Even if the Dawn Abandons You - Chapter 24

Anais Belmartier awoke in the surgical ward of Rue General Hospital a full week after the shooting incident.

The doctor attributed her delayed awakening to accumulated fatigue, stating that her injury itself was not a significant hindrance to her recovery. Given her youth and good health, she was able to recuperate swiftly from her wounds.

When Anais opened her eyes and received permission to have visitors after the doctor checked on her condition, the first person to visit her was Philippe Ardinand.

He had been faithfully watching over her at the hospital every day since she was admitted, so it was only natural. However, it became a somewhat amusing situation as the hospital complained about Philippe’s intimidating entourage constantly loitering outside the room, which created a sense of incongruity among the other patients.

Upon hearing that Anais had awakened, Philippe rushed to her hospital room, dressed impeccably from head to toe. Following closely behind him was an attendant carrying a silver platter covered with a round lid.

It was mealtime, and although Anais had been informed that a light meal would be served, she was taken aback by the non-hospital-like atmosphere. An attendant handed her the silver tray, pretending to be an exaggerated waiter, and placed it on the bed. Philippe, with a repentant smile, opened the lid.

“What do you think? This is a specially prepared porridge, crafted with great care by our chef, Mr. Esson, former chef of the Etoile Hotel!”

“Did you airlift the porridge from the East?”

“No, I brought Mr. Esson himself. He knew that Miss Anais would want nothing but the finest food once she woke up…”

“You brought someone all the way from the East to this dangerous conflict zone just for me?”

Oops. Philippe realized he had made another mistake. He mentioned that he brought Mr. Esson! Perhaps it would have been better if he had simply dismissed the hospital chef. No, he must have disclosed his actions to receive such special treatment.

He held his head in his hands, feeling slightly unfair. So, he had brought Mr. Esson here, and in fact, the chef had enthusiastically declared that he would make Philippe bald if a single drop of the porridge spilled or if Philippe attempted to taste it before it reached Mr. Belmartier’s mouth.

Recalling the image of Mr. Esson, Philippe couldn’t help but harbor some resentment. However, he couldn’t retract what he had already said.

“…I’ll take Mr. Esson back by train tomorrow. Please don’t be too angry. Miss Anais knows that I can be thoughtless at times, right?”

Philippe appeared crestfallen as he offered his apologies. Anais, with a face that lacked energy and color, resembling a dejected puppy, smiled faintly. She took a spoonful of the porridge and expressed her gratitude for the meal prepared for her. True to Philippe’s pride, the food indeed tasted better than any porridge she had ever eaten.

“Please assure him that I enjoyed the meal. It gave me a lot of energy.”

“Mr. Esson will certainly be pleased. He’s also a big fan of yours.”

Philippe smiled, and Anais let out an embarrassed laugh, “Ha ha ha,” becoming a fan of mine.

When Edmund suggested that she become a symbol of their revolution, it seemed like a mere suggestion. At the time, she was young and recognized her symbolic role to some extent. Moreover, she was convinced by his words that it was the path to revolution. But what about now?

Edmund possessed an extraordinary talent for convincing his opponents. He managed to sway the public as well, leveraging his family history and subsequent actions to evoke emotion. Anais acknowledged that Edmond Lambert, her natural instigator, played a vital role in inspiring reluctant individuals to rise against the imperial family and take action.

However, doubts began to creep into her mind regarding his methods. It wasn’t just his seemingly emotionless stance during the execution of the royal family. Anais pondered the consequences of Edmond Lambert creating a single symbolic figure and making people dependent on that symbolism.

‘I am a fan of yours.’

She wasn’t a renowned actress from the Theater of the Tour or a brilliant singer from the Bien Hall.

Anais Belmartier was simply a member of the Revolutionary Army. In a world that proclaimed equality among all human beings and had undergone only a few months of change, it was dangerous for one individual to be idolized and loved above all others. And Edmund…

“And me, Miss Anais.”

Philippe’s voice, cautious and somehow different from before, interrupted Anais’s expanding thoughts. Let’s set that aside for now. Anais took another spoonful of porridge into her mouth and passed it on, responding to Philippe.

“Yes, Mr. Philippe.”

“I planned to tell you after the meal, but I couldn’t wait any longer.”

