[L] To Me, The One Who Love You

71

“Commander-in-Chief…”

Lisa opened her mouth as she wanted to say something, but Carl interrupted her.

He said to Lisa in a grave tone: “Don’t act muddled on such a matter. You must understand the principle of how one ant hole can lead to the collapse of thousands of miles of the dike. Your accomplishments will never just stop at the title of a mere Pioneer Commander. This old man was also full of vigor like you back in the day, and I had thought that a General just needed to protect the common people well, to command the army properly, and that the other matters did not need too much concern. However, having lived for so long, this old man finally understood this principle: the heart is unpredictable. If one wishes to become an indomitable General, there cannot be any weakness exposed to the public. This rumor is like that ant on the dike. It seems very small, but it could easily cause the collapse of a thousand mile dike all at once. If you don’t go and pick by yourself, I will personally pick a few ladies in a few days to send them to your residence.”

Hearing the serious tone in Carl's words, Lisa stood up violently from the chair.

She placed her hands together as she gave a complete bow, then she said sincerely: “This officer thanks the Commander-in-Chief’s good intentions, but the concubines truly can’t be taken!”

“Oh? Why is that? Unless… those rumors are true?”

Lisa raised her head to look at Carl. She did not answer immediately as she was rapidly weighing her options in her heart.

“Could it be that the kid in the Manoban residence was telling the truth? It’s been quite a long time since then. If it’s an external injury, it should’ve pretty much healed. Have you consulted a doctor? You can’t refuse treatment for such a matter. Perhaps this old man should find a good doctor to give it a good look for you?”

Hearing this from Carl, Lisa's cold sweat dropped down at once.

She was extremely grateful that she hadn’t just gone and affirmed it. She looked at Carl, while Carl looked at her.

The two of them ‘stalemated’ for a good while, but Lisa was ultimately the one who was ‘defeated’.

Lisa sighed softly, while her tense body also relaxed.

She looked at Carl, then she said with a serious expression: “Commander-in-Chief, this officer doesn’t take concubines. Not because of unhealed injury, and not like what it’s been rumored. It’s because… because, this officer’s heart already belongs to someone. In this life and this world, I will marry no one other than her. This officer does not need a legal wife, or a concubine, or any random girls. Just her and no one else. My heart calls her name.”

Carl was slightly taken aback by Lisa's words: “Sit down and speak.”

“Thanks to the Commander-in-Chief.”

“It’s common for men to marry many wives and concubines, but for you to say this, this old man can understand. Who would have thought that officer Manoban is the sentimental type, hahahahahahaha!”

Lisa's face heated up, but she laughed along too.

There was a trace of bitterness in her smile: time flew, the mourning period for the late Queen would pass soon. Her wedding day isn’t that far off now, and who knows if we would ever be able to meet again…

“Since you already have someone in your heart, why haven’t you sent a proposal yet? Is she anyone from Yangguan city?”

Lisa shook her head: “Not someone in Yangguan city. This officer… is of a low position, and can’t match up to her.”

“Not a Yangguan citizen? But you’ve always been in the military camp… Unless, she’s someone that you came to know in your journey to escort the Princess back to the capital?”

Lisa nodded.

Carl understood: “Oh… She’s from the capital then?”

Lisa nodded.

“If she’s an official’s daughter in the capital, then your current position might be somewhat low… But you do not need to feel discouraged. You are the most outstanding among the sixteen Pioneer Commanders of my northern border army, and you will never stop there. At the same time, the command of the Flying-Feather Battalion and a Pioneer Commander’s Battalion falls to you. You also have the thousand land rights in fiefs rewarded by his Majesty. It’d be enough to match up with an official’s daughter. If you’re up against a minister’s family…Those old things, hmph. If you need, this old man can personally matchmake for you!”

Lisa's heart was warmed by Carl's words, but she knew that this match must never ever be made…

Without even mentioning that she’s a woman, if she revealed the other’s identity, if Carl learned about the truth, he’d probably break her legs first.

His Majesty had already settled this.

She was already engaged.

Even if things like identity, position and gender were all thrown away, she was still already engaged.

If this were to spread out, her unblemished reputation would be ruined…

“Many thanks to the Commander-in-Chief… This officer will remember the Commander-in-Chief’s grace for as long as I live. However… This officer still wishes to wed her with my own abilities.”

Lisa feared that Carl's would continue to prod for answers, hence she had to lie.

“Mm. If so, you can rest assured. This old man has ways to make all of those rumors about you in Yangguan city disappear, you don’t have to worry.”

“Thanks to the Commander-in-Chief.”

“You may go.”

“Understood!”

Lisa walked out from the big tent, then she raised her head to watch the sky.

Looking at the azure blue sky of the northern border, her heart felt dejected and empty.

-----

That night, on a barren mountain ten miles away from Carl's military camp.

A gyrfalcon flew under the night sky, quickly disappearing into the blackness…

***

Windsor Castle.

I held a silk report with my hand. When I suddenly read to that section:

---Liam's expression was firm, he answered loud and clear: “This officer’s heart already belongs to someone, I will never marry anyone other than her. In this life and this world, just her and no one else. My heart calls her name”…---

My heart skipped.

It was filled with a peculiar feeling.

I felt confident in my grasp of Liam.

It could even be said to be incomparably detailed.

Ever since I began to invest in him, I pretty much knew everything that he did every day.

Which was why when I read about what he had said, I understood at once that the person he referred to was me.

“A heart that belonged to someone, never to marry anyone other than her. In this life and this world, just her…”

I read what Liam said once again. His serious expression was almost visible in my eyes.

Like a needle, it pricked lightly into my heart.

I squeezed the silk report, speechless for a long time.

I was speechless for the first time in my life, as if I am at a loss as to what to do.

I looked at the brush holder before me.

I was not sure if I was thinking or distracting myself, but that peculiar feeling in my heart was becoming thicker, and thicker.

================

Lisa: I love you. My heart calls your name.