TCCIO 29

Chapter 29. I Will Be Happy No Matter What”

Delia blinked as she lay on Aaron’s back. When she had tried to overcome him before, his back had seemed overwhelmingly massive, but now, leaning on it, it felt so warm and reassuring that her heart melted. Through the contact, she could hear Aaron’s pleasant voice.

“Let’s go hunting together too. The royal hunting grounds are so vast that first-timers often get lost.”

His voice was unrealistically sweet, soft, and gentle.

“I’ll guide you, so you don’t have to worry. When I was little, my brother and I practically lived there. I could find my way even with my eyes closed.”

All of that could become possible if she abandoned Iorenti. But… there was no way she could abandon Iorenti, where her grandfather and parents lived, and where even a single pebble held meaning.

“Commander. That’s not what I wanted.”

Delia’s murmured words were nearly inaudible, and the wind from Mount Tarens brushed her cheek with a chilly breeze. It made the warmth of Aaron’s back feel even more comforting. Swaying like in a dream, Delia blinked and softly called out.

“Commander.”

“What is it?”

“Over there, that flower. I really like that one.”

Delia reached out her hand, pointing somewhere. Dyke and the soldiers following quietly flinched at her voice. The prisoner—no, the princess—was talking about flowers again. Without realizing it, they took a step toward the flowers.

“Stop.”

Aaron halted the subordinates who were about to move.

“I’ll get it.”

He stopped them out of habit and walked toward the flowers himself. He gently set Delia down on a flat rock and adjusted her disheveled cloak. As he brushed back her hair, he gazed into her blue eyes before turning to pick the flowers.

“The Empire’s only Grand Duke and Supreme Commander is going to pick flowers himself?”

Delia blinked in surprise.

“You acted like you couldn’t possibly do it, but you’re doing just fine.”

Even though she teased him with a faint voice, Aaron simply continued picking the flowers in silence. The way he picked them—gently, one by one—was just like the way he had caressed her. His silver hair fluttered gently in the breeze among the blooming wildflowers. The sight of him bending down to pick flowers was so beautiful, she felt she would never forget it.

“Thank you.”

Delia inhaled the faint, apple-like fragrance of the bouquet he handed her. Finally, a radiant smile appeared on her face.

“You really like flowers that much?”

“Yeah. They’re pretty. When I’m anxious, I need to eat flowers.”

At her much brighter expression, Aaron smiled softly. At first, he had been suspicious—perhaps she was signaling her men, or maybe there was a trap. But there was nothing. Seeing that dazzling smile made all his doubts seem pointless. If eating flowers could ease her anxiety, then he would pick every flower in the Empire for her.

Delia offered him a flower.

“Commander, you worked hard to pick these—want to try one?”

Aaron brushed the dirt off his hands and shook his head.

“I’m satisfied just looking. Eating flowers isn’t really my thing.”

When Aaron refused, Delia’s face lit up like a white blossom.

“What a shame.”

Aaron gave a confused look at her bright smile.

“You’re smiling so brightly even though I said no? Give it here. That smile makes me feel like I should eat it after all.”

“Too late. You missed your chance. I’m not giving even a single blade of Iorenti grass to you.”

Delia quickly took the flower and bit it before Aaron could take it. She began chewing it with her red lips. The neat row of white blossoms trembled faintly. Aaron silently watched. No matter where or what situation, she was always an unstoppable princess. That confident look—as if she had returned to her true self—gave Aaron a sense of relief. Yes, things were hard now, but with time, she would adjust and live proudly again. In his territory.

“Commander. Isn’t this flower beautiful? They say fairies use it as a cup during their parties.”

“Since you’re chewing up their cups, I guess the fairies must be sad.”

Aaron’s eyes wandered naturally to the beautiful flower. It almost felt like he could hear a bell-like chime, like Delia’s voice. The sight of the white blossoms disappearing into her mouth was almost hypnotic. The contrast between her red lips and the white petals burned into his vision.

“By the way, Commander. Do you know the meaning of this flower?”

“I don’t care about flower meanings.”

“Then you won’t be good at romance. This flower is so beautiful it’s exchanged between lovers.”

“I don’t need to be good at romance. I’m getting married soon anyway.”

At the word married, Delia’s face stiffened as if she were at a loss for words. To be married to the enemy commander… The thick gray clouds above seemed to color her eyes. A gloom that even flowers couldn’t lift filled her heart. Looking away from Aaron, Delia quietly opened her mouth.

“I will be happy. No matter what.”

“What?”

“The flower’s meaning. Isn’t it wonderful?”

