Misfortune 104

Chapter 104

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"As expected, the season is the biggest variable."

Winter was not a suitable season for war in many ways.

Not only was it difficult to travel by land, but at sea, ships' maneuverability was reduced, and there was an inherent risk that the ocean currents could change. It meant that if they went out without knowing anything, it would lead to self-destruction.

Moreover, they had no intention of falling for Dalos' provocation, even if it meant losing their justification.

"The Dalos bastards must be pretty frustrated. They must be gutted to miss this opportunity, but they can't go against the currents."

"Winter currents are particularly volatile in the northern waters where Dalos is located. They won't be able to advance easily."

"Should we wait until the weather improves? Or should we push forward, even if it means suffering some losses?"

The Admiral frowned as he pondered the question.

If the answer was unknown, it would be more reasonable to make thorough preparations than to waste time agonizing over it.

"First, I will send two additional ships and troops to the Orbon base."

The Orbon base was the front line facing the Dalos Sea. Adding troops to such a place would risk increasing tensions between the two sides, but he couldn't just stand by and trust in a peace that could be broken at any moment.

After silently listening to reports on various other preparations, the Admiral added one last thing.

"As you know, always keep in mind that you may have to go to Orbon yourself if the situation arises."

"Of course."

When Roan replied immediately, the Admiral nodded slowly.

As the report came to a close and Roan was about to give his final salute,

"So, do you understand now?"

Roan, who did not fully understand the sudden question, narrowed his brows slightly.

The Admiral glanced at him and added,

“Where to place the woman, that is.”

Only then did the confusion fade from Roan’s face. His previously sharp gaze softened, and his face stiffened as if his muscles had gone numb.

Watching the naval hero plummet from hero to ordinary man in an instant, the Admiral finally realized.

That Roan Barthez, who seemed fine at first glance, was still not fine. That he was merely trying to hide his uncontrolled emotions.

And so he also understood. That Roan had found some kind of answer to that question.

Because his face was completely different from when he seemed to have no idea what was going on.

‘I wish I had known this before it happened.’

But if it was something that could only be understood by breaking it, then it had to be broken. Like a child who has to put his hand in the fire to know how hot it is.

He knew it was foolish, but there was no way to stop him. Everyone has things they can't help but jump into, even though they know they will get hurt.

"Go ahead."

The Admiral, who had already gotten his answer from the man who didn't even open his mouth, finally gave the order to dismiss him.

Roan, who couldn't bring himself to open his stiff lips, left the office sadly.

***

When news reached her that Delnia had regained consciousness, Lena dropped everything and rushed over.

Thus, after more than a decade, she finally reunited with Lena.

“….”

An awkward silence followed.

Facing Lena, who had grown into an adult unlike the little girl in her memories, Delnia found herself unexpectedly flustered.

It was different from when she had casually heard the news. Seeing Lena alive and breathing in front of her, she couldn't help but feel emotional.

"I... it's been a long time."

Lena, who had been hesitating, broke the awkward silence with a greeting.

Instead of immediately responding, Delnia slowly took in Lena's appearance.

Lena had grown so much that she had to tilt her head slightly to meet her eyes.

Her confident, mature face bore no trace of the days when she used to cry easily, and her long limbs were no longer chubby.

But she wasn't completely unrecognizable.

Her gentle eyes, round lips, and habit of fidgeting with her feet when she felt awkward were still the same.

Even though she had become a proper adult, Lena was still Lena. For some reason, that fact gave Delnia a sense of relief.

"You're just like you were when you were little."

Delnia finally spoke, trying to force a smile.

Lena's eyes drooped at the smile that couldn't quite be called a smile. But even as she frowned, she made an effort to pull up the corners of her mouth, just like Delnia.

"Miss..." 

She wanted to ask why she had become so thin, but she couldn't bring herself to continue. She already knew the answer.

"I'm not a Miss anymore."

Delnia waited for Lena to continue, but when she saw that she had no intention of speaking, she calmly pointed out,

Now, Delnia had no right to be called a young lady by anyone. Even if it was a connection from the past, it was the same.

Then Lena twitched her lips. Knowing what that clean, clear expression, devoid of any emotion, meant, it hurt even more.

“Still, I like calling you young lady.”

Lena showed her determination to continue using the inappropriate honorific.

It was obvious that she was being stubborn, but Delnia only let out a shallow sigh and did not scold Lena any further.

Lena was different from her brother. He would refuse Delnia's stubbornness at first, but eventually give in, whereas Lena would comply at first but never back down once she believed she was right.

"I've thought so much about what I would say if I ever saw you again... but now that I see your face, I just feel happy."

Lena's smile was cheerful, yet somehow wistful.

“Being here like this makes me feel like I’m back in my childhood. Back then, you seemed so grown-up to me.”  

Once she started talking, Lena chattered on. For Delnia, who remembered the little girl who used to hide behind her older brother, this was a somewhat surprising sight.  

“I thought all nobles were like you. I only realized later that wasn’t the case.”

"Back then..."

Delnia, who had been listening quietly to Lena's story, suddenly spoke up.

Lena, who had been teasing her all along, closed her mouth and listened intently to Delnia.

"I made you cry a lot."

Lena's eyes widened at the unexpected topic, then rounded.

“That’s right. You kept pushing me aside so you could be alone with my brother. I was so annoyed that I learned from you that tears come when you’re angry.”  

Lena playfully teased Delnia about her jealousy from back then, then changed her tone to a cheerful one.

“But later, you always made it up to me. You gave me all kinds of fancy delicacies that a mere maid couldn’t normally get.”

Was that how it was? Delnia calmly looked back on the past.

At the time, Lena, who was monopolizing her brother, was nothing but a thorn in her side. She had even thought of getting rid of Lena first in order to spend time alone with Roan.

She didn’t remember everything, but she was sure she threw all sorts of tantrums. She didn’t care about wielding her status as a noble lady or receiving Roan’s disapproving glances.

Even though she acted so recklessly, later on, she felt guilty and secretly gave Lena snacks and dolls.

"You told me not to tell my brother, so I had a hard time keeping it a secret. I ate all the snacks right there, so I didn't really know what they tasted like."

Lena added in a cheerful voice, as if singing, as if glad to have recalled this memory after so long. Delnia nodded slightly, relying on her vague memory.

She told her to keep quiet so that other people wouldn't notice and make a fuss. If her mother heard about it, she would surely tell her not to be too kind to strangers.

But looking back now, that seemed to have been a secondary reason. After all, she never apologized to Lena.

‘I was too busy trying to save face.’

Apologizing to Lena would be the same as admitting that she was jealous of her.

She didn't want anyone, especially Roan, to know how narrow-minded she was.

What was it that she wanted to hide so much about herself back then? Even though she was so preoccupied with hiding her shame, why couldn’t she let go of that feeling?  

She couldn’t understand that past self, who now felt like a complete stranger. She didn’t even feel the need to try to understand.  

Therefore, Delnia refocused on Lena in front of her.  

There were still words she wanted to say to her if they ever met again.