Chapter 10: “I’m Going to Obsess Over You”:
The Kingdom of Iorenti was teetering on the edge of collapse under the weight of the Imperial Army’s invasion. Fifty thousand Imperial troops were gathering on the plains of Cabat. At the capital, the Iorenti royal castle was locked in a suffocating standoff with the enemy forces. But the command tent of the Supreme Commander—the nerve center of this war—was so calm, it betrayed no hint of battle. Like the still eye of a storm.
In the middle of that deceptively peaceful eye, Aaron’s brow twitched.
Has my dear prisoner gone mad?
That was his first thought as he looked at the small, pale foot being held out toward him. Even as he watched, that same “crazy” prisoner’s leg swayed cutely—so much so, he couldn’t look away.
“Commander, I need shoes.”
“I doubt you’ll be needing those, Prisoner.”
“I do. I’m going out.”
She really was insane. A prisoner saying she’s leaving? And with such confidence? But Delia clearly didn’t care what Aaron thought. Like someone claiming a forgotten belonging, she spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“I’ve been locked up too long—I’m going crazy. I’m going for a walk, so bring me some shoes.”
Aaron frowned. His precious little prisoner seemed to have lost her mind after that fever. He replied coldly.
“You don’t seem to understand the situation. You’re currently a prisoner of the Empire of Stillreitz.”
He put heavy emphasis on the word prisoner, trying to knock some reality into her. His gray eyes were sharp as knives as they bore into her.
“I’m well aware of my situation, thank you. Now, the shoes—if you please, Supreme Commander of the Stillreitz Empire.”
The prisoner before him raised her chin proudly and smiled. Her radiant smile made it hard to believe she was even in captivity. And with that beautiful face, she grated perfectly on Aaron’s nerves.
“You kept me alive to use me, right? Then take good care of me. If you leave me locked up like this, I might just wither away and die.”
The military physician who had come to check on her wound glanced between the two. The commander who wanted to use this mysterious girl, and the prisoner treating him like her servant. It was an entertaining clash, and the doctor didn’t really care who won.
“Doctor.”
“Y-Yes?”
The doctor, who had been quietly enjoying the show, flinched at Aaron’s icy tone.
“What are you doing? Check the patient.”
“Right away, Commander.”
He hurried to Delia and spoke gently.
“Miss, I’ve come to check your wound.”
Delia unbuttoned the unfamiliar but strangely comforting shirt. As the soft fabric slipped off her shoulder, the cool air brushed against her skin, raising goosebumps. Perhaps it was the commander’s relentless gaze on her injury. Ignoring him, she pulled her left arm from the shirt. Her bandaged forearm still bore faint traces of blood. The doctor skillfully unwrapped it and examined the wound.
“It’s healing well. But you still need to be careful. If it gets infected before it’s fully closed, it could be dangerous.”
Delia gave a small nod. As he disinfected the area and rewrapped it, the doctor spoke carefully.
“Unfortunately, there may be a scar. I did my best, but…”
“What does a scar matter when I’m already a prisoner?”
She replied coldly, lifting her gaze to glare at Aaron.
“If I rot and decay after dying, it’s not like a scar would even show.”
Three days had passed since she had woken up from a coma, only to find herself a captive. The enigmatic commander was slowly tightening a leash around her, trying to uncover her identity while keeping her completely restrained. But Delia wasn’t about to sit quietly and let herself be used.
She shifted instantly into a sweet, innocent expression and asked the doctor a question, her voice full of fake sincerity.
“Doctor, do soldiers ever die from stress or fear of gunfire?”
“There are a few reported cases, but it’s rare…”
He hesitated, unsure where this was going.
“I think I might. I may have claustrophobia—I feel like I can’t breathe in this tiny space. I can’t sleep from the stress.”
“But… you sleep quite well…”
Ignoring the mumbling doctor, Delia pressed on dramatically.
“I keep hearing gunshots in my head. I imagine being riddled with bullets. I break into cold sweats and can’t breathe from the fear.”
