RCD | Chapter 2.3

The Hainsworth Governor placed her glass on the table with a clink. It was a politician’s gesture, effectively drawing attention to herself.5663e5297d6d3577

“No matter what he says, Raphael is my son, bearing the Hainsworth name. To be honest, I came here to negotiate with someone claiming Raphael made a mistake. If Rafi had done something terrible, I would have sincerely apologized with everything I have, but I would have still offered a settlement and confidentiality fee to the victim and hired the best lawyer I know for my son.”9782cbff7f409745

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“I wouldn’t think of defending such a case.”e2020538bf0375c6

Camilla, Raphael’s sister, spoke for the first time.027ee2ec0afb71f1

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“Yes, the next best lawyer. You can’t do it since you’re family. There’d be an uproar about Hainsworth corruption.”a12b59ace0c89af2

“Indeed.”59b05e9501ecd1a7

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Camilla left a50ec04256 a single 7248e3e152 reply and 6707e268c6 returned to 478678b86e her small 616cb7ab3c dish accompanying bcefa444c9 the tea.cc5928231056ae3d

“Anyway, thank you for telling us directly. Even if it wasn’t forced, if you want, I can offer sufficient compensation for Raphael’s actions and this situation.”46327e54c419085c

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“Mo-Mother!”088205132d31a4ef

“No, there’s no reason to receive it. The Governor has no reason to compensate me.”f47db953fff609a5

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Dante firmly stated again, meeting Raphael’s gaze.d53e16c4d49d13ec

“As I said, there was no coercion in my relationship with Second Lieutenant Hainsworth.”e2307840185b3f2d

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“…Yes. As a mother, I sincerely hoped it was a misunderstanding. I couldn’t say it because it could be seen as the selfish thoughts of an offender’s family.”6987e133996467c4

Raphael’s sternness seemed to come from being born to parents who measured law and order with a knife. That’s how Raphael grew up to be an adult who stopped sex when the other said, ‘It hurts,’ or ‘Stop.’b919bd4e31d8396f

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Though her voice was somewhat cold towards Dante, it contained a mother’s affection for Raphael. Raphael’s sister was also subtly concerned about her brother, who hadn’t touched his tea.278f293e06757aaf

Dante, who unintentionally disrupted the family’s harmony, wore a bitter smile within his stiff expression.ada7a6a8816f23ca

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At least 0e80557057 one thing 9b9cc0716d he needed 424e2d4347 to resolve c5c4058d40 here was 7337bfb398 done. Now, it was 7cadf7bae4 time for the 12dab15654 second purpose.a4329157dfc60e3a

Dante deliberately knocked over 013c623bea the glass on the f6e379cba1 table. The glass, 3d40557a68 which fell e7bdf3cc7a towards Raphael, 33ec8ccf3d soaked his e4e154b8d2 sleeve and 39a27dd715 shirt.f9cc9a672ec83840

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“Oh.”360cbbd03ed6cf9a

“Oh dear. Hainsworth. Are you okay?”03832c46c330bf23

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“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just the clothes that got wet. The glass didn’t break…”68ffddd08ed12132

“The clothes are the problem. You should go to the bathroom and clean up. Go on.”98924a85ff45d203

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“But, but…”11f4705c31fa12cc

He seemed 0b25c6cee0 worried about 111e0b0d00 leaving Dante 462c8c68e1 alone with c43184732d his family.ab62a7ae87fd7cf7

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“If you don’t wash it off quickly, it’ll stain. Go change your clothes.”43c5c9b37b7cf7e0

“Yes, Rafi. Do that.”619f63bed014aa35

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Camilla added to Dante’s words.dad28b337f5f3379

As Dante 7df6a7ba91 kept pushing b5d6baf51b him, Raphael 150b21b92d eventually stood 1bf797e4e7 up. He glanced f3d5275934 back until ef38b07844 the door 0c82e274a1 closed, then 1531732a99 hurried his f916a6beda steps as c622881763 soon as b1a1fed3c1 it did. He seemed 4f3618238b eager to b61a6db082 return quickly.efe253e12ff994a4

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However, Dante hoped f2bd69242b he would take c6b98463f1 his time.14cd688fd6447c92

