#88
“But Enrique, the most important thing right now is your body…”
“Anture!”
Enrique cut him off sharply. Such an insult in this setting. If there weren’t other people around, he would have slapped him right away. If not for Anture’s position as the Commander-in-Chief of Ruben, he would have already struck him, regardless of his status as a prince.
“Ahem.”
Someone from the Ruben side cleared their throat. Everyone, whether from Ruben or Shamier, looked awkward.
“We’ve already settled the basic guidelines, so I think we can continue the rest at tomorrow’s meeting.”
“Yes. We’ll go now to reposition the catapults and soldiers, and relay the decisions to each department head.”
Everyone nodded in agreement. And before Enrique could say anything, they turned and fled the tent. Enrique looked around the suddenly empty tent with a dumbfounded expression. It was absurd how well these people who came to war could run away.
“What on earth are you doing!”
Enrique gritted his teeth and demanded. Instead of answering, Anture carefully picked Enrique up. Although he was furious at being lifted without permission, he couldn’t struggle for fear of falling. Instead, Enrique grabbed a handful of Anture’s hair at the back of his head and yanked it hard as if to tear it out.
“Ouch. Enrique, be careful. What if I accidentally drop you?”
“What were you doing in a meeting with both Ruben and Shamier present? I’m participating in this war as the Commander-in-Chief and Crown Prince of Shamier. Did you want me to look weak and vulnerable?!”
Enrique, not falling for Anture’s act, pulled his black hair as hard as he could. With each tug, a few strands of hair fell gently to the floor.
“It hurts, Enrique. If I go bald because of this, you’ll be the one who loses out.”
Anture complained verbally but strode deeper into the tent. Then he carefully laid Enrique down on his field bed.
“Enrique, everyone knows you’re pregnant with our child. It’s already remarkable that you came here in your pregnant state. No one wants anything to happen to your body or for you to endure hardship. If there’s anything we need to protect first here, it’s you.”
Anture said while gently caressing Enrique’s lower abdomen. Enrique glared at Anture with irritated eyes before releasing his hair. Even then, a few strands of black hair floated to the floor.
Hmph.
Enrique snorted softly and shook his hand to get rid of the pulled hair tangled in his fingers.
“I’ll take care of my own body. Remember, if you treat me like a weakling in front of people again, I’ll slap you right then and there.”
Enrique warned with fierce eyes. Anture’s concern was appreciated, but that was that and this was this.
“Alright, alright. But from the next meeting on, you must sit in a chair to attend. I won’t compromise on that.”
Anture said firmly. It wasn’t a particularly welcome suggestion. But considering how his stomach had cramped earlier, standing for long periods clearly wasn’t good. His legs felt a bit swollen too.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded reluctantly, and Anture pressed his lips to Enrique’s temple as if in praise. The atmosphere softened as if nothing had happened.
“My legs are swollen. My shoes feel tight too.”
Enrique grumbled softly. Anture carefully removed Enrique’s shoes and pants and laid him on the bed. Then he began to knead Enrique’s legs and feet with his large, firm hands. A satisfied sigh escaped involuntarily, especially at the touch massaging his feet.
“See? Your feet are this swollen. It really was too much to stand for so long.”
“Hmph.”
Enrique snorted but lifted his other foot onto Anture’s hand, indicating he should massage that one too. Anture chuckled softly, finding it amusing. Then he took one foot in each hand and began to massage them with appropriate strength.
Enrique relaxed his face as he watched Anture diligently massaging his feet. He couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the large man hunched over, dedicatedly massaging his feet. It was endearingly cute and lovable.
As Anture had said, from the next day on, Enrique attended meetings sitting alone in a chair. Whatever they might have thought inside, no one expressed any dissatisfaction with this. If anything, the Shamier side seemed relieved.
Boom-! Thud-!
The sound of catapults hitting the castle walls rang out intermittently. Each time a large boulder struck the sturdy walls, the ground shook slightly with a thunderous noise. Enrique could tell that while Anture was focused on the meeting, he was also acutely aware of Enrique’s condition sitting beside him. He seemed worried that the loud noises and ground tremors might affect Enrique’s state.
It had been over three days since the siege began. Shamier’s cavalry had already surrounded the castle and invaded Baron’s territory. Their role, as discussed in the meeting, was to cut off the supply routes from Baron’s mainland to the castle and prevent reinforcements from arriving. Messengers came and went frequently, bringing news of the cavalry. At least so far, they had been successful in blocking the supply routes.
As expected of a border fortress, Francia’s walls were extremely sturdy. Despite the catapults hurling rocks at the walls day and night, all three points were still holding. Of course, there was some damage, but the soldiers defending the castle were desperately repairing the impact points. It was a tedious battle of breaking down and rebuilding.
“The enemy is desperately trying to interfere with the construction of our siege towers. Given our clear military advantage, they must know that once the siege towers are completed, it will be a significant blow to their defense of the castle.”
Duke Duvain said. He had wanted to lead the cavalry himself, but as the deputy commander and de facto commander-in-chief, he had no choice but to remain at the main camp. Thus, the command of the cavalry was given to Viscount Jares, Julian’s husband.
“How much more time do we need until the siege towers are completed?”
Anture asked.
“If we work through the night, they should be completed in two days. But won’t the castle try to destroy the siege towers before then?”
At those words, a faint smile spread across Anture’s face. Enrique noticed Anture’s lips curling up pleasantly. His dark eyes flashed with excitement.
“I think the same. Their supply routes and reinforcements have been cut off. They must be very wary of the siege towers being completed. They will surely send out a large force to try and destroy the siege towers. That will be the moment we fight our first real battle. Probably today, or tomorrow at the latest.”
At Anture’s declaration, everyone’s eyes lit up at once. They were truly looking forward to a battle where they could fully display the aggression and savagery typical of alphas.
As the meeting ended, everyone headed to their respective units to prepare for full-scale battle.
“Are you going out yourself?”
Enrique asked with somewhat anxious eyes. Anture gazed at Enrique for a moment before nodding. It was something Enrique had been anticipating since seeing the excitement in his eyes. Enrique suppressed the urge to stop Anture.
In front of him, Anture was just a young man craving love. But he was also the prince who would inherit the Ruben Empire and a strong man descended from the Great Emperor of Ruben. Enrique didn’t want to dampen his opportunity to channel his boiling spirit. Just as he dreamed of his own future, Anture too deserved to dream of his.
“Why, are you worried?”
Anture asked, playing with Enrique’s hair. Enrique affirmed with his silence.
“Watch with joy how strong your husband is and how many enemies he defeats. Nothing you’re worried about will happen. I’m not such a weak man, Enrique.”
Anture reassured Enrique gently, then reached into his shirt. When he withdrew his hand, there was a small pouch attached to a sturdy leather strap. It was the charm Enrique had sent with Count Theovan.
Anture ostentatiously kissed the charm. Then he smiled with his eyes.
“While your charm protects me, I’ll be invincible.”
“…You’re being silly.”
Enrique muttered softly and lightly hit Anture’s arm.
