Scarlett, what're you going to do after we graduate? " Violet asked
"Huh? Me? I... I don't have any plans yet. You? "
"Not much as well. But Darling's been planning on marrying me soon after. "
"Really?! How sweet! "
"In fact, I'm still quite afraid. I mean what would life be like being a wife? "
The two girls kept chatting about their plans for the future. Truth be told, she was quite jealous of Violet, that was already planning on carrying the title of "Mrs. Doss", while Peter hasn't even met her father, much more get acknowledged or even get married.
After class, already out of habit, both girls went directly to the once coffeeshop, now a restaurant, place of theirs. Peter, who was now the manager, had their favorite table reserved always, so all they have to do is sit, since Peter also already memorized their usual.
After three years of seeing each other nearly everyday, Peter and Violet started to get along, but no better. Like not a day passed that they didn't bicker, big or small things, "Can't you two get along any better? "
"To hell with that! " they both growled
"Sigh... Anyways, um Peter... "
"Peter? Hah! Finally you know who he really is! " Violet said
"Shaddup! You have any problem with me?! " they were both yelling at each other in the German language, so Scarlett never understand a thing
"I see that Violet also know German! " Scarlett said
"Uh, haha that- " suddenly Peter shoved her aside, "You're picking up a fight are you?! "
"Please be aware that 'Violet's' true name is Patriciaannne Lindemann. Otto's younger sister. " Peter said
Violet was silent, "I'm sorry Scarlett.... "
Scarlett didn't speak for a moment, "I still prefer calling you Violet! " she said cheerfully
"Huh?! " both Peter and Violet expected a different reaction but it was exactly the opposite.
"Argh! Why do the both of you guys, hiding things from me?! " she complained
"Peter, I... "
"What? "
"When are we... When are we... When are you available? "
"Huh? I am always, for you. What's up? "
"I want you two go at our graduation ceremony! "
Violet choked in her coffee, "Jeez, it's still three months away! " she said
"I uh, sure! But, isn't it too early to say it in advance? " truth be told, she just wanted to marry him too, but she couldn't say it directly.
Time passed quickly, Graduation day is just arounder the corner. Peter never forgot his promise to Scarlett of attending the ceremony, "Who would've thought that you're already graduating? Well done... My Scarlett. " Peter said
"Come to think of it. You never met my father yet. " she told him
"Let's go meet him? "
"Like right now? "
"Mmm...! Today is Sunday. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, so I'm more than free today! "
Scarlett took Peter to her home. He saw the huge villa, ten times bigger than their bungalow, "Wow... You sure have a powerful family. "
"Yes! The Devonshire family has been in the military, since the first war. "
Just as they opened the gates, Peter caught the attention of most of the male servants, "Those guys are the last men in Father's company. They might notice you! You should've put a mask on. " Scarlett whispered
"Father! I'm home! " She greeted, as she hugged an old man on a wheelchair.
"My precious daughter, beautiful as always! " he said as he patted Scarlett's head. Then he saw a tall guy behind her, "Daughter, who is he? "
"Dad, he's my... "
"Haha, no worries my dear child! I knew this day would come. You would find a nice young man for yourself. " he said. Then he asked his sergeant to push him in front of Peter, "Young man, nice to meet you! "
"Likewise, uncle. " Peter is wearing bright smile, as he extended his hand. But just before the father took his hand, his sergeant suddenly spoke,
"Lieutenant... This man... " Father Devonshire, looked at Peter in the eyes. Both him and his sergeant cringed in fear. What Peter doing is just reaching out his hand out of courtesy, but what they're seeing is an afterimage of a man in long black trenchcoat, bloodthirsty, and murderous eyes, aiming his Lugger at them.
"Sergeant, bring me to the garden. Daughter, you stay. Young man, follow me. " Peter was led to the garden. It was as big as their old apartment, " Young man, what are your connections with the Third Reich? "
"Hmm... Uncle has good eyesight. It's no use denying so, I am a lieutenant of a heavy tank battalion. My unit was the only survivor from one of your carpet bombings. "
"Are you aware, that I, Scarlett's father is one of your enemies? "
"I know you very well... Lieutenant Devonshire. " he said as he came in eye contact with the retired lieutenant, "In fact, I know the story of how you and your men 'landed in hell'. " Father Devonshire and his sergeant started to feel uneasy,
"Who are you?! " the sergeant asked
"Midnight of twelfth of July, nineteen-forty-five. A lieutenant and his men landed somewhere near Utah. Thinking he and his men landed flawless, they hid themselves in the shadows. As they believed they were safe, they heard the revving of the Maybach engine. One by one, the trees in front of them fell.
