After the bath, Kyren sat Anna on the chair and wrapped her in a towel.
"Wait here," he said after drying her skin.
The commander then took a small jar and knelt before her, applying the salve to her bruises with slow, careful strokes.
For a man with calloused warrior's hands, his touch was unexpectedly gentle as if he feared she might break beneath his fingers.
Kyren then went to the trunk and rummaged through it until he found a white tunic and a pair of pants.
"There are no women's clothes here. So, wear mine for now. I'll get you proper ones soon," he said as he began dressing her.
"I… I can do this myself," Anna replied, cheeks warming again despite having sat with him bare in the bath minutes earlier.
He clicked his tongue softly—a warning rather than irritation—and she immediately pressed her lips shut. Perhaps obedience was safest for now.
The tunic was far too large, hanging loosely and brushing her knees. When Kyren picked up the pants, he paused and glanced at her; her figure was already swallowed in his clothing like a child borrowing an adult's garments.
"…You won't be needing these. They'd slide right off you."
He set the pants aside.
Then he lifted her easily and carried her to the bed. She felt small in his arms, cradled like a precious thing. His solid muscles tensed when her hand instinctively clung to his shoulder.
After laying her down, Kyren pulled the chair beside the bed, grabbed the bowl of porridge, and took a seat.
"Open your mouth," he instructed.
His tone held the discipline of a commanding officer, yet the act itself was tender.
Anna met his eyes, torn between intimidation and bewilderment. He was stern—unyielding—yet attentive in a way she couldn't decipher.
When her lips parted, he slowly fed her the porridge. It had cooled slightly but was still pleasantly warm, mild in flavour and appropriate for someone recovering.
After several spoonfuls, the princess raised a hand, signalling she'd had enough.
"You're too thin. You need more to regain strength," Kyren commented, sounding almost like a father scolding a stubborn child.
Anna shook her head vigorously, refusing.
"Water. Please."
He brought the glass to her lips with deliberate care. Once she finished, he set it aside and wiped her mouth with a napkin. Then he eased her back against the pillows and pulled the blanket over her.
Every movement carried a quiet tenderness, the kind only a man shows when he values the one in his care.
"You should rest. I'll have the healer tend to you later."
Anna nodded, still weary from everything that had happened.
The commander's gaze lingered on her. He knew almost nothing about her, but that needed to change. After all, they were spouses, weren't they?
"Where are you from?" he asked.
"I came from the City of Constance, in Ardel," she replied.
He reflected on the name.
Ardel—the southern kingdom bordering Dracor and Barges—was renowned for its medicine and scholars, one of the territories formed after the Ro'an Empire's collapse fifty years ago.
"That's quite a journey from here. How did you end up in Cassian?" he asked.
"The slave traders captured me near the border between Ardel and Dracor. They brought me here… I heard them talking about an auction in Tarnova."
Kyren's expression grew more serious. This is why he patrols these lands—defending Cassian's borders from such villains.
It was unfortunate that she was caught in their plot, but the slave traders' audacity in venturing into Ardel itself to retrieve their 'merchandise' was astonishing.
"The slave traders… How many of them?"
"Four… including the one who tried to—" She swallowed hard, the words catching in her throat, and left the sentence unfinished, but carried on with another. "They took me to a tavern near the edge of the forest."
Curiosity grew.
"How did you make it to the border?"
"I… I was running… from… dangerous men." Her words came in short, ragged gasps.
"Dangerous men?" His brows drew together sharply.
"They… they raided… my home… at night… fire… shouting… screaming… blood everywhere…" Anna's voice broke, trembling as the images clawed their way back.
Her chest tightened painfully, her breath shallow and uneven, tears streaming down unheeded.
Kyren's jaw tightened. She had said her family and friends were gone. Those merciless and cunning thugs had likely slaughtered everyone she loved and hunted her down to leave no witness for their crime.
"We don't have to talk about it yet. Not until you're ready."
She had already cried in his arms during the bath, and stirring the same fear now would only hinder her recovery. So, he wisely chose to step back for the moment.
The commander stood, but before he could step away, something tugged lightly at him. Anna's small hand, with wrist still bruised, clung to the edge of his robe.
Her doe-like eyes glistened with worry. "Where are you going?"
"I'm just getting dressed, unless you prefer I stay in a robe all day?" he said, smirking softly.
Flustered, the princess pulled her hand away immediately.
She had seen much of his bare figure today. If anything, the sight had been embarrassingly pleasing, making her heart thump and her cheeks ignite at every remembered glimpse.
At this rate, she might actually die of a heart attack. So… no, thank you!
A moment later, Kyren stood in leather pants and a black tunic, his hair neatly combed back.
The rigid aura of a commanding officer softened, and he looked more like a man at ease than the usual formidable leader.
When he returned to the bedside, Anna was already asleep, breathing softly and curled under the blanket.
He observed her small, fragile form. Seeing her like this, something tugged at a place in his chest that had never stirred before.
The Grand Duke of Gerhard—the prince feared in battle and admired by noblewomen—felt an odd pull towards this stranger fate had thrown into his arms.
Kyren shook his head.
Perhaps it was nothing more than the aftermath of their night together. He was a man, after all, and he had enjoyed his first experience with a woman's body—even if guilt now shadowed the memory.
She had been so shattered and adrift, and he was extending a hand, out of a sense of duty and responsibility.
He exhaled slowly.
Last night had been… different. He owed her gentleness, for it was by his hands she had crossed the threshold from girl to woman.
Her trust, her innocence—something stirred in him, though he hardly understood it. Yet, somehow, he found himself willing to give her a chance.
***
Heavy footsteps approached, then halted outside the tent.
"Yes, Commander. You called?" Eric asked.
Kyren raised a finger to his lips.
"Lower your voice. She's asleep."
"Is she all right?" This time, he whispered.
"She's fine. Just frightened," Kyren said curtly.
"Any woman would be. Still… she fought well for someone that frail," Eric remarked.
The knight was one of the few who knew what had happened to Anna.
"I need you to handle the daily briefings and meetings for now," the commander ordered.
Eric blinked, startled.
"Why? You've never asked me for that before."
"Anna is still weak. She needs my support."
"Oh, right! You have a new responsibility now." The knight grinned awkwardly. "I'll take care of it."
"I'll resume once she recovers."
"Understood." Eric nodded, acknowledging the order. Then his eyes narrowed mischievously. "So… what's your plan?"
"What plan?"
"With your bride, of course!"
"I'll send her back to the castle," Kyren said.
"Can she travel? It's a long ride. In her condition, she might not survive the journey," Eric warned.
"I'll wait until she's stronger."
"Wouldn't it be better if she stayed? His Majesty, the king, will announce the rest interval soon. We will be going back anyway."
"She can't stay here. This camp is no place for a woman."
"She'll be safe in your tent. No soldier would dare look at your woman unless he's having a death wish." Eric smirked. "Besides… you two do need time to get to know each other."
Kyren shot him a flat look.
"Is that necessary?"
"She's your wife, not just any woman," the knight stressed.
Kyren pursed his lips. Eric sighed dramatically, seeing such behaviour.
"Just ask her. I bet she'll say no."
"What makes you think so? You act like you already know her."
"Oh, just a feeling. She's a damsel in distress. You're the knight who swooped in to save her. Sounded like a fairy tale to me," the knight snorted.
The commander huffed.
"Fine. I'll ask. Now get Noah here. I have a task for him."
Eric's expression soured at the name, but he bowed.
"Yes, Commander."
Then he hurried off.