The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress novel Chapter 406

But as he remembered everything that had happened lately, a flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes.

If anyone else had asked, he might have tried to keep it together. But with Citrine standing in front of him, he felt an inexplicable urge to open up.

“One of my teammates was killed recently. The whole squad’s been in a bad place. We completely fell apart during the last drill.”

Citrine flinched at the word “killed,” a shadow of grief passing through her gaze as well.

In the military, there’s nothing more painful—or more terrifying—than losing a comrade.

She pressed her lips together and said earnestly, “The first lesson any real soldier learns is to accept death. Losing a teammate is devastating, but what’s worse is not being able to face that reality.”

“If you stay trapped in your grief, refusing to accept it, all that’s waiting for you are more defeats—and more fallen friends.”

Citrine was frighteningly calm, and for the first time, Hastings sensed a composure in her that felt almost inhuman, as if she’d looked death in the eye more times than he could imagine.

“I keep telling myself to accept it, but I just can’t,” Hastings admitted, biting his lip, pain flickering in his eyes.

Citrine regarded him in silence for a moment before speaking, her tone deliberate. “Losing a teammate shakes you, makes you doubt yourself. That’s when you have to ask: can you conquer your fear? Do you really want to be a true soldier—someone who can step onto the battlefield one day?”

She might dislike Hastings, but she couldn’t deny his talent. With the right guidance, he could become an exceptional officer—someone who’d serve his country well.

For heroes like that, Citrine was always willing to offer advice.

After all, she’d always been able to separate her feelings for the nation from her opinions about individuals. When it mattered, country came first.

And it was the first time he’d ever heard her actually compliment him.

He grew a little embarrassed. “I didn’t think you saw anything good in me.”

She glanced at him, her expression serious. “I’m just being honest.” Citrine never lied.

Hastings laughed. “Well, thank you. For everything. For knocking some sense into me—and for the compliment.”

From the time he’d lost to her in sparring during boot camp, to being pushed to his limits by her in the Vermillion Vanguard, he’d witnessed her strength firsthand. He’d also realized just how remarkable and brilliant this eighteen-year-old girl truly was.

At that moment, Hastings felt as if the girl standing before him was shining, bright and untouchable, just out of reach.