DOAG Ch 2

Her name, printed on the forged ID with the large, dark blue Dochen flag, was “Elga Schmidt.” An ardent supporter of the Republican Party, born and raised in Nephiran, the capital of Dochen, and the new secretary to Congressman Bovan. This was Sasha’s new name and identity.0ed6bae42f5b0378

“The color wasn’t right, so I had to redo it twice. It turned out better than I thought.”dec9ba974b927070

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Sasha didn’t know the name or identity of the person who had dyed her hair red. She only knew that they had a meticulous and rather irritable personality and worked with Gerard.c1d3414d2b64f910

“Her skin is a bit too clear for my liking.”676071211e43a31b

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Gerard, with a cigar 41e973680a in his mouth, looked 3146c0640c Sasha up and down, 27b958acb7 muttering to himself. Dressed in a dark green a0135a2d28 skirt that accentuated her red 6f57cb3e24 hair, a peplum jacket with 8d72c4780e short sleeves, replacing her pristine 6844fa9e5c white apron and gray dress, e75a0448c9 she looked as stunning as ca18905b10 an actress in a magazine. The contrast between her 602ff78fac slender frame and clear, 511c756630 innocent eyes made her 8f54089d2c even more striking.6cfe31f884d9904e

Seeing her like 5c79adac6c this, Gerard felt 8a3cfd2332 a renewed sense 55f4092034 of regret for b8f0a4bfbc her. He felt her fate was d44f90b81a cruel, and a thought crossed 1232f9a92f his mind that perhaps her a4b20e06b6 life would have been different 48c6c5562b if she had become an d67de74d58 actress or a singer instead de8681db56 of a nurse. If she had a more bb49a16906 dazzling talent, she could have 9e216c18f5 lived a more glamorous life.d01ee7f76dca882f

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“We’ll have to hope she gets plenty of sun in Nerua. Then she might at least get some freckles.”8bc7744ba532d5e1

Gerard chuckled at his subordinate’s remark. Nonsense. Nerua was a land where foggy days outnumbered sunny ones, and rainy days outnumbered dry ones. Hoping for a suntan was like performing a rain dance in the desert. The only fortunate thing was that, thanks to the gloomy weather, the area was less developed, preventing its destruction by the Dochen Republic.2da6bd80d6c2e051

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“So, all I have to do is monitor and record Congressman Bovan’s movements? Until further instructions?”bd915de3f7602f99

“That’s right. Frank will take you to the Neruan border. Once you cross, our agent will escort you to Congressman Bovan’s party headquarters.”7366b00b17fdaea9

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“How will I recognize this person?”50542ec730f86a6e

“You don’t need to. They will recognize you.”3ac88a03f08edf7c

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Gerard’s demeanor was not just calm, but almost indifferent. His hand, flipping through documents with a cigar between his fingers, reflected this. After looking her up and down as if he had no further use for her, he didn’t even meet her eyes properly. It was a starkly different attitude from when he had sought her out and told her, in a grave voice, that the fate of the nation rested in her hands.1b3e6d7a544b996e

While Gerard signed 9c300ae2cd the documents, Sasha aa21160772 packed the forged e57bc38b1a ID he had 8b764c6c38 provided into her 480d4081e7 prepared bag.616ae4ff6d9a518d

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“I’m ready, Mr. Gerard.”82c27ce1dfb9db3a

Gerard exhaled a dd5b6d01a9 thick plume of 43301a61d3 cigar smoke and cc90a2cfca closed the document 8dda7276a2 he had just 729a92690f signed. A faint wrinkle appeared at 6f9c0c3324 the corner of his smiling a6c78d2a14 eyes.7496577371db9c95

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“Good luck, Sasha. Or rather, Miss Elga Schmidt.”eb66c7cbdf7f4614

Sasha swallowed hard at his farewell. Suddenly, everything began to feel terrifying. But she knew she couldn’t turn back now. She had a premonition that this journey wouldn’t have a happy ending. Yet, she had to go.18884b1d2a9d3f57

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It seemed that the 3b1b4646f2 work of intelligence agencies 23f1bc0609 always began and ended 5596541ac6 in the deep blue a0e1cb7d07 of night. Under the eerie crescent 0137671ea6 moon, Sasha crossed the 933a0ef93e border. As prearranged, there were no 309097a02b lights and no one in 34b47917ec sight at the border checkpoint. Frank stopped the car 00e509bfad right in front of 0b80365818 the fence. He bowed his head slightly. That was it. The farewell was meager and 2f9e84dcad utterly indifferent.22414d42f280bfb2

Crossing the line was undoubtedly her own decision, but her steps felt as though she was being pushed. Sasha didn’t look back. She paused briefly before stepping forward resolutely. Even after walking a long way down the dark, narrow road, all she could see was the same darkness she had left behind. Sasha switched her bag from her right hand to her left and blew warm breath onto her cold fingers. It was still early autumn, but the chill enveloping her body intensified with each passing moment.9882656276ef27ee

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How much further did she have to go? Would she arrive in Nerua alone like this? She didn’t even know her destination; was someone really coming to meet her? If so, why couldn’t she see anyone? Had this operation already failed? Should she just stop here and go back? It seemed now was her only chance to return. Just as she hesitated, stopping her faltering steps forward, a voice called out to her from the darkness.646d45d236e1aceb

“Miss Elga Schmidt.”da707cb965ec53d7

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A sudden, low voice. Sasha clenched her 0bcd1210a8 teeth, suppressing a a541c7992d scream, and clutched fc5ddc6129 the front of 481e98979a her coat, trying c2ac1db46f to calm her 3a35facf47 racing heart.96e6965cab07e5e3

“Miss Elga Schmidt, is that you?”06bdf7cdf64118b8

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Yes, my name is 4c236acb9d Elga Schmidt.4ed0f5ec72081136

