TCCIO 22

Chapter 22. My Failure, Your Fortune
“How’s your body?”

Delia frowned at the gentle voice of Aron that tickled her ear. The softer he spoke, the more abrasive she became—as if trying to fend off his dangerous charm.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t talk so kindly. We’re not exactly on friendly terms, are we?”

“Why not? What’s wrong with our relationship?”

“We’re enemies. I need to kill you and escape, and you need to capture me and use me.”

Delia’s voice, spoken while lying down, seeped into the barracks. Whether her sleep hadn’t fully lifted or her exhaustion from last night still lingered, her tone was lower than usual.

“But even enemies can ask how the other is doing and suggest they eat, no?”

Delia turned her body to lie on her back and glared up at Aron. When her bruised body touched the bed, her brows furrowed in pain. Seeing the commander smiling gently down at her made her mood sink. Pulling the messy blanket over herself, she spoke coldly.

“That’s just your delusion. Just because a cat worries about a mouse doesn’t mean the mouse feels grateful.”

“If it’s a mouse, it wouldn’t even get the chance to be grumpy. It would’ve been eaten before it could complain.”

Delia gripped the blanket tightly, thinking that Aron’s eyes did resemble those of a cat. As tension filled her body, his low voice seeped in again.

“You didn’t even eat properly yesterday, too busy plotting to deceive me.”

He leaned over, placing one hand on the bed, bringing his body closer to hers. Delia flinched at the gesture that felt like entrapment. Maybe she should’ve just let him touch her—because the sensation of his silvery-gray gaze brushing over her was far more sensual than a touch. His eyes, darker than usual, seemed to pull her in. It felt like drowning in a silver lake, her lungs filled with water.

“Your stomach must be hurting from drinking on an empty stomach.”

His voice, like a dense fog over that lake, spread softly through the air. The deep, moist sound wrapped around her, making her heart throb. Though they weren’t physically touching, it felt like her whole body was.

“And you expended so much energy climbing the mountain and fighting that wolf.”

Trying to appear calm, Delia lowered her eyes.

“And whose fault is that? You’re the one who took me prisoner.”

Before she could even finish, Aron replied casually.

“Exactly. It’s my fault. So eat. Get better quickly so you can deceive me again and escape.”

“You’re seriously telling me to escape again?”

Delia widened her eyes at the ridiculous statement. As a princess of a nation, she couldn’t just be dragged around like this. Though she had failed her escape due to the wolves yesterday, she wasn’t going to give up. But now, hearing her enemy urge her to escape… her motivation vanished.

“You’re feeding me so I can recover and try escaping again?”

Delia looked at him in disbelief.

“Why? Are you not going to escape anymore? That’s better for me.”

Delia sighed. Struggling and resisting in front of this carefree commander made her feel ridiculous.

“Commander, just mind your own business. I’ll handle mine.”

Sensing her slightly deflated spirit, Aron reached out toward her shoulder. A red mark remained on her delicate skin, not fully hidden by the blanket. He gently brushed over the mark. Fortunately, her thick uniform had shielded her from the worst—otherwise, the wolf might’ve left claw marks.

“Still, if you do escape again, give me a heads-up, okay?”

Delia sharply smacked away his hand and flatly refused.

“What kind of nonsense…”

“And tell me your route too.”

“Do I look stupid enough to reveal my escape route? So you can catch me again?”

“So I can kill all the wolves along the way.”

Delia blinked. She was angrier about failing the escape than being attacked by wolves. But was the commander more worried about the wolves than about the escape?

“You’re seriously insane.”

At her blunt words, Aron chuckled softly.

“Yeah, sure. Call me crazy. But if you’re going to escape, just tell me beforehand. You shouldn’t get hurt again like yesterday.”

“The wolf’s not the problem. Getting caught by you is.”

“To me, the wolf is the problem. I don’t care if you escape—as long as you come back in one piece.”

Delia let out another sigh. Thanks to this crazy commander, her sleep had completely vanished. She slowly sat up.

“Enough. I’m hungry. Let’s just eat.”

She adjusted the shirt that had been loosened for applying medicine. Cold air slid under the oversized shirt and brushed her skin, making her shiver.

“Are you cold? Maybe your body’s just weak.”

Aron draped a thick blanket over her.

“It’s because I’m with you. I’d rather be with the wolves.”

Despite grumbling, Delia clutched the blanket tightly and slowly swung her legs off the bed. Blisters from yesterday’s run stung as her feet touched the floor. Seeing that, Aron scooped her up without hesitation.

