If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 74
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
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As Ethan paused to respond with a nod, he playfully remarked, “Ah, I apologize, commander. I was oblivious.”
“What?”
“After reuniting with your wife, I’m sure you have much to catch up on. Forgive my thoughtlessness.”
His face was full of the usual mischief. It was clear that he was delighting in the chance to tease his long-missed superior.
“Here we go again.”
Cain muttered under his breath.
“What have I done now?”
“Enough. It’s not like that.”
“What do you mean it isn’t?”
“Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not it.”
“Oh, look at the time. Your wife must be eagerly waiting for you, and here I am, still holding you up without a clue.”
“You’re starting again.”
“You’re really too much, commander. If you thought I was dragging this out too long, you should have cut me off and returned to your tent earlier.”
“Ethan, are you asking for trouble?”
Cain’s threat came with a forceful tone, but it seemed to have no effect on Ethan, who still grinned, stepping backward.
“Yes, yes, sorry about that. I’ll stop now so you can go back.”
Ethan retreated with a cheeky grin, leaving Cain staring after him with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Though Cain would never admit it, Ethan’s comment about Agatha waiting was not entirely wrong. Though him leaving early from the meeting was officially out of concern for his loyal subordinates who had traveled far, he couldn’t deny that his steps back to the tent were unexpectedly light. His thoughts inadvertently turn to Agatha.
Quickening his pace, Cain headed straight for his tent.
The report that Agatha had already eaten and was resting simplified things considerably. The tent would offer a much more comfortable setting for a private conversation than the bustling day had allowed.
How could she endure such a month-long journey by carriage with her delicate health?
Cain wondered aloud as he approached the tent. He was eager to hear about her journey and perhaps share more in the quiet of the evening.
“Is the wife inside?”
“Yes, commander. She has been resting all this time.”
A junior knight, who had recently taken over the night shift, was guarding Cain’s tent. After confirming that all was normal, Cain pushed aside the tent’s entrance fabric.
“What is that smell…?”
As he entered, a sweet fragrance instantly struck his nose. The scent, warm and gentle, seemed to come from dried flower petals. Where is that floral scent coming from?
Cain wondered, tilting his head as he moved further inside.
“Oh, oh my goodness.”
Startled by Cain’s sudden appearance, a young maid hastily rose from her position.
“Marquis, I greet you.”
“…Was she bathing?”
It wasn’t a misconception—the scent of flowers. Behind the misty veil of steam, he could see a delicate figure seated quietly in a bath. Her back was turned, her slender shoulders and cascading golden hair giving away her identity as Agatha.
“Yes, sir. The journey had been very exhausting for her, so I prepared some warm water.”
“I see.”
His response was nonchalant, but like the maid, Cain was equally taken aback. He had hurried back, hoping to unwind and catch up with his wife, only to find himself unexpectedly confronting her in her bath.
Uncertain of what to do next, the maid respectfully bowed and exited the tent. Cain should have asked her to continue assisting Agatha, but he found himself speechless.
The maid’s calm footsteps faded into the distance, and the tent filled with warm steam.
Deeply asleep, Agatha remained motionless through their conversation and as the maid left.
What should he do now? Should he wake her?
As Agatha continued to sleep, Cain stood there, lost in thought.
He felt guilty about waking her but was also concerned that the bathwater would soon cool, potentially causing her to catch a cold after her tiring journey.
Should he step out and call the maid back? Yet, the thought of leaving her alone in the tent, especially in such a vulnerable state, made him hesitant.
Standing in indecision, Cain was jolted back to attention by a faint sneeze.
Leaving someone asleep in the water for too long wasn’t safe. He scanned the surroundings and noticed a towel hung nearby, presumably placed there for drying. He picked up the towel and unfolded it carefully.
The way he handled the towel was incredibly cautious, considering they had been married for two years. In truth, aside from a playful peck exchanged on their wedding day, they hadn’t had much physical contact, so his caution was understandable.
“Agatha.”
He called out, but there was no response.
“Agatha.”
“Umm…”
Her voice was faint, a small movement in her shoulder followed by her head settling back against the edge of the tub, drifting back to sleep.
Beads of sweat had formed on her forehead and were trickling into the water.
Cain, watching absentmindedly, followed the path of the droplets down her face, then chastised himself internally. He shouldn’t have let his gaze wander.
