Around two weeks later, I began seeing the strain between Ren and Shin. Usually, I didn’t get to see much of Shin except for the rare occasions that we would run into each other as I travelled from Ren’s tent to the medical tent. It was rare for Shin to visit the medical camp and he rarely visited Ren’s tent either. However, Shin has been coming over to Ren’s tent very often as of late. Most of the time he wouldn’t enter and when he did the two of them wouldn’t discuss anything serious in front of me. At first, I had attributed that to the confidentiality of their work. I only found out a little later that that wasn’t entirely the case. “I told you before, Shin. We will not discuss that here…” Ren said sternly as he turned to stop Shin from following him into his tent. The edge in Ren’s voice caught my attention. It seemed like the two men had been arguing about something on their way back to the tent and now Ren was putting a complete stop to it. Shin sighed loudly before nodded a

For the first time since I arrived here, I was awake to send Ren off in the morning. Except, today, I was sending him off to the frontline of the battle. It wasn’t that I woke up earlier than usual today to send him off. The truth was that I didn’t catch a wink of sleep last night. Even after we had sex, I still couldn’t go to sleep. The moment Ren got up, was the moment that I also got up. “Ren…please come back safe,” I said softly. “I will,” Ren replied without any worry in his voice. “I’ll be waiting for you…” I said before offering him a weak smile. “I know. Don’t worry,” Ren said reassuringly. It easier said than done. How does he expect me not to worry about him? There wasn’t enough time for us to share more words. Ren was in a hurry to leave, and I knew that I had to let him leave sooner or later. I watched with a sinking heart as Ren walked away from the tent. For all that I knew, this might be the last time that I see him…That bitter thought haunted me and followed me

Honestly, I wasn’t sure how to react to these new pieces of information. Perhaps it was just a little too much information? I wasn’t at all interested in his past affairs or experience with other women, but I do get the point that he was trying to make though. “Aha…” was all that I managed to say. “I don’t want any woman to end up like my mother if I can help it and I don’t any child to have a childhood like mine,” Ren stated coldly. I wasn’t sure what to say to him, but I knew that Ren wasn’t looking for words of comfort. He was looking for something else…“Are you scared that I’ll end up like your mother and that our child will have a terrible childhood?” I asked quite frankly. If you asked me, that was the message that I got from Ren’s short story about his mother and their relationship. Ren looked at me with a lightly astonished expression before he slowly nodded.“I am…” he replied bluntly. “Then there’s no need to be. I love you and I’ve decided to spend my life with you fo

And he’s just sitting there like nothing happened? “Calm down Shin, you’re causing unnecessary worry for Rin,” Ren said sternly. “Where did you get hit? Show me your injury now!” I demanded as I stood up at his side. “My left shoulder. It’s just a graze, these fools are overly panicking,” Ren replied calmly. “Take of your armor and clothes now,” I quickly instructed. Doctor Kai was at my side with the necessary medical tools and medicine as he nodded sternly at me. “Ren, this isn’t the time to be stubborn about this. Let’s quickly take care of this,” I said, trying to sound calm and patient. Ren sighed in resignation and with Shin’s help, removed his armor before he took off his shirt. That was when I saw the bloodstain on his shoulder and knew that it was definitely more than a graze. I’ve seen worst injuries and they didn’t bother me anymore; however, seeing Ren injured and bleeding had a detrimental effect on me. My hands started shaking. “Focus,” Doctor Kai whispered close

The soldiers and everyone else around me started cheering loudly as the returning army came into sight. Ren must be leading them back on his horse. I couldn’t wait to see him and hold him in my arms. The light came closer until the entire horizon seemed to be covered in orange light. Finally, I could make out shapes of men on horses and soldiers on foot. “Ren…” I whispered his name softly before the wind blew his name away from my lips. When the army came close enough, I could make out the group of men on horseback. The one in the center must be Ren along with Shin and his other generals. I couldn’t stop smiling as I sighed with relief. He’s finally back…The soldiers ran out of the encampment to gather around the army that had arrived, cheering loudly. Soldiers hugged one another and it looked and sounded as if the celebration had already started. It’s going to be a long and joyous night ahead for all of us. “Welcome back, Ren…” I said as I smiled up at him. Standing to the side