The red sunset died away at the foot of Datrey Forest mountains. As the birds returned to their home for the day, the purple and black sky started to grow quiet. The little moon began showing itself shyly as the shimmering stars gathered in the constellation.
The lanterns and bonfire were lit when the darkness enveloped the atmosphere. The army on duty had been dispatched earlier during the day, while the rest on time off stayed onsite. They would be on rotation based on the schedule. In case of an emergency, the superior would gather them as required to act.
Tonight seemed to be a calm one. Accompanied by the sound of nocturnal creatures of the forest, time passed peacefully.
The proposal to send Anna to Gerhard was discarded at Rafe's insistence. The healer strongly advised the grand duke to let her stay as she was not fit to travel, and her recovery would take a long time. Furthermore, the princess required his emotional support the most now and driving her away would only cause her further distress.
"I won't be sending you to Gerhard. You'll stay here," Kyren decided.
Anna was reclining on the bed when her husband approached her and talked about it. Her eyes beamed with happiness at the decision. Instantly, the princess's lips curved up.
"Thank you, Kyren! Thank you so much!" she replied cheerfully.
"But I don't want to hear any complaints or whining. As I told you, this is not a place of leisure. So, you have to bear with the hardship and follow the camp's rule," said Kyren sternly.
Anna nodded vigorously.
"I promise I won't. I won't burden you as well!"
She raised her right palm to Kyren and put her left palm on her heart, gesturing that she really meant her words.
The prince smirked at her action. Even with her gaunt and bruised face, Anna still looked pretty when she smiled.
The commander went on, "There's something important that you need to know about me."
The princess's eyes held him with interest.
"What is it?"
"I am the Knight Commander of Gerhard," he told her.
Anna's eyes widened at the remark.
"A Knight Commander?"
She recalled her conversation with Rafe, the healer. So, the 'commander' he referred to was actually her husband.
She was surprised by this fact. However, when she carefully observed Kyren, she realised he did have the characteristics of a leader.
He had a towering, gallant build, a dominating aura with intimidating charms and a low, firm voice that could shake people's hearts.
The princess, who once wielded Ardel's military power, knew about the title. It was the highest rank in the order of knighthood. Although she was sure her husband was a knight, she did not expect him to hold such a prominent post.
"Yes, and with that position, I bear many responsibilities. There're times that I would go out for duty and won't be around," Kyren said.
Somehow, when he mentioned this to her, a glint of worry perfused his heart, looking at the frail body. Would his wife be able to withstand living alone when he left?
Looking at Kyren's uneased face, Anna could guess his mind. The princess quickly replied, "I understand. I will recover fast and won't distract you from your duty. I will take care of myself when I get better."
The grand duke nodded. He felt relieved when he heard a positive reply from his wife, who understood his concern. She was sharp enough to grasp his thought without telling.
"Good. Now, let's go to sleep. You need sufficient rest to get well quickly," he said.
Docile Anna nodded obediently.
Kyren went and turned off a few lanterns to dim the atmosphere. Just then, he heard her soft voice again.
"Could you leave some of it on? I'm afraid of the dark."
He turned to Anna, who made the request.
"Fine," he replied considerately.
The tall, well-built figure commander came to bed. As he lay beside his wife, he noticed Anna crouching away, looking restless.
"Why are you behaving like this? You don't want me to sleep here? This is my bed, you know," he said sarcastically.
"No! I didn't mean that. It's just —"
Anna was embarrassed to say she was not accustomed to having a man in bed. She felt like a fool for being ignorant of her duty as a wife. Being nervous like this was too shameful for someone who insisted on staying by her husband's side.
"Go to sleep." Kyren did not bother to ask more.
He looked above the tent ceiling and put his arm on his forehead. The event that happened from last night until now was unbelievable. He did what he thought he would never do; he got married.
The more surprising thing was that he married an Ardelian he had just met and never knew. What an extraordinary experience he had in a day!
A gasp of shock left Anna's lips when the howling of the wolves pierced through the air.
Her heart skipped a beat from the carnivorous animal sound, which reminded her of the days in the forest when she escaped the Bargesian camp. Her shoulders flinched when the howling resounded again.
"Kyren, are you asleep?" she whispered. Neither sound nor movement was coming from the man lying beside her.
"Kyren..." she called again.
"What is it, Anna?"
The prince's masculine voice reached her ears. Her nervous heart was lighted upon hearing his reply.
"Can I come closer?" she requested.
"I thought you abhor me being close to you?" he teased her.
"No! I wouldn't dare. You're my husband!" Anna quickly answered.
As she heard his words, the princess was worried that Kyren was offended by her act. From her previous education, she was taught that a wife should submit to her husband wholeheartedly and not harbour any ill thoughts.
"Really? Then why did you crouch away?" he asked her.
Kyren removed the arm on his forehead and turned his body to Anna.
"I'm sorry... I... I've never slept beside a man before," she admitted.
The commander chuckled at her response.
"We did more than this last night."
Anna's face reddened at his reply.
"I don't remember." Her voice dwindled.
"You don't remember any of it?" he asked again.
"The last thing I remember was when you said everything would be all right," she replied, fiddling with the blanket.
She felt embarrassed telling him this. He would have seen her blushed cheeks if not for the dimmed light.
The wolves howled again, making her frightened.
Inadvertently, Anna rustled through the blanket and snuggled into his arm. When her tiny fingers touched Kyren's arm, a sudden spark tingled his heart, the same feeling he felt when she held his hands, pleading not to send her to Gerhard.
She gripped his arm tight when the howling continued.
"Come here." He sighed and pulled her body into his arms.
He gently laid her head on his chest and enveloped his arm around her waist. Anna was surprised when Kyren's large hand seized her and put her in the position. She was initially nervous, but somehow, his touch made her feel safe.
It was weird to admit that she felt secure in his arms, knowing they were complete strangers. Ever since they met, she was drawn to him like being pulled by force and strongly desired to cling to him endlessly.
Undeniably, it wasn't easy to understand and decipher the sudden feeling.
Kyren's warm body felt so comfortable, and its scent of musk and leather calmed her. His calloused hand patted the princess's shoulder continuously.
After some time, her eyes grew heavy. Anna's mind finally rested when the last dim light escaped her sight as she nestled into his comfortable embrace.
Five days passed by without a hitch.
The princess was adjusting to her brand-new life as the commander's wife. As she was about to get used to it, an unexpected event occurred.
One fine morning, as she woke up, Kyren, who was always by her side, was gone.