DWUSS 08

Chapter 8

Naturally, Kitty drank more wine than usual. But it wasn’t a problem. Her mood was just pleasantly light, her cheeks slightly flushed.

She was still sober enough to control herself.

At least, that’s what Kitty believed.

After dinner, Percy led her toward the elevator.

“Why the elevator?”

“The rooftop garden here is famous for its view.”

He pushed open the lattice gate twice so Kitty could step inside. The elevator began ascending slowly toward the roof. In the narrow space, Kitty had no choice but to stand very close to Percy.

Had she ever been this close to him before—close enough for their arms to touch? Not in her memory. She only realized now just how tall Percy was. Broad-shouldered and solidly built, it felt like he filled up the entire elevator by himself.

“Sorry.”

He must have noticed it too, because he apologized quietly.

“It’s fine. The elevator is just tiny.”

“Are you uncomfortable?”

“Not really…”

Just then, the elevator jolted suddenly. Startled, Kitty let out a short scream, and Percy instinctively pulled her into his arms.

Their faces were suddenly very close. Kitty realized—too late—that her hand was resting against his chest. She quickly sprang back.

“S—sorry. That wasn’t my intention…”

“It’s okay, Kitty.”

“No, really. I don’t want you to misunderstand.”

Her tone grew defensive for no reason.

“If two men got in here together, one of them would suffocate.”

Percy laughed. She hadn’t meant it as a joke, but apparently it hit his sense of humor.

Now that she thought about it—back when she lived as Greta, Percy had liked her sharp tongue too.

When the elevator finally stopped, Percy pushed open the lattice gate.

“After you, Kitty.”

“Thanks.”

She was truly grateful to be free from that damned elevator.

Just as he said, a small garden stretched out across the rooftop. Beyond it, the city lights sparkled, captivating Kitty’s eyes. She had seen her share of beautiful things as Kitty Summers, but the glamour of a big city always impressed her.

“Wow.”

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

Percy had moved to her side. Kitty was about to agree immediately—but then she looked up at him.

Warm light from the city reflected softly on his face. The wind lifted his dark hair. His golden eyes seemed to contain the city’s glow.

Instead of her original response, another question slipped out.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“I wanted this moment to remain a good memory for you.”

“Were you afraid you wouldn’t be enough on your own?”

“I’m a man who understands his limits.”

He stood on that fine line—between familiar and unfamiliar. The same man she knew, and yet not.

Without his uniform, Percy looked completely different. The hair that used to be neatly slicked back was now tousled and carefree.

He felt new.

He wasn’t her former subordinate anymore… he looked like an ordinary man she had just met in a bar for a date.

Old memories faded.

“You’re too handsome for that to be true.”

Kitty said it like a joke, but she meant it.

“It means you don’t have to work as hard as other men.”

“In love, there’s no such thing as working less, Kitty.”

“Love?”

“Yes. Love.”

Kitty stared at him for a moment—and burst out laughing.

“We haven’t even known each other a full day. Are we really at the stage where we’re talking about love?”

“To me, yes.”

Percy stepped closer. His warm-colored eyes held hers steadily. He seemed completely serious. He meant it when he said love.

Was that something she should welcome?

He leaned in, the lights shimmering around them. They were so close she could feel his breath.

This would be their third kiss. Memories flickered in her mind, but she thought—why not?

There was no going back now.

And here, she wasn’t Greta anymore.

Kitty pulled him toward her first. The alcohol helped. In the darkness of the empty garden, hidden by shadows, they shared breath and lips. The kiss started carefully but grew more intense. Percy pulled her into his arms.

Held tight against his solid frame, Kitty instinctively grabbed his forearm. She couldn’t breathe properly. He didn’t give her space. Her thoughts blurred; every sensation sharpened.

“Ha…”

Percy kissed her like a man thirsting after long hunger, as if his earlier restraint had been an act.

It was confusing. He acted like he had finally obtained something he had wanted for a very long time.

She didn’t know how long they stayed like that. When he finally released her, Kitty looked up at him, breathless. The intensity was still burning in his eyes.

Why did he want her so badly?

She didn’t fully understand, but she smiled mischievously.

“You’re good at this. Must’ve had lots of practice.”

“Let’s not say useless things.”

“Then what counts as useful conversation?”

But she understood what he meant.

Talking was pointless right now.

However, she had no intention of going further.

They shouldn’t cross that line.

“A handsome man who kisses well—wonder who will end up taking you.”

Kitty stepped back. Surprisingly, Percy let her go easily.

She had been a little scared that he might not—that he might take things further.

Considering the intensity from moments earlier, he definitely could have.

But he didn’t. Even outside the military, Percy was still a well-trained, obedient dog.

She was sorry, but she could only give him this much.

“I must’ve drunk too much. I want to call it a night… I’m really sorry. You understand, right?”

Percy nodded without speaking. He still seemed lost in the heat of the moment.

She needed to disappear now. Give him space. Kitty sensed that.

“If I upset you, I apologize.”

“No. Thank you… for coming this far.”

“You bought me a wonderful dinner. Least I could do.”

Despite his words, Percy seemed unable to shake off his attachment to her. But this was where they had to part.

The magic was over.

“Thank you for tonight. Sorry I couldn’t stay longer.”

Kitty kissed his cheek briefly, then headed toward the stairs. She remembered to glance back halfway. Percy gave her a wistful smile—as if promising a next time that would never come.

But one thing was certain.

Percy had no idea that Kitty was Greta.

He looked completely convinced.

Percy Collins stared blankly at the spot where Kitty vanished, then sat down on a bench in the corner of the garden. Without her, the dazzling night view meant nothing.

He closed his eyes, recalling their first meeting.

Or rather—their reunion.

‘I’m Kitty Summers. Just call me Kitty.’

Greta looked like a completely different person. Not just her hair color and style, but her clothes—and even her face.

He almost didn’t recognize her. It took him a few seconds to realize that she really was Greta.

Kitty Summers. He had heard of a singer by that name, but he wasn’t interested in pop music. He forgot the name quickly.

He never imagined it would be the new name of the superior he admired.

When Greta left Percy, she left only one note behind:

Don’t look for me. I’m not coming back.

That was all. His heart dropped, but he had to accept it.

She had plans for her future. She had told Percy plainly that she wanted her own life. And then the country forced them into marriage.

Percy knew.

Greta wasn’t someone who should rot in the prison of an unwanted marriage.

So he pretended not to see. He wanted to let her go—free her completely. Let her live the life she wanted, far away.

But she returned.

With ginger hair, red lips, and the name “Kitty.”

How could he not recognize her?

Others could fail to see it. But Percy couldn’t.

Not because he married her. Their marriage was a mere formality; they hadn’t spent their married life together.

To Percy, Greta was far more than a wife or a superior officer.

Greta Holt. The legendary pilot known as the Crimson Countess. Commander of the squadron—who refused to let even a single pilot under her die.

Percy fell in love with her the moment he first saw her.

He didn’t want to admit it, but it was love—undeniable and consuming.

At first, he mistook it for admiration. He respected and idolized her. But one day, he dreamed of her—and realized he wasn’t just seeing her as his superior.

How could he ever fail to recognize her?

Every feverish feeling he ever had began with her.

It was during the early days of the war, the day Percy received orders to join a new squadron…