Her expression grew more awkward, and she let out a light huff, "So what if I did?"Nina crossed her arms and looked at her with a hint of amusement. "Why are you bringing me food? Weren't you trying to kick me out just a few days ago?"Arin's pride was visibly bruised. She glanced at Nina and then looked away. "I didn't want you to starve. The village is in shambles, and many people are eating communal meals. When I didn't see you around, I worried you'd starve to death. I don't want another death in our village."The excuse was flimsy. Nina remembered Arin's previous antics and the fact that she had saved Arin's brother. It was probably guilt that prompted Arin to bring her a meal.Nina walked inside, sat down, and glanced at the food. "There's even meat. Did you bring out your family's best for this?""Who says that!" Arin followed her inside. "Everyone's eating this. I'm not making any special treatment for you!"Despite her defiant attitude, Arin was still a young girl who c
The woman still looked hopeful. "Then when can I come back tomorrow to see him?""I'm not sure about that," the guard replied.Now she felt a bit disappointed. Yesterday, she had managed to see him and even shared a meal with the group, but today he was nowhere to be found. Maybe she had come too late. Perhaps if she arrived earlier tomorrow, she would have better luck.Just then, James walked by, still mulling over whether Nash was using the woman he had seen as a stand-in for someone else. He muttered to himself, "It shouldn't be, right? Preparing a hot bath for her? Captain wouldn't be this nice to just any woman, it's not ethical. But then, Captain isn't that kind of person."He was trying to reassure himself, knowing Nash's deep affection for Nina. It did not seem likely he would use someone as a stand-in. But on the other hand, since Nash and Nina were divorced, he wouldn't have to worry about ethics.As James muttered to himself, the woman, Chana, looked up and saw him.
James said, "It's no trouble. You're doing this for Captain after all."Chana smiled and left, and James followed shortly after. However, Chana kept James's words in mind, curious about the woman Nash was supposedly so attentive to.She didn't leave immediately but instead asked a soldier, "When will we leave this village?""I'm not sure about that," the soldier replied.Chana tried another approach, "The woman who's been in close contact with Captain, is she from this village?"The soldier thought for a moment, "No, I think she's from our country."Hearing this, Chana's heart sank. That woman was from their country. No wonder they were all talking about it."Thanks," she said with a smile and returned to her tent.Her son woke up as she arrived. "Mom, where did you go?" The boy, speaking their native language, clung to her, looking anxious. She hugged him tightly."I went to see Captain," Chana said, stroking his soft hair."The handsome uncle?" the boy asked."Yes," Chana
At that moment, she noticed many women with tools, carrying baskets on their backs. Among them was Arin."Arin!" Nina called out. "Are you all going to gather herbs this early?""Yes," Arin replied. "Early is best. Some herbs retract once the dew dries. Plus, we can also gather bamboo shoots. It's the season for them!""I'll join you," Nina offered, thinking she had nothing else to do and was eager to help."Great, I'll get you a basket and tools," Arin responded warmly.Nina quickly integrated with them and joined them in gathering herbs on the mountain. Some of the women, noticing her delicate appearance, doubted her capabilities. One remarked, "Can you manage this?"Nina confidently replied, "I can handle it. I'm stronger than I look," in the Yaren language. Though her pronunciation was still rough, she understood their words and could respond in kind.This impressed the women. "This girl is smart, speaking our language," one exclaimed.Nina smiled. "Just a bit, so bear wi
In Nash's mind, the Pharaoh was definitely not a good person."Look over there! The Yaren women are gathering herbs!"They saw the women working hard."The allied forces' raid destroyed most of the herbs, which are their primary source of income.""Wait…" Felix suddenly rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "Am I seeing things, or is that someone familiar among the Yaren women?"Nash immediately recognized Nina in the midst of the women. She had managed to fit in quickly, even chatting happily with them. Most of these women hadn’t received any formal education and spoke their native Yaren language. The younger ones could speak a bit of the common language. Nina seemed to be able to communicate with them quite well.Nash glanced at Felix. "You’re not seeing things."Felix was shocked. "What? Ma'am followed us all the way to the Yaren territory!"Nash pressed his lips together and corrected him, "From now on, call her Miss Nina.""Understood, Captain," Felix replied.Despite his word
Nina knew her pants were wet. Everyone too. It was a small price to pay for gathering herbs, and she didn't mind."I’ll change when we get back," she said casually.Nash, however, warned her, "If you don’t protect your legs from the damp, you could get rheumatism.""It’s just for a little while," Nina replied politely. "I’ll change my pants as soon as we return."But Nash’s attention was fixed on her legs. Without saying a word, he knelt down and began to roll up her pant legs.Surprised and a bit embarrassed, Nina tried to stop him. "What are you doing? It’s really not necessary."Ignoring her protests, Nash took off his kneepads and fastened them around her legs.Everyone around them watched with growing curiosity.Arin covered her mouth in excitement, as if she had just discovered a juicy piece of gossip.Their relationship was clearly not ordinary!It felt like watching a romantic drama unfold.Nash tightened the kneepads, securing them snugly. "These are waterproof and
Arin was describing a romantic scene she had read in a novel, almost too sweet to handle. However, Nina couldn't feel the same way. Her relationship with Nash was mostly bittersweet. Seeing Arin so animated, Nina couldn't help but tap her on the forehead and tease, "Aren't you the one who likes Mr. Micah? Why are you switching sides now? You better not throw another mouse at me!"Arin stopped immediately. "Oh, come on! I was just messing with you. Don't hold a grudge. Besides, Mr. Micah and Captain York are totally different."She looked at Nina, then burst into laughter. "Mr. Micah is gentle and kind to everyone, but Captain York? He seems to have a soft spot just for you.""How can you tell? He seems kind to everyone."Arin thought for a moment. "Well, maybe you're right, but Captain York always looks so cold. He only warms up to you. Mr. Micah is gentle with everyone, so we all like him."Talking about Mr. Micah seemed to give Arin plenty to say. Meanwhile, Nash was followi
Chana wasn't the only one covered in dirt. Her child was also grimy and tear-streaked, looking as if they had just finished crying. Nash’s attention wasn't on Chana but fixed coldly on James. James lowered his head, feeling guilty for agreeing to Chana's plan. "Captain, I know I was wrong.""You'll be doing all the chores tonight," Nash ordered sharply."Yes, sir!"With that, they continued forward. However, since Chana had injured her leg, she couldn’t walk far and had to be carried by a soldier.Arin noticed and commented to Nina, "I haven’t seen that woman before, and she has a child with her. Looks like she’s one of the women they rescued."Nina nodded, "Probably. There are a lot of refugees along the way."Arin added, "So many refugees, why bring her along? She’s just slowing them down.""Don’t say that," Nina chided gently, aware of Arin's blunt nature.Riding on the soldier's back, Chana kept her eyes on Nash, biting her lip. She urged the soldier to catch up with him.