Episode 2
Chloe had originally served in the navy. The navy of the Kingdom of Ibanes—known far and wide as the weakest military branch in the kingdom.
The reasons behind that reputation were too well-known to even bother explaining. Compared to the army, the navy was basically a joke—full of underperformers and second-rate soldiers.
Then, three months ago, something strange happened.
A strange recruitment notice appeared in the navy:
“The Royal Army’s Guard Battalion is seeking volunteers. Under the direct command of Curtis Sian Verck. Open to ranks from Warrant Officer to Lieutenant only.”
It was a call to become the personal aide to the kingdom’s war hero—Curtis Sian Verck himself.
No one could believe their eyes.
The Duke of Verck. The king’s half-brother. The man closest to the throne after the king and crown prince.
With the striking looks inherited from his famously beautiful mother (the late queen), and his tall, noble build, he was admired by men and women alike.
Not only that, he was a war hero—having led Ibanes to victory in three major border wars.
So then—why on earth was someone like him recruiting from the navy?
Even stranger was the incentive listed:
“Upon appointment, quarterly bonuses worth 400% of base salary.”
Suspicious, right?
“It’s gotta be a suicide mission.”
“This is probably a scam. You think you’re joining the army, and suddenly you’re on a shrimp boat or something.”
But someone took the bait.
That someone was 26-year-old Chloe Amboise.
She had enlisted in the navy at the age of 18, in a place that barely qualified as a military base. When asked why she joined, her honest answer—“for the stable paycheck”—became legendary among her peers.
A 400% bonus? That was 160,000 Sing—a full three-month food budget for a family of six.
“Why wouldn’t I go?”
That’s what she had thought at the time.
Now, present-day Chloe had just one thing to say to her past self:
“Chloe… that was the price of your soul.”
“Sorry?”
Lieutenant Noel, who was standing next to her, turned and blinked at her. Chloe flinched and waved her hands.
“Ah, no—just talking to myself.”
“I see. His Grace will be out shortly.”
Noel smiled gently. Chloe clasped her hands behind her back and stood up straighter, slightly embarrassed.
It was late afternoon, and the sun was beginning to set. They were waiting outside the courtyard of Curtis Sian Verck’s mansion.
Chloe had arrived well before the time Verck told her to. You never knew what kind of punishment you’d get for being even a minute late. Standing beside her was Noel—one of Verck’s closest aides.
“The Verck estate is especially beautiful at sunset. You should enjoy it while we wait.”
“Ah, yes…”
The grand Verck mansion was well-known even among capital citizens for its beauty. With its graceful white structure and tragic history as the former home of a beloved queen, it drew admiration from all who saw it.
But to Chloe, it was just another workplace—and she was working on her day off.
“Today was supposed to be my day off…”
Was it good luck or bad luck? Hard to say.
Working on a day off usually meant getting paid 150% of your regular wage. That sounded great to Chloe the penny-pincher.
But as a human being named Chloe Amboise—who hadn’t slept in three days—she really could’ve done without it.
Meanwhile, Noel clucked his tongue.
“So the General is really taking you to the banquet.”
Chloe tilted her head.
“What do you mean?”
“…Didn’t he tell you?”
Noel hesitated. Chloe blinked.
“…Tell me what?”
“Ah, never mind.”
Noel shook his head. Chloe felt something was off, but decided not to push it.
If it was really something she needed to know, Noel would’ve told her. In the three months she’d known him, he’d always been kind, clear, and reliable.
Also, while he wasn’t as stunning as the famously handsome Duke Verck, Noel was still considered a pretty good-looking guy.
At first, Chloe had almost mistaken his kindness for something more. But after working under Curtis Verck, she realized the truth—it was the shared bond between those suffering under a common tyrant.
So when Noel fell silent, she trusted there was no need to ask further. In the military, she’d learned early on: if someone doesn’t tell you something, don’t ask.
“Do you know much about the banquet tonight?”
“Just that it’s a pre-diplomatic gathering with Glintland.”
“Well… it’s actually more like a pre-engagement reception. For our General.”
“…What?”
Chloe stared at him in disbelief.
Noel looked at her with a knowing smile, like he’d expected that reaction.
“His Grace is about to have a formal marriage meeting with the Duke of Glintland’s daughter.”
“…Wait. Glintland nobility? Isn’t that kind of… over the top? I don’t know who she is, but… does he really have to marry her?”
