Chapter 39 – Common Sense and Order

The Brightnum Military Office, located not far from the royal palace, was a grand polygonal building with a large dome at its center. 

Responsible for the military administration of Wellington, it was the largest military office in the kingdom, bustling day and night, yet always exuding the solemn dignity characteristic of military institutions.

However, today, for some reason, the atmosphere felt subtly different. 

The sound of lively high heels echoing amidst the footsteps of soldiers and clerks who never lost their composure even in emergencies seemed to be the cause.

“Huh? Who’s that lady?”

“Shh! It’s the only daughter of Marquis Talbot.”

“Marquis Talbot?”

The young sub-officer holding a pile of documents tightened his grip at the unexpected name. 

Marquis Talbot was well-known as a reliable advisor to the royal family.

However, to the military personnel, the name Talbot held a significance beyond that of a high-ranking noble. This was because his brother had taken as the Army Judge Advocate of Wellington a few years ago.

The sub-officer tilted his head, puzzled.

“But why is the daughter of Marquis Talbot here? It would make sense if she were at the military court where her uncle is.”

The fluttering light green dress amidst the dark uniforms of the soldiers was a stark contrast. Civilians entering this imposing space usually felt intimidated, but the Marquis’s daughter walked lightly, as if on an outing.

“Haven’t you heard?”

At that moment, a colleague whispered in the man’s ear.

“There’s talk that she’s Captain Blaine’s woman. They’ll probably marry soon.”

“Marry?”

Captain Blaine was a newcomer who had joined the intelligence department here less than a month ago. 

Known as the top talent in Chatham during his academy days, he had declared he had no intention of becoming a soldier, yet he had unexpectedly joined the military office.

‘Although not in a field position, an administrative officer is still a soldier under the military, so what prompted such a change of heart?’

Moreover, unlike the military regulation of commissioning as a second lieutenant after graduating from the academy, he started with the rank of captain, naturally stirring up conversation.

However, there had been enough precedents of noble scions using their influence to gain ranks for the sake of medals.

Moreover, Ansel Blaine was not an ordinary noble; he was the grandson of a legendary commander who had made a mark in military history and the son of Viscount Monmouth, who had served as a major general. The fact that someone with such a distinguished background was diligently working in the intelligence department of the military office left a deep impression.

It was undoubtedly impressive beyond mere admiration. 

Given the circumstances, while some might not favor this young and talented captain, no one could openly criticize him. 

There were even stories that the leadership welcomed his decision.

Nevertheless, using the military office as a venue for personal meetings was not ideal. Especially having a lover, not even an official spouse, come to visit…

“So he called her all the way here just to see her? They could meet after work; why have her come to his workplace—”

“Shh, quiet, Comer.”

At that moment, the Marquis’s daughter and the clerk guiding her passed by them. The woman, following the clerk who gave a light bow, smiled softly.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

* * *

“I’m so happy you’ve become a soldier, Ansel.”

The tearoom for officers was extremely quiet. The young officers resting inside quickly vacated the space when Captain Blaine and the Marquis’s daughter entered.

“This is a place where common sense and order prevail.”

“…”

“In fact, I’ve wanted to see you in uniform for a long time…”

Bianca’s voice was as gentle as a cloud. Her face was adorned with a deeply satisfying smile. 

Ansel, dressed in a well-fitted dark green uniform with his dark hair neatly combed back, was a sight more enchanting than any landscape.

In contrast to her, Ansel, with a stern expression, spoke without touching the teacup in front of him.

“Don’t come here like this again.”

“Why?”

Despite his cold demeanor, she appeared innocent and lovely as she nibbled on a small cookie. Bianca murmured that everything was fine except the cookies weren’t tasty, then asked again.

“Wasn’t it only when you got married that we couldn’t see each other? Then why didn’t you just get married?”

“…This is my workplace. I didn’t start this job lightly.”

Bianca merely smiled at his solemn reply. After a brief silence, Ansel added.

“Just so you know, that broken engagement was an accident.”

“An accident? How interesting.”

“I didn’t intend for it to happen from the start.”

“Oh, really? I thought it would turn out that way. You didn’t love her anyway.”

Bianca spoke leisurely, slowly twirling her teacup in the air.

“Wasn’t her name Sarah Bailey? Well, she was quite pretty.”

“…”

“Especially those blue eyes.”

At that, Ansel’s eyes slowly narrowed. He responded coolly.

“Whatever it is, just don’t bother with it anymore.”