Not knowing it was their nightmare, the 'Black Tiger' stood before them. Each man falling victim to its bite, by the second. The beast halted not until what's left is the lieutenant and his sergeant... "
Father Devonshire and the sergeant was shaking in their knees as he was sharing his story, "He kept begging for his life, saying that he still wanted to see his daughter. That time, I was thinking what to do... " he said, "I gave him a minute to vanish from my sight. Lucky him and with the help of his sergeant, he was able to do as told.... "
"Stop. " Father Devonshire said
"Who would've thought I, lieutenant Peter Müller, would have the honor to be your future son-in-law. "
"Fine... You can have my daughter. Just promise me don't do anything to her. "
"That's silly uncle. I wouldn't dare hurt Scarlett. "
"Sergeant, push me back to my room. " but before I he could do so, Peter stopped him,
"Allow me... " Father Devonshire told directions towards his room, as Peter pushed him on his wheelchair, "Uncle, that man from before is dead... "
"Huh? What do you mean? "
"Your daughter showed me how life can be better without war. I used to live in it, not until I met her. The Peter Müller you used to know is long gone, thanks to her. "
"Mmm... "
"I believe we're even, uncle. I owe your daughter for giving me another chance. "
Peter pushed him back to the living room, where Scarlett was waiting, "Father! Darling! Welcome back! " she made them latte to warm them from the cold weather. She knew her father had a private talk with Peter to know him better, "So, how did it go father? "
Of course, he really disagree, having a son-in-law that murdered tons of lives, but not to make Scarlett unhappy, and because he believed Peter changed for the better, he smiled at his daughter and gave a thumbs up.
Scarlett was more than happy to have her father approve of Peter. He spent the day in the Devonshire household. Late at night, Scarlett sent Peter out, "Fetch me tomorrow at the same place okay? "
"Do you even have to mention that? "
The next thing Scarlett felt was Peter's lips on top of hers. Neither party wanted to let go, until they're out of breath, "See you tomorrow! "
Peter walked away, as she was left alone there in a daze, "That's my first kiss, and I wasn't ready! That guy... Hmph! " she turned around not knowing she was entirely red.
The following day, at the restaurant, Scarlett reminded Peter of the graduation day, "You must come, no matter what okay? "
"Mmm... No matter what. "
Soon after, when Peter returned his office, and turned on the radio, the first thing he heard was "The Korean War". The phrase rang in his ear nonstop. He felt something similar years ago during the war.
The following day, Peter went missing. Otto asked Scarlett If she ever seen him, "I was just about to ask too. He's supposed to fetch me near Longfellow, but he was nowhere to be found. "
"One more thing, remember the cabinet we showed you? " Otto asked
"What's with it? "
"All of his uniforms and his Lugger are gone. "
"Something isn't right... " Violet said from beside, "Anyways, you guys heard about the Korean War? Could it be? "
"No! There's no way he's returning to the world of war. " Otto confirmed
This made Scarlett very sad, and walked away from them, "Scarlett? " she just ignored them and went home, "I'm sure he'll come back anytime! He promised to be on graduation day...! " she said amidst her tears kept falling
"Tell me brother Otto, you really do think that he signed up for the army don't you? "
"Why did he? "
When Violet returned home, Parker told Violet, "Violet, I'm sure you heard about the Korean War. "
"What? You're going back out there?! " Violet exclaimed
"I haven't retired yet, but I am to be deployed just after your graduation, so I'll be there for you. "
"That's not it! Don't go, don't go! "
"I'm sorry, but I have to. I promise, I'll come back, whole and unharmed. " he said as he calmed Violet down
Finally, graduation day came. The day everyone in Scarlett's batch was waiting for, "Scarlett, let's go! " but she was just standing by the gate in her academic dress, waiting for a certain someone.
"Poor girl... " Otto said. The entire ceremony, Peter was nowhere to be seen. Otto was there for Scarlett.
"He didn't come as he promised... " she cried
Parker thought something was off, "Hmm...Peter's your friend's fiancé right? Where's he? " he asked
"He's been missing since three days ago. From what I believe, he must've volunteered to fight in the Korean War. " Violet said, "Hey Darling, if you ever see him in battle, for the sake of Scarlett, please bring him back. "
Parker of course was against this. But if it is his wife-to-be's request, how could he refuse? A week after, Parker was to be deployed. Violet and Mrs. Lockwood sent him to the docks, "Be careful out there okay? "
"Mmm... I promise when I come back, I will marry you right away. "
"You talk too much Darling, do it! " she complained like a spoiled child
"Haha, off I go then... " he gave Violet a goodbye kiss, before he boarded his troopship.
Many other women, and even children are at the docks waving goodbye to their loved ones. Nothing did Violet know, Scarlett was also among that crowd, "Peter... If you really are there, please come back alive. "