"Ms. Euphyllia, come and visit us every Friday, please?" Cerys said as she helped me bring my things to my new workplace.

Her voice sounded cheerful, but the way she was clinging to my arm made my chest tighten. Even though she already accepted that the records hall wouldn't be my workplace anymore, we both knew that it had been my second home, and leaving it felt like abandoning a part of myself. 

A small smile crept onto my lips while adjusting the box I was carrying. "Every Friday, I promise," I reminded her, though a pang of uncertainty bloomed in my chest.

Because I was well aware that Lucretius didn't stay at the headquarters and mostly went out to do some missions in the field since he was a strategic commander. I wasn't briefed yet on how things would go on my end, like I should be staying in my workplace most of the time to handle some of his affairs while he was away or anything. But good thing he told me from our last meeting that his second-in-command, Lieutenant Commander Leofrick would fill me in later.

When we reached the headquarters, my steps slowed before the room. My new workplace wasn't simply another room assigned to me. Unlike in the record hall, we have cubicles; the room I had was directly linked to Lucretius' private study.

"This is as far as I go, Ms. Euphyllia," she whispered, biting her lower lip. Her eyes darted to Lucretius' study room. I could tell that she was frightened by his presence.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. "Alright. Thank you for seeing me out, Cerys." I gently patted her head, a gesture of an older sister who was always proud of her little sister.

Her lips slightly pouted, her eyes getting misty. "Don't forget us, Ms. Euphyllia, or I shall come to hunt you down."

Chuckling, I watched her retreat down the corridor, shaking my head at her silliness, before my hand wrapped around the doorknob to twist it and open. I heaved out a sigh, seeing my new workplace that wasn't a space of my own. It was just an adjoining chamber that opened directly into his study.

One door, one wall separating me from the man who was my 'poetic admirer' and bound me to be his fiancée.

The room was modest, smaller than the records hall, yet it felt a little lonely. A desk had been prepared for me that was placed directly across from the connecting doorway to his study. From where I stood, I could already see the edge of his desk beyond the open door. 

Suddenly, our last meeting flashed across my mind. I almost hissed in annoyance and castigated myself for continuing to think about it.

I set my things down on the desk. It felt like I would have a hard time adjusting to my new place. I got used to having a rowdy environment, and now, it felt like I was being locked up in an eerie, quiet room.

I jerked from my ground when I heard the adjacent room's door open as several footsteps came in.

"She must be here. And I need you to fill her in on my schedule, my workload."

"Understood, commander. Is there anything else I must do aside from this?"

My breath hitched upon hearing Lucretius' deep baritone voice and another manly voice coming from someone who was with him before the door that barred between us had opened by him. His lips curled up into a smirk.

"Well, hello there, my beautiful assistant."

I immediately frowned at his greeting, but it didn't escape me that of recalling the sensual touch he had done, causing me to scold myself. Then, I realized that there was really someone behind him.

It was a man who seemed like Lucretius's age, dressed in a military uniform. His ginger hair was neatly combed while had a beautiful pair of amber eyes.

I knew him. That was Lucretius' second-in-command, Leofrick Ewart, who was the current Alpha of the Crimson Crisis Pack and Lieutenant Commander of his unit.

"Greetings, Commander Lucretius, Lieutenant Leofrick," I greeted, ignoring what Lucretius said earlier.

I must not get affected by seeing Lucretius' handsome, striking face. I must not get seduced by him again. I chanted in my head.

He smiled sheepishly. "Euphyllia, he will fill you in on what tasks you should do." With that, he waved the documents before turning to me and winked at me as he retreated into his study. 

My jaw almost dropped at his boldness. This man... I swear... I wished I could have revoked the contract I signed with him.

Lieutenant Leofrick turned to me and gave me a polite nod with his body slightly inclined. "I am Leofrick, Commander Lucretius' second-in-hand," he introduced. "As our commander's assistant, your role will extend far beyond paperwork."