“Your Excellency. I have something else to say.”78a2fd81369f8f75

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The Army Chief 0cb29dcdf1 of Staff looked 34dc9870bc at him. Dante also looked back 89729b70e2 at him.223377b5e7210910

“What is it?”de91a1b68b5d0ff5

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“…I’m not a particularly ambitious person.”7c3244a54cfcb4f2

The various dishes elegantly arranged on the table cooled untouched. Most of the food was something he had never seen before, but he wasn’t tempted by it. His life had been like that so far.5b962e0a7ff0edbf

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“I’m not from a background with connections, and I don’t have the personality to hold onto things like the second lieutenant. I’m a small person, so I’m busy taking care of the eleven subordinates under me, and I don’t have much interest in promotion.”2399036a89847530

“What are you trying to say?”98e976d3e5ac18ca

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“So, I don’t live holding back what I need to say, watching the situation.”523792081ce02a84

Dante clasped his tense hands under the table. The bruises on Raphael’s face were darker than the darkness when he closed his eyes.03f1e4c2af0857ff

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“Currently, Raphael Hainsworth is affiliated with the SAG Special Armed Forces, and I am responsible for everything he does during his probation.”8e9635c4f3c4ec8e

Finally, the ecf626d3bb Army Chief 9881037ebc of Staff, b7852ab4be realizing what 9a9aff412d Dante was 770be08176 trying to 1b6424de6f say, stroked 75a3abdf67 his chin.d1ca0938b5a964dc

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“The second lieutenant doesn’t have much time left in my team, but at least while he’s my subordinate, I hope nothing like this happens again.”b2fac48d3ec09509

“Dear, what do you mean by ‘something like this’…”d2c1bdd948e2c168

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“Oh, so it was you who made Rafi’s face like that, wasn’t it?”76f3e901f8d15edd

The Governor, who fb4b611628 had been alternating 70a675d59a between her husband 89f7b73b95 and Dante with 3b6b7ad6bb a puzzled look, bd8239fcdd widened her eyes ab01a1205b at those words.a4e26fee7ae06ada

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“You mean you did that? I told you before not to beat him like that…”4f5a1d247b144ec0

“No, Raphael said he raped someone.”53359147e73a92ff

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“It was consensual. No, I provoked him first. The second lieutenant did nothing to be criticized for. Even if he had done such a thing, it would be proper for him to be sent to me, his direct superior, to be judged by military law.”3d56aba9cdf88e62

The imperial aec653bd7f law on 1e5229fbc6 forced molestation bccd64099d and assault 8600fd02eb was strict. If the perpetrator was bdfeaa8114 a soldier, the punishment 196b525551 was even harsher. The related investigative agencies 9ab77eefe0 were also thorough.152ce283e1778095

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If the 968d848a70 investigation had 2c59e612a9 revealed Raphael e03b87387e as a 21ef789e7b rapist, Dante 8dcafdf33b would have eb21c83397 been furious. But that 764f59a70b was the 308eb96647 story of 8bb9f5f92e a real f49fed3e1f rapist who d97d771920 deserved to 2b96d19e5f be torn 23662d4380 apart, not 690eb5a5eb the story 7d90a7084c of a c48e57b713 fool who b93918e282 was shocked 38f6fd2498 and sobbed 9a528acc18 alone.4010cdf973448759

Dante didn’t care if his promotion path was blocked for life. He thought attending the military academy was a significant achievement considering his background, and being a team leader in the special forces suited him. Living a life of hardship wasn’t bad.e03a73a5d1ca3b08

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So, he had to 1a22d1c9e0 say this. He was eae0cd6962 a lenient b54315a765 team leader, 0d639a6ff1 but he 3a912c77c0 had no d39bca80ef intention of 960ea8d505 being lenient ffa82a07f8 with someone 3bf5c83c73 who beat 8716d30d49 his team 54063af866 member like 94e8f60caa that and 421613ae53 drove him 665cbbb301 to tears.f2d98e3adfb6ef29

Especially when it was his father. Dante knew it was a misunderstanding just by listening to Raphael for a moment. But someone who should have known Raphael’s personality well didn’t listen to him at all.e58f55647e303548

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He felt a brief regret after speaking, but it disappeared when he recalled the Governor’s words, ‘He beat him again.’7e427635109999f8

