Chapter 1 – Part 3

Her steps through the green forest grew lighter as she neared the lake. The spring breeze tickled the nape of her neck and made her feel better.

She had been in Bachmann for less than a month, but the woods behind the orchard had become her favorite place.

No, it was a place that made her heart feel at ease rather than liking it actively. It was a luxury to express excitement about something.

Even so, she didn’t want to stain the alone time she managed to set aside for a walk with a sense of guilt, just like her grandfather said. She wanted to cherish the time she had alone, even if it was just a little more relaxed. Her footsteps grew lighter as she walked through the grassy field.

Finally, Liese’s gaze crossed the lake, glittering in the sunlight.

When she reached her secret spot, a beautiful lake hidden deep in the woods, she sat down on the grass with a familiar gesture. She slowly leaned back against the ash tree that cast a cool shadow.

“… It’s pretty.”

The sound of buzzing grasshoppers was peaceful. The lapping of the water on the greenery added to the tranquil atmosphere.

This lake, situated on a high hill, was connected to the Mellir River, which flowed through Bachmann. The stream of water that flowed peacefully in a quiet place flowed into the most prosperous area.

It was a sentimental moment as she followed her thoughts uninterrupted by the public. She had been admiring the beautiful scenery of the forest for a long time, listening to the peaceful sound of the flowing water. A pleasant drowsiness crept over her, and Liese lowered her eyelids gently.

Then, just when she was sure that no one would disturb her, she suddenly heard a noise.

“…!”

The sound of a twig breaking suddenly echoed in her ears.

Liese’s entire body tensed, and she slowly became aware of the threat looming over her, like an herbivore sensing danger too late. The leisurely footsteps on the grass were weighty and composed. The sound of dry leaves and branches being gently crunched was mixed in. It was monotonous, like a machine, and the closer it got, the more goosebumps rose on her skin.

Then she saw it clearly. A large figure, half-hidden by dense trees, is growing closer and closer to the shore of the lake.

With a jolt, Liese threw herself behind a tree, and remained in that awkward position for a long time.

The thick and beautiful tree completely covered her small body, but she could not relax. She hugged her knees to her chest. Her heart was pounding nonstop.

‘Who was it?’

She hadn’t encountered anyone in the woods before. The shadowy figure emerged from the grass, coming from the opposite direction from where Liese had come.

What could he be doing here? The whole city should have been out in the plaza, celebrating the festivities. Perhaps this person, like Liese, was looking for a quiet place.

But she could not be sure if this person had seen her. As she thought about it, she suddenly felt a fleeting doubt.

“Why did I hide…?”

She had done nothing wrong, yet she had hidden in fear at the slightest sound. She felt stupid, like a weak and helpless animal that had hidden its body.

Liese clenched her sweaty hands tightly. Her chest heaved as she tried to control her breathing.

Before any unnecessary misunderstandings could arise, she rose from her seat, casually brushed off her clothes, and confidently walked away in the direction she had come from, whether she was noticed or not.

With a clear conclusion, Liese peeked out from behind a tree for a moment. She wanted to confirm the intruder’s movements before pretending to get up calmly.

A tall man stood on the shore of the lake where Lise had been watching for what she thought was an eternity. Her eyes, fixed on him, widened in small shock.

The first thing that caught her eye was a particularly bright blonde, fully bathed in the spring sun. The man’s hair softly waved, having been tousled all day by the mountain wind aboard Liese’s sailing ship.

A gasp escaped Liese’s gaping mouth. It was the first time in her life she’d ever been distracted by someone’s appearance.

The man who had walked onto the shore of the lake had a hauntingly handsome form.

His well-proportioned features and sharp jawline were so strikingly attractive that even the most obvious thoughts were wiped away, leaving her unable to take her eyes off him for a second.

Perhaps it was Liese herself who had invaded her host’s space.

The blond man blended into the shimmering lakeside scene like a painting. The only thing that separated him from the rest of the group was his free-spirited expression and his immaculately dressed… navy blue uniform.

“Uh…”

Liese belatedly realized the truth and gave a weak sigh. The golden epaulets on his shoulders and several tightly closed pockets on his chest. It was undoubtedly a military uniform.

“A soldier?”

The man dropped the navy blue military cap in his hand on the grass. He swept a stray strand of blond hair over his bushy eyebrows and unbuttoned the jacket that covered his upper body. There was no hesitation in his actions.

Liese’s eyes widened in confusion as she watched the man’s movements.

‘Could it be…?’

Like someone who hates chaos and seeks quiet places, perhaps the man had come to the forest to be alone and was now taking off his jacket at the water’s edge.

If you couldn’t guess what this sight pointed to, it would be a lie. Liese had felt the urge to jump into the cool lake every time she had seen it.

But even in the sparsely populated forest, would it be sensible to undress in the open air?

Maybe he’s just trying to get rid of his outer layer because it’s hot.

It’s not a cool day, and even Lizzy, in her thin dress, is feeling the heat of the sun, but she can’t help but feel uncomfortable with a man in a heavy-looking uniform. It was probably the man’s lazy gaze that made Liese’s spine tingle.

Then, the man unbuttoned the last button at his waist. Liese’s hand twitched as the jacket that was wrapped around his large frame loosened. The weighty jacket that lay on the grass was more substantial than the army coat that had been discarded earlier.

The crisp white shirt was pulled taut across the man’s broad chest. Liese’s anxiety suddenly grew as he began to unbutton his shirt.

“……!”

While Liese was stunned, the blond man undressed without fuss.

His shirt slid open, revealing smooth flesh. Liese whipped her head around and squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart pounded wildly.

She’d been wrong. He must be trying to swim in the lake.

‘I have to get out of here now.’

The last thing she needed was to be seen hiding. The man would be embarrassed, and it would be a frightening situation for Liese. The stranger who appeared in front of her, stripping off his clothes with such vigor, was intimidating, no matter what he looked like.

Liese turned her head again and watched the man, hoping to find a way to escape. If she kept her eyes on him, she might have had a chance to escape unnoticed.

It did not seem like a good idea, though, considering she was not the only one watching him.

The man had taken off his shirt, revealing a muscular upper body. The muscles in his abdomen, characteristic of a strong man, were divided into several pieces and bulged with solidity. Liese swallowed dryly, then clamped her mouth shut.

‘Oh my God. He was unbuttoning his trousers!’

In addition, the hand that held the belt lowered everything that covered his lower body in one fell swoop…

‘Oh my God.’

Liese couldn’t stand the shocking display of flesh tones any longer. Her heart thumped as if the most dangerous and terrifying weapon in the world had suddenly appeared and aimed at her brow.

She was so surprised that her hand automatically reached for the pistol her grandfather had given her.

Of course, she had no intention of shooting the man. It was an instinctive gesture to find something to protect herself from the threatening weapon pointed at her.