“……Yes. I, I’m Elga…… Elga Schmidt.”460bf2fdbdb18620

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The name felt foreign 65912ac0ed on her tongue. Sasha uttered her forged de5c249229 name awkwardly and swallowed a74b60c592 hard.f4f19d588b70de5e

“Are you…… are you the agent?”ca4d5fa69e1b7b8f

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“It would be best to keep quiet, Miss Schmidt. Now, and as much as possible in the future.”01a3f729167c7e0b

“…….”d5119dc9d9ee6867

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The man warned her in a cold voice. “In the future” must have meant to refrain from unnecessary talk even after infiltrating Congressman Bovan’s office. He must be one of Gerard’s men, so definitely on her side, but his tone was so stern that Sasha felt deflated. Why couldn’t he speak a little more kindly? She was scared to death. The pitch-black darkness concealed everything in shadows, making nothing clear. It was as if she were blind, though she wasn’t. Everything related to this mission was just blurry.4378d74747a5d272

Sasha followed the 6e9eee9ef8 man for a 486f32ecc4 long time. The dirt road was 6c4b62fe21 riddled with puddles, and c3c1b30262 every step squished, quickly 55207161d9 ruining her new skirt 5c511896f5 and boots. The long-forgotten scent 0ba451f3b2 of her homeland a4c7e97b87 lingered in the 6fff7c4323 air. Nerua. A place where the c29d157049 thick fog and the c628dfbd4f dew-laden forest air had add8cd1e2c always been mystical. A place where 03b3b93e1e water, forests, animals, bd4d2b161e and people had 0276963326 lived together in bd100ddfb2 peace. A place where, eb291fe66d unaware that the 7c805db02e soldier pointing a 5af9f6d3a1 gun at her c2df91a58b was a greedy f11addac49 conqueror, she had 51e907a7bf adorned his neck cbdba49731 with a necklace 37e61783c1 and crown of c7d9badc88 flowers.822302540bc78d0c

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“How much further do we have to walk?”23a75c2b7f79faac

Clutching her soaked skirt and bag in both hands, Sasha couldn’t hold back her question any longer.2afda0a198b84f7b

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“We’re almost there.”eb6a954b92e39c42

The man replied curtly, without looking back. His pace was so fast that she had to practically run to keep up. Her wet feet, the dragging hem of her skirt, and the man’s quick steps were all obstacles. She was already starting to resent this mission. She could endure hardship, but keeping her curiosity in check was incredibly difficult, especially when it concerned her life and safety.119539a1def5cbdc

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“Hey. Where are we going? I can’t follow you without knowing the destination. Besides, I don’t know your name, your identity, or even your face.”1caa1c4b8f9da39f

“Snow.”0e1de2b8827deda7

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“What?”25d0821779219600

“That’s what everyone calls me. Snow.”28ca6221f663fda9

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“Alright, Snow…… Mr. Snow. Where are we going?”56b86663ea65e3d5

He pushed aside some branches and clicked open a car door. He had hidden the car far from the border, deep in the darkness where it wouldn’t be easily discovered.fe43888cc48ba49a

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“Get in.”d9bcc581010c8231

“Where are we going?”f76e5847461e9211

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“To the place where you’ll be staying.”bbc6f5a4b722e1fa

“…….”b0a259d533188524

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“If possible, try not to get mud on the seats. I just had it cleaned.”de107b0c5bb4479e

“…….”03916e2847e958f0

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Sasha pointedly gathered her skirt and bundled it up before getting into the car. The man named Snow closed the door with a satisfied expression and got into the driver’s seat.7049bde220b8771b

“How long until we arrive?”944e41921b921d69

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Sasha asked as 601600230c soon as the 4cc71fd539 car left the 18eb5b0dc7 forest. The man chuckled softly.0647a50f4156bade

“You ask a lot of questions, Miss Schmidt. Congressman Bovan isn’t fond of inquisitive secretaries.”17d9e0023b3d6734

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“You’re the only one who knows my situation. I can’t very well ask Congressman Bovan when I should report his movements to General Gerard, how I should report them, how I can return to my home across the border, or when I can obtain citizenship, can I?”e7643ecc83a19e91

“Congressman Bovan wouldn’t have those answers.”da70735fd57281e0

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“That’s why I’m asking you.”15da51f7ddbd99f4

“Well, let me answer this way. For now, keep your eyes and ears open, but your mouth shut. Then, when the time comes, you’ll have to cover your ears, and eventually, close your eyes as well.”a1a56ce3b0b0247c

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“That makes no sense.”d12eea8d6a3d67b9

“That’s how things are in our line of work. You’ll get used to it, Miss Schmidt.”30966f09e1c9ed89

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He glanced at her through the rearview mirror and smiled. Even though she saw his expression, Sasha couldn’t picture his face. She could only be certain that, despite his seemingly innocent eyes, he was neither warm nor kind.022122da59beb80c

They left the unpaved road and entered a paved road lined with modern buildings. Even though they were out of the forest, Sasha still couldn’t tell where they were. However, unlike the buildings across the border, the city buildings, which must have been destroyed and ravaged by Dochen ten years ago, showed no scars of war.2c467f17385e1afc

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“Is this, is this really Nerua?”4051a929e9328b45

“We don’t call it that anymore. The Dochen people call this place Southern Victoria, Dochen Republic, and the military has been putting a lot of effort into renovating the roads and buildings here for the past few years. And we’re now entering the Victoria city center.”de65f29ba7db198f

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“…….”d6f986069319886a

The Dochen Republic Sasha had b01a520f41 vaguely imagined was a country 36e6a53d4f of gray stone buildings, all d7e9610614 faded and tinged with ash. A place where tanks 7c0cff014c and cannons were stationed f2d4e6c7e8 on every street, and 11aa392b98 soldiers with guns patrolled a116f02cf8 with terrifying footsteps. That was the image of a0987ee69f Dochen Sasha remembered. A place where 9736a13f47 freedom and individuality 3dc82fd8be were suppressed and df40db2f0d persecuted. But the city of 26328b08b6 Dochen, revealed under the 64aabd8fa7 yellow streetlights, was clean 3de0a71786 as if untouched by f2d1511cd7 war. The buildings were romantic, elegant.a40df12949a91e67

