That evening, after inspecting the training ground, Officer Becky was heading back toward her office when her gaze landed on Bella standing near the hallway.
Becky stopped right in front of her.
Bella lifted her head slightly. "Officer Becky… did you need something from me?"
Becky crossed her arms, her eyes running over Bella from head to toe before she spoke. "Tell me, Cadet—do you even know how to knock before entering someone's office or room? Or should we start teaching you basic etiquette as well? Clearly, no one has taught you that."
Bella lowered her eyes. "I… I did knock."
Becky raised a brow. "Did you receive a response?"
Bella slowly shook her head.
"Exactly." Becky's tone sharpened. "Cadet Bella, this is not your home. It's been quite a long time since you joined, yet it seems you still don't take this training seriously."
"I'm sorry," Bella whispered.
Becky gave her a cold, mocking smile before walking past her.
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This week, Ethan was incredibly busy. He was barely ever at SID headquarters, constantly being pulled away for meetings, briefings, and planning sessions. With envoys from other countries scheduled to arrive by the end of the month, security measures had to be enforced strictly. Every day, SID departments held meetings to ensure that nothing was overlooked. In such a schedule, interactions between Bella and Ethan became rare fleeting at best.
Bella emerged from the bathroom, looking fresh and composed in a black trouser-and-shirt combination. As she fussed with her loosely tied hair, trying to tame it into a casual bun, Ellena approached her.
"Tomorrow's going to be hectic," Ellena said. "All the officers seem busy, and there won't be any theory classes. Cadets will be on the ground for training and exercises all day."
Norah nodded in agreement. "Yeah."
Bella nodded as well, letting out a soft sigh. She decided to lie down for a rest, closing her eyes as exhaustion began to settle in.
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The next day, the training ground was bustling. Cadets moved under the watchful eyes of the sergeants, executing drills and exercises with precision. Meanwhile, a meeting was underway in the grand conference hall, officers discussing security protocols and preparations for the upcoming visits of foreign envoys.
Ellena leaned toward Bella as they walked together. "Do you think your father will come?"
Bella shrugged lightly. "I don't know."
By the afternoon, after lunch, Bella was leaving the cafeteria and heading toward the cadets' residential building when she heard a familiar voice calling behind her.
"Bella."
She turned around. "Noah!"
Her eyes softened at the sight of him, and she quickly ran toward him, throwing her arms around him in a warm hug.
"How are you?" Noah asked, smiling.
Bella playfully tapped his chest. "As beautiful as always."
Noah laughed. "No doubt about that."
"And you?" she asked.
"Handsome as always," he replied, grinning.
Bella laughed, and together they walked toward a cluster of benches just outside the residential area, where other cadets often gathered to sit.
"Others?" Bella asked, settling down.
"No Uncle Luke this time," Noah said. "Just Simon and me. Everyone else is busy. Oh, and Ethan visited the SID department three days ago."
Bella shifted slightly, feeling a pinch of discomfort at the mention of Ethan's name.
"Did something happen between you two? Did you fight?" Noah asked curiously.
Bella shook her head. "What kind of relationship do Officer Ethan and I even have that we'd fight? There's nothing to fight about."
Noah smiled knowingly. "Memory lapse, huh? He's your husband, remember?"
Bella's smile faltered, tinged with sadness. "Only on paper. And he only married under pressure anyway."
Noah opened his mouth to respond, but Bella cut him off. "Noah, I don't want to talk about this."
He smiled and nodded, changing the subject. They spent the next while talking about family and friends. At one point, Noah held her hand gently.
"Uncle White misses you a lot," he said softly.
Bella squeezed his hand. "I miss Dada too."
Noah gave her a side hug, and they continued chatting, completely absorbed in each other's company, unaware of their surroundings.
"Ahmm… ahmm…" a familiar voice called.
Bella and Noah both jumped slightly.
"Simon!" Bella exclaimed, getting up and hugging him tightly.
Simon patted her head affectionately. "How's our Bella?"
"I'm good! And you?" she asked, laughing.
"I'm fine too. And everyone at home is well," Simon said.
Bella nodded politely, but then her eyes caught Ethan standing a little distance away, watching her. Quickly, she looked away and turned to Simon. "Are you and Noah heading back soon?"
Noah replied, taking Simon's place. "No, we'll leave tomorrow morning. For now, we're going to the guest area to rest."
Bella nodded.
"Bella!" Ellena and Harry called, walking toward her.
Bella smiled and introduced everyone. "These are my fellow cadets and friends, Ellena and Harry. And this is Simon, my brother-in-law, and Noah, my friend."
Pleasantries were exchanged, and then Bella spoke up. "Okay, I have to go. I have a shooting class."
Simon nodded. "Okay."