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Today I received Volunteer 4711’s necklace. It came in a plain envelope as if her belongings were that of a dead person or a criminal. I find that offensive. Before I give her the necklace, I want to get a proper jewelry box for her to keep it in. Usually, this would be my valet’s job, but since it is for her, I must assign the task to one of my officers. Thankfully, he does not question it. And why would he, everyone who keeps up with any kind of social gossip, knows I bought this for her. My crew knows better than to believe the silly rumors that I am in love with her. They know our relationship is completely professional. She saved my life, and I made her my valet. This necklace belongs to her, and she wants it back, and I am able to give that to her.

My officer returns with a nice grey box, and I find that fitting. If it had been any other color, that would have meant something else, purple for love, red for power, black for sorrow, but grey is neutral and has no specific meaning. I take her necklace out of the envelope and put it in the box.

I decide I will give it to Volunteer 4711 tonight.

CHAPTER 23

VOLUNTEER 4711

My commander buzzes me, and I quickly go to his quarters. I enter and bow.

Instead of standing where he usually does, he’s at his desk and asks me to come over to him.

I obey.

He stands when I reach him, takes a small grey box off the desk, and hands it to me. “This is yours. I hope it brings you some comfort to have it in your possession again.”

I open the box, and inside is my grandmother’s necklace. I can’t believe I have it again. I wipe a tear from my eye and then open the locket to make sure the picture of my mother as a girl is still there. It is.

“Thank you,” I say, not looking up.

He puts his finger under my chin and forces my gaze up. I meet his eyes.

“You don’t need to thank me. We are even now,” he says and then moves his hand.

“I understand,” I say.

He nods and then, quite out of the blue, says, “You can go now. I am going to stay up late. I will not need you tonight.”

Before I can protest, he hushes me with a Silver hand gesture, and I say ‘goodnight’ and then leave.

I walk back to my quarters, looking at my necklace. A few people pass me in the corridor and stare at what I am holding, but they don’t ask me about it. I can only think the Commander wanted me to be seen carrying it back to my room so that there could be no rumors about romance in his giving this to me tonight.

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