Sincerely, Vanessa [EN]: Chapter 93

To the Teacher, from Vanessa 93

Even if she had sensed it beforehand, Vanessa, newly assigned to the Special Forces, still had many things to confirm.

She was already overwhelmed, but even after the Special Forces’ work was done, she had to return to the Magic Department to finalize the handover cleanly.

Initially, she was tempted to rush it due to exhaustion, but remembering her struggles with a single document on her first day in the Magic Department, her eyes widened, and her handwriting became meticulous.

In the end, Vanessa prepared over ten pages for her successor.

After placating the Magic Department staff, who clung to her and teared up, it was late at night when she finished everything and left. Vanessa nearly nodded off on her walk home.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been this tired…”

Entering a new environment meant so much to learn. Her mind was sharp, driven by the fear of making mistakes, but her body was numb with tension.

Vanessa washed up and fell asleep the moment she hit the bed.

The next day, before she even sat down at her desk, she received news of her dispatch to Veloz. Her jaw dropped in disbelief.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The dispatch was decided with surprising urgency. Colonel Liet also scratched his head, looking troubled.

“Being dispatched on your second day is highly unusual. Our Special Forces aren’t normally this hasty, really.”

For some reason, neither Vanessa nor Dalois responded, prompting Liet to glare at them.

“It’s just that the Intelligence Bureau contacted us late last night!”

“Is there a sudden monster surge in Veloz?”

At Vanessa’s question, Colonel Liet tapped the back of his neck.

“Not exactly. However, we received information about the movements of the priests. They moved very discreetly and stayed in Veloz for some time.”

“It doesn’t seem like they visited long ago.”

“Right. It hasn’t even been a few weeks. I want to go as soon as possible and ascertain their intentions.”

Since the Special Forces members, all wizards, were individually powerful, they weren’t led by separate commanding officers. Their ranks were necessary not to divide troops, but for experience, salary, and resulting bonuses.

Consequently, their numbers were small. Colonel Liet decided to depart with Vanessa and Dalois, planning to meet Major Andalus and Captain Sleiman near Veloz.

“Veloz is a small, quiet town. The security forces have discreetly reduced troop numbers, so this contingent of Special Forces members is more than sufficient. If it’s urgent, we’ll just call for backup.”

As a unit directly under the King, the Special Forces could requisition supplies from any town they passed through. These would be reimbursed later at a higher value, so no one refused or disliked it.

However, this time, Colonel Liet wanted to sneak in, so they decided to pay upfront and receive reimbursement later as subsidies.

Liet hastily scribbled the documents and dragged Vanessa and Dalois to the Special Forces Commander’s office. Their footsteps echoed loudly in the hallway.

“Let’s give a crisp salute and leave quickly!”

Liet rudely opened the door without knocking. Whether this was a regular occurrence, Gideon didn’t seem particularly displeased.

Today, he wasn’t wearing the Special Forces uniform but the typical attire of nobles, meticulously dressed.

However, it was more splendid than usual. The embroidery on his high collar was dizzyingly delicate, and various pins symbolizing his position adorned his chest. The well-tailored clothes fit perfectly, revealing a trim physique.

Gideon frowned upon hearing Liet’s words.

“You’re going straight to Veloz? I didn’t set the timeline so urgently.”

“There haven’t been many times when we detected the priests’ movements before the monsters swarmed, have there? I want to investigate their activities. It’s best to address it before any damage occurs!”

Gideon slightly narrowed his eyes. His thick eyebrows moved, expressing an unreadable emotion. He glanced briefly at Vanessa and Dalois standing behind Liet.

A large hand tapped the desk.

“…Even with Andalus and Sleiman joining later, remember that the members you’re leading right now are newly appointed lieutenants.”

A low voice carried a chilling warning. Liet smiled, unfazed, and saluted.

“Of course. Have you ever seen the members I led get hurt? Only I get hurt!”

“That’s nothing to be proud of. Refrain from it. If you anticipate any problems, contact the Major immediately.”

“What about the Commander?”

Gideon stood up with an indifferent expression. His large frame suddenly rose. Vanessa carefully scrutinized him, as if committing him to memory.

“I have other matters to attend to. The dispatch of some security forces has already been confirmed, so contact them if needed. I hope you return safely.”

“Yes.”