He placed some documents on my desk. His amber eyes met mine, expressionless. "Since you were a tactical keeper and personally recommended by Commander Lucretius to be his assistant, you'll be by the commander's side for the majority of his duties. That includes..." he paused and tapped the documents. "...recording and managing battle strategies, monitoring communications between squadrons, and ensuring his directives are properly relayed and executed." 

He handed me one of the documents. I took it and flipped some of the pages to see the real reason why Lucretius picked someone from the records hall to be his assistant. It was one of the hell hectic works, but seeing how detailed his reports were and the proper communication between his squadrons up to the high-ranking military officials was pretty impressive.

"You will serve as both of his eyes and his voice when necessary."

I nodded one more time, feeling thrilled about this work. It could mean that I would have the chance to get out more because of Lucretius' field work, which had been my ambition since I started working as a tactical keeper.

Leofrick's tone softened just slightly. "You'll also handle his schedule and records, and you'll report to me when necessary. You are, for all intents, part of this command."

The way he emphasized his words felt like he was one of those authoritarian mentors I met when I first joined the royal military two years ago. He was also detailed in giving out information on what I really should do to meet Lucretius' demand. 

He also mentioned that confidentiality wasn't optional but was essential, which I knew for a fact, as I had been working as a tactical keeper.

My lips parted, but no words came out. The heaviness of this role felt exhausting, but if making my dreams come true by going into field work, this would definitely be worth a try.

When the briefing had ended, Lieutenant Leofrick inclined his head toward Lucretius. "Shall I proceed with introducing her to the squadrons, Commander?"

Lucretius slowly shook his head, his lips curling into a devilish smile. "No need. That's something they need to hear directly from me." Then, he waved the documents he was holding earlier in front of him. "And pass these for me, will you?"

"Roger that." Lieutenant Leofrick nodded and took the documents before he saluted to Lucretius. 

When it was just the two of us alone, my attention went to the other documents to read that seemed like made by Lieutenant Leofrick. The details were truly magnificent. No wonder he emphasized my role to Lucretius.

Then, I turned at Lucretius, whose eyes were piercing in my direction. My heart almost leaped out of my ribcage at the intensity of his gaze as if he could see something inside of me. 

"What?" I creased my forehead, trying to calm myself with the way he was looking at me.

Don't get hypnotized, Euphyllia. Don't get hypnotized. I chanted to myself. 

He slowly leaned on his seat. "Expect that you will meet your foes, my little soldier." His hands clasped together after he rested his elbows on the armrest. "Can I expect that you are not going to breakdown before them?"

My face contorted at his question, but a smile crept to my lips as well as my heart felt ticklish at his endearment to me that he hadn't ceased from calling me.

"I appreciate your concern, but I have been waiting for this day to come to see their faces again after their betrayal," I calmly replied. "There is a reason why I also agreed to be your assistant because I know from the very start that Redmund has been aiming for your attention. Thanks to the early stage when we both found each other that we were each other's mates, he managed to open things up to me just to gain sympathy on me."

Lucretius smirked and nodded. "It is the reason why I have wondered who on earth help my nephew to become one of the captains while I was away, only to learn that it is you, my soon-to-be wife." He placed his chin on his clasped hands. "Well, I must say that I wasn't delighted about his promotion given how his performance, but upon investigation and who should be credited, I admit you have piqued my interest."

I exhaled slowly from his words. That didn't escape the fact that I felt ticklish the way he said that I piqued his interest. He even addressed me as his soon-to-be wife, and my wolf was getting merry about it for no reason.

I cleared my throat. "Thank you for your compliment." I pretended that it didn't affect me and showed him that it was pretty normal that I gained someone's attention with my skills. "Hence, I found out that he has been proposing to be your assistant. So, it is a good thing that you have made your move to recommend me as your assistant."

I had to thank Marlin for spilling that tea to me.

Redmund really wanted his uncle's approval for him to become the next Alpha of the Golden Eclipse Pack. It was why it would look like Lucretius had a tail, serving his nephew who wanted to follow him, but it seemed like Lucretius never saw him to be an Alpha.

But I needed to hear it from Lucretius. It made me curious what kind of relationship he had with Redmund, which seemed like he was just ignoring him.

