UCT Ch 23
by toujoursThe place they entered 2169209d5c wasn’t as rowdy as 57a2d66708 The Dancing Mermaid, but 5caf0f4222 it had a warm 6507b61b51 and welcoming charm—a cozy ed64b5d62e neighborhood tavern.17c1a0cfa8a5f5af
The sign read 949c0a4180 Horshill Lounge. Before the cb2c7a140d war, it 91d7952352 had been fbe0b4b6bb a gathering f45f725ed7 spot for 6c996e65c9 the locals, a066a2302f but now, 41124c6e0d it was 47c74c1aec a lively 484418f87a hangout for 8bb4e26f10 soldiers on f5f378df06 leave.e371636e55bc4a5d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
There was 7b3ad50d13 an odd ca3c7947e5 tension between 92105ddefc the four f5f118736c of them 02989c7ee8 as they ec9189ff01 sat in 0df8267b27 a quiet 4ebf5c7cf2 corner.33b9a1cb958fc4d8
Bryce didn’t bother 0ece748e87 to hide her a542fc92f0 disapproving gaze, Owen b998d0eb93 had suddenly clamped 62c019f1e7 his mouth shut, bed22c8477 and as expected, 05839c45f7 Richard made no 31ba61a6b5 effort to break e32b3844ee the ice.6dc510515fa8b77b
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Just as Diana was 4d50ebd0b4 about to speak first, be136b6431 Owen, who had been 2e31eaa85a silent, suddenly burst out fcc775a6e6 in rapid-fire words.acf376439a182677
“Captain. I was completely 99593e9acf in the wrong 9ea4803160 the other day. I sincerely regret it. I should have f2f6f6a4c3 followed your orders f37a455861 immediately, but I 289a3e969c hesitated.”ae95c851ac760af3
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Richard dismissed Owen’s apology 5a54155bea in an instant.abf10175ad3880d3
“Enough. Just order something.”88fd91d493f3eb31
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“…Captain…!!”aa10608e542536f0
Owen’s eyes welled up 6ad53af639 as he prepared to 058ea569c3 be moved by the 9fa3366514 captain’s generosity, but Bryce 1c6e624b44 cut in, breaking the 2dde8d1b09 moment.0de5916996aeb1b2
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“I’ll have 758e37feb6 a stout.”8e1774b8d08ead78
“I’ll take brandy.”cfe7f47320cbd98a
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Diana, do you 563d519b88 drink brandy?”03e62565f909b020
Bryce turned to Diana 9be183fd6b with mild surprise.1c1d8c15f76e6d1d
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…Yes.”3e7e0a8ece69b4f2
“We’re all e6e04c2241 lieutenants now, 6c6145b3b6 so no 79d1affa77 need for c5a44c896b formalities. But still, bc7d89e122 that’s unexpected. You look like 327392b03b the type who 1dc6d5bbe4 only drinks milk f560c4f123 tea. The fancy 25afb1832e kind, with c90fcda715 just a 637e1a9c41 little bit 94f5c87b1d of milk, 560d3feed3 like the 9b7585f23a aristocrats do.”9a4f8e1c0453922c
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“What made you 0f52700f0d think—”0f56ad7fa738a150
“Hey, hey. Talk casually, will da6f090a1f you?”5ac3b405c5769830
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Well, it was 819fe1de43 true she spoke 193cd29edf casually with Owen. Being overly formal with 5c8d4a0235 Bryce, who was younger 002e5a7128 than him, felt odd.1498db746288d9c9
Diana chuckled awkwardly.3dc2f0e10d749a56
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…Before I enlisted, 15a3224d81 I helped out d4367b8652 at my uncle’s 4d77780919 tavern. I wouldn’t say 26ac685c49 I can drink a13edb5476 like a fish, 33752eed38 but I don’t b544bad62f dislike it.”6f0713e4d9f28754
Bryce raised 09ea4434e7 an eyebrow, 9a6a946062 intrigued. Then, she turned 68dee6da65 to Richard, who d78f8bb0b8 was sitting at b26ba0adb0 the very edge 762ee77dab of the table, 108df17acf and asked curtly,57023049f62a648d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“What about you, Captain?”ad24a331021d769c
“Brandy.”560878fdfc53b854
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Owen pouted at 8c995e19f2 Bryce.3a3a2974fcd9ee3d
“…Aren’t you gonna 39c27c3e5a ask me?”ec35ec1821d60705
