Chapter 18
1484 Words
– Shadows of the Enemy
Interrupted Vacation
A few days after returning to headquarters, Rei decided to take Hana out to enjoy the fresh air. They rode a horse-drawn carriage to a small lake at the forest’s edge, a place known for its tranquility.
Hana sat beside Rei, wearing a light kimono with a blue sash. She smiled as she watched birds flying low.
“My darling husband, finally we can be alone without your soldiers staring at me in awe,” she said playfully.
Rei glanced at her, suppressing a smile.
“You’re the one causing the chaos.”
“Hehehe~ it’s okay. I’m only yours.”
Suddenly, their peace was shattered. From behind the trees, several figures dressed in black appeared, moving with practiced precision.
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The Mercenaries
Their leader stepped forward, a tall man with a scarred face. He spoke with a foreign accent, his voice cold.
“Commander Rei… hand over the girl. Our boss from a faraway land desires her. She’s beautiful enough to be his.”
Hana immediately hid behind Rei, pale but trying to stay strong.
“My darling husband…” she whispered.
Rei’s gaze froze. His voice dropped, dangerous.
“You just said the last words you’ll ever speak.”
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Battle at the Lake
The mercenaries signaled, and dozens leaped forward, swords and arrows in hand.
But Rei was already standing in front of Hana, his stare as sharp as ice.
The first arrow flew. Rei’s sword slashed through it midair. He ran forward, movements like a shadow. One by one, the enemies fell, precise and efficient.
The mercenaries began to panic.
“He… is a monster!”
“How can he be so cold-blooded?!”
Hana watched with teary eyes, her heart pounding—not from fear, but awe and worry.
“My darling husband… be careful,” she said, clasping her hands to her chest.
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The Fallen Leader
The scarred leader tried to flee, but Rei appeared before him in an instant.
“You think you can escape after targeting my wife?”
With one swift strike, the man fell, his sword flying away.
Rei stared coldly.
“Go back to your boss… oh wait, you won’t have the chance.”
With a single motion, Rei ended the threat.
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After the Battle
Silence returned. Only the wind and the lake’s ripples could be heard. Rei returned to Hana’s side, blood still dripping from his sword.
Hana immediately grabbed his hand.
“My darling… you’re not hurt, are you?”
Rei shook his head. “No. You’re safe.”
Hana gazed at him for a long moment, then smiled, still trembling.
“You always make me feel safe… even when the world tries to take me away.”
Rei stroked her hair gently.
“As long as I live, no one will ever touch you.”
– Hidden Secret
Calm Again
After the incident at the lake, Rei didn’t go home right away. He knew Hana needed calm.
The carriage carried them to a small inn at the foot of the mountain. Hana sat leaning on her husband’s shoulder, still holding his hand tightly.
“My dear husband, I was really scared earlier,” Hana said softly.
Rei gently patted her hair. “I told you… no one can touch you while I’m here.”
Hana smiled faintly, then closed her eyes for a moment, feeling safe in Rei’s embrace.
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Forces on the Move
Meanwhile, at the headquarters, Rei had already sent a short message by messenger bird. His order was clear: hunt down the foreign mercenaries.
A few hours later, the elite troops moved quickly, closing every entry route. Mercilessly, they wiped out the groups hiding in the border forest.
“For Lady Hana’s sake, don’t let a single one escape!”
“Yes, Captain!”
A short but brutal clash erupted. Swords clashed, arrows flew, until finally all the mercenaries lay flat on the ground. There were no casualties among the soldiers—only tired but satisfied faces.
One officer reported to the main headquarters:
“Enemies from a foreign land. They were sent specifically to seize the Lady. But they’re all wiped out. Not a single one remains.”
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A Sweet Holiday
Meanwhile, Hana and Rei were sitting on the inn’s terrace facing the mountain. Hana held a warm cup of tea, her eyes shining as she watched the sunset sky.
“My dear husband, this is so beautiful. It feels like the world belongs just to the two of us.”
Rei nodded slowly. “This world doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is you.”
Hana giggled, her face flushed. “Such a flirt… if you keep saying that, I might melt.”
They had dinner together; clingy Hana kept feeding Rei. The inn’s servants could only lower their heads and smile, because it was rare to see a cold commander turn into a gentle husband.
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A New Shadow
That night, while they rested, Hana suddenly felt a little dizzy. She lightly tapped her cheek.
“Huh? Why am I feeling nauseous all of a sudden…” she murmured.
Rei immediately turned, worried. “Are you sick?”
Hana hurriedly shook her head. “No, no… maybe just tired. Don’t worry, my dear husband.”
But in her heart, Hana began to wonder. She pressed her hand to her belly, a small smile appearing on her face. Something was different… something she herself wasn’t yet sure of.
– New News
A Different Morning
Dawn at the mountain inn was very peaceful. Hana woke up first, her eyes still heavy but her face bright. She patted her cheek lightly and looked at Rei who was still asleep.
“My dear husband… wake up, I’m hungry…” she whispered playfully while jiggling his shoulder.
Rei opened his eyes slowly, staring at his wife who now sat beside the bed with puffed cheeks.
“Being clingy first thing in the morning like that?” he asked flatly, but a faint smile tugged at his lips.
“I want warm chicken soup. If not… muuu…” Hana puffed her cheeks bigger, then her eyes welled up as if she were about to cry.
Rei sighed, then got up while ruffling his hair. “Alright, I’ll order some. Don’t cry, you look even cuter like that.”
Hana blushed immediately and covered her face with both hands. “My dear husband, don’t say that! I’m embarrassed…”
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Odd Requests
Throughout the day, Hana kept asking for little things.
“My dear husband… I want strawberries!”
No sooner had Rei brought them than Hana was already tugging at his sleeve again.
“Eh, but I also want peanut cookies…”
And when Rei tried to refuse, Hana puffed her cheeks and said, “Muuu… I want it!”
Usually cold Rei this time could only shake his head while holding back a smile. He was truly defeated by his wife’s spoiled expressions.
“I’ve never seen a commander’s wife act so spoiled,” he murmured softly.
Hana smiled contentedly, then clinged to his shoulder. “Because I’m not just a commander’s wife. I’m Rei’s wife.”
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Trip to Town
A few days later, they went down to the small town under the mountain. Hana still felt nauseous often, so Rei decided to take her to the local physician.
In a simple room filled with herbal scents, the old doctor checked Hana’s pulse carefully. After a moment, he smiled warmly.
“Congratulations, Madam. You’re healthy… and there’s better news. You’re pregnant.”
Hana was silent for a moment. Her eyes widened, then turned to Rei. “My dear husband… I… I’m pregnant?”
Rei froze, disbelief in his eyes. But slowly, a rare smile bloomed on his face. He gripped Hana’s hand tightly.
“Yes… you’re pregnant.”
Tears ran down Hana’s face, but this time from joy. She hugged Rei tightly.
“I… I will be a mother…”
Rei bowed his head and kissed her forehead gently. His voice trembled softly.
“And I will protect both of you… with my whole life.”
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A Night Full of Gratitude
That night in their inn room, Hana lay down and stroked her still-flat belly.
“My dear husband… turns out the reason I’ve been so extra spoiled is because there’s a little baby here.”
Rei sat beside her, looking at her with tenderness.
“In that case… I don’t mind if you get even more spoiled. Even if you cry every day, I’ll still indulge you.”
Hana giggled softly, tears falling again. She clasped Rei’s hand and placed it over her belly.
“From now on… it’s not just the two of us. It’s three of us.”
Rei closed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. Our little family.”
- Writer
