Chapter 4 – Part 3

It had been only ten days since Evan sent his letter to the imperial court.

The person who brought the reply was unexpected. Evan didn’t expect him to come in person and spoke while looking coldly at the man sitting before him.

“Prince Ailon, why have you come here? You could wait in a safe place. I didn’t think you’d come in person….”

“That is to say.”

Connor, the aide standing next to Prince Ailon, stopped talking under Ailon’s intense gaze.

Instead, looking troubled, he stood beside Evan.

“Duke Davis. Please dissuade His Highness.”

“Connor, stop.”

“Weren’t you the one who said you were so afraid of it before, that you never wanted to set foot on a battlefield?”

“That was then.”

The Crown Prince’s jaw tightened slightly as he sat there, his face determined. Clearly, this place itself was a terrible memory for him.

But he couldn’t stay silent after seeing the letter. Revealing the truth was the last thing he wanted to do.

He didn’t want to be reminded of the child’s death again.

“Commander Davis, didn’t you contact me about your suspicions about the Vorenian War?”

“Yes. It bothers me that you were the only survivor, but battlefields are full of unexpected events, so it’s not particularly unusual.”

Evan shrugged nonchalantly, speaking in a passing tone, and Ailon frowned.

“So, why bother?”

“Let me ask you one thing. Are both of them really dead?”

The prince’s eyes sharpened at the question. After a moment, Ailon smiled lightly and answered.

“They’re dead.”

“Then why are you trying to hide it? I heard their bodies weren’t even found.”

“How could he survive the flames? Besides, Ferrell Klein was shot before that, so we buried him. I don’t want to hear about it again.”

It had been a while since he had seen the prince, but Evan hesitated to press further when Ailon, who usually appeared confident, looked so deeply wounded.

It was the first time he’d ever seen Ailon look so deeply hurt.

Evan looked up at Ailon in surprise at his next words.

“I’ve heard rumors that you too have someone precious now…. I was the same as you. Really. She was very precious to me. Arrogantly thinking I could protect her, I willingly dragged her into that nightmare.”

It was unexpected.

Evan, who had assumed he was referring to their friendship, quickly asked.

“What do you mean, her?”

“Oh, no. Apparently Carly doesn’t know. My attendant was actually a girl.”

Unexpectedly, Evan realized that the crown prince’s attendant was actually a woman, so he asked the prince a question.

“What kind of person was she?”

“I don’t know.”

“Your Highness.”

“I really don’t know. I investigated her and asked her directly, but I couldn’t learn anything beyond her name. I don’t want to disturb her rest by bringing up her death again.”

Ailon spoke as he dried his face. His fingertips trembled slightly.

“I think you realize that the child you claim to love is not worthy of your presence.”

“Your Grace.”

A low, growling voice echoed in the room.

Running a hand through his hair, Ailon replied with uncharacteristic gruffness.

“To tell you the truth, I want you to fail. I’ve failed myself, and if you succeed…. Wouldn’t that break my heart terribly?”

Ailon’s nose twitched and he flushed slightly.

Even as he spewed harsh words, Ailon couldn’t stop thinking of the one who had once promised, “I’ll always protect you, no matter what!” with a bright face.

Ailon’s heart sank as he realized that this was the first time he had ever seen a man love a woman of lesser rank than himself.

“And what? A military doctor? Isn’t it easy to die in that job?”

“…….”

“Or did I misunderstand? Is she not precious, but rather you can’t control your desires?”

Ailon burst into laughter right after saying that, a wild laugh that brought tears to his eyes, while Evan maintained the coldest expression.

“Ah, sorry. You’re still young, so, well, that can happen.”

Crazy.

Evan cursed internally. He was quite disappointed to see the prince, who used to have a righteous image, completely changed.

“I have no intention of playing along with your prank.”

“…You think I’m joking?”

“It sounds like meddling.”

Ailon, who had been forcing a smile on his face the entire time, hardened his expression eerily.

“Well, I’ve never been one for pranks, so I hope you’ll take my advice.”

Evan gritted his teeth. If he had known the prince would come personally, he wouldn’t have sent that letter.

He was equally angry at the emperor for sending the prince to this dangerous battlefield again.

“I’ll leave now.”

Evan strode out of the room, leaving the crown prince behind.

* * *

It seemed she had been in bed for quite some time. The window next to the bed was half open, and a wet cloth lay by Anne’s head, as if it had slipped off while she slept.

Anne got up, closed the window that let in the regular sound of artillery, tied her red hair back, and looked at Carly, who was sleeping sprawled out on the bed.

Sensing movement, Carly woke up with a start. She approached Anne and placed a hand on her forehead.

“I don’t have a fever.”

“Miss Anne Riley. What are you doing?”

“Trying to get out.”

Carly said, biting her lip slightly.

“Don’t go. It’s dangerous, and you’re not well….”

“Didn’t you ask me to take you outside not too long ago?”

Anne gave a small laugh and went about her business.

It seemed a bit amusing that a noblewoman seriously considered going out onto the battlefield with her.

“Back then, I really meant it. I thought I could uncover the truth I wanted to know through you.”

Anne tilted her head in curiosity. Carly seemed different from before. Her mature demeanor suggested that something had happened while she was asleep.

“…Is it different now?”

“Now, I’m certain I can’t get what I want. The commander won’t allow me to use you.”

Carly grunted in reply, grabbing Anne by the shoulders and examining her complexion.

Anne smirked, remembering how she’d said that Evan Davis was someone’s son of a b*tch, too.

Carly looked at her worriedly, then grabbed her hand.

“Anne.”

Carly’s tone was tinged with fear as she spoke Anne’s name familiarly.

“His Highness the Crown Prince is staying here right now, and it could be dangerous down here.”

Slightly shaken by the unexpected turn of events, Anne calmed herself. Time must have flown by.

“But it’s the prince, not an enemy. What….”

At her question, Carly shrugged her shoulders.

“There’s a saying among the noble ladies. The most dangerous place in the Terran Empire is next to the prince. He has too many enemies around him.”

Anne’s eyes widened at Carly’s rambling explanation.

“You’re worried about me? The one who asked me to become a chess piece?”

“…….”

“Well, being a chess piece might not be a bad idea, because I’m beginning to wonder what it is you want so badly, Carly.”

“…….”

Anne was about to leave when Carly hesitated, feeling a familiar sense of foreboding.

Lately, Carly had been plagued by nightmares, and shadows darkened her face. She remembered feeling this same unease the day her loved one passed away.

She hoped this unfamiliar fear would pass as just a minor incident.

Then Carly thought.

She reprimanded herself for treating Anne like a person, not a chess piece.

She’d grown to like the way she kept running around trying to save people.

How could she not support everything Anne did?

Carly stomped her feet and grabbed Anne.

“Yes! I’m worried! Isn’t it natural to worry when someone who just collapsed wants to go back to work? The Duke would worry too, you know.”

Anne laughed out loud at that.

She felt even more adorable now than she had at the beginning.

“Carly, you don’t seem to like the commander. You fooled me well when we first met.”

“Well, you were the woman Evan Davis brought. I thought I might get something out of it.”

It seemed like a long time ago that Anne had been jealous of Carly.

In fact, it made her want to get to know her.

“Carly, I’ll rest after I come back.”

Carly couldn’t stop her as Anne grabbed her plans scattered on the floor and dashed out.

Anne’s achievements and kindness, praised by the medical soldiers she came with, confirmed her indispensable role.