Chapter 36

“Ugh!”

Vivi vomited up everything she had eaten for lunch.

Her stomach felt empty, and her body was heavy as if she had the flu. It had been like this since yesterday. With her body not cooperating, she eventually went to the hospital early in the morning and received medication for stress-induced gastritis.

‘Calm down…’

The doctor said avoiding stress was the most important thing. Peace of mind and sufficient sleep were necessary…

‘Adequate rest.’

She swallowed the medicine on her empty stomach.

“Julia got taken by the agency?”

“Yeah, so the atmosphere at the library is really something.”

“Aren’t you scared to live? Who would’ve thought she was a spy… Vivi was really close to Julia, right? Poor thing.”

As she came out of the bathroom, the seniors in the hallway glanced at her.

“…”

They looked at her with pity before moving away.

Just as they said, Julia had been caught.

But she wasn’t a spy. Her father was the spy, having spent 25 years in Rando and the remaining 25 years in Toramde. He married a woman he met in Toramde and had a child, Julia.

Julia claimed she only recently discovered her father’s true identity. Until then, she didn’t know about his status or his real origins.

However, given the tense atmosphere between Rando and Toramde, the agency wouldn’t easily release her.

“Vivi, are you okay?”

As she returned to her seat, Senior Webley approached.

“Yes, I’m okay.”

“What do you mean okay? Your face looks terrible.”

“It’s because of the medicine. I’ll be fine soon.”

“Vivi, just go home and rest today.”

“Julia’s already absent, and if I leave too…”

She trailed off, looking at the empty seat. Even with three hands, it wouldn’t be enough to handle all the work until Julia or her replacement arrived.

Resting was a luxury. It was better to keep working hard. If she stayed busy, someone would eventually fill that empty spot. She held onto that vague hope.

“Vivi, rest. Go home.”

“What?”

This time, even the director, along with the seniors, suggested it. They all looked at her with sympathetic eyes.

“Rest. I’ll handle your work and Julia’s, so take a good rest today.”

“I can’t…”

“It’s the director’s order. Go home.”

The seniors nearby gathered her coat and bag.

She stood up, bewildered.

* * *

She looked at the closed library door. She never imagined she’d be sent out like this. She despaired at the unmoving door.

“…Sigh.”

She walked the streets without changing out of her work clothes.

Opposition to the development of destructive weapons.

Execute the traitor Nergal Galinne.

Who are the victims of war? Only the poor citizens.

Who is the war without winners for? Listen, the government inciting war and Nergal Galinne.

There was nowhere to look.

Everywhere was filled with flags, boards, posters, and signs. The silent boards shouted louder than ever. They longed for world peace and someone’s death in bold red letters.

“…”

As she neared home, the nausea gradually subsided.

She needed to sleep somehow once she got home.

“…Damn it.”

But today, the key wouldn’t fit into the lock. Her trembling hand eventually dropped to the ground.

“Damn it, damn it.”

She cursed under her breath. Normally, she’d be shocked by such words. When she hit the door, Irini’s cry came from the other side.

“S-sorry.”

She apologized to Irini, who must have been startled. Having just moved from Sir Costance’s house, Irini would be sensitive.

She once again raised her arm and calmly inserted the key into the lock. This time, the door opened instantly.

“Meow.”

Irini, who was inside, slowly approached her.

“Were you scared? Have you been well?”

“Meow.”

“Sorry, I’ll give you a treat.”

Holding Irini, she entered the hallway.

Upon entering the house, she noticed a dessert shop bag with a cute font on a floral background. It hadn’t been there in the morning. She spotted a yellow post-it note on the table in front of the bag.

I look forward to meeting you soon. I eagerly await that day.

Costance –

Since the Rando simulation, Costance had been very busy. With the endless workload, he probably hadn’t had a proper rest.

‘Sir.’

Her legs gave out. She sank down, fiddling with the note Costance left.

‘I miss you very much too.’

* * *

Naval Headquarters.

Operations Staff, Operations Division.

This place was truly hell. Due to the nature of operations, it was always a nightmarish place of overtime, but after the Rando simulation, there was no such thing as leaving work.

At least the officers could catch a brief break after completing today’s training report. Costance Orsi finally saw daylight after staring at blue screens in the operations room.

“Does the Operations Division doesn’t even have time to shower?”

Costance saw Elvin approaching him. Elvin had hastily washed his hair and was drying it with a towel.

“Senior Elvin.”

“The Logistics Department is taking turns washing right now. It’s been so long since they last washed… Well, they’ll have a hard time later with a scolding. One of the subordinates made a mistake, and the manager is furious.”

“Is that so?”

“Well… Even without washing, your face remains the same.”

Elvin sneered. Costance looked at the woman approaching the front gate of the headquarters. She was delivering clothes and personal items, likely brought from home, to her husband.

Then, without a word, they embraced.

“Must be anxious?”

“Leaving their wives alone at home must make them uneasy.”

“Not them—I’m talking about you, Orsi.”

Costance tilted his head, asking what he meant.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? Things are going well with Miss Vivi, aren’t they?”

“…Did I say that?”

“It’s written all over your face. Only someone oblivious wouldn’t notice.”

“Finn wouldn’t know.”

“Except him, yeah. Everyone else knows, right? Costance Orsi, who never showed any expression, suddenly smiling for no reason. How could they not know?”

Was it that obvious?

Costance thought he knew how to separate work and personal life.

After spending the first night with Vivi, Costance tried to keep the joy from showing.

Once, he’d been caught off guard when her face came to mind while he was working, but he’d tried to think of anything else. Still, he couldn’t wait to see her.

“So, are things going well with her?”

“Why should I tell you?”

Costance didn’t want to share anything about Vivi with others. This excitement was no exception.

“So stingy.”

“I just hope this situation calms down soon.”

“Don’t worry too much. She’s probably tougher than she seems. I bet Vivi’s doing just fine.”

“…”

You have no idea.

He thought, picturing Bibi.

‘If I hold on too tight… she might break. If I grip too hard, she might get scared and run away. She’s small and fragile.’

To Costance, Vivi Ferren was such a woman.

Precious and therefore he had to be careful. Even though he wanted to show her all his feelings, he was worried she might run away.

Costance recalled yesterday. With a little time to spare, he headed to Vivi’s house with desserts. He wanted to visit her workplace, but he knew that once he saw her face, he wouldn’t be able to leave.

Suppressing his longing, he carefully opened the door with the key Vivi gave him. Instead of Vivi, Irini greeted him with a meow.

<Irini.>

<Meow.>

<Meow.>

Costance noticed a medicine bag on the table. The opened package lay there, not yet disposed of.

Canary Clinic

…Could Vivi be sick?

<Irini.>

<Meow.>

Where is she hurting?

Costance’s heart sank.

“…”

That had been weighing on Costance’s mind. He hoped it was nothing serious…

“Those two over there.”

Costance’s gaze lingered on the wife who hadn’t yet left the naval headquarters. An administrative soldier, heading to the unit, stood opposite her. They couldn’t bear to part and kept looking at each other.

“At least it’s fortunate.”

Costance murmured.

“Huh? What is?”

“They can’t enter the buildings, but they can come onto the base.”

“Oh, you’re talking about the wives of soldiers?”

“Even in times like this, they can see each other.”

Elvin, understanding Costance’s feelings, raised one corner of his mouth.

“If you’re jealous, just hurry up and get married.”

“I’d like that.”

“…Huh? Really?”

Elvin’s eyes widened at Costance’s affirmative response.

‘I want to keep her by my side.’