Leila finally buried her face in her knees and started to cry. The medical officer became thoughtful. I was wrong, I don't know what I did wrong, but I was wrong. No, even if it hurt a little, Miss, hey? The glares from the soldiers on the first floor started to turn towards her, and she wanted to cry instead.
As expected, luck was not in the cards. When Leila's cries turned from sobs to groans and reached their peak, Nick came down the stairs. Bruno quickly frowned and echoed Nick's sentiments.
“Hey, Kobe. What’s up?”
“No, this girl. She suddenly started crying. I feel wronged...!”
Leila, who had her head up, looked at Nick with a wet face. The hostility that was not hidden in her gentle face was obvious. 'Your liver is swollen.' It was quite unpleasant, but Nick was in a good mood now. He smirked and pointed upstairs with his thumb.
“You can go up and take a look.”
Medical Officer Kobe suddenly released the grip on Leila. Leila, who had kicked him away, ran up the stairs, glaring at Nick as if she was going to kill him. Bruno scratched the side of his head with a dumbfounded expression.
“Country girls are sometimes scarier.”
Nick glanced at the old, tattered hem of her skirt disappearing over the railing in the distance, then whistled.
“Let’s go. We don’t have time to beat up those who haven’t come to their senses.”
“That’s not right!”
Bruno squared his shoulders and followed Nick out. There were salutes here and there, but Nick never looked back.
Leila stood in front of the door. What should I do? What should I do? Tears flowed out. She looked through the slightly open door. She could only see Aaron’s back, standing neatly. Her heart didn’t get any better just from confirming that Nick Hamilton really hadn’t hurt Aaron. Claude Biscov. The unfamiliar name caught in her throat.
Leila mustered up her courage and pushed open the door. Aaron turned his head and looked at her with a tired face. Tears came to her eyes again. Aaron quickly approached her, as if surprised by Leila’s tear-stained face, and cupped her cheek.
“Leila, what’s going on? Why...”
The usual voice, the usual affection, the usual man's concern. Leila wiped away the tears that were pouring down again and hugged him as if she were hanging onto his neck.
“Don’t go anywhere.”
“...”
“Don’t go even if Castnier says it’s not fun.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance.”
“If you promise not to go, I’ll let you go. If you don’t promise.”
Leila sniffled and buried her face in his neck and finally burst into tears.
“I’m going to report you to the police for swindling my marriage.”
Aaron couldn't help but laugh at the cute threats that were scattered around his neck. Rather, it was Aaron who was more worried about his true identity. Hadn't the Biscov family been at the forefront of persecuting Ramrock since ancient times?
Unable to overcome the warmth rising in his chest, Aaron bit his lips and quickly hugged Leila.
“Where am I going?”
“...”
“Where am I going, leaving my love behind?”
“...”
“Don’t go. Anywhere.”
The only place he can stay is next to her.
He couldn't even imagine leaving this beautiful town, this person, this love. Even if life is a little hard, sacrifices for beautiful things are always meaningful.
Epilogue
And again in May 116.
A man who accidentally saves an enemy in a war zone falls in love with an enemy woman, and when he is about to be killed by enemy soldiers, the person he saved just by chance appears and saves him. This may be possible, but in reality, the probability is very low, and it is only possible in imagination, was the opinion of the Ramrock people who heard the inside story of the incident.
But whether people believe it or not, the incident really happened, and Ramrock's Casnier became famous.
Of course, that didn't change the lives of the people of Casnier much. It only changed slightly. They accepted a certain deserter from Dublin into their lives.
The soldiers of Ramrock, who had been walking around Casnier like their home, were all summoned and investigated on the day that Nick Hamilton appeared. Those who had done bad things received punishments that were more than a slap on the wrist, from small demotions to large prison sentences. The small town of Casnier was thrown into chaos because of this.
Also, shortly afterwards, the military distributed gold coins to every household in Casnier who had protected Aaron Jenner without discrimination (in fact, both sides knew that they had discriminated greatly, but neither side knew that) by informing them that a Dublin soldier named Aaron Jenner was the benefactor of Brigadier General Hamilton, who was known as the most prominent and promising new military figure in Ramrock.
Thanks to that, Aaron's perception began to change from a Dubliner, the Ramrocks' main enemy, to a Dubliner doctor who saved the Ramrocks. Also, the townspeople began to treasure the gold coins, and whenever they saw him, they had a time of self-reflection, reflecting on the times when they looked down on Aaron just because he was a Dubliner. So, it can be said that Brigadier General Nick Hamilton's plan had a somewhat successful outcome. Whether the person in question wanted it or not.
