Prologue

Elegant and classy.

That’s what Anne Riley was after.

It was her dream to have a life of her own, a life of leisure and a life that she could enjoy.

And she’d worked hard to fulfill that dream.

But why?

A well-built man approached slowly.

His blond hair was neatly combed, and the scratch on his nose looked like it hadn’t been injured long ago.

Moreover, his white shirt was stained red with blood.

Anne jumped to her feet in alarm, but it had been less than two days since she’d vowed never again to fall for his stubborn behavior.

She pursed her lips and sat back down in her seat.

Instead, she poured herself a cup of tea, feigning ignorance, offered it, and asked.

“I don’t know what brings you here, but….”

Anne, wearing a loose nightdress instead of the corsets that’s all the rage in the dressing room these days, sipped her tea leisurely as she studied the man in front of her.

Her face reflected worry on the surface of the tea. Her lips trembled with an overwhelming sense of anxiety.

Hah.

It’s just the uneasiness of the unknown getting to her.

‘I’m not going to worry about this man, ever!’

“After one night, no, after countless nights together, you’re going to abandon me like this?”

“Huh, you’ve got to get your facts straight; there was only one night we spent together, and that was an accident!”

Evan smiled bitterly at the fact that she only remembered one night. If that’s how she wanted to remember it.

“Oh, you mean the intimate night we spent together? I was referring to the night we were on the battlefield together.”

“⋯⋯.”

The man smirked.

Anne let out a sigh that bordered on a moan.

He seduced her so blatantly… and now he’s pretending to be innocent!

‘If it’s just one night, it’s not strange for a sane adult to think about that act!’

Anne’s face flushed red against her will.

That day was truly a mistake.

It had been a mistake—a lightheartedness that she had tried to enjoy for once, considering she was about to die in the middle of a war zone.

In her previous life, there had been no time for leisure in her exhausting life, and all Anne wanted was to be free.

“Commander, I’ll say it again: it would be better if we let go of the past. People will think we’re not suitable for each other.”

Anne’s words were interrupted by the soft touch of his lips on hers.

Anne Riley opened her closed eyes in surprise at the warmth of his lips on hers.

Then the man’s high nose was in front of hers. When she realized they were kissing, she gasped in surprise.

But it was no use, because he grabbed her shoulders as she struggled with her hands.

He broke the kiss slightly and spoke in a hushed voice.

“Stay still.”

“Ugh.”Anne didn’t know what on earth he had eaten, but the very sweet strawberry scent made Anne relax and accept his lips.

Then Evan stroked her hair, an odd smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

He stroked her hair as if it were something precious, and she found herself unable to resist.

After a long, lingering kiss, he whispered in her ear.

“Miss Anne Riley, will you marry me?”