章 28: [Bonus chapter] Madman's Gambit - Part 18

The late Mad King called Lada 'the ghost of Mechi' because of how she flitted up one corridor and down the next in near silence.

When she was younger, that was because of the woolen socks she wore – without proper shoes, of course, because what need did she have for them? And anyway, the leather soles of Krovic boots, no matter how worn down, made noise, and her one goal since birth was to stalk and pounce of Kolya successfully, like Akim or Rostya would. Socks gave the right amount of cushion to allow her to silently come and go, and still, she had yet to achieve her lifelong desire.

But now, she wore the same ankle boots that all the other kitchen staff wore. It was an odd thing to mourn over, but she did, nevertheless.

She came to a full stop in front of Captain Ratko's closed office door, banging indignantly.

"What?" She heard his growl from the other side. "Quit that fuckin' bangin' and-"