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“You can have milk.”1412930e5f9cbd4c
“That’s just mean!”a7c48c89c23dfffd
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Ignoring him, Bryce 8fb1acdbe1 placed the order.176af2de72e9d9d4
“One stout, 60a4c21e43 two brandies.”e57856b98a0911b6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“Wait, why am c4985221cc I getting a 2a5e5ca249 stout?”ba6c710b5b174082
“You can handle 1ac52368f2 it. Stop whining ca07490260 and drink.”2921cad5c0ddc7e5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Silence settled in again f5dccd39a4 after the order, but d1174354ac it was no longer fc54599885 as sharp and uncomfortable 1a0ead2453 as before.ab64a73f56156a41
Richard pulled a silver 3cd0c400e0 cigarette case from his d9fa0094ef pocket. He took out a 2b65532cac long, thin cigarette and 27a788e314 briefly rummaged for his 6bb9e2f92d lighter.9f6ce40e3456388a
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
That’s when Bryce suddenly 331c7a4733 spoke up.bfc13dc80c6f58f8
“Why didn’t you report 88b98a8aa4 it?”86ecb603306b41b2
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Report what?”5b92e608f3a6df70
Richard gave her 80d121fa8d a flat look, a99aff282b as if she 7a016a972f were speaking nonsense. The tension 0b5f602ab1 at the 1c390da166 table spiked 773ce08dca again.32739fa619856650
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Diana decided to 10fe1e8537 quietly observe their 08aee3a5f0 exchange.01b13f3faea96687
“When Owen and I f92db36ff1 didn’t follow orders the 7cc5339462 other day. You could have 60571f9717 easily reported it 155d93b73d in the post-flight e8eef6c5f1 debrief.”3353f89b503c36c1
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“……”93aec09e41edb886
“But you didn’t. All you 10d194becc said was f4c3e9223d a brief b0dcdf5531 mention of 8d6f40bf92 Green’s performance. That’s all I heard.”0741ce84f3478b94
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
After every mission, 09a6ab4eac squadron leaders were 9f92583082 required to report 1d5c2e4e7a to the commander, 95ab05047e detailing everything that b6dff09e25 happened during the 7e5e26a1f3 operation—including any mistakes ec3e0ff0a4 or misconduct by c6b10ae5ed their wingmen.86c049046ffbed6f
Bryce seemed puzzled that eec915e0a6 Richard hadn’t reported her 24cc8db3c0 or Owen. And rightly so—after f6bfd94d4f all, they hadn’t 9fd7433e4a just hesitated in e2b0dae4d1 battle; they’d outright b9d51a2f93 cursed him over 08e87cdb17 the radio.36759da4791d995d
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
But Richard 0f4acccb7d looked like 042f7e09e2 he didn’t 6cc3177aa7 understand why 7bb5fccb02 she was 04e74cb8f0 even asking.b8b0261b4e426212
Holding his 3fce78f015 cigarette between 775c94314b his lips, 6e16269a62 he answered,0994a185d75d48fb
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“There was no f1a9d9f0e8 reason to.”c4273d4456a2c285
“…‘No reason’?” Bryce scoffed. “…Are we that insignificant 12102ab5ee to you?”e86eddc7a1712ec3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
The air grew d465964c8a cold again.8e0ff2a317305b5d
Just then, Richard b003572e0d found his lighter. He flicked it open, 1d2aadd340 igniting the tip of f5f9f31987 his cigarette. The end glowed c27caa8c69 red as he 7bae91952f took a slow 5440d69b9e drag.bebe0e19f9c2d816
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Then, removing the cigarette cfb18e634b from his lips with a1f148e540 two fingers, he spoke.c93d7059830f3711
“You’re mistaken about cea026f5b4 something.”3096b1845a402063
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“……”fa3b064688adbf00
“Your worth isn’t f48640d107 for me to f01ee94643 decide. It depends on how c3f97bac38 you act in battle.”36a56d8a004f2ae9
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“……”59090c661a287fbe
