Chapter 3 – Part 4

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

Anne Riley’s eyes flickered from side to side.

Until everything was resolved, she needed to stay at the castle. It wouldn’t be surprising if she were told to leave the estate immediately.

This time, even Count Dehart didn’t seem pleased. Whether the medical facility could be established was now uncertain.

“Oh, Lieutenant, don’t worry too much. I don’t mind such things. It’s possible for a man to have a mistress, right? As far as I know, there are more cases where the beloved woman is different from the wife.”

Carly drove a wedge.

“Lady Carly! Ah, please don’t say such things…”

Carly’s eyes, with their deep double eyelids, curled into crescents. Staring directly at Anne Riley, Carly delivered her final blow.

“Shall we be friends?”

…?

“Friends?”

“Yes, Lieutenant. We’re the only other women our age here, and you’re welcome to come hang out in my room.”

Is this really something one could say in front of a man she likes?

Anne nodded awkwardly, trying to gauge Count Dehart’s reaction to Carly’s unconventional words.

The meal was so uncomfortable that Anne didn’t know if the steak went down her nose or mouth.

Even after such statements, the Dehart family members continued eating nonchalantly and discussing trivial matters. It was hard to tell if they were genuinely kind or just mocking Anne.

Evan Davis kept a polite distance, occasionally nodding but staying out of the conversation.

Anne sensed the atmosphere, and after a few moments of uncomfortable silence, she spoke up.

“…I’d like to make a suggestion.”

“Go ahead.”

“I know this castle is private property, but it would be great to have a medical facility where the injured can receive treatment and sufficient rest. Therefore, I ask Count Dehart to provide me with a space within the castle to carry out relief activities.”

As expected, Count Dehart slammed his fork down in displeasure and spoke sternly.

“You want me to open part of my castle for common soldiers? For mere commoners?”

It seemed the Count was still irritated by Carly’s earlier remark, making Anne’s request even more challenging.

“…It’s not such an unreasonable request. I hold the rank of lieutenant. And this is wartime.”

“How arrogant. Not only do I question why a woman is undertaking such tasks, but…”

“Father!”

“Carly, how long are you going to keep your head in the clouds? Marrying in time would have been a great addition to the family. I didn’t raise you to be someone who can’t seize opportunities.”

Carly bit her lip hard. She hated how her father never hesitated to reveal his true feelings when he was upset.

“Is it because I grew up without a mother that you always look at me with prejudice?”

Count Dehart turned his head away from his daughter with a dismissive expression.

Carly, hurt by her father’s indifference, was about to stand up in a huff.

“Count Dehart, how long do you think this war will last?”

“…….”

Evan’s sudden question made Count Dehart stutter.

“The higher-ups believe that the next few years will be more of a sluggish localized war. That is, however, before the blood transfusion system Lieutenant Riley is planning to deploy.”

“What do you mean, blood transfusions?”

“We’ll get to that later.”

It was then. Anne interjected.

“It’s a treatment that involves taking blood from a volunteer and injecting it into a patient who is low on blood. I guarantee that about half of the soldiers dying from excessive bleeding could be saved.”

“How dare you interfere!”

Carly Dehart grabbed her father’s arm to calm him down. Despite the Count’s angry outburst, Anne didn’t stop.

“The important thing is how much contribution one makes in the war. When the war is at its peak, if word spreads that you didn’t even lend a warehouse, do you think the Dehart family will be on the reward list?”

“What kind of accomplishments does she have? That’s ridiculous….”

“She earns a thousand milan per month. This woman alone.”

“Do you think I’ll be fooled by such sweet talk?”

“Father!”

Anne bit her lip hard. Just when she thought she couldn’t get any worse.

“I will vouch for the Dehart family’s contribution to Terran’s victory, assuming, of course, that you accept.”

“You think you can convince me with mere testimony….”

Count Dehart still maintained his uncompromising stance, but his voice trembled more violently than it had earlier.

“Conversely, I could also testify to your lack of cooperation. And after this war, how many noble families that fled will remain intact?”

Count Dehart’s hands were shaking now.

He had been honored with a castle in the countryside, but he had always been secretly despised in the capital.

