Chapter 7

A soft knock echoed at the door.

There was no response.

Anette eased the door open just enough to peek inside. Elliots was asleep.

The window had been left open. Quietly stepping into the room, she closed it before pulling the blanket back up over the man’s chest, where it had slipped down during the night.

She hesitated, wondering whether she should gently move the arm he was using as a pillow, but decided against it. Instead, her gaze naturally drifted to his face.

Lying peacefully in sleep, Elliots looked breathtakingly handsome.

Beneath his glossy black hair was a face so refined and immaculate that it was hard to believe he was truly a soldier.

His deep-set eyes, the sharp bridge of his nose, and his firm, resolute lips gave him a striking beauty.

He felt like two entirely different people depending on whether his eyes were open or closed.

He’s sweating again… Is he still in that much pain?

Beads of cold sweat glistened across his forehead, dampening the strands of black hair clinging to his skin.

Almost unconsciously, Anette reached out.

Just as her fingers were about to brush his hair aside—

Their eyes met.

“Ah!”

Startled, Anette jerked her hand back.

Or at least, she tried to.

Before she could withdraw, Elliots caught her wrist.

His deep, unwavering eyes bored straight into hers.

“Ah… um… your hair… it was on your forehead…”

Unable to look away from those dark eyes, Anette stammered helplessly.

“I’m sorry for waking you. I’ll leave now… please let go.”

Instead of answering, Elliots suddenly pulled her toward him.

Caught off guard, Anette lost her balance and fell across his chest.

Startled, she immediately pushed herself up—

“Ugh!”

A groan escaped Elliots.

Of all places, her hand had landed squarely on his wounded abdomen.

“I-I’m sorry!”

She quickly pulled her hand away.

But by then, she had already ended up lying awkwardly beside him.

Unable to escape, she fidgeted helplessly in his embrace.

“Anette… stay still.”

Suppressing the pain, Elliots frowned and spoke in a low command.

Lying face-to-face, their eyes met.

Anette’s heart pounded wildly.

As though completely unaware of the turmoil raging inside her, Elliots’ gaze only grew softer… deeper.

Oh… what do I do?

She worried he could hear the frantic beating of her heart.

Her eyes drifted from his eyes…

…to his nose…

…and finally settled on his lips.

That’s right… Sister. Think about Sister. She always said…

But before she could gather her thoughts, Elliots’ face was suddenly right in front of hers.

His warm breath brushed against her skin.

One tiny movement…

That was all it would take for their lips to meet.

She was so tense she forgot how to breathe.

Bad thoughts… bad thoughts…

As her eyes reluctantly lifted from his lips—

She found herself staring once more into those deep eyes, dark as a cloud-covered night sky.

Her heart threatened to burst.

…What would it feel like to kiss this man?

The shameless thought surfaced before she could stop it.

Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson.

Neither of them moved closer.

Neither pulled away.

Time drifted by like a dream in that fragile distance between them.

After what felt like an eternity—

Though only a brief moment had passed—

Elliots slowly leaned back.

The arm wrapped around her loosened.

Then, in a quiet voice, he said,

“Leave for now.”

He had only been dozing lightly.

The door opened, and Anette entered.

Even as she closed the window and pulled the blanket over him, Elliots kept his eyes shut.

He could almost picture the petite woman moving lightly around the room, as graceful as a dancer.

With his eyes closed, he simply enjoyed the gentle, comforting fragrance she carried.

She’ll put out the light and leave now.

That was what he expected.

But instead of fading away, Anette’s scent drew closer.

Then…

Her hand touched his forehead.

Caught completely off guard, Elliots’ eyes flew open.

His arm shot out on instinct.

There she was.

Anette stared at him with wide blue eyes, frozen in surprise, her wrist trapped in his hand.

For a brief moment, he simply looked at her blushing face.

Then he yanked her toward him.

“Ah!”

She landed against his chest, struggling in surprise.

Every movement she made sent painful jolts through his injured body.

He tried to shift so he could pin her beneath him instead.

But his battered body refused to cooperate.

Damn it.

