Military regime!

That's absurd!

​​

Yelena glanced at Felix with an astonished yet anxious face. "Felix, what will I do?" She uttered in panic.

Felix holds her hands that were nervously clenched. "We will find a way to stop them. Let's continue to listen first." He said in an assuring voice.

Yelena nodded and turned her attention back to the meeting.

*

"Just in case, I think we should stop Captain Yelena Arista from returning to the forces. After all these years, we can't afford any risk." Major General Richard suggested.

"I asked someone to check her mother's condition. They said she will still need a few months to recover. We don't have to worry about that." One man said.

"If she indeed married the Crown Prince of Edeladon, will she pose a threat to us in the future? She will be harder to handle when that time comes." Major General Richard remarked.

"That means we should end everything before that happens." It was Lt. Gen. Haric who stated firmly. "I don't want to hurt our own again but rather than risking our efforts of years, it's good to shut her up and everyone who helps her."

"Lt. Morris Flavian?"

"Yes. The younger brother of Eric Flavian. Seems like he is quite devoted to investigating us." Lt. General Haric said.

"Then we should take care of the two first." Major General Richard said.

"Alright. Let's do this. I don't think they will get what they want so soon. We can observe them and make a plan before taking action. Like last time, we can make a move in the least expected time." Lt. Gen. Haric concluded.

*

"Morris, are you there?"

"Morris?" Yelena called in a louder voice when Morris remained silent.

"Captain," Morris muttered in a low voice from the other line.

"Listen to me. I will come back tomorrow, so stay there and don't do anything rashly. Are you sure?"

"Captain, they won't - "

"Answer me. I won't forgive you if you put yourself in danger by being careless." Yelena firmly said.

"I understand," Morris said and Yelena hung up the call.

When she turned to Felix, she was filled with guilt. "I'm sorry. We have many plans for tomorrow but - "

Felix smiled and shook his head. "Don't apologize. My fiancee is an admirable soldier with an important mission. I already understand that your duty comes first. Besides, this is not the first time, right?"

Yelena was confused for a while but when she understood what he said, she sighed. "You won't forget how I stood you up in Belden."

Felix chuckled but his smile slowly faded. "Will you be fine? They won't let you get your way easily. I don't want to see you get hurt again." The way he looked at her proved how concern he was.

"Don't worry." Yelena promptly said. "This time, I won't let them make the first move again. I will prepare a surprise for them."

"I never doubt you but I want you to be safe. I will handle the urgent work first and I will come to see you. You already have a meal with my parents and that's more than enough." Felix said and glanced at her phone. "The one they called 'Lt. General' was that man from the video, right? No wonder I find his voice familiar. Who is he?" He curiously asked.

Yelena bit her lip and clenched her fingers. Then she turned to Felix and said, "Lt. General Haric Geraci. He's Ella's father." When she noticed the change in Felix's expression, she promptly said, "Ella knows about this. She was the one who puts the spying device in her father's room."

"Yelena, it will be hard. I know that." Felix muttered. He was well aware of how much Yelena cherished her friend yet she needs to battle with the father!

"It's not easy but... that doesn't mean that I should stop," Yelena said and lie down on the couch, placing her head on the Prince's thighs. "You said that we should fight our own war and if I fall, you promised to help me up. Does that promise still stand?"

Felix nodded right away. "You already helped me get back on my feet. As long as I'm alive, that promise will be valid."

"Then I have nothing to scared. You will always have my back even if I fall." Yelena said with a smile and slowly closed her eyes.

Felix narrowed his eyes at her and recalled what those men said at the meeting. Then he tightly clenched his fist. "I won't let them do anything to you." He murmured.

* * *

After Two Days

Yelena was alone in her room at her family mansion. Standing in front of a large mirror, her face was nonchalant yet her eyes hint of determination.

She was wearing her uniform again after a long time. When she stared at her reflection in the mirror, she tightly clenched her fist.

They want to stop her from returning? Then she will do so before they were ready! She won't let them have their way!

Hearing them discussed her brother and Colonel Maverick's death as if they were doing the right thing... so disgusting!

With many thoughts in mind, she left her house and drove her red Wrangler Rubicon. She planned to went straight to the base to give a joining report.

*

"This is not like you, Yelena. Why did you go back on your word and return before your mother recovered?" Major General Lucian asked the Captain who was sitting on the right.

"I already talked with my mother, Commander. Now, she has regained her consciousness and her position is not in danger anymore. Jason Moravsky will help her manage the company affairs." Captain Yelena said.

"When you suddenly called me yesterday morning saying that you want to return today, I thought you were joking but you even asked me to make it look like a return which was already decided beforehand. There's something off." The Commander said, eyeing her suspiciously.

"I have something urgent to do. That's why but thank you for doing as my request, Commander. I won't disappoint you again." Yelena said, forcing a little smile.

Major General Lucian sighed. "Alright. You never tell me what's going on but I believe that you do it for the best. I will trust you."

*

The Captain left the Commander's office and went straight to the Deputy Commander's office. When she entered the room, Colonel Arias was standing near the window, glancing at the outdoors. Then she saluted him. "Deputy Commander."

Arias turned around and when he saw Yelena, he raised a brow. "I thought it was just a rumor but... you're really returning?"

"Yes. Did you check the recording that I sent you last night?" Yelena asked.

Colonel Arias narrowed his eyes at the floor. "I listen to it." He made a deliberate paused before he asked, "Did you sent Ella too?"

"Yes, I did. However, her phone is still off. She is yet to listen." Yelena replied.

"Have a seat," Arias said and they both settled on the couch.

"Ella submitted her resignation the day you left for Edeladon. I can't contact her since then. She never came to my house to study with my parents too." Arias said. His face was full of concern for his lover.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Yelena promptly said. The news made her stupefied! She thought that Ella was avoiding her but... resignation?

"Do you know where she is?" She asked Arias with an anxious face.

Arias shook his head. "I went to her house and she's not there. Even her family didn't know her whereabouts."

The Captain was overwhelmed by anxiety and she abruptly rose from her seat. "It's been five days! This is not good. I will look for her." She tried to rush out but...

"Stop." The Deputy Commander said which instantly made her halted. Then she turned back to him.

"Deputy Commander, what if something happens to her? We can't - "

Arias stood up and glanced at Yelena. "Ella won't do anything stupid. She only needs time and we should give her that."

"But - "

"Sit down first." Arias firmly said, interrupting her from speaking. Hearing this, she had no choice but to sit down again.

Arias did the same and looked at Yelena. "Don't worry too much. She will return soon. I trust her, so I hope you can do the same. After all, you're the friend that she cherished the most."

* * *

In the Silveren Army Headquarters, Major General Richard was hurriedly walking towards a certain room. When he reached a door, he knocked on it and walked inside. He saluted Lt. Gen. Haric who was sitting on the chair.

"Sir, I'm afraid we miscalculated something." He said, respectfully.

"What do you mean?" Lt. Gen. Haric asked. All his attention was on the file on his hand.

"I received a report saying that Captain Yelena Arista gave a joining report today."

At the Major General's words, Lt. Gen. Haric quickly looked up, darting his eyes to the former. Then he tightly clenched his fist which was placed on the desk.....