Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Ambush at the Market
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Beth just fidgeted with her hands.
Unlike Beth, who was broadcasting her awkwardness with her entire body, Dever was simply behaving according to the ingrained etiquette of Wayne.
Cassius, with his pride in the family compounded by a pathological perfectionism, allowed no blemish whatsoever on his own son. His creed was that the Cliff family had to be strong, must never lose to anyone, and had to excel above all others.
People gossiped about Dever as having "war mania" or being a "playboy," yet they couldn't utter a word to his face because of this impeccable etiquette. The young ladies actually cheered for his dual reputation, but Dever himself was oblivious to it.
"Take my arm."
A somewhat forceful voice rang out.
Beth hurriedly turned her body and walked ahead.
The man was undoubtedly just observing formal etiquette, but even social pleasantries like that felt alien to Beth. Especially when her partner was Dever.
There probably wouldn't be anyone around to see her linking arms with Dever this early in the morning, but she couldn't shake off that nagging worry just in case.
Beth, who had climbed into the staff vehicle first, sat quietly waiting for Dever.
If only she could hurry up and end this uncomfortable outing. But contrary to her thoughts, every one of the man's movements overflowed with leisure. It almost felt like he was deliberately teasing her.
Dever, who had gotten into the driver's seat, paused before starting the engine and stared piercingly at Beth again. In that awkward silence, Beth's throat went dry. With nowhere to escape like before in the narrow car, she could only clutch the hem of her water-blue skirt tightly.
Only when the man finally turned the key and the rattling engine noise filled the space between them did Beth's tense shoulders relax.
He said nothing even after they passed the hospital and barracks and entered the forest path. Lulled by the appropriate background noise and her easing tension, her eyelids grew heavy.
"Why are you going?"
Beth jerked her drooping head upright. She thought she heard a faint chuckle, but it must have been her imagination.
"Why are you going, I asked."
Beth's drowsy mind cleared in an instant.
What should she say? She'd said she hadn't read the letter, so he probably hadn't seen Uncle's part either. Should she lie? A jumble of disjointed questions piled up. Her stomach suddenly started to churn, as if she had car sickness.
The forest path from the barracks to the village market was used by no one but the Nexus troops, so Dever drove while occasionally glancing at Beth's face.
He could clearly picture the flustered expression of the woman who had rushed down this unfamiliar forest path all the way to him because of that scrap of paper.
Uncle and Kopel. He had no idea how those two were connected, but it was rare for something to pique his curiosity like this.
Determined to get an answer, Dever turned his gaze back to Beth. Sensing his stare, she gauged the long road ahead. They were still far from the village. With great reluctance, she opened her handbag and pulled out paper and a pen.
"Forget it."
Dever suddenly scowled as if annoyed, leaving Beth flustered. Since she had to write a lie anyway, it was good that he dropped the question, but...
Am I really that frustrating?
Her spirits sank endlessly, like something clinging to a cold heart. Even last night, writing that single "letter" had taken her forever, so the man probably found even hearing her answer tiresome.
As her heart ached again and she stared out the window, a sudden chill rushed in.
The man had rolled down the window and was signaling with his hand. The gesture was directed at the single military vehicle following behind them.
She'd thought it was just the two of them, but those people were coming too. Realizing someone had been watching them, Beth's face flushed with embarrassment.
What if they'd seen her acting all escort this and that with this man?
"Even if you can't speak, it shouldn't be uncomfortable."
At the out-of-the-blue remark, Beth blinked.
"It's all over your face."
The perceptive man, who was sharp about everything except her handwriting, gave her the answer without her even asking.
"I need soldiers to escort me. Can't have my corpse handed over to the enemy."
Beth doubted her ears. His voice was so matter-of-fact dry that she wondered if she'd heard right.
"If the army commander's body ends up strung up on the front lines, Nexus morale will plummet."
At this unusually kind elaboration, Beth's lips parted slightly.
The man's expression was calm. As always, his face showed no fear or hesitation.
How could he speak of human life—no, his own life—so casually? As if dying was no big deal.
She knew he led a harsh life. She knew he walked a difficult path. That's why, without realizing it, Beth had always observed the Dever beyond the rumors. Whether it was his innate nature or because she knew his secret, she couldn't say.
He was the type who would just accept death when it came, saying, "Ah, time to die." So different from her, who had thrashed desperately to live her whole life.
Beth closed her eyes. Hearing needless words made her already heavy body sag even more.
Dever watched the woman leaning quietly against the window for a while but said nothing more.
A few soldiers in plain clothes followed at a discreet distance behind Dever and Beth as they walked side by side. Whether they had hidden their guns or not, the chests of their overcoats looked bulky.
They had arrived at a rundown rural market on the outskirts of Nexus.
Poor folks desperate to scrape by couldn't leave the village even in wartime. There was some complacency that the battlefield shelling hadn't reached their village yet, but the biggest reason was that war had actually made life livable.
