Chapter 95
As the sun set, the ceremonial events drew to a close. The banquet that immediately followed erupted in cheers as the soldiers, seemingly waiting for this moment, broke into wide smiles and shouted in excitement. Their voices echoed throughout the grand hall of the palace.
Everyone’s faces were bright with anticipation. Even Henry allowed himself, for just this moment, to set aside formality and return a gentle smile.
The palace orchestra shifted its tempo to match the celebratory mood. From now on, this was truly a time for them.
“Captain Bailey.”
The familiar voice made Henry straighten his back immediately. He turned and raised his hand—a salute ingrained into his very being.
“Haha, how have you been these past few days?”
“Very well, thanks to you, Lieutenant General Karl. And you, sir?”
“Of course. Though at this point, the army’s more like a kids’ camp than anything else.”
“I will return to duty soon.”
At Karl’s joke, Henry’s expression hardened immediately. The general, however, simply laughed heartily and patted Henry’s shoulder.
“I told you, didn’t I? There aren’t many soldiers who’d be thrilled to see you! But it’s fine. The war’s over, and the men deserve a little rest. The Admiral himself said to let them be.”
Henry gave a small sigh and nodded. Then, regarding the last-mentioned figure, he asked Karl:
“By the way, where is the Admiral? I thought he was in the banquet hall….”
“Oh, he’s on his way,” Karl said with a slight smile, turning his back. He raised his hand to salute the Admiral, who was walking toward them in the distance.
“Admiral, it’s a great honor to meet you here at the banquet.”
“It’s been a while. How have you been, Karl?”
The middle-aged man had a kind, gentle face, belying his decades of military experience. He extended a warm smile and offered his hand to Karl.
“Yes, it’s been almost ten years since we last met.”
“Ah, has it been that long already? Feels like just yesterday we were in the same unit together.”
As the two officers reminisced, their eyes softened with faint nostalgia. Henry’s lips curved into a small smile, watching them.
Suddenly, Karl snapped his gaze to Henry. Realizing he had been so absorbed in the reunion that he had forgotten the young captain, Karl introduced him to the Admiral.
“Oh, forgive me, Admiral. Allow me to introduce Captain Bailey.”
The Admiral’s eyes settled on Henry. Immediately, Henry straightened and raised his hand in a formal salute.
“It is an honor to meet you, Admiral.”
As is customary for a soldier meeting a superior for the first time, Henry’s face bore a trace of tension. Though the Admiral had technically seen him before, Henry had been unconscious, so this was effectively their first meeting.
The Admiral smiled warmly, extending his hand. Their handshake was firm and strong, a grip honed by a lifetime devoted to the military.
“I’ve been searching for talent, and it’s a relief to see someone like you appear after decades. Isn’t that right, Karl?”
“Decades? Why am I being left out, sir?” Karl replied with a grin. His tone carried agreement and warmth.
“Haha! Anyway, I hear you’re on leave now. Enjoying time in your hometown?”
“Yes, sir. Thanks to your and Lieutenant General Karl’s consideration.”
“You’ve had quite a serious injury, haven’t you? Are you fully recovered?”
“I’m fully capable of daily life. Rehabilitation begins soon, and I plan to return to active duty as quickly as possible.”
Henry spoke earnestly. Though the Admiral was correct that recovery from such injuries wasn’t simple, Henry’s outward appearance betrayed no sign of impairment.
The Admiral looked him over, stroking his chin slowly.
“Good to hear. Ah, we should have a drink sometime. I’d like to hear your tales of heroism. What do you think, Captain Bailey?”
Henry’s eyes widened slightly, and he nodded quickly.
“It would be an honor, Admiral!”
“Excellent. Then we’ll arrange it soon. Karl will join us as well. But for now, I must take my leave.”
The Admiral smiled kindly, patting Henry’s shoulder in encouragement. After a brief greeting to Karl, he departed.
As soon as the Admiral left, Karl spun around with a wide grin directed at Henry.
“Well done, Captain Bailey! The Admiral seems quite taken with you.”
Karl patted Henry’s back enthusiastically. Henry, slightly bewildered, asked cautiously:
“Sir, did you introduce me intentionally?”
“Of course! It’s the Admiral we’re talking about! Would I introduce just anyone?” Karl laughed again, clearly pleased.
“If the Admiral speaks so highly of you, we’ll set up that meeting soon. I’ll contact you when everything’s arranged.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant General.”
Just then, a familiar voice cut through Karl’s hearty laughter. Low, calm, and—because of that—seemingly emotionless.
Henry stiffened and turned toward the sound.
“So, we meet here,” he said.
Even in the grand palace hall, glittering with gold and crystal, this person stood out at once. Sunlight—or rather, the chandelier’s glow—caught the dazzling gold hair and eyes that seemed almost cold, drawing Henry’s gaze.
“Ah, it is an honor to meet you, Grand Duke Venachert.” Karl, slightly flustered by the unexpected greeting, cleared his throat and regained his composed, soldierly posture.
“I hear you prepared this banquet, Your Grace. Thanks to you, the soldiers are truly enjoying themselves.”
“If those who worked hard in the war are happy, then this banquet is already a success. That’s a relief.”
Dante’s smoothly curved lips slowly turned toward Henry. Karl, noting the look, introduced him.
“This is Captain Henry Bailey, my direct subordinate. He distinguished himself greatly in the recent war and has been promoted.”
“I see,” Dante said, nodding slightly. Unlike Henry’s earlier respect toward the Admiral, however, Henry showed no movement this time.
Karl was taken aback by Henry’s lack of reaction and gave him a gentle tap on the arm. Only then did Henry bow briefly.
“…It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace.”
Yet despite the bow, his tone remained blunt, and his eyes held a hint of defiance. Dante subtly twisted his lips, intrigued.
“Your deeds in the war were significant. I’m quite curious what exactly happened. Karl, would you allow me a brief conversation with Captain Bailey?”
“Yes, of course. Please, speak freely. I will greet the others in the meantime.”
Karl immediately smiled and nodded, stepping aside. Perhaps Henry had gained another powerful ally in the process; the thought lifted Karl’s spirits.
With Karl gone, Dante’s gaze settled sharply on Henry.
“Captain Bailey,” he said.
Even the simple address carried a quiet sense of authority. Henry answered slowly, without haste.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Dante raised his eyebrow, continuing to study him.
