ITMHIAM 05

Chapter 05

The man everyone thought was missing was standing right in front of me. But no one else seemed to realize he was the one who had disappeared.

How could anyone know he was missing if they didn’t know who he was? And if no one knew, how did I recognize him?

It was a long story—one that would make any outsider frown with confusion and ask countless questions.

I felt the same way. I stared at him for a long time, shocked that I was the only one who recognized him.

“A public announcement for the joint funeral will be made soon.”

That was the last thing he told me before we parted ways at the Navy headquarters.

“Are you sure it’s okay for you to be walking around like this?”

I asked him, my question sounding a little foolish even to myself. The young nobleman frowned slightly.

“I don’t see why not.”

“But the navy officers will recognize you.”

He didn’t respond. Feeling awkward, I lowered my head and started rambling.

“Ah… I came here to look for a job. Luckily, there’s still an open position, so I have an interview in a week at the Russell “

Before I could finish, he suddenly pulled me aside.

I looked up at him, startled, just as an older man behind us grumbled.

“Hey, why are you blocking the entrance?”

He sounded annoyed. The nobleman clicked his tongue in irritation and lowered his hand.

“Keep an eye on your lover, will you? Next time, I won’t be so forgiving!”

With a glare in my direction, the man stomped into the post office.

I had nearly been shoved aside. I swallowed hard, glancing at the sharp corner of a nearby desk.

I had never been treated like that before.

Müssen was supposed to be a peaceful city, full of kind and easygoing people.

But something was changing. And I had just seen it with my own eyes.

I took a deep breath to calm myself.

“…Thank you.”

This was the third time I owed him. Once at the harbor, once at the Navy headquarters, and now at the post office.

I forced a smile and continued.

“I’ve been talking too much, haven’t I? You must be busy, so I should—”

“This isn’t a good place to talk.”

His quiet words cut me off.

“…What?”

I frowned, looking up at him. Was he saying he wanted to have a conversation with me?

“Didn’t you have something to do at the post office?”

“It wasn’t important. But what was that about a job? I think I misheard.”

The nobleman smiled charmingly and held out his hand.

I hesitated, staring at his large hand before reluctantly taking it. He gently led me away.

Why was he so curious about my job?

Even after walking for a while, I couldn’t figure it out. Then I suddenly remembered his question and hurriedly answered.

“I haven’t gotten the job yet. I have an interview in a week. At the Russell Marquisate.”

His arm stiffened slightly under my hand, and he stopped walking.

“You mean that Russell Marquisate? In Bohlen?”

“Yes. The pay is good.”

“I wouldn’t recommend it.”

“If it’s because the Marchioness is strict, I—”

Before I could finish, someone shouted from the square.

“A public notice!”

The voice was urgent. We both turned toward the sound at the same time.

“The military has issued an official announcement.

Please check it immediately!”

His face darkened instantly.

A military announcement—

That meant the date for the joint funeral of the fallen soldiers had been decided.

It was a somber Wednesday, with light snow falling from the sky.

The funeral was held.

Survivors, grieving families, and I—mourning my father and the other fallen soldiers.

As I tossed lilies into the deep grave beside my father’s coffin, someone approached me.

There was only one person who would come to stand beside me.

Johannes Schultz.

But I didn’t have the strength to acknowledge him. I simply stared blankly ahead, throwing lily after lily.

For a long time, he said nothing. I assumed he would remain silent.

Then he finally spoke.

“I was close with Sergeant Prim.”

“… …”

“He left a final message for you. I should tell you now.”

My hand froze in midair, my breath hitching.

A sharp tremor ran through my eyelids as I squeezed my eyes shut.

His steady voice carried through the cold air.

“He said he truly loved you.”

I clenched my skirt tightly. My entire arm trembled, and my fingertips turned pale.

“He said not to be too sad. If you live a happy life, one day, you’ll meet again.”

“… …”

“That’s what he wanted you to know.”

I hadn’t seen my father’s final moments, but I could imagine them.

Tears threatened to spill over, so I lowered my head.

I wanted to ask—how exactly had he died? What illness had taken him?

But if I spoke, I would break down.

All I could do was bite my lip to hold back my sobs.

“Meet again someday?”

That was impossible. My father was gone.

We would never meet again.

“My deepest condolences.”

His quiet words weighed heavily on me as if telling me to finally let my father go.

I stared at the pile of white lilies on the coffin and slowly closed my eyes.

I thought I had cried all my tears, but I was wrong.

I broke down again—right in front of Johannes Schultz.

By the time I finally stopped crying, my eyes were swollen.

The cemetery was empty now.

The sun had begun to set, dyeing the sky red. Under that crimson glow, he stood there.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I always lose control in front of you.”

I brushed my black mourning veil aside and wiped my eyes with the handkerchief he had given me.

He shook his head slightly as if to say it was fine.

“I heard you lived alone with your father. And that you were studying pharmacology.”

I looked up at him in surprise.

“My father told you that? You must have been very close.”

He gave a small nod.

At least my father hadn’t been alone on the battlefield. That thought comforted me.

I forced a small smile, and he finally spoke again—his gaze still fixed on my father’s coffin.

“I know this may sound presumptuous, but I don’t recommend working for the Russell Marquisate.”

“If it’s because of the Marchioness’s strict personality, I appreciate your concern, but I’ve already decided.”

“It’s not that. Life will be difficult in a foreign city. I’d like to offer you a more practical alternative.”

A job offer? That was unexpected.

I frowned slightly and turned toward him. He met my gaze.

“If this is out of pity, I don’t need your help. You’ve done enough.”

“Pity?”

He sounded amused.

“That would be a reasonable explanation.”

“…What?”

His expression remained unreadable.

“But no. I simply can’t ignore the daughter of a man who helped me greatly. And I happen to know of a suitable job nearby.”

Nearby? That did sound tempting.

But I didn’t want to seem too interested, so I asked indifferently, “Where?”

Looking back, I wonder—was this his first proposal?

Bathed in the red light of the setting sun, his eyes gleamed with something unreadable as he made his offer.

“How about working for the Schultz Duchy, Miss Prim?”