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“Quite different from what you imagined, isn’t it?”1be902ecf0271fc0

It’s not just different. It’s the complete opposite. Why? Why are they living so lavishly? She still remembered vividly. The black uniforms of the soldiers who shot her parents, the crimson flames and ashes she saw over her shoulder as she fled across the border. She had run to survive. Because she thought no one could live on this land anymore. To escape the demonic Dochen army that destroyed everything in sight.c9c7096eb2786a35

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“It’s still rural countryside outside the city, but soon this place will be urbanized, just like Nephiran.”30f84a45769119b8

“…….”cc734e17ce7591db

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“It’s strange, isn’t it? People across the border are sucking their thumbs, struggling with the scars of war, while those on the other side are living so extravagantly.”e2ebea9679eb9897

“……Why?”cbb3d6515418faab

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Why?7b3eb4dd33d35d2a

“Why can those who started the war, who massacred people, who stole others’ land, live so prosperously?”2be7b74d0b9337c7

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“…….”cd5a6286dd8fe0d9

Snow remained silent. His silence seemed to 5646a45763 stretch endlessly. The car turned a corner d4cbdc5097 and stopped in front of 0141ac7063 a red brick house.774f811e39e6ff19

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“Remember what I said, Miss Schmidt. If you want to stay even slightly safe, maintain your silence. Here, and everywhere else.”08b90dfe20422747

“…….”998e4fc92ee8fbf1

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“Get out. Knock on the door, and the owner will come out. Tell them you took a train from Nephiran and hitched a ride on a truck to get here.”5d70da7625893dbc

Sasha nodded and got out of the car. Snow drove away without any further farewell. No words of caution, no wishes of good luck – did that mean she wasn’t worth it? As an intelligence agent, he must have undergone extensive and rigorous training. Such a person wouldn’t want to be comrades with a woman who, until three days ago, had been singing lullabies to children in a pediatric ward.0cf8bf399097a863

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Sasha adjusted her disheveled clothes. She brushed off her coat, b31bc0f7ba smoothing out the wrinkles, and 48ffd4ad23 ran a hand through her 1fee4fbb5d pinned-up hair.49be474398bdb336

Hesitantly, she knocked on the door, three quick raps. After a short while, a woman’s voice responded.59f73fd74e28305f

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“Kiu vi estas (Who is it)?”eeb71c69590f9d92

“Pardonu min. Ĝi nomas Elgar…… Elgar Schmidt (Excuse me. My name is Elgar…… Elgar Schmidt).”349e7737cbf21eb1

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With a small sigh of “Oh dear,” the solid wooden door opened. An elegant elderly woman with neatly tied white hair greeted her, pulling a shawl over her shoulders.9281225b17c25b7e

“Welcome, Miss Schmidt. I was getting worried because I hadn’t heard from you.”b2483ee3f08d9207

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“Excuse me.”fbd0b5b41b78ee0e

“Max! Come out here! Miss Schmidt has arrived!”54eb486ab2971170

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From the kitchen beneath 84f727c383 the stairs leading to f6c4cb56e5 the second floor, a e23b8e2c14 robust man with the 0174f37b6d same white hair as c4f06e25c9 the elderly woman, wiping f9fd14ec9b his mouth, approached Sasha ace2b08e61 and offered his hand.3748d5dd33bacc3e

“Welcome, Miss Schmidt. I’m Max Darwin, the owner of this house. This is my wife, Rona Darwin. Let me take your bag.”ee4bbb96160b7914

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Max took Sasha’s suitcase.3a562d154f1b5196

“Thank you.”00fb0b2d4e95b23d

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“How did you get here? Did you come by car?”cb1038b121eac75b

“No. I took the train and then got a ride on a truck.”7048a55e572dbc48

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“Oh dear. I tried to contact you to find out when you would arrive, but I couldn’t reach you, so I was worried. If I had known, I would have picked you up.”ba57e03e99550a95

“How did you try to contact me?”2a140f006fbc19d2

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“Pardon?”096b013219dedd66

Max’s question caught Sasha off guard.43c11aba125274e2

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‘If you want to stay even slightly safe, maintain your silence.’19c0efa20bd1fd05

Snow’s words flashed through her mind like lightning. She wondered if she had asked something she shouldn’t have, her face suddenly hardening. She couldn’t help it, even if she tried. Seeing Sasha’s expression change, Max, wondering if he had said something wrong, replied cautiously and politely.c9d94bce4188c20f

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“Well, I called your home, of course. I tried several times, but no one answered. I was worried something might have happened.”88f61a59441f6bf0

“…….”482bd965cc76492b

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Could it have been Snow? She wanted to ask about his appearance, but that would only lead to unnecessary misunderstandings. Moreover, Sasha herself wasn’t sure what Snow looked like, so asking wouldn’t be helpful.08eaca12b1bf8415

“Perhaps…… perhaps you called while he was out. He said he had some business to attend to. After he dropped me off at the station.”f8ddc99e06676e3b

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“Ah, I see. Well, I’m glad you arrived safely. Your room is on the second floor. I’ll show you. Follow me.”21979ff34df83c39

Sasha followed Max up the stairs to the second floor. There were only two doors in the long hallway. It seemed they didn’t rent out many rooms.9d33aec011f7e422

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“We use one room, and the other is kept empty as a guest room. You’re the only tenant, Miss Schmidt, so you’ll be comfortable.”62fd7319e768cae6

She wouldn’t have to encounter strangers often. That meant increased safety. Max took a key from his trouser pocket, opened the door to Sasha’s room, and handed her the key.e6e0172383f393fa