“Ansel, you don’t intend to stay away from home forever, do you?”

“…Of course not.”

Ansel, closing his eyes as if weary, murmured bitterly.

“I just need a little time.”

He had gone to the house to apologize for breaking the engagement on his own accord, but unfortunately, he hadn’t met his father. 

He only heard from the Viscountess that his father was still angry. Even though he had expected it, the news left him feeling desolate.

Since that day, Ansel had been away from home as a form of self-reflection. 

Despite knowing that his father was aware he had visited the estate, the lack of communication from him made Ansel realize just how complacent he had been.

For Viscount Monmouth, who valued honor and dignity above all, allowing a marriage with a commoner must have been a significant decision. 

Ansel vaguely understood that his father must have done a lot of behind-the-scenes work to minimize the uproar that marriage would cause in society.

Yet, he had broken off the marriage without any consultation. It was obvious that his father perceived it as more than mere rebellion—he saw it as an insult.

Had he not boasted about playing the mediator to resolve the long-standing conflict with the Earl, it might have been better, but at the time, Ansel was completely blinded. Blinded by the idea of permanently embedding himself in that woman’s life under the guise of family.

In any case, such a situation between father and son was unprecedented. Naturally, it was the first time he had gone to apologize and been ignored by his father, making everything confusing and awkward.

However, Ansel soon realized that the way to ease his father’s anger was not through desperate apologies or tears but through proof. 

Thus, he decided to become a soldier.

Following his father’s wishes was the only choice left to him. Choosing to work at the military office in the capital rather than a military unit was also in line with the Viscount’s desire for his son to remain in the capital.

Of course, it wasn’t a place he could easily enter just because he chose to, but he had been able to secure a position here thanks to the active recommendation of Lieutenant General Layton, the principal of Chatham Academy.

Lost in thought, Ansel heard a clear voice.

“What if that time takes longer than you think? Things seem pretty bad. Honestly, I didn’t expect your father to give you no support in establishing yourself.”

Bianca shrugged her shoulders. As she said, neither his grandfather nor his father provided direct assistance. Ansel replied in an even tone.

“Let’s get it straight. I didn’t ask for help. And since the family name still supports me, it’s not an exaggeration to say I’ve received help, is it?”

In fact, working for a living in aristocratic society was considered shameful, but Ansel, as the heir of a military family, was in a natural position to start working to gain experience.

Most importantly, people assumed the Viscount had deliberately sent his son here, unaware that Ansel was actually out of favor with the family.

Ansel was staying in the barracks provided for officers here, and people thought it was also under the Viscount’s orders for extensive experience.

“You’re lucky, Ansel. But if the Viscount continues to ignore you, you’ll eventually crumble. That’s what worries me.”

Bianca’s attitude, as if she knew the situation well, made Ansel furrow his brow. A much lower voice followed.

“Did you meet my mother?”

“Yes. She said she had never seen the Viscount so angry.”

At her words, Ansel felt a pang of unease. However, knowing that his father was aware of his presence here, he had no choice but to silently demonstrate his resolve.

Perhaps his father was testing him.

“If you want to correct your mistake, this won’t be enough.”

As if to conclude her thoughts, Bianca continued.

“There’s a way to completely quell the widespread rumors of the broken engagement in society and win back the Viscount’s favor. A very dignified and powerful way.”

“…”

“Marry me, Ansel.”

The woman, slightly raising her chin, looked quite confident.

Ansel faced her without a trace of agitation.

He had lived his life believing that marrying anyone other than the woman he desired was meaningless. Therefore, Bianca’s words were not surprising.

“That won’t happen.”

But still, not yet.

“…Your stepmother is pregnant with the Viscount’s child. She’s already treating you as someone outside the family. Doesn’t that make you feel anything? You should be proactive, Ansel. Isn’t the family everything to you?”

Bianca raised her voice unusually. She couldn’t understand why Ansel was showing such a lukewarm attitude, unlike before.

It was indeed true that the family was everything to Ansel Blaine. The family’s honor and the responsibility for it had been the foundation of his life for a long time.

But not anymore. Strangely even to himself, he felt a deep sense of relief at the news of his stepmother’s pregnancy.

In fact, that news helped him finally settle his long-hesitant heart.

To confront it one last time.

Ansel finally spoke.

“When you meet her next, tell her this.”

“…”

“That I sincerely hope this time the child is born safely.”

The smile that spread across his artistically handsome lips was supremely elegant.