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.57d5ba994bde530f

“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.”d359bb5342bfabaf

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“I wouldn’t think of defending such a case.”f06a2f3f5ee36fd0

Camilla, Raphael’s sister, spoke for the first time.2d74851b1a80889d

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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.”7afe604efaa72cfe

“Indeed.”9dfb3838fdf2caab

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Camilla left a 1278092cac single reply and b35256f45a returned to her 0821bfde2a small dish accompanying ca3d0c954e the tea.da1517c6521aabde

“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.”f42ed67d88ae4279

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“Mo-Mother!”ae690858f4951c72

“No, there’s no reason to receive it. The Governor has no reason to compensate me.”c39601994d283c10

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Dante firmly stated again, meeting Raphael’s gaze.971dd804c7d84826

“As I said, there was no coercion in my relationship with Second Lieutenant Hainsworth.”b290ab94ed66d356

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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.”c983aead17445dd7

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.’a4973b95483e8c1f

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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.c5e50ae77018f0ac

Dante, who unintentionally disrupted the family’s harmony, wore a bitter smile within his stiff expression.ef4a10294b5df9d7

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At least one 6b99a4d3aa thing he needed 6f1e908c56 to resolve here 50c1872902 was done. Now, it b6cf665304 was time a049cdb417 for the e7298785a5 second purpose.30e0f388490e781b

Dante deliberately knocked f77ca6326b over the glass f7f1540888 on the table. The glass, e654f427f6 which fell c1bbd66c54 towards Raphael, 6f700d6e2a soaked his 3ed4e79434 sleeve and 7422696a8b shirt.71e1ca8f1094cacb

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“Oh.”c7e6baa78d32395c

“Oh dear. Hainsworth. Are you okay?”a8e43c1463175159

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“Yes, I’m fine. It’s just the clothes that got wet. The glass didn’t break…”a79cb59ae9ef4980

“The clothes are the problem. You should go to the bathroom and clean up. Go on.”4eddfa32aeb02ed2

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“But, but…”f522667dc7bf02be

He seemed c5123f4dc5 worried about 375dbb8714 leaving Dante 4237778f76 alone with 0b6ed23c0f his family.bdf6e02bebbb6616

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“If you don’t wash it off quickly, it’ll stain. Go change your clothes.”2ab004db663f4781

“Yes, Rafi. Do that.”36a13f3ac4d7ebd9

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Camilla added to Dante’s words.70f74018a15a159d

As Dante d60ee6ae92 kept pushing b9a81c485b him, Raphael 2befc51045 eventually stood c0dfd030e9 up. He glanced back 8756a500b8 until the door e803729c57 closed, then hurried 018dc780a2 his steps as f62b582a08 soon as it 4ce81dd2d3 did. He seemed 90b500f681 eager to 307b3ac0fe return quickly.803d571a857e315e

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However, Dante hoped 6e880f91cc he would take 1fada7db3b his time.39443882a1f41e3c

“Your Excellency. I have something else to say.”feb74a0d0b741460

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The Army Chief of 1f81794fea Staff looked at him. Dante also c3b699eef3 looked back 45ec336191 at him.5a1e4be4384d2181

“What is it?”9300b2b111695d01

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“…I’m not a particularly ambitious person.”21c5f6caff5e37a3

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.00f676b4ed0de95c

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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.”cb6d8129e4c85260

“What are you trying to say?”133df177901616c2

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“So, I don’t live holding back what I need to say, watching the situation.”4d0d13812ba7a74d

Dante clasped his tense hands under the table. The bruises on Raphael’s face were darker than the darkness when he closed his eyes.728de7e148e23970

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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.”1291f5a6857b1f1d

Finally, the Army Chief d5c8be3309 of Staff, realizing what 81ac9bb0a3 Dante was trying to 841a936ec4 say, stroked his chin.a90ba697f874951c

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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.”f1569528792dbf90

“Dear, what do you mean by ‘something like this’…”671ac9f94a4b4eda

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“Oh, so it was you who made Rafi’s face like that, wasn’t it?”9c7d9aabae0ffa2b

