“It would be better to leave now. I can’t be away from my post for too long.”

Kardian shifted his gaze to Ansi.

In fact, it didn’t matter whether they returned now or after enjoying more leisure time.

However, rather than staying in this unpleasant area where Damion spent his childhood, it seemed more satisfying to quickly take Ansi and leave.

Kardian wrapped his arm around Ansi’s shoulder and turned.

Ansi bit the inside of her lip hard. When his hand brushed her arm like a snake crawling over her body, goosebumps rose on her skin. But she followed Kardian without showing her emotions.

Soon, only one driver was waiting in Kardian’s car when they arrived. Ansi obediently followed Kardian and sat in the backseat.

The car door closed and the vehicle carrying them departed. The anticipation of finally being able to leave Marel rose.

The difficulty of escaping was much lower on Kardian’s side. This was partly because there were only two people here, unlike the five soldiers, but more so because the other party was Kardian.

Ansi knew well that he had a favorable view of her. So if she pleaded well, she might be able to break down his guard.

Ansi gazed out the car window, clutching her skirt tightly. Soon it was their turn to leave Marel. Then a thin question was heard from beside her.

“Why are you being so obedient?”

At his words, Ansi flinched and looked at Kardian. He had one eyebrow raised as if suspicious.

Soon Ansi opened her mouth.

“Even if I say I don’t want to go, would you let me stay?”

“No, of course not. But I thought the usual you would have definitely resisted.”

“…I’m tired of it.”

“Of what?”

“I’m tired of being watched by them, so I’d rather leave Marel. And anyway… it doesn’t really matter where I go now. Because everyone I cared about has left me.”

Kardian narrowed his eyes. The things Ansi had lingered on. Soon, two people came to his mind.

Verodere Lubel and Damion.

Her brother, whom Ansi had so desperately wanted to get back, was now fighting at the front, he heard. After going through all the trouble to hide and protect him, seeing him throw himself into war must have felt quite futile.

The fact that Damion had volunteered for the front lines was also widely reported to boost the morale of the imperial army, so it was no wonder Ansi was so resigned.

Poor woman.

Kardian smirked. Then he reached out to her and stroked the back of her hand. Tension filled Ansi’s hand, but Kardian held it without paying mind.

“It’s truly sad and infuriating not to be reciprocated as much as you put in your devotion…”

Kardian could also understand that.

Because he felt that way about Ansi.

He had given her affection that others could only wish for. He showed her the things she wanted to see and even covered up her grave mistakes.

He didn’t know how resentful he had been of her for betraying and running away from him like that. So much so that he wanted to catch and kill her.

But now, having her next to him like this… his heart became infinitely generous. Even that resigned face of hers couldn’t be more beautiful.

Kardian raised his hand to cup and caress Ansi’s cheek. Then Ansi’s eyes wavered, and soon she opened her mouth.

“I understand now.”

“Understand what?”

“How upset you must have been, Kardian, when I didn’t accept you.”

At those words, Kardian sighed.

The catharsis that had risen from deep within his stomach prickled his mind.

The woman he had so desperately wanted, the woman who had always slipped out of his grasp, now said she understood his heart. He had never imagined it would be such a joyous thing.

“Get some rest. The journey is longer than you think.”

Kardian smiled and took his hand off her.

Even when he faced Ansi in front of the sea of Marel, he had the urge to lock her in his arms right away, but now he felt at ease.

Perhaps he thought that her avoiding him, betraying him, and running away until now was just a process. A necessary sequence to make the meaning of this reunion even more special.

Ansi nodded and closed her eyes.

Kardian looked at her with satisfaction for a long time.

How many hours had passed like that?

It was when they were passing through a bustling area located close to the capital. Although it was a bit chaotic due to being somewhat far from the north, people were in a mood not much different from their daily lives.

“…Excuse me, I’d like to go to the restroom.”

Ansi, who had suddenly woken up from sleep, spoke. Kardian laughed at how cute she was, turning her head and speaking as if embarrassed. Well, they had been driving for quite a long time, so it was understandable.

“If we go a little further, there will be a hotel. Shall we go there?”

“It’s too much trouble. We can use the one in the square.”

