Arias stood still and narrowed his eyes at Yelena's hand that hold onto him. How will he answer? All he had now was a suspicion. No proof.

"I can't say anything for now. I have nothing to prove my suspicion." He breaks free from her grip and turned to her. "Besides, you already have another priority." His voice was so cold which was very unlike him and even Yelena was flustered.

​​

"Deputy Commander, I know you're hurt because of Colonel Maverick's passing. I know you treasure him but - "

"If you know that... " Arias growled but paused to calm down himself. "Just let me be, Yelena. Do your work and I will do mine."

"How can I just do that? I already dedicated six long years for this!" Yelena argued. Her voice was desperate but she never once raised her voice at him.

Colonel Arias narrowed his eyes and thought of Ella and the Lt. General. He felt too suffocated! How did his life turn into this mess?! All he ever did was living a simple and upright life! Why must he be in such a dilemma?!

"Yelena." He muttered and looked at her. "It might be good if we just stop here. Who knows? The truth might end up hurting everyone. You and me; we might regret if we succeed." Before Yelena could say anything, he turned around and stormed out of the office.

Yelena felt as if all her energy were drained from her body! She slowly walked back and pressed her hands against the back support of the couch. Just what did Arias know for him to speak like that? Then she was reminded of what Felix said to her the last time they talked on the phone.

'These days, I wondered what if I wasn't adamant in finding the truth? If I just accept what happened, things won't be this mess up. The truth only brings harm to me and the people I love.'

Just how cruel was the truth she was searching for? Thinking about Felix current condition, she suddenly felt scared. He was always a strong man but the truth which he searched for years; broke him into a thousand pieces! It turned him into a depressed man who shut himself from the world!

While she was standing still with a messed up thoughts, she heard a footstep from behind.

"Is everything alright?" It was Jason Moravsky who walked to her and stood beside her.

Trying to hide her weakness, Yelena stood straight and turned to him. "I'm fine. Sorry for the intrusion." She said and promptly returned to her seat.

Jason Moravsky sat on the couch in her right. His keen eyes never left her but there was a hint of concern in his expression. "It seems like you have many secrets." He muttered which made her darted her eyes to him.

She didn't expect this kind of frankness, at least from this man and it made her slightly smiled. "You're right."

"You should just refuse to meet him if it would affect you this much." He calmly said.

Yelena picked up the file and opened it again. "He's the Deputy Commander. I have no right to do that."

After quietly gazing at her for a while, Jason said, "It must be tough to be a soldier."

Yelena halted all her movement for a split second. She put down the file and turned to Jason Moravsky. "It is but, in my opinion, dealing with business is tougher. Being a soldier suit me more."

Jason nodded. "I heard that you are one of the most elite soldiers. So, I understand why you think that way."

"Where did you heard that from?" Yelena asked with a little doubt but there was a small smile on her face.

"Your mother. She told me that you are one of the best."

His response made her froze. Her mother said that? She didn't think so. Just the sight of her wearing a uniform always made her mother lose her cool! There's no way she would say such things!

"I doubt my mother would say that. She even hates seeing me in my uniform." She forced a little smile, trying to act normal.

"I'm not lying. Your mother is always so proud of you. She never stops talking about you." Jason said with his usual calm voice. "I wondered why you joined the Army."

"I never know that you are a curious person, Mr. Moravsky." Yelena mused. She was amazed by his curiosity.

Jason Moravsky smiled and turned his head away. "I never know that I can be this curious either. It's my first time."

Noticing the sincerity in his voice, her amusing smile slipped. She suddenly had a bad feeling about this. Then she quickly shifted her attention to the file once again. "Let's talk about other things later. I have many works for today."

Jason was quite taken aback by her action but still, he rose from his seat. "Then I'll leave now. You can ask me if you have any problems." He bowed and left right away.

Yelena turned her head to the door and let out a sigh. She didn't want things to be awkward between them. When she realized something, she takes out her phone and makes a call.

"Morris, how is your investigation going?" She promptly asked Lt. Morris who was on the other line.

"Captain, I investigate Sergeant Korin as you asked but he's missing. It's been more than a week but no one knows his whereabouts." Morris informed her.

"It's just like I thought. Sergeant Korin is the one who is the closest to Colonel Maverick, so he will surely know something. Try to locate him. I have a feeling that he is still alive."

"I understand."

"What about Nolan Iselin?" She asked. Her father finds a place that won't be easy to locate and Nolan Iselin was still receiving treatment there.

"His condition improved very much. Don't worry, Captain. He will be fine soon." Morris assured her.

"That's great but Morris, you should be careful. Colonel Maverick died so that means we are exposed. We don't know what the enemy will do." Yelena's voice was full of concern. She didn't want to lose anyone again!

"Alright, Captain. Take care too."

Yelena ended the call and slowly put her phone down. With Colonel Maverick's death, everything became a mess again. Will she even succeed?!

* * *

"Your Highness, your cousin the Marquess is outside the gate. No matter how much we tell him that you don't want to see anyone, he refused to leave." When Matthew informed the news to the Prince, the sun was about to set in Edeladon.

Matthew and the other guards were in a dilemma. The Prince didn't want to see anyone but the Marquess was so stubborn. However, they just can't force him to leave because he's the Prince's cousin.

Felix rose from his seat and stared out of the window. Then he glanced down at Lexus who was standing outside the gate, leaning back against his car. From time to time, the Brigadier would look up to glance at the window where Felix was standing. The former knew that where the window was located was his cousin's room.

"Tell him to leave for now," Felix said while staring at his cousin the whole time. He never talked to anyone and never asked his guards about them. That's why he didn't even know that Lexus returned to Edeladon.

"Yes, Your Highness." Matthew left the room and went down to the gate. He personally informed the Marquess of Giron that the Prince asked him to leave for now. However, Lexus was stubborn just like the Prince. He had no intention to leave without seeing his cousin!

"Your Highness, the Marquess of Giron said that he will wait until you agreed to meet him. What will you do? The sun is setting soon." Matthew reported back to the Prince who was still staring at his cousin through the window.

Felix let out a sigh. Just as he expected, his cousin chose to be stubborn. Lexus rarely insisted to be stubborn, especially in this kind of situation. However, once he insisted, he was firm as if his mind was set in a stone!

When the Prince remained silent, Matthew spoke up again. "Shall we force him to leave or - "

"Don't do that. He's my cousin." The Prince was very quick to brush him off. "Just let him be. He will eventually give up." Even he doubt what he just said!

He walked away from the window and took a seat on the couch and Matthew left.

The sunset and when it became dark, the fine weather underwent a 180-degree change. Thunders roared and lightning strike; lightening up the dark night once in a while. The rain started pouring like crazy, sweeping every street and corner of the area.

It's been almost twenty minutes ever since the rain started pouring. With a bit of hesitation, Felix rose from his seat and stared out of the windows again. When he looked down, he blinked in surprise.

Why was Lexus standing outside?! He should just sit inside his car if it's raining! He had a feeling that his cousin wouldn't leave but he had no idea that he would still be standing outside, exposing himself in the heavy rain!

He clenched his fist and slammed the window bars. "That helplessly stubborn man!" He grunted. However, he sighed in defeat the very next second and ran out of his room in a hurry.....