Unable to move as intended, the two of them ended up lying side by side, facing one another.

He tightened his arm around her until she finally gave up struggling.

Lifting her head, she looked at him.

She was beautiful.

Not with the polished elegance or sophisticated grace of noblewomen from high society.

No…

She resembled a tiny wildflower—

Delicate.

Pure.

Fragile.

Even her scent reminded him of flowers blooming quietly in a meadow.

Now that he held her in his arms, she felt even softer than he’d imagined.

So unlike the slim, mature women of aristocratic society.

Breathing in the faint sweetness of her skin, heat stirred deep inside him once more.

Anette’s gaze slowly wandered over his face—

From his eyes…

Past his nose…

Until it rested on his lips.

When she finally bit her lower lip while staring at them…

She looked unexpectedly alluring.

For a long while, Elliots watched those innocent, transparent eyes that seemed to invite him to embrace her.

What am I supposed to do with a woman who hides nothing?

He stared down at Anette, deep in thought.

Finally…

He squeezed his eyes shut.

We’re beyond the Empire’s borders.

She’s the woman who saved my life… who cared for me.

Soon enough, he would return to the Empire.

There were countless women there with whom he could spend a meaningless night.

But Anette…

Those clear, transparent eyes that revealed every emotion…

They disturbed him far more than they should.

Having reached his conclusion, Elliots opened his eyes again and quietly looked down at her.

Taking a slow, deep breath, he gently released her from his arms.

Then he said,

“Leave for now.”

Anette tossed and turned on the sofa until morning.

The bedroom door opened.

She immediately shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

A chair scraped softly across the floor.

Then silence.

What’s going on?

Unable to resist, she cracked one eye open.

Their eyes met.

Elliots was sitting in the chair directly across from her.

“Good morning, Anette.”

He greeted her as though nothing had happened.

Feeling too embarrassed to continue pretending, she slowly sat up, acting as if she had just awakened.

Ha! So you’re just going to pretend everything’s perfectly normal?

She grumbled inwardly before replying,

“Good morning, Elliots.”

“Would you bring me a cup of coffee? Or tea?”

“We’re out of tea. I’ll make coffee.”

She had promised herself she’d act cold toward him.

Instead, the answer slipped out automatically.

“Ah!”

Her eyes suddenly widened.

“Coffee? You can drink coffee? Are you feeling all right?”

Elliots gave a faint smile.

“Well… I don’t think one cup of coffee is going to kill me.”

Honestly… this man’s recovery is unbelievable.

Anette thought as she brewed the coffee.

A short while later, they sat facing each other with steaming cups before them.

Elliots took a sip.

His brows knit together ever so slightly.

But only for a moment.

His expression returned to perfect composure as he continued drinking with effortless elegance.

Crossing his long legs, he picked up yesterday’s newspaper and resumed reading.

I was actually waiting for him to kiss me…

The memory of last night made Anette’s face burn.

He was the one who pulled me into his arms first.

Then why am I the only one who’s embarrassed?

“How am I supposed to forget that?”

“…Hm?”

“What?”

Too late.

She had spoken her thoughts aloud.

Heat rushed to her face.

There was no way she could explain what she had meant.

Panicking, she hastily lifted her coffee.

“Ah! It’s hot!”

Oh no… this is so humiliating…

As she dabbed at the coffee she’d spilled onto her skirt, she stole a glance at Elliots.

His eyes remained on the newspaper.

But the corners of his mouth were unmistakably curved upward.

“I… I should go change.”

Flustered, the words escaped before she even realized what she was saying.

Only then did Elliots lower the newspaper and look at her.

“Hm. And?”

His lips curved into an amused smile.

“Do you need my assistance?”

“N-No! Absolutely not! Please don’t help with anything!”

Mortified by her own frantic reply, Anette bolted toward her room.

Elliots’ voice followed after her.

“If you happen to find yourself needing to take your clothes off…”

“…let me know.”

“I’ll come in.”

Only after shutting the bedroom door did Anette fully understand what he meant.

Her face exploded into a deep, burning crimson.