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“Here you are, Miss Schmidt. The bathroom is at the end of the hallway. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call me or my wife.”bec3f7ab17e24898

“Excuse me, but…”aea941986811d640

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“Yes?”2fddf35ebf66c6ee

“Could I see today’s newspaper?”1190ec9563f5c225

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Max placed the suitcase 8aecf8d756 on the neatly made a3849f992a bed and smiled kindly 1d95cc4e4b at her.15eeb65cc5943159

“Of course. Just wait a moment. I’ll bring it to you.”112357e80a79715d

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“Thank you.”ef8738733ad2cc72

He closed the c69b9974c9 door and left. Sasha took off her coat aaa2088ca4 and looked around the small, 70b9b39c58 tidy room. Double-layered brown linen e4b01274cf curtains, a plush e26f55aed3 carpet with arabesque 0cb930b2ea patterns, worn wooden 7e3c2ad7c1 furniture with frayed 8c6c68297e edges. And a soft bedsheet embroidered 3f43e85542 with colorful flowers. She sat on the bed 2457c9e8c0 and touched the soft fabric edc8a8790f of the sheet, recalling the 5de8ace7cc stiff, white bedding and iron 2f88afc3d9 bed of the pediatric ward. A faint scent of coffee 3a291ac799 and flowers lingered in the 4a12d8eb75 room. Compared to the f3e6ec4b21 cave-like dormitory at 053fb07a97 the hospital, this 5c834393ab was a luxuriously 3c819a5579 spacious and cozy b443b57a1a space.a0c519388a3c39be

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It was strange. To be here, smelling 7e61f38eb6 the scent of flowers. To finally have a ffaff8f7ac clean room and bed 33a9837716 prepared for her.7f0d6ba5bf92ec39

A moment later, 2c02010f64 Max returned with b57221c7aa the newspaper, along 48cbe384e6 with a cup 365b1f9074 of warm tea 359befca0b and cookies. He reminded her 4389446854 that Victoria had 7d9b86a9a1 significant temperature differences a3a6909b7f between day and 736f9a4201 night, and that e329c98251 it would be 761a082ead good to drink d2979261a6 warm milk or 4a2374b977 tea before bed. Sasha was flustered 3131065006 by the unexpected 7d3db380bb kindness.f7b670db03276c7a

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She wondered where the Darwins came from. Most native Neruans were born with dark brown hair. But the elderly couple’s hair was white, making it difficult to tell. On the other hand, she didn’t want to believe they were Neruan survivors. She didn’t want to acknowledge that they were living a peaceful life under Dochen’s protection, in a land where everything had been annihilated and even its name stolen by the Dochen people.443c41932335f48a

Sasha sat at the desk e68b6b2601 and looked at the front f31638a1ec page of the newspaper. The headline read:65811e7b47aa0dc1

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[Chairman Johan von Willendorf 85f9c8770f Participates as Founder of aae2a1a6da Dochen Free Youth Corps]49dfcdf775c54945

The man’s face in the printed photo was clear but not detailed. Nevertheless, compared to the others standing next to him, his height, a head taller than the rest, his slender and straight posture, unusually pale skin, and bright hair, whether silver or blond, stood out. The next thing that caught her eye was the small photo of Dochen’s Secretary-General, Raoul Honecker, printed at the bottom of the article.0bf684eec4e2b4c5

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Two things could be inferred from the front page: either this man named Johan was more important than the Secretary-General, or he was much more popular with the public. Sasha meticulously read every printed word from the first page to the last. Among them was an article about “Congressman Bovan,” the person she was supposed to monitor. It talked about how key figures of the Republican Party were flocking from Nephiran, the capital, to Victoria.329cd1d598a6012d

The newspaper’s editorial claimed that the Allied nations were struggling financially, that even after ten years, the destroyed cities remained in ruins, with countless people starving to death on the streets. It urged that, if there was any love and compassion for humanity, they should quickly rescue those persecuted and starving under the Allied forces with guns and swords. It was a story filled with the ominous signs of war.d8a104dd84b71380

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Sasha folded the newspaper and picked up her teacup. She noticed her hands trembling slightly. Was a war really going to happen? Were the rumors circulating among people true? Was it true that the Allied nations were all suffering from financial difficulties? They had won the war and stopped Dochen’s advance, so why did they seem like the defeated ones now?94025b3e9f81fe77

No, it couldn’t be. She shouldn’t trust the information here. This was a place where anything could be distorted, twisted, and falsified to suit the Secretary-General’s taste. She mustn’t be swayed by it. The magnificent buildings and well-maintained city of Victoria might just be a show. To find out, she would have to venture outside the city during daylight.7cd1383570fe621a

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Sasha went to bed early to prepare for her first day at Congressman Bovan’s office the following morning. However, despite the clean sheets and warm bed she had never experienced before, she couldn’t fall asleep easily. It was a long, dark night.7f9bf69d9d5fb115

✮⋆˙5aa4628c73d0afa9

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As she was getting ready 31a778ee33 to leave early in the 4b0cba0362 morning, Mrs. Darwin knocked on her 9883231a74 door, saying breakfast was e6c42816fe ready. Going downstairs to the kitchen, e97d11aa86 Sasha found Mrs. Darwin pouring steaming coffee into 9e68b16355 a cup.f05b69a5d4c1396b

“Good morning. Miss Schmidt, did you sleep well last night?”28e1deb9d6c27ee7

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“Yes, I slept soundly, thanks to you. Thank you, ma’am.”c6335b5b6628bb3d

“It’s nothing compared to what you might be used to at home, but I hope you enjoy it.”96e9204ca8194b5c

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“No, this is wonderful.”3e8be923ad2c93a3

