Don’t Tame It!

Chapter 36

“……”

Divoa’s gaze landed sharply on the slight furrow in Irene’s brow. It was such a faint reaction that no one else would have noticed—except for him.

Each time her brow twitched, the pressure on his cheek grew stronger.

Ah.

Only then did Divoa nod slightly to himself. Irene was wiping the blood off his cheek, struggling to figure out how much force to use, repeating the process like someone unfamiliar with the task.

Of all things, she was treating this like the most serious job in the world—just wiping off a bit of blood.

Suppressing a chuckle, Divoa kept his eyes on her. It was especially amusing, considering this was the same woman who had sewn up a corpse’s stomach with steady hands, without a moment’s hesitation.

“……”

Was this funny to her?

Divoa’s eyes darkened.

She knew about his condition.

That’s why she was being so meticulous, examining his face as if even the smallest wound couldn’t be ignored.

In the end, she was just like everyone else. Like his parents, and his siblings—constantly worried he would get hurt.

In the end, she was just like everyone else.

That was true—

That was true—

“Boring.”

Muttering under his breath, Divoa pulled up the corners of his lips in a smile. Then, he spread his arms wide.

He was smiling, but his eyes weren’t. Only Javier noticed.

“If my dear physician wishes, I could remove my clothes as well. You must check for any injuries on my body, mustn’t you?”

His teasing words were meant to fluster her. Any other noble lady would have blushed, lowered her gaze, or perhaps even teared up before fleeing.

But Irene Rios was different.

She coolly looked him over, as if picturing the body beneath his clothes.

“Kyaa!”

The small gasp didn’t come from her—it was Mia.

Divoa glanced at Mia briefly before returning his smoldering gaze to Irene.

His eyes were heavy with suggestion, his voice deep and smooth, like a rogue tempting an innocent lady.

But no matter his intentions, Irene’s expression remained unchanged. She simply nodded.

“Yes.”

Divoa dropped his hand, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face.

“A physician who eagerly wants to see a man naked—how very indecent.”

“Your Highness is not just any man. You are my patient. Just as I am not some lady of society, but a capable surgeon.”

Her tone remained indifferent. There was no warmth or admiration in her gaze.

“Aha.”

A thought suddenly occurred to him.

What if Irene Rios saw him not as a patient, but as a man?

What if, instead of recoiling from his touch, she blushed? What if, instead of staring blankly, she lowered her gaze in embarrassment when he undressed?

That would be truly entertaining.

“……”

Divoa’s smile deepened.

Would it be more thrilling to see Irene Rios fall in love? Or to have Alvar’s sword graze past his neck?

Well, there wouldn’t be any wars for a while. He could use a little amusement.

Casually, Divoa undid the first button of his uniform.

He never took his eyes off Irene.

His movements were slow, unhurried—deliberately sensual. Even Mia, merely a spectator, held her breath.

For a moment, the fact that they were in the middle of a warzone, in a plain military tent, was completely forgotten.

Click.

The second button came undone.

His dark eyes were impossibly deep, the flickering lamplight reflecting in them.

Click.

The third button was released.

A lazy smile played on Divoa’s lips. His fingers moved even slower as if savoring the moment.

Lowering his head slightly, he scratched the end of his eyebrow with his index finger, exhaling a quiet, amused breath.

It was a picture of decadence.

Mia swallowed hard. Her mouth felt dry.

“My dear physician is staring so intently—it’s making me nervous.”

Divoa murmured, though his tone betrayed no hint of actual unease.

Click.

The fourth button came undone.

Still, Irene remained expressionless.

The more unfazed she was, the more Divoa’s smirk deepened.

This was turning into a challenge.

His slightly parted shirt revealed a glimpse of his toned chest, shadows cast over firm muscles under the lamplight.

The heat seemed to rise from his skin.

The atmosphere was thick, heavy—on the verge of something happening.

