Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Victory Revelry
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White snowflakes settled on the deep navy uniform, only to melt away repeatedly.
Dever extended his hand.
"Grant me the honor of escorting you."
Beth stared at the man impassively. Instead of taking his hand, she stepped closer, and his empty chest came into view.
As they descended the stairs, she took the brooch he had gripped so tightly in pain and pinned it to his stiffly starched chest. She thought she heard a small sigh escape him by her ear.
Proof of the promise that he would return alive.
It was time to return it to this man who had kept his word.
Just then, the snowflakes began to fall a bit thicker. Beth glanced up at the sky once, then shifted her gaze to the man who resembled it.
Beth took Dever's hand and smiled. Her smile was snow-like yet warmer than snow.
Amid the boisterous crowd, faint strains of an old song drifted in now and then. Soldiers and medical staff with flushed faces clustered in groups, chatting away, while on the first floor where the beds had been cleared for a banquet hall, people danced to nameless tunes.
Having shed their ranks and duties, they were just ordinary young men. Everyone knew the end of war was merely another beginning. Life could be as relentless as gunfire. Each would shoulder their own burdens and return to Wayne or their other homes.
So for now, they surrendered themselves to this fleeting peace.
Even their knife-sharp superiors treated their subordinates with human warmth, and some confessed their secret crushes on nurses.
"Attention!"
Arthur, standing in the middle of the small banquet hall, clinked a teaspoon against his wine glass to draw all eyes. In the instantly hushed room, he let out a short laugh. With his bangs swept fully back, he looked more mature than usual. His thick, dark brown-tinged eyebrows playfully twitched as he scanned the crowd.
"Is everyone enjoying the party?"
A resounding "Yes!" from the men echoed through the hall. The volume made the young ladies giggle among themselves.
"I'm enjoying it too. That we've safely welcomed the armistice."
Arthur winked at Gail. Seated in his wheelchair, Gail grinned broadly, clutching his fiancée's hand.
"And there's a brave soul here who proposed."
Cheers of "Woo!" erupted again. Someone shouted "Gail Wellington!", and it spread like a wave until every soldier in the hall was chanting "Gail Wellington! Gail Wellington!"
"That's right! Gail Wellington! I can't skip asking for his thoughts!"
Gail wheeled to the center amid fervent cheers.
Aines's cheeks, pushing his wheelchair, burned redder than the soft pink dress she wore. Gail gave a brief statement, and Aines bowed her head deeply, answering with a smile.
Amid thunderous applause, Arthur gestured briefly to Dever. The army commander's speech couldn't be missed.
Beth watched Dever's back as he slowly walked forward from beside her. His spotless appearance, free of bloodstains for the first time in ages, felt strangely new.
Dever took the champagne flute Arthur handed him and chose his words carefully. He felt hundreds of eyes on him. Turning, he met one steadfast gaze directed his way.
"You all are the heroes of this war. Because of you, I could take command of Nexus's army and experience the thrill of victory in battle."
Dever's gaze did not waver.
"I hope none of you feel guilt for surviving or regret for those you couldn't save. This is my final order. Now, enjoy the party."
As he raised his champagne flute, thunderous cheers poured out. Dixie, timing it perfectly, cranked the phonograph to max volume, heating up the already fired-up atmosphere even more.
An orchestral melody fit for Wayne high society softly overwhelmed the room. A few men and women exchanging subtle glances stepped to the center and began dancing in pairs. It wasn't the formal social dance nobility learned, but no one mocked them.
Dever offered a champagne flute to Beth, who was quietly leaning against a pillar in the corner.
"Do you know how to drink?"
Beth shot him a pouty glare and took a sip. The bitter, sharp alcohol made her wrinkle her nose fully, drawing a low chuckle from beside her.
"Can't even drink it."
Beth raised the glass above her head to evade him as he reached for it. It only reached his chin height, but Dever didn't snatch it away.
