The Pope would certainly have chosen someone to harm Lucilia from a category that wouldn’t arouse suspicion.

For example, an elderly person, a beggar, or someone ill.

That’s why she had asked Aaron not to create an atmosphere of fear among the other residents through excessive measures.

She couldn’t understand why he was acting this way when he had agreed to her request.

His intention was probably to display his authority as lord and demonstrate the severity of the law, but it still felt uncomfortable.

Her goal was to relax the vigilance of the Pope’s people rather than punish the woman, and since that had been achieved, she wanted to resolve the situation quietly.

Lucilia opened her eyes wide, raising her eyelids. While telling him with her gaze that this was enough, she gently reasoned with him.

“She might not have physically recovered after losing her child. Please show her mercy.”

The more the woman, now handed over to the knights, fumed with anger, the more Aaron’s resolve seemed to harden.

She wondered if he was faithfully acting the part of a husband infatuated with his wife.

Sure enough, he cupped Lucilia’s cheek. With his gaze cleverly fixed on her eyelids, he spoke in a firm voice that brooked no opposition to his will.

“You may be accustomed to a life of showing mercy, but sometimes mercy can encourage misconduct. How can I overlook the crime of someone who dared to touch my person?”

He pressed his thumb gently against her cheek, as if openly expressing his possessiveness.

The unfamiliar contact sent shivers down her spine. Even in this situation, Lucilia was seized by a desire to look earnestly into Aaron’s eyes.

How wonderful it would be to know whether this was an act or sincere.

Day by day, she found herself increasingly swayed by him.

Did he know that he was completely stealing her heart?

To think that she was even having improper thoughts about wishing their night together, which she had never experienced, had actually happened.

Quickly returning to reality, Lucilia placed her hand over Aaron’s, conscious of the people around them.

“Alright. Do as you wish.”

People’s faces showed sighs of disbelief—as if they couldn’t believe that someone who had been so cold at first could now be so intoxicated with his wife’s body.

Lucilia would never know, but Aaron was having similar thoughts to theirs.

The moment he saw Lucilia being attacked before his eyes, such raw murderous intent surged within him that he could barely control it.

Woman or not, he felt like he needed to behead her to feel at ease.

Despite having planned to use Lucilia to manipulate the Pope.

His original goal had been to make her appear as a witch under her husband’s surveillance, a mistress of the estate who received no treatment as a wife and was despised by the territory.

That way, the Pope wouldn’t hesitate to make his move.

But now…

He was beside himself with worry that Lucilia might get hurt.

Taking her to the battlefield to satisfy his l*st?

That wasn’t just a made-up excuse.

He truly felt anxious about leaving Lucilia alone. Even if it was dangerous, it seemed far better to keep her by his side, where he could see and protect her.

‘Sigh… I don’t even know anymore. Let whatever happens happen.’

Aaron Artnal, known for his cold and serious personality, the epitome of restraint and prudence.

It seemed all that had gone out the window.

Aaron gestured to the knight to take the woman away.

Then he pulled Lucilia into his arms and left the market under heavy guard.

* * *

Waiting for the appointed time demanded much more patience than expected. She hadn’t realized that time spent in anticipation of war would foster such intense tension.

On the morning of departure, Lucilia could barely eat, in stark contrast to Aaron, who was having a hearty meal.

If she forced herself to eat and got indigestion, it would only hinder their march.

On the way from the monastery to Tudra, they had been delayed because of the carriage she was in. She remembered how self-conscious and sorry she had felt then.

Moreover, her wound had worsened, causing trouble for everyone.

Now they were traveling with supply wagons, so there was no reason to feel self-conscious.

The woman who had attacked Lucilia was released at dawn that day.

Aaron said he had only pretended to investigate and had no intention of detaining her for long.
He had merely uncovered where she lived and her usual activities.

Having secured testimony from neighbors that she had suffered from severe anxiety after her miscarriage, and seeing that the woman herself showed remorse, he concluded the case at that point.

