The Second Life of a Discarded Heiress

Chapter 408

Citrine hadn't planned on lingering—she just wanted to take a quick look from afar and leave. But now that everyone had spotted her, there was no point in hiding.

She curved her lips into a smile, her tone light.

"I heard you lost the last drill. Thought I'd stop by and see how you're holding up.' Despite her words, there wasn't a trace of blame in her voice.

After what had just happened, the soldiers finally realized how far off their game they'd been lately.

Hearing Citrine speak, they immediately tensed up, scrambling to assure her.

"Instructor Carmichael, we know we messed up. We swear, we'll train twice as hard from now on!"

"Yeah, next drill, we'll wipe the floor with those cocky Magnolia boys."

right-next time we'll

find their eagerness to

and as she looked at these fresh- faced recruits, she felt a familiar flicker of worry-that's what had brought her

it could be for a soldier to get stuck in their own head. After all, she was living

know what the last line of the Vermillion Vanguard's oath really

"It means to remember our mission

nodded,

on to your purpose-to

understand the words, but today, I want you to really feel-this isn't just something to

off her heavy jacket, leaving just a tank

the soldiers' faces turn ashen; they all spun around in a panic. "Ma'am, we

younger soldiers blushed furiously, staring at

back on," Hastings said, his voice tense with concern. "You'll catch