After their training session ended, Norah and Bella sat sprawled across the cool grass of the training ground. Norah passed her water bottle to Bella and asked, "So… why did Officer Ethan call you into his office?"
Bella took the bottle with a sigh. "He was asking what the two of us were doing in the empty ground."
Norah sipped her own water, nodding. "Yeah, Ellena told me. Honestly, I think it must be the sergeants—they probably go there for night inspections."
Bella only nodded.
Norah studied her friend for a moment. "He wasn't angry at you, was he?"
Bella huffed. "Oh, him? He gets angry no matter what I do. Sometimes I wonder if he even knows how to smile. His face is always stuck in that one grumpy expression." She puffed out her cheeks, mimicking him as she went on, "I swear, I don't think he's capable of happiness. Always glaring, always frowning—rude, moody, stone-hearted—"
"Bella…" Norah tried to interrupt gently.
But Bella, lost in her rant, continued, "Tell me I'm wrong. Have you ever seen him happy? That man has anger permanently glued to his face. And if he sees us sitting here, he'll start: Cadet Bella, why are you sitting here? Why are you sitting like that?—"
"Bella," Norah cut her off, lowering her voice, "you don't need to imagine it. Just… look behind you."
Bella stared at Norah, wide-eyed, then slowly turned her head.
Officer Ethan stood there, arms crossed, gaze sharp enough to slice through steel.
Bella froze. Then she forced a crooked, painfully awkward smile and slowly turned back to Norah. "Let's… uh… go to the room. I suddenly remembered some work."
Norah bit back a laugh and nodded. They stood to leave—only for Ethan's voice to snap through the air.
"Cadet Bella. Stop."
Bella halted instantly, but she didn't dare turn around.
Ethan gave Norah a curt nod, dismissing her. Norah answered with a quick nod of her own. "I'll be in the room," she said. Then she leaned toward Bella, whispering mischievously, "Come back alive," and dashed away, laughing.
Ethan stepped in front of Bella, blocking her path. He tilted his head slightly and said, "So… what were you saying? Moody… grumpy?"
Bella shook her head frantically. "No—I wasn't— I mean, that was just—"
"And what else?" Ethan prompted, raising a brow. "Stone-hearted, was it?"
Bella dropped her gaze, too embarrassed to answer.
For a fleeting second, Ethan's lips curved into a smile—but the moment Bella lifted her head, it vanished, replaced by his usual stern expression, as if the smile had been nothing more than a trick of the light.
Bella's eyes glistened. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I just… I didn't mean—"
Ethan noticed the tears forming and looked momentarily flustered. "It's okay," he said quickly. "You may go."
Bella heard that and immediately prepared to bolt—but his voice followed her just as she turned.
"By the way, Cadet Bella…" His tone held a hint of amusement. "Your mimicry of me is surprisingly good."
Bella froze for a heartbeat—and then sprinted away as fast as she could.
Ethan watched her go, shaking his head with a soft laugh. "Stubborn," he muttered under his breath.