Time Is The Key To Everything

Chapter 18: Anxiety

A/N: Err.. to not be confused, the characters here in MY STORY represent the following countries:

Cassidy - Hungary

James - England

Paul - Austria

Anthony - France

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It was absolutely evident that James was deeply troubled.

Cassidy had been at his military fort for two whole days but they never had the opportunity to sit down and discuss Cassidy's potential role in the Austrian Succession war properly. Duty called James away from her constantly, rushing him towards other forts and battalions to care for his men.

Unfortunately for Cassidy, she was kept under close guard so she was unable to search for Paul or find any other military secrets. It didn't matter anyway; James carried the tiny ring of keys with him as he departed, so even if Cassidy did discover where Paul was kept, she wouldn't be able to enter without suspicion.

It was already arranged, however; if all went horrible, Cassidy's soldiers would attack the fort if Paul was not freed yet. Cassidy personally dreaded such a solution, for it would spell out death for more men than she could have lost if she was successful.

When James finally returned late at night, his trademark grin was wiped off his face. His burgundy eyes flashed with something dangerous and monstrous. It was as if a hint of the monster Cassidy had first expected before she met James for the first time in a long time was finally featuring, but now she wished it never appeared.

"Well, that's what you would call a Pyrrhic victory." James muttered to himself, taking off his hat and cloak.

"What happened?" Cassidy asked, feigning concern. In actuality, it wasn't completely faked. It was rare to see James solemn, and it must have been for good reasons.

"A lot." James said briefly. He ran a hand through his black hair. "A company is being moved to this fort. They've—well, to put it bluntly, they've received a beating and we have the most supplies to help them. But I don't know if they'll make it safely, or if we could save all of them."

"We're taking up your supplies and space, aren't we?" Cassidy said worriedly. She was surprised at her own concern. In her defense, she saw those men as not just the soldiers that destroyed Paul's forces, but also men and boys with families waiting for them, not unlike how Cassidy waited for Paul. "We should move from your way as soon as possible—"

"You aren't. Don't fret about it." James said firmly. "Of course, this fort is fine. We're always prepared." He winced slightly before sliding to the ground, rubbing his ankle gingerly. He looked up at Cassidy and shook his head. "Don't give me that look. It's fine. I'm fine. We'll be all right."

Cassidy didn't even know that worry was visible on her face. She quickly rearranged her features and nodded hurriedly.

"But shouldn't you take better care of it?" she pointed out.

"How?" James muttered, massaging it tentatively.

"Well, for starters." Hungary said as-a-matter-of-factly. "You shouldn't be running around all day on a sprained ankle. Stressing it makes it worse."

"You sound like our medic." James grumbled.

"You should listen to your medic." Cassidy chided.

"I'm not weak." James protested. "I have to keep on working and fighting."

"Why are you even fighting?" Cassidy blurted out. "You've already got Silesia. Why do you need more land? Your kingdom is already so vast!"

James raised an eyebrow at Cassidy guardedly. "You wanted to help me in a war and yet you don't even think I should be fighting it?"