Imagine having to look at your superior officer’s face for the rest of your life.”

Percy didn’t answer. He didn’t even look at her. Not once today had he looked her straight in the eye.

He looked like someone who had already lost something — or someone.

“Collins.”

“…Yes, Captain.”

“Look at me. Look at my face.”

Only then did Percy finally lift his head and meet her eyes. Despair — raw and heavy — pooled in them like sediment.

“Be honest. Do you resent me?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Then why are you ignoring me? If you don’t think I ruined your life, why have you acted all day like I don’t exist?”

“I wasn’t trying to ignore you. I just…”

His lips twitched as if he wanted to say more, but his gaze fell.

“…I’m sorry.”

“In case you’re misunderstanding: I never wanted this. I told you, right? I was going to retire quietly and live my own life. That was the whole plan. This isn’t my fault — and it’s not yours either. We don’t owe anything to each other. This just… happened. Terrible luck, that’s all.”

Because of that damned newspaper article.

Of all places — why there? Why then?

“I should have thrown those reporters out of the base when I had the chance.”

“Captain, about that day—”

“Don’t. Don’t say it. It doesn’t matter who kissed who first. It’s too late. That day was an accident. Just think of it like that. That’s enough. Got it?”

Percy closed his mouth. He clearly had more to say, but Greta didn’t want to hear it. They were both unlucky — and neither of them could have stopped what came next.

If either of them took even a shred of responsibility, their already broken relationship would fall straight off a cliff.

“When the war ended, I wanted to throw everything away and disappear. Somewhere nobody knew me. Somewhere untouched by war. Maybe then I could finally scrape off the label stuck to me.”

“…Label?”

“The label that says I was good at killing people.”

Percy looked startled. Greta had never shown her shadows to her subordinates. She had always been bright — optimistic — the one everyone relied on.

This was the first time she revealed her true feelings.

“I never imagined that would be what made my name famous.”

“You shouldn’t think of it like that.”

“Then how should I think of it?”

“Thanks to you, Captain, many people lived. You protected the Empire’s skies.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that I killed people.”

“Murderers point their guns at innocent civilians! If you hadn’t stopped them, do you know how many more lives would have been lost?”

For once, Percy’s voice rose.

“There is a city that was completely wiped out because the Federation dropped bombs. You didn’t kill people — you saved them.”

“Percy.”

“No one has the right to tear you down. Not even you.”

His voice trembled. For that brief moment, as he defended her, the dead look in his eyes flickered with life again.

Greta stared at him — surprised — then let out a small laugh.

“You don’t get anything for saying that, you know.”

“I mean every word.”

“I’m not even your superior anymore. I retired, remember? So stop calling me Captain. You need to get used to calling me something else.”

But even as she said it, weariness washed over her. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the wall.

If only her adjutant had been some useless jerk — this would’ve been easier.

But he wasn’t. He was decent, loyal, and good.

Greta Holt ruined lives. Even to the very end.

“I have one last confession, Percy.”

She felt his gaze flick briefly toward her.

“Yes, Captain.”

“I wanted to be a good superior to you. I wanted you to leave smiling on the day we parted ways. I’m sorry I couldn’t do that. I’m sorry I ruined everything.”

“It’s not your fault.”

Percy’s voice grew heavy, sinking like something dragged into the deep sea.

“It was never your fault…”

Greta looked at him. It was like he was chained to some nightmare she couldn’t see. She reached out—

—A knock interrupted them.

“Yes?”

“You’ll be entering shortly. Please be ready.”

“Well. Guess the world really is ending.”

Greta stood, smoothing her uniform.

“Up you go, Percy. We’re on.”

With his dark hair neatly arranged and his uniform immaculate, Percy looked every bit the handsome groom. Except for his expression — completely frozen and pale.

“Collins.”

Greta walked toward him.

Then, with the authority of a superior officer for the last time:

“Smile. Unless you want to give them something to talk about.”

But Percy didn’t smile.

He couldn’t.

“This way, please.”

The man at the door gestured for them to move. The moment had arrived. Crossing that threshold meant there was no going back.

Greta took Percy’s hand.

“Better than being captured and shot by the enemy,” she muttered.

They walked side by side. As they turned the corner, the wedding hall appeared ahead of them.

The waiting crowd erupted into cheers. Reporters, shoved into the corners, fired their flashes like gunfire.