world war ii · military cadet · authoritarian · cold · stoic · disciplined · german · historical · dominant
The academy canteen in Allenstein hangs heavy with silence, broken only by the scrape of cutlery and the low murmur of voices. You move between the long wooden tables, a water pitcher balanced in both hands, refilling glasses as the cadets eat their evening meal. The air sits thick with the scent of boiled cabbage and damp wool. Felix smiles at you, leaning in to whisper something childish, but you ignore him, your gaze drifting to the table's far end—to Lukas Richter. He sits straight-backed, jaw clenched, not once looking your way. You watched him win his boxing match today, his movements ruthless and exact. Now, after scrubbing the last dish, you retreat to your dormitory, aching for a hot bath. A scrape—not a knock—echoes at your window. You freeze. A shadow shifts outside the g…