However, since this is a change in perception limited to one person, Aaron Jenner, it will take a long time for the perception of Dubliners or soldiers in Dublin to completely change.
While most people have thought about the relationship between Dublin and Ramrock at least once or twice, there were some who did not at all. These were usually young people.
“I’m rich, I’m rich!”
Andrew was famous for being the most uniquely ignorant guy. There were more than a few adults in the town who clicked their tongues at his pure joy as he went around shouting, "Dublin is cool! Leila would fall for him!" It seems it was money rather than love? Andrew's long-standing 'unrequited love for Leila ended with money, so he was worthy of being laughed at. Regardless, Andrew declared that he would open a butcher shop in the town while holding the 7 gold coins given to him by the military government, and then got hit twice by the butcher Max, saying, "You're being rude!" and returned to crying.
And before Nick Hamilton showed up and overthrew Cassidy, Penny, who was known to have been almost humiliated by the military, received a small compensation separately from the government. She received a pretty hat as a gift from her parents. Penny tried to give the hat to Leila, but Leila gave it back to Penny, saying that it suited her better.
Walter, a general store owner, was wondering how to use the 7 gold given by the military, and suggested to Aaron that they open a woodworking workshop. Walter, who was blowing air in his ears, saying that he would become an investor, shouted at Ben. 'That guy will succeed me as a shepherd, you punk!' Aaron just had to sip his drink and wait for the two to finish their argument.
And after about half a year, in the ripe spring, Aaron finally prepared a ring to give to Leila. It wasn't because he didn't have enough money, but because he had a hard time finding something he liked at the gold shop in Casnier. After asking around, he put the ring he had obtained step by step in his bosom, and on his way back, Penny followed him, walking quietly.
“Hey. I heard you were buying a ring earlier.”
“Miss Penny. Have you been stalking me? I have a master's.”
“I, I, I’m not that kind of person!”
Penny adjusted her hat, which was now one of Penny's treasures.
“I just wanted to ask you if you’re really going to marry Leila.”
“We’re already married.”
“You haven’t had a wedding yet! That’s why you’re buying a ring now. You’re going to propose!”
“This is a big deal. Rumors will spread.”
Aaron looked at Penny with a look of genuine annoyance. It was only half-joking, but Penny quickly denied it with a blush on her face.
“I, I, I’m going to hold back on my words now!”
“I don’t believe you. Then you’ll keep it a secret that I bought the ring.”
“...”
“Who have you already told?”
“Anne, Andrew...”
Penny turned around, rubbing the ground with her toes. But Andrew was a guy who liked Leila, so he thought he had to tell her. Even if he was blinded by the seven gold coins and gave up his first love to the guy from Dublin in front of him.
Aaron, who was looking at Penny, who was embarrassed and didn't know what to do, smiled and started walking again.
“The hat suits you well. You’re prettier than the city girls. Leila is prettier, though.”
Penny looked up at him with a look of disbelief. Aaron waved cheerfully and walked away. He greeted the townspeople, who occasionally greeted him.
“Don’t make Leila cry! Don’t! Seriously!”
Penny screamed in a voice that almost sounded like she was crying. Aaron couldn't help but laugh, remembering how Leila would sometimes grumble, "Penny's a megaphone."
“I told you I’m already married.”
Andrew, who had been walking with his shoulders hunched from afar, spotted Aaron and stood tall. Aaron glared at the boy with somewhat stern eyes. The boy walked stiffly and stood in front of him, then snickered.
“Hey.”
Ever since he heard the rumor that Nick Hamilton had claimed to be Aaron's sponsor, Andrew had been very nervous. Perhaps it was because he was so innocent that he didn't feel as embarrassed as adults. Aaron smiled and patted Andrew on the head.
“Don’t forget the 100-meter radius ban on Leila.”
“Ah, ah, Aaron! You weren’t joking!”
“I’m not joking. If you set your eyes on Leila, I won’t let you off easy.”
“Are you going to tell Brigadier General Hamilton?”
“That will happen.”
A day spent walking along the setting sun.
What's different from yesterday is that there's a ring hidden on his chest.
Ben was not satisfied with the improved situation, so he remodeled the barn and brought in more cows. Thanks to this, Ben was busy every day. As he was about to head home, Aaron looked at the construction site that was being built across the street.
