Chapter 42
It wasn’t that he expected a sweet kiss.
Rather, Edwin braced himself for the cold, cutting words that were bound to follow.
If it were Anette, she would surely glare at him with icy eyes.
Then, as always, he would simply smile sheepishly and apologize.
But instead—
“Alright.”
Smack.
Soft warmth brushed against his lips before quickly parting.
“That settles the debt.”
Anette spoke curtly and glanced at the sun’s tilted angle.
Too much time had already slipped away while she was distracted. It was time to move.
“It’s later than I thought. I’m leaving.”
She turned her back and strode away swiftly.
“What… what just happened?”
Edwin, stupefied, could only stare blankly at her retreating figure.
Then, covering his lips with trembling hands, he muttered in disbelief:
“By the Creator… my God.”
His legs gave out beneath him, and he slumped onto the dirt floor like a ragdoll.
Sharie rubbed her cheek against the softness of the sheets, breathing out a hot sigh.
“Haah…”
Even as the afternoon arrived, she had yet to leave the bed.
Her body was so drained that she could hardly move a single finger.
“S-stop…”
Her skin, usually pale and fair, was flushed with crimson heat.
The relentless passion had left her as though covered in blooming fever-roses.
The cool touch of Kaisa’s body felt refreshing against her overheated skin.
Her voice, hoarse and cracked, could hardly manage a moan, much less a cry of pleasure.
‘I can’t… anymore…’
Clenching her eyes shut, she finally surrendered and spoke:
“I-I can’t take it anymore.”
“Hmm?”
The man pressed gentle lips against her cheek, coaxing an answer.
Hesitating, Sharie gave her final ultimatum:
“I’m hungry.”
The long fingers that had been tangled in her hair slowed, pausing.
After a faint silence, the oppressive weight clinging to her at last receded.
“…Very well.”
At long last, the passion from the night before seemed to reach its end.
Sharie collapsed limply onto the bed, finally freed.
As clarity returned to her mind, a different worry struck her.
“Weren’t you busy?”
“I was.”
Kaisa admitted it without hesitation. He hadn’t gotten up early and dressed in vain.
“I should be on the move soon.”
His gaze swept over her, lingering with reluctance, before he rose from the bed.
Simply straightening his crumpled clothes and fastening a few buttons was enough to restore his usual, commanding composure.
Unlike Sharie, who remained wrapped only in a blanket since dawn, he had stayed clothed the entire time.
Stretching his long legs, he stepped out of the tent.
Muffled voices could be heard outside—Kaisa exchanging words with soldiers.
Soon he returned, carrying a tray of bread and steaming soup.
Eating while lying in bed felt like an extravagant luxury.
Even more so when Kaisa leaned in to cool the soup with his breath before feeding it to her.
Not even when she was twelve years old, bedridden with a terrible fever, had she been cared for so tenderly.
Her chest fluttered strangely.
“Here. Have a bite.”
Blushing, Sharie parted her lips.
The creamy soup, made with diced potatoes and wild mushrooms, was simple but delicious.
Dipping the dry bread into the soup made it soft, like fresh bread just out of the oven.
Taking turns with spoonfuls, the two leisurely finished the meal.
“Chief, it’s Rusli.”
A familiar voice called from outside.
“Do you have a moment? I’d like to discuss the supplies delivered from the central command…”
“I’ll come out. Wait a moment.”
Kaisa stood, taking the emptied tray with him.
“Sharie, keep resting.”
He left a quick kiss on her cheek before heading outside.
Shadows danced across the tent’s canvas as he and Rusli spoke.
Sharie pushed herself up from bed.
‘I can’t keep lying around like this.’
She dressed herself with the clothes scattered carelessly on the floor.
The air inside the tent felt stifling after a day of idleness—she longed for the brisk freshness of the morning air.
“Right. Let’s leave the remaining medical supplies with the village clinic and the temple.”
“Thank you.”
As she stepped out, she found Kaisa and Rusli finishing their conversation.
“Good morning.”
At the sight of Sharie, still faintly flushed, Rusli’s eyes darted away awkwardly.
“Ah… yes. Good morning. You must be exhausted. Please, don’t overexert yourself—rest as much as you need.”
His stiff bow made him look like a wooden puppet.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to.”
Rusli hurried off, far quicker than usual.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
She frowned, confused. Just yesterday, he had gone out of his way to thank her warmly—why the sudden distance?
Feeling disheartened, she murmured:
“It seems Rusli is uncomfortable with me.”
“Naturally.”
Kaisa answered with calm certainty.
“The tents aren’t soundproof.”
“…Eh?”
At first, she didn’t understand. Then realization hit.
Her mouth opened in shock, heat flooding her face.
“Oh no… I-I can never show my face here again.”
Covering her burning cheeks with her hands, she whimpered in mortification.
Kaisa, however, seemed rather pleased.
“That’s fine. Then stay inside until I return.”
“No way!”
She would rather endure the shame of knowing people had overheard than hide away like a coward.
Despite her teary, embarrassed protests, Kaisa couldn’t help but laugh.
“Very well. Then come with me.”
The sky stretched wide and blue, not a single cloud in sight.
The sun shone brilliantly, filling the village with warmth and life.
Collapsed homes had been rebuilt, priests attended to the recovering wounded, and smiles bloomed everywhere.
As villagers and knights greeted them respectfully, Kaisa’s face reflected satisfaction.
“Everything seems in order. I needn’t interfere further.”
The subjugation was complete. The reconstruction was stable. It was time to return to the citadel.
While knights packed their belongings and servants fed the horses, Rusli busied himself dividing which supplies would remain and which would be taken back.
“It’ll take some time to finish loading the wagons.”
Kaisa’s large hand gently enclosed hers.
“Until then, why don’t we enjoy a little more time together?”
Bathed in sunlight, he smiled radiantly.
His beauty was dazzling, and Sharie found herself smiling back.
The once-frightening mountain village now looked like a picturesque travel destination.
“It’s beautiful here.”
The towering snowcapped peaks stood proudly against the sky.
When she first rushed here, terrified for Kaisa’s life, this place had seemed bleak and merciless. Now, it appeared breathtaking.
Hand in hand, the two wandered wherever their feet carried them, exchanging smiles whenever their eyes met.
Before long, they reached a well at the back of the village.
The well was spotless—its rope and bucket free of even a speck of dust, maintained with care.
As they stood before it, Kaisa began to speak.
“I heard a curious tale about this well.”
What followed was closer to a ghost story than history.
On a rainy day, a villager heard the sound of footsteps splashing—yet no person was in sight. Only wet footprints moved forward, as if an invisible being walked there.
Curiosity overcame fear, and the villager followed.
Splash… splash…
The unseen figure walked straight to the well and stopped.
Silence.
When the villager, trembling, peered into the depths—
A hand shot out and grabbed him.
“Eek…!”
Sharie’s blood ran cold.
“I-Is that true?”
If his story were real, this well was a place of death. Her skin prickled with gooseflesh.
Yet Kaisa’s grave expression only deepened as he shook his head.
“Of course not.”