He was curious what she'd look like tipsy. Since he'd be by her side all night anyway, seeing a slightly drunk Beth Jens now wasn't a bad idea.
"Drink in moderation."
Dever cheekily raised one eyebrow. Spurred by that, Beth took another sip of the liquor she wasn't good at. Even in the poorly heated hospital, she felt hot.
Dixie, who had been watching them from afar, sidled over. These frustrating two wouldn't make a move even when the stage was set. As the party host, she couldn't stand it.
"On a night like this, not dancing...?"
She glanced slyly at Dever to start.
Beth shook her head in horror, and the stone-like man beside her gave no reply. Dixie gave up on her friend early and targeted the duke, who seemed more promising.
"If you're tired, the supply room at the end of the corridor is perfect for resting... You could slip away..."
Dever smirked at the insinuation. It was overly blatant. For Beth's friend, this nurse had quite the cheeky side.
Dever glanced obliquely at Beth. With her cheeks flushed red, her prim face seemed oblivious to what her friend meant by "rest."
No wonder I'm going mad.
Dever rubbed his eyes once.
"We're fine, Miss Dixie. Looks like someone's looking for you behind."
"Huh? Looking for me?"
Dixie whipped around, her eyes narrowing.
Behind Dixie stood a lanky man with a beet-red face.
"Who are you?"
At Dixie's sharp question, the man's face flushed even hotter.
"I-I'm Ivan, the one who helped you move supplies in the warehouse last time."
Ah, now she vaguely recalled his face and nodded.
"Why'd you call me?"
"Uh, I, well. The dance, no, the song."
Dixie burst out laughing at the stammering man. Her heart fluttered at how this cute soldier had taken her bait again.
His innocent look was endearing, so she feigned a pout to tease him more.
"Is the music too loud? Should I turn it all off?"
"No! No! The music's great, so..."
Yes, yes. Keep going. Dixie smiled kindly, waiting for his next words.
"So! Please dance just one with me!!!"
But his louder-than-expected shout brought sudden silence to the entire hall. Even Dixie, rarely flustered, showed a flash of embarrassment. Beth, watching, gasped along with her.
"Go for it!"
Amid the shower of applause, Dixie shrugged.
"Dad said only to play with barons or higher."
She whispered quickly into Beth's ear, then took the brave soldier's hand and walked to the center.
Beth let out a low laugh at the cute sight, sipping her champagne. Before she knew it, she clutched the empty flute with both hands, peering inside. Why was it gone already?
She reached for the tray draped in lace cloth. A full wine glass came into her hand. As she brought it to her lips, someone snatched it away.
"That's enough."
Beth glared softly at the scolding eyes. Her tipsy, reddened eyes strained wide. Maybe he'd get scared and give it back.
But Dever set the wine glass far aside and firmly said, "No."
The dancing crowd sent rhythmic thumps through the floor to Beth.
Thump. Thump.
Her heart rose and fell in sync with those footsteps. Suddenly, she thought watching was fun for her, but maybe not for him.
He was Nexus's duke, after all. He'd probably had his fill of lavish parties and beautiful women.
The thought made Beth's excited mood sink.
Would he find this party boring?
As she turned her head slightly to look at Dever, Beth's face suddenly drained of color.
Dever, leaning against the pillar, clutched his chest and hung his head low. His jaw muscles bulged as he gritted his teeth against the pain.
Beth quickly knelt to meet his eyes.
"Hey, your med..."
His voice was gritted, as if chewed.
Beth grabbed Dever's hand and rushed out of the hospital packed with crowds. She even shoved through a dancing couple roughly.
Dever's medicine wasn't kept inside the hospital. It wasn't prescribed unless for severe cases, and side effects meant other drugs were preferred first.
Even as she dashed through the cold wind to the warehouse, she didn't let go of his hand.
Not knowing how she opened the door, Beth swiftly found Dever's medicine hidden deep in the shelves. Turning back, he was slumped against the wall.
His broad shoulders began to tremble.