Steel, Explosives, and Spellcasters

In the guest room of the Mitchell estate, Catherine paced restlessly between the window and the door, unable to sit still for a moment.

"Alright now," Anna, originally reading a letter, could no longer continue due to the disturbance, pulled her sister back onto the bed, "Sit quietly for a little while."

Lady Navarre was so angry that she had insomnia all night, fervently complaining, "He didn't say a word, gave no explanation, just left two ladies behind and went off, making us wait all night long! And he's still not back! How rude! Uncouth! Barbarian!"

Anna held the letter in her hand, her expression somewhat sorrowful, "He must have had something very important to deal with."

...

There was no need for Winters to defend himself; the misunderstanding was already cleared up.

Actually, there wasn't much of a misunderstanding to speak of, as there were neither private feelings nor a tendency to develop a romantic relationship between Winters and Scarlett.

Moreover, everyone in the Mitchell estate knew that "the Montaigne Garrison Officer had a fiancée."

Although Anna's sudden visit was surprising to everyone, her presence was not unexpected.

Everyone naturally accepted the fact that Miss Navarre was "the Garrison Officer's fiancée."

For her part, Anna did not bother to clarify the matter—perhaps out of a sense of duty to protect her domain, and some complex, subtle emotions.

After the misunderstanding was clarified, even Catherine no longer insisted on "returning to Sea Blue right away," but she was still unhappy.

Mrs. Mitchell had prepared two guest rooms for the ladies' rest, but Catherine adamantly requested only one.

The Navarre sisters thus lay side by side on a single bed, from nightfall through to the morning.

...

Anna clutched the letter, sighed, and looked out the window.

Catherine often enjoyed teasing her sister. Seeing Anna's restless demeanor, she immediately sat beside her, wrapped her arms around her waist, rested her head on her sister's shoulder, and exhaled into Anna's ear:

"That liar of a man, proclaiming engagement to you without consent, damaging a lady's reputation without a second thought. If this news gets back to Vineta, who would marry you then, Miss Fiancée?"

Catherine elongated the words "Miss Fiancée," deliberately blowing warm, moist breath into Anna's ear.

Typically, such an act would result at the very least in a scolding from the older sister, or at worst a sound beating.

But at this moment, Anna showed no reaction whatsoever.

"You can't really blame him. Frontier women are warm and forthright; if I were him, I'd invent a fiancée too," Anna said softly, looking at the tips of her shoes, "Besides, having run away from home to Paratu without a care, I'm already not fit to marry anyone else..."

When the anticipated response did not materialise, Catherine was both irritated and amused.

She furrowed her eyebrows slightly and flopped onto her sister, continuing her tirade against Mr. M, "He's just a man; what's so good about him? He's neither handsome nor dashing, falling far short of the courteous military men of Sea Blue."

Anna's brows knitted faintly as she quietly explained, "He is a bit handsome; he... has become a lot thinner, almost unrecognizable. He's quite different from when I... when I last saw him."

"Miss Navarre, listen to yourself," Catherine said angrily, "You're already defending him! Weren't you here to demand an explanation? Where has that righteous indignation gone now?"

Anna leaned on her forehead and murmured, "I... I don't want an explanation anymore."

...

Upon receiving the letter brought back by Gold, Anna's first reaction was joy, knowing that Winters was still alive. But following that joy, anger seeped into her heart.

"Don't wait for me anymore."

What did that mean?

Such a casual line invalidated all her feelings, her waiting, everything.

A bold idea sprung into Anna's mind, leaving her thrilled to the point of trembling and scared to the core, "I'm going to find him."

Thus, Anna, temporarily residing in St. Bino Monastery, promptly began to prepare.

Lady Navarre, the eldest daughter, was decisive in her actions. She first connected with the fortunate Gold, and then learned that people were headed to Wolf Town to search for Winters, which presented an opportunity for protection.

No matter what she did, she couldn't keep it a secret from her sister who stayed by her side.

Catherine swiftly uncovered her plans, but to Anna's surprise, Catherine readily agreed not to inform their mother on one condition: she had to be taken along.

"The monastery is so boring! I was almost bored to death!" Upon learning of their elopement, Catherine was more excited than Anna, "How could you keep such a fun adventure to yourself? Take me with you, I'm also curious about what sort of man Mr. M is, to have you so enchanted."

Under the relentless cajoling and intimidation of her sister, Anna had no choice but to embark on the journey with Catherine.

Pretending to go on a pilgrimage to St. Bino's tomb, they left St. Bino Monastery; St. Bino town was en route from Vineta to Paratu and incidentally, where Gold had mentioned resting.

In St. Bino town, the Navarre sisters met up with those heading for Paratu to find Winters.

The two ladies slipped away from St. Bino church quietly, leaving behind a letter and a mess that would leave Lady Navarre gasping for air, following their target until they revealed themselves as "the fiancée" when they were discovered.

By then, they were too far from Sea Blue, and Anna's will was too firm, even calmly stating, "My reputation is already ruined, if you don't take me, I'll have no choice but to take my own life."