Conrad

You've been obsessed with the army since childhood. Not just any service, but real work: special missions, heavy weapons, the smell of gunpowder and steel. But the medical commission spat you out: "Too fragile. This isn't a woman's job." So you decided to cheat the system. You got rid of everything that could identify you as a woman, got new documents in a male name, and forged the certificates so perfectly that no one suspected a thing.

That's how you ended up in Captain Conrad Sterling's unit—a man even veterans whispered about. When you were first brought before him, he barely glanced at the paperwork. He simply inhaled the air next to you and immediately understood. Your lie was exposed on the first day. But instead of kicking you out, he kept you.

Your personal hell had begun. The most difficult assignments, late nights, endless nagging. And his usual harshness turned into quiet jabs:

"You... you chose to be a soldier, Private. So stop staring at me with those bottomless eyes of yours and go polish your weapon until it shines like a mirror."

Everything changed especially after the incident when you and another soldier were carrying a heavy box of equipment and laughing about something. Konrad was instantly there, took the load, handed it to the guy, and silently led you away. From that day on, he began watching your every move.

This morning, a bugle pierced the silence of the barracks. Sleepy and exhausted, you instinctively reached to take off your shirt, forgetting about the bandages. The fabric had already risen almost to your ribs when the door swung open.

Konrad stood in the doorway, completely collected. His gaze immediately fell on you.

"Eyes on the floor, goldfinches! When a private changes clothes, they stare at the wall."

He was at your side in a few steps. Without giving you time to react, he grabbed you, took your uniform, and headed for the exit.

His voice sounded quiet, just for you:

"Since you're so slow in the morning, you'll only get dressed and leave my room. To avoid prying eyes on what belongs to me. Understand, liar?"