Like all Enigma members, it must be hidden that Daphne has her identity changed. She still works at Mr. Finn's restaurant, but she is to leave at any time whenever a team member gets injured and thus needs immediate help. Mr. Finns, who initially can't accept that condition, finally can tolerate it because he has learned that it is Payneth's instructions, and since Mr. Finns really respects Payneth for her kindness in helping him, he allows Daphne to leave at any time - even during the work hours.

Actually Daphne hasn't many tasks to do in Enigma. The members of Enigma won't be so easy to get severe wounds, like this week, she should only handle one or two cases. Perhaps what disturbs Daphne quite a lot is the behavior of an Enigma member. That man - George - disturbs her quite often by pretending to get injured. George is a man in his early thirties with a macho face and well-built body posture - the type most women will fall in awe of. He often involves in one-by-one battles with the enemies. Once or twice Daphne is still doing her job professionally, and George is indeed seriously injured. But after that, George calls her so often, and after three days in a row, she finds that George only suffers from minor injuries. And this time, George has no injuries. Daphne is so annoyed by his behavior.

"I have been running in panic and you don't get hurt instead," Payneth huffs under her breath.

George stares deeply into Daphne's eyes. He groans, "But my finger really hurts, it was pierced by a thorn tree."

"You can treat it with virilidine."

*) Virilidine = a type of iodine in this Planet.

"My, my. You take your work so seriously." George shakes his head, appearing depressed.

"It has been my duty, I indeed have to work as professionally as possible," Daphne replies with a stiff face, which lets George appear even more depressed.

"I have a guess about that guy. I think he has a crush on you."

Daphne immediately gasps upon hearing Stairmount's analysis of George's strange behavior. "How can it be!... What he always does is just disturbing me!"

Even though Daphne still keeps the fact that she asks Payneth to free Stairmount's parents hidden from Stairmount, but she tells him about her work in Enigma, whereas she doesn't even tell her mother about it (she tells her mother that Payneth recommends her to join the Volunteera Organization * - and just work there occasionally). Because Daphne doesn't think that she should hide this fact from Stairmount. In fact, according to Daphne's inner voice, she is reluctant to be secretive - if possible, in everything - with her future husband.

*) Volunteera Organization = the nonprofit organization on this Planet which aims to help the people in need, especially in medical and health.

"Men's attitude when they're in love is different one with another. Some are very romantic, but some can be very annoying. But in the end, their goals are the same - to attract the attention of the girl he loves."

"Then, he is wrong. I have had a future husband!" Daphne answers quickly.

"Really, my future wife? You won't get attracted to him because he is more manful or more gallant than me since he is a macho combatant and different with me who appears like this, will you?" Stairmount teases Daphne.

"Regardless of everything, in my eyes, my future husband Stairmount Rivers is the best man in the world!" Daphne's voice is very steady.

"Well, Daphne... Whatever happens, in the end, we mustn't meet face-to-face as opponents, okay?"

Daphne is startled. Stairmount's voice is different from before, he now sounds very serious. "What... do you mean?... Why do we have to meet as opponents?..."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"You say, you are now working for Enigma. Enigma's focus is on the countries of Nature Continents, including Jupiter. And they hate Chrono so much because they assume the main ruler of Jupiter is not the legitimate government, instead, the legitimate government is controlled by Chrono. Actually, in terms of status... we are enemies..."

Daphne soon understands the real meaning of Stairmount's statement. "Don't worry, Stairmount. I am assigned only to take care of the injured team members. And if I get any progress in my career, it will be limited to the medical sector. I don't have the qualifications to enter the sector of fighting and even murdering, you know, I can't even hold a gun!..."

"Do they know about your relationship with me?"

This question which is not anticipated by Daphne immediately forces her heart to skip a beat. "N...no!..."

"You don't tell Enigma Agent about my parents, like you said the other day?"

Daphne's heart is beating much harder and quicker. "No... of course not!..." She inhales deeply. "Actually I want to, but you forbade me..."

"Yes. I disagree."

"Why, Stairmount?" Daphne asks. "After I join Enigma and observe it more deeply, I find that they are not as scary as we thought. Indeed, we always heard that Enigma consists of cruel and terrible people. But after I get close to them, I then find that they are just like us humans in general, no any special impression."

Copyright ©️ by boundless_universe

"That's the same with Chrono. Everybody also has bad perspectives on Chrono. They are very afraid, and antipathy toward Chrono. When I joined Chrono for the first time, the impression I got was the same as yours - that, most of them are very friendly and even kindhearted. And I am sure, if the racial discrimination against Saturnian-Jupiterian doesn't exist, all Chrono members will still maintain a kind relationship with me. In fact, even though the racial discrimination still exists, only one or two people make my life miserable, and the other team members also hate them since they only win in status and power. Other members are all okay, even James is very kindhearted, as you've seen with your own eyes. But in the end, what kind of fate do I get? The truth is the perception of the folks, after all. Where there's a cloud of smoke, there's a fire..." Stairmount falls silent for a moment. "I tell you. This job, is a hard job. Just tell me about it before you join me Enigma, and I will definitely disallow you. Any kind of career related to politics and crime is a tough career. Because I've undergone it by myself, I know how dangerous this career is. If only I can turn back time, I won't choose this life path. I will choose to become an ordinary person. That's right. No need to live in abundance, no need to have high status, however, I can live safely and peacefully..."

"But if you hadn't joined Chrono, you wouldn't have saved my life. And I would have died tragically when I was still in Sapphire at that time."

Stairmount gets startled. The words Daphne just speaks in such a serious tone make his tongue go numb.

"I feel grateful that you choose this life path, Stairmount. I know this makes me sound selfish, but I have to admit, that I'm very grateful for it."

After very tiring and frustrating days he must struggle all this time, Stairmount can feel something which never appears since he lives in Saturn now emerges - a glimmer of warmth that fills his entire chest. His smile flickers across his face. "Ah... then... I was wrong. I am so grateful for choosing this life path. You are right, Daphne. It is this life path that brings us together. Alright. I won't regret it anymore."

Daphne smiles cheerfully.

"But still, I really hope that this won't happen. So that we won't meet as opponents. I have been facing this stressful dilemma right now - that I have to destroy my own ancestral country, just because of matters of status and nationality. I don't want to experience it once again, that I have to fight with my own future wife just because of the matter of status... really!"

"Stairmount, you must be very tired, that's why you can get such bad thoughts. Ah, if only I were with you, I would definitely caress you... embrace you... to make you calm and comfortable. The distance that separates us is too far. I don't know how long we have to pass through all this... ah, I'm getting depressed, too! What should I do, my future husband?"

"To fix this problem is; by changing the subject of our conversation," Stairmount answers, trying to reply in a relaxed tone. And then, they just talk about trivial things, and avoid topics that have tendencies to make them stressed or frustrated.

But whether she likes it or not, that previous topic turns out to be a scourge lodged in Daphne's mind. As she hangs up the call, and is only accompanied by silence, her brain echoes Stairmount's words once again, " ... I don't want to experience it once again, that I have to fight with my own future wife just because of the matter of status!..."

No, Stairmount. It won't happen. Daphne touches both of her palms to the center of her chest. Whatever happens, nothing will be able to break the bond of love between the two of us.

Copyright ©️ by boundless_universe