“That’s kind of cliché.”

“What were you expecting, Commander?”

“Victory. Ending. Freedom. Indulgence. Ennui. War. Pleasure.”

Delia turned to stare at Aaron, who was spouting random nonsense.

“Commander, you can’t just make things up and call them flower meanings.”

“Why not? Whether this meaning or that meaning…”

“You really don’t care about flowers, do you?”

“What’s the point? They wither and disappear so quickly. Giving them meaning seems pointless.”

Aaron’s dazzling silver hair fluttered in the wind as he spoke indifferently. Delia, staring blankly into his cloudy eyes, spoke up.

“Carry me. I want to go back now.”

Her expression looked as though she had lived a hundred years in a single day. Aaron silently turned his back to her again. Delia leaned into his wide back. His pace seemed slower now, as if reluctant to return. Listening to the quiet thumping of his heart, Delia spoke softly.

“Maybe it’s because you picked them, but they smell sweeter and taste better. I don’t think I’ll ever forget this.”

“I’ll pick more for you.”

“It won’t feel the same as this moment.”

“Then I’ll give you even more beautiful moments.”

“That’s probably impossible.”

“I’ll make it possible. If you want, I’ll fill your whole estate with these flowers. So tell me—what are they called?”

The wind through the forest rustled as Aaron asked. After a brief hesitation, Delia buried her face in his back and answered softly.

“Lily of the valley. It’s called lily of the valley.”

Aaron dismissed the horse and carried Delia himself. He liked the feel of her on his back—it slowed his steps naturally. The delicate arms wrapped tightly around his neck, the warm breath brushing his neck, even her golden hair fluttering in the wind—he didn’t want to miss a single thing. By tomorrow, after a sleepless night, Delia would likely depart with the escort heading for the Empire. And he would move swiftly to occupy the Iorenti capital. To send her parents into exile in another country, he had to act fast. Although they would live isolated and under surveillance, it was better than death. And if Delia visited them occasionally with him, she would find peace of mind and adapt more quickly to life as a Grand Duchess.

“We’re almost there.”

He tried to wake the silent Delia. As he said it, the bouquet she had been holding dropped at his feet. Had she fallen asleep again? Was she always this sleepy, or was it because she was a captive? She always seemed especially sleepy when with him. But something felt off this time.

“Miss?”

He called, but there was no reply.

“Princess.”

She was definitely on his back, but there was no reaction. A bad feeling crept in. Aaron stopped and lowered her carefully. As he turned to check on her, Delia suddenly collapsed to the ground, unable to support herself.

“What’s wrong?”

Aaron caught her urgently. Her body trembled violently. Cold sweat soaked her skin. Alarmed, Aaron tried to wake her.

“What’s happening?”

Delia clung to his shirt so tightly that her knuckles protruded. Even in pain, she curled into him.

“It hurts.”

She whispered in a faint voice and buried her face in his shoulder, gagging violently.

“Where? What hurts?”

Tears rolled down Delia’s pale cheeks.

“Commander… it hurts so much.”

Her gasping words tore into Aaron. What had happened? He hadn’t taken his eyes off her for a moment. Why now? Gritting his teeth, he scooped her up.

“Now. Call the medic—immediately!”

He barked the order to Dyke and strode rapidly away. The walk from the camp entrance to the tents had never felt so long. Controlling his pounding heart, he laid her on his bed. Her smiling face was gone—now twisted in pain, she couldn’t even open her eyes.

“Ugh.”

Her golden hair shook with her convulsions. The gagging grew worse. Stroking her back, Aaron asked Dyke,

“When is the medic arriving?”

“We sent someone right away. He should be here soon.”

What in the world had happened? Delia curled in pain, clutching her stomach, trembling violently.

“C-commander… it hurts so much.”

“The medic will be here soon. Just hang in there.”

She let out a choked moan, and Aaron rubbed his face in frustration. His mind was blank—he couldn’t even think clearly anymore.

“Where does it hurt? Tell me.”

“It hurts so much… ugh…”

“Please. Just tell me where it hurts.”

But it was like she couldn’t hear anything anymore. Her trembling hands fumbled blindly, searching for something. As her blue eyes slowly lost focus, Aaron’s breathing became strained.

“Ugh…”

At the soft, groaning voice, Aaron reached out and took her hand. Only then did Delia finally close her eyes, as if reassured. But the moment she did, the pain washed over her more strongly.

“It hurts… so much… ngh…”

Her stifled groans turned into quiet sobs.

“Just a little more. Hold on, just a little more.”