365 – EP.13 Letter on an Arrow
***
“I’m fine.”
Anna was able to relax a little more at the sound of the hard voice.
His voice was the same as usual, but his thick hand wiggled beneath hers.
His actions, showing a weak side but also showing the appearance of an unwavering leader, were like the leader she knew.
Anna felt sorry for that.
“thank god.”
Anna has no intention of digging up his true feelings.
I just think that I need to be recognized.
“…I need an explanation of what happened.”
At the captain’s words, who had been checking her condition, Anna took her hand away and stood up.
Although it was regrettable to take back the hand that had been raised, it was a soldier’s duty to prioritize duty over personal greed.
“I will report to you.”
Anna straightened her posture and opened her mouth.
“……”
The man silently focused his gaze on the woman’s mouth.
“As you know, sir, while we were on our way back to intercept, we were ambushed by enemy forces.”
“hmm….”
The captain narrowed his eyes and seemed to be recalling memories.
“I don’t know if our route was discovered, but judging by the number of people we had, I think they already knew.”
Anna continued speaking.
“What next?”
“Yes. The captain said that we should not continue on to where the enemy was leading us, and he personally led the way and broke through the enemy’s encirclement. In the process, the captain was injured.”
“…….”
Was it the memory of that time that came back to him? The captain frowned slightly.
Anna, who had been reporting without any hesitation, closed her mouth for a moment.
She studied his face carefully. He seemed to be thinking about something.
“Captain… I’m sorry, but may I say something?”
After much thought, Anna looked straight at the captain with a determined face.
“…?”
The captain asked Anna a question, as if asking what she had to say.
Gulp. Anna swallowed once and opened her mouth. Unlike before, it was not easy to speak.
“Personally, I am proud to say that our cavalry’s covert movements are the best on the continent. But the fact that our location was discovered from the beginning.”
“Are you saying there was a leak of information?”
The captain accepted Anna’s words.
Anna bit her lower lip and closed her eyes slightly.
“From the beginning, it was an absurd mission to have only our cavalry go out and intercept the imperial army.”
“…….”
“Captain, you must admit it now. The kingdom has abandoned us. Do you not know that it is trying to hand you over to that greedy woman of the empire?”
Anna urged the silent captain.
“…Why me? Did I commit some sin?”
And then the absurd question that followed. Anna had no choice but to press her pounding head.
“……Are you pretending not to know, or are you really unaware? Didn’t you know that the Emperor of the Empire was obsessed with you, Captain?”
It was cute to see the stiff-man leader looking at her with eyes that said he knew nothing, but Anna felt frustrated first.
“…Well, I knew it.”
“You’re lying.”
I’ve been with you for several years. When Anna opened her eyes wide, the captain looked away.
The captain remained silent, as if trying to recall his conversation with Anna.
Anna also felt embarrassed about revealing her true feelings more than usual, so she just chased the dust in the air.
The conversation between her and him never lasted long.
He asks, she answers. They talk more about the cavalry than about Saddam.
That is why the silence now was the same as usual.
“So, what’s the situation now?”
“We’ve set up a temporary camp in the forest. There’s a possibility of a fire attack, but the forest is large and we’ve secured an escape route, so we think it’s okay.”
Anna, who had been lost in thought for a moment at the man’s question, straightened her posture.
“I guess I won’t be able to stay long.”
The man muttered.
Anna’s gaze turned to the captain’s body. It was the captain’s body that had been on the verge of death just a moment ago.
The east is about to change, and they have to move.
“Yes, it looks like it would be nice if the east moved at the same time as the gap.”
Is it okay? Anna had to say something different from what she really thought.
“I want to ask…”
Just as the captain was about to open his mouth.
Someone came rushing in from outside.
“colon!”
It was John who had the loudest voice in the cavalry.
“John, the captain has just woken up and needs to rest. Making a fuss is not acceptable.”
Anna pressed John with fire in her eyes, but John paid no attention and headed towards the captain.
“From the Empire… a letter…!”
A single arrow was clutched in his large fist.
There was a pretty piece of paper attached to the center of the arrow shaft.
Anna took the letter off the arrow and unfolded it.
The letter was densely written.
“colon.”
Anna’s eyes shook.
“Read it to me.”
The captain asked calmly.
***
Inho. When I call your name, I feel like flowers are blooming in my heart.
Perhaps, you don’t know what your existence means to me.
…I heard you were injured. I hope it wasn’t too bad.
You don’t think I’ve hurt you, do you?
You are my treasure. Let me tell you that you are not so foolish as to treat your treasure carelessly.
Those who hurt you, I have dealt with well.
They deserve to die for disobeying the Emperor’s orders and damaging the Emperor’s most precious treasure.
So you don’t have to worry about anything.
I heard you went into the forest.
I think you’re doing well, but I’m also human, so I want to confirm with my own eyes that you’re okay.
So, I am writing this letter.
Tomorrow afternoon. Come out to the forest entrance. Let’s enjoy a light refreshment.
After spending some time with you, I’ll send you back to that shabby campsite.
I promise in the name of the Emperor that there will be no tricks or traps.
Okay, I’ll wait.
-Your emperor.
***
“Crazy b*tch.”
Anna said after reading the letter.