One Day, My Fiancé Brought His First Love Along - Chapter 85

After dinner, Aileen called Carlisle aside. Piel had suggested they tour the village together, but there was something she needed to say first.

Thankfully, Piel was willing to wait, so Aileen decided to take care of it quickly.

She glanced around once more, just to make sure no one else was nearby, then quietly opened her mouth.

“I usually try to let it go… because I don’t want to bring personal matters into public settings. But this time, I feel like I absolutely have to say something.”

There had been a few occasions lately when just the two of them were alone, and it hadn’t felt awkward. But today, the air between them was undeniably cold.

Carlisle studied Aileen’s face in silence, not giving away a single hint of emotion.

Her eyes—usually sharp and composed—were sunken and cloudy, filled with silent resignation. Her lips were pale and dry. Carlisle knew this look all too well. He could tell exactly what kind of burden she was holding in.

When Aileen was truly, deeply angry—

Her voice came out dry, devoid of even the slightest trace of emotion. As if he wasn’t worth being angry at.

“I hope your past conduct doesn’t interfere with your ability to carry out your duties.”

She spoke in formal language, but it was far more rigid than usual.

Carlisle took a shallow breath. Just seeing her like this made it clear—he meant nothing to her anymore.

“If this were a banquet hall, a battlefield where people duel with words, I would’ve let it slide. But this is real. You could die out here. This is war.”

“……”

“Whatever gossip follows me in social circles—if I act the same, it might quiet down. But I’ve learned something. No matter what I do, those people are ready to tear into me.”

Despite how direct her words were, Carlisle didn’t interrupt. He just waited.

“But I never expected that even on the battlefield, my personal life would become gossip. And right in front of you, no less. It makes me feel like I’m not here as a knight… but as some scandal-ridden daughter of nobility.”

“……That part of you is beautiful.”

“I saw it today. How your disgrace could damage your mission.”

Carlisle tried to speak, but Aileen didn’t give him the chance.

“I want to be a knight. Not some noblewoman wrapped in cheap scandal. If this atmosphere doesn’t fade, I won’t be able to remain one. If I still have even a shred of self-respect, I can’t let this go.”

Carlisle knew. He had always known how serious Aileen was about this path—how deep her love for the sword ran, even back at the Academy.

So I understood, too.

This wasn’t like the petty drama of aristocrats playing games with titles and rumors. Aileen, who lived and breathed swordsmanship, couldn’t stand it.

Carlisle closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them.

He hadn’t wanted to weigh her down. He’d hoped—foolishly—that she would still choose him, despite everything.

She had chosen the path of a knight, rejecting comfort and reputation. She had chosen a battlefield where they both stood now. And he had once dreamed of paving that road for her.

Who would’ve thought he’d finally speak?

Carlisle inhaled slowly, steadying the tremble in his voice.

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

But even that didn’t stop Aileen. Her voice dropped to a near-whisper—as if she were only now getting to the main point.

“Words aren’t enough.”

“……”

“Please assign me to a different unit for this expedition. If you were planning to place me in the same group, withdraw that decision.”

Carlisle clenched his fists before he realized he had.

All the knights were familiar with the tactics used in the Hanilom Mountains.

The northern barbarians—especially the Furat—rarely stormed castles directly. They targeted mines instead, striking where the empire’s wealth was built.

In response, the local lords of the Hanilom Mountains had developed unique defense strategies. Some even called them underhanded. They built compact walls around the mines themselves.

And the Baron had stationed his troops there, around the low perimeter defenses, ready for battle.

When the Furat tribe launched an all-out attack, it was usually more than enough to overwhelm the region. And stopping them wasn’t easy.

During times like that, the castle would send requests for reinforcements from the imperial family—and the ones who responded were always the Knights of Sel and Carlisle.

There were three major mines in Yeongji that had to be protected at all costs.

Because there weren’t enough forces to guard the smaller mines, the knights concentrated on defending just those three. Carlisle had always split the Knights of Sel into three separate units for this reason.

And this time, he tried to do the same—by placing Aileen in the same group as her.

But I never thought they would go so far as to make that decision again.

“I’m saying this now because if this keeps up, another knight who can’t tell right from wrong might appear again. Separating us… I think it’ll help me focus on the sword.”

