CHAPTER 112: CHAPTER 112 - WHAT’S THERE TO FEAR IN A CHALLENGE (3)_1

Tiffany Alvarez nodded. "That’s true. Oh, right, Dr. Wright, you’ve heard, haven’t you? Captain Marcel Horne has a fiancée. Apparently, she chased him all the way from a metropolis thousands of miles away. She came down with a high fever a week ago and was sent to the Military District hospital. During dinner just now, I overheard some soldiers saying she’s being discharged and returning today." As she spoke, Tiffany Alvarez slyly glanced at Emma Wright’s expression.

Marcel Horne was the dream man for many female soldiers. He was tall, stern, and reportedly came from an exceptionally good background; his father was the chief of staff in a certain Military District. In fact, his father had used his connections more than once to try and transfer him back, but Marcel himself insisted on remaining to guard the frontier. He was so young, already a battalion commander, and with such backing—his future was limitless. Any woman who married him was bound to become a happy officer’s wife.

They had never heard about Marcel Horne having a girlfriend before, so they were actually quite skeptical when a fiancée suddenly appeared out of the blue.

"So what?" Emma Wright said dismissively. "Haven’t you heard? She’s the one chasing Marcel, not the other way around. Marcel’s attitude towards her is extremely cold."

Ever since she’d been transferred to this military camp as a doctor, Marcel Horne had been gentle and considerate towards her. The soldiers all said they had never seen him be so gentle and considerate towards a woman before. This alone gave her the confidence to believe she could defeat the so-called "fiancée." Of course, she wouldn’t openly vie for his affection or show jealousy; Marcel’s gentleness and consideration didn’t necessarily mean he was in love with her. Everyone here was a soldier, and soldiers couldn’t afford to be impulsive with their emotions, or it wouldn’t end well for anyone. When she was transferred here, her superior had privately advised her that while the leadership was keen to play matchmaker, giving them the opportunity to develop things naturally, it absolutely couldn’t be forced. Until she was completely certain where Marcel Horne’s affections truly lay, Emma Wright wouldn’t invest her whole heart. She’d let things take their natural course; at the very least, she had to leave herself a way out for the future.

"Heh, that’s true," Tiffany Alvarez said with a laugh, not pursuing the conversation any further.

Both women had delicate features, tall, slender figures, and were of similar age. Either would be a good match for Marcel Horne. It all came down to who had the skill to win the love of this ’devil’ of a captain.

Ruby Bluen had urged Andrew Carter on relentlessly the entire way, and they finally returned to the Military Camp just before nightfall.

It was already evening, and the sky had long since darkened. With few buildings around the Military Camp, the open ground seemed particularly vast. From a distance, the sky and earth appeared to merge, and the somber expanse above created a sense of oppression.

"Miss Bluen, you’re back! How are you feeling? Are you alright now?"

As soon as Ruby Bluen stepped out of the car, soldiers who had just returned to camp from training gathered around, asking with concern.

"Miss Bluen, our coats haven’t been washed in a week."

"Miss Bluen..."

Their chorus of concerned voices and kind words warmed Ruby Bluen’s heart.

Andrew Carter opened the back door of the car. Starting to unload bags, he called out, "Here, everyone, lend a hand! These are treats Ruby bought for all of you." The bags were full of goodies that Ruby had bought for everyone.

"Thank you, Miss Bluen!"

There was a chorus of cheers as they eagerly stepped forward to help.

Ruby Bluen smiled at them. "There’s enough for everyone, no need to grab!" Then, carrying the clothes she’d bought for Marcel Horne, she quietly asked a soldier where Marcel was.

"Miss Bluen, the Captain is back! He’s at..." The soldier, noticing Marcel Horne returning from outside, cheerfully informed Ruby. But when he saw Emma Wright beside Marcel Horne, he swallowed the rest of his words.

Ruby Bluen turned and looked towards the main gate of the Military Camp, just in time to see the scene unfold.

The man she deeply loved was walking in from outside with a faint smile, accompanied by a woman in military uniform who looked to be about her age. They seemed as if they were just returning from a stroll. Ruby Bluen froze. No, it was more accurate to say her entire body went rigid. The smile slowly vanished from her face as she struggled to believe what she was seeing. The woman wasn’t as strikingly beautiful as she was, but she had a pleasant, refined appearance and was about the same height as her sister, Julia Bluen. Walking beside Marcel Horne, they looked well-suited. Moreover, with both of them in military uniform, they appeared even more compatible. She, on the other hand, felt like an outsider in their world. What pained and made her envious most was that Marcel Horne had never been this gentle with her. Oh, no, that wasn’t quite right. There had been a time, before he joined the army, before she had become Glades Horne’s girlfriend, when he had been gentle with her. But after she somehow ended up in a relationship with Glades, Marcel had stopped showing her any tenderness. Soon after, he enlisted and left T City.

The evening wind grew stronger.

To Ruby Bluen, the wind felt like a sharp steel blade, slicing into her again and again, leaving her wounded beyond measure.

The soldiers watched her cautiously, their eyes filled with concern.

While the soldiers looked on with worried faces, Ruby Bluen made her move. Carrying her bags of clothes, she walked directly towards Marcel Horne. Seeing her approach, he also paused.

"Marcel, is this a new colleague?" Ruby Bluen stood before them, a faint yet dazzling smile gracing her beautiful face. She smiled warmly at Emma Wright. The strong wind billowed her long, straight hair, making the dark tresses flow with an ethereal grace that rendered her exceptionally captivating in that moment. She extended her hand towards Emma Wright, who returned her smile. "Hello, my name is Ruby Bluen," Ruby introduced herself.

Emma Wright took her hand, and they shook. "Miss Bluen, hello. My name is Emma Wright. I’m the new military doctor," she replied.

"Welcome to our big family here," Ruby Bluen said sweetly. It was as if the earlier stiffness and sorrow had never touched her face. She appeared exceptionally cheerful and incredibly warm. She unceremoniously thrust the bags she was carrying into Marcel Horne’s arms. Without a single glance at Marcel Horne, she warmly linked arms with Emma Wright. The two women walked further into the camp, chatting as they went, their laughter—whether genuine or feigned—drifting back periodically. In any case, it was certainly not the hostility everyone had anticipated.