Chapter 4

After a few days, I found myself genuinely impressed by Edward.

He wasn't well-versed in paperwork; he knew the ins and outs of military affairs and could talk about the borderlands' terrain, climate, and local customs as if he'd lived there forever.

What really stood out was his patience with the soldiers. In the infirmary, he addressed many of them by name and gently asked about their injuries.

"You're really well-liked by the soldiers, Lieutenant Pierce," I said to Edward after we finished our rounds in the infirmary one day.

He was washing his hands, paused for a moment, then said, "The soldiers are on the front lines, risking their lives to protect our country. What I do is hardly worth mentioning."

His words were modest, but I could hear the sincerity in his voice.

A few days later, I ran into Alexander on the training grounds.

He was overseeing a drill, and when he spotted me, he came over and saluted. "Your Royal Highness."

"General Hayes," I replied, returning his salute with flawless formality, the proper etiquette between ruler and subject.

He looked a bit surprised and gave me a second glance. I was dressed in riding gear that made it easy to move around, my hair twisted up, and I wasn't wearing any makeup.

I was a far cry from the princess in Brighton, always dressed to impress.

"Your Royal Highness, you've adapted quickly," he said.

"Since I'm here, I might as well settle in," I replied.

There was a brief silence. Back then, I used to rack my brains for something to say, worried about awkward silences or him leaving.

But at that moment, if there was nothing to say, so be it. The silence didn't bother me anymore.

"If Your Royal Highness has no further orders, I'll get back to the drill," he said.

"Carry on, General," I replied.

He turned and walked away, his steps steady. As I watched his back, I realized the ache in my chest didn't hurt as much as it used to.

Maybe time really did heal all wounds.

Or maybe it was the harsh winds and rough sand out here, wearing down all those delicate feelings of love and longing.

Edward appeared at my side, handing me a water pouch. "Your Royal Highness, have some water. It's pretty dry out here."

I took it and drank. The water was warm, with a faint hint of licorice.

"Lieutenant Pierce, you really know how to take care of people," I remarked.

He smiled. "I've got a little sister back home. Guess I've gotten used to it."

"How old was your sister?"

"If she were still around, she'd be about your age," he said quietly. "She got sick and passed away three years ago."

I froze for a moment. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," he said, shaking his head. "It's behind me now."

But his eyes told me it hadn't really gone away. I understood that kind of pain all too well because I was also trying hard to let go of someone.

After that day, Edward and I started talking more often. He was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke with elegance, but never had that pretentious scholar's airs.

We'd discuss the borderlands, Brighton, history, and military tactics. Sometimes our conversations would last late into the night.

I found that talking to him felt natural and comfortable. He never tried to flatter me or said anything out of line. He always listened intently and gave thoughtful replies.

One evening, Edward took me to watch the sunset beyond the city walls.

We stood atop the ramparts, gazing west as the sky blazed gold and crimson. In the distance, the mountains stood out in sharp relief, like giant beasts slumbering beneath the painted clouds.

"It's beautiful," I breathed.

"It really is," Edward said, his voice soft. "The first time I saw it, I was stunned. After that, I thought that landscapes like these are worth risking my life to protect."

I turned to look at Edward.

The last rays of the sunset washed over his face, casting a warm glow across his sharp features. His eyes were calm and deep, as if they held the whole night sky inside them.

"Edward," I called his name for the first time, "why did you come to the border? Was it really to serve the country?"

He was silent for so long that I thought he wouldn't answer. Then he said, "I came to the border to run away."

"Run away?"

"Run away from a love that had no future," he said, turning to look at me. His honesty caught me off guard. "Just like you, Your Royal Highness."

I froze, caught off guard. I realized he'd seen right through me.

Yeah, it was obvious. How could anyone not notice? A pampered princess ran off to the harsh, freezing borderlands. What else would bring someone like me out here, if not heartbreak?

I couldn't help myself. "Who was it?"

Edward gave a bittersweet smile. "It doesn't matter anymore. What matters is I've moved on."

"How did you move on?"

Edward gazed out at the vast horizon. "Time, mostly... And realizing that my heart could hold more than that one person.

"I learned to love this land, the people here, and the simple, honest life we live. Turns out, there's so much more worth loving."

The wind tugged at my hair as I stood there, lost in thought.