I was recovered after a week had passed. Thanks to the medicinal herbs of the kingdom’s scholar and notorious herbalist, Cyan Riley as well as one-week rest. I’m almost suspended for another week for defying orders from the higher-ups.
I would give my regards to my mentor and like a father to me, Fleet Admiral Jose for speaking up and giving the reports. If only they didn’t know that I almost annihilated half of the rogues’ population, for sure that they would detain me.
“General Rachelle!”
I stopped on my tracks and spotted Captain Ylea dressed on her military uniform with a beret on her head. Her heavy boots were almost grounding the ground as she came to run towards my direction.
“Captain,” I addressed her. I’m proud of her that she has been promoted three months ago.
Ylea smiled and saluted. “General, you already healed.”
I chuckled and nodded. “It is. Thank you for visiting me to those times I am alone. And I am still not a General, Ylea,” I reminded her.
“For me, you are already a General.”
I just smiled at her and didn’t pursue to stop her to calling me for my new military rank. We went to the new headquarters building. It was a Western renaissance architecture building with four big pillars in front while the inside of the building has seven pilars that support it.
My eyes glued to one of my soldiers and was promoted as a Captain, Inkstone has just emerged out from the semi-circular arch wooden door with a big frown expression on his face. His eyes darted Captian Ylea then on me which he suddenly changed his expression.
He stopped and saluted. “General Simon!”
“I’m not a general yet, you silly lad.” I shook my head.
Some of them were already addressing me that way even though I told them I am not a general yet unless I undergo for the advancement ceremony.
That will happen next week.
“Is something the matter?” I asked after. He looked quite annoyed but he was stopping himself to show it in front of me.
“I bet he’s being punished,” said Ylea with a grin.
Confused, I turned at her then to Inkstone. “What did you do while I am away, Inkstone?” Although he was being transferred to another commander-in-chief because I will be promoted to another rank, his loyalty reserves only to me. He already proved himself a long time ago.
Hesitant, Inkstone felt defeated and chose to answer me, “I exhausted all the newly elected privates for Commander Morris in the training. And then-”
I suddenly outburst a laugh.”You… what?” I couldn’t help beating Ylea’s arm from this news and how it made me laugh so hard. “Oh crap…” I wiped the tears forming in my eyes after a good laugh. “That’s a good one, Inkstone. Keep it up.” I tapped his shoulder. It was supposed to console him but that made him frowning.
“I don’t know if I should be thanking you, General…”
“You should be!” Ylea exclaimed then she released a soft chuckle. “General, let me handle this youngster.”
I nodded, amused with them. “Of course. I shall go now.” Just by looking at them… I remembered the incident happened last year for them. It was a total embarrassment for Inkstone to speak up in idiocy.
They were growing up so fast.
Sighing, after I concentrated my eyes on the chandeliers and the paintings on the ceiling, my eyes glued to the two-way upstairs that was made from mahogany. It was almost the same in the antechamber.
Deep red rugs were covered in the stair with geometric patterns and tapetries on them. In between of the staircase were three glass windows.
“General Rachelle.”
I smiled and spotted General Cairo and Fleet Admiral Jose in the balcony after I reached the top staircase. The balcony was facing the other side of the staircase so any ranks who stayed here for a cup of tea, having some fresh air or a chitchat could stay here.
“I’m still not a General yet, you all,” I said after having a salute in front of them. “I still have my Commander badge.” I rolled my eyes then shook my head, finding how hilarious those people kept calling me in General.
“In less than seven days, you’ll be a General so it is an advance addressing you to your promoted rank,” said General Cairo with his sheepish smile.
I huffed like something is funny right now. “Anyway, what are you doing here? Are you going to make a report?” he asked as I sat across with them as they were having a tea right now.
I thanked General Cairo as he served me some tea after an attendant took another cup for me. I took it and slowly sipped it. I tasted the fruity flavor and how it smells so good.
“Hmm… Peach blossom tea. Isn’t this from the Degurechaff?” I asked after I quickly remembered that this tea is from the neighbouring country called Degurechaff.
“Indeed,” alas Fleet Admiral Jose spoke. “Also, no need to make a report, Simon. I’ve already asked someone to do it in exchange for your bravery.”
I frowned upon what he said. “If you are going to tell me that Morris did the report then my deepest apologies, Fleet Admiral but I need to make a new one.” I scoffed. He was the only person I don’t want to trust on about some reporting duties. He couldn’t be trusted at all.
I was about to stand up as I didn’t finish my tea when Fleet Admiral Jose chuckled and halted me. “I made sure that he passed the correct report if that is what you are worrying about.”
