The dagger in Aria's hand was cold, but the lingering warmth from Dante's last touch still clung to her skin. His words echoed like a curse and a dangerous promise. She was an advisor, yet also prey he had firmly in his sights. That night, Aria didn't sleep. She lay there, listening to the chirping of insects in the night, the wind whistling through the tent flaps, and the frantic pounding of her own heart.
The next morning, before the sun was fully up, Dante summoned her. His face was as cold as ever, but his deep eyes gleamed with anticipation. "There's a major drill tomorrow," he stated bluntly. "You will participate as a medical advisor. And... tactical."
"Tactical?" Aria was surprised. She was a special agent, not a general.
Dante smirked. "You boasted about your knowledge. Now is the time to prove it. I want to see the 'tactics' you spoke of that can change the tide. You will be responsible for the East flank."
An entire flank! Dante was throwing her into the fire. He wasn't just testing her medical knowledge, but also her leadership and strategic thinking as a woman from the future. Aria felt a surge of adrenaline course through her. This was what she was best at. She smiled, a chilling smile that made Dante pause slightly. "You won't be disappointed."
All day, Aria worked tirelessly. She moved throughout the East camp, observing the terrain, assessing the capabilities of each soldier, how they used their weapons, how they coordinated. With Dante as commander, discipline in his army was strict, yet there were gaps that only someone from the future like her could spot. She sketched battle plans on the ground, instructing soldiers on how to move more flexibly, how to leverage the terrain, even how to use simple but effective traps they had never conceived of.
Many soldiers were initially skeptical, even resentful, of taking orders from a "weak woman." But when Aria personally demonstrated how to quickly treat a wound, how to dodge an arrow without heavy armor, or when she pointed out weaknesses in their defensive formation, their skepticism gradually turned into respect.
That night, before the drill began, Aria went to Dante's tent. The flickering candlelight illuminated his handsome face, intently examining a map. He looked up, his sharp eyes scrutinizing her.
"What is your plan?" Dante asked, his voice low.
Aria spread out the camp map. She pointed to each spot, each position she had meticulously studied. "We'll use a 'feint' tactic. Create a false weak point, lure the enemy into attacking it, then..." She explained the plan in detail; the intelligence and originality in each step kept Dante's eyes fixed on her. She felt his gaze was not just appraisal, but a hidden fascination.
When she finished, Dante was silent. He stood up, stepping closer to her. His breath fanned Aria's hair. "You... are very intelligent," he whispered, his voice holding a strange tension. His hand came up, gently stroking her hair, then resting at the nape of her neck. A slight squeeze, full of possessiveness. "I thought you were merely an interesting toy. But it seems you are a precious gem."
The grip on her nape tightened, pulling her closer. Aria felt his hot breath on her lips. She knew this was the limit of their "deal." He wanted more. "Don't forget your words, General," Aria said softly, trying to keep her voice steady, though her heart pounded. "I am an advisor. Not a slave."
The smile on Dante's lips slowly vanished, replaced by a dangerous expression. He looked directly into her eyes, as if wanting to penetrate every defense. "In my army, sometimes, that line is very thin, Aria." He tilted his head, his lips brushing her ear, whispering ominously. "And tonight, I will show you that once you are on my chessboard, no one can escape my control."