TCCIO 12

Chapter 12. Now I Just Want to Rest

Scenes of tension rushed through Delia’s mind—nonstop days and nights spent observing the Imperial Army’s movements for a surprise attack. There was no time to eat warm food because they couldn’t risk lighting a fire. She couldn’t sleep comfortably at night due to the need for silence while moving in secret.

And now, only after being taken prisoner by the enemy’s supreme commander, she was finally getting some rest. The irony made Delia let out a hollow laugh.

“Commander. Let’s just march already.”

Things were bound to get looser during a move, after all. It might even help her escape. If not, it’d be better to at least get closer to the capital and find a way to ask for help. No matter how she looked at it, moving seemed like the best option—but the commander, as immovable as a stone wall, showed no intention of budging.

“Just wait. Once I find out who you really are, I’ll march whether you want me to or not.”

“Even if you do, knowing who I am won’t help you much.”

“You came with an elite few to launch a surprise attack, but because of someone, this turned into a full-on war. I might need the help of a prisoner trying to escape.”

“I’m seriously just a regular prisoner. I have no power.”

“Who knows? Maybe your parents are the gatekeepers of the Iorenti royal castle?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Even if they were, would they sell out a whole kingdom for one daughter?”

“I’ll handle the negotiations. Just tell me who you are.”

“No way. What do you take me for, a fool? I’m not going to sit here and be used. I’m getting out of here, no matter what.”

Delia’s lark-like voice rang through the forest, mingling with the sound of the gently flowing brook. Aaron stood with his legs apart, straddling the stream, gazing at her while enjoying the sounds of the beautiful forest.

“You’re talking so openly to me? Shouldn’t escape plans be whispered in secret?”

“Why would I sneak around? I’m going to walk out of here with my head held high. Right in front of your eyes.”

“Ambitious. You think I’m going to let go of something I worked so hard to catch?”

“I’ll just create a situation where you’ll have no choice but to let me go.”

Aaron looked at the prisoner he dragged here by the wrist. Such a small thing, yet she talked endlessly.

“Prisoner, I’m not dumb enough to lose something that belongs to me.”

“You’ll become dumb soon enough.”

“So you admit you’re mine?”

Aaron chuckled and tugged on Delia’s wrist, then wrapped both arms around her from behind and lifted her over the stream.

“Ah! Commander! What are you doing?!”

Delia flailed in surprise as he suddenly pulled her close. His strong arms tightened around her, making her chest feel constricted.

“Stay still, prisoner. If you keep squirming, you’ll fall into the water.”

Only then did Delia glance down at the stream and freeze. The sensation of floating in midair and the chill of the water below sent a shiver through her. Without realizing it, she leaned into Aaron’s chest. Aaron lifted her fully into his arms. His strides across the brook were surprisingly light.

“I think I’ll go hunting tomorrow.”

Delia looked up at him at the random comment. A gentle smile played on his lips, but his eyes were as sharp as ever.

“Why suddenly?”

“You’re too light. I need to feed you and fatten you up so you’ll heal faster.”

Delia scrunched her brows at his absurd statement.

“Don’t bother with that—just march. You said the army’s near the capital, right?”

“Why? Is there someone you want to see at the castle?”

Oops. Delia shut her mouth quickly. Silence fell between them. Only the sounds of water trickling, leaves rustling in the wind, and startled birds flapping their wings filled the forest. Everything was peaceful—except Delia.

“Do you have family in Iorenti’s capital?”

Aaron asked, but Delia kept her mouth shut, recalling their relationship. He, the supreme commander of the invading Empire; she, the captured princess of Iorenti. If he found out her true identity, he would exploit it completely. If her father found out, he might recklessly seal treaties in exchange for her. Neither outcome was desirable.

Delia shook her head to rid herself of the ominous thoughts.

“You’ll find out eventually. Why not just tell me now?”

Aaron leaned in closer to the girl shaking her head in his arms.

“Who are you, prisoner?”

His low, soft voice brushed her ear like a whispering breeze.

“Not your business.”

“I’m really curious. I just picked you up once, and now I can feel murderous intent.”

Though his lips were at Delia’s ear, his eyes were scanning beyond the forest. The grudgeful killing intent from soldiers who lost their leader seeped through the trees.

“Commander… You knew already?”

“They’re not even trying to hide it. It’s an open protest—‘Don’t mistreat the prisoner.’”

