Chapter 16
Once she reached a place where no one was around, Yulaina’s legs finally gave out, and she staggered before collapsing onto the grass with a thud.
“Yulaina, you’re crazy, really.”
She took deep breaths, drawing in as much fresh air as possible. The heat from the alcohol she’d gulped down in a fit of anger still hadn’t faded, leaving her body flushed.
She’d tried to act tough and storm out, but her hands had been trembling uncontrollably ever since she’d snatched Erich’s glass in the tent.
“Haa….”
Even thinking back on it, it was an absurdly reckless thing to do. How could she have charged at that wolf-like man without knowing how he’d react?
‘What if he’d pulled out a gun and shot me?’
She pressed down on her quivering fingertips again and again, desperately trying to calm herself.
Her father’s eyes, his expression, those final moments….
She couldn’t deny it anymore. The past Erich had laid out seemed far too credible.
From the way her father had reacted the instant he heard Marcus’s name in his haze, to that utterly unfamiliar expression as he proposed a deal to Erich….
She’d watched her father die in such agony right before her eyes, yet here she was, forced to trust this enemy archduke who’d appeared out of nowhere more than the father she’d respected her whole life.
“No, no….”
Yulaina tore at the innocent grass, rubbing her eyes and biting her lips hard.
Anyway, she’d survived. She hadn’t been violated, and she’d learned that they needed her.
‘Right. I have to go to Norden.’
Erich’s attitude had shifted dramatically, so if she kept an eye out for opportunities and watched the situation, some escape route might open up.
‘To do that, I need to stay calm.’
She placed her hand flat on the ground, steadying her mind.
‘Think, I have to think.’
It was a habit she’d had since childhood, whenever her mind grew scattered or sorrowful.
As she did, Yulaina methodically recalled the conditions Erich had proposed.
“First, enough wealth to last a lifetime. Second, a guaranteed admission to medical school. Third, an eternal and safe separation from Erich, the Norden imperial family, and Marcus.”
‘Wealth, university, eternal separation.’
Mulling them over one by one, she remembered what Erich had added.
“I’m thinking of Karomar University for the school.”
To offer such generous terms meant they were that desperate. At least, she felt certain he wouldn’t kill her out of the blue.
For now, she’d play along with his conditions as much as possible. Somehow, she’d make it to Norden.
“Yeah, Yulaina. Go there and figure it out step by step.”
Forcing her racing heart to settle, Yulaina thought of her grandfather, Marcus, whom she’d never met.
‘The master.’
Her father had seemed terrified of him. But if he’d searched desperately for his daughter….
Vaguely imagining a reunion with Marcus, Yulaina let out a long sigh. Nothing was certain, so she’d have to face it head-on to find out.
‘At least my life’s been spared, so I should count that as lucky.’
Suddenly, she recalled the moment their wrists had touched, shuddering at the memory.
She’d acted on sheer bravado, determined not to back down. It had been unexpected to see that man’s expression soften a bit, even as he mocked her with such murderous intensity.
“The thought of our skin touching disgusts me just as much, so don’t cross the line.”
Yet he’d let her hold his wrist without pulling away, so maybe he’d been caught off guard too.
“Good enough.”
With the sharp tang of whiskey still lingering in her mouth, Yulaina bit her lip hard and smoothed her hand over her chest.
“They need me too, so I can be bolder. Let’s keep pushing hard from now on.”
After a few deep breaths, she clenched her fist and forced the corners of her mouth up. Smile casually, blend in with them just enough.
Come to think of it, was it Freyja, or Helreya?
***
The war-like negotiations of the afternoon had all concluded, and now only the two of them sat at the evening table.
“Bring some for the lady over there too.”
A glass was placed in front of Yulaina as well. When she stared at Erich steadily, he shot back curtly.
“You’re the one who seems like the drunk, not me. Go ahead, drink your fill.”
“….”
He had a knack for making even the same words sound hateful. Determined not to lose, Yulaina sipped the liquor. Even though her limit was exactly one glass of whiskey.
“Tonight’s dinner is a bit special, isn’t it?”
Erich arched an eyebrow playfully as he addressed her.
“What’s so special? Just keep your promises.”
Yulaina replied brusquely and clamped her mouth shut.
Amid the clinking of utensils, an indefinable tension hung between them.
“You should eat something. It’s probably been a while since you’ve seen food like this.”
His words were true, but Yulaina didn’t want to move as he suggested.
“I’ll handle it myself, so leave me alone.”
Sipping liquor she wasn’t good at on an empty stomach made her insides burn uncomfortably.
