Chapter 8 – Part 2

In the following days, Anne found herself increasingly curious about the whereabouts of Commander Evan Davis. Despite being the one who had confined her, Anne couldn’t help but seek him out, particularly because he had brought an enormous amount of medical supplies.

If she were to say she was worried about his well-being while running the hospital, everyone would think she had gone mad.

Therefore, Anne couldn’t bring herself to ask anyone where the commander was.

“Sigh.”

This is crazy.

Even if it was her first kiss!

Even if she had never had a boyfriend due to her focus on studies in her past life!

Recalling that day like a lovestruck teenager was so embarrassing, it drove her mad.

Anne had pulled at her hair several times, much to the concern of Kyle, who watched her with a serious expression.

“Anne, are you….”

“Huh?”

“Never mind. You just seem off.”

“No, I’m fine!”

Kyle clamped his mouth shut. Meanwhile, Hans, preparing supplies on a tray, spoke up.

“Miss Anne, could it be that you miss the commander because he hasn’t visited recently?”

“What nonsense! That’s ridiculous!”

Despite Anne’s vehement denial, her flushed face gave her away, and both Kyle and Hans knew.

“Lieutenant, it seems you are interested in the commander.”

Hans, usually composed, making such a remark showed how odd Anne’s behavior was.

Yet Kyle pretended not to hear.

“…I just wanted to repay him for his help, that’s all.”

“Don’t.”

“Huh?”

“It’s fine, but don’t get too attached, Anne.”

Hans couldn’t suppress his laughter at Kyle’s unusually serious tone.

“Are you perhaps interested in Anne? You were rooting for their love story so enthusiastically.”

“Stop with the nonsense.”

Kyle’s narrowed eyes betrayed his bitter thoughts. He couldn’t help but remember the noble lady he had seen recently.

When Anne first arrived, she was so emaciated, her skin dry, and her hair tangled that it was clear how poorly she had been treated. He felt uneasy seeing her like that.

Now, Anne didn’t dress up, but she no longer looked like her old self. Kyle had even thought it would be great if she caught the duke’s eye and became the duchess. As her friend, he wished for her happiness.

But seeing the noble lady in person made him realize that the class difference was insurmountable. Evan Davis and Carly Dehart were fundamentally different from them.

Someday, the duke would marry a noble lady, and Anne would be left watching him from afar.

Kyle plopped down and said, “In the end, there’s no good in getting involved with nobles.”

“Think about how kindly Lady Carly treated you a few days ago.”

Just then, Carly approached them, hands on her hips, and spoke up.

“Is it bad for you to be involved with nobles like me?”

Carly’s clear voice startled Kyle, making him stand up abruptly.

“Private Kyle, you’re in trouble now.”

Hans chuckled and left, and Anne, sensing the tension, followed him.

“What’s so bad about it? Getting involved with nobles….”

“I wasn’t referring to you. It’s just that the class difference is too great….”

“After all those walks together, you say this?”

“I had no choice.”

Carly frowned.

She had heard since childhood that there was no benefit in getting involved with commoners. But knowing how deeply Evan and Anne had loved each other before her return, hearing such things about Anne didn’t sit well with her.

“Hmm, how about a few more walks with me on your days off?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m trying to change your mind.”

“I’m busy.”

“I’m talking about during your breaks. I’ll come to pick you up at your quarters.”

Kyle looked astonished. The sudden formal address and the promise to fetch him were unexpected.

“I should be the one picking you up.”

“Fine, do that then.”

As soon as she said that, Carly left, leaving Kyle staring at her back, stunned. His heart pounded wildly.

***

“How is the soldier who came in recently?”

“He seems to be fine after the enema. Apparently, he had been holding it in because he couldn’t relieve himself just anywhere. There doesn’t seem to be any pain now.”

“Good.”

The soldier had been one of the most severe cases recently. His face was pale, and his abdomen was swollen, making Anne worry it might be ascites.

However, the unconscious patient suddenly spoke in a faint voice.

“Fire, fire…”

“What? Are you out of your mind? Arson? Fire attack? What is it?”

