Chapter 42
The dark navy uniform of Debert Cliff was gradually covered in falling snow, only for the snowflakes to disappear just as quickly.
Debert extended his hand.
“May I have the honour of escorting you?”
Beth Jane gazed at him silently. Instead of taking his hand, she stepped closer, her eyes drawn to the empty spot on his chest.
She took the brooch she had been clutching tightly as she descended the stairs and carefully pinned it onto the crisp fabric of his uniform. She thought she heard him sigh softly.
It was the symbol of the promise he had made to return alive.
Now, it was time to return it to the man who had kept that promise.
Just then, the snow began to fall more heavily. Beth glanced up at the sky before turning her gaze to Debert, whose eyes reflected that same sky.
Beth smiled as she took Debert’s hand. She looked like snow but smiled more warmly than the snow could ever feel.
Amidst the lively crowd, snippets of old songs floated through the air. Soldiers and medical staff, their faces flushed with excitement, gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing.
On the first floor, where the beds had been cleared away, some were even dancing to tunes no one could name.
For now, they had set aside their ranks and duties, becoming nothing more than ordinary young people.
Everyone knew that the end of the war was merely the beginning of something else. Just as life could be as relentless as gunfire, each of them would soon shoulder their burdens and return to Wayne or some other place they called home.
So, for now, they surrendered themselves to this brief moment of peace.
Even the usually strict superiors treated their subordinates with a newfound gentleness, and some soldiers took the opportunity to confess their long-held affections for the nurses.
“Attention, everyone!”
Standing in the middle of the small banquet hall, Arthur Wayner tapped a teaspoon against his wine glass, drawing everyone’s focus.
The room fell silent almost instantly, and Arthur smiled briefly. With his fringe swept back, he looked more mature than usual, his dark brows twitching playfully as he glanced around the room.
“Are you all enjoying the party?”
A resounding “Yes!” echoed from the men, their voices so loud that the ladies giggled amongst themselves.
“I’m glad to hear it. I’m enjoying myself as well, especially knowing we have survived to see the end of this war.”
Arthur winked at Gale Wellington, who was sitting in a wheelchair, holding his fiancée’s hand and beaming with happiness.
“And there’s a brave man among us who proposed here tonight.”
Another cheer erupted, louder than before. Someone shouted, “Gale Wellington!” and soon the chant spread like a wave until every soldier in the hall was shouting, “Gale Wellington! Gale Wellington!”
“That’s right! Gale Wellington! We must hear what he has to say!”
Amidst the enthusiastic applause, Gale wheeled himself to the centre of the hall.
Ines, who had been pushing his wheelchair, blushed a shade that matched her blush pink dress. Gale offered a few words of thanks, while Ines simply smiled and bowed her head in response.
As thunderous applause filled the hall, Arthur gestured towards Debert. The speech of the army commander couldn’t be left out.
Standing beside Beth, Debert slowly made his way forward. It felt strange to see him so clean and spotless, without a single trace of blood.
Arthur handed Debert a glass of champagne, and Debert took a moment to gather his thoughts. He could feel hundreds of eyes on him. As he turned, he locked eyes with Beth, who was looking at him with unwavering attention.
“You are all heroes of this war. It’s because of you that I was able to serve as the commander of the Nexus army and witness the victory in battle.”
Debert’s voice was steady, his gaze unwavering.
“I hope none of you carry guilt for surviving or regret for those we couldn’t save. That’s my final order to you. Now, enjoy the party.”
As he raised his glass of champagne, the room erupted in cheers. Dixie, who had been waiting for the perfect moment, quickly turned up the gramophone, further amplifying the festive atmosphere.
The orchestral melody, the kind often heard in the high society of Wayne, gently filled the hall, creating an intimate mood. A few couples, sensing the shift in the air, hesitantly moved to the centre of the hall and began to dance. Although they weren’t dancing the formal steps taught to nobles, no one was there to mock them.
Debert approached Beth, who was quietly leaning against a pillar, and handed her a glass of champagne.
“Do you know how to drink?”
Beth gave him a slight scowl before taking a sip. The bitter, fizzy taste made her scrunch up her face, and she heard a low chuckle from beside her.
“You can’t even drink.”
Beth raised the glass above her head, trying to keep it out of his reach, though it only came up to his chin. Debert didn’t bother taking it from her.