“Looks like you’re planning to keep coming on strong today. Though it’ll amount to nothing more than a kitten’s claws.”
Erich smiled faintly, averted his gaze from Yulaina, and began quietly focusing on his own meal.
His table manners were impeccable. At least among the people she knew, no one could eat stew with such elegance and refinement.
Yulaina’s sidelong glances at him eventually shifted to the stew. Truth be told, her body had been begging for just one bite ever since earlier. The appetizing aroma wafted from the stew, brimming with assorted vegetables and generous chunks of meat.
“….”
In the end, Yulaina picked up her spoon. Steam rose invitingly from the hearty portion as she dipped the spoon lightly; the creamy broth pooled enticingly in the bowl of it. Bringing it slowly to her lips, the savory, smooth liquid warmed her throat as it went down.
When was the last time she’d had meat stew? She clearly remembered barely seeing any meat this winter.
And this stew was the most exquisite thing she’d ever tasted in her life. Unconsciously, her eyes drifted shut in bliss.
“Ah….”
A soft moan escaped her lips. As her slightly protruding tongue tip grazed her lips, savoring the flavor, the situation reversed.
While Yulaina began spooning earnestly, Erich—who’d been stealing glances at her all along—forgot his own stew and gripped his glass.
Her spoon moved a little faster. Each time she transferred tender meat or finely chopped vegetables, her small lips parted and closed with determined grace, never vulgar or greedy.
If anything, it was sensual.
Erich quietly sipped his drink, leaving his stew untouched.
“Does it not suit your taste, sir?”
The cook’s assistant asked cautiously while bringing the dessert plates, and Erich shook his head. His gaze remained fixed on Yulaina throughout.
Realizing belatedly that she’d been absorbed in the stew alone, Yulaina wore an awkward expression, prompting Erich to smile faintly.
“We skipped the appetizers and pre-dinner drinks, but the cooking team put in real effort, so eat up.”
The assistant, shoulders straightening with pride, addressed Yulaina kindly as well.
“Lady, if it’s not enough, just say the word anytime.”
“Ah… no, it’s fine.”
Yulaina cleared her throat softly and cautiously picked up her spoon again.
If it had been her father, he’d have nagged her not to empty the bowl and to leave some food. But in front of this man, there was no need to bother with appearances.
Erich watched with interest as Yulaina finished off the remaining stew. For some reason, he couldn’t stop his eyes from drifting to her.
She was definitely different.
How had such an anomaly emerged from that trash? His curious gaze continued to observe Yulaina.
“Would you like more?”
Pleased by her neat and hearty eating, the soldier addressed her again.
“I’m good.”
Having polished off the bowl completely, Yulaina offered a polite smile. For a moment, Erich’s mind went blank at that smile. It was the first time he’d seen her smile so softly.
“Um, thank you for the meal.”
When she followed up with a gentle expression of gratitude, the assistant melted like a fool.
“Ah, from now on… we’ll serve you with all our care.”
Erich’s gaze turned sharp with irritation.
“Seems like you’re feeling lively. Smiling vapidly at just anyone.”
Sensing the ominous vibe, the assistant quickly backed away. Feeling sorry for the deflated man, Yulaina shot back pointedly.
“Can’t I say thank you if I’m grateful? You take everything for granted, so you pick fights over stuff like this.”
Erich frowned and turned his gaze far away as he muttered.
“Just eat your goat properly. It’s tonic food way too good for you, but we’re feeding it to you to get you to Norden somehow.”
“What did you say?”
She didn’t catch how her face had turned ashen.
“The chef went to special trouble. Caught a kid goat wandering the hill nearby. The black one.”
Clang!
The spoon slipped from Yulaina’s hand, clattering loudly to the floor.
Sensing the unusual atmosphere, the assistant’s face hardened.
“Lady, do you not eat goat?”
Erich snorted.
“On the battlefield, there’s no room for likes and dislikes. For her, this is top-grade cuisine that regular soldiers couldn’t touch. Even I haven’t seen food like this during wartime, so enough said.”
Yulaina bolted from her seat and approached Erich closely.
“Then why didn’t you touch it?”
“What?”
Erich looked up at her absently, his face stiffening.
Yulaina was panting, her face flushed red.
“Why didn’t you… why didn’t you eat it?”
“What are you talking about? Afraid it was poisoned?”
“Ha! This is how you torment people. I should’ve known from the moment you spouted those smooth words about contracts….”
“What are you on about.”
Erich’s expression grew cold.
