Chapter 23: Try and Endure
2021.12.19
“Commander.”
Delia’s tone suddenly changed. The baby bird chirping cheerfully moments ago now called Aaron in a voice a few tones lower. The shift was so abrupt that Aaron’s eyebrows twitched.
“Why the sudden seriousness? That’s scary.”
“I understand now. Why you’re being so nice to me.”
Delia glanced briefly at the plate on the table. The meat on it had already been cut into neat, bite-sized pieces. Probably by the commander himself.
“I think I get why you’re worried about me getting hurt. You kept me alive so you could use me, right?”
It was a question for which Delia had already decided the answer. A question where Aaron’s response didn’t really matter. The real question was coming next. Aaron focused on the clear tone of her voice.
“But then?”
“Then why do you keep encouraging me? Even when I tried to kill you… even when I tricked you to escape, though I failed… You forgave me every time.”
“Yeah. I did.”
“And yet, you even gave me advice, telling me to try more things. Like you’re mocking me.”
“No. I meant it. I’m sincerely cheering for you.”
Delia tilted her head slightly, unconvinced.
“Commander, are you overestimating yourself? Or do you just think I’m incapable of succeeding no matter what I try?”
Her fork, which had been stabbing at the meat, stopped in midair.
“Or maybe… are you just insane?”
At her blunt question, Aaron chuckled. Seeing the amused smile on his face, Delia nodded.
“Hmm. Judging by that smile, I think I already know the answer.”
“What do you think it is?”
“You’re just completely crazy.”
At her sharp reply, Aaron laughed heartily.
“Haha. That too. And the other reasons. All of them are right.”
“Commander, you’re really annoying.”
Still smiling, Aaron leaned his head lazily against one hand, his silver-gray gaze drifting toward Delia.
“There’s an even bigger reason.”
“What is it?”
“So you don’t live with regrets.”
The word regret, so ordinary yet somehow off-putting in this moment, slowed Delia’s movements.
“Regret?”
“If you don’t try, you end up with lingering regrets.”
“And what does that have to do with anything?”
“You’ve got to try everything. Do everything you want to do.”
The calm resonance in Aaron’s voice sent goosebumps along her skin. Delia’s long lashes trembled as she stared at him.
“If you try everything and still fail, you’ll eventually give up.”
Delia’s hand, which had been slowly moving, finally stopped. Even her heartbeat seemed to slow.
“Once your hope is broken, it’s easier to tame you. So go ahead, prisoner.”
Aaron could feel Delia’s heart hardening. A faint smile rose on his lips.
“Try anything and everything. So you don’t regret it later.”
It was the smile of a beautiful demon—so mesmerizing, it sent a chill through her chest, even as she was being drawn to her doom.
“Do everything you want, until you have no regrets.”
The words were disturbingly gentle. Delia lowered her eyes halfway, avoiding Aaron’s gaze. Her lowered lashes shimmered in the light, and in her trembling blue eyes, the dishes on the table came into view. Neatly cut meat, soft soup, and a basket of mountain berries from Taren’s Peak.
“Tame me, huh…”
Delia murmured softly and picked up a berry. The fresh fruit popped into her red lips. Its pulp burst inside her mouth, spreading a fragrant sweetness unique to Iorenti. The vivid taste snapped her back to clarity. Her small lips, stained red with juice, parted slightly.
“Commander, you’re kind of cute.”
Aaron’s eyes widened at the unexpected word. People usually fled in fear at just making eye contact with him. When he had laughed at their fear, they began calling him the Mad Duke. And now, someone called him cute? A word he had never heard, not even as a child—from a cheeky prisoner, no less.
“Me? The Supreme Commander of the Empire, cute?”
Delia slowly raised her lids and met his eyes. She rested her chin in one hand, elbow propped on the table. Her tilted blue gaze met Aaron’s, as if staring into a mirror.
“Yeah. You’re cute, Commander.”
Aaron’s brow twitched slightly.
“By what logic?”
“You actually think you can tame me. That’s adorable.”
Aaron squinted, focusing on her sharp tone. Was this just the arrogance of a proud, stubborn prisoner who hated losing?
“Trying something that’s clearly impossible is kind of pitiful too.”
Feeling Aaron’s gaze on her hand, Delia reached toward the table. Her slender fingers closed around another glossy berry.
“Wow. I must be at rock bottom. Getting pitied by a prisoner.”