Many nobles chose to abandon the Empire, though he himself did not flee with the pride of a fringe noble.

And yet, all that came back to Count Dehart was a ragtag band of soldiers who wanted to defend the castle.

The only way to put the aristocrats of the capital in their place was for Carly to marry into a good family after the war. But now, the situation could change.

It would be a sure thing.

“I accept. Do whatever you want. But, Duke Evan Davis must inform His Majesty of all these facts. I want this in writing as well.”

“I will do so.”

* * *

“It was easier than I thought it would be, thanks to you.”

“Is that so?”

Evan glanced around, scrutinizing the maids.

As it seemed they were being led to the same place repeatedly, Evan instinctively reached for the dagger at his waist.

Anne also sensed something was amiss, and her shoulders slumped.

One of the maids spoke as they stood in front of one door instead of two.

“This room is where you two will be sleeping.”

“What? That doesn’t make sense…”

“Lady Carly said all other rooms are being thoroughly cleaned, and there are no spare rooms. Besides, you two are already…”

The maid, sensing the tension, chose not to elaborate further. Anne, recognizing the implication, felt her eyes well up slightly with frustration and muttered to herself.

“Why on earth is Lady Carly doing this to someone who might become her husband?”

Maybe it was because of his illustrious background; perhaps this kind of thing was not entirely new to him. Anne peeked over Evan’s shoulder into the room and gasped again.

“Indeed. Carly is quite unpredictable.”

“…There’s only one bed.”

The maid replied.

“It’s a large bed, big enough for three people. While you two were dining, all the rooms allocated for the soldiers filled up. Besides, Lady Carly mentioned she couldn’t possibly let you sleep in such conditions.”

Imagining Carly’s expression as she made such a statement, Anne buried her face in her hands, realizing she was trapped.

Evan, on the other hand, waved the maid off with a nonchalant jerk of his chin.

“Duke Davis!”

“Who will bathe first? We’re both covered in sweat and dirt.”

“I’ll find another room.”

Anne, refusing to meet his gaze, spoke while turning away. Evan stepped forward, positioning himself in front of her.

“Why?”

“Because…”

“Lieutenant Riley, even if you sleep in the barn now, tomorrow everyone will think we spent the night together.”

Anne clasped her hands together nervously as she listened to Evan’s words.

“But, Commander, if you get engaged to Lady Carly Dehart, this situation…”

“Did you believe that? If a mere letter is the equivalent of an engagement, I have nothing to say.”

Anne couldn’t respond. Admitting she believed it would expose her jealousy, while denying it might lead to a deeper connection with him.

Evan stroked the back of her head and whispered.

“I’m quite happy.”

When Anne gasped in surprise, Evan grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his arms, locking his gaze on her.

An unfamiliar lust surged through their gazes.

For a moment, it was as if a tidal wave had broken through the breakwater.

Anne wondered if he would kiss her. His smile was full as he drew closer.

Anne didn’t know what he meant by happy; she was too busy dealing with the tension of the situation.

“Do you want some candy?”

“What?”

“There’s some candy over there.”

Evan let out a mischievous laugh. Then, lifting her slightly by the waist, he placed Anne’s feet on top of his and slowly walked away.

Anne buried her face in his arms, feeling terribly embarrassed by the unwillingness of her legs to move.

Anne, embarrassed and reluctant, buried her face in his chest. Evan carried her to the table, popping a piece of candy into his mouth before kissing her.

“Ah!”

Anne let out a shallow squeal, and his hot breath reached deep into her throat.

The candy egg slipped between Anne’s parted lips—the sweet flavor of the first fine candy she’d ever tasted.

He pulled his lips away and asked with a slight smile.

“What do you think? Do you think this candy tastes good?”

Anne nodded slightly. Anne’s mind was racing, and she was finding it hard to stay calm.

Then Evan whispered, grinning wider than ever.

“Then I guess I’ll have to taste it again.”

Evan planted another quick peck on the lips, then slid his tongue inside her mouth once more.

The heat that had risen in an instant as their bodies pressed together didn’t cool off.

If anything, the kiss intensified, and Anne let out a small moan as she gripped Evan’s shoulders.

“Ha, eh, Evan.”