Chapter 62: The Ball In Politics (1)
During her time at the Academy, Laura von Benner, who hailed from a high-ranking noble family, did not mix well with others.
If Lieutenant Colonel Yaeger heard this story, he might have thought,
‘Perhaps in the narrative, she was portrayed as such a genius that she found no one on her level and preferred solitude?’
However, the true reason she often kept to herself was due to the relentless attention from male students since her first year.
After class, those from the same study group always invited her to a cafe for coffee, or suggested a meal at a quaint spot near the academy.
So, to avoid these relentless advances, she primarily kept to herself at the academy.
Count Benner, who was aware of her situation, had recently advised her that since the guys who came up to the Staff College were all vetted, she could befriend them there.
So she pondered deeply how to fit in with the diligent students around her.
“Lieutenant Laura, if you’re free after this lecture, would you like to join us for a discussion based on what we’ve just studied? Over on that left desk, they’re analyzing the war in Chekovia using the theories taught by the Professor.”
The young Major who invited her remembered how their group’s most senior Lieutenant Colonel had hinted strongly at including her and thus pressed his invitation.
“Weren’t you also looking for a study group? Share your experiences from Bisochea, and we can recommend some valuable lectures in return.”
Laura glanced in the direction the Major pointed to.
“Why do you think the villages in the Bisochea region simply handed over their food to the Colonel, who posed as a Requisition Officer?”
“Isn’t it because a force of more than 20 soldiers intimidated the villagers? Moreover, they used forged Chekovian imperial documents, so all the more reason...”
“Conversely, that means our requisition system could also be fooled in the same way, right?”
A study group at the Staff College engaged in deep analysis, seeking solutions befitting exemplary officers.
Deep down, Laura wished to be part of such a group at the Staff College. She remembered her solitary days at the academy where, due to a lack of proper guidance, she sometimes couldn’t distinguish between valuable lectures and irrelevant ones.
“May I join as well?”
“Of course. Having a lieutenant who participated directly in the Bisochea campaign would be invaluable to us.”
As Laura joined the group, introductions were swiftly made.
This would have been annoying during their bachelor days at the academy when they saw a pretty girl behave in such a manner.
But now, as married men and fathers, introduced to their wives by their families or through social gatherings, they found her behavior endearing.
The group’s representative, Lieutenant Colonel Findolf, decided to assist this young lady.
“Speaking of which, shouldn’t our Professor be getting married soon? He was an orphan of commoner status, so there were neither women nor friends near him in the past. But now, he’s different. A 21-year-old Professor at the Staff College, a Lieutenant Colonel, and now a Baron with territories.”
Laura was momentarily stunned by the remark, but the other members, sensing the Lieutenant Colonel’s intention, chimed in.
“I was introduced to a woman by my family in my first year and got married. By age, the Professor is rather late.”
“Typically, lieutenants get introduced to a woman and get married. You, on the other hand, were seeing a girl you fell for at a social gathering since your fourth year at the academy, only to get caught by your father...”
“I heard that after the Raintlant War ended and a social gathering was held, many families wanted the Professor for their daughters. However, due to his illness, he couldn’t attend, and things remained unresolved.”
Laura’s expression visibly showed her turmoil.
She felt a stinging discomfort at the thought of another woman standing beside the lieutenant colonel she admired, sharing moments with him instead of him teaching her strategies and tactics.
“But... the Lieutenant Colonel doesn’t show interest in or engage in conversations with women outside of work.”
Lieutenant Colonel Findolf, thinking of the young girl who was his colleague and around the same age as his niece, made up his mind.
Although part of his intention was to ensure the girl could further share her knowledge and experiences with the Lieutenant Colonel, he said,
“Having served as an officer for over 10 years, I observed that young officers who weren’t familiar with women couldn’t resist those who approached them at social gatherings. Some of my friends got married that way.”
With those words, Lieutenant Colonel Findolf and the other officers suddenly remembered urgent tasks and left the room.
Meanwhile, Laura, now left alone, felt a growing fear and impatience, worried about when another woman might claim Lieutenant Colonel Yaeger.
Meanwhile, in the office of the Chief of Operations, Count Benner,
“I apologize for calling you at this hour, especially after you taught all day.”
“No, sir. I appreciated you sparing time for me amidst your busy schedule.”
Typically, such statements were mere formalities. But for someone at the Chief of Operations level, who routinely worked late five days a week, they weren’t empty words.
“The Crown Prince mentioned a message for you. Were the preparations for the social gathering on track?”
