Chapter 7 – Part 2

“Out of stock again.”

Anne, who was writing in her ledger with a quill pen, faced a troublesome issue.

The field hospital was running out of disinfectant. In wartime, disinfectant was essential, so she always made sure to order it in advance, but the situation was dire.

There had never been a time when medical supplies were this scarce…

With no other options, she had to trade with the people in the back market to get the necessary amount immediately.

Anne opened a small safe. Inside was the precious salary she had saved up.

She put on a black dress from her dresser and a black wide-brimmed hat to cover her face.

Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she thought she resembled the grim reaper.

As she was about to sneak out through the back door, someone blocked her way.

“Where are you going?”

It was Evan.

“…I need to buy something.”

“Without permission?”

“I’m just going to the village for a moment. So…”

Technically, she needed to fill out a form for going out, but as the highest-ranking officer at the Carl Hessentz Field Hospital, Anne had never bothered with it.

It wasn’t possible to survive on just the supplies provided here, and even a brief outing was permitted by the higher-ups.

“Your superior seems to require that permission.”

“Hah…”

Given the nature of the back market, she had to return before dark. Anne swallowed nervously as Evan Davis, who wasn’t moving out of her way, stared at her.

“I’ll write it right now and give it to you.”

Anne turned to head back into the hospital. It was just a piece of paperwork; she could quickly fill it out and hand it in!

But then, a cold hand grabbed her wrist.

“Anne.”

“Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

“Don’t go to such dangerous places…”

Evan’s hand began to tremble.

Before the regression, when Anne came to find Evan in Vorenia, she had been holding the gun he had shown her in the back market.

He couldn’t fail to recognize it. It had a marking indicating it was a personal firearm.

He couldn’t repeat the mistake of pushing her into a battlefield again.

“Please.”

“…Do you realize how strange you’re acting? This is my personal business, Commander Evan Davis.”

“There’s no such thing as personal business in the military.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“You know it too. That many people are watching you.”

“Did you… also bring Lady Carly Dehart? Don’t tell me… you’re enjoying my reactions?”

Evan chuckled softly. It seemed that the people he had planted to protect her hadn’t been discovered yet.

And as for the latter question, of course he did.

Every little reaction from her was precious to him, and it was his only joy.

“Carly Dehart will be leaving soon, so don’t worry about her.”

Evan spoke to her in a soothing tone. Actually, it was a lie. It was not Carly who would leave but Anne.

He had already made arrangements for Anne to move to a very cozy place far from here.

Evan placed his hand on the door frame, blocking her path. Angered, Anne grabbed his wrist.

Facing his icy blue eyes, Anne whispered softly.

“If you want to play with someone… find someone else.”

But Evan did not let her go. He restrained her wrists with his hands.

“I told you not to go. I can get what you need separately, can’t I?”

“…How long do I have to wait? Just get it for me then. I’ll find it on my own too.”

“Stubborn.”

Evan sighed with a bitter smile. He had already arranged for someone to bring the medical supplies, but they hadn’t arrived yet, so he had no choice but to detain her by force.

“Anne Riley.”

“Let me go.”

Evan, holding onto her as she struggled fiercely, eventually lifted her onto his shoulder.

“Commander Davis!”

“Please follow quietly, Lieutenant Anne Riley.”

The more fiercely Anne resisted, the more tightly Evan held her.

Though she didn’t know where he was taking her, one thing was clear. As they walked, numerous people saw them, and it would spread as rumors.

Anne sighed deeply. Rumors like this were detrimental in a war zone.

Didn’t he know that appearing to be in a romantic relationship here wasn’t seen positively?

“At least tell me where we’re going.”

“…We’re going to a nearby lodging.”

“Please, be consistent. Either act like a gentleman or command me sternly.”

Recalling his inconsistent behavior, Anne clenched her falling hair.

Though it was clear that acting like a gentleman suited him better, it felt unfamiliar, and his commanding attitude felt oddly familiar.

It was as if he had a dual personality.

