366 – EP.13 Uncomfortable Tea Time
***
Crazy b*tch.
The captain’s eyes widened at the harsh words that came out of his small, pretty lips.
“Oh, um… excuse me.”
Anna realized her slip of the tongue too late and kept her mouth shut, but that didn’t last long.
It was because the captain who had been sitting got up and put his hands on his knees.
“You must sit down.”
“It’s okay.”
The captain, who got up unsteadily, slowly headed out of the tent.
Anna followed him from behind as he walked, his steps seeming like he was going to fall over, and she grabbed the hem of his clothes.
I was thinking of supporting him even if it meant pulling him.
“colon!”
“Captain.”
“Oh, you look okay?”
As he left the tent, a variety of voices greeted him.
The group sitting in a circle around the campfire stood up and gathered around him.
“Keep your distance. The captain needs stability right now.”
“Oh, Anna. She’s the wife, so she protects the captain well~”
As Anna, who had been standing behind, stepped forward to block their approach, a voice was heard from among the gathered people.
“Who, who are you!”
Anna’s face turned red like a campfire at the joke that resonated clearly throughout the campsite.
She tried to find the culprit while grumbling, but everyone just laughed at her with a grin on their face.
“Do not make any remarks that will undermine unit discipline.”
In the end, the incident ended with Anna, who failed to track down the person, barking like a toothless beast.
“Baron, who is swayed by the light of the Brodye, is a fool.”
“What kind of dog!”
No it wasn’t.
As Anna ran out in an instant, the man who had been hiding in the crowd started running fiercely.
Looking at his face, it was the man who had just entered the tent and handed the letter to the captain.
“John the Crazy b*stard.”
“He only picks a fight with Anna.”
“But weren’t you behind the captain just a moment ago? When did you come to our side?”
“I don’t know.”
Leaving behind the man and woman who had begun to circle the campsite like a chase in a towel-twirling game, the leader looked carefully at the people gathered before him.
“Captain, is there something strange?”
The brown-haired woman, Agnes, spoke to the captain.
“Just… are these all the people?”
“That’s all, except for the five on guard duty. Gilbert, Hisen, Dorian, Kane, and Lina are currently on guard duty.”
“I see.”
The leader nodded and walked towards the campfire. The men split up to make way for him.
“Are there any injured people?”
“There are only minor injuries. There was a serious injury, and he’s standing right in front of you.”
Agnes smiled refreshingly, and the captain smiled back.
As they reached the warm campfire, the group members whispered among themselves.
“Wow, I see you laughing, Captain. The sun will rise in the west tomorrow.”
“You idiot, the sun actually rises in the west.”
“Huh? Isn’t it the east? I got confused.”
“You idiot, you’re facing east. You can tell the strap of your bag is too short.”
“Don’t touch my academic background.”
“If there’s nothing unusual, let’s go to bed.”
The captain’s voice fell on the men who were each chattering.
“yes!”
The sporadic small talk suddenly disappeared as if it had never happened.
They covered themselves with a blanket and lay down with a quick movement.
“Isn’t the captain sleeping?”
Someone asked.
“…I have something to think about.”
The captain sat before the campfire.
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth spread throughout my body.
“Haha! So slow, so slow!”
“Ugh, over there… stop!”
Anna’s panting could be heard from afar as she had not yet caught John.
As dawn broke, Ayoungji became busy.
“There was nothing unusual between the borders.”
The captain nodded after hearing the report.
The night watchman returned after making a circle around Ayeongji, and the soldiers who had been sleeping on the hard ground woke up one by one and started making breakfast.
The horse feeder scattered some grass and placed it in front of the horse.
“I want to wash my body, but isn’t there a good place?”
The captain asked Anna, who had brought soup in a wooden bowl.
“I understand there is a suitable stream nearby. But may I ask why you suddenly want to wash?”
It was a cavalry unit that rarely washed when going on a campaign.
