Chapter 18

Derkan was competent. Normally, men like him, without proper status or backing, were limited in the ranks and duration they could serve in the military. But Derkan was sharp and quick-witted, and had survived the harsh life of the army with his easygoing smile, slipping through dangers like a snake over a wall.

If he had to choose the best decision of his life, it would be the moment he met Lucien Delaroz and, without hesitation, clung to him as his lifeline.

Lucien had become a legend from the moment he passed the officer exam with outstanding results, and continued to rack up unbelievable achievements, rising through the ranks at a speed several times faster than others.

Certainly, being the son of a prestigious family played a part, but the merits he accumulated were undeniable to anyone.

‘But still, am I supposed to serve such a young man as my superior?’

‘Isn’t it too soon for him to be assigned to headquarters?’

‘Still, he has field experience…’

A man who was good-looking, capable, and from a solid family was both the object of everyone’s admiration and envy. When Lucien, much younger than his peers, was assigned to headquarters, it was no different. Perhaps because it was a province far from the capital, plenty of fools tried to knock Lucien down a peg or two, thinking they could humble his sky-high pride.

“That’s why you’re stuck at that rank, because you can’t read the times.”

Derkan nodded, recalling some of those ridiculous faces. He didn’t miss the opportunity those fools gave him. While Lucien handled their petty territorial games without batting an eye, Derkan quickly lined up behind him, showing off his competence.

No matter how unbothered Lucien seemed, there was a limit to how much work he could handle alone. Eventually, even the aloof Lucien needed subordinates, and naturally, Derkan earned his trust, riding the express train of Lucien’s rapid promotions and turning his own life around.

Derkan had no complaints about serving someone as young as Lucien, who could have been his son or nephew. Lucien was a bit eccentric and fierce, but he was also talented, and up close, Derkan often found things to learn from him despite the age gap.

Thanks to clinging to Lucien, Derkan was promoted, married, and even had a child. To him, Lucien was a benefactor, a life mentor, and someone he’d pledge lifelong loyalty to without regret…

“What are you doing?”

“What do you think?”

“What?”

“That guy. Doesn’t he seem interested in Serenia?”

Derkan’s cold gaze turned to the soldier Lucien had been glaring at.

The innocent soldier, sweating and training seriously, showed nothing but respect and enthusiasm—none of the sly, personal feelings Lucien suspected. Derkan, who’d heard this kind of question far too often, sighed and shook his head.

“At this rate, it’s an illness. Why are you imagining things about Serenia that even she doesn’t?”

His respect for Lucien, once so strong, was chipped away a little more today. Once, Lucien had seemed truly admirable, but now Derkan wondered how he’d become so childish.

Even with Derkan’s assurance that there was no ulterior motive, Lucien still looked dissatisfied, unable to take his eyes off the training ground. If Serenia so much as touched a soldier’s body to correct his posture, Lucien’s fists would clench.

“Stop wasting energy on pointless things. If you care about Serenia so much, go back to the office and finish your work.”

“No. If there’s no work, Serenia won’t stay in the office.”

‘Is this guy joking? How long does he plan to keep spying like this?’

Derkan barely restrained the urge to smack Lucien on the head. Lucien, who kept shifting as if ready to run into the training ground, finally turned back toward the office with a disappointed look.

Successfully bringing Lucien back after another day of trailing Serenia, Derkan wiped the sweat from his brow and sat down.

“Are you crazy? Don’t hover around Serenia’s desk, sit somewhere else.”

“I’ve worked here for years, so I might—yes, yes, I’ll get up right away!”

Startled by his superior’s sharp glare, Derkan jumped up from his seat, feeling a bit pitiful.

Sitting awkwardly on the guest sofa in the center of the office, Derkan glanced around. He’d worked here for years, but after months away, the atmosphere felt different. The office itself hadn’t changed much…

So the reason must be the new face, Serenia, and the completely different mood Lucien now had. Outwardly, Lucien looked the same, but Derkan studied him, feeling he’d become a different person.

“Why are you staring like that?”

“You said you wouldn’t do my work for me.”

“I’m not doing it for you, just checking things ahead of time.”

He’d claimed he couldn’t leave the office if there was no work, but now he was rifling through paperwork meant for Serenia, and Derkan couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity.

It felt like watching a six-year-old nephew. Meeting someone he liked for the first time, Lucien was clumsy with feelings of affection and jealousy, unable to handle them—so unlike him, and strangely endearing.

Even a mad dog falls in love. Derkan felt the greatness of love, pressing his palm to his chest as if he were Lucien’s father.

“Is it really that good?”

“……”

“I never thought you’d bring your lover to work while I was away. You always said everyone but me was an idiot and you’d keep the seat empty until I got back.”

“What are you talking about? Where’s the lover…? And you’re only here because you’re the most obedient of the idiots, not that you’re easy to talk to.”

Derkan was used to the last part and could laugh it off, but not the first. At the word ‘lover,’ Lucien’s face showed no hint of playfulness. Derkan, who’d been amused by Lucien’s awkward love story, suddenly felt a cold sweat run down his back. No way… It couldn’t be.

“Are you serious?”

“……?”

“Then what is S-Serenia to you?”

“Why are you suddenly bringing up Serenia? I told you before, we grew up together—she’s a friend.”

“A friend? Was that just an excuse, or are you serious?”

The day Derkan burst into the office, Lucien had introduced Serenia as a friend in a very ambiguous atmosphere. Of course, Derkan hadn’t believed it. Knowing Lucien better than even his family at the mansion, Derkan could see that the way Lucien looked at Serenia could never be described by the word ‘friend.’