“If you can say all that without pausing for breath…”
She shot a piercing glare at the clueless doctor, but she knew she needed his help. Putting on her most angelic expression, she explained her needs in the gentlest voice she could muster.
“I feel like I’m going to suffocate if I stay in here. I need sunlight, fresh air, a little movement. Please, just let me go for a walk.”
The doctor blinked at her. How could he deny the request of such a radiant patient? Just a walk—what harm could it do? If she died from stress, that would be the real tragedy.
“Of course. Walking is good for recovery. Get some sun and fresh air.”
“Oh, I feel so much better hearing that from a proper imperial doctor.”
Delia’s blue eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
“You heard him, didn’t you? The Empire’s best doctor said I should walk.”
Aaron’s expression twisted.
“Commander, if you want to use me, you need to keep me alive first. So…”
She wiggled her foot happily. Her small, white foot danced in front of Aaron’s eyes, mischievously distracting both his gaze and his thoughts.
“Bring me the shoes.”
To the outside world, war raged. But Delia’s little world was strangely peaceful. The mountain breeze played through her golden hair, the robe she wore over Aaron’s shirt fluttered with each step. The sunlight made her glow, and the scent of grass calmed her restless mind. But that fragile calm shattered the moment she looked at Aaron’s broad back.
“Did you really have to go this far?”
She muttered, looking down—not at her own hands, but at the large one covering them. Her wrists were bound, completely engulfed in his grip. Every time she tried to pull away, his strength only increased.
“Do you have to drag me around like a dog on a leash?”
She sighed, weighed down not just physically but mentally. The man gripping her was like a chain. How could she slip free?
“You’re my prisoner. Even this walk is more than you deserve.”
Aaron’s voice was dry and tired. His feet stomped irritably through the grass. She had been a nuisance to catch, and even more troublesome to keep. She just never stopped talking.
“Then treat me like a proper prisoner. Don’t keep me in your tent—put me in the prisoner camp.”
Delia tightened her grip in protest. If she could just get away from him, she’d see a way forward. She just needed to escape this grip.
“Do you think your body can handle the filth and cold of the prison camp?”
“I’ll manage. That’s my problem.”
Aaron paused and looked back. Her pale, thin wrist was barely hanging on. Her face still looked sickly after recovering from her gunshot wound. And yet, she was demanding so stubbornly.
“You’ll catch a fever, start shivering… what a sight you’ll be.”
“You’re the one who said a prisoner should act like one. I’ll go to the camp.”
“What, planning to escape?”
She flinched. Aaron smirked and pulled her forward again.
“I know exactly how fast you are. You think I’d let you out of my sight?”
Delia huffed, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. In that brief moment, her sharp gaze swept the area: Alden Plateau to the southeast, then the capital beyond. Outerley Cliff to the west, and ten minutes’ walk from here—Lake Vassar. She knew Mount Tarrence like the back of her hand. But Aaron’s presence was bigger than the mountain itself. His tall frame, wide shoulders, and the firm grip he held her with—could she ever escape it?
Trying to hide her anxiety, Delia spoke nonchalantly.
“Don’t you have more important things to do than obsess over a lowly prisoner?”
“You caused too much damage. I won’t stop until I find out who you really are.”
“You’re wasting your time. I’m just a nobody.”
Aaron stopped again and turned to face her. He gently brushed back her hair, which was blowing in the wind.
“Huh?”
Delia flinched at the touch, heat rising on her skin. Aaron smiled and spoke in a soft, sandy voice.
“Your hair was in your eyes.”
She blinked in surprise. The sudden comment left her speechless. A fresh breeze swept between them. Her hair, neatly fixed just a moment ago, was once again a mess of golden strands dancing in the sunlight.
“It’s messy again.”
As Aaron reached to fix it, Delia suddenly cried out.
“Ah!”
Startled, Aaron quickly scanned their surroundings. What was she planning now? Had they made a move? Every sense in his body sharpened like a beast defending its territory.
I think she’s messing with you