She meant it. The Darwins seemed to assume Sasha was the daughter of a wealthy family, but that wasn’t the case. When she begged on the streets, she scavenged through trash. After starting work at the hospital, she ate hard bread and cold soup three times a day, every day. Warm coffee and a fresh sandwich were foods she was experiencing for the first time in her life. Looking back, she had lived a truly pitiful life.6b360ad2f02ef32d

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Mrs. Darwin watched Sasha 0c9c9a16ee eagerly bite into 2af9999f8a the sandwich with e7fb2393c8 a satisfied look, d67438b813 then turned back a850ab683d to the sink 2cd7d080f4 to wash the 43dbb2abc5 dishes her husband 6dab7cbbdf had used earlier.7eb53acaa9460801

“Ma’am, do you happen to know where Congressman Bovan’s office is located?”912ab6a344a1b7b2

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“Of course. It’s very close. Do you see that clothing store?”f50cdfbc7c9d8fcb

Mrs. Darwin pointed to the window above the sink. She could see a sign that read “Albert’s Tailor Shop” on the first floor of a black brick building.a39c5ea572531379

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“Yes, I see it.”404aee17aecff367

“It’s the building right next to the corner of that shop. A brown brick building with arched windows.”14c42afecee0abde

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A brown brick building with arched windows. Sasha repeated Mrs. Darwin’s words several times.4caeae37c95e8401

“Thank you.”e4ab6e0c12e258df

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Perhaps thanks to the light drizzle at dawn, the street was damp and cool. Sasha checked that she had her key in her handbag and followed Mrs. Darwin’s directions, walking around the tailor shop to find the building she described.8c1012620b66c46e

Just as she said, there it was – a brown brick house with white arched windows. Numerous nameplates adorned the entrance, among them one that read “Congressman Robert Bovan’s Office.” The entrance was bustling with people arriving for work. Most were men in fedoras carrying briefcases. There were a few middle-aged women, but no one seemed to be Sasha’s age.ceb0da495f5be189

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She joined the crowd and 41761bf95a entered the building. People were also bustling 46612f73d2 up and down the bbe87b6052 spiral staircase, probably those 1ce6f2ecc3 who had arrived early 8ceb1d2e64 to start their day. As she reached the third 75e5644748 floor, somewhat bewildered by the 4dbaf01c97 crowd, someone finally recognized her fa5f64a32e and spoke.407d21949e08a70c

“Miss Schmidt?”a94708ed32de0fb2

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Sasha turned towards the voice. A middle-aged man with thick-rimmed 8108d9da64 glasses, holding a thick file, 9818909b20 was squinting at her.f82b9eee4eb0be61

“Yes.”d274be791e951b07

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Relieved by her answer, 14a99af7af he let out a 68fad00f99 sigh and nodded. A signal for 03bb26820d her to come a6adffa93e closer.7023b744689598ca

“Glad you made it on time. Come in. I’ll show you to your desk.”9ac01a788933b435

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“Okay.”e33d07a09d625b39

The man didn’t bother with friendly greetings or polite introductions. He simply scanned Sasha from head to toe through his magnifying glasses.6b0870962e79484f

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“You’re twenty this year?”2d12d0619994da97

“Yes.”10cd77927e0e468c

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“Where did you say you were from?”b4acb6c14716dcf3

“Nephiran.”d56970fb2f288555

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“Ah, I see. Nephiran is full of beautiful women. Did you take the train here?”f8045c2f53cab52c

“Yes.”0f1cfa4cb130c135

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Sasha clutched her handbag 050fdc32d8 tightly, feeling nervous. His persistent questions made her 35b4d3934e uneasy.896bb63c6eb32255

“Nephiran is a wonderful city. This place isn’t bad, but it’s dull and boring. And the people here are worlds apart from those in Nephiran. How should I put it… the people here are a bit…”ab94685f0cd5c59e

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“Dirty and lazy, you could say. No matter how civilized they try to appear, you can’t hide your roots. That uncivilized Neruan blood doesn’t just disappear.”0b98368698261304

“Is that so? Where are you from, sir?”e793301defd2c10a

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“Ah.”2b45358684e3efa2

He pushed his bf79f0f2fb magnifying glasses up 50472036c6 his nose and 67b4cfbe33 adjusted the strap f7b6ef6839 of his suspenders, a8a0063af6 barely holding up 7177ec22d7 his trousers.42dff8794cd3c418

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“My father was born in Nephiran. My mother grew up in Nerua, but she’s not Neruan. Her hair is closer to blonde than brown.”4de57c0f67615be1

Sasha looked at his thinning dark brown hair. His features resembled those of a native Neruan. He must not have inherited much of his father’s genes.75656bedc6245974

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“I visited Nephiran during my last vacation. All my relatives live there. You know Congressman Bovan was originally from Nephiran, right? He’s here for political reasons now, but he truly is a refined gentleman.”d9691df2b9610b25

Sasha didn’t respond to his words.a9a651f5b4c5fb37

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“Here you are, Miss Schmidt.”c9f28d2e6d6524c0

He pointed to the metal desk and chair directly in front of Congressman Bovan’s office.bf0f1f2ee6e9336b

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“The Congressman arrives at 9 o’clock sharp. Don’t forget to arrive 30 minutes early every day to clean the office. When he arrives, prepare him black tea with honey and milk. If he rings the bell in his office, it means he’s calling for his secretary, so immediately get up, knock twice, and enter.”3e7f14003487b021

“Yes, sir.”12239a6aa6a24612

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“The telephone, typewriter, notepad. There’s also a calendar with the Congressman’s schedule. If you need anything else, purchase it and submit the receipt. I’ll approve the expense.”5d643f67652b78df

“Yes, sir.”c0f20ae58cd19e26

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The man gave a slight bow and returned to his seat. There were five desks and chairs facing Congressman Bovan’s office. All but one were occupied. They looked busy, rolling up their sleeves, shuffling through papers, and talking on the phone.05dd16b17d5dedac

