QT: Against My Will-Chapter 541 - 8.58 - My Dearest Little Soldier - Monster Heist

Chapter 541: 8.58 - My Dearest Little Soldier - Monster Heist

Two years later...

After becoming soldiers, the recruits proudly adorned their new uniforms. Their fatigue was evident, etched on their faces as they returned home for a short break.

In a corner of their bustling surroundings, a small group of soldiers veered from their path, seizing the chance to visit Bertha’s village.

Most were led to believe that Bertha had been injured during a mission and was subsequently transferred to the police department in her hometown.

The people from the village couldn’t help but cast respectful gazes upon these soldiers in their tailored uniforms.

"Bertha, someone is looking for you." It was an elderly woman, her eyes wide with surprise and curiosity when she saw the soldiers at the front door.

Bertha, holding an axe firmly in her hands, had been engrossed in cutting wood near her modest home, "Who?"

The sound of splitting logs filled the air as she paused and turned towards the unexpected visitors who had gathered in her modest backyard.

When she saw Shina’s team, a sense of shame crept into her heart.

Juliet placed a basket on the porch, making sure it was within Bertha’s sight. It contained a few carefully selected items—tokens of friendship and support like a small bouquet of wildflowers, and a book of uplifting quotes.

Meanwhile, Henry approached Bertha with a letter in his hand, "Nathaniel asked me to give you this. He didn’t want to come himself, as he thought it might make you more uncomfortable."

With the gifts and Nathaniel’s letter delivered, Henry rejoined the rest of the team who had gathered together, ready to depart from Bertha’s home.

· · ──────── · ⊱❈⊰· ──────── · ·

The elderly woman stepped towards her granddaughter, her voice filled with genuine concern. "I was worried and wondered what had happened to you."

Bertha shook her head, using her sleeves to wipe her tears, "Nothing happened."

She made her way towards the wash basin to cleanse her hands of the wood splinters and dirt. The sight of the wildflowers peeking out from the basket brought a faint smile to her lips.

After drying her hands, Bertha made her way back into her room. As the sunlight streamed through the window, she placed the basket on her small wooden table.

Her attention was drawn to a small envelope peeking out from beneath the bouquet of wildflowers. Carefully, she opened the envelope and unfolded the letter inside.

╔═════════════════╗

My dearest little soldier,

Your heart is gold, but not everyone is worthy of mining it. Keep that treasure to yourself and never show your face around me again, unless you want that golden heart to tarnish.

Bitterly Yours,

Shina Night.

╚═════════════════╝

Bertha felt as if a cold wind had blown through her soul, leaving her hollow, ’She must really hate me, doesn’t see?’

She clearly remembered what had happened.

Both Victor and Nathaniel had seen her at her lowest, witnessed her in a state of weakness she would rather forget. But what struck her, even more, was the unexpected twist that unfolded afterward.

She knew Shina’s character and expected the worst, but not this kind of worst! Shina had made a heartbreaking decision to sever all ties with her and also aligned with Victor of all people! She even put all the blame on her, for example, how she stayed by Shina’s side only so she could get close to Victor and Nathaniel, which was not true at all!

As Bertha held this letter in her hands, anger surged within her, a fiery contrast to the sacrifices she had made. She couldn’t shake the memories of tending to Shina in the hospital, of holding her hand through the darkest nights. Shina had callously thrown her aside, as though her efforts and loyalty meant nothing!

With that, the last traces of her love for her twin crumbled. Shina was no longer the sister deserving of her ceaseless forgiveness. Far from changing for the better, Shina had only become more malevolent in order to cause her more pain.

Shaking away the dark thoughts, she quickly smoothed the surface of the letter and opened the letter from Laura.

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Don’t know what you see in Nathaniel, but hope they will cheer you up. I managed to get them from our Lady’s phone.

Laura

╚═════════════════╝

A few photos were attached to the letter, and as Bertha unfolded it, her eyes widened with surprise, "..."

Blushing slightly, she found herself gazing at a captivating image of her long-time crush. The first photo captured Nathaniel in the midst of taking off his shirt.

With one arm halfway out of his shirt, he seemed momentarily frozen in time.

The subsequent photo showcased Nathaniel’s bare chest, highlighting his well-defined muscles that were the envy of many.

Bertha couldn’t help but recall a particular memory that must have sparked Shina’s idea to capture these shirtless moments. It was a moment she had almost forgotten, buried deep in the recesses of her embarrassment.

But now, with these pictures in front of her, she couldn’t help but recall that time when she abruptly asked Nathaniel to take off his shirt.

As Bertha held the photos in her hands, her heart skipped a beat. In the last photo, Nathaniel had clearly spotted the camera and his expression shifted from a seasoned warrior to a look that could melt hearts.

His eyes sparkled with a mixture of playfulness and genuine affection as if he had caught a glimpse of something he cherished deeply.

