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Chapter 11
Annette woke early again today.
Seven o’clock.
Even though she’d gone to bed late, she had still gotten up fairly early.
She lay quietly in bed, trying to sense any movement from the other room.
He’s probably still asleep…
She quietly climbed out of bed and tiptoed toward his room.
Once again, she pressed her ear against the bedroom door, listening for any sound.
“Come in, Annette.”
Startled, she jerked backward.
How on earth did he know?
She tried to sneak back toward the sofa.
Without even turning around, she carefully stepped backward—
—but before she could get away, the door opened, and she found herself face-to-face with Elliots.
Why is he so fast? Don’t tell me he’s completely recovered already?
“Haha… Good morning, Elliots. You’re up early.”
Annette forced an awkward laugh.
Elliots looked down at her with his deep gray eyes.
His expression revealed nothing.
“Annette.”
His gaze silently demanded,
Speak. What’s going on?
“Ah… I have to leave for work soon, so I wanted to ask if you needed anything.”
“Hm. Then I’d appreciate a cup of coffee.”
Contrary to Annette’s expectation that he’d simply return to his room, Elliots sat down at the dining table.
Soon, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the living room.
The two of them sat facing one another.
Unable to think of anything to say, Annette quietly sipped her coffee.
Why does Elliots seem different since yesterday?
Colder, maybe? He hasn’t made a single ridiculous joke.
Completely unaware that Elliots was watching her, her thoughts wandered on.
Could he still be upset about… th-that kiss? Because I ruined the mood? Or is he acting distant because he’s leaving soon?
Feeling another pang of unfairness, Annette looked up.
Elliots was already looking at her over the rim of his coffee cup.
“Elliots, about the other da—”
“Annette, could I ask you a favor?”
They spoke at the exact same time.
“Of course! What can I help you with?”
Trying to erase yesterday’s awkwardness, Annette deliberately answered in a brighter tone.
She consciously tried not to dwell on how unusually firm his voice sounded.
“Bring me your friend Karl.”
Karl? Why Karl?
The memory of the confrontation between the two men a few days ago flashed through her mind.
Back then, Elliots had clearly disliked Karl.
“I’d appreciate it if you could ask him to come today.”
After saying it with a perfectly blank expression, Elliots leaned back in his chair and calmly resumed drinking his coffee.
“Oh, and…”
He looked at her.
“What was it you were about to say?”
He hadn’t forgotten.
“Ah… it wasn’t anything important.”
Why have you suddenly become so cold?
Is it because I acted like an idiot when we kissed?
There was no way she could ask something like that.
By evening, finding Karl in the library proved easy.
The red-haired young man sitting by the window with his head bent over his books could only be him.
Approaching the hardworking student, Annette lightly tapped twice on his desk.
Karl looked up, and a bright smile immediately spread across his face.
When Annette gestured for him to come outside for a moment, he obediently followed her like an eager retriever.
The smile disappeared from Karl’s face as soon as she explained that Elliots wanted to see him.
“That man? Why? Why is he looking for me?”
“I don’t know. But… I think he’s leaving soon. That’s what it sounded like.”
Karl’s expression softened a little.
For several days now, Karl hadn’t been able to concentrate on his studies.
Because of the man staying at Annette’s house.
Surely, in his condition, the man wouldn’t dare try anything improper with Annette…
Even so, something about him continued to bother Karl.
He couldn’t understand why Annette insisted on letting someone who looked like such a beast stay in her home.
He couldn’t understand the nun either.
As for Karen’s cheap taste in praising nothing but the man’s looks…
That wasn’t even worth discussing.
They’re all too naïve.
Annette.
Karen.
Even Sister.
Thinking about the three of them always made him sigh.
They were all so trusting that someone had to worry on their behalf.
Which was why, every evening, he’d secretly watched Annette’s house—
—or rather, watched that man.
Annette was naturally oblivious to things like this.
But what surprised him was that the so-called soldier didn’t seem to notice Karl lurking around the house every night.
Prepared to rush in if anything happened, Karl found the house almost always peaceful.
At the same time every night, the lights would go out.
Even after that, Karl would linger nearby for quite a while before finally heading home.
And now…
That man wanted to meet him.
If he’s asking for help getting back home like Annette says… then I’ll gladly help.
That thought put Karl in a much better mood.
Walking confidently beside Annette, he made his way along the riverside toward the house.
Annette watched Elliots and Karl glare at each other with concern.
Why do these two always end up growling at each other whenever they meet?
“Annette, would you mind stepping out and making Karl a cup of tea?”
What’s with this guy?
Why’s he acting like he owns the place?
Just as Annette was about to leave, Karl caught her wrist.
“No, Annette.”
He looked at Elliots.
“Serve a cup to this honorable soldier of Bleit instead.”
Elliots’ eyes immediately settled on Karl’s hand gripping Annette’s wrist.
“Ah…”
Trying to smooth things over, Annette smiled awkwardly.
“I’ll make tea for both of you.”
Then she turned to Karl.
“Karl, mind your manners.”
After that, she looked at Elliots, who wore an annoyingly smug smile.
“And you.”
“Karl gave up his study time to help you. You should be polite too.”
Looking back and forth between the two stubborn men, she let out a small sigh before leaving the room.
As soon as the door closed behind her, Elliots leaned slightly forward on the bed.
Then, looking leisurely at Karl, he asked,
“You.”
His voice was casual.
“Why do you keep lurking around this house every night?”
“What?”
Karl shot to his feet.
“I asked why you keep wandering around every night, making yourself so obvious.”
Having delivered the blow, Elliots leaned comfortably back against the wall beside the bed.
Karl, meanwhile, turned bright red.
“I… th-that…”
“Relax.”
Elliots smirked.
“I won’t tell Annette.”
His tone carried unmistakable amusement.
Karl was still stammering helplessly when the door opened.
Annette stood there holding a tray with cups of tea in both hands.
The moment Annette stepped into the room, she sensed that the atmosphere had shifted.
She didn’t know exactly what had happened…
…but Elliots had clearly won.
Feeling sorry for Karl, who looked completely flustered, she shot Elliots a suspicious glare.
“I was just asking Karl for a favor.”
Annette looked at Karl, silently asking,
Is that true?
“Y-Yeah…”
Karl hurriedly nodded.
“That’s right, Annette.”
“Hm.”
Elliots continued.
“So, Karl, I’d appreciate it if you could go to Solenea’s border garrison for me.”
“What business do I have with the border garrison?”
“Meet the commander there.”
“Give him something.”
“Then come back.”
“What?”
Karl stared at him in disbelief.
“You want me to meet the commander of Solenea’s border guard?”
He scoffed.
“As if someone like that would agree to see me! I’ll be lucky if I don’t get thrown out at the gate.”
Karl protested.
Elliots’ expression suddenly turned serious.
Without even looking toward Annette, he said,
“Annette.”
“Could you bring me my uniform?”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Annette returned with the neatly washed and folded military uniform she’d prepared.
Elliots searched through the jacket, checking every pocket.
Then Annette held out a small box.
“Were you looking for this?”