The Governor, who had 6a383a57cb been alternating between her 8472db5729 husband and Dante with b353c1ceb5 a puzzled look, widened e98fa3c751 her eyes at those 23267661e8 words.09462b21bf1e7d34

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“You mean you did that? I told you before not to beat him like that…”5f3d542e5284ed03

“No, Raphael said he raped someone.”0c09b410909e39fb

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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.”0ddee8b3ea91741b

The imperial law on 4b5fbc7151 forced molestation and assault d4295c13de was strict. If the 62338e4e44 perpetrator was d4c0d50fa8 a soldier, 7ccbe42fe1 the punishment 91522506ed was even a2d749d376 harsher. The related investigative 19327df8cc agencies were also 8fbf017bde thorough.df3337e6c254a758

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If the investigation had 9669a18a0f revealed Raphael as a 2603299f7a rapist, Dante would have c93d2e1eae been furious. But that was the 133e3d05f0 story of a real 7000eaaacc rapist who deserved to a4a822ed43 be torn apart, not 5edc6c5f60 the story of a a7c1073ea2 fool who was shocked d09a61d472 and sobbed alone.27b18ccf295fcb7c

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.3b6a6f9c916e91c4

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So, he cf844dbcb0 had to 9f29602534 say this. He was a 9ef47f3b1b lenient team leader, 89a40ee1bc but he had bc1f1b4ac3 no intention of c0b2310f55 being lenient with 4f5aa83865 someone who beat 8b5d34aa6e his team member 95baae048e like that and 6227982fa6 drove him to 67b48c8457 tears.2a3cbd35c8c1f799

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.bd12afcef8d6aa68

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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.’b8176b0bc13446a2

“Hmm.”7af6c4f5f660a93f

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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.56d977e84a65c2b4

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.e5c754d1a5b13268

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“Did you send Raphael out to say this?”9bcf8daac0953177

“Yes, that’s right.”c45d7e42204b2f72

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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.af2ca31caa24d382

“You.”2424d241d0fe7108

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“Yes.”c7ed906c7595759b

“You really care about my son Raphael.”bd7c4e2df53ac50d

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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.79632970a4433336

“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.”9fc543adc53d6973

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“…”34e04ee4d7f15052

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.504956f2711371b7

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Seeing the silence that 1615a3c587 clearly sided with Raphael, 6506e9d252 he laughed loudly again.0fc63ccdc66bdf43

“It’s the first time I’ve looked a young officer in the eye like this. It reminds me of my younger days.”fe5ccc23df22920f

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“You’re a Hainsworth, so you could challenge your superiors.”87826058129da49b

“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?”a671b8016dbdd5b3

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He let f0ba9fa3d6 out the b66ec4042c remaining laughter.3edc088ed4422bd7

“Raphael has not only a great superior but also an overly good person as a partner.”e3c3d023e8ad7fb3

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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.af72965586c5d6bd

“If it was consensual… doesn’t that mean you’re dating?”e9ff69dc712319e0

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No, we’re not dating, it was just a one-night stand…2f391c306ed6ebf1

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.506c5ec456e57de5

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“…Yes, that’s… correct…”3c1b640bec93c94f

“To come back from probation having a relationship with a superior, that kid’s something. I thought he’d be a lifelong fool.”3c18f567b222a3a0

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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.a2f8a424d6087016

The Hainsworth Army Chief of Staff, nearing sixty, was still robust. It was clear where Raphael’s height came from.f50aef0515440f23

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Approaching with an imposing 3648179c0c presence, he stood in 6acba626d5 front of Dante. The Army Chief of e1f01d937d Staff looked Dante up 78d1742d35 and down. Then he smiled f27f8a1f20 brightly.f62132a18e05a054

“Though our first meeting is like this, it’s regrettable.”f4afea510f1f37b7

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A heavy hand landed on both of Dante’s shoulders.4575ad1bac4a1a31

“I really like you!”da07446ba4707956

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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.aa299d91aa62ec45

“…Yes?”085442463ef73782

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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.”d23b17b64058683e

