Chapter 20 – Part 2

“I don’t know what brings you here…”

Anne, wearing a loose-fitting dress that was in style these days, tried to appear relaxed as she sipped her tea while looking at Evan.

However, the reflection of her face on the surface of the tea showed a worried expression. Noticing this, Anne forced herself to act more nonchalant, letting out a small breath.

Ha.

‘This is just a little anxiety eating away at me. It’s not like I’m actually worried about his injury.’

‘I’m definitely not concerned about this man!’

If, by any chance, Anne did care about Evan’s wound, it was simply out of a sense of duty. At least, that’s what Anne wanted to believe.

Whether he was aware of Anne’s thoughts or not, Evan leaned toward the table.

There was a smile on his lips, but it felt as dangerous as a beast baring its teeth.

“After spending a night—no, countless nights together—are you just going to abandon me like this?”

Abandon you?

“Ha, let’s get things straight. The night we spent together was just one. And it was an accident!”

Evan wanted to immediately grab her and take her back when she dismissed their time together as a mere accident. It didn’t matter if she struggled or screamed.

Before coming to see Anne, Evan had spent a long time pondering why she was rejecting him.

Although he found it hard to understand, the most likely reason was that his status as a duke was too burdensome for her. He was even prepared to relinquish his title if that’s what Anne wanted.

But Evan didn’t do that.

After countless nights of solitary contemplation, Evan had to admit that he preferred using his title to bind her to him rather than giving it up.

Evan let out a small chuckle. He was certainly a vile and selfish man.

Even if she spent the rest of her life hating him, Anne had to be by his side. It would pain him to see her beautiful green eyes clouded with sorrow, but if he was the only one she saw every day, eventually she would open her heart.

With this in mind, Evan fully committed himself to searching for Anne.

First, Evan strengthened border inspections between Terossa and Vails. The border areas were the hardest hit during the war, and the lingering resentment between the two nations caused frequent conflicts. Neither country objected to Evan’s proposal.

After that, Evan visited Vails as an envoy. During this time, he began investigating all medical facilities near the Vails border.

Investigating medical facilities could easily be seen as a suspicious act, so it had to be done carefully.

It was a difficult task for someone in Evan’s position as the Duke and Commander of Terossa, but fortunately, several of his contacts in Vails remained.

Among the information they provided was something peculiar regarding Howard. Howard had suddenly decided to make a large investment in medical facilities for the treatment of post-war injuries and the development of medical personnel, a decision that was welcomed by many citizens.

Moreover, the Third Prince’s side had recently started to heavily invest in a particular convulsive hospital that had received good reviews.

Evan didn’t overlook this clue. As soon as he started tracking Howard’s actions, leads related to Anne began to surface one after another, all of which were discovered just before they could be erased.

Evan gradually closed in on Anne as he traveled between Terossa and Vails on official business.

But Evan didn’t rush. Even though he was desperate to see her, he made an effort to stay calm.

Until she settled here, until the moment when disappearing would no longer be an option.

Evan waited patiently, like a predator lying in wait for its prey.

And today, the results of his patience were in front of him.

Evan calmly crossed his legs and sipped his tea. His long blonde hair, which covered the back of his neck, along with his many scars, exuded a dangerous charm.

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

‘…’

A sly man.

Anne let out a sigh that was almost a groan.

“If you mention a night, it’s not strange for a normal adult to think about that act!”

Anne’s face flushed red against her will. The intense memories she had of him were etched into her body and mind, and she often had to steel herself against them.

That day was just a simple mishap.

Just a momentary lapse.
“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.”
“Even if I don’t want to?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve never thought of anyone else beside me but you, and yet you think that way?”

“That’s…”

Anne lowered her head. She had steeled herself countless times, but his words made her feel foolish for being shaken once again.

Could I really be by his side? If Evan says it’s okay, then it should be okay, right?

Evan looked down at Anne with eyes that seemed ready to devour her.