Chloe’s voice was filled with sympathy for the unknown foreign noblewoman.
Noel answered gently.
“She’s not exactly in a great position either.”
“Did she blackmail him or something?”
“Not quite. It’s more like… His Grace was the one who got trapped.”
“That guy… made a mistake? General Verck?”
Chloe’s words slipped out before she realized how casual she sounded. Noel, however, didn’t seem offended.
He was well aware of how many people had come and gone from Verck’s side, and he was one of the rare, respected figures in the army known for his kindness.
“In the end, it’s all because of bloodlines.”
“Wow.”
Chloe said it flatly.
She had no idea what that meant, but whatever weakness Verck had… she kind of wanted to use it herself.
Then, someone dazzling appeared.
A man, surrounded by attendants, walked out from under the grand facade of the mansion.
Under the clear blue sky stood the breathtaking mansion—and walking from it, a golden-haired man who glittered just as much.
Curtis.
“Looks like His Grace has arrived.”
“Ugh.”
Chloe groaned. Noel chuckled.
“What kind of reaction is that, Chloe? What do you see him as?”
“Let’s see… a punishment vending machine?”
“Ah, like that new vending machine they installed near the fountain in the capital? You insert a magic stone and it dispenses punishment?”
Noel clearly thought she was joking.
She wasn’t.
The vending machine in the capital was shiny and sparkly—just like him.
Golden hair, neatly combed. Amethyst eyes. Broad shoulders. The deep navy uniform of the Royal Guard clung perfectly to his frame.
Long legs, straight posture—he looked like the very image of a model soldier.
Even though Chloe wore the exact same uniform, somehow on him it looked majestic. On her? Not so much.
‘My fellow navy guys used to say I looked like a sewer rat…’
With her black-blue hair blending into the navy, she couldn’t help it.
But anyway, yes—her boss was extremely handsome.
Not that it helped her.
Did a handsome boss mean fewer punishments? Less overtime?
Nope.
He was just a beautiful punishment vending machine.
“Warrant Officer Amboise. If you’re here, hurry up and get over here. You crawling or what?”
The “vending machine” had spoken.
‘Unbelievable.’
Not even a “hello.” Just yelling.
But Chloe was a good soldier who followed orders.
“Yes, sir! Apologies!”
She ran over.
“Running like that is disgraceful.”
That was his review as she arrived, panting.
He frowned at her.
Chloe’s heart dropped. What now?
“What’s with your uniform? Didn’t the navy teach you to iron?”
“Apologies, sir. It must’ve gotten wrinkled while I ran over.”
“Where are your ceremonial decorations?”
“…Excuse me?”
Oops. She’d forgotten about those.
When she received her uniform three months ago, it came with a bunch of accessories—supposedly for big events. She’d shoved them away and forgotten.
‘We didn’t have that kind of thing in the navy!’
And in the guard, under Verck’s rule, everyone avoided wearing extra decorations anyway. They just got in the way during drills and punishments.
So she never even thought about it.
‘Why didn’t anyone tell me?!’
But she couldn’t say that to her boss.
Knowing she’d be punished after tonight, Chloe lowered her head.
“Apologies, sir. I’ll correct it.”
But to her surprise, Verck did something completely unexpected.
He clicked his tongue.
Then took off one of his own ceremonial badges—an elegant pin with a red gem and silver—and handed it to her.
“Here. Wear this. You’re my aide. You can’t show up at a banquet looking like that.”
He didn’t stop there.
He personally pinned it to her collar.
Chloe’s eyes widened.
Up close, she could see the Verck family crest subtly engraved into the gem. It was clearly one of his personal items.
“Oh—thank you, sir…”
Wasn’t this super expensive?
And this was Verck. The man with obsessive cleanliness. He never touched other people’s uniforms.
‘Wait… does he secretly care about me?’
Or maybe he hit his head?
Then came his next line:
“Like putting pearls on a pig.”
Okay, no. Definitely not hit in the head.
Whatever tiny scrap of feeling she thought he might have had—gone.
Still, he didn’t take the badge back.
While his butler rushed in to pin a different set of ornaments to Verck’s jacket, Chloe stood there awkwardly, holding the edge of her collar and thinking:
Discharge. That’s the only way.
“Dear God, please let me quit the army…”
Too bad for her—the carriage had already started moving.
Carrying Chloe, who was supposed to be off today, and her boss—the man she wanted to punch.