Even with Colonel Liet present, Vanessa couldn’t speak, but she offered a direct gaze with a composed posture. She was grateful that he was concerned but didn’t hold her back as promised.

*If I look at him like this, something will be conveyed, right?* She would return safe and sound.

Seeing that, Gideon faintly raised the corners of his lips. It was a subtle change, but Vanessa easily noticed it.

Everyone saluted their Commander. Soon after, the door closed, and when she came to her senses, she was standing alone in the hallway.

Vanessa reluctantly started walking.

“Let’s go quickly. The weather’s bad over there, so I’m getting a little impatient,” Liet said, quickening his pace. Dalois still stomped along with his sturdy legs, and Vanessa hurried to catch up.

The hallway wasn’t very long, and they were about to descend the stairs when the sound of the door opening urgently came from behind.

“Vanessa Rose!”

Liet looked bewildered at the sight of the Commander calling out to a newly arrived lieutenant. Vanessa was also startled and turned, but Gideon had already disappeared back inside, leaving her to wonder what he wanted.

Liet approached and whispered in Vanessa’s ear.

“I don’t know what it is, but just apologize. You’ll get less of a scolding.”

Vanessa only blinked at his serious tone. She had just arrived yesterday, so there was no way she could have done anything wrong. *Did I sign the documents incorrectly?*

“I’ll wait on the first floor, Vanessa!”

At Dalois’s cheerful voice, Vanessa smiled faintly and retraced her steps toward Gideon’s office.

*Whatever it is, it must be urgent.* To see the man who was always so calm call her so urgently.

The moment Vanessa raised her hand to knock, a large hand appeared through the crack in the door and grabbed her wrist.

“Commander,” she started.

Before she could even address him properly, she was pulled into the room with surprising force. The back of her head was about to hit the door, but he was already protecting it with his hand.

Her head was tilted, and their lips met in a deep kiss. Her body was pressed against his rock-hard frame, and his large hand cupped her cheek. Vanessa leaned against the thick door and surrendered to his embrace.

Soon, a low, husky voice broke the kiss.

“I kept my promise, so I expect your reward. Don’t get hurt.”

Vanessa blinked, then laughed softly at his words. *A promise, he meant he didn’t hold me back.*

Vanessa bit her lip to stifle her laughter while leaning against him, but her shaking body betrayed her amusement. Gideon narrowed his eyes.

“…Why are you laughing?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Gideon so flustered. I think it’s also the first time you’ve spoken informally.”

Vanessa wiped his damp lips with her thumb and rose on her toes to kiss his cheek. A low, drawn-out sigh escaped his lips.

“Is this why you called me back?”

“…….”

Gideon silently ran a hand over his face. Vanessa barely suppressed her giggling.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back safe and sound.”

*It’s a shame. If this were Valder Castle, I would have sat on the sofa, leaned on him, and gleefully teased his face, which revealed every emotion!*

He didn’t realize it, but he had completely lost his composure. Vanessa enjoyed seeing his usually stoic face disheveled because of her.

But this was the Cabinet of the Royal Castle, and Vanessa didn’t have time.

So, she simply smiled brightly and fumbled for the doorknob behind her. Her blue eyes, filled with affection, stared into his until the moment the door closed, but it was only for a moment.

The door closed quickly. Soon, the sound of her running down the hallway echoed.

Gideon blankly looked up at the ceiling, realized what he had done, and groaned.

He could never act rationally when it came to Vanessa. He often lost his composure and changed, often startling himself when he reflected on it. Like now.

*He must be crazy. Where is this? It’s not the office in Valder Castle, but the Special Forces office. What if someone passing by the door heard the sounds that leaked through the gap?*

Even so, there were days when he couldn’t bear the possible anxiety….

Gideon sat back in the chair by the window and stared at the black letters on the paper.

After meeting Vanessa, the things that only felt annoying became even more bothersome. If he weren’t the Commander, he would have left with her. Then there would be no need to stay behind and worry because he could protect her directly by her side.

He let out a deep sigh and picked up the pen.

If he was worried about her, he had to finish the other work more efficiently. He would solidify the foundation so that no one would dare to touch her.

His eyes, which had lost their earlier warmth and turned cold, blinked slowly. Gideon quickly finished the remaining documents and left for Friba 1st Fortress.