For a while, Klaus Ermias stared at Iria without saying anything. This made the Commander even more curious. After what seemed to be forever, the Captain spoke up.
"You get me wrong, Your Highness. I said before that I just want to prove something," he said in a calm voice. He might not be as simple as he looked but... he was telling the truth. He truly had something which he wanted to prove.
However, he realized one thing. This mysterious Crown Princess wasn't only skilled in using weapons but she's also intelligent too.
Just who was she?
"I don't believe that," Iria responded, still giving the Captain a doubtful look.
Captain Klaus gave a quick thought and said, "Then please give me a chance to prove that I'm telling the truth. If you're not convinced, you can do anything to me. I won't protest or complain."
His words put Iria Alewine in a daze again. Why did he talk again that way? He always made it clear that he didn't value his life. It was always so easy for him to brave talk and bet his life.
Was he that eager to die?
She looked at him, who always wore a smile. Perhaps, a fake smile.
Just what was his story?
"Fine then. Prove your words," she finally said.
As someone who was always in the situation of life and death, Iria Alewine was well aware of one thing. 'People who don't value themselves can be the most dangerous foe.' They felt like they had nothing to lose and that made them fearless. A fearless person can achieve many seemingly impossible things.
Klaus Ermias lips curved into a smile when he heard her response. "Please wait here, Your Highness."
He walked inside the tent which was used as an infirmary and came out with some ointments and some clean clothes with a small pot of warm water.
"Is that what you're talking about?" Iria asked. Was this a joke?!
"You will understand soon, Your Highness. I only need some of your time," Klaus Ermias simply said with a smile never leaving his face. "Please follow me."
Iria Alewine almost changed her mind but she was convinced that it would be better to prove than to live in doubt. As such, she followed the Captain.
Just outside the camp was a small pavilion. As it was dinner time now, almost everyone was inside the camp. The exact pavilion was the place where Iria stood with the Captain.
"This place is quiet and I know that you don't want people to misunderstand you. That's why I chose this place," Klaus Ermias said. "Please have a seat, Your Highness."
Now that she agreed to give him time, Iria sat on the chair without protest. Seeing this, Klaus Ermias flashed a little smile and put the ointment and others on the table next to Iria.
"I bet you're adamant to let me attend to your wound," Iria remarked when she glanced at the things on the table. "You said that you want to prove something. Was that a lie?"
"No." The Captain's response came faster than ever. "Why would I lie to Her Highness?"
When Iria didn't say anything, the Captain took it as approval and removed his shirt. Then he kneeled right beside the Crown Princess so that it would be easier for her to take a look at the wound. He briefly glanced at the ointment on the table before he turned back to Iria. "Please."
Iria looked at the wound and after a while of no movement, she removed her gloves and finally reached out her hand to remove the messed up cloth that was used to bandage his wound. At this simple movement, Klaus Ermias instantly shut his eyes and clenched both his fists. It seemed like he was bracing himself as his muscles were tightened.
Iria was taken aback by his reaction but still, she continued and removed the cloth. She grew up with soldiers and she had seen and attended to many wounds. As such, it wasn't a big deal for her.
pαndα noνɐ1,сoМ She took a piece of the clean cloth and dip it in the warm water. She turned back to the Captain and wiped the blood and clean the infected area.
She could feel how the Captain was clenching his teeth and how his body tensed at her touch. However, she quietly attended to the wound until...
She paused her movement when she narrowed her eyes at his body. She blinked at the sight she witnessed.
Why was his upper body filled with... scars? She knew that it was normal for soldiers but... she had never seen scars as many as these on a single person's body! His scars would surely double hers though she was the Commander of the Alewine Army!
When she realized that Klaus Ermias was now opening his eyes and he was also looking up at her with his grey eyes, she cleared her mind and continued with what she was doing. The moment her hand started moving, the Captain rapidly shut his eyes again.
After applying the ointments, Iria bandaged his wound with a clean cloth and she was finally done.
"I'm done," she said to the Captain who was very quick to open his eyes.
"What about the proof that you said?" she instantly asked him.
"Just one more thing and I will tell you," Klaus Ermias who was still on his knees replied. "Can you give me your hand?" he asked which made Iria raised a brow.
The Commander was taken aback by the absurd request. Was this another nonsense?
"Just this once, Your Highness," the Captain pleaded. "I need it for the final proof."
Iria let out a sigh and reached out her right hand. Klaus Ermias grabbed it and placed her palm on his chest which almost made her flinched!
"What are you doing?" she snapped and broke free from his grip. "Are you crazy?"
She rose from her seat and looked down at him. Her expression a mixture of shock and sour.
Klaus Ermias was still on the floor and he made no attempt to get up. "I apologize for that, Your Highness. But I just prove what I'm dying to know. It was the reason why I dared to ask you to attend to my wound."
That was the proof he was talking about?! Iria didn't understand at all!
"What did you prove?" she asked, confused.
Klaus Ermias looked up at her and said, "That I can tolerate someone's touch. No..." He shook his head and corrected, "Your touch in particular."
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