“I am still not ease,” I said truthfully. “There are some details I need to write on. And I am not sure Morris will make it smooth since he didn’t witness that in the first place.” I rolled my eyes, couldn’t help the sarcasm spouted from my mouth.
Morris couldn’t be trusted. Ever since he became on the same rank with me, I knew he was up to no good. Sorry to say that I have more credibility than him that even though he made some issues about me or ruin my image, no one is going to believe him because that is not how I worked.
I never liked him in the first place. He was a self-centered man who didn’t care about anything but himself only. I wonder who promoted that man. They must have gone blind that they didn’t notice Morris has no capability to be a Commander.
Fleet Admiral Jose cleared his throat so my attention focused on him. “I heard that the Alpha King came unannounced and came to check the dead soldiers as well as you.”
“Really? He is?” General Cairo asked, couldn’t believe what he just heard. “Why am I only knowing this today?”
I furrowed my eyebrows. “Why, of all times, he would visit unannounced?” I asked as curiosity got the better of me. “I even don’t understand why he had to postpone his arrival last year. Every people of the Waevalon Kingdom were expecting him to make an appearance.” I scoffed as I was feeling bitter with this mysterious Alpha King. I couldn’t even fathom of who he was and what he really looked like.
Fleet Admiral Jose chuckled as well as General Cairo. I pursed my lips into thin line, almost a frown. I didn’t say anything to make fun of something. Why did they have to chuckle? For what reason?
“Maybe you can ask him that, Simon at the advancement ceremony. He would make an appearance there.”
“No way! As if I would be able to do that!” I exclaimed, feeling nervous. If I do that, I would be beheaded if the Alpha King finds it rude if I asked him that.
They all laughed from my remark. It’s not as if I jested but it’s the truth. Huffing, I rolled my eyes and continued sipping my peach blossom tea until it is last drop.
“Let’s understand the Alpha King, Simon. Our Alpha King experienced a heartbreak with his mate,” Fleet Admiral Jose muttered that made me shocked.
“What?” That was so surprising. “Did his mate die or kill by rogues?” I asked, getting more curious about this mysterious Alpha King.
He silenced and shook his head. “He had been rejected for misunderstanding situation.”
I felt my heart pierced by thousand swords. I suddenly remembered Claude for some reason. That killed my mood. I also rejected him because I saw him kissing that duchess. Until now, just by remembering it, my blood was still boiling. It was a good decision to reject him.
I guess…
I nodded and felt dejected at our Alpha King. “I see. So he needs time to recuperate. Now, I understand.” It was the same thing for me. I also need time to heal from the past wounds. It was absolutely painful that I felt like I was already buried on the ground.
“If that didn’t happen, we can almost have a Luna Queen here,” General Cairo butted in. Disappointment was all over his face. “If we will have no Luna Queen in the near future, the Grand Alpha King will have to force to tie him a knot with Duchess Amelia.”
My heart suddenly sank upon hearing the duchess’s name. Her again? Why of all people has to be her? “Isn’t she marrying the knight of the Grand Alpha King?” I secretly clenched my hand. The image of Claude and that duchess again kissing came across my mind. And now, she will be entering arranged marriage with the Alpha King…
“Marrying a knight?” Both of them asked in unison. There was confusion written on their face.
“Um… Not really marrying… But they look so good for each other,” I almost puked from those words.
“Who is that knight of the Grand Alpha King?” Fleet Admiral Jose asked.
I looked at those two. They had horrified expression. It felt like I said something wrong. “It was Sir C-Claude…” My heartbeat dramatically dropped upon mentioning his name. It has been so long since I mentioned his name.
Their jaw dropped. Then they looked at each other, shocked was evident on their faces.
“Could you be that you were with him before?”
That made me confuse of Fleet Admiral’s question but instead I answered it. “Yes.” I nodded. “He was my supervisor in the special operations before he left a year ago. I happened to be with him at nightshift tasks.”
Both of them gasped in surprise. Okay… what is really happening right now? They are scaring me with their facial expressions.
“So, you didn’t know who he really is?”
Perplexed, I answered, “I only knew him as Claude Hackworth. Is there something else I should know about him?” I was already furrowing my eyebrows because of confusion.
Fleet Admiral Jose and General Cairo shook their head. “Nothing specific,” they both said in unison. They all fell silent and that made me anxious.
“I shall make a report. Thank you for the tea, Fleet Admiral, General,” I said, nodding at both of them when everything felt uncomfortable.
They all just nodded. I left them as I got curious from their questions earlier. Aren’t they supposed to get curious about Duchess Amelia and Claude’s relationship?
I twitched as my heart ached from that thought. I shook my head. I was not supposed to thinking about him.
It was already over.