Episode 9: I Became the Enemy’s Nurse (9)
Two nights had passed since she returned to the field hospital. The room that was originally supposed to be Ashley’s was now occupied by the unconscious nurse, Natalie. It was the third day, and she was still out cold.
There was a knock on the door, and Nurse Adele walked in.
As usual, Captain Gloucester was sitting upright by the bed, keeping watch.
“Captain, was your sleep comfortable?” she asked.
“Yes, it was fine,” he answered politely, though he looked exhausted and worn out. He had been sleeping on the sofa for several days instead of his bed, so he probably didn’t sleep well.
“How’s she doing?” he asked softly, his eyes following Adele as she took Natalie’s temperature and checked her pulse.
“She doesn’t have a fever, thankfully,” Adele replied, but she was interrupted by Ashley’s intense gaze. He was staring at her, waiting for more details, and Adele knew she couldn’t hide anything from him. In front of this cold and intimidating aristocrat, it was impossible not to speak the truth.
“The pulse is slow, but it’s not critical,” she added.
“When will Nurse Natalie wake up?” he asked again, for the third day in a row.
Adele had answered this question the same way every time: “I’m not sure, sorry.”
Ashley stared at her silently, his frustration building up. He had been watching her for three days now, waiting for her to wake up, but it seemed like it wasn’t happening.
Ashley’s mind wandered back to the time when he had lost consciousness after a high fever. It had been three days before he woke up. He hoped that Natalie would wake up the same way.
“Today is the day. You should wake up tomorrow,” Ashley thought, gently brushing his fingers over Natalie’s forehead, trying to comfort her. She looked so pale, with her face hollowed out, and her skin cold to the touch. Her tiny face seemed fragile, and her lips, usually full of life, felt lifeless.
His hand lingered on her face for a moment, his fingers tracing her lips gently, as if trying to give her warmth. His mind raced, cursing himself for all the mistakes he had made. If he hadn’t insisted on bringing her to the military hospital, she wouldn’t have been shot. If he hadn’t been so stubborn, she wouldn’t be lying here unconscious.
The next day, Natalie still hadn’t woken up. Another day passed, and she remained unresponsive, her body frozen in a state that seemed beyond recovery.
On the fifth day, an unwelcome visitor arrived at her hospital room. Ashley’s blue eyes pierced through him as he stared coldly at the man who entered. Despite Ashley’s glare, the man remained composed.
“It’s been a while, Captain Ashley,” the man said politely.
It was Karl Harrington, the head of the Imperial Police, who had come to visit the field hospital. He was with only his secretary, looking fit and healthy despite his middle age.
Karl studied Ashley, whose eyes were the same color as his own.
Ashley had no reason to entertain him, and his gaze remained icy as he replied, “I’m fine, just a little tired. Now, what brings you here?”
Karl wasn’t bothered by Ashley’s cold reception. He was more concerned about the woman lying unconscious in the bed behind him.
“I’ve been informed this is your room, Captain. Why is she here?” Karl asked, eyeing Natalie’s unmoving form.
“She’s my personal nurse. She was injured on the way to the military hospital,” Ashley replied firmly, positioning himself to block Karl from getting any closer to her.
Karl didn’t flinch. “I see… What happened to her?”
Ashley replied curtly, “She’s unconscious. There’s nothing to discuss.”
After their brief conversation, Karl, sensing that Ashley was eager to get rid of him, finally spoke. “I just wanted to check on you, make sure you’re okay.”
Ashley’s response was dripping with sarcasm: “Oh, I’m so touched that you’re concerned about me. But I can handle myself just fine.”
Karl’s calm demeanor didn’t faze Ashley. But when Karl looked past him and glanced at Natalie’s unconscious form again, Ashley’s irritation grew.
“Is there anything else?” Ashley asked coldly.
Karl wasn’t deterred. He continued to eye Natalie, sensing something strange about the nurse. “It’s a pity,” he muttered, “I hope she recovers soon.”
Ashley could feel the tension rising as Karl gave him a meaningful glance before preparing to leave.
“Please take care of yourself and don’t get hurt,” Karl added, his tone polite but distant.
“Leave me alone. This is the last time you’ll see me,” Ashley snapped, his patience finally running out. He turned his back on Karl and focused solely on Natalie.
As Karl left, Ashley muttered under his breath, “I’m sorry. It must have been loud for you.”
He wanted to erase the conversation from her mind, even if she couldn’t hear it. But still, he placed his hand gently over her ear, as if to wipe away the unpleasant words.
Ashley couldn’t shake off the feeling of discomfort that lingered after Karl’s visit. He thought back to Karl’s background—his mother’s lover, the second son of Count Harrington, the brilliant detective who now led the Imperial Police.
But even knowing all that, it didn’t excuse Karl for showing up uninvited. Ashley’s jaw tightened as he thought about how Karl had crossed the line by showing up at the hospital, especially after everything that had happened.
“Damn him,” Ashley gritted his teeth, glaring at the door through which Karl had just walked out.
