Disappointment and Hope
Hansel rose early the next day, carefully washed and dressed, had breakfast with his family, and then hurried to the Department of Intelligence's public office in the Royal Capital. After showing his identification, he entered and found the office of his direct superior.
He knocked lightly. After someone inside called, "Come in," he pushed open the door and greeted the intelligence officer who had issued his commission several months earlier. "Viscount Aiden, long time no see."
The official, who had been buried in a pile of documents, raised his head and stared at Hansel for a long while before asking, "You are...?" Clearly, he could not quite remember this subordinate he had only met once.
Hansel felt a surge of irritation, but showed nothing. Smiling, he introduced himself. "Baron Hansel Abbott. A few months ago, I received my commission from you at the military camp in the highlands and went to Arda to serve as Royal Commissioner."
Viscount Aiden racked his brain and finally recovered a little of his memory.
"Ah! Hansel." The viscount showed not the slightest embarrassment. Most of the people assigned to him back then had been those Earl Merlin had discarded and had nowhere else to place. Besides, dedicated couriers handled all correspondence, so what use was there in taking the trouble to remember the faces of such minor figures?
He remembered sending this fellow off to that godforsaken place, Northwest Bay. "So why have you returned to the Royal Capital?" Viscount Aiden put on a solemn expression. Could this young man have been unable to endure the hardships of the Northwest Region, abandoned his post, and come back here to enjoy himself? Goodness, young people these days really need to be properly educated.
"Ahem!" Hansel cleared his throat, took out a scroll,