"By the way, thank you, Commander," Annica replied softly. "For taking care of me."
Octavianus snorted.
"I didn't do it for you, Annica. I only did what a man in my position should have done."
"Still," Annica squared her shoulders. "I feel like you're different from most of the other soldiers, you know? You're more... gentle."
Octavianus raised his eyebrows.
"Gentle?" he repeated. His thick eyebrows furrowed again in the center of his smooth forehead.
"Yes. Like a mother," Annica answered quickly before realizing. Had she just compared the royal warlord to a woman? A mother?
With widened eyes, Annica immediately stammered. "I-I mean.. no offense, Commander...I-I-"
Octavianus' laughter stopped Annica's words. She was now gawking at the man sitting next to her bed. Instead of being offended, he looked amused.