The noble officers at the front and the occasional other nobles who came looking for them were a vital lifeline. The scraps they got in exchange for running errands in Wayne or acting as messengers were pretty decent.
Beth, who had been here once before, was fully focused on finding the alley from her memory. She stopped in bewilderment when a black back suddenly blocked her path.
In front of Dever stood an old woman bent double at the waist.
"What is it?"
Even at his cold question, the old woman didn't cower and gave a cheeky grin. Her toothless mouth gaped wide open.
"I saw a fine young couple from Wayne and thought I'd show you this."
The old woman held out a cheap gold chain with enamel work. Opening the round medallion in the center revealed a small portrait inside.
"How about gifting this to your angelic wife?"
Dever and Beth, dressed in obviously expensive clothes as they wandered the market, looked to any villager like a young noble couple.
Dever glanced at Beth, who had peeked out from behind him.
"How long does it take to draw?"
"Ten minutes, sir."
As the deal seemed about to close, the old woman's obsequious bowing nearly touched the ground. Beth watched in confusion as he reached into his inner pocket—was he really going to buy it, or was it a scam?
Dever handed money to the old woman. From a quick glance, her drawing skills weren't bad. She would probably capture them quite accurately.
"She's pretty. Keep it."
Before Beth could say anything, the old woman was right in her face, scrutinizing her features like she was appraising a portrait subject. Beth had no choice but to shut her mouth. This wasn't the time. With Dever the only one looking leisurely, her impatience grew.
After being briefly detained by the old woman, Beth hurried her steps. As she passed a few alleys, the toe of her shoe suddenly pointed toward one alley corner. From there wafted the familiar acrid smell of cheap cigarettes from her memory. The man puffing smoke knew exactly why she was looking for him and extended his hand first as Beth approached.
"You know you have to pay for the errand, right?"
His tone was gruff.
The man's eyes narrowed as he scanned Beth's appearance. She looked like a rich young lady, yet hiring an errand boy in this backwater? She must have something secretive to deliver.
The man licked his lips. With business drying up lately, to think money was walking right to him.
"But the roads are rough these days. You'll have to pay extra."
Beth's face darkened.
"No extra, no delivery."
The man played hardball.
A dark shadow fell over Beth as she hesitated.
"What business do you have with my wife?"
The man, who had dismissed Beth as insignificant, ground his teeth at the sudden appearance of this "husband" figure's intimidating presence. His slouched posture against the wall straightened up.
"You'll have to pay extra," he repeated.
"Ah, no. There were times like that, you know."
He was clearly no ordinary noble. Messing with the wrong guy meant not just losing the money but getting in serious trouble.
"Then hand it over as promised."
"Yes, my lord. Heh."
Dever snatched the wad of bills and yellowed note from Beth's hand and passed them over. The note was torn, with only the address remaining after the greeting was ripped off.
"Do your job right so I never have to track you down again. My wife and I have plenty to do here."
"Of course not. I'll be off then."
The man vanished around the alley corner in a flash.
"I thought you were helping."
At the curt voice, Beth nodded slightly. He was right. Without him, she would have been in real trouble.
"Doesn't know gratitude."
Dever muttered as if to himself and passed by a beggar lying in the alley corner. His sharp eyes didn't miss the tattered rags or the hand slightly protruding—thick-knuckled and wrinkle-free for a beggar.
"Damn it."
He grabbed Beth's shoulder from a few steps away and pulled her. They needed to get out of the alley.
Not understanding what was happening, Beth let Dever drag her this way and that by the shoulder. Their pace quickened.
At that moment, a thunderous BANG echoed through the alley.
Dever scooped Beth into his arms and swiftly drew his gun from inside his coat. The footsteps of the approaching escort soldiers rang out loudly too.
"Run!"
Beth followed Dever, who gripped her hand tightly, as they dashed madly through the twisting alleys. She couldn't think straight amid the increasingly close gunfire, the men's curses, and the villagers' screams.
Before she knew it, they burst out of the maze-like alleys, and the market entrance they'd entered through came into view.
"Get in the car!"
Dever shoved Beth toward the vehicle and bolted to the opposite side. The escort soldiers rushed to surround the army commander. With her back exposed as she ran to the car, there was nothing to protect her.
Dever was locked in a fierce exchange of fire from behind a pile of collapsed crates.
"If we can't take Dever, grab that woman!!"
The enemy's impulsive shout came as they judged capturing Dever impossible.
Dever's eyes flicked to Beth. The woman, who should have been in the car by now, was still fumbling desperately with the door.
"Shit."
Someone must have tampered with the car when they met the errand boy in the alley.
In the distance, he spotted a Kovah soldier aiming at Beth.
"Commander!!"
Beth held her breath. A sudden weight pressed down on her shoulder.
From within the man's arms enveloping her, the gunshot that had battered her ears moments ago now sounded muffled.
No.
A sticky liquid trickled down the man's arm.