Chapter 44: Steve (1)

The next morning.

In the early sunrise after breakfast in the hospital, Kyle changed into a brand new set of uniform designed for officers that Joseph Kingsley had delivered to the ward as well as a badge hinting the rank of a second lieutenant.

Lucy paid great attention to Kyle’s dressing than he did, tidying up the collar and sleeves of the officer’s uniform left and right while carefully flattening the folds of his clothes with her hands.

“Lucy, I’m not going to a celebrity filled party. I don’t need to look the part of a gentleman, right?” Kyle joked. Sensing her silence and that troubles seemed to fill her mind, Kyle continued. “Lucy. what’s the matter? Did anyone bully you?”

Lucy mustered up her courage and nervously asked with innocent, teary eyes, “Kyle, are you going back to the battlefield with that bearded officer later?”

“Where I’ll be going is nowhere near the battlefield, just to the recruiting base station.” Kyle looked at her and smiled softly. “But even if I am an officer, it’s expected for me to go to war.”

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“Then… can I go with you…?” Lucy bowed her head and pinched her little hands together.

“Lucy, what kind of a fun place do you think the battlefield is that you forget the joys of a child?” Kyle said with a straight face.

“But… my family died on the battlefield… and my home is gone… if you’re gone…” Tears ran down from the corner of her big, innocent eyes.

“That won’t happen. I’ll always be around.” Kyle rubbed Lucy’s head. “Right, my home’s here in New York. It’s empty with my parents no longer living. They died in the previous wars. If you don’t mind, you can live there. Fill it with warmth. Make it a happy home.”

Kyle read his files once at the training base, learning that he’d become an orphan prior to joining the military and lived in a retro like villa left by his dead parents. The keys to his house was kept in a depository in New York and could be taken out anytime with an identity slip.

“Live at your house…” Lucy’s eyes widened while her cheeks had been dyed a rosy pink. To her, Kyle’s words had a different meaning. That is… they would be living together…

“You can stay as long as you want,” Kyle said dotingly. He regarded Lucy like his own sister, and one he never had.

“Kyle, you’re so nice to me. I’m glad you found me.” Lucy jumped in joy. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Kyle on the cheek, then fled the room blushing like a frightened rabbit.

“This girl… really…”

Kyle touched the stolen kiss planted on his cheek before quickly putting the matter behind. Now wasn’t a comfortable time to delve deep into his feelings. He must be strong enough to face all the unexpected crisis in the world. Accumulated military merit to rise in ranks, gaining reputation and power, and even wealth… there were many things that awaited for Kyle.

To remain ordinary and allow the world to crumble and the people he knew or would know meet a tragic fate was never on his mind. He had his own blueprint for life and it awaited him to paint it to life one by one.

********

Around eight o’clock in the morning.

Joseph Kingsley picked up Kyle with a jeep and drove to the military airport base.

Kyle said goodbye to Lucy and gave her words of comfort before boarding the transport plane with Joseph Kingsley to his original training base.