Chapter 1

I was a low-ranking soldier in the Sterling Regiment, a short and skinny one. They said I had survived all these years by staying vigilant.

They didn't know that three years earlier, I had saved the Sterling family's heir, Edward Sterling, by the river. He'd been watching out for me ever since.

I was timid as a mouse, and I shook at the sight of blood, so he pulled me off the front lines. I couldn't get out of bed for night duty, so he let me sleep in his room.

I planned to keep this going until the new king took the throne, and then I could go home and see my mother. But Edward started to look at me with stranger and stranger expressions.

One night, a soldier got drunk and mumbled that Edward had taken a fancy to me and would keep me as his lover.

Edward laughed, "If Logan Quinn were a woman, I'd marry her." Then he turned to look at me, the light in his eyes brighter than the stars.

People laughed and drank, but only my cheeks burned hot. They didn't know I really was a woman.

*****

"Honestly, General Sterling treats Logan like he's special," one of the guys said. "There aren't any women in the regiment, and he's still young. Everyone knows what that means."

Sam, the cook, was drunk and blabbing. "General Sterling, no need to be shy. I-I've got a man I like too."

The guys around us threw some curious glances our way, and I froze right where I stood.

Edward suddenly burst out laughing. "If Logan Quinn were a woman, I'd marry her."

My heart skipped a beat as I looked at him.

He smiled warmly, his eyes shining as he looked at me.

I knew it was a joke, but my cheeks still burned.

He rested his hand on my shoulder.

"We've been through life-and-death together. Why not stay at Sterling Manor when we return to the capital?" he said.

I froze for a moment and then pushed him away.

"You're drunk, General," I said.

I got up and walked away, with Edward letting out a huff behind me.

"Come on. It's a joke," he called after me.

My dad was a schoolmaster in Whitestone, Yewdale, and my mom was a well-known embroiderer. But I was a rascal from the start, always sneaking into the boys' academy disguised as a boy, to slack off and have some fun.

When King Alexander fell seriously ill, the whole country plunged into chaos, and unfortunately, I got conscripted into the army.

The day I left, my mom's eyes were swollen and red from crying.

Every time I thought about it, my nose would get all prickly.

I dunked my head in the basin and held back my tears.

After scrubbing myself with warm water, I instantly felt refreshed.

I picked up the long cloth to wrap my chest when I heard a noise outside the door.

I hurriedly slipped on my undershirt and grabbed the cloth, and the door burst open.

I looked up, and a dark figure suddenly lunged at me.

I shrieked. Before I could react, the intruder's boot slammed into me, launching me across the room.

Panic flooded me as I crashed onto something soft and warm.

I heard a muffled groan from underneath me.

I looked up, my hair wild and messy, and saw Edward with my chest binding tangled around his face.

My cheeks instantly went up in flames as I scrambled to snatch the cloth off his head.

If anyone found out I was actually a girl, that stubborn, old-fashioned Edward would probably use my head as a warning for the whole regiment.

Thank goodness it was the dead of night. There were only Edward and me, no one else.

Wait, Edward?

I jerked my gaze down. He was sprawled on the floor, looking up at me all stunned, his face somehow redder than mine.

My backside was right on his chest, and I went completely rigid, like my blood had frozen in my veins.

Then, his large hand gripped my waist.

I let out a startled cry and sprang to my feet.

Clutching my chest binding, I backed away to the side, my long hair falling over my cheeks, my heart fluttering.

"G-General Sterling..." I stammered.

I kept my head down, too nervous to meet Edward's eyes.

"Logan..." Edward whispered.

I waited for him to say more, but he stayed quiet.

I finally looked up and saw his broad back. He stood firmly in front of me. He had that solemn air about him, the kind I only saw when he was leading us into battle.

My heart dropped. I must've messed up. Edward might joke around with me most days, but when he got serious, his hands were quicker than a blade.

I remembered Lucas Quinn got a little too rough with him during a game. Edward smacked the sculpture at the entrance of Sterling Manor so hard it cracked.

Looking at him now, he definitely seemed angry.

I stammered, my voice shaking, "G-General Sterling, I'm sorry for offending you. It was my mistake."

I saw him freeze for a moment, his fingers clenched so tightly that they turned pale.

Panic shot through me as I heard Edward said through gritted teeth, "Logan, starting tomorrow, you're working in the kitchen."

His voice was icy as he tossed out those harsh words and then strode off.

I stood there, stunned. The night wind cut through me.

Watching Edward vanish into the darkness, I suddenly felt so wronged.

He became angry in a heartbeat. I was the one who got attack.