“Please do this while eating these.”
Leila was baking a lot of bread in a basket and handing it out to the workers, who were actually poor soldiers, when Collie, who was running around barking, came running up to him.
It is a two-story wooden house that is beyond plausible and even flashy. The red roof is particularly shiny. It is a bit exaggerated, but it looks like it came out of the ground in half a year.
“Well, it is our policy to provide compensation for the damages.”
“You have done enough.”
“It is insufficient.”
“Enough. That’s enough.”
It was Aaron who stopped Leila from borrowing a large sum of money when she almost got into big trouble. Aaron strongly expressed his intention that he did not want to owe him anything, and Leila was convinced. Then, Nick Hamilton said, "No matter how much I think about it, I can't believe that my life is worth only 5 gold." Then, when he heard that the two were living with Ben due to financial difficulties, he offered to build them a new house. Aaron tried to stop him, but Ben took Nick's hand without a moment's hesitation.
“I was already wanting to kick those guys out, so I’ll gladly accept it!”
“Hey, you’re a very angry person. I’m Corporal Woodson of the Artillery Battalion. Someday I’ll have a child, so I’ll need a spacious living space to prepare for that.”
Leila rolled her eyes and just watched, then completely fell for Nick Hamilton when he said, "Prepare for the baby."
That is how the house that was built started and is now in the final stages of completion. It was built very quickly and accurately, as it was constructed by deploying soldiers who were being rolled in as they went.
Leila turned her head at the sound of Collie barking and found him smiling brightly.
It's as beautiful as sunlight. She swallowed her sigh again, and a smile came to her face.
“Welcome!”
Aaron ran towards Leila and hugged her, then greeted her by rubbing his nose against hers.
“I’m back.”
Aaron touched the ring in his arms and soon laughed. He didn’t know how to propose with his heart trembling like the first time. He had already registered his marriage, so why was he proposing now? What would he say if he laughed? Would Leila like this ring? Maybe he should have saved up a little more money and bought a bigger stone. When they lived in Eastern Rock, women used to measure their husbands’ love by the size of the stone on their rings.
'No, is just one ring enough?'
But the worries didn't last any longer. Aaron swallowed the proposal that was rising to his throat, led by Leila, who grabbed his hand. She always confused Aaron.
As expected, luck was not in the cards. When Leila's cries turned from sobs to groans and reached their peak, Nick came down the stairs. Bruno quickly frowned and echoed Nick's sentiments.
“Hey, Kobe. What’s up?”
“No, this girl. She suddenly started crying. I feel wronged...!”
Leila, who had her head up, looked at Nick with a wet face. The hostility that was not hidden in her gentle face was obvious. 'Your liver is swollen.' It was quite unpleasant, but Nick was in a good mood now. He smirked and pointed upstairs with his thumb.
“You can go up and take a look.”
Medical Officer Kobe suddenly released the grip on Leila. Leila, who had kicked him away, ran up the stairs, glaring at Nick as if she was going to kill him. Bruno scratched the side of his head with a dumbfounded expression.
“Country girls are sometimes scarier.”
Nick glanced at the old, tattered hem of her skirt disappearing over the railing in the distance, then whistled.
“Let’s go. We don’t have time to beat up those who haven’t come to their senses.”
“That’s not right!”
Bruno squared his shoulders and followed Nick out. There were salutes here and there, but Nick never looked back.
Leila stood in front of the door. What should I do? What should I do? Tears flowed out. She looked through the slightly open door. She could only see Aaron’s back, standing neatly. Her heart didn’t get any better just from confirming that Nick Hamilton really hadn’t hurt Aaron. Claude Biscov. The unfamiliar name caught in her throat.
Leila mustered up her courage and pushed open the door. Aaron turned his head and looked at her with a tired face. Tears came to her eyes again. Aaron quickly approached her, as if surprised by Leila’s tear-stained face, and cupped her cheek.
“Leila, what’s going on? Why...”
The usual voice, the usual affection, the usual man's concern. Leila wiped away the tears that were pouring down again and hugged him as if she were hanging onto his neck.
“Don’t go anywhere.”
“...”
“Don’t go even if Castnier says it’s not fun.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you in advance.”
“If you promise not to go, I’ll let you go. If you don’t promise.”
Leila sniffled and buried her face in his neck and finally burst into tears.