“I have to meet the Emperor in the afternoon.”
“…Do you really intend to meet the Emperor?”
“The Emperor knows the location of Ayeongji. Moreover, it is close enough to send a letter by arrow, and it is easy to attack this place if you want.”
“That’s true, but…”
Anna trailed off, as if she had a lot to say.
“Vice-Captain, what kind of person do you think the emperor is? I would appreciate it if you could answer without any personal feelings.”
“…He is a man who keeps his words.”
“If I spend time with the Emperor, the crew will be able to rest more. Of course, we must keep the worst in mind. Rest, but be able to escape at any time.”
“…I will spread this message to the members.”
Anna thought for a moment and nodded.
“thanks.”
“Captain, may I come to the tea party?”
Anna, who had been worried, gathered her courage and spoke to the captain.
“Rather, I was the one who wanted to ask.”
Surprisingly, the captain readily permitted her to accompany him.
***
After preparing for a possible attack, the captain and Anna left the camp.
Two horses walked slowly through the forest.
Anna thought that the Captain’s riding style had changed slightly, but quickly dismissed the thought.
Because I thought it was useless chatter.
As they neared the entrance to the forest, Anna swallowed.
Soldiers were seen standing outside, like trees densely packed in a forest.
Fortunately, it seemed that the emperor’s words were not a lie, as someone who appeared to be the enemy commander greeted him and Anna.
“I will guide you.”
The stern-faced commander said just one word and then took the lead.
With imperial soldiers following them, they entered the imperial camp.
‘The number of soldiers….’
The number of soldiers roaming around the barracks was estimated to be several dozen times that of the cavalry.
Anna’s hands holding the reins tightened.
As if they had seen a strange animal, the soldiers in the barracks glanced at the captain and Anna.
The look in his eyes was closer to hostility than curiosity.
Their steps stopped in front of a magnificent and huge tent.
Anna seemed to know who was in this tent without even having to explain.
“The Emperor is waiting for you.”
The captain got off his horse and entered the tent without hesitation, and Anna followed him.
***
The Black Princess. This was the princess’ nickname before she became the emperor.
“I’ve been waiting. It took longer than I thought.”
The emperor rose from his seat with a broad smile on his face.
Her face looked like she was dying of love for the man in front of her.
The emperor’s ebony hair swayed and gave off a sweet fragrance.
“Fortunately, your body seems to be fine. I’m glad you weren’t seriously injured.”
The emperor, after examining the man from head to toe, sat down and spoke.
The emperor pointed to a chair with his hand, telling them to sit down.
As the captain sat down on the chair, the maids placed refreshments on the table.
Anna stood behind the captain, like the back of a chair.
The emperor, who had been resting his chin on his hand and grinning, frowned at the woman who had entered his field of vision.
I tried to ignore it, but it kept catching my eye, which was quite annoying.
“Kang In-ho, you’ve had a hard time too.”
Just as the general was about to question the emperor’s words, the emperor continued.
“You’re bringing someone who doesn’t even know the subject to the position of deputy commander.”
Glancing back, the Emperor casts a glance behind him.
The captain simply looked at the teacup in front of him.
“The respected leader is walking into the snake’s mouth, so I must accompany him as a subordinate.”
“Hoo… a snake?”
“Yes. It’s a snake with black skin, and it hisses without knowing what it’s doing.”
Anna said, looking straight into the Emperor’s eyes.
“You’d better be careful. Those snakes have lethal venom.”
The emperor lifted his teacup, closed his eyes, and took a sip of the tea.
“I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty the Emperor. However, you do not need to worry. No matter how venomous the snake may be, it is still an animal that crawls on the ground. I think it will be easy to catch it if I call a few hunters.”
At Anna’s bold words, the emperor opened one eye.
“I want to rip that cheeky tongue out.”
The emperor put down his teacup and said with a smile,
“Where would you like to try it?”
Anna answered coolly.