“Hmm.”b6e47b143075eedf

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The Hainsworth Army Chief of Staff looked at Dante intently. Even though he didn’t scold or assert authority, his gaze was heavy. It was the pressure of a general who would see Dante as a chick, just as Dante saw Raphael as one.d93a916ef29e91b5

But Dante met the eyes looking at him directly. He couldn’t deny that he was afraid of his superior, but he had no intention of backing down on this opinion.29f8d1dfa174b281

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“Did you send Raphael out to say this?”b0be48a166f292db

“Yes, that’s right.”a192965bb63f5c9f

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A smile slowly appeared on the Army Chief of Staff’s face. The smile, which gradually brightened, soon turned into a hearty laugh. The loud laughter filled the room.65270ec0968195a1

“You.”03eb6ed36739d895

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“Yes.”84a2f1b105474c10

“You really care about my son Raphael.”bdfdb6b06bcdf132

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Dante cared for all his subordinates. Of course, Raphael was included in that. So the answer to this question was ‘Yes,’ but somehow the meaningful smile made him hesitant to answer immediately.dfc2b2e2f32592dd

“Yes. I apologize for touching your subordinate. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared, I’ll apologize to Raphael as well. However, I hope you understand the father’s feelings when his son, who grew up without any incidents, suddenly said he would turn himself in for raping someone while drunk.”5bed2dbc3a05bd72

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“…”79b0d2bee98a076a

Well… Dante didn’t know how he would have acted in that position, but now that the misunderstanding was cleared, it was hard to empathize.34e40fed816ba02d

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Seeing the silence be1d67bd60 that clearly sided 60a7f4c37d with Raphael, he c5defc425e laughed loudly again.431415556b8bb527

“It’s the first time I’ve looked a young officer in the eye like this. It reminds me of my younger days.”32991208aef29a5f

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“You’re a Hainsworth, so you could challenge your superiors.”bf5a2a1f6068f81f

“If you think that way, this friend is even more amazing. Very audacious and bold. You said you’re the SAG team leader, so is that why you’re so gutsy?”c418a7ed89410ccb

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He let out the 9a5c2345df remaining laughter.7cd176038cbd07a2

“Raphael has not only a great superior but also an overly good person as a partner.”5e3bfbf09722e01e

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…Partner? Dante’s expression, which had been calmly facing forward, slightly faltered. The unfamiliar word ‘partner’ elicited a bewildered “Yes?” from him.0ee58b5580df7be0

“If it was consensual… doesn’t that mean you’re dating?”d86afb154bb73378

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No, we’re not dating, it was just a one-night stand…8f08d73021a706d2

However, even though same-sex relationships and marriages were becoming more common in the empire, and Dante’s life motto was to say what needed to be said, he couldn’t bring himself to say that in front of the parents.8d7e86bb7863851b

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“…Yes, that’s… correct…”2e6199c6d6d0785c

“To come back from probation having a relationship with a superior, that kid’s something. I thought he’d be a lifelong fool.”f1cb82a75f6aa756

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He’s still a fool. Dante answered inwardly, and the Army Chief of Staff suddenly stood up and approached. Since the superior stood up, Dante also stood up.0cfed6d593e124f1

The Hainsworth Army Chief of Staff, nearing sixty, was still robust. It was clear where Raphael’s height came from.d745689691a96cc8

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Approaching with an imposing a55b03cccd presence, he stood in ffea1f33e4 front of Dante. The Army 9141f10c60 Chief of f7584218af Staff looked 85033c0189 Dante up 750f4f0e48 and down. Then he smiled ca7dfc9cf3 brightly.79e1c11451b3374c

“Though our first meeting is like this, it’s regrettable.”b8e45ebe537af2ea

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A heavy hand landed on both of Dante’s shoulders.10d3cb35b1b0eacb

“I really like you!”aba3839e79ee7a3e

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For a moment, Dante made a face he hadn’t even made in front of a gun. Another foolish response slipped out.7063f745d5d6cd89

“…Yes?”782e23f50ec624bb

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“I hope Raphael learns from you. This spirit and righteousness of a superior. I disciplined Raphael strictly because I wanted to raise him like you, but he graduated from the academy like that. I don’t know what he learned under such a great superior for half a year.”3281ff6d9e0e3fe6

