Life in the camp proved less harsh than Anna had expected, even for a princess like her. It did not disadvantage her in any way, contrary to Kyren's warnings.
The meals prepared for her were hearty and well-seasoned, her bed comfortable, and the commander's tent was far more luxurious than she had expected. Guards and squires attended to her needs promptly whenever errands arose.
In many ways, her life here mirrored her days in Ardel. Only the surroundings had changed, and the absence of a library she could frequent.
Yet despite the comfort afforded to her, the princess's spirits remained low.
Kyren, whom she thought of as her sun, was gone, and as time passed, his absence left an ever-widening void within her.
'Has the commander returned yet?'
The question lived constantly on her lips.
Each morning, she rushed to the guards, asking with eyes alight with hope, only to receive the same answer. And so the days passed, unrelenting.
"You must take your medicine and eat properly, my lady. Rest is equally important," Ayden said one afternoon, his obsidian eyes fixed on her with concern. "Your wounds will not heal properly if you continue like this."
His brow furrowed.
Over the past few days, Anna's condition has shown slight improvement. Though her bruises had begun to yellow and the more minor cuts had dried, the deeper injuries remained stubborn. The slow progress worried him; infection was a real possibility.
"I don't have much of an appetite," she admitted quietly. "And I can't sleep at night. The medicine is so bitter—I can hardly swallow it."
Dark shadows lingered beneath her eyes, making her already delicate features appear even gaunter.
Three days had passed since Kyren's departure, with not even a hint of his return.
Her thoughts drifted endlessly back to him. Was he eating well? Sleeping enough? Had he been injured? Or had the pursuit escalated into something larger, delaying his return?
"If Mr Amares comes back and sees you like this, he'll surely kill me," Ayden sighed, rubbing his temples.
The guards exchanged uneasy glances. They, too, feared the commander's displeasure—he had made it clear that his wife was to be appropriately cared for.
"I'm fine, Ayden," Anna replied lightly. "My body has always been frail. It's normal for me to take longer to heal."
She truly did not consider her condition alarming. Illness had been her companion since childhood, and she had always been physically delicate.
Ayden narrowed his eyes. He knew better. This was not frailty alone—it was longing.
If this continued, her health would worsen. It was time to resort to a tactic Rafe used all too often.
"My lady," he said suddenly, "what do you think of the commander?"
Anna blinked, caught off guard.
"He's a little strict," she replied, then softened. "But he's kind."
A faint smile touched her lips as she kept the word 'good-looking' to herself. She could not deny his striking appearance.
"He is impressive," the assistant healer conceded. "But he's also an austere commander. He isn't lenient with everyone."
He crossed his arms, expression grave.
"That's not true!" the princess protested. "Kyren is caring and gentle!"
"You may ask the guards," Ayden continued evenly. "If someone disobeys him, punishment follows."
"Punishment?"
She turned to the men instinctively. Both nodded.
"He's a Knight Commander," Anna defended quickly. "Of course he enforces discipline. He bears great responsibility."
"Precisely," the assistant healer said. "Which means he does not hesitate."
He paused, watching her closely.
"The army understands this. But I'm uncertain about you."
Her brows knit together. "What do you mean?"
"My lady, you are responsible for your own well-being," he replied evenly. "If you fail to recover, whose fault would that be?"
"Mine?" she asked bluntly.
"A correct answer," he said calmly. "It would not invite punishment, but it may give rise to disappointment." He tilted his head slightly. "And a man of his stature—handsome and accomplished—will not linger beside a woman who lacks discipline or allows herself to falter. Such men inevitably draw their attention elsewhere."
Her breath caught.
Kyren was indeed striking. Strong. Commanding.
If other women sought him… where would that leave her?
"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "He wouldn't abandon me. He promised to protect me."
Ayden allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips. The fear he sought had surfaced.
"I merely suggest," he said smoothly, "that it would be wise to secure your place at his side—as his wife, not as a dependent."
Her fingers curled into the folds of her dress.
"I want to stay with him… but for him to look at me that way…" She faltered. "We barely know each other."
Anxiety flickered in her eyes.
If Kyren were to return and find her weak and unchanged, would she be seen as a burden? Would he regret taking her in?
"What should I do?" she asked softly. "I don't want him to abandon me."
Ayden stroked his chin, feigning contemplation.
"Begin by restoring your health. When he returns, surprise him with a healthier, brighter you."
His eyes gleamed.
"How?" she asked earnestly.
"Take your medicine. Eat properly. Rest and gain some weight. You're far too thin."
She nodded immediately.
"But… these wounds," she hesitated. "If they scar, he might—"
"I can prepare a salve to fade them," the assistant healer said without hesitation.
Her eyes widened. "You can?"
"Yes. But first, we must stabilise your condition. He'll be relieved to see you well."
A soft smile curved her lips. There was still hope—if she wished to win her husband, she could not ignore the assistant healer's implication, especially when he had served beside the commander. This was not a matter she could dismiss lightly.
"Will it take long for him to return?"
Longing crept into her voice once more.
"I can't say," he replied gently. "But he will return."
She nodded, her resolve—and determination—renewed.
"I know you miss him," Ayden added lightly. "But drowning in longing will only invite sorrow and ruin that pretty face."
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
'Did they notice? Was it so obvious?'
She lifted her hands to her face, only to catch the assistant and the guards lowering their gazes, faint smiles betraying them. She was being teased.
Oh—how she wished the ground would swallow her whole!