She felt as if Nathaniel’s intense gaze from the captured moment had transcended the confines of the photograph and was now fixed upon her.

Bertha’s gaze shifted from the captivating photos to the sealed envelope from Nathaniel, sudden fear gripped her heart.

She opened Nathaniel’s letter and read the first sentence.

╔═════════════════╗

I wanted to clear up a few misunderstandings before we continue on our respective paths...

╚═════════════════╝

No person could get close to Nathaniel as they wished. His fortress around him was impenetrable and his attention unattainable. Victor on the other hand, was hailed as the best lover, a title that seemed to cling to him like an intoxicating fragrance.

Yet, here was Bertha, granted an opportunity she could hardly believe she was experiencing—an opportunity that, under different circumstances, would have been beyond her wildest dreams.

Nathaniel never bothered to clear any misunderstandings, so what has possibly made him do so now?

Could it be a DNA test result that revealed the truth about him not being Elera’s newborn child’s biological father?

No. It appeared as if he was expressing his concerns only. From a man who broke her heart before her eyes, literally...

Bertha didn’t lose her memories, she remembered how he crushed it before her eyes. She just looked at it from a positive perspective, considering that he may have done it solely to frighten her and push her away, or to call for help.

╔═════════════════╗

...It might be in your best interest to distance yourself from Shina Night.

Take care,

Nathaniel Hauxley.

╚═════════════════╝

’Thanks for the reminder, I guess?’ thought Bertha, tinged with a sense of resignation, ’But would you ever notice me if I wasn’t by Shina’s side? No? See?’ 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Had it not been for her twin, Bertha often felt she would have been an invisible presence in the world. There were times when her twin’s existence was the single defining factor that made her feel seen, tangible, and real.

There were a few drawings that immediately captured Bertha’s attention.

The first one depicted a delightful scene—an adorable little angel, peacefully sleeping within the confines of a big heart-shaped block of ice.

"..." Bertha studied the sketch and couldn’t help but be struck by its profound symbolism.

The striking resemblance between the angel portrayed in the drawing and herself left Bertha pondering a thought that lingered in her mind: Could he possibly see her as an angel?

But why would the ice be shaped into a heart? And why would he place her inside of it? Was he saying that she would forever remain in his heart?

Bertha’s heart swelled with a mixture of emotions as she considered the implications of the drawings.

Instead of clarifying things, that man managed to make a messier situation!

With a shake of her head, Bertha knew she had to let go of the fantasies and overanalyze. Yet, despite her attempts to brush it off, every word he spoke, every gesture he made, every little interaction they had felt like a clue, a sign that there might just be something between them.

He went out of his way to send her a letter, after all!

She couldn’t help but let out a frustrated squeal as she dropped onto her bed, clutching the butterflies in her stomach like a little girl who had just discovered the exhilarating feeling of being in love.

Her heart would skip a beat every time he was around, and she would find herself lost in a whirlwind of daydreams and fantasies.

She never confessed to him because having a crush was an absolute blast! Much better than a committed relationship! Especially when the other person was still single! The thrill, the excitement, the sheer anticipation—it was like being on a rollercoaster ride of emotions.

It never came to Bertha’s mind that the angel’s wings could be portraying Shina Night’s signature symbol — where the icy heart surrounding it symbolized Nathaniel’s protection and containment, and how the letter was just him telling her to fuck off in a nice way.

· · ──────── · ⊱❈⊰· ──────── · ·

Later that day, Bertha finally dialed the number Elera had given her.

After a couple of rings, a calm voice answered, "Elera Mai speaking."

Bertha took a deep breath. "H-hello, It’s Bertha Hamilton. I’ve given it some thought, and I’d like to accept your offer to be your bodyguard after my current duties at the police force are done."

There was a short pause on the other end before Elera’s calm voice spoke again, "I’m glad to hear that, Bertha. You won’t regret it. The pay is generous, and I believe your skill set will be much better utilized."

Bertha let out a sigh of relief, her shoulders noticeably dropping. "Thank you...Ma’am."

Elera set her phone down, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. Knowing how Shina had toyed with Bertha’s emotions, discarded her loyalties, and brought her to the brink of despair, Elera knew Bertha wasn’t someone who could be swayed by mere money, riches, or influence.

And that made her exactly the person Elera needed, especially with someone as powerful as Victor on the opposing side.

╔═══ Author’s note ════╗

Bertha, akin to Silvia, sought attention but in a way that was far more painful and destructive. Whereas Silvia might flaunt her assets or be the life of the party to draw eyes her way, Bertha’s methods were almost the polar opposite—dark, inward, and full of pain—simply because negative attention was better than no attention at all in her view.

As you can notice, Bing Shi sets up Bertha to be sent to a healthier environment while she keeps the toxic people by her side.

Rather than fostering hope that people could change for the better, she wanted Bertha to stop wasting emotions on people like Silvia, who wouldn’t appreciate it.

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