Hidden among the trees, Iorenti soldiers were watching them. Around Aaron, Imperial soldiers surrounded them in defense. In the middle of that tense standoff stood Aaron and Delia.

“What are you that they refuse to leave your side? How can I possibly let you go now?”

Aaron’s grip around Delia tightened.

“Well, of course you wouldn’t.”

Delia’s lips, tinted red from wild berries, let out a faint breath. A dull ache throbbed in her injured arm.

“Let’s just go back, Commander.”

“No more walking? You begged to come out here.”

“I’m tired.”

Being captured gave her a view she never had before. Troop numbers, weapons, training levels—the Imperial Army was superior in every way. And now she was a hostage too. If a conflict broke out between the Empire and the royal guard, the damage to the guard would be far worse. She had to prevent that at all costs.

“Commander… I just want to rest now.”

Delia whispered wearily and leaned against Aaron. His steady heartbeat gave her a strange sense of security. If she were to drive a blade into that heart… would Iorenti find peace again?

Night fell over the Tarence Forest.
The Imperial camp drove back the darkness with blazing torches. The bustle in the commander’s tent proved Aaron wasn’t just a commander in name.

“Commander, a message from the Kabat Plains.”

Aaron quickly scanned the letter brought by the carrier hawk.

“Vice Commander Kassel is at the Kabat Plains…”

He trailed off, glancing at Delia, then changed the subject.

“What about Royeni?”

“As you appointed, Count Stauen has been made governor.”

“Tell them to send detailed reports of Royeni—nothing left out.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And from now on, news from the plains goes through Aide Dyke…”

Just as Aaron was about to give more instructions, he paused, sensing something ominous beside him. He turned toward his bed.

“Prisoner.”

“What?”

“Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Should I bring more wild berries?”

“No.”

“Should I get you something to eat?”

“I said no! Why do you keep bothering me?”

Aaron looked baffled at the irritated prisoner.

“Then why are you chewing on that?”

In his line of sight was a prisoner holding a flower. Delia was nibbling on the flower stalks she’d picked during their walk. The beautiful primrose stalk quivered each time her red lips bit down. Petals disappeared between her chewing lips. With her hands free now, she looked oddly relaxed.

“It’s sweet and tasty.”

“I don’t get it. What’s so tasty about that?”

“The fragrance calms me.”

Aaron stroked his chin and gave a low hum.

“Hmm.”

A crazy prisoner indeed. He’d met people who found happiness in looking at flowers, but never one who ate them to feel peace. Aaron shook his head.

“Fragrance is meant to be smelled, not eaten.”

“The scent is richer when tasted.”

“You’re not human.”

Delia looked down at the half-eaten bouquet. The stem now had plenty of gaps—unlike the flawless commander. The supreme commander wasn’t as easy as he looked. His eyes curved with a smile, but they never truly laughed. His words sounded light, but their meaning was weighty. Delia bit into another flower while watching Aaron’s expression with her blue eyes.

“Do you even know what a flower tastes like?”

“Don’t need to. Doesn’t affect my life. Besides, I don’t really like flowers.”

Even that phrase, “I don’t like flowers,” sounded sweet in his voice. Delia tuned in to every change in his tone, every expression he made in response to her, all in hopes of spotting a weakness.

“Commander. I can read your thoughts. Don’t look at me like I’m a bug.”

“I thought only butterflies and bees ate flowers, not humans.”

Aaron gave a dry laugh and returned to the letter.

“I’m just trying to survive. A prisoner who might die today or tomorrow… eating this helps me stay calm.”

Aaron clicked his tongue as he finished reading the letter.

“Tch. I told you—I won’t let you die easily.”

“Do you treat all prisoners this well?”

“No. You’re useful.”

Aaron said it casually, but his mind was full of thoughts about the mysterious prisoner. She had a boldness that didn’t suit someone held captive. The soldiers circling her like ghosts were no ordinary subordinates. And then there was her obsession with escape…

Who was this prisoner?

“You don’t even know me and talk about usefulness? Pathetic.”

“That’s why I’m keeping you close—to find out.”

There was definitely something about her. Maybe something that could shift the tide of war. Aaron chuckled as he remembered her doe-like eyes scanning for escape routes earlier in the day. He wasn’t about to sit and wait idly for the truth to come out.

“What could you learn just by watching me? You’re wasting both our time.”

“I plan to try more than just watching.”