What are you trying to say? Anais made more eye contact with Philippe, trying to ignore the surgical scars that marred her body. Philippe nervously ground his teeth a couple of times, then continued his words with greater caution.

“There’s something I need to apologize to you for… or rather, there’s more than one thing.”

? ? ?

“Isn’t that Mr. Ardinand?”

Contrary to Philippe Ardinand’s expectations, when he left Anais’s room and descended to the hospital lobby with a sour aftertaste, Celine Chatelet, who had just arrived in the lobby via another elevator, approached him with feigned delight, masquerading as a secret agent.

Philippe, who had calmed down as his already bad mood subsided, responded dumbfoundedly.

“What brings you to the hospital, Major?”

“A few of my men are in this hospital. It’s not something Mr. Ardinand would know.”

“Of course, I wouldn’t. Haven’t you taken care of your subordinates individually?”

“Mr. Ardinand doesn’t concern himself with subordinates, does he? I mean, not really. I met with the hospital director earlier, and he asked me to tell Mr. Ardinand not to make the mistake of taking over the hospital.”

It was a similar sentiment that Philippe had heard from the nursing instructor earlier. Anias Belmartier was not the only patient in this hospital, and there were already many others. It would be preposterous to monopolize the entire facility.

But what about the concern? One might question if this hospital was safe, considering that it was the enemy who shot Anais. However, Philippe couldn’t agree, recalling his previous conversation with Anais.

“If you knew everything, why did you choose Basbourg?”

A face with a bitter smile, as if saying there was no other choice.

Philippe had seen that expression, but what kind of madman finds solace in the fact that this is their ally? Justifying his actions, Philippe asserted that regardless of how exaggerated, distasteful, and reprehensible they may seem to others, they were unavoidable.

Completely unfazed by what Philippe Ardinand was contemplating, Celine Chatelet simply delivered her message.

“I heard that Ms. Belmartier has awakened. It seems you’re on your way down after visiting the hospital.”

“It was indeed great news that Ms. Belmartier had awakened, but…”

Celine let her voice trail off, her tone betraying a sense of worry. Then, slyly, she gazed into Philippe’s eyes. Despite his polished appearance and the sheen of his attire, there was an underlying discomfort, a preoccupation that couldn’t be ignored.

“It seems the matter of youth is still unresolved today.”

“Stop being nosy. Once your men are done visiting the hospital, we’ll return to the military camp.”

“That’s true, I suppose. Thanks to someone who has kept me away for the past few days, I’ve been enjoying some peace.”

Philippe Ardinand, the warlord from the East, and Celine Chatelet, the commander of the military forces within the Revolutionary Army, were notorious for clashing whenever they crossed paths at the Rue camp.

It was an unavoidable outcome. When two groups with completely different personalities, shaped by their respective military backgrounds, were suddenly united for a common cause, friction was bound to arise. And it was the responsibility of the two leaders to resolve those conflicts.

But aside from those circumstances, Philippe Ardinand and Celine Chatelet simply didn’t get along. Some claimed it was because they looked strikingly similar, but when they made that remark in Philippe Ardinand’s presence, thry received a month-long pay cut as a resentful response.

Celine Chatelet proudly declared, “I’ve lost weight in these past few days without you,” and as she turned to depart, she suddenly turned back as if something had just occurred to her.

What else?

Philippe tilted his head, pretending not to be concerned, while desperately hiding his inner anxieties.

“Oh, I almost forgot. Mr. Ardinand must be quite anxious.”

“What kind of small talk is that…”

“A young man from Dunang came to visit Dr. Belmartier at the hospital a little while ago. He was asking around, looking for her.”

For a brief moment, Philippe thought of Leonard, even though he knew it made no sense. Despite courting danger, Leonard didn’t seem worried. And that face, looking more anxious than Philippe himself, was vivid in his memory.

Even if the woman he admired was in a life-or-death situation, Philippe had thought he could believe in him. But thanks to Leonard wasting his recruitment and some of Philippe’s money—though it was just a little—it left a bitter aftertaste, as if he had been tricked.

Philippe’s thoughts went that far before swiftly regaining his composure. If it were Leonard, Celine Chatelet, a former officer in the Imperial Army, wouldn’t have recognized him. It must be someone else. That’s not to say he was completely relieved, though.

“He was holding hands with a cute little lady.”

Celine’s teasing words made Philippe tilt his head even further, puzzled.