episode_0368

***

As if the time at the intimidating military camp had been a dream, there was silence surrounding Kang In-ho and Anna as they returned to the camp.

As I stepped on the thickly grown grass, the sound of the horse’s hooves felt more like a cool breeze than the usual cheerfulness.

The captain doesn’t talk much. Anna knew that well.

She spent more time with the captain than with other members. It could be said to be the unit commander’s privilege.

This silence was familiar. A silence that is neither awkward nor uncomfortable.

The silence of trust where we can understand each other’s feelings without having to say anything.

Anna enjoyed this silence.

The captain quietly did his job, and I was able to appreciate him like that.

However, today was different.

The image of the captain and the emperor eating cookies caught my eye.

The unpleasant face of the emperor recalling memories with a captain he did not know came to mind.

“Me, Captain.”

Anna called out to the captain who was slightly ahead.

“??”

As always, the captain just turned his head and made eye contact.

“Cookies. Was it really delicious?”

“I don’t know the taste, but I ate it because it was there.”

It was a leader-like answer.

“I see. Certainly, I have never seen the captain eat something delicious.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The captain doesn’t express himself very well.”

“I see.”

“So, sometimes I feel a little anxious when I hear about a captain I don’t know.”

Say things you wouldn’t normally say.

Did he come after meeting the emperor? Or is it because we are in a battlefield where defeat is dark?

“Um….”

“You don’t have to say anything. I know you won’t accept my heart.”

Anna expressed her feelings several times. The end of my confession, which I made while soothing my heart that felt like it was about to explode, was rejection.

In fact, it was not a good time for confession.

The first confession was when the cavalry was isolated. In a situation where she didn’t know when the relief army would arrive, Anna confessed to the captain. And it was a car.

The second confession was when the cavalry acted as bait. Before heading out, Anna confessed to the captain. And it was a car.

The third confession was when we were ambushed by cavalry and lost a third of our men. After the funeral, I confessed to the captain. And it was a car.

[Confession is timing, you idiot! It has to be done at a good time. When I’m just feeling itchy.]

Her friend Agnes, who heard about the three confessions, criticized her.

Anna took advice from Agnes.

However, this question arose.

‘Will a good time ever come?’

***

Anna recalled her first meeting with the captain.

The war with the emperor. Apparently, after the war, Anna met the captain.

The captain at that time was alone.

[The mercenaries paved the way for the princess.] Behind the brilliant feat, the sacrifices of the mercenaries were hidden.

In that war, the captain lost his mercenary unit.

After organizing the mercenary force again, wasn’t it because he didn’t want to repeat the tragedy that he swore allegiance to the Kingdom of Gernoa at the right time?

Of course, the Kingdom of Gernoa kicked them out, but it was a consequential interpretation.

‘Good times…’

Anna recalled Agnes’ words again.

The emperor of the empire targeted the captain, and the cowardly Kingdom of Gernoa handed over its entire cavalry to the empire.

We have reached the fundamental question: Will there ever come a day when the captain will feel at ease?

“Anna.”

It was the captain’s voice that pulled Anna out of her deep thoughts.

“Yes?”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

It was a strange question.

“He is the one who always stands in front.”

But it wasn’t difficult to answer.

“I see. Again?”

” He talks little and lacks delicacy… but he is a very warm person. And….”

“And?”

“He is the person I always have in mind.”

A pink mist seemed to pass over them.

“Ah- This is just the way it is. This is definitely not the fourth confession. Please don’t answer.”

Seeing the gaze staring at her, Anna waved her hand.

“…Foot, I understand.”

“Captain? Are you laughing now?”

“I didn’t laugh.”

“You laughed, right? What does that laughter mean? Please answer.”

Ignoring Anna’s words, the captain rode his horse forward, and Anna followed him, calling him repeatedly.

We soon arrived at the campsite.

***

The atmosphere of the campsite was strange.

The atmosphere was chaotic, but the murmur stopped when the captain and Anna arrived.

“What happened?”

Anna said, looking around.

“The letter from over there came before the person saying he was going to see the emperor.”

John shrugged and held up the letter.

“Who received this letter?”

“Judas came to find it stuck in a tree. I was wondering if the two people had been caught.”

“What is the content of the letter?”

When the captain asked, John handed him a letter.

“I tried to check, but Agnes insisted on waiting until the captain arrived.”

“I thought the emperor would not arrest the two of you because of what I said.”

Agnes confirmed her logic once again.

“How can you trust the emperor? She’s a bitch who blows the heads off her subordinates.”

The large man, Gilbert, spoke and the other members nodded.

With the crew gathered in front of him, the captain handed the letter over to Anna.

“Anna.”

“Yes.”

Anna began to read the letter carefully.

***

I forgot to tell you this.

three days. I will give you three days from today.

If you do not surrender after three days, I will have no choice but to move my army.

I hope you don’t have the foolish idea of breaking through the siege like last time.

Oh, if you care about me, you can surrender before that.

Just as you miss my embrace, I miss you too…

-Your emperor.

***

“Crazy, crazy bitch.”

John was impressed by Anna’s novel swearing.