Naturally, he didn’t impose any separate punishment.

However, he said he would secretly track down whoever was behind her while they were away from Tudra.

The mastermind was obviously either the Pope or a priest, but this was a means to secure evidence.

The carriage, which had been moving without rest for half a day, gradually slowed down.

“We’ll take a short break!”

Ension, her escort knight, called out from outside the carriage.

Soon, Aaron’s voice was heard.

“Get plenty of blankets. The terrain has many hills, so it will be bumpy.”

‘What blankets?’

While she was wondering, Aaron boarded the carriage moments later, carrying thick blankets.

“Sitting on these will make your bottom hurt less.”

There he goes again.

Though he was usually distant, one caring gesture like this made her heart flutter.

Much of this was due to his pretending to be affectionate at random times.

When they were alone, he would be so brusque that it felt disappointing, but in front of others, he would invariably draw close to her.

This left her with the task of managing and composing herself.

Lucilia gently pressed down on her pounding heart and rose awkwardly. Just as she was about to sit on the remarkably soft blanket, the horse suddenly moved.

“Whoa!”

As her body tipped sideways, Aaron quickly braced himself against the wall and caught her.

This caused the carriage to jolt even more.

“Ah!”

At that moment, Rombon’s cough sounded impatiently from outside.

This is maddening—what on earth is he imagining?

Shocked by how her outcry sounded like a suggestive m*an, Lucilia covered her mouth.

Oblivious to others’ thoughts, Aaron, with an indifferent face as if it were someone else’s business, flung the door open and beckoned Rombon to come closer.

“Yes, Commander.”

“Since this is a safe section, I’ll be traveling in the carriage. You take command at the front.”

“Ah… is that appropriate?”

Was he asking if it was okay for him to command in the commander’s place? Or was he criticizing Aaron for being holed up in a carriage when he should be leading?

To Lucilia’s ears, it sounded like the latter, causing her face to flush bright red.

Regardless of Lucilia’s reaction, Aaron’s voice was unmistakably that of a cool-headed commander.

“After this war, when we return, I plan to appoint you as commander. Consider this both training and real combat experience, so be diligent in your duties.”

Rombon, who had stood there awkwardly for a moment, seemed to grasp his superior’s deeper intention and accepted the order with a formal posture.

He couldn’t hide the smile that stretched to his ears.

After sufficient rest, they began moving again, making the ground rumble.

As the setting sun cast its light over the procession, a warm palette of colors enveloped them like a painting.

The untrodden land visible through the window was so beautiful.

It was hard to believe that a scene of brutal carnage awaited them. Hard to remember the bleakness of winter.

Gazing through the small window, Lucilia thought of the people from the temple who would be somewhere in the formation.

“I heard seven people were dispatched from the temple?”

“Yes. Sister Mannea volunteered on her own after hearing the news, so there was no need for any special arrangements.”

“Their plan is obvious. I suspect she’ll act as a monitor for us.”

“Even so, we can’t lower our guard. No matter what happens, don’t leave Ension’s side.”

“I remember. I’ll always keep it in mind.”

He had reminded her countless times.

Even after repeating and reiterating, he still wanted to hear her confirmation, and each time,
Lucilia responded firmly.

If there was one concern, it was how to approach the leadership of the Mrangel tribe.

If she was this worried, how much more difficult must it be for Aaron?

Believing that following his instructions was the best way to help him, she responded once more in a precise tone.

“I’ll be extra careful not to cause any trouble for you. It might have been best if I hadn’t come along, but I really wanted to help.”

“I know. The final decision was mine, so even if things go wrong, I won’t blame you.”

Although they didn’t make eye contact, she could feel Aaron’s sincerity.

They say that strong emotions sprout in the midst of hardship.

She could only hope to grow closer to Aaron through this journey.

Even if it was just camaraderie, that would be fine.

Just sharing common experiences and emotions with Aaron seemed satisfying enough.