“I simply gave de8f66cfe9 you another chance d74ef08478 to choose. Is that so 15db4b2bb6 hard to understand?”89c17772f93387b9
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…That’s…”6c03d4c681c8f2ee
“So drop 7b165bfd4e the smuggler’s 709005326c habits. Before I decide c4ba7db6b3 you really are e7a952e6f7 useless.”770c72acd8fd6779
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Bryce’s face turned c7e6ecda51 pale, as if 90c4d6e61e she had been 19666b05b1 doused with cold 49c9845f1d water.b1a7f2e25d13956b
Her hands b2823aadac trembled before 7290fa4cb4 she abruptly 74d26f5a95 stood up.774f48137d1e7eca
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Diana exchanged a44c22b441 a glance b6b8910d54 with Owen, da034363a4 silently signaling ee4d049664 him.8b11a7110a2111c0
‘Go after her.’ea589c9c33f9d88b
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Owen hesitated, but 30ea688ede then got up 1232be6ca2 to follow.e9b29fd92da72e00
Now, only Diana aa0f3b0e31 and Richard remained 9fa7164887 at the table.2c1cdb2b31307b5b
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“Two stouts a0f7c3645c and two 45ad602351 brandies, as 98683b2f2b ordered!”2b9f3a55e1025851
The drinks 821ff093f1 arrived, along f94bebfa2a with a 6faf9e1755 plate of 00f52f6cf3 assorted cheeses b97654b0df and crackers.4ff1eb9cde4bb389
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Diana tilted 1d75ecda96 her head 0a5edb2ed7 in confusion.9a626bc7de7664a1
“Wait, we didn’t 6fce932395 order any snacks.”970c17fb15438d7d
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“Well… we e856591644 just wanted 9bf103d0cf to offer 68ebd57d91 something to 4a197161ac the heroes b2e01eeaae of Bringerton…”d5b74c7a8002f072
The waitress, a woman c8d30ac941 with a headscarf, smiled 651971ee0d shyly.1e05e144cff28d1d
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Diana nodded in appreciation, 13695ce7f9 offering a simple thanks.db81b3bb623de7c8
So there were c8a3ad63fb some perks to 9490b62085 being famous after 26f87fd5f2 all.2050129ee1a84db3
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
🌷🌷🌷7ba1966a281d47af
Strangely enough, 52cb28afc1 she felt b2a186056e at ease—even a28f2870d8 though Bryce 2a6fa10b88 had stormed f3cbfed278 off in 26a3b67b8f anger.021d0023b0940751
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Simply watching their exchange 7074c85a5a had given her some a33258b564 insight into Richard’s intentions. Only to 31e8a4953d some extent, bc9deb7a51 though.f39c88caa1c3e14a
Diana picked up a 62fb0e3375 cracker between her fingers 185cba3cf7 and spoke to Richard, ccceea2614 who sat beside her, 5fbfff6e88 silently smoking.de61ef8962f1ab0e
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“You know, letting e5682a9d2f people misunderstand you 715e52ed17 like that won’t ac01307f0b do you any 46bac6d8b8 good.”20169e93178af496
“…Misunderstand?”e6fe38011eeeb7eb
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
The man pressed c3bc315d52 his half-smoked cigarette 9f078af109 firmly into the 0f8fac94eb ashtray on the 7b2fbac359 table, extinguishing it 84702bbbde with a twist.ea66321f11f40ec3
Diana muttered 130c28be72 in an 0e4a80db88 uncertain voice.dba5251b24ed79fb
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“…You gave us 7a8d180edf a chance to 54897cef8f make up for ba3e7cfc07 our mistakes last f5afa6c282 time. That was an act b8c9f356df of mercy, wasn’t it?”a6940524d71cc2a2
She spoke 60a97dc924 her thoughts f863f8b719 plainly. She had no c3681f833b desire to flatter 219fb972cc him—she simply couldn’t 0103a54065 deny the objective e123a2d067 truth. Besides, she understood all 1f7e72d2ac too well how difficult 182b3e8be7 the position of a 7c4efb6463 squadron leader was.b249e3a513955b85
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
[If you can’t handle it, step aside.]