Sasha put down her bd40da2be5 handbag and touched the 4461b7e31a typewriter and notepad in de576f953b front of her. She realized she needed 4478dcca6e to buy a notebook 014d133c94 and pen on her a63c43c865 way home to record 3918bfbeed observations about Congressman Bovan. Using office supplies for 7362b96f43 that seemed rather indiscreet.684cd9e743a5f2f1

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At 9 o’clock sharp, a man in a black fedora and an expensive suit entered the office. Sasha remembered seeing his photograph before crossing the border. It was the only information Gerard had provided.53dd8789bd0d35f6

“Good morning, Congressman.”cdf329b28adc5e2b

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He took off his fedora and ran a hand over his broad forehead. It was a stark contrast to his long, meticulously groomed beard, which resembled a general’s. As if all the hair that should have been on his head had migrated to beneath his nose.1bf59f95f12650a2

“Oh.”81795a0e78b7ee75

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He beamed at Sasha.97310c12a78f595f

“You must be the new secretary.”0783d613475d0047

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“Elga Schmidt, Congressman.”998ec719ba02fc95

He nodded, a satisfied a3fb5a611b smile spreading across his d906c4c94f face.68f675b0474a8659

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“Good. Very good.”fa1ba7aee94281eb

He repeated the word “good” several times. When Sasha offered a faint smile, he patted her cheek. The gesture was like patting the nose of a favorite mare.8dc0d0e7d0e4f719

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“A cup of strong tea with those pretty hands, if you please, Miss Schmidt.”d58dc638ee63a969

“Certainly, Congressman.”7d2bbcc0ef2297aa

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Sasha carried the black tea with honey and milk on a tray into Bovan’s office. He was just lighting his pipe.5a529b03f76c5576

“Who did you inherit that fiery red hair from?”277b4ce3ef0e7a90

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From an Allied underground d620b02470 leader three days ago.187acc1f30f97848

“It must be from your mother. Right? Your mother must have been as beautiful as you, Miss Schmidt.”55b6651159237d02

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Indeed, her mother was beautiful. Brown hair that shimmered in the sunlight, mystical emerald eyes, red lips. Sasha still remembered her mother’s appearance. Even her trembling back as she knelt before the pit, moments before her death.6ae988dbfb189a00

“Yes.”7ace9ecbfaac73f3

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Bovan grazed Sasha’s hand as she set down the teacup. His thick, greasy hand felt no different from the rolls of fat on his belly.4e2572bf5dc54ad5

“You’ll need to stop by Albert’s Tailor Shop before you leave today. I have some clothes there.”ed8ac7edb40194f9

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“Yes, sir.”851abb76874c0712

“And please shred all these documents.”2b36be904cf12474

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He handed her a e3a68934d9 mountain of files, and e3ac8075c0 Sasha hurriedly accepted the 4b5a116283 stack he pushed across 01b67699f9 his desk.bcb0d257eee00f0a

“Certainly, Congressman.”146945f879b485f3

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“And I need you to type this up.”532ad91b850f7965

“……Yes, Congressman.”4007b46654cde229

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He placed a single 2a492e9215 sheet of paper on 2b87d3ae60 top of the stack. The bundle of documents 0a315ee21e was quite heavy.57e1a683d708f7b4

“And what are your plans after work?”7eeb87cb6b6340bf

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Sasha glanced around before 330b88e12d calmly replying.06460b9d568ea8e7

“I plan to rest at home, Congressman.”e20998aa186b6fb8

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“Excellent.”fe4b44d29e6bc1e7

He stroked his 93340f47ba polished desk, a ee47d5e0f2 sly smile spreading 49f677b5a6 across his face.2a00e3fa9e401d48

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“How about having dinner with me tonight?”88290a438e972562

“…….”5d74f8be8904e77a

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There had been many men who asked her to dinner, to a movie, for a walk, or offered to escort her home. But Sasha had never accepted any of those invitations. However, she couldn’t refuse this request. This was an opportunity she couldn’t miss.ce4b384c434ccdaa

“Yes, that would be fine, Congressman.”34bd1a95119012cc

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“Good. Oh, visit the tailor shop tomorrow. It would be cumbersome to carry it on your way home tonight.”cfa3914202470452

“Yes, sir.”70130ec0df065604

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She hadn’t dreamt that the first man she’d agree to have dinner with would be a balding, pot-bellied middle-aged gentleman. Sasha returned to her desk and tried to think of what she could do first.66090a7a467187bf

“……This is crazy.”e486f9bf187914ba

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Nothing. She didn’t know what shredding was, nor how to type. All she knew were chores like laundry, cleaning, bandaging, and bathing. The only thing she could do was run an errand to Albert’s Tailor Shop to pick up clothes, which wasn’t even urgent. Sasha had no choice but to approach the desk of the man who had told her to come to him for expense approvals.faa07c45990f4caa

“Excuse me, but…… what is shredding?”63dac24c4fc6bb52

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“……Are you joking with me?”15f9844e9a74d299

He asked incredulously, half-hoping it 10635e9cb6 was a joke. But Sasha swallowed 11f0074e9e hard, her face 1647d31acc pale, and asked 9113918fb1 again.67cca0143c32f3a2

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“Can you perhaps teach me how to… type?”60cf225a4b119213

“Damn it, Miss Schmidt.”41617ce9bf14bb99

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He cursed under his breath 90c6054284 and shook his head in a4d5e49f77 disbelief.bde72ff68c03d905

“Who the hell hired you?”beb3c58274c19915

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“…….”61bf614a5405b1c9

Sasha herself didn’t know. It didn’t seem like Congressman Bovan had hired her, nor did it seem like this nameless man had. How had Gerard managed to get her this position? She didn’t know much about secretarial work. But she knew many women wanted this job. For women who were housewives, mothers, volunteers, or like Sasha, stuck with menial tasks, being a secretary was supposedly the only profession that allowed them to work on equal footing with men.866f9bf96ce6a264