“I’m going to report you to the police for swindling my marriage.”
Aaron couldn't help but laugh at the cute threats that were scattered around his neck. Rather, it was Aaron who was more worried about his true identity. Hadn't the Biscov family been at the forefront of persecuting Ramrock since ancient times?
Unable to overcome the warmth rising in his chest, Aaron bit his lips and quickly hugged Leila.
“Where am I going?”
“...”
“Where am I going, leaving my love behind?”
“...”
“Don’t go. Anywhere.”
The only place he can stay is next to her.
He couldn't even imagine leaving this beautiful town, this person, this love. Even if life is a little hard, sacrifices for beautiful things are always meaningful.
***
Epilogue
And again in May 116.
A man who accidentally saves an enemy in a war zone falls in love with an enemy woman, and when he is about to be killed by enemy soldiers, the person he saved just by chance appears and saves him. This may be possible, but in reality, the probability is very low, and it is only possible in imagination, was the opinion of the Ramrock people who heard the inside story of the incident.
But whether people believe it or not, the incident really happened, and Ramrock's Casnier became famous.
Of course, that didn't change the lives of the people of Casnier much. It only changed slightly. They accepted a certain deserter from Dublin into their lives.
The soldiers of Ramrock, who had been walking around Casnier like their home, were all summoned and investigated on the day that Nick Hamilton appeared. Those who had done bad things received punishments that were more than a slap on the wrist, from small demotions to large prison sentences. The small town of Casnier was thrown into chaos because of this.
Also, shortly afterwards, the military distributed gold coins to every household in Casnier who had protected Aaron Jenner without discrimination (in fact, both sides knew that they had discriminated greatly, but neither side knew that) by informing them that a Dublin soldier named Aaron Jenner was the benefactor of Brigadier General Hamilton, who was known as the most prominent and promising new military figure in Ramrock.
Thanks to that, Aaron's perception began to change from a Dubliner, the Ramrocks' main enemy, to a Dubliner doctor who saved the Ramrocks. Also, the townspeople began to treasure the gold coins, and whenever they saw him, they had a time of self-reflection, reflecting on the times when they looked down on Aaron just because he was a Dubliner. So, it can be said that Brigadier General Nick Hamilton's plan had a somewhat successful outcome. Whether the person in question wanted it or not.
However, since this is a change in perception limited to one person, Aaron Jenner, it will take a long time for the perception of Dubliners or soldiers in Dublin to completely change.
While most people have thought about the relationship between Dublin and Ramrock at least once or twice, there were some who did not at all. These were usually young people.
“I’m rich, I’m rich!”
Andrew was famous for being the most uniquely ignorant guy. There were more than a few adults in the town who clicked their tongues at his pure joy as he went around shouting, "Dublin is cool! Leila would fall for him!" It seems it was money rather than love? Andrew's long-standing 'unrequited love for Leila ended with money, so he was worthy of being laughed at. Regardless, Andrew declared that he would open a butcher shop in the town while holding the 7 gold coins given to him by the military government, and then got hit twice by the butcher Max, saying, "You're being rude!" and returned to crying.
And before Nick Hamilton showed up and overthrew Cassidy, Penny, who was known to have been almost humiliated by the military, received a small compensation separately from the government. She received a pretty hat as a gift from her parents. Penny tried to give the hat to Leila, but Leila gave it back to Penny, saying that it suited her better.
Walter, a general store owner, was wondering how to use the 7 gold given by the military, and suggested to Aaron that they open a woodworking workshop. Walter, who was blowing air in his ears, saying that he would become an investor, shouted at Ben. 'That guy will succeed me as a shepherd, you punk!' Aaron just had to sip his drink and wait for the two to finish their argument.
And after about half a year, in the ripe spring, Aaron finally prepared a ring to give to Leila. It wasn't because he didn't have enough money, but because he had a hard time finding something he liked at the gold shop in Casnier. After asking around, he put the ring he had obtained step by step in his bosom, and on his way back, Penny followed him, walking quietly.
“Hey. I heard you were buying a ring earlier.”
“Miss Penny. Have you been stalking me? I have a master's.”
“I, I, I’m not that kind of person!”
Penny adjusted her hat, which was now one of Penny's treasures.
“I just wanted to ask you if you’re really going to marry Leila.”
“We’re already married.”
“You haven’t had a wedding yet! That’s why you’re buying a ring now. You’re going to propose!”
“This is a big deal. Rumors will spread.”
