The first light of the day comes steadily as The sun barely appears from behind the horizon. The camp was quiet, torches still lit with some few guards on watches. It was peaceful and chilly, you can hear the breezy wind sounds, bashing the tents from outside.

All that while the sleepy Louis slowly brushes the entrance of Aurora's tent away. scratching his eyes while yawning. He didn't sleep well last night. He never slept in a tent before, nor did he hope to ever again.

He bent his back to try to shake the pain from it. It wasn't the perfect bed to sleep on inside.

Looking around, he realized he woke up too early, he wasn't familiar with the guards to begin a talk with them.

So to waste some time, He thought of going for a walk around the camp. But The camp was massive. Thousands of tents were spread over beyond eyesight. Every tent was exactly the same as the other. He certainly will get lost around here easily.

He sighed.

"Life is not easy outside the palace, My father was right after all" Louis smirked to himself. Remembering the past.

Scratching the negative memory. He tried to focus. He wanted to meet Joseph urgently, to know what would be his next move. So, he decided to wait for the sun to shine even more, leaving some space for Joseph to get some rest and for the rest of the camp to wake up.

He turned around back to his tent when a voice shouted: "Hey little Hunter, want some beer?" A familiar guard's voice echoed loudly to his right and got his attention of Louis.

It was the same harsh guard from before, Who intercepted him with the sword earlier when he first arrived. He was inviting Louis for a drink around the campfire.

"Aren't you supposed to be sleeping at this hour?" Said Louis while approaching the man. Happy that he found some company to spend time with.

"Yea well, (*snort*) it is my shift. Besides we should be ready for the enemy...

Heh, though I doubt they will go anywhere. Bet you, they're warming themselves with the remains of the burning houses in that town while we speak. Everyone in their country would Speak of their 'heroic' actions and glorious feats" he ended by throwing a piece of wood to the fire

"Well, that's another good reason why you should chop some of their heads off your land, right?"

The man chuckled in return "Yea Whatever, here you go" he handed the boy a wooden mug full of some yellowish drink.

Both raised their mugs towards each other for a cheer. But once Louis's tongue touched the drink. He immediately spitted it away. "What is this?! , it looks like and tastes like a donkey's piss!" He stared at the cup with a disgusted face. His stomach refused to let the liquid reach it by any means.

The man cracked into a sound laugh. "Because that's for real men, little boy. Top quality is for the lazy ass Aristocratics" he chuckled.

Louis smiled back.

Although Louis was slightly offended and didn't agree, yet, the man looked like he would use a laugh. However, the soldier was too consumed in the conversation to notice the figure approaching him from behind.

"Speaking of the devil" Louis's eyes widen recognizing Joseph moving quietly towards them.

The soldier looked back, he freaked out as soon as his eye recognize the general.

"SIR!" He shouted, Stomping his boot to the ground and hands above his head. Hurriedly to give his military salute.

"Get your ass back to your post, soldier!" Joseph said with a shocking strong appearance. The soldier left with a lowered head without saying a word, taking a last glance at Louis before fetching his spear and leaving.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Eyeing the ashamed soldier moving away, Joseph faced Louis with a tiring look.

"You should stay away from those men, or..."

"Or what?! Commander, with all due respect, your men need motivation, not discipline now. That soldier that you just scolded was speaking of how our common enemy is enjoying their victory above the misery of the Nale's citizens"

Joseph breathed and took a seat, "I can not change the reality, boy. The men need to accept that"

"So you will just sit here crying on the spilled milk?" Louis teased.

"Hey, watch your tongue, prince! I am not in the mood to be lectured on how to control my men" he narrowed his eyes.

Louis just stared at the commander with a disappointed look on his face while Joseph took a long sip from the "Donkey's piss" drink.

Louis thought of what he said. Thinking through it. Joseph was a good military general but he was a bad leader for his men. The worst part is that he doesn't see that. So Louis perceived.

"How is she?" Joseph said blankly.

"Who? Lady Aroura?"

"Don't play dumb with me, kid. I know you slept in her tent" raising his eyebrows.

"Right, She was too worried about you, she even thanked me with a hug. She was too-"

Joseph spitted the beer at the campfire causing the fire to flicker randomly with sparks. "SHE DID WHAT?!" He shouted with full-widen eyes.

"What, you jealous or something?" Louis raised an eyebrow, narrowing his eyes and giving a provocative look.

"Jealous of what? Are you out of your mind, little man? I can't think of any woman right now while my men are dying out there!"

"But...I...I... Thought..." Louis mumbled, realizing how awkward moment he put himself in. "I-I am sorry, I thought you exchanged her love for you"

"Wait? Her love for me? how were so you sure?" Joseph asked. Clearly Intrigued by the subject.

"Well, her behaviour was too 'EMOTIONAL' for a doctor's reaction to her patient and whenever I start talking about you, I notice some stuttering. Maybe I am wrong, yet I think that that woman has a special place for you inside her heart"

......

Silence spread.

Joseph didn't respond, instead, he kept staring at the campfire. While Louis watched him, waiting for his answer.

Moments passed...

The two kept staring at the campfire.

The commander shifted his head to meet Louis's eyes again. "Can you keep the secret?"

"SO YOU DO LOVE HER AFT-!" Louis said excitedly. Neglecting how his voice sound jumped up.

"Hsshh !" He put his hand on Louis's mouth." I don't even need an answer after that shout!" Joseph said very quietly.

The prince blinked multiple times, then slowly lifted Joseph's hands. "Sorry, my bad. I always get excited with love stories" he smiled.

"That is the problem, You just don't understand. Son!" he said, pushing himself up on his foot and walking a few steps around Louis. "We are at war, I am leading men to face death each time they go to a battle, I can not leave my emotions unchecked or my men will no longer trust me to lead them"

Louis narrowed his eyes in amazement. "What?! But that doesn't make sense. Why should you be different just because you are a high-ranking general? And your men? Those men are the same and the most ones that would be happy for you!

Be brave and just tell her that you love her already"

"Are you hearing yourself?! My men suffered a defeat two days ago and I was in charge of that battle. Do you know how it turned out?!

A BUTCHERING FIELD! My land is under attack, son and you want me to go after my subjective sentiments?!"

"That proves my point then, you are a bad leader"

"What did you just say?" Joseph's expression changed while tightening his grip.

"You heard me, a good leader knows how to balance his life with his responsibilities and also accept defeat along the way, however, he doesn't allow it to bring him down from getting up to his feet again. While you- good sir- are just afraid of another failure