Just as Divoa reached to pull his collar further apart—

“Your Highness!”

“Your Highness!”

Miguel burst into the tent, panting heavily. His hair was a mess, and he reeked of alcohol—he must have passed out drunk.

Divoa turned his head ever so slowly.

The moment was shattered.

His amused gaze sharpened slightly. In a dry voice, he asked,

“What is it, Dr. Flich?”

“Your Highness! Congratulations on your victory!”

Miguel boomed in greeting. Then, as he glanced between Divoa and Irene, his expression turned puzzled.

Half-dressed Divoa. Standing before him, an unfazed Irene.

Aha.

Miguel clapped his hands together.

“Dr. Rios, you may leave. I will personally examine His Highness.”

Irene hesitated for a moment. Miguel was the chief physician and had every right to make such a request.

She still wanted to confirm whether Divoa had any wounds, but considering Miguel’s confidence, it seemed unlikely that he was injured.

This was something she could leave to the “clownfish.”

“Yes.”

Without hesitation, Irene turned to leave.

The one with lingering attachment wasn’t her—it was Divoa.

Clicking his tongue in disappointment, he shot Miguel a look of irritation.

“You seem unusually enthusiastic today, Dr. Flich.”

“I am always enthusiastic, Your Highness! I care about nothing but your well-being.”

Another person who seemed reluctant to leave was Mia. She kept glancing back at Divoa with regretful eyes as she exited the tent.

Both of them cast resentful looks at the oblivious Miguel, who blinked in confusion.

Outside, Mia’s voice called out, “Go ahead without me. I’ll take care of the wastewater.”

Divoa turned his gaze back to Miguel, still smiling—but his eyes gleamed with something sharp.

“You care for me, do you?”

“Of course, Your Highness! Who else would?”

“So you were worrying about me… even as you drank yourself unconscious? Even as you let your hair become a bird’s nest?”

Miguel stammered, flustered, and tried to flatten his wild hair with damp fingers. He snuck a glance at Divoa, whose gentle smile radiated a chilling aura.

Gulping, Miguel took a step forward.

“Allow me to check your condition.”

“No need. I am unharmed. Leave.”

With an irritated wave of his hand, Divoa dismissed Miguel, who slunk away like a scolded dog.

As he unbuttoned his shirt, Divoa suddenly paused.

A memory of something Irene once said surfaced in his mind.

—”I used to get lost in the academy all the time, even in my third year.”

A slow grin spread across his face.

“Oh dear. My physician is such a handful.”

After leaving Divoa’s tent, Irene walked toward her own.

“I meant to go straight there, but…”

The path wasn’t complicated. The problem was that all the tents looked the same.

Finding hers was like searching for a needle in a haystack.

She was skilled at sewing wounds—but finding needles? Not so much.

She frowned, scanning the area.

Which one was hers?

It was even harder to tell at night.

The flickering torches fought against the darkness, but their light was weak.

“Hey, miss.”

Wait—was it to the right of Divoa’s tent? Or the left?

Might as well try.

Divoa had told her to stay put if she got lost, but that advice didn’t apply to her.

She followed her instincts and strode forward confidently.

“Hey, I’m talking to you.”

Grab.

Someone seized her wrist.

“!”

She froze.

The unexpected touch rooted her to the spot.

A familiar sensation surged through her—memories she had long buried.

A night. A strong grip. Burning heat. The sticky sensation of blood.

Blood.

“……”

Her vision blurred. The world tilted.

The tents disappeared.

She was no longer here—she was back there.

She couldn’t breathe.

Her lungs shrank.

Run. Move. Get away.

Her mind screamed at her, but her legs refused to obey.

Just like that night.

Haah. Haah.

No matter how hard she tried to inhale, her lungs wouldn’t fill.

Her shoulders trembled with each ragged breath.

“What’s this? You’re stiff as a board. What’s a woman wandering around here? Looking for some fun?”