Aaron looked at Penny with a look of genuine annoyance. It was only half-joking, but Penny quickly denied it with a blush on her face.
“I, I, I’m going to hold back on my words now!”
“I don’t believe you. Then you’ll keep it a secret that I bought the ring.”
“...”
“Who have you already told?”
“Anne, Andrew...”
Penny turned around, rubbing the ground with her toes. But Andrew was a guy who liked Leila, so he thought he had to tell her. Even if he was blinded by the seven gold coins and gave up his first love to the guy from Dublin in front of him.
Aaron, who was looking at Penny, who was embarrassed and didn't know what to do, smiled and started walking again.
“The hat suits you well. You’re prettier than the city girls. Leila is prettier, though.”
Penny looked up at him with a look of disbelief. Aaron waved cheerfully and walked away. He greeted the townspeople, who occasionally greeted him.
“Don’t make Leila cry! Don’t! Seriously!”
Penny screamed in a voice that almost sounded like she was crying. Aaron couldn't help but laugh, remembering how Leila would sometimes grumble, "Penny's a megaphone."
“I told you I’m already married.”
Andrew, who had been walking with his shoulders hunched from afar, spotted Aaron and stood tall. Aaron glared at the boy with somewhat stern eyes. The boy walked stiffly and stood in front of him, then snickered.
“Hey.”
Ever since he heard the rumor that Nick Hamilton had claimed to be Aaron's sponsor, Andrew had been very nervous. Perhaps it was because he was so innocent that he didn't feel as embarrassed as adults. Aaron smiled and patted Andrew on the head.
“Don’t forget the 100-meter radius ban on Leila.”
“Ah, ah, Aaron! You weren’t joking!”
“I’m not joking. If you set your eyes on Leila, I won’t let you off easy.”
“Are you going to tell Brigadier General Hamilton?”
“That will happen.”
A day spent walking along the setting sun.
What's different from yesterday is that there's a ring hidden on his chest.
***
Ben was not satisfied with the improved situation, so he remodeled the barn and brought in more cows. Thanks to this, Ben was busy every day. As he was about to head home, Aaron looked at the construction site that was being built across the street.
“Please do this while eating these.”
Leila was baking a lot of bread in a basket and handing it out to the workers, who were actually poor soldiers, when Collie, who was running around barking, came running up to him.
It is a two-story wooden house that is beyond plausible and even flashy. The red roof is particularly shiny. It is a bit exaggerated, but it looks like it came out of the ground in half a year.
“Well, it is our policy to provide compensation for the damages.”
“You have done enough.”
“It is insufficient.”
“Enough. That’s enough.”
It was Aaron who stopped Leila from borrowing a large sum of money when she almost got into big trouble. Aaron strongly expressed his intention that he did not want to owe him anything, and Leila was convinced. Then, Nick Hamilton said, "No matter how much I think about it, I can't believe that my life is worth only 5 gold." Then, when he heard that the two were living with Ben due to financial difficulties, he offered to build them a new house. Aaron tried to stop him, but Ben took Nick's hand without a moment's hesitation.
“I was already wanting to kick those guys out, so I’ll gladly accept it!”
“Hey, you’re a very angry person. I’m Corporal Woodson of the Artillery Battalion. Someday I’ll have a child, so I’ll need a spacious living space to prepare for that.”
Leila rolled her eyes and just watched, then completely fell for Nick Hamilton when he said, "Prepare for the baby."
That is how the house that was built started and is now in the final stages of completion. It was built very quickly and accurately, as it was constructed by deploying soldiers who were being rolled in as they went.
Leila turned her head at the sound of Collie barking and found him smiling brightly.
It's as beautiful as sunlight. She swallowed her sigh again, and a smile came to her face.
“Welcome!”
Aaron ran towards Leila and hugged her, then greeted her by rubbing his nose against hers.
“I’m back.”
Aaron touched the ring in his arms and soon laughed. He didn’t know how to propose with his heart trembling like the first time. He had already registered his marriage, so why was he proposing now? What would he say if he laughed? Would Leila like this ring? Maybe he should have saved up a little more money and bought a bigger stone. When they lived in Eastern Rock, women used to measure their husbands’ love by the size of the stone on their rings.
'No, is just one ring enough?'
But the worries didn't last any longer. Aaron swallowed the proposal that was rising to his throat, led by Leila, who grabbed his hand. She always confused Aaron.
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