Aileen’s voice didn’t waver. Her tone was resolute.

“If Kyung-yi truly feels sorry for what happened, I’d appreciate it if she’d step back. I kept quiet before, acted like nothing happened in front of others for the sake of the mission. But… I’m not sure I can tolerate her presence once we’re deployed into real combat.”

Hearing her say that felt like my chest was being ripped apart. But even so, more than the pain—I was afraid. Afraid for Aileen’s safety.

To make matters worse, monsters had started appearing again, one after another without warning. Among them was someone especially suspicious: a man named Boris.

This time, it was clear. The Marquis of Hessiden—and the Northern Barbarians—were targeting them directly.

That accident from years ago, the one that had nearly taken Aileen’s life… this felt even more dangerous.

And this was the first proper mission Aileen had been given since then.

Carlisle was extremely on edge. The Duke and Duchess of Revart must’ve been just as anxious.

But she was asking him to place her where she wouldn’t have to see him.

Carlisle understood he couldn’t say no—but saying yes wasn’t easy either.

He had already disappeared from her view. What difference would it make if she came to hate him more?

Still, after a long pause, Carlisle opened his lips.

“……I’m sorry, but that might be difficult.”

Aileen’s expression hardened. His words stunned her so much she responded informally—without realizing it.

“……Do you think you have the right to say that right now?”

“I’m sorry, but that just won’t do.”

“Under…”

She sighed sharply and ran a hand over her face.

“Now that I look at it… he’s always been that kind of man. Doing everything his own way. I’ve known him so long and never realized. How did he hold in all that frustration, staying beside me?”

And then, in a quiet murmur—

“Oh, I see. So, you really did have an affair.”

Carlisle didn’t move. His stillness only made Aileen’s anger burn hotter.

“You never stop lying. First betrayal, now this. You can’t even grant a simple request?”

“……”

“Isn’t it more inefficient to keep us together anyway? None of us are so exceptional that it makes a difference. I’m not asking for too much, am I?”

“If it would’ve interfered with the mission, I would’ve never brought it up.”

“I’ve listened. I’ve observed. Even in this short time, with everything I’ve heard and the time I spent near Piel—this was the most rational conclusion.”

The three mines are similar in size and importance. Their defensive capabilities are also comparable. This means there’s no need to concentrate your troops in one location.

There was nothing to fault in Aileen’s reasoning.

Eventually, after a long pause, Carlisle had to withdraw his refusal.

“…Okay. I’ll put you in a different group from mine.”

“If possible, I’d like it to be as far away as possible. I think that would be more comfortable for both of us.”

The word “no” rose to the tip of his tongue, but Carlisle swallowed it instead of speaking.

Aileen turned away as if her business was done the moment her intention had been fulfilled. Carlisle stood there, frozen as if nailed to the spot, long after her figure had completely vanished.

Aileen headed to the village with Piel and Niar. It was Piel’s suggestion to go buy weapons, herbs, and other personal items. Niar had readily agreed, since it was his first time visiting the village.

Since I arrived here at noon, the sun was still high in the sky. As I walked along the deserted road and entered the village, the scenery I saw when I first arrived came into view once again.

“That’s amazing.”

Without realizing it, I spoke the words aloud in awe. Aileen blinked and looked around. The surroundings were so full of life that the air itself felt warm.

“This place is also famous for its mines. There are a lot of miners here, so they’re all really strong. Look over there—don’t you think that guy’s arms are thicker than mine, Sir Aileen?”

“Our captain’s arms look thicker.”

Niar cut in before I could answer. Piel shook his head and sighed.

“Anyway, I’m a loyal follower of that damn captain.”

Aileen smiled faintly and changed the subject.

“Everyone seems so full of energy. I thought the village atmosphere would be calmer, especially since the Hanilom Mountains are said to be so dangerous.”

“For the people here, things like northern invasions are an everyday occurrence. Even though this isn’t a typical mountain range, there are forests nearby, so monsters show up now and then.”

“I see. It’s nice to see everyone so energetic.”

“Right. We have to protect that kind of spirit. So, shall we stop by the weapons shop first?”

“Great.”

Piel led the two of them to a place he knew well.

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