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Chapter 7
Knock, knock.
There was no response.
Anette quietly opened the door. Elliots was asleep.
The window was open. She stepped inside as silently as possible, closed it, then pulled the blanket back up over his chest where it had slipped down.
For a moment, she wondered whether she should move the arm he was using as a pillow, but decided against it. Instead, her gaze naturally settled on his face.
Lying peacefully in sleep, Elliots looked even more handsome than usual.
Beneath his glossy black hair was a face so refined and immaculate that it was hard to believe he was a soldier. His deep-set eyes, sharply defined nose, and firm lips created a strikingly handsome appearance.
The impression he gave with his eyes closed was completely different from when they were open.
He’s sweating again. Is he still in that much pain?
Beads of cold sweat glistened on his forehead, dampening his hair. Without thinking, Anette reached out to brush the wet strands away.
Just as her fingers were about to touch his hair, his eyes snapped open.
“Ah!”
Startled, Anette jerked her hand back.
Or rather, she tried to.
Before she could, Elliots had already caught her wrist.
His deep, aristocratic eyes stared directly into hers.
“Um… your hair was covering your forehead…”
Unable to look away from his intense gaze, Anette stammered.
“I’m sorry for waking you. I’ll leave now… please let go.”
Instead of answering, Elliots suddenly pulled her toward him.
The unexpected force sent Anette collapsing onto his chest.
Shocked, she quickly tried to push herself up.
“Ugh!”
Elliots groaned.
Unfortunately, the place she’d pressed to lift herself was his injured abdomen.
“I-I’m sorry!”
She hurriedly withdrew her hand.
But by then, she had ended up lying beside him, trapped awkwardly in his embrace, unable to move.
“Anette… stay still.”
Frowning as he endured the pain, Elliots spoke in a low voice.
Lying face-to-face, their eyes met.
Anette’s heart pounded wildly.
As if completely unaware of her turmoil, Elliots’ gaze only grew deeper.
What… what should I do?
She worried he might hear the frantic beating of her heart.
Her eyes drifted from his eyes… to his nose… and finally stopped on his lips.
That’s right… Sister… Think about Sister. Sister always said…
But before she could finish the thought, Elliots’ face had drawn even closer.
They were so close that even the slightest movement would make their lips touch.
She could feel his warm breath against her skin.
She was so nervous she could barely breathe.
Bad thoughts… don’t think such things…
She forced herself to look away from his lips—
Only to meet his eyes again.
Those deep eyes, like a cloud-filled night sky, made her heart feel as though it would burst.
…What would it feel like to kiss this man?
The forbidden thought surfaced before she could stop it.
Embarrassed by her own imagination, her face burned bright red.
Neither of them moved closer.
Neither pulled away.
Time seemed to drift like a dream.
After what felt like an eternity—
Though it had only been moments—
Elliots slowly increased the distance between them.
Relaxing the arm that had been wrapped around her, he quietly said,
“You should leave now.”
***
He had only been half asleep.
When the door opened and Anette entered, Elliots had noticed immediately.
Even as she quietly closed the window and covered him with the blanket, he kept his eyes shut.
He imagined the small woman moving lightly around the room, almost as though she were dancing.
With his eyes closed, he simply enjoyed her soft, gentle scent.
She’ll turn off the lamp and leave now.
That was what he expected.
But instead of moving away, her scent drew closer.
Then he felt her hand touch his forehead.
Caught completely off guard, Elliots opened his eyes instantly.
At the same time, he instinctively reached out.
There she was—
Anette, her blue eyes wide with surprise.
Her wrist was trapped in his hand, and her cheeks had turned pink.
He stared at her for a moment…
Then suddenly pulled her toward him.
“Ah!”
Anette struggled as she landed against his chest.
Her movements sent sharp sensations through his injured body.
He tried to shift her onto the bed beside him.
But his wounded body refused to cooperate.
Damn it.
Instead, the two of them ended up lying face-to-face on their sides.
He tightened his arms so she could no longer struggle.
Eventually, Anette gave up resisting and looked up at him.
She had a beautiful face.
She lacked the polished elegance, sophistication, and glamour of noblewomen from high society.
Instead…
She was delicate and pure, like a wildflower.
Even her scent reminded him of fresh blossoms.
Holding her now, he realized her body was softer and more fragile than he’d imagined.
Completely unlike the slender, mature women of the imperial aristocracy.
Breathing in the faint scent of her skin only made the heat inside him grow stronger.
Her gaze traveled from his eyes…
to his nose…
and finally rested on his lips.
Watching her bite her lower lip while staring at his mouth was unexpectedly alluring.
For a long moment, Elliots looked into her transparent eyes.
Eyes that seemed to invite him into an embrace without her even realizing it.
What am I supposed to do with a woman who hides nothing?
He quietly considered the question.
Then he squeezed his eyes shut.
This is beyond the border.
This woman saved my life.
She cared for me.
Soon, he would return to the Empire.
There were countless women there with whom he could easily spend a casual night.
But Anette…
Her clear, honest eyes—so transparent they seemed to reveal her very soul—
Made that impossible.
Having reached his decision, Elliots opened his eyes once more.
He looked quietly down at her.
Taking a deep breath, he gently released her and said,
“You should leave now.”
***
Anette spent the rest of the night tossing and turning on the sofa.
At dawn, she heard the bedroom door open.
She immediately shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep.
A chair scraped across the floor.
Then silence.
What’s going on?
She cautiously opened one eye.
Their gazes met instantly.
Elliots was sitting in the chair directly in front of her.
“Good morning, Anette.”
He greeted her as though nothing had happened.
Feeling too embarrassed to continue pretending, she stretched and acted as though she had just woken up.
Ha… So he’s just going to pretend everything’s normal?
She muttered inwardly before replying,
“Good morning, Elliots.”
“Would you make me a cup of coffee or tea?”
“We’re out of tea. I’ll make you coffee.”
She had intended to act cold toward him…
Yet answered automatically.
Then suddenly her eyes widened.
“Oh!”
“Coffee? You can drink coffee already? Are you feeling alright?”
“I suppose one cup of coffee isn’t going to kill me.”
His recovery really is unbelievable…
Anette thought as she brewed the coffee.
Soon, they were sitting across from one another with steaming cups.
Elliots took a sip.
His brow twitched ever so slightly.
But he quickly returned to his usual composed expression and continued drinking gracefully.
Crossing his long legs, he picked up yesterday’s newspaper and resumed reading.
I was actually waiting for him to kiss me…
Remembering the previous night made Anette’s face flush.
He was the one who pulled me toward him first…
So why am I the only one who’s embarrassed?
“How am I supposed to forget that?”
“Hm?”
“…What?”
Too late.
She had accidentally spoken her thoughts aloud.
Her face burned red.
There was no way she could explain what she’d meant.
Trying to hide her embarrassment, she hastily took a gulp of coffee.
“Ow! Hot!”
Seriously… this is so humiliating.
As she frantically wiped the spilled coffee from her skirt, she stole a glance at Elliots.
He was still looking at the newspaper—
But the corners of his lips had curled into a smile.
“I… I should go change my clothes.”
Flustered, Anette hardly knew what she was saying anymore.
At last, Elliots lowered the newspaper and looked at her.
“Hm. And?”
“Do you need my help with anything?”
“N-No! Not at all. Please don’t help me with anything.”
Mortified by her own awkward words, Anette hurried into her room.
As she closed the door behind her, Elliots called after her,
“If you happen to find yourself in a situation where you need to take your clothes off, let me know.”
“I’ll come in.”
Only after the door was shut did Anette realize what he meant.
Her entire face turned bright red.