Kardian had never used a public restroom located in a square or on the street, but to Ansi, who had lived as a commoner, it seemed convenient.

The car stopped near a public restroom next to the square. Of course, he couldn’t let her go alone, so Kardian decided to wait for her in front.

Before entering, Ansi hesitated and said,

“It might take some time.”

“I don’t mind.”

“This area is famous for its fruit candy. I’ve always wanted to try it.”

“Go ahead. I’ll buy it for you when you come out.”

Kardian narrowed his eyes. He had no desire to eat something like fruit candy, but he could buy it for Ansi.

Now that her guard seemed to have lowered, he was quite pleased to see her expressing her desires like this.

Seeing her express her wants like that made it really hit home that he was the one by Ansi’s side now.

She soon went inside.

As soon as she did, Kardian frowned and took a few steps back. From a distance, he stared at the door of the public restroom.

He didn’t want to be near that unpleasant space that had a stench permeating even the nearby air. How could Ansi even go inside a place like that? He couldn’t quite understand.

Ansi had a noble side to her in one way, and a lowly side in another. Thinking of those aspects made Kardian somehow irritated.

He wasn’t sure if it was because of that despicable lowly side that deserved to be despised, or because of the thought that such aspects resembled Damion.

How long had he waited like that?

He checked the watch on his wrist. It had already been over 20 minutes.

She had said it would take time. He was contemplating whether he should go buy that trivial fruit candy.

“….”

Suddenly, he felt as if someone had hit his head hard.

Kardian strode to the public restroom. The woman sitting at the entrance to collect the usage fee reached out her hand, but he ignored her and knocked loudly on the restroom door.

There was no answer from inside.

Kardian’s expression hardened. He grabbed and shook the doorknob as if he would tear it off. But the door didn’t open. The woman got up from her seat in surprise.

“What are you doing, sir soldier? If the door breaks like that… Eek!”

The woman was startled and fell back on her bottom. Kardian had taken out a gun from his chest and aimed it at the doorknob.

Bang!

The doorknob shattered and the door opened without resistance.

“Ha….”

Kardian let out a self-deprecating laugh.

There was no one inside, and a window large enough for a thin woman to squeeze through was open.

Boarding a shared carriage and hunching over, Ansi exhaled heavily. Her breath caught in her throat and she tasted the bitter taste of blood.

Her heart felt like it would burst from the tension that had constrained her throughout the ride. Her legs, hands, her whole body was trembling.

It’s okay. You did well. He can’t chase anymore.

Now, really, you can meet that person.

The countless thoughts she had poured out to comfort herself were sorted out at the thought of being able to meet Damion.

Ansi raised her head. She took a deep breath and brushed her tangled hair back and tied it.

And when she arrived somewhere, she got off the carriage.

The place she arrived at was in front of a hospital. Ansi swallowed dryly and stared at the poster on the hospital wall.

We are recruiting nurses to volunteer at military hospitals for the soldiers.

Ansi immediately entered the hospital after reading the departure date written under the large text.

The departure date was tomorrow.

It was because of a gunshot wound on his arm that Henet, who had been engaging in battles at the front lines, visited the rear hospital.

Thanks to the quick response to the enemy’s attack, there weren’t many casualties. However, in the process, Henet was injured in the arm and was eventually pushed to come to the military hospital.

To be honest, he wanted to rest at the hospital for a long time like this. How exhausting war made people. Even he, who had been active in everything, was growing weary as the days continued.

However, the moment he arrived at the military hospital, Henet’s eyes darkened with a worry greater than fatigue. He felt ashamed of himself for coming here with a relatively shallow wound.

The spacious ward was already full of many patients. Dozens of beds were all occupied by patients transported from the front lines, each with a distressed face.

Then a nurse approached and led him.

“Please roll up your sleeve, sir.”

“It’s alright. Please take care of the others first.”

Henet shook his head. His arm, which had only been given emergency treatment, throbbed, but there were many critically ill patients who looked much more urgent than him.

“I’ll do it when there’s time….”

Henet, who was refusing treatment again, stopped his gaze somewhere behind the nurse. There was a familiar figure in front of his eyes. He frowned and stared at the spot.

It wasn’t a mistake.

It was Ansi.

She was wearing a nurse’s uniform and busily moving between the beds.