Whatever she was thinking in that small head of hers, Evan decided he could no longer hold back.

“No matter what you say, I—”

Anne’s rushed words, trying to avoid his gaze, were silenced by a soft touch.

Anne Riley widened her eyes in surprise at the warmth she felt on her lips.

Golden hair, like strands of sunlight, was right in front of her.

Anne struggled in shock, but with Evan gripping her shoulders, it was of little use.

As he tenderly kissed her, he pulled back slightly and spoke in a husky voice.

“Stay still.”

“Mmph.”

It had been so long since she kissed Evan that Anne found herself short of breath, and her lower stomach tingled.

Whatever he had eaten, the sweet scent of strawberries from his mouth made it hard to keep her wits about her.

Anne slowly relaxed her body. The kiss was so dizzying that she couldn’t even recall how things had been with Evan moments ago.

Unconsciously, Anne responded to Evan’s hot tongue as it explored her teeth. Sensing her reaction, Evan passionately deepened the kiss.

For a while, only the sound of their fervent kissing and occasional m*ans filled the terrace.

How much time has passed? Anne was now sitting on Evan’s lap, her arms wrapped around his neck, accepting his kisses.

Evan, almost driven mad by the rare kiss with Anne, struggled to keep his composure.

“Anne,”

“Ah….”

Evan swallowed hard, gazing into her pleasure-clouded green eyes. He regretted that they weren’t at the Duke’s residence.

Anne, breathless and blushing, looked up at Evan with an innocent face, unaware of her disheveled appearance.

“Do you still hate this?”

“…….”

Anne bowed her head to hide her face, red to the tips of her ears. Seeing her dress draped over Evan’s lower body, she tightly shut her eyes.

Foolish Anne Riley.

‘Running away only to end up kissing like this? He must think I’m crazy.’

Suddenly, something touched Anne’s forehead as she was scolding herself.

“W-Wait a moment….”

Like he was handling something precious, Evan placed gentle kisses all over Anne’s face. Despite his inner turmoil, he wore a soft smile as he carefully embraced her.
“Miss Anne Riley, will you marry me?”
“What?”

“The first time could be an accident or a mistake, but I won’t say the same about the second.”

“What do you mean!”

Evan took a candy from his pocket and offered it to Anne, unwrapping it with one hand as he asked,

“I brought your favorite candy. Do you want it?”

Anne, unable to respond to Evan’s sly question, stammered.

‘Really!’

“Why are you doing this?”

Why now, of all times, is it making her heart, which had barely calmed down, stir up again? Anne bit her lower lip, tears welling up.

“Then why did you do it?”

“…….”

“See? You won’t answer either.”

After Anne disappeared, Evan’s heart was utterly tormented.

He couldn’t sleep day or night, and when he did manage to doze off, he dreamt of her dying.

Her absence was scarier than the ghost dreams he feared as a child.

With a lingering touch, Evan set Anne back in her place, straightening her clothes. Then he calmly sat down, sipping the tea Anne had poured.

Why did it feel like he could fall asleep with just one cup of cold tea? Well, he wouldn’t actually sleep since she might run away while he did.

“…Go back.”

Anne stood up, speaking firmly. Evan nodded and replied,

“If you accept my proposal.”

Hearing this, Anne sat back down, burying her head in her knees, trying to deny it.

“Stop with the sweet talk.”

“Sweet talk?”

Evan’s voice dropped instantly. It was absurd that his proposal was dismissed as mere ‘sweet talk.’

Evan got up and knelt on one knee in front of Anne, placing his hand on her knee and speaking in an even more tender voice.

“Look at me.”

“No.”

“Think seriously. It’s not sweet talk. Carl Hessen’s Field Hospital. From the moment we first met there until now, my feelings have never changed.”

Evan told a small lie. He hadn’t loved her from the very beginning. In her memory, their meeting at the field hospital was their first encounter after she had returned. It was a benevolent lie.

“…….”

“Please, marry me.”