Chapter 3 – Part 3

Anne walked through the long passageway. The screams grew louder as she neared the castle’s outskirts.

She frowned and looked at the men firing from the ramparts.

All of them looked disoriented.

She approached a wounded man who appeared to be in serious condition, tending to him lightly, and asked the medics a question.

“Where is the infirmary?”

“Here….”

“What? What do you mean, here?”

“There is a designated treatment area, but it’s more of a place to leave them to rest temporarily. We rarely go there.”

Anne looked up from the patient to the medic who answered.

The medic looked around, wondering what was wrong.

The location, right behind the battle, made it difficult to bring the injured here. However, leaving patients in this unhygienic environment was unacceptable.

“…We need to set up tents. At the very least, the combat and treatment areas should be separated.”

“Well, that needs to be discussed.”

“…With whom?”

“The owner of the castle, Count Dehart.”

Anne was speechless.

It was obvious. If she wanted to use the castle grounds, she had to ask his permission.

But if she, a commoner and a mere lieutenant, were to ask the Deharts, she would be scorned, not granted.

There was only one person Anne could think of.

The only noble she knew.

Evan Davis.

Fortunately, she had a relationship with Evan that allowed for such a request.

Although she held the rank of lieutenant, it was merely a nominal title granted by the emperor to put her skills to use.

The only difference was that she was paid more than a regular soldier….

This meant that all Anne could do was tell her commander about the situation and try to convince him.

Anne made her way to the top of the castle with a thud.

Halfway up, Evan spotted Anne and stopped her.

“Anne.”

“Perfect timing, Commander. I need to talk to you….”

“What are you doing wandering around here on your own? I don’t think you came here to die.”

“I was just checking on the soldiers.”

Evan ruffled his hair.

“I didn’t bring you here to work right away. Didn’t you say you were here to establish a blood transfusion system?”

As soon as his words were out of his mouth, Anne answered.

“Of course. But it’s impossible to be efficient in such a place. At the very least, the combat and treatment areas must be separated. A medic told me we need the castle owner’s permission for that.”

Evan pondered Anne’s words, then nodded.

“Right. This is private property.”

Evan ran a hand through his hair.

There was no way Count Dehart would ignore his request, but he thought it was inefficient to have to pay attention to every detail just because the owner of this castle was a nobleman.

“Let me see Count Dehart.”

“…Very well.”

Anne keenly observed his muttered words.

“Speaking of which, Count Dehart’s daughter has invited you to join her for dinner.”

“Me?”

Anne took a step back, surprised by the mention of the Count’s daughter.

Why? There was no reason for her to be invited.

“You mean we can only talk if we go there?”

“Exactly.”

It wasn’t enough to ask Evan to talk to him. She needed to propose a clear plan and get a definite answer.

“I’ll be there.”

Evan nodded approvingly, seeing the determination in her eyes.

“By the way.”

“What?”

“Didn’t I tell you not to wander around? I never gave you orders to roam freely.”

Anne bit her lip slightly. She remembered making that promise to him, but she hadn’t expected him to use it against her like this.

She took a step down the stairs to get away from him, but it was to no avail.

Evan pulled her into his arms. His solid body pressed against hers, leaving no space between them.

He then whispered softly into her ear.

“Do you know how worried I was the moment you collapsed, thinking something was wrong?”

“What?”

“We can worry about that much between us, can’t we?”

“…But, someone might see us.”

“There’s no one going up and down anyway; I’ll keep you here….”

Evan didn’t say anything more.

“What?”

Anne was about to ask what he was going to say when he blushed furiously and quickly buried his face in her shoulder.

“…Commander?”

“Evan. Call me Evan when we’re alone.”

Evan held her tightly. He didn’t want Anne to know how much being around her made him forget his noble pride and filled him with a desire to possess her.

Even if she wasn’t a noble and didn’t know the first thing about conservative aristocratic etiquette, he still wanted to remain a gentleman to her.

‘D*mn it’, any hope of remembering his time with Anne as a fleeting pleasure seemed long gone.

After a long silence, Anne gently pushed him away and responded.

“Duke Davis.”