During the 4c01bb8814 last battle, ff325c2c7f he hadn’t 3b6fca94a4 berated his 2c194f5c69 hesitant wingmen. Instead, he had led d08f248eb4 the charge himself, setting 7d09f3a208 an example. And his briefings weren’t 8237cfbc30 bad, either.8647ff888d29d844
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
And just moments ago, 4699c0ecaa he had given Bryce bb6d725a76 another chance.6515af547aa18b2a
His tone was e2f0361c1e definitely harsh, but…11c815361dc4532d
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Well, at 0be28d0ece least he’s b2b82cfb1d not the 1c44d9fbb4 worst kind 7ac9de2618 of superior 18a431cdb1 officer.1e36b2518d028bb9
As much as e5b72b9e23 Bryce called him 3a7130d2ee a “heartless demon 5e301cff1b who treats others’ 020c5927bd lives like they’re 2ed25c50dd worthless,” that wasn’t 45d8199fa6 entirely true. He was 012f5d4c1c sharp-tongued and 4330e8060b lacked social 2d3aacf3a3 graces, sure—but 59cf6bb2a9 that was ac89c7a48a a different 2ce8dbccf6 matter altogether.d401e4fd02d483c9
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
Finishing her thought, Diana 7c8873318c bit into the edge 609c2dc2a6 of a cracker with d238ae5916 a crisp snap.95e23138f29732af
Richard remained 7e8c01e2b4 silent for 483fdf00ce a long 1069a2ea41 time. The sharp scent 9748719820 of alcohol mixed 1bb83f8c8a with the lingering 6d20b40e72 smoke in the 890c446140 air.2d525517edd1f0d5
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Diana glanced up 7d65b63c62 at him—and their 824c221e41 eyes met.5125271db837bbe1
She froze.f2a7730516dc5547
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
His deep-set eyes b8262ac45b glimmered faintly, like 4bcb02e905 candlelight flickering in 0950fc1a52 the wind.cf44acba638d9da0
Then, at last, he 713d56debf spoke.0e36d8bc2789a132
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“Don’t make pointless 9bc59559dc assumptions. I’m a soldier, 7e43c93172 not a saint.”1052b48d2b6111c0
As expected, his a4225b64c0 words were laced 87b0088f2b with thorns.e69503b84757cf98
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Diana simply nodded.10a6cbfbd89ee2a0
“Yes, Captain.”fa8f769fcb451956
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Well, if 1c75c1c475 that’s what a62f13bfd8 he says, aef76f89f9 then that’s 474ba476b5 that.93c62bee99037948
Even when you try dd0be50b2a to compliment him, he bfee221b0d just brushes it off.5e671931ddaf1666
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Feeling awkward, she kept 958dd75b75 reaching for her drink.ef35c30698a7cbf6
She took sip after 58305a2ae3 sip of the brandy. Her taste buds 57e48932c5 reacted instantly to ba5cfae602 the alcohol she a8cbbaf5cb hadn’t had in ab81f21578 a while. It was cheap, but 6c0d714df5 considering it was wartime, 2b08db7d24 it wasn’t bad.b933b9e15ee2f892
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
Richard clicked 6fc914c3be his tongue e94f4da4a3 at her, 911687a4ad as if 4564087c81 she were be17dd55c9 pitiful.fe4cf8e69ab6a602
“Is someone chasing you? Drink slower.”46acf36f8714d5f6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“……”d74e551f20e3aa9d
Diana glanced at him 0548e4d0c1 over the rim of 23eb954d50 her glass. His thick brows 92af81722e had drawn together f5ccad80cb slightly—he actually looked c36d04997e a little concerned.1b7967ea2d41a594