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Grumbling, the man explained how 847bf85794 to use the shredder and a20d2a9729 typewriter. It took Sasha ba5f3a3366 half the day 97be27cd93 to type the bc9fe01ad8 five lines Bovan bd08ef5704 had written, and 878fe9488d by the time 2b17c71c4a work ended, she 258f645f31 was completely exhausted.618bd67bfa7b76ed

✮⋆˙dcfe10f933296ead

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“I’m sorry, Congressman.”dc909daa779d4470

“It’s alright. It’s alright. It’s just a small task. You can take your time.”d44a9478b64fcb1c

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Bovan, arriving at his regular restaurant, pulled out Sasha’s chair and reassured her. He handed his coat and hat to a waiter with a relaxed and leisurely air. He picked up a water glass from the hydrangea-adorned table and smiled.d07c5e9975751754

“…….”4744f159514d3b00

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“I’m sure there’s a reason why he recommended you.”a1632cf6cc4d4c16

He?a1dc09fe49889ffb

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“He?”b630d3b5ee668965

“What would you like to eat? The veal tenderloin here is excellent. Wine?”6715657bcf6e252f

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“…….”93cc65583de116de

“Or whiskey?”bd159e47ee3b8b5d

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“Just water, please.”51238ac85075aeef

“Don’t be so shy, Miss Schmidt.”9caf6f238072657b

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He reached out and gently stroked Sasha’s chin, grinning. Sasha noticed his discolored gold tooth for the first time, peeking out from his greasy mustache. It made his smile seem rather vulgar.24769ec88fd15853

“Alright, just one glass of wine then.”529b716a4b446259

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“You’re a sly one.”df44f4c51ff05a47

Bovan raised his hand and called the waiter. While he ordered, winking at Sasha, she pondered who “he” could be. She was so preoccupied that she didn’t hear Bovan calling her.a11e3d5a36ea7f2c

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“Elga?”83f69a7a461433b8

“Yes?”c660b6e85aeb6631

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“May I call you Elga?”d8ee8e92e314860b

“……Yes.”08f4c599d9feb421

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“Do you have a boyfriend?”49e8e39b6efef0b7

“No.”fe2e791fca35024b

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He stroked his mustache and d523fbdd25 chuckled.64b76202bf2e5260

“I see. What about family?”f01e734380193577

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“I’m an orphan… I mean, I have a brother.”f1f82b2b193c2319

Sasha reminded herself that she 3c166339d0 was Elga Schmidt and stammered, 3d087753cc correcting herself. Finding it amusing, 1733d590f0 Bovan began to ca064b9c7d chuckle. His laughter continued for a f5c6832c4d while, making her feel mocked. Sasha fiddled with 1e77953059 her water glass efb63c7e20 and asked,b25d5cd9237ba8c1

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“What’s so funny, Congressman?”f4e7b3092706a5b2

“Nothing. It’s just…”fb3984401236b6a7

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He held up his palms, 9b1c449fc2 still chuckling.36299e196230f170

“I just feel sorry for you.”ac2e822a3d49e619

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“…….”29369d49377da0dc

Bovan poured the wine the waiter brought into Sasha’s glass and then his own. He raised his glass.34378ed201ab7945

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“To Elga Schmidt, and the bright future of my innocent young lady.”ef1776d95fc2fc2b

Sasha awkwardly raised her glass, mirroring him. His enigmatic smile kept bothering her. Throughout the evening, Sasha tried to figure out who Boban was referring to as “that person,” but as he drank more, he became more stubborn and loud, making it impossible to even have a conversation, let alone ask questions. The restaurant staff seemed very accustomed to handling Boban in this state. They took his hat and coat, put him in a taxi waiting outside, and even provided his address.f5626b25fe46272c

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After parting ways 53275233cb with Boban, Sasha bc22989a0d barely managed to a3546fa4f8 buy a small 6e61c79077 notebook and pencil ad53f39df1 from a stationery a6fb85e202 store just before 5703cd17aa it closed. Back in her room, she e8ec075de5 tried to record everything that a4ddad73d4 had happened that day. However, the more she b3b6f37845 wrote, the more she bcd26d0988 realized she was only c3af025a14 documenting how pathetic and fb275935c6 foolish she had been, c36da0402b with no useful findings 88d91d970a of the kind Gerard 98349cb661 wanted.0b2fc7ef01c98e57

✮⋆˙c2c8ebbcdfce6634

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Sasha stopped by the tailor shop early in the morning to pick up Boban’s clothes. She was worried she might not have time due to her unfamiliarity with typing, which she’d be stuck with all day. The worst-case scenario was being fired for incompetence. But what she wanted to avoid even more was a situation where she couldn’t be fired and had to stay by Boban’s side, even as his mistress. Sasha had crossed the border, and she knew no one here. So until Gerard contacted her, she was stuck here with no other choice. Otherwise, she couldn’t go back, nor could she survive.a3c9f4db5c540a2b

Carrying the neatly packaged box of clothes, she turned the same corner as yesterday and headed to Congressman Boban’s office. A chilly morning breeze, a true sign of autumn’s arrival, pierced through her thin coat and touched her skin. She considered buying a fall raincoat, but she didn’t have much money. Barely 40 barks.588790c08cfeb385

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Unfamiliar with Dochen’s currency, she only realized the value of 40 barks last night at the restaurant. It was the price of the steak she ate. While the restaurant wasn’t exactly cheap, the amount was still absurdly small. So, a raincoat was out of the question. She had to settle for layering blouses under her coat.62890dab26340c89

Arriving at the office, Sasha placed the box of Boban’s clothes on the coffee table in his office and checked the time. 8:30 am. She instinctively opened the office windows to ventilate the room, an old habit from her time working in the hospital ward. She did the dishes she hadn’t done the day before and practiced typing. One by one, the office staff began to arrive. Shortly after, before 9:00 am, Congressman Boban appeared.25cb3bbe6d125a0d