“Oh, come on.”

“On second thought, it’s a serious crime to call a noble by their first name without permission. So, I think this is the best I can do…”

Anne foolishly kept thinking about escaping, even in this moment.

Before she could finish the sentence, Evan grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it. The darkened walls stared back at her, hunting her.

“When didn’t you ever call me Evan?”

“Once you get used to it, it’s easy to make a mistake. Like, in a dinner with Count Dehart.”

He held her hand, placing his palm on her forehead, letting out a low groan.

It seemed she still had a slight fever. Her cheeks, already red, looked even more flushed.

As time passed, Evan’s obsession with her grew stronger and stronger.

For the first time in his life, he wanted to be deeply involved with a woman.

When this desire boiled over, he found himself in a predicament he had never experienced before.

After dealing with the desire on his own, he was left with an even greater craving.

‘If I reveal all my feelings, she might run away.’

“Anne, the man who attacked us in the secret passage was found to have died from poisoning. Forget about it.”

His low voice hovered around Anne’s ear.

She was relieved it wasn’t her fault, but encountering death always left a bitter taste.

Pushing the bitterness aside, she answered blandly.

“Yes.”

“And relax; I trust you.”

Anne stiffened awkwardly at that, and Evan pulled away and stared at her.

He hoped his demeanor would help Anne.

He had seen her skills in the field hospital; she was more than capable.

“Of course.”

“That sky-blue dress looks beautiful on you.”

At his words, Anne finally looked down at her outfit. Realizing someone had changed her into a sky-blue dress, she laughed ruefully.

* * * The wide corridor that ran through the center of the castle had panoramic windows that let in a cool breeze.

Despite the increasing temperature differences of autumn, the dining area was already warm with a roaring fire.

No matter how cold the breeze was, it was a pleasant breeze.

Soon, there would be people freezing to death. Anne didn’t feel entirely comfortable seeing the luxurious table, but she forced a smile.

“Thank you for inviting me, Count Dehart, and Lady Carly.”

Anne bowed to Count Dehart and Carly. She’d studied noblemen’s etiquette from afar, but it wasn’t enough.

The Count was an imposing man with a dark beard and deep-set eyes.

The Count of Dehart looked Anne up and down from his seat and cocked his head slightly. Then he turned his gaze directly to Evan.

“The Duke is still a dignitary, I see.”

“Yes. The Duke of Davis was one of the few nobles to volunteer for the war!”

“It was merely my duty.”

Evan’s flat tone was followed by a cheerful voice.

“Of course not; everyone else is busy running away, and they say you’re a fool to go to war, but I beg to differ, and I can respect the Duke’s decision.”

Anne rudely stared at Carly Dehart.

“Duke Evan Davis. We’ve already exchanged letters several times about our engagement. I felt it then. He is someone I can relate to.”

Carly dropped her fork in her excitement. She slapped herself on the head and whispered.

“Oh, my God, what a mistake.”

Anne Riley could only stare at her, speechless, holding a slice of steak.

Evan, seemingly uninterested, continued cutting his blood-red steak.

“Well, I won’t oppose it. If you both like each other, there’s no need for me to interfere. Right.”

At her father’s words, Carly smiled meaningfully.

Anne didn’t need to be told.

Carly, who had seemed sincerely caring when Anne collapsed, didn’t seem like a bad person, but Anne’s heart still ached.

She knew she had no right to feel jealous of the Count’s beautiful daughter, but it hurt nonetheless.

Anne reminded herself again and again that he was a man she would never be able to look at, and it was time for Anne to look between them.

“I’ve recently taken an interest in someone.”

Evan’s eyes turned toward Anne. His gaze made it seem as if Anne was that person, causing her great embarrassment.

If this continued, it was clear her request to use part of the castle as a medical facility would be denied before she could even make it.

“The blonde…?”

Anne hurriedly tried to describe someone else’s appearance.

“I already know. It’s the lieutenant next to you, isn’t it?”

The words made Anne gag and cough. The food that had slipped down her throat almost came back up.

‘What… is… is there a lady like this…?’

“Excuse me? No… No, that’s not true. Please say something.”