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Far Away (5)
He wiped Lily’s cheeks and ruffled her messy hair. “I’ll be going. It is the coldest right before dawn, so if you’re exposed to the wind, you might catch a fever again.”
She felt hazy, utterly at a loss at what to do—what she should have done.
But it was only natural.
Her whole world was full of people who scratched and strangled her, but she didn’t know what to do with them.
“Vlad…”
The hand caressing her ear suddenly stopped.
Lily was afraid of the sweet voice that would come out of his lips.
The long black eyelashes fluttered for a moment. His grey eyes, as dull as burnt ashes, were strangely calm, reminiscent of the indifferent mask he put on daily
“If you get hurt after going… I will not be as confident as I am now. So just come back safe this time.” Glass shattered in her chest, filling her with a sharp, resentful pain. Lily’s fine eyebrows contorted and her body stiffened.
“…”
He gently drew a line.
The touch that was on her cheek and the nape of her neck felt pathetic to her.
It felt that he didn’t really want to go anywhere, and that he wanted to carry her on his shoulder and bring her along if possible.
Lily considered it just a foolish expectation of her.
He couldn’t have such affection for her.
Even though the touch was friendly, in the end, he did not say much or comfort her affectionately.
He didn’t seem to regret what he said to her.
“I will set up a barracks near the border of the plateau where we can receive letters. You’ll be able to receive information, including our date of return.”
Lily struggled to shake off the devastating sense of shame that had frozen her body.
Whatever it was, it had to be done.
Neither of them should be split apart like this.
“Vlad, I will… Put you in danger.”
“You won’t.”
There was no hesitation in his answer.
A firm arm came between her arm and her side gently wrapped around her waist. He looked at her unblinkingly. “You didn’t do anything.”
What should I do?
“But…”
“No.”
Lily paused. When she looked up again, she met her husband’s eyes before taking off his armour.
“I said you wouldn’t, Lily.”
Tears dripped onto the floor as they bid their last farewells.
* * *
Ivan, wearing a black fur coat, leaned against Vlad’s office door.
It was terribly dark inside, and it wasn’t just because it was not yet dawn.
…I really don’t want to come in.
He smacked his lips a few times, running a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what you heard. Why didn’t you say goodbye to your wife until the end?”
The chilly aura worsened. It was a pressure that he couldn’t get used to even after more than 20 years of experience.
Ivan rolled his blue eyes and quietly continued to talk, “Do you have nothing to say? Once you get on the horse, that’s it. I can guarantee that if you go like that… Hm…”
You will absolutely regret it.
Ivan couldn’t bring himself to say it.
The hand that was dragging a fountain pen on the office table stopped.
His uniform was just decoration. Unlike in other business trips, he didn’t even plan to wear armour.
The only functional piece of clothing was a wine-colored cloak casually thrown over his shoulders. It was a declaration that he would do his best.
Ivan let out a small sigh. Of all things, it was a sin to be an outstanding knight.
Vlad dropped his fountain pen. He leaned back and put his fingers on his knees. “You’re very interested in other people’s married lives, Ivan.”
“As you know, married life is a hot topic all over the world.”
“We are very close to each other considering that.”
Ivan frowned slightly. “You’re barely close to your soldiers. Also, there is a huge difference between soldiers and ordinary people.”
“Aren’t military priests soldiers?”
“If you take this opportunity to look from a priest’s point of view… What do you think?”
“…”
It was not worth responding to that.
Ivan licked his lips. His mouth was dry.
Vlad melted red wax from a candle to stamp the seal and put it down in the centre of the table. “Deliver it to Hans. Be sure to send it within a month and deliver it to Lily.”
“I’ve received your order.” Ivan took a step into the office.
Vlad inadvertently passed by him and headed to the doorway.