“…Chloe.”
Leila, seeing how sad her friend looked, forgot they were arguing and reached out her hand.
She wanted to wipe her tears.
Slap.
But her hand never reached Chloe’s face.
Chloe coldly slapped it away.
“Don’t touch me.”
With that sharp warning, Chloe turned and walked straight out of the tent.
Crying over Gerard in front of her…
The thought alone made her feel like she had lost.
Her anger burned hotter—
But her tears wouldn’t stop.
She needed time alone.
But she didn’t get it.
Aiden, who had been watching the tent from afar, rushed toward her.
The atmosphere had looked tense—
Had something happened? Did they fight?
He quickly looked her over.
If even a single scratch is on her…
He clenched his jaw.
If she were harmed, Anata would pay for it.
His lord would abandon everything and rush north immediately.
Luckily, she wasn’t physically hurt.
But—
Her blue eyes were red and filled with tears.
These Anata bastards…
But his loyalty didn’t reach Chloe.
Right now—
She didn’t even want to see him.
He reminded her too much of Gerard.
After all, Aiden was the one reporting her situation back to him.
“Sir Hume, don’t follow me.”
“My lady!”
“I’ll just go over there, under that tree. I need time to think.”
Aiden hesitated.
Her tearful face looked like it might shatter at any moment.
What happened? Is it safe to let her go? What should I report…?
His mind became tangled.
“But my lady, it could be dangerous.”
“…Sir Hume.”
Her tone hardened.
“This is not a request. It’s an order. Aren’t you a knight of Blanchet?”
In an instant, the fragile woman disappeared—
and only the dignified Marchioness remained.
“Yes. I have sworn loyalty to Blanchet.”
“Then remember that I am Blanchet. Treat my command as one, Captain.”
“…I will wait here, my lady.”
He finally obeyed.
As he watched her walk away unsteadily, he felt both pity—
and confusion.
But he still had a duty.
That tree is close enough. I can protect her from here.
He began calculating responses—
wind direction, attack routes, ranged support.
Just then—
Someone rushed past him toward Chloe.
“Stop.”
Aiden blocked him with his sheathed sword.
“Sir?”
“If you wouldn’t mind moving that.”
It was Herais Moore.
“Where are the young lord and lady?”
Aiden asked.
“Left them with capable men.”
Herais gestured casually toward the children.
“My lady ordered us to stay here.”
“Yes, the Blanchet knights were ordered. Unfortunately, I belong to Anata.”
He shrugged.
“What nonsense—”
“Are you really going to leave her alone like that?”
Herais interrupted.
“You may not know, but wild animals sometimes appear around there.”
Aiden froze.
“What?!”
He moved instantly—
But Herais stopped him.
“Relax. Nothing dangerous. I’ll escort her somewhere safer instead—for your sake.”
“…Return immediately afterward.”
Aiden finally allowed it.
But Herais was already running.
“…Unbelievable.”
Aiden muttered.
A slippery one.
Someone who twisted situations with smooth logic and shameless confidence.
Troublesome.
Still, he stayed alert.
What am I even doing?
Herais ran, confused.
Why was he chasing after a married woman—
even lying for it?
The forest edge wasn’t dangerous.
Just harmless animals like rabbits and squirrels.
She has a husband. A child.
And yet—
every time he saw her—
He felt something strange.
Familiar.
Longing.
Aching.
But it was one-sided.
She had drawn a clear line between them.
Again and again.
Still—
He couldn’t help himself.
So he pushed boundaries.
Spoke to her deliberately.
Annoyed her on purpose.
Even joining this outing—
was unnecessary.
Yet he put his own name forward.
And now—
He kept trying to justify it.
Why can’t I leave her alone when she’s crying?
He didn’t know.
Stop. Even now, stop.
But his feet didn’t listen.
He only stopped—
when he reached her.
“Haah… my lady.”
“!”
Chloe turned in surprise.
Seeing her tear-stained face—
He finally found an excuse.
…She just looks pitiful.
That must be it.
A woman who should be smiling—
keeps looking so sad.
That’s why he couldn’t ignore her.
“…Have you been crying?”
He returned to his usual light tone and pulled out a handkerchief.
But Chloe—
was furious.
Why was he always here—
hovering around her?
Every time she saw him—
It felt like someone was telling her:
This is the man you were meant to choose.
Your unhappiness is because you didn’t.
“Didn’t I tell you not to follow me?!”
“Yes. You told the Blanchet knights.”
He replied casually.
“Unfortunately, I belong to Anata.”
“…Are you joking with me? Or do you think I’m ridiculous?”
Her voice was sharp.
Unusually so.
“Me? Not at all. I simply came to warn you—this area has wild animals. Since the Blanchet knights are stuck following orders.”
He waved his hands innocently.
Chloe paused.
Even in her emotional state—
She couldn’t lash out at someone who came to warn her.
“…If you scream after seeing a wild animal while crying like this, that would be quite embarrassing, wouldn’t it?”
His tone was teasing.
“Are you… making fun of me right now?”
And just like that—
Her tears stopped.
