The New Commander of St. Gloriana

Chapter 16: Lost in the Storm

The month leading up to the championship had been a whirlwind of preparation, intense practice sessions, and simmering emotions. Tension between Adrian and Darjeeling continued to bubble beneath the surface, barely concealed by their professionalism. Alice had settled into her role as Adrian's driver, but Darjeeling's subtle jealousy seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

It was a late afternoon when the storm began to roll in. Dark clouds gathered on the horizon, and the wind started to pick up, carrying with it the scent of rain. The team had just finished a grueling day of training, and everyone was exhausted, eager to get inside before the weather turned.

Adrian stood by the tank, watching the approaching storm with a frown. The first drops of rain began to fall, cold and heavy, splattering on the ground. The wind picked up speed, and the rumble of distant thunder echoed through the sky.

"Looks like we're in for a rough night," Alice said, pulling her jacket tighter around her shoulders as she glanced at the sky.

"Yeah," Adrian agreed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Better head inside before it gets worse."

As the crew started to pack up, Adrian noticed something strange. Darjeeling was missing. Normally, she would have been the first to call an end to training when a storm like this was brewing, but today, she had disappeared without a word.

"Have you seen Darjeeling?" Adrian asked Alice, his voice laced with concern.

Alice shook her head. "Not since we wrapped up practice. Maybe she went back to her dorm?"

Adrian frowned, an uneasy feeling settling in his gut. It wasn't like Darjeeling to leave without saying anything. The storm was growing more intense by the minute, and if she was still outside, she could be in danger.

"I'm going to look for her," Adrian said, grabbing his jacket and heading toward the academy grounds.

Alice called after him, "Are you sure? It's getting pretty bad out there."

"I'll be fine," Adrian replied, already jogging toward the main building. "I just need to make sure she's okay."

---

The rain came down in sheets as Adrian made his way through the academy grounds, his heart pounding in his chest. Thunder cracked overhead, and the wind howled through the trees, making it difficult to see more than a few feet ahead. His clothes were quickly soaked through, but he barely noticed, too focused on finding Darjeeling.

He checked the dorms first, hoping she had already taken shelter. But when he arrived, her room was empty. A knot of worry tightened in his chest as he realized she hadn't come back inside. Where could she have gone?

His mind raced, thinking back to the last few days. Darjeeling had been acting strange, more distant and withdrawn than usual. Her jealousy over Alice had grown more obvious, and Adrian had noticed the way her usual calm demeanor had started to crack. Could her feelings have driven her to leave without telling anyone?

Adrian's pulse quickened as a realization hit him. There was one place she might have gone—*the cliffs*.

The cliffs overlooking the sea had always been Darjeeling's favorite spot to think and clear her mind. It was secluded, away from the academy, and the perfect place for solitude. But in this storm, it was the worst possible place to be.

Without another thought, Adrian sprinted toward the cliffs, the rain lashing against his face as the wind whipped through his hair. His footsteps pounded against the ground as the storm grew fiercer, the thunder now roaring overhead, lightning flashing across the sky.

---

By the time Adrian reached the cliffs, the storm was in full force. The waves crashed violently against the rocks below, and the wind threatened to knock him off balance. He squinted through the rain, searching desperately for any sign of Darjeeling.

And then, he saw her.

She was standing near the edge, her back to him, soaked to the bone and completely still. Her blonde hair, usually so neat, was plastered against her face, and her uniform clung to her as the rain poured down. She looked so small, so lost, standing there with the storm raging around her.

"Darjeeling!" Adrian shouted, his voice barely carrying over the sound of the wind and thunder.

She didn't respond, didn't even turn to acknowledge him. Adrian's heart pounded in his chest as he ran toward her, his feet slipping on the slick grass. As he reached her, he grabbed her arm, pulling her back from the edge.

"Darjeeling, what are you doing out here?" he yelled, his voice filled with concern and panic.

For a moment, she didn't respond. Then, slowly, she turned to face him, her eyes wide and filled with a mix of emotions—confusion, frustration, and something deeper... vulnerability.

"I—" she started, her voice trembling, barely audible over the storm. "I don't know."

Adrian's grip on her arm tightened as he pulled her closer, his own heart racing with fear. "You can't stay out here. It's dangerous."

Darjeeling looked down at the ground, her normally composed expression shattered. "I couldn't think... I just needed to get away."

"From what?" Adrian asked, though he already knew the answer.

She didn't respond right away, her gaze still fixed on the stormy sea below. "From... everything. From Alice. From you."

Adrian's breath caught in his throat as her words hung in the air. The storm raged around them, but for a moment, it felt like the world had gone still. He had known for some time that Darjeeling's jealousy had been eating away at her, but hearing her admit it out loud was different.

"Darjeeling..." Adrian said softly, trying to find the right words. "You don't have to be jealous of Alice. She's just my driver. That's all."

Darjeeling shook her head, her eyes brimming with frustration. "It's not just about Alice. It's about us. I can't—" She stopped, her voice breaking. "I can't stand the thought of losing you. And every time I see you with her, it feels like I'm losing you bit by bit."

Adrian's heart clenched. He had always admired Darjeeling for her strength and grace, but now, seeing her so vulnerable, he realized just how much she had been holding inside.

"You're not going to lose me," Adrian said firmly, pulling her into a tight embrace despite the pouring rain. "Darjeeling, I care about you. More than you know. And nothing—*nothing*—is going to change that."

For a moment, Darjeeling didn't move, her body stiff in his arms. But then, slowly, she relaxed, resting her head against his chest as the storm continued to rage around them. Adrian held her close, his heart pounding in his chest, as the rain fell in heavy sheets, drenching them both.

"I'm sorry," Darjeeling whispered, her voice barely audible over the wind. "I didn't mean to push you away."

"You didn't," Adrian reassured her, stroking her wet hair gently. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

They stood there for what felt like an eternity, holding each other as the storm raged on. The thunder roared, and the wind howled, but in that moment, none of it mattered. All that mattered was that they were together—no jealousy, no misunderstandings, just the two of them, facing the storm together.

---

By the time they made their way back to the academy, the storm had begun to die down, though the rain still fell steadily. Adrian kept his arm around Darjeeling as they walked, ensuring she stayed close to him, as if he were afraid she might disappear again.

When they finally reached the safety of the dorms, Darjeeling turned to him, her eyes soft and filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Adrian. For coming after me."

Adrian smiled, his hand resting on her shoulder. "I'll always come after you, Darjeeling."

She gave a small, genuine smile, the first he had seen from her in what felt like weeks. "I believe you."

---

**End of Chapter 16.**