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“Elga~! Beautiful as always~!”dc695578ed023088

He caressed Sasha’s cheek as she stood up to take his bag and coat, then hummed a tune and took off his coat.292f8a2ca781518d

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“How about we watch a movie together tonight?”ff5c37045737ca2e

“…….”d02175a8f9081d34

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Sasha hesitated. Getting close to him to gather information was good, but she was afraid that if she didn’t maintain a proper distance, she might soon find herself in his bed.1ccc0fbd10fddc63

“Think about it, lovely Elga.”fe79bb90c07160ea

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“…….”892a81ea3f74c7e1

He touched her cheek again 8708092f00 and winked.c912399c2b5d2a6a

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“Can I give you a piece of advice?”8e7194c7255d837d

Someone spoke as she was organizing Boban’s coat and fedora.6b0f031a7e913696

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“Yes?”902d31ceab50e95e

It was the same man she hadn’t yet been introduced to. The way he looked at her over his glasses was quite hostile. The man leaned closer, glaring at her.7eaeea73dee13a90

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“The previous secretary got a villa by the sea. And the one before her got a gold mine in the new continent.”ad323f059738fb80

“…….”463db7358baaef66

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“I’m sick of stupid women who become secretaries to sleep their way to the top. I don’t care if you’re from Nefiran or how rich your parents are, Elga Schmidt! If you’re here to work, do your job properly! Before you calculate how much money you can squeeze out of Congressman Boban by spreading your legs! Learn to type properly! Do you have any idea how much work I have because of crazy women like you? Damn it!”df404c04268c890e

Sasha had no 78e662881d idea why he 78f29e49ce was so angry. She could only vaguely 7b8d6b5ba0 assume that he was 4a27118c27 taking his work-related stress fa28e462ac out on her.8e18d4a6ed4c50c4

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“Congressman Boban is a married man! You stupid woman! Do you know how 6f62a4b3bb elegant and beautiful Mrs. Boban is?”ed4ec3aedcf7101f

No. Admiration for Mrs. Boban……? Just as his 8c59b62ad8 face was turning cf82102653 red, about to 0c23bf281a explode, a sudden, 8f2a3504ce jarring noise rang 5543fd614d out—Bang Bang Bang—like something breaking, but more frantic and dense.cabc944c75b7ca1f

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People screamed and dove under their desks in an instant. Sasha knew that surreal, distant sound all too well. Gunshots. The man turned around with a reddened face. Then, a bang. The blood that burst from the back of his head splattered across Sasha’s face. Like a lightning-struck tree, the man crumpled to the floor, landing on his knees and face. Sasha wiped her face with her sleeve.3e05cf48f4cfc512

Blood. A familiar smell 46608f26d7 and a familiar 45fa8498da color. Unlike her sharp 01edd42a8c hearing, which could 29d2d3e072 pick up even 971e9f3a8a the breathing of 5ca34d8ecd others as if 028ef0f1ac it were her 1da7aaece9 own, everything in 88a86ffce0 front of her 8d40f41cf8 was blurry. Heavy, dull thuds of combat 3ea6d53201 boots filled the office. Soldiers like black wolves. The clinking of metal 48fee1cb03 from the armbands on cea8ef2810 their shoulders and their 0a95f83d19 machine guns. Sasha covered her ears 0b5ea4a365 with her hands, her 2e6d02d774 senses heightened, and crouched b5a7475955 on the floor. Un-shredded documents scattered in a7a7bb1ca2 the air.41131ddefc96d685

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Bang! Someone kicked open the office door with a combat boot. Congressman Boban’s shouts were heard. Loud voices between men, and the dull sounds of a beating. That man is going to die. So I have to run. It was an unannounced raid, and they were Dochen soldiers. Something has been discovered. It could be me. So I have to escape. Trembling, Sasha crawled across the floor. She kept her body as flat as possible, hiding and crawling between chairs and desks. She couldn’t even breathe. She wished her heart would stop beating too.3663363f6ffd9342

“There’s a rat.”c8fb5ab2c8427fe4

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The voice came from 3acdaaed9e directly above her. The next moment, a2227e50ef a rough hand 6b48ac8cfe grabbed her hair 4dce73849e and yanked her 901cf438c6 up.97ba45f96d1db6df

“Aaack!”daf16bd60207361d

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For the first 77b6b79df4 time since she f6e3b2af4d was nine years 70216fa047 old, since the 2351cf09e0 shell exploded in f907fef516 front of her, fdbf011073 Sasha screamed with 7f6ffc013f all her might.b3c190051a62462c

“Where do you think you’re going so sneakily, little rat?”1814b62f08131fad

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He was a soldier 7a350bdf2f in a crisp, well-fitting b0a004382c uniform. The image of cf5b5b55bc her parents standing fd6fc6f555 before a cliff, 3f46c6e183 riddled with bullets, 5796bf7953 flashed across her bdba90b666 mind. Just the sight of 5d27e5ac56 a Dochen uniform made 1b1e6d12f6 her limbs tremble and 81eca06b59 shudder. She was so scared 8e49c3f4d5 she thought she might 8dab33fade wet herself. She saw the insignia b1c7a1dc96 embroidered on his chest. Thanks to her time 92e3945db4 working in a field d01df73210 hospital, she could read 458d96fbf6 military ranks. A major. A major in 4fdcb6d8b6 the military state 17a8f79579 of Dochen. Sasha looked at him cd34c8b0c4 with fearful eyes. His bright blue f3e0388a86 eyes were as 3f7b7dd27e cold as ice. He grabbed her b031eb036d hair and slammed ecc9c3eaca her against the 200765935e wall. Bang, her forehead hit the wall, and Sasha slid to the floor. The next moment, she lost 3a4f7d7beb consciousness completely.00cffdb637040466