Aaron grumbled, and Delia let out a soft laugh.
“Well, who told you to attempt something so ridiculous?”
“But it’s not impossible. I’ve never failed to tame my prey before.”
“Then I guess I’ll be the first. Because I’m not someone you can tame.”
With a smirk, Delia bit into the berry. The red fruit gleamed between her lips. Aaron’s eyes gleamed. He wondered what kind of face she’d make if he stole it from her mouth.
“You really are proud, I’ll give you that.”
The tempting fruit disappeared into her mouth, making Aaron want it even more. That red berry, now gone. He tugged at his collar and took a deep breath. Exhaling slowly, he looked at Delia with darker eyes.
“But you know what? The harder something is to tame, the more exhilarating it is when you finally succeed.”
Delia glared at him while toying with another berry.
“And do you know something else, Commander? When success is just within reach but you still fail… the disappointment is even worse.”
At her defiant stare, Aaron burst out laughing.
“How about a bet?”
“Let’s make a bet.”
“What kind of bet?”
“Whether I can tame you or not.”
Delia curled one corner of her lips sarcastically and met his gaze.
“It’s an impossible bet. I’m someone who can never be tamed.”
“Let’s say the time limit is until you escape from me.”
Delia’s expression shifted slightly. The commander knew exactly how to provoke her. Just the idea of escaping him reignited her will.
“If you manage not to be tamed before escaping, you win. If you are tamed, I win.”
“And what do I get if I win?”
Aaron gazed into her sapphire-like eyes and let out a small laugh. The way she rushed headlong into an impossible challenge was amusing. She’d never escape him—unless he allowed it.
“I’ll pledge loyalty to you. The commander of the empire swearing allegiance. Not bad, huh?”
Delia paused, tempted. The fruit in her hand forgotten, she listened closely.
“Then what do you get if you win?”
“I get you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Why? If you win, you get me. The conditions have to be fair.”
Aaron smiled coolly, as if he’d already won. As if he already had her. His confidence stirred up Delia’s competitiveness. She wanted to see that smug smile crumble.
“Fine. Let’s do it. That bet.”
“Knew you’d say that. You’ve got guts.”
Aaron’s playful gaze instantly turned sharp. Delia instinctively held her breath and looked at him. His smoky gray eyes gleamed with dark seduction.
“Then try and endure.”
“Endure what?”
“My temptation.”
Aaron reached out and gently touched Delia’s slender neck. Her soft skin pressed against his rough palm.
“Let’s see how long you can hold out.”
Delia scoffed and smacked his hand away.
“You think I’ll be tamed just because of this? By this kind of cheap trick?”
Aaron shrugged and responded lazily.
“Why? Feeling nervous? Afraid you’ll be tamed and never escape?”
The temperature in the tent plummeted. Delia turned her head slowly, eyes flashing.
“Not a chance.”
Despite her biting reply, Aaron calmly reached out and plucked the berry she’d been holding. He stared at it, half-lidded eyes full of languid boredom.
“Or maybe… you’re afraid you’ll be tamed and betray your homeland.”
“Never.”
Delia clenched her now empty hand into a trembling fist.
“You’re scared, aren’t you? That once this starts, you’ll fall too deep.”
“You think I’m that foolish? To lose myself over someone like you?”
Aaron slowly raised the berry to his lips and ate it. The sweet juice spread in his mouth, and a satisfied smile formed on his lips. Delia, watching his hand and the way the red juice colored his lips, couldn’t look away.
“If you’re that confident, there’s no need to be afraid.”
“Hah.”
Delia exhaled sharply, glaring.
“Me? Afraid?”
“Then why avoid and run away? Afraid your heart might waver… afraid you might fall for your enemy.”
Aaron leaned back in his chair, casually popping another berry into his mouth.
“You think I attacked the imperial army with such weak conviction?”
Maybe it was the stolen berry. Maybe it was the taunting commander. Something burned in her chest and made her rise abruptly. She looked down at him, chin high, but her stomach churned.
“If your feelings for Iorenti are that strong…”
Aaron slowly raised his head to look at her. A heavy fog clouded his eyes.
“If they’re that strong, then you shouldn’t be scared.”
His voice, his words—everything about him was overwhelming. Delia stared, breathless, her feelings in turmoil. Was it anger? Or something more dangerous—seduction tangled with resentment?
Even Delia wasn’t sure anymore.
Some good lines this chapter