He also harbored a deep affection for the military camp where he had been stationed for many years. After all, it was a place with which he had developed an emotional bond.
Back then, he had volunteered to go to Tibet to create distance between them, hoping he could forcibly sever his love for her. He thought he had been very successful, even when she invaded his dreams at midnight. The distance was so vast and they couldn't meet, so he managed to keep his feelings under control rather well. Yet, when he went home to visit his parents and stepped into the Horne Family Mansion, she arrived in a hurry. Her fervent confession shattered his years of self-control, stirring his heart, but she was already engaged to his older brother. With love and well-wishes for her, he returned to his unit.
He was shocked when she fled her wedding and trekked thousands of miles alone to Tibet. She appeared before him, standing at the entrance of his military camp, foolishly waiting for him in the biting cold wind. The moment she flung herself into his arms stunned him.
He never imagined she would leave such a good man as his brother for him. This was despite the potential rift her elopement could cause between the Horne and Bluen families. She didn't care about anything else; she just wanted to be with him.
At that moment, he wanted to hug her tightly, but he couldn't. He couldn't forget her status. If she hadn't suddenly felt dizzy, showing signs of altitude sickness, he might have forcefully sent her away right then and there.
During that month together in the camp, he was conflicted and tormented, desperately pushing her away while also taking great care of her.
He wished he could, like her, disregard everything, for the sake of love only.
But he couldn't, because he was a soldier, and soldiers must uphold proper conduct.
While she was still his brother's wife, he couldn't accept her love.
When he finally hardened his heart and staged a play that succeeded in driving her away, his heart was empty, leaving only his sickly shell behind.
He hadn't known that fate likes to play tricks on people. A phone call from his mother twisted his heart painfully. Then, he frantically dragged his ailing body, racing to catch up with her. He only found out she had boarded a plane heading into the dark sky, which left him completely drained.
Regret and self-reproach carved into him like a knife, wave after wave of torment like tumultuous sea surges—unbearable.
Fortunately, fate still held a bit of affection for him. She read his message and took his call. Two hearts, which had loved each other all along yet were not allowed to, weathered the storms together and finally united.
He told himself, from now on, no matter what happens, he would never push her away again!
"Marcel, Marcel, you really came back." Ruby Bluen's tears fell joyfully, nearly soaking through Marcel Horne's military uniform.
"I'm back, Ruby. This time, I won't leave again. I'll hold your hand, and together we'll face life's challenges." Marcel Horne's usual icy face was now filled with a tenderness as gentle as a pool of spring water. His arms tightened around her even more, their bodies pressed close. "Don't cry. Your tears cut through my heart like a knife."
Ruby Bluen lifted her tearful face in his arms, and he bent his head down, as they gazed at each other once more, lost in love.
Sweetness and satisfaction surged in both their hearts.
Leaning in Marcel Horne's embrace, she felt that being held by the man she loved was an unparalleled bliss.
Marcel Horne also held her tight, his arms strong yet careful not to hurt her with too much force.
Their surroundings were quiet, affording them a rare moment of privacy.
"Ruby," Marcel Horne caressed her hair lovingly, calling out in a husky voice. Seeing the car parked not far away, he reluctantly pushed her away. Gazing deeply at her, he gently said, "You go to work first. I'll check in at the camp later, and then I'll wait for you here tonight."
He had just come back and had not even been to the military camp yet—such was his urgency to see her.
As for the Horne Family, he had not even made a call home yet. He wanted to surprise his grandmother. Marcel knew that his choice to be in the military made his grandmother worry endlessly. As the only child of the second Horne branch, his grandmother initially wished for him to go into business and to marry and have children early. Now that he had finally come back, she would undoubtedly be overjoyed.