He was curious to see what she’d be like when tipsy. After all, he planned to stay by her side all night, and seeing a slightly inebriated Beth Jane didn’t seem like a bad idea.
“Drink moderately.”
Debert raised an eyebrow playfully. Beth, determined to prove him wrong, took another sip despite not being much of a drinker. The hospital was poorly heated, but she felt warm.
From a distance, Dixie watched them closely. Even when given a perfect opportunity, these frustrating individuals still wouldn’t act. As the hostess of the party, she couldn’t stand it any longer.
“On a night like this, you should be dancing, not standing around….”
Dixie glanced at Debert before speaking up.
Beth shook her head in dismay, and the stoic man beside her remained unresponsive. Dixie quickly abandoned her friend and turned her attention to the Duke, seeing a better opportunity there.
“Well, if you’re both tired, there’s a dispensary at the end of the hall that’s just perfect for resting… You could take a little break if you like….”
Her suggestion was far too obvious, and Debert chuckled. This nurse, supposedly Beth’s friend, was bolder than he had expected.
Debert looked at Beth sideways. Her face was flushed, and she seemed completely oblivious to what her friend was implying with her suggestion to “take a break.”
No wonder he is going crazy.
Debert ran a hand over his eyes.
“That’s quite alright, Miss Dixie. But I think someone is looking for you.”
“Looking for me?”
Dixie turned around, her eyes narrowing in confusion.
Behind her stood a tall man with a bright red face.
“And who might you be?” she asked sharply, making the man’s face turn an even deeper shade of red.
“I-I’m Ivan. I helped you move things in the storeroom the other day.”
Ah, Dixie finally recognised his face and nodded.
“So, why are you looking for me?”
“Well, I… you see… the music, I mean the dance…”
Watching the man stammer, Dixie suddenly burst out laughing. The thought that yet another adorable soldier had fallen for her made her heart flutter.
Finding him endearingly innocent, she decided to tease him a bit and put on a mock pout.
“Is the music too loud? Shall I turn it all off?”
“No! No! The music is perfect, but…”
Yes, yes. Go on. Dixie smiled warmly, waiting for his next words.
“So please! Just one dance with me!!!”
But the man’s sudden shout caught everyone off guard, plunging the entire hall into silence. Even Dixie, who was rarely surprised, looked momentarily taken aback. Beth, witnessing this, gasped as well.
“Go on, say yes!”
With the crowd clapping and urging her on, Dixie shrugged her shoulders.
“My father did say I should only associate with barons or higher,” she whispered quickly in Beth’s ear before taking the brave soldier’s hand and leading him to the centre of the hall.
Beth found the scene adorable and smiled as she sipped her champagne. Before she knew it, her glass was empty. She stared at the glass, puzzled as to why it was already gone.
She reached for a nearby side table draped in lace, where she found a freshly filled wine glass. But as she brought it to her lips, someone snatched it away.
“That’s enough.”
Beth glanced up, pouting at the disapproving eyes watching her. Her eyes, tinged with a rosy hue from the alcohol, glared back in defiance. She thought perhaps if she looked upset enough, he might relent and return the glass.
But Debert simply moved the wine glass out of reach and firmly said, “No.”
The rhythmic thumping of the dancers’ feet on the floorboards reverberated through the room, reaching Beth as well.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart seemed to rise and fall with each step. Suddenly, she realised that while she found watching others fun, this man might not feel the same.
He is, after all, the Duke of Nexus. He’s probably attended countless grand parties and seen countless beautiful women.
As this thought crossed her mind, Beth’s excitement began to wane.
Is he bored of this party?
Beth turned her head slightly to glance at Debert and was suddenly stricken with fear.
Leaning against a pillar, Debert was clutching his chest, his head hanging low. His jaw muscles bulged as if he were gritting his teeth to endure the pain.
Beth immediately knelt down to meet his eyes.
“Hey, medicine….”
His voice was hoarse and strained.
Beth held Devert’s hand and ran out of the crowded hospital, even brushing past a couple dancing happily.
Debert’s medication wasn’t kept in the hospital. It was only prescribed for severe cases, and due to its side effects, other medications were usually preferred.
Even as she ran through the cold night air to the storeroom, Beth never let go of his hand.
She didn’t know how she managed to open the door, but she quickly found Debert’s medication, hidden deep on a shelf. When she turned around, she saw him slumped against the wall.
His broad shoulders had begun to tremble.
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TRANSLATOR:
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