Moreover, his capabilities could never match Glades Horne's. Even if he managed to overcome all obstacles to be with Ruby Bluen, could he really withstand the retaliation from his elder brother? He wasn't afraid of his brother's vengeance hurting him; what he couldn't bear was her being the target.

Whether these were excuses or not, his refusal to accept her was for her own good.

Unless she faced his brother courageously, and his brother let go of his love for her, and the Horne Family ceased their grievances, only then might there be hope for them to be together.

Emma Wright almost thought Marcel Horne was narrating a prime-time soap opera, as these plots seemed straight out of a TV drama.

"Since it's so hard for you to be with her, why not let go completely? We could develop our relationship instead. Don't worry, I've never had a boyfriend before; I'm very innocent, and you can be sure that kind of situation would never happen with me," Emma Wright said with a playful, teasing smile, also seizing the opportunity for herself.

Marcel Horne turned his head to look at her, pursing his lips.

"Don't you think we're really well-matched? We are both military personnel with common interests. My family might not be as wealthy as yours—I've heard your family is very rich in T City—but my parents are both military personnel with some military merits and positions. I'm not a bad match for you at all. Even better, we wouldn't have to worry about the issues you're troubled with right now."

"Apart from Ruby, I won't love a second woman," Marcel Horne said, withdrawing his gaze from her, effectively admitting for the first time that the woman he loved was Ruby Bluen.

Turning around, he picked up the binoculars again to gaze into the distance.

Emma Wright gave a sheepish smile and said softly, "I knew you were a man of undivided affection; my judgment is still quite good." Meaning, she wasn't going to give up.

Marcel Horne did not answer her again.

Ruby Bluen had left; there was no need for him to pretend anymore.

Iceberg, big iceberg, rotten iceberg, damned iceberg! And he had the gall to claim ignorance!

Ruby Bluen returned to the Military Camp fuming with anger, entered Marcel Horne's quarters, sat down on his bed, and grabbed his pillow—it was Marcel's, and even though she had been using it for nearly a month, it still carried his scent.

"Just stubborn, just so stubborn!" she muttered, pummeling the pillow fiercely. She recalled that during military training that year, when she had sprained her ankle, he had been exceedingly tender and caring towards her. That was her happiest memory, forever etched in her mind. She had thought he would remember it too. But to her dismay, he claimed he didn't know and even said they were from different cohorts. He couldn't possibly be unaware, since he was always sneaking around her school! He was doing it on purpose, trying to hurt her, wanting her to leave.

"I refuse to leave! I'm not afraid of anything anymore! And you, a soldier, don't even have the courage to pursue the one you love. You're unworthy of being called an iron-blooded man!"

Ruby Bluen muttered nonstop.

Deep down, she knew Marcel Horne was reluctant to accept her because of Glades Horne.

Did she really have to face Glades, wait for him to forget her, before Marcel would accept her?

If it really came down to it, she could confront Glades—even if there was a chance that in his rage, he might kill her.

But if she went back, would her parents allow her to return here? Even if Glades could let her go, her parents, intent on marrying her to Glades, might just tie her up and force her into the Church to marry him.

She had known Glades since childhood for over twenty years. She was well aware of Glades's domineering and arrogant nature, and she had no confidence in persuading Glades to release her.

Ah, this is so frustrating!

Why must pursuing the one you truly love be so complicated?

Life continued as such in the days to follow.

Julia Bluen was living happily each day with Glades Horne in Switzerland, while Ruby Bluen kept striving ceaselessly to make Marcel Horne accept her, constantly persuading him.

However, Marcel Horne always avoided giving her too many opportunities to persuade him. Whenever she appeared by his side, Emma Wright would also show up, deliberately interrupting and preventing their private moments. Marcel always treated Emma Wright and Tiffany Alvarez gently, but his attitude towards Ruby Bluen was consistently indifferent, leaving Ruby utterly exasperated every time.

She used to firmly believe that Marcel loved her too, but under these false appearances, her belief started to waver.

She began to doubt whether Marcel's kindness towards her was really for Glades's sake.

Autumn was nearing its end, and early winter was fast approaching. In Tibet, the unpredictable weather of early winter needs no elaboration, and those not accustomed to it were most susceptible to illness.

While the soldiers were used to the temperature, some would still catch a cold occasionally.

Recently, there had been an uptick in soldiers falling ill. Emma Wright and the other military doctor suddenly found themselves very busy, with Tiffany Alvarez joining in the hustle.

Ruby Bluen, who empathized with the soldiers, sometimes helped care for those with colds. When Emma Wright and Tiffany Alvarez were too busy to interfere, she took the chance to chase after Marcel relentlessly.

Sometimes Marcel ignored her. At other times, when she was visibly annoyed by his attitude, his eyes would betray a complex mixture of expressions. Coming from a Businessman's family, Ruby was very perceptive. Whenever she caught a fleeting look of complexity or even tenderness in Marcel's eyes, the hope she was on the verge of abandoning would rekindle, strengthening her resolve to fight for her love.

But humans are not invulnerable; Marcel also succumbed to a cold, accompanied by a fever.

Once feverish, one feels dizzy and utterly weak.

Even as a robust man, Marcel could not shake off the dizziness from the fever. Emma Wright and the other military doctor both firmly ordered him to lie in bed and rest, while Ruby Bluen hovered around him, constantly by his side.

"Marcel, are you thirsty?" Ruby Bluen asked as she brought up a cup of steaming hot water from downstairs. She pushed open the door to the communal dormitory where Marcel now resided, her caring voice reaching him before she even stepped inside.

Inside the room, a few soldiers were gathered around Marcel's bed, engaged in conversation. Seeing Ruby Bluen enter, they promptly stood up. One of them, Andrew Carter, said with a grin, "Miss Ruby, we've been chatting with the Commander for quite a while; I bet he's definitely thirsty. Your cup of water has arrived just in time, like timely rain!"