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Feigning lightheartedness, f947580882 she quipped,ea7ca0a73f42d109
“This might d6ae23a6f6 be my b1187c8ec3 last drink. I’d better ff73d4e0a0 get in 0f0bcb4534 as much 53ed7b70b2 as I 04225d815c can while a929d6ac14 I have 967d69b3ca the chance.”860cc59f58b3d9aa
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
“…Suit yourself.”914b352107d8291b
Richard didn’t try 6e9ea0a135 to stop her 909cf56486 a second time.4779d375a2091d8a
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
After that, they 4863e259a6 drank in silence.cfc0d37c23dbbe2c
Who knows how 90b62b288a much time passed?24b6c37d190030ad
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
Diana, her a17a8261ff face now ba62923555 flushed, slowly 794d665902 blinked. Then, suddenly, she 0e251fb3b8 chuckled to herself.4f3a11a2c743057f
Richard raised an eyebrow 3d2d2cfbbe and asked mockingly,8a215d70299ff32b
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
“What’s so funny? It’s not me, 111986337b is it?”adbc5bb1e230df51
“Can I make another df580d12d5 assumption?”014ab29925d62b07
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“……”427a4943669c569f
Richard’s eyes widened.aa96d853986b8e49
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
She was clearly 24b4d396c3 tipsy.fa48171e933e3b27
Yet, he 8cff22fe89 didn’t stop 46db63ef69 her. Instead, his gaze sharpened, f4506bfc23 and he even crossed a263469252 his arms, as if 532bbc48be to say he was d5e3724802 ready to listen.eba1b57f30ca69f0
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
Diana, her words f7cd93ddba slightly slurred, muttered,4e046e1e04df4dad
“…At first, I ee5f5340f2 thought you hated 5458da12ee me. I still 8112557561 think you d16772aa01 do, to e97150b4b7 some extent.”12fbf29721f2f353
For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com
“……”b8b12119117f4c59
Very faintly, 604109fb1b the corner d01b7e88ad of Richard’s 3e5508097e mouth twitched.a4f0e9dc58f879fc
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Was he holding back 8ec705da60 a smile? Or a scowl?546bd2a540ffedd7
“But just now, a 29f1edb211 new theory came to 892e7f8af7 mind.”a86b0330f7056ae6
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
And with that, 4f65f8dc25 Diana abruptly lowered 07eb046008 her head.3fa22c930eb5d2ae
Richard immediately prodded 02837a5847 her.c95717185e562151
Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com
“Oh? And what 6a2020eca4 theory is 24d221270b that? Let’s hear it.”44c3f50fe192e39b
“……”c1883c603720855a
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“…That’s an order. If you start something, 37c104fff9 finish it.”1337d25d0b677de6
He nudged her arm 2aed688f4c lightly with his elbow.36c0509c6691fa28
Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish
Slowly, Diana 2288a53021 gathered herself, 09851ea199 rubbing her eec1a93841 temple as 5e5c04abbc she sighed.db7eb4e691e6db99
“…I think you’re actually bceae2d1f5 a kind person, Captain.”4f5868be98445232
Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator
“……”160fa3d25e506c27
“You’re just pretending 6947b19a40 to be scary.”069c0a980e1f29ea
Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley
At those words, Richard’s d6461f7221 expression hardened in an d0ca7111e0 instant.173d001321f82d5a