“Chem… ical…”

“Chemical attack, you mean suicide bombing? Say it clearly one more time.”

“Bath…room.”

At those words, Anne let out a helpless laugh and went to find an enema.

Though it would be uncomfortable during the procedure, what could be done? It was fortunate it wasn’t a serious illness.

Hans looked at his hands as if he didn’t want to think about it. He had been wearing gloves at the time, but he still felt nauseous.

“Thanks to you, I’m okay now.”

“Yes, I know. I’ve done it dozens of times before, but I never expected to encounter such a patient on the battlefield.”

“They say you were quite a renowned nurse in the capital?”

“Well, yes.”

“Then, why did you come to the battlefield?”

“…My younger brother is in the military. I thought I should be a little closer to him, so I just came.”

Anne nodded. It was common for the medics here to have siblings on the front lines.

Sometimes, they would approach those covered in white sheets with trembling hands to check their faces.

It was unimaginable how they felt.

“By the way, Lieutenant, how long will you stay on the battlefield? If I ask someone I know for a recommendation, you could go to the capital… do you have any intention?”

“No, I don’t.”

Anne refused immediately. The capital hospital was known for its severe territorialism. It was obvious what would happen if Anne went there.

Moreover, in the capital hospital, she wouldn’t be able to have a private room, increasing the risk of her chrysanthemum tattoo on her back being discovered.

“Still, wouldn’t you consider it? The treatment would be much better than here.”

Hans preferred having a competent superior around.

However, he thought life on the battlefield would be a significant burden for Anne Riley and waited for her answer.

After a long, silent thought, Anne answered as if she had made up her mind.

“I appreciate the thought.”

“I see. You’re still the same.”

“You don’t know, but I like my current situation.”

Anne smiled bitterly.

Only after becoming Anne Riley, not Kang Ba-wool, could she finally feel the joy of being with her people.

Kyle and Hans were the ones who accepted Anne Riley without prejudice, even after seeing her at her worst.

Experiencing the greatest happiness in the most dangerous situation was indeed ironic.

Hans sighed in relief and spoke seriously.

“That’s good to hear, but there’s a rumor that a major battle is imminent. As you know….”

“If a big battle happens, deployment is inevitable. I know.”

“Have you considered that you might regret facing death?”

Anne felt the same fear. However, she saw no other viable way to earn money except through this work on the battlefield.

It was something she had resigned herself to.

“Maybe I’ve become numb.”

“…I understand.”

Hans’s calm reply came.

Anne quietly organized the injection solution in the bottle, then suddenly dropped her hand.

“Lieutenant?”

“Maybe I’m not afraid because I don’t have a family.”

Despite her words, Anne’s expression was full of tension.

Realizing that Anne was also struggling to hide her difficulties, Hans offered sincere advice.

“Sometimes, you should cry. Whether you have a family or not, the most important person is you, Lieutenant. Who wouldn’t be scared of war?”

Anne’s eyes welled up with unexpected comfort.

“You’re actually afraid, aren’t you? You’re reassuring us and saying you’re happy now, but deep down, you’re hoping for a peaceful life, aren’t you?”

“…….”

“Days spent having dinner together in the garden.”

“That’s….”

“When the war is over, I plan to invite everyone. Or, how about working at the same hospital even then?”

“Hmm?”

“Living next door, preparing dinner together every day like now.”

Hans’s playful words stopped Anne’s tears.

She wasn’t afraid of death, nor would she regret it. However, it was heartbreaking to have met these people only now.

Meeting loved ones and good colleagues in the middle of a battlefield was a cruel irony.

Anne pulled on Hans’s jacket to cover herself.

“L-Lieutenant?”

“Just, just a moment. I don’t usually do this, but suddenly.”

Hans nodded. He stepped closer and patted Anne’s back with his right hand.

He didn’t hold her in his arms, but even while considering the possibility of new rumors, Hans couldn’t leave Anne Riley alone.

“Don’t try to bear too much. Forcing a smile can make you sick.”