“How did you know that the symbol of the Royal House of Stilleitz is a wolf? So what you’re saying is, you prefer being with me?”

Delia leaned into him and shook her head.

“You’re so full of it. I shouldn’t even talk to you.”

Seated in a chair by Aron, Delia looked at the table. A meal was already prepared—warm soup, meat, and berries from the forest. It wasn’t fancy, but unusually tidy for a military meal. Aron sat beside her and pushed a bowl toward her.

“I will escape successfully one day.”

Wanting to shake off the strange mood, Delia focused on eating. She held the blanket with one hand and lifted a spoonful of soup with the other. The rich aroma and warmth seeped into her body. As the warmth slid down her throat, she let out a soft sigh like a kitten. Aron’s gaze on her profile darkened.

“Yesterday’s plan was actually quite good.”

Delia squinted at him suspiciously.

“Are you mocking me for failing?”

“No, not at all. I’m sincerely complimenting you. I didn’t expect you to be hiding inside the barracks. You caught me off guard.”

“Sounds like sarcasm. You still caught me in the end.”

“That was because of the wolves. Your plan itself was brilliant. No one’s ever made me this tense before. I think it was amazing.”

“It feels awful getting praised by an enemy.”

Delia pouted slightly.

“If not for the wolves, I would’ve succeeded.”

“And if not for my quick pursuit, you would’ve been eaten.”

The memory of last night flashed through her mind—the wolf’s low growl brushing past her cheek, its hot, lethal breath. Her body trembled instinctively.

“Don’t be too upset. I, for one, am glad you returned safely to me.”

Aron gently brushed back her loose hair, tucking it behind her ear. Thanks to him, her hair didn’t fall into the soup. But Delia’s face stiffened at his touch.

“My failure is your fortune, huh.”

They were enemies who could never see eye to eye. His warm gesture felt more cruel than the breath of a wolf. She mustn’t get used to this. She couldn’t let herself sink into him. Clenching her teeth in unease, Delia muttered.

“If you feel that bad, how about letting me assassinate you instead?”

Aron, watching her frozen expression, casually suggested.

“Crazy bastard. You call that a suggestion?”

He reached out again and gently smoothed her furrowed brow with his thumb.

“At least you wouldn’t get hurt. You almost got mauled yesterday, remember?”

“And you’re worried? What if I actually succeed?”

“I’ll handle that part. You don’t have to worry.”

Feeling dizzy from it all, Delia pushed away the hand resting on her forehead. A commander who worried his prisoner might get hurt. A prisoner who worried her assassination might succeed. Everything tangled like a contradiction. She sighed bitterly, realizing how entangled she’d become.

“Let’s stop. Talking to you makes me feel like an idiot. I give up.”

Raising both hands, she declared her surrender. Aron chuckled at the princess’s cute defeat.

“Then let’s just eat.”

Delia picked up her fork and poked at a piece of shredded meat, putting it in her mouth. As she chewed, Aron’s relaxed voice floated to her ear.

“In any case, do whatever you want—just don’t get hurt.”

“Whatever I want?”

“Yes. As long as our dear prisoner stays safe.”

Was that sincerity? She couldn’t figure out what the commander truly wanted. It was far too generous for someone who supposedly just wanted to use her. After a moment’s thought, Delia leaned back in her chair and unveiled a new plan. Her blue eyes sparkled with cunning.

“Oh. Thanks to you, I just had a great idea.”

“What is it?”

“Next time, I’ll use fire tactics.”

“Fire tactics?”

“I’ll steal oil, pour it all over the barracks, and set it ablaze.”

“And?”

“While you’re busy putting it out, I’ll escape.”

Aron tilted his head seriously.

“That sounds dangerous. What if you get burned? Think of another plan.”

“Then how about a decoy? I know the mountain terrain well, so I’ll lure you to the swamp.”

“And then?”

“When you’re struggling in the mud, I’ll call Jerr and have him shoot everyone.”

“Hmm. That one’s a bit better.”

Delia stared at him in disbelief. She’d said it half-jokingly, but his reaction was unexpected.

“The second plan seems safer. You should give it a try.”

Whether it was burning down the barracks or dragging him into a swamp, he didn’t care. A commander who listens to a prisoner’s escape plan and advises her not to get hurt—he was no ordinary madman. Delia leaned toward him and stared into his face.

“Commander.”

“Yeah? What is it?”