Chapter 196 - Why Did It Only Bring Pain?

Silence fell upon the room as Yelena didn't know how to answer her grandfather. The General was never this angry at her before and... it made her mind went blank.

Hearing a footstep, both the grandfather and granddaughter darted their eyes to the door where they saw Major General Ethan Arista. The latter was anxiously waiting for the meeting to end and when he got the news, he rushed to the room.

The heavy atmosphere made Major General Ethan felt perplexed. It's the first as the two never had a misunderstanding.

After glancing back and forth at her father and grandfather, the Captain finally spoke up. "I know I was wrong." She turned in her grandfather's direction. "You've aged and I strongly believe that I shouldn't make you worry. I want you to live a life without worry so that you will be with me for many more years. It was thoughtless of me."

"So, everything was right." Major General Ethan muttered. He stood still with his eyes glued to the floor and his fists clenched.

The Captain briefly glanced at her father before she turned back to her grandfather. "I will leave for now. Let's talk later." She knew that her grandfather had many things to handle and she didn't want to hold him back. As such, she turned around and walked towards the door until...

"Yelena." Her father muttered and stared at her back.

Yelena heard her father but she refused to turn back. "Later, Father. I'm not in my right mind now."

The Captain walked out of the room and Major General Ethan looked at his father, his expression a mixture of rage and desperation. "Father, how can this happen?"

General Logan Arista stood still and without saying anything, he approached the door trying to leave the room. However, he halted when the door was just a step away. "Ethan." He called his son without turning around.

Major General Ethan Arista darted his eyes to his father. The latter had never called him in his name while they were at work. He confusedly raised a brow.

"I know you're in a shock right now but as your father, I will say this." General Logan paused for a while and said, "You failed as a father. Don't disappoint me more than this."

Before Ethan Arista could say anything, the General left the room, leaving the broken-hearted father all alone.

*

After receiving the news that the trial for Lt. Gen. Haric and the others in the Army Court was scheduled for five days later, Yelena decided to leave the Headquarters. By this time, it was already evening.

Though the Army Court will take charge of the case, the case wouldn't be easily wrapped up by the Army Court as it wasn't just about violating the Army rules. The case was about high treason, a betrayal against one's country and murder.

In short, the Army Court will rule the case but it will be also passed on to the highest court of the country. That's the joint decision of the Cabinet and the military authorities.

Yelena almost achieved her goal for years. However, she felt so empty. The journey was hard and scary as she discovered so many huge secrets. The case was still not disclosed to the media and the people but it will be reported by a Representative of the Government tomorrow morning. Once again, she will draw attention as she was the one who filed the case.

The Captain felt so weak. Was it because of all the things that happened in the last few days? She felt as if all her energy were drained out of her body.

When she went to the garage, she realized that it was heavily raining. It made her thought of her brother. How would Marvin felt now? After all, six years was such a long time. However, the scar created by losing a loved one couldn't fade away even after six long years.

Despite the heavy rain, she drove her Red Wrangler Rubicon towards the exit of the Headquarters. However, when she drove past the gate, she instantly pulled over her car. She felt like she saw something, maybe a certain someone.

Trying to clear her confusion, she looked at the back and there she saw him, standing near a car with an umbrella in his hand. When did he arrive?

She lost no time and quickly get off her car and ran towards him in the rain. Getting herself wet was the last thing she cared about.

Felix who was standing with his gaze fixated on the ground often glanced at his wristwatch. He stared at the ground where the rainwater danced. He was too fixated on the beauty that he lifted his head and raised a brow when she suddenly hugged him, wrapping her arms around his back that was wet due to rain.

Feeling her, his lips curved into a slight smile and exchanged her hug with one hand while he still holds the umbrella with his other hand.

"Why are you standing in the rain? You're all wet." Yelena murmured when she felt the wetness of his clothes.

"I'm afraid that I will miss you. You can't answer my calls." The Prince's voice was calm and patient like always.

"Silly. You still failed to notice me leaving." Yelena talked as if she was annoyed but her concern for him was still evident.

"You're right. I was lost in the beauty of the rain. But you still see me." When he felt her tightening her grip around his body more and more, he understood how she felt. "You did great, my love. Everything will be over soon. You only need to take the last step now." He said with a warm smile.

Yelena shut her eyes and all the pressure that she felt were now surging. "Do you think I do the right thing?" She muttered with her eyes still closed.

"Even if you ask everyone, the answer will be the same. You do the right thing." Felix replied, narrowing his eyes at her who still buried her face in his chest. "You not only serve justice for your brother but also save your country from a huge predicament."

Yelena listened to what her fiance said but still... she can't be at ease. "I still don't talk with Ella. I don't know what to say."

"Yelena, Ella understands. That's why she helped you while it's hard on her. Think about this." Felix pulled back and hold her on the upper arm, looking at her nervous yet troubled face.

"If you don't do this, their plan will succeed and when that time comes, your country will fall into a bottomless pit. Countless lives will be sacrificed and it will be a blood bath." He patiently explained.

Yelena knew that all along. It was like how she was always taught in the army. Sacrificing the lesser for the greater good. However, the sacrifice she made shredded her heart into many pieces.

From now on, her best friend's life would never be the same again! She knew that the other choice was more worse than the choice she made. Turning a blind eye to the Lt. General's crime would only bring greater damage to Ella in days to come! It hurt but maybe it was better this way.

"People says that truth always prevails in the end." The Captain muttered. "That's the case now and it's supposed to be a good thing but... " She paused and met Felix's gaze. "Why did it only bring pain?"

Her question repeatedly echoed in the Prince's ears. He still remembered how he said a similar thing to her weeks ago. 'The truth only brings harm to me and the people I love.' That's what he said to her.

After a while, he slightly smiled. "At least, you do the right thing. I'm proud of you." He gave her the exact answer that she once gave him.

Hearing the familiar response, Yelena instantly realized that she once said those words to him. "You still remember." She remarked in a low voice.

The Prince promptly nodded. "You were there for me at that time. Now, it's my time to do the same thing for you. I have been there and I know it's hard. However, I won't leave you alone."

As always, his words warmed up her heart. "I never doubt you. I always believe that even if the whole world turns its back on me, you will still be with me, right by my side."

"Once everything is over, let's lead a happy and peaceful life," Felix said with a little smile. "Due to my identity, it won't be a quiet and calm life but we will be happy and free of this pain. Time will heal everything."

She nodded and took a deep breath, glancing around their surroundings. "I think it will stop raining soon. Shall we go now? I want to see Ella."

The Prince nodded with a warm smile. "Alright. I'll take you there."

Felix told one of his guards to drive Yelena's car. Then they both get inside his car and left for Ella's house.....