Chapter 5 : An Offer Beneath the Sunset Glow
Chapter Five
The man everyone thought had disappeared was standing right before me, clear as day. And yet, no one around seemed to realize it was him — the missing man.
How could they know someone was missing if they didn’t even know who he was? And how did I recognize him when no one else did?
It was a situation that begged for a lengthy explanation — one that would surely elicit countless questions and furrowed brows from any outsider who happened to overhear.
I was just as shocked as everyone else. I stood there, frozen, staring at him in disbelief. I alone had recognized him in a crowd of strangers.
‘The date for the joint funeral will be officially announced soon.’
Those were the last words he said to me, after offering some help at Naval Headquarters.
“Is it really okay for you to be walking around like this?”
I blurted out the foolish question before I could stop myself. The young lord’s brow furrowed ever so slightly.
“I don’t see any reason why I shouldn’t be.”
“But… what if the Navy recognizes you, Colonel?”
He said nothing. A silence stretched between us, and I looked away in mild embarrassment. To fill the awkward void, I began to ramble.
“Ah… I actually came here looking for a job. Luckily, they still had an opening. I have an interview next week at the Russell Marquisate—”
Before I could finish, he suddenly pulled me by the shoulder, interrupting me mid-sentence.
Startled, I looked up at him — just as the grumbling voice of a middle-aged man rang out behind us.
“Hey, why are you blocking the entrance?”
His tone was filled with irritation. He waved a hand dismissively and clicked his tongue in annoyance.
“You must be her boyfriend. Keep her in line, will you? Next time, I won’t be so lenient!”
He threw me a sharp look before striding into the post office with heavy steps.
I nearly got shoved aside. Swallowing hard, I glanced at a nearby sharp corner and felt a chill.
Never before had I been treated like that.
Mussen, the peaceful city known for its kind and easygoing citizens…
That image was beginning to crumble right before my eyes.
I gathered myself and whispered, “…Thank you.”
At the port, at Naval Headquarters, and now here at the post office.
For some reason, I was constantly in his debt.
I offered him a sheepish smile. “I’ve probably been rambling about things that don’t concern you. You must be busy—”
“This place isn’t suitable for conversation,” he said, cutting me off in a low voice.
“…Excuse me?”
I frowned slightly and looked up at him. Did he just say he wanted to talk with me?
“Weren’t you here for something at the post office?”
“Nothing urgent. Now, where did you say you found that job? I don’t think I caught it.”
With a gentle smile, he extended his hand to me. I stared at it for a moment, confused, then took it without thinking. He guided me with a steady grip.
‘What is this? Why does he care about my job?’
Even after leaving the post office and walking some distance, I couldn’t figure out why he was interested. Remembering his question, I quickly answered,
“Actually, I haven’t gotten the job yet. I have an interview next week. At the Marquis Russell’s estate.”
I felt his arm stiffen beneath my hand. Then, he stopped walking.
“The Russell estate? In Bellorne?”
“Yes. The pay is quite good.”
“I see. I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“If it’s because of the Marchioness’s strict temperament, I appreciate the warning. But I’ve already made up my mind.”
Just as I was about to finish my sentence—
“Official notice!”
A voice rang out from the plaza. We both turned toward the source.
“A military notice has arrived! Please confirm the details!”
His face immediately tensed.
If it was from the military, it could only mean one thing — the date for the joint funeral of the fallen.
It was a gloomy Wednesday, snowflakes drifting softly through the sky.
A joint funeral for the fallen soldiers was held.
Survivors, bereaved families, and I gathered to mourn. To bid farewell to the father I would never see again.
I stood beside his grave, casting white lilies over the casket.
Someone quietly approached. There was only one person who would come to share this sorrow.
Johannes Schultz.
But I had no strength left to acknowledge him. I simply continued throwing lilies, my mind numb.
After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.
“I was close to Sergeant Prim.”
“…”
“He left a final message. I believe it’s time to deliver it.”
My hand froze. I inhaled shakily, unable to say a word. My breath trembled; my eyes fluttered shut.
Then, his calm voice reached me like a whisper in the wind.
“He said he loved you. Deeply.”
I clenched the fabric of my dress tightly. My whole arm trembled; my fingertips turned pale.
“He asked that you not grieve too much. That you live happily. He believed… you would meet again someday.”
“…”
“That was his request.”
Though I hadn’t witnessed his final moments, I could feel them through those words.
Questions crowded my throat. What illness had taken him? Was he in pain at the end?
But if I dared to ask, the tears would spill.
All I could do was bite my lip, desperately holding them back.
‘Meet again someday?’
Such miracles don’t happen. My father was gone.
Gone, and never coming back.
“My sincere condolences.”
His quiet voice pressed down on me. As if urging me to finally let go.
I stared at the lilies piled over the coffin and slowly closed my eyes.
I had thought I’d wept all I could, but clearly, I was wrong.
Tears came again, this time in front of Johannes Schultz.
I didn’t stop until my eyes were swollen shut. The military cemetery was now empty.
The sun had dipped westward, painting the sky in shades of crimson. And there he stood, beneath the glow of dusk.
“I apologize. I don’t know why I always end up falling apart when you’re around.”
I removed the black veil from my eyes and wiped my tears with the handkerchief he had offered.
He shook his head slightly, as if to say it was all right.
“I heard you lived with your father. And that you studied pharmacy.”
I looked up at him, startled.
“He told you that? You must have been… very close.”
He nodded silently.
I was relieved to know my father had someone by his side during the war. At least he hadn’t been alone.
As I gave him a faint smile, he spoke again, still staring at the coffin.
“Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but I don’t think the Russell estate is the right place for you.”
“If it’s because of the Marchioness’s temperament, I appreciate your concern. But my decision is made.”
“It’s more than that. Living in a foreign city will be difficult. I’d like to offer more tangible help.”
Help? Was he pitying me?
I frowned without meaning to and turned toward him. He did the same, meeting my gaze directly.
“If you’re offering help out of pity, I appreciate it. But I don’t need more than I’ve already received.”
“Pity, hm? A convincing reason, I suppose.”
“Excuse me?”
His blue eyes held no emotion.
“But no. That’s not it. I simply cannot overlook the daughter of the man who saved my life. And, coincidentally, there’s a fitting job opening nearby.”
Nearby? A job offer?
I was intrigued, but I masked it with indifference.
“Where, exactly?”
Looking back now, perhaps this was his first proposal.
Bathed in the blush of the sunset, he turned to me with mysterious eyes and offered,
“What would you say, Miss Prim, to working for House Schultz?”