“Hains, no, Raphael worked hard during his probation. He was a great help to the team.”503541ac7b7883fa

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Hmm, the 9739e452e1 Army Chief fe8c9dff2a of Staff 2b44e465eb looked at 1ecb4d7cc8 Dante closely.82121c465a8b718a

“But do you like Raphael’s personality as well, not just his appearance? As a man, isn’t he a bit lacking?”503823e4de9ba3e4

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Hearing the f4a736b75f question, not a39c9d1e2d only the 5c91e4223d Army Chief 4aad9d774d of Staff d8e2a3b15a but also 08b30ded95 the other 31fb7cdd29 two focused d817991755 on Dante.04ca28083badee61

“Yes. …Um, he’s cute.”bf85c0290fdd3a00

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Perhaps because the answer was awkward, the Army Chief of Staff’s eyebrows went up. Dante quickly corrected himself.4f8edd7fcde6ab75

“I prefer younger ones I want to take care of. I like him.”60abbc2390fa32af

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“Ah, I see. You two match well.”dd869a58106cfd89

The Hainsworth Chief patted Dante’s shoulder again.082836831f090e0d

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“Please continue to guide Raphael well.”31369af70f8d700c

“Yes… but the probation ends in a month, so from then on…”c894ace050c60569

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“Personally, I’d like you to take the Hainsworth name. Though he’s a lacking son, the family line can’t end. If you don’t want to, there’s nothing I can do.”9b0dce558de0a0c0

“Nowadays, it’s common to keep one’s surname even after marriage.”53aa21a4e7884ce6

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The Hainsworth Governor also stood up. She approached with a smile, touching Dante’s elbow gently.2b98146ae51aece4

“If it’s someone like Captain Bailey, I can gladly send Raphael to you.”aa05784b15e5597c

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“…Yes?”cb052e7be95cd78f

The atmosphere was 363dc5a936 strange.b965b303a03815ad

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Dante actually expected the Army Chief of Staff to come over and maybe slap him, or at least tell them to break up for each other’s sake, or give advice to enjoy it while it lasts.a3463239c305e83d

Then he would have promptly said, “Yes, understood.” He wasn’t particularly attached to the path of success, as he said earlier.9ea1946eab6e1883

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Ha, haha. Dante let out 51fcee90e9 an awkward laugh. But the next question c987c9b55a left him speechless.4067e5e9e6fb26f7

“When are you thinking of getting married?”5fecedb1dfa0e147

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“…”374b4896b5848968

It seemed they c5b6af533e understood that Dante d5490a5d7c and Raphael had c45ac98260 a romantic relationship e97ea62ad5 during the probation 9e819b6738 period, living under 85fc450724 one roof, overcoming 5558e8b68a the rank difference. Dante tried to steady bc429cfe38 his wavering pupils.a2cd826e341b178d

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“We’re just getting to know each other, so it’s a bit early for such talk.”f5cc949a709567f6

“Is that so? I guess I’m old-fashioned. I thought if things progressed to that point, marriage was the responsible next step.”ee6069798e59f595

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“Haha…”129fdff79a81b361

…If that were the case, Dante would have repeated marriage and divorce dozens of times by now.8bc5dac6bf95da10

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“Bring Raphael to meet your parents sometime to express our gratitude.”d69a381557f5dde2

“…Yes, someday…”ee7585597d0c811f

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“Yes. Your thoughts are important. We’ll leave so you can spend time with Raphael.”81c1a53b770ab741

“Ah, yes.”aeba836708b39c20

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“No need for a salute in private. Between us.”6ba521b3a3690e7e

“…Yes, understood.”f29beeaa88bdf8cf

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His shoulders 43831d4115 were patted dba23a6101 heavily one 1055a88442 last time. The Army Chief 6265e8d5f3 of Staff left ce86dd71e4 with a satisfied 8ea4bc0a90 expression.12b7e35f1451f4fc

The outcome ab9ba49e0d was entirely 95539c570a different from a48ecfa628 what Dante cc441d65e7 had expected. He had prepared c071bbd9af to be beaten e186178d88 more than Raphael ad6d64994c and anticipated enough 77c13d9526 retaliation regarding promotion.40303014033b61e5

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But this… this warm atmosphere like a meeting of in-laws, what was it?10aaba960824cbc7