“Hains, no, Raphael worked hard during his probation. He was a great help to the team.”7315518b23ef4608

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Hmm, the Army 26745b3662 Chief of Staff 1e2d75bdba looked at Dante 97bab9acf1 closely.a75911f6d3443d93

“But do you like Raphael’s personality as well, not just his appearance? As a man, isn’t he a bit lacking?”4514d23745b3a20f

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Hearing the 8ff5518bdd question, not f5c824de6d only the 1d3be706f8 Army Chief 15524f4497 of Staff cb78ecf99d but also 7c734b26d0 the other 9189da8bf2 two focused 1b26e77180 on Dante.828c684e78f3b841

“Yes. …Um, he’s cute.”56435c5b368576ed

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Perhaps because the answer was awkward, the Army Chief of Staff’s eyebrows went up. Dante quickly corrected himself.2b734c0c98c24aa7

“I prefer younger ones I want to take care of. I like him.”2bd3c60a1e1a5d05

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“Ah, I see. You two match well.”c07f1eacb0a47550

The Hainsworth Chief patted Dante’s shoulder again.7d24a9ee5a76be5e

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“Please continue to guide Raphael well.”dd418f9372d36de6

“Yes… but the probation ends in a month, so from then on…”a54a6178b1ecb352

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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.”b733c6a052221a77

“Nowadays, it’s common to keep one’s surname even after marriage.”c6bf0a715faff5fe

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The Hainsworth Governor also stood up. She approached with a smile, touching Dante’s elbow gently.d03150396ad6c8e5

“If it’s someone like Captain Bailey, I can gladly send Raphael to you.”728bd1343d589edb

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“…Yes?”e5d58f2e99fb6c06

The atmosphere 8bfa14f287 was strange.a3cbec64cb1dbc67

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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.5f98a9a5b0329a52

Then he would have promptly said, “Yes, understood.” He wasn’t particularly attached to the path of success, as he said earlier.b31ae4f8b7cdc914

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Ha, haha. Dante let out an b091de6daf awkward laugh. But the e5599bb9b7 next question 4c10794847 left him 6fd8a48a4d speechless.3b116d6618162af5

“When are you thinking of getting married?”6932a688990dd297

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“…”c56514caf4c195f0

It seemed they understood a6e6f0722c that Dante and Raphael 527e037c6b had a romantic relationship 0e066a5490 during the probation period, 3fe9064e4b living under one roof, 7cf358d886 overcoming the rank difference. Dante tried to 23bce6f7a8 steady his wavering 7b1109be9a pupils.d22f70e566ae1a01

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“We’re just getting to know each other, so it’s a bit early for such talk.”c68e9c41d396e2ec

“Is that so? I guess I’m old-fashioned. I thought if things progressed to that point, marriage was the responsible next step.”ea51c1213d5f9871

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“Haha…”9a1cb2f20d7e2d8f

…If that were the case, Dante would have repeated marriage and divorce dozens of times by now.c7cb2dd960b4ae54

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“Bring Raphael to meet your parents sometime to express our gratitude.”361237c18429d68a

“…Yes, someday…”35bdc82b95e58f33

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“Yes. Your thoughts are important. We’ll leave so you can spend time with Raphael.”a9b5afccfa18d246

“Ah, yes.”bd00574178287fae

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“No need for a salute in private. Between us.”cf207102f9cc0128

“…Yes, understood.”984ed50b81ca3fb6

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His shoulders were 32b317f370 patted heavily one 42ff6cd83f last time. The Army a60c25c2b3 Chief of ee8cd9cde5 Staff left 6e08029316 with a 33117d9b43 satisfied expression.051ec67346c1b9d2

The outcome was 3834d481af entirely different from b1ac822445 what Dante had ab91801e74 expected. He had prepared to 92f3c5b309 be beaten more than 950202cbd0 Raphael and anticipated enough 33c8c2d301 retaliation regarding promotion.cc34c94ff989b3be

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But this… this warm atmosphere like a meeting of in-laws, what was it?ed7b9965378d1bd3