Nodding, his fingers gently tapped the desk. "I am really planning to own you and keep you by my side after that night I had taken you. Unfortunately, you scurried away and left me alone in that inn." His tone sounded melancholy as his eyes fluttered as if he was trying to contain his tears. "That pains me," he added.

My eyes almost rolled, but the heat on my cheeks pressed more when he reminded me about that. To hide my embarrassment, I curled my lips into a frown.

"Even so, everything went well according to your plan. So, stop being dramatic." I huffed, wanting to be buried six feet below the ground right now.

A soft, low, husky chuckle escaped on his lips. "Indeed, you are right," he uttered and stood up, flattening his uniform with his hands before turning at me. 

There was a mischief gleam in his eyes causing me to stiffen as he marched towards my direction and drew out an orange chrysanthemum to me.

"Before we go, I want to bestow this to you, my little soldier," he said, making me speechless as I mindlessly took the flower from him.

"Um..." My stomach somersaulted at the sweet gesture. It was surprising that he was upfront now that he had given me one, and this time, it wasn't given secretly. My eyes lowered to the stem, expecting that there was a note on it, but my lips pursed into a thin line, a disappointment lingered.

"What's wrong?" Lucretius asked, slightly tilting his head when he saw my reaction.

I stared at the flower before clearing my throat and shaking my head. "Nothing," I said and before I could turn my back so I could place the flower on my desk when he gently yanked my arm to halt me, which made me turn my head at him in confusion. "What?"

"What's wrong?" he asked one more time.

This time, the tone was different, much more demanding. It felt like his question was an order for me to oblige on answering him.

I stared into his eyes, seeing the earnestness on them. There was another emotion that flashed through his eyes, but I could barely distinguish it as it was quick and he was hasty in masking it.

"When I ask you something, don't just stay quiet or lie to me, my little soldier." Lucretius' fingers tipped my chin higher, his touch both possessive and commanding. "You seem to have forgotten," he paused, his hot breath fanning against my lips. "...that our contract binds you to answer me truthfully and honestly. Silence is a breach."

I felt a lump in my throat from his statement. Damn him! He wasn't only reminding me of our engagement, but he was already showing the invisible chain tightening around my neck.

I swallowed, clutching the chrysanthemum tighter in my hand as I distanced myself a little, raising my chin. If he wanted me to be honest, then so be it, even if the earth would swallow me from humiliation.

"I-I'm just upset because I had gotten used to finding a note with every chrysanthemum," I said, sighing in frustration and embarrassment.

I watched how his jaw dropped in surprised. It took him a few moments before a chuckle roared from him. 

My frown deepened. "It is not funny!" I stomped my foot on the floor, glaring in his direction. 

His laughter didn't stop until moments later. His eyes were dancing in amusement. "So that's it?" he drawled, the corner of his lips tugging in a wicked grin. "My little soldier is longing for my notes, huh?"

Heat crawled to my ears. "T-That's not what I meant!" I stammered, gripping the flower tighter, wishing I could shove it down to his throat.

He was lucky that I hadn't done it yet!

His smile grew more. "You said yourself, you were upset," he teased.

"I-I didn't say that!" I rolled my eyes, trying so hard to be defensive. "C-Can we just go now and introduce me to them? You are wasting time already...!" I said, half-annoyed.

I just wanted to be far from him now. I couldn't believe that he just threatened me about the contract only for me to die from embarrassment.

He was humming when I put the flower on my desk. The satisfied look on his face made me want to run away from him.

"Are you finished?" I asked, frowning more.

He hummed and took a step forward. He took my hand and planted a light feather kiss at the back of it. "If you're this upset, then I'll make sure to leave a note every time I give you a chrysanthemum. I can't stand the thought of my future bride being unhappy. Isn't that right?"

That rendered me speechless. This man... I swear... He knew how to end things on his term.

Heat flaring to my cheeks. "W-Whatever you say." Calm down, Euphyllia! Calm down! "C-Can we go now?" I asked, trying to change the subject.

Lucretius grinned and nodded. "But of course." With that, he opened the door and gestured his hand.