Dante's gentle touch and his warm words lingered in Aria's mind. They were like a soft breeze soothing her inner wounds, yet simultaneously left her bewildered. She had once thought of him as merely a crude tyrant, a man who only knew how to take. But now, she saw another side of him—concern, gratitude, and even a touch of... tenderness.
The next morning, Aria continued her work in the medical area. She noticed a clear change in the soldiers' attitudes toward her. There was no longer suspicion or contempt, but rather trust and respect. They actively sought her out for treatment, listening to her advice on maintaining health. Even the old military physician became more humble, frequently asking for her guidance.
However, Dante's favoritism toward Aria brought not only respect but also other troubles. The whispers and gossip in the camp grew more frequent. Lady Lan, especially, after the argument and Dante's intervention, grew even more hateful of Aria. She didn't directly cause trouble, but her venomous glares and insidious whispers never ceased whenever Aria passed by.
One late afternoon, as Aria was walking past the senior officers' tent area, she heard arguing. A group of officers were gathered, and it seemed they were displeased about something. Aria inadvertently overheard her name and Dante's name in the conversation.
"...An unknown foreign woman, so favored by the General. This will undermine army discipline!" A furious voice rang out.
"Exactly! I fear the General has been enchanted by some magic of hers. Perhaps she is a true spy!" Another voice chimed in.
Aria froze. She knew she was eavesdropping, but she needed to know what they were saying. This was a serious matter, potentially affecting not only her but also Dante's standing. She had succeeded in helping him on the battlefield, but now, her presence had become a thorn in the side of others.
Suddenly, a heavy hand rested on Aria's shoulder. She startled, turning to face Dante. He had been standing there all along, his eyes as sharp as daggers, looking directly at the arguing officers. They immediately fell silent, their faces paling at his appearance.
Dante said nothing. He simply squeezed Aria's shoulder lightly, pulling her close, then coldly glared at each officer one by one. His gaze seemed to pierce their very souls, filled with warning and threat. The air became intensely tense.
Finally, Dante spoke, his voice low but powerful, making everyone shiver. "It seems you have too much free time to gossip about trifles." He paused, his gaze resting on the officer who had just criticized Aria. "Remember, in my army, anyone who dares to cause trouble or question my choices... will pay a heavy price."
His words were like a sharp blade, cutting through the silence. Dante didn't explain or justify his actions; he simply asserted his absolute authority. The officers immediately bowed their heads, not daring to utter another word.
Dante turned, took Aria's hand, and led her away. His hand was warm and strong, but Aria felt an invisible weight pressing on her shoulders. Dante's public protection, while it might shield her from gossip, also meant she was becoming more tightly bound to him, to this complex world.