When Anastasia rushed back to her tent, Valdimir sat down on the ground while brushing his long black hair back. Though he didn't show off that much of expressions, he was extremely confused.
" What that woman is doing to me? Every time I get closer to her, I desire her more. I have never thought about embracing a woman since I became a commander. This is very dangerous. I started getting out of control. This is not how a commander should act. I must take control of myself before I make a mistake. The enemy is stalking us to take revenge. I must erase those thoughts from my mind. She is just.....just a soldier. I can't take things, between us, any further...At least not now...Maybe in the future, when things become more settled I will...I will...What the hell am I thinking about? I'm a mere commoner, her father will never allow us to be together. Even if she seems different, she is one of them...I swore that I will never get involved with them.
On the other hand, Anastasia finally admitted that she fell in love with him. she couldn't deny her feelings any longer.
- I love him, is that okay? Though I came in the first place to ask him to marry me, I didn't intend to fall in love with him. I have known, from the beginning, that my plan could fail and I was ready for that, but now...How am I going to move on if that happens?
Lucia wanted to calm her down:
- Calm down, my lady. You should feel happy that you finally liked a man.
- I can't, Lucia. I feel that I'm in big trouble.
- Why? The commander seems like a good man.
- I know that he is a good man, but....but what if he refuses me? I don't want to get hurt anymore. I had enough.
Lucia grabbed Anastasia by her shoulders to make her stop worrying.
- How could he refuse such a strong and beautiful lady? I'm sure that the commander won't be able to avoid your charm. Just be confident in yourself. The best thing you can do for now is to make him fall in love with you as well.
- I...I will try...
That night, Valdimir and Anastasia didn't sleep a wink. Each one was thinking about the other.
In the morning, Anastasia prepared herself to go to the training ground. She took a deep breath:
" Right, I can do it...Yesterday he acted gently. I don't know if it was out of sympathy or admiration, but I will take my chance. "
She went and waited for his coming. While she was standing, Zachary approached her while looking frustrated.
- Good morning...
Anastasia walked away without saying a word, Zachary followed her:
- ANASTASIA, PLEASE, WAIT! I...I WANT TO TALK TO YOU.
- I have nothing to say to you.
- PLEASE, LISTEN TO ME
Zachary grabbed Anastasia from her hand to stop her:
- I KNOW THAT I DID SOMETHING UNFORGIVABLE. I BETRAYED YOU AND I ACTED LIKE A JERK WHILE YOU HELPED ME A LOT. I...I DON'T DESERVE YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
- I'm glad that you already know.
- I did it because I was very desperate. I participated a lot of time in the hunting day, yet I ended up being caught and humiliated by the other soldiers. You can't imagine how painful it was. And for once....just for once, I wanted to win. That desire blinded my eyes. Please, forgive me. I swear upon my honor, that I will do anything to make it up for you...
Anastasia, somehow, felt sympathy toward Zachary. She, kind of, knows how much that feeling sucks. When she turned around to talk to him, suddenly she saw Valdimir approaching them while looking pissed and without hesitation, he grabbed Zachary's hand and pulled him away from Anastasia.
- WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
- I... I was asking for my comrade's forgiveness.
- YOU CAN DO IT WITHOUT TOUCHING HER. YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN STIR SOME OF RUMORS BECAUSE OF YOUR RECKLESS BEHAVIOR. I CAN'T ALLOW SUCH a THING IN MY CAMP.
- I'm...I'm sorry...I... I didn't mean.
- WE WILL BEGIN THE TRAINING, PREPARE YOURSELVES.
Valdimir returned to his position without even looking at Anastasia who kept staring at him not knowing how she should react.
" What is he doing? He came to scold Zachary because he touched me, yet he didn't say a word to me. What in this man's mind exactly? I must watch him. "
Anastasia and Zachary went back to their position. and then the commander announced the beginning of the training. During the whole day, Valdimir never approached or talked to Anastasia, which made her very upset.
" Is he the same man that took me yesterday to the city and tried to cheer me up? I feel like he is a completely different person."
Those thoughts distracted her and eventually, she messed up the training. She was supposed to concentrate on aiming at a target using her bow, but she ended up nearly hitting one of the soldiers.
Valdimir became very angry, he usually doesn't tolerate such dangerous mistakes. And because of that, he snatched the bow from her hand while glaring at her:
- ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND? YOU COULD KILL HIM!
- I...I didn't mean...
- I'm very disappointed in you, lady Anastasia. I thought that you will behave like a soldier, but it seems that I was wrong.
Anastasia froze in her place while hearing those harsh words.
- I'm... I'm sorry...
- What will your empty words do if you killed him for real?
-...
- You will spend the whole night training with the bow and, tomorrow morning, I don't want to see any mistakes.
Valdimir aimed at the target two times successively. The second arrow split the first one in two
- I want to see this shot tomorrow, or...
Despite being terrified of his scary gaze, Anastasia was very frustrated.
" Is he going to ask me to leave again?"
She lifted her head and looked at him:
- OR WHAT?