Viana was still asleep when Alen arrived home. Ellie, who had been waiting anxiously for most of the day, was immediately surprised to see Viana being carried by the man. “Miss?”
“Shhh, don't wake her up. She's tired and hurt.” Alen said softly to prevent Ellie from making any noise. “Where is her room? Show me.”
“Okay.” Ellie hurried into the house. Upon arriving at the room, Alen immediately laid Viana gently on the bed.
Not long after, there was a knock on the door. Since it was rare for anyone to visit the house other than this man and Dean, Ellie hesitated to open it. “Sir?”
“Open up. It should be the military medic called by me.”
Ellie nodded and went out, then entered together with a medic. The military medic examined and treated Viana's injuries skillfully and quickly. Every secret royal intelligence headquarters had its own doctor or medic, which would be very useful in a situation like this.
Alen continued to watch until the medic finished treating Viana, then asked, “How is she? Is there anything serious?”
The military doctor shook his head. “There are no serious injuries to either her arm or leg. However, I remind to be more careful with her right leg; don't move it excessively like running and so on. Don't lift too much weight, either.”
“Okay, I understand.” Alen nodded and let the medic leave. Ellie followed him out.
Seeing that Viana had not woken up yet, Alen slowly sat down beside Viana's bed. He looked at Viana's sleeping face casually.
“You impressed me this time,” he murmured with an unconscious smile.
Viana could remain calm when kidnapped, then take control of the situation, and help him gather evidence. All of this was completely beyond Alen's expectations.
“Viana Harvey...” he murmured in a low voice, then laughed softly. “How's this? I think I'm getting interested in you.”
***
Viana felt herself sleeping longer this time. When she opened her eyes again, she was back in her bedroom. Outside the window, the sky was dim, a sign that it was getting late.
Viana noticed someone beside her. It was Ellie.
Ellie smiled widely at Viana. “Already awake? How are you feeling?”
Viana was silent for a moment, then felt her arms and legs ache. She tried to sit up with Ellie's help.
“You have eaten nothing all day. So, you must be starving.” Ellie said while bringing a bowl of porridge that had been prepared along with a glass of water. “This porridge is still warm. Eat it.”
Viana accepted it and smiled slightly. After wetting her throat with water, she asked, “Did Alen bring me here?”
Ellie was surprised and frowned. “Wasn't it Mr. Rian who brought you earlier?”
Viana smiled wryly. “He has fooled us. He is Alen Rihard, Commander of Royal Intelligence, a second-ranking official in the government whose power is below the king and above everyone else.”
Ellie's eyes rounded. “So, all this time, has the intelligence commander himself been with us?”
Viana couldn't help but laugh and nodded. “Perhaps everything has been under his control since we were in the hospital.”
Alen, who turned out to be a commander of royal intelligence, had saved her, sent people to treat her in the hospital, and then brought her to this place.
Why would someone as important as Alen bother to do all this for her?
For all Viana knew, she was just an ordinary person.
Ellie. “It's really hard to believe. Someone as important as him actually did all this for you. Can you guess what his purpose is? Or... is he doing all this out of pure kindness?”
Viana didn't answer.
After thinking about everything that had happened so far, Viana felt things were not that simple.
Was there something she didn't know?
Viana was pensive and just stirred her porridge. Ellie comforted her. “It's possible that Mr. Alen is really good to you. I saw him go rescue you and bring you back. If you get a chance, go talk to him and ask for an explanation for all your doubts.”
Viana looked at Ellie, who now looked like her own mother, then smiled and replied, “Okay.”
***
The next day, Alen was playing badminton with Dean in the side yard. Morning sports were fun. Both were so focused that they didn't realize someone had come into their yard.
Viana leaned back and leaned her body against the bamboo fence. “Mr. Alen is very excited this morning.”
Alen immediately stopped and turned to the source of the voice. He saw Viana with her casual demeanor.
“Viana?” Alen was slightly surprised, then signaled Dean to leave. He walked over to Viana while wiping his sweat with a small towel. “You were looking for me?”
Viana didn't answer. She just looked at the huge figure towering in front of her. His sweaty body added to his masculine appearance.
Seeing that Viana did not answer immediately, Alen asked, “What about your wound?”
Viana looked at the gauze on her arm and answered lightly. “Just a small cut, no problem.”
Alen smiled.
“Mr. Intelligence Commander is really working hard. He even came directly to this small area to handle the case,” Viana commented.
Alen chuckled. “Just diving in and drinking water. No one can control me, no matter where I am. One thing is for sure: I always have my own goals.”
Viana frowned. “Are you...”
Before Viana could say anything, an index finger suddenly landed on her lips.
“I know. Once you know my identity, there will be many things that come to your mind.” Alen lowered his voice slightly. “However, we can't talk here.”
Viana asked in surprise after Alen lowered the finger from her lips. “Why? Isn't everyone here your subordinate?”
Alen smiled. “Indeed, all of them are my subordinates. But...” Alen paused for a moment, then whispered in Viana's ear. “Do you want your secret to be heard by them?”
Viana's eyes rounded. This question provoked all the doubts buried in her heart!
“Explain everything to me!” Viana said so seriously that she didn't realize her tone carried an order.
Alen smiled broadly at Viana's reaction, then pretended to stretch his body and walked out of the fence. “I'm going to take you somewhere.”
Viana fell silent and was forced to follow him. Just as she was about to ask another question, they passed a farmer. The farmer greeted Alen kindly. “Mr. Rian.”
Alen nodded with a warm smile, then continued walking.
Viana snorted. “You really hide yourself well.”
Alen replied casually. “Only certain people can know my identity. Every time I go on a mission, I will change my name. So, my fake name will be different in every place.”
Viana glanced at him without interest. “You really are something.”
Alen smiled and said in a deep tone. “Sometimes, one needs to hide their identity. Especially to avoid enemies and protect their lives.”
Viana stopped and raised her head to face Alen. This was because she felt Alen's words had an implied meaning for her.
Alen also stopped and looked back, seeing Viana's reaction.
The two stared at each other.