Chapter 5

The flickering light from the blazing fire cast shadows all around, and I noticed Edward's face wasn't filled with joy; instead, his expression grew even darker.

Just as I wondered if my eyes were playing tricks on me, Edward's cold voice suddenly dropped like a hammer.

Edward said, "Go ahead, keep acting, Charlotte. Mark my words. No matter what schemes you try, Isabelle is the only one I care about."

His angry voice hit me like a punch to the gut, making it almost impossible to breathe.

Just then, an urgent report came from outside the tent.

Edward's personal guard rushed in, saying a nearby village had been raided by barbarians. Isabelle had led troops to help, but now she was surrounded and desperately needed reinforcements.

Edward's expression shifted dramatically.

"Grab the medical kit and come with me," he said, shooting me a glance before throwing open the tent flap and hurrying out, like he couldn't stand the idea of Isabelle getting hurt.

The fire inside the tent still blazed, but I felt as cold and numb as if I had been standing out in the snow for hours.

Back then, Edward would never have let me set foot on the battlefield, not just to help clear the field after the fighting was over.

Part of it was my status, and part of it was that he practically raised me, always keeping me safe.

No one could guarantee I wouldn't get hurt out there.

So for the past three years, I had been confined to the camp, tending to the wounded who were brought back from the battlefield.

This was the first time he had ever taken me out with him.

He was afraid Isabelle might get hurt and wouldn't receive treatment in time.

I pushed down the ache in my chest and quickly gathered the medical supplies.

No matter what, I was still the military doctor here. Orders were absolute, and I followed them to the very end.

Out of concern for Isabelle, Edward led his men ahead to the village.

I went along with Edward's personal guards.

By the time we arrived, the barbarians had already been driven off, and the soldiers were helping the villagers pick up the pieces.

I picked up my medical kit and went to bandage the wounded, since Edward was nowhere to be seen.

I hadn't even finished bandaging one of the wounded when someone called me over.

Word was, Isabelle had been slashed by a barbarian, and Edward was beside himself with worry. He specifically asked me to take care of Isabelle.

"Hurry up, Caroline. If His Grace gets angry, none of us wants to be the ones he blames," one of the guards said anxiously.

I would've gladly handed this off to someone else, but with the guards rushing me, I had no choice but to grab my medical kit and go.

Inside the warm, cozy room, Isabelle was nestled in Edward's arms. When she saw me enter, she slowly extended her right hand.

On her slender wrist, there was nothing more than a faint scratch, not even a trace of blood.

I frowned, not understanding why they called me in. There were soldiers outside who nearly lost an arm, and they needed me more.

"I kept telling him it's really nothing, but His Grace wouldn't let it go; he just had to have Caroline come and check," Isabelle said, sounding a little helpless.

When I didn't move, Edward's voice dropped, cold and sharp. He asked, "Are you deaf?"

I glanced up at him, pressed my lips in frustration, then picked up the ointment and started applying it to Isabelle's wound.

As I dabbed the medicine on Isabelle's wrist, she suddenly let out a suppressed hiss.

"Does it hurt?" Edward asked. His worried eyes darted over, then he barked at me, "Be more gentle."

I could see the warning in his eyes; he clearly thought I was being petty and jealous, maybe even taking it out on Isabelle on purpose.

I didn't bother explaining.

Because I knew it wouldn't make a difference.

"Come on, Edward, why are you being so mean to Caroline? It's just a little scratch; seriously, it'll be over in a second. You really didn't have to make such a big deal out of it," Isabelle said, snuggled up in Edward's arms.

Edward was dead serious. He said, "You're the future Duchess of Northgate; can't let you get hurt, not even a little."

They completely ignored me, acting all sweet and intimate like I wasn't even there.

I was just glad the injury was tiny, a quick dab of medicine, and I could finally escape, no need to endure this any longer.

As soon as I finished treating Isabelle, I rushed out of the room.

If I stayed another second, I would suffocate for sure.

But unfortunately, someone just couldn't leave me alone.

Just as I finished tending to the wounded and was about to head back to camp with the squad, Isabelle suddenly stepped in front of me, blocking my path.

"Princess Charlotte? Or am I mistaken about your royal status?" she said, her voice laced with mockery.

I frowned, my eyes darkening as I stared at her.

In the Northgate Regiment, aside from a few of Edward's personal guards, no one knew who I really was.

Isabelle grew up in Northmoor; how did she find out about me?

But before I could say a word, she let out a mocking laugh, her voice dripping with contempt.

Isabelle said, "So this is what a princess amounts to? You willingly threw away your dignity, lowered your status, and ended up in a camp full of men as nothing more than a military doctor. Aren't you ashamed?"

Her words stung, harsh and unpleasant.

I frowned, saying, "You're here in the camp, too, so what's the point of calling me out? We're both fighting for the soldiers and people of Everland; why bother with this?"

Isabelle laughed and said, "I'm not like you, Your Highness."

I didn't bother responding.

She thought she was some big-shot female commander, while I was just the doctor who had to patch up everyone, no matter who they were.

This was not worth wasting my breath.

I picked up my medical kit and was about to leave when Isabelle suddenly broke down, her eyes rimmed with tears as she cried her heart out.

Isabelle said, "Your Highness, I know I shouldn't have feelings for His Grace. Do whatever you want to me, but please, don't take it out on the Stone family..."

I stood there, stunned. Before I could process what was happening, Edward's anxious voice rang out from behind me.

"Isabelle," Edward called out.

Edward rushed over and helped Isabelle up. When he saw me standing there, frozen in place, his eyes flashed with fury, and before I could react, he swung his hand and slapped me right across the face.

My head jerked sideways, ears ringing so loud that I could barely think.

It felt like the whole world went quiet, except for Edward's angry voice pounding in my head.

He said, "Charlotte. So that's why you've been so quiet lately; turns out you've been throwing your weight around when no one's looking."