His hot-and-cold demeanor was perplexing.

“…I’ll consider it.”

He stopped walking as soon as he finished speaking. They had arrived at an unfamiliar mansion.

She had heard there were many houses around the field hospital, and this seemed to be one of them.

When he opened the door, it revealed a luxurious space befitting a noble’s villa.

After setting her down, Evan rolled up his sleeves and spoke.

“As promised, after securing the medical supplies, I will let you go from here.”

Hah.

“Are you telling me not to do my job?”

“I’ll take responsibility for that.”

“…This isn’t about taking responsibility! Don’t leave me here alone.”

“Someone will be here to keep you company soon, so don’t worry.”

“Are you going to call the soldiers here to monitor me?”

Evan shook his head. Anne could then guess one thing.

Even a commander wouldn’t use precious combat personnel just to keep an eye on her.

So, it must be Carly Dehart who will be coming soon.

“Ah, so you’re calling Lady Carly Dehart? As if she’s a maid?”

“…Think whatever you want.”

Evan turned and headed for the door.

“Please, don’t leave me here like this…”

“The field hospital will manage just fine. There haven’t been any complaints even when you’re not around.”

“Commander Davis!”

Despite Anne’s desperate voice, Evan didn’t turn back. Although he wanted to see her more, even bringing her here had been an impulsive act.

If he walked away now, he would be nothing more than an odd and irritating superior to her. There would be no further connections.

Realizing this made his once burning heart cool rapidly. But Evan enjoyed the coldness.

He had no choice but to enjoy it.

Because she was alive.

Evan was well aware that, since his regression, he had been a bit unhinged by the fact that Anne was alive.

Seeing her deer-like, reproachful eyes, he still locked the door with a key.

As long as she could live, he was willing to be the villain.

***

“D*mn bastard! Jellyfish! Dung beetle!”

Left alone in the mansion, Anne yelled without resorting to actual curses.

After a while of ranting, exhausted, she plopped down on the luxurious sofa and leaned back.

Anne’s expression became intensely serious. She couldn’t understand why Evan was going to such lengths.

‘Without disinfectant, even basic treatment can’t be done.’

At that moment, Anne froze.

‘But how did he know the place I was going to was dangerous? How did he know where I was going to get it from?’

It was truly strange.

She stood up abruptly and inspected the mansion. There wasn’t much time left until the person Evan mentioned would arrive.

Though she didn’t understand his actions, there was something more urgent now. She needed to find a way out to get the disinfectant.

Trying the door, as expected, it wouldn’t budge. But the windows might be different.

Anne walked along the wall, checking the view outside. However, except for the path connected to the front door, it was all steep cliffs with no place for her to safely jump down.

Anne’s expression darkened after checking all the windows. It seemed the commander had anticipated her intentions.

She paced in front of a window that seemed feasible to jump from. The ground below her was about four times her height.

Sitting on the window ledge, Anne took a deep breath. While contemplating whether she could land without injury, the surrounding scenery caught her eye.

The smell of damp moss tickled her nose, and a squirrel on a nearby tree was munching on a nut.

This brief moment of sitting quietly was the sweetest rest she had had in a while.

As Anne was enjoying this rare peaceful moment, a scream and a loud noise startled her.

Turning around quickly, she was met with the refreshing scent of musk that filled her lungs.

Evan stood right behind her, closer than she had realized.

Silently, he lifted Anne by her waist. Before she knew it, she was in his arms.

Evan continued to stroke Anne’s head, as if comforting a child who had done something dangerous.

Beyond him, Carly Dehart was sitting on the floor. Scattered around were croissants that had fallen from her basket.

It was indeed a confusing situation.

She knew she should push him away immediately, but she felt the trembling of his body.

Unconsciously, Anne patted his back. Only after several strokes did his shaking subside.

‘What are you so afraid of?’

Anne had never experienced such a tender embrace in her life. His quick breaths against the back of her neck felt strange.

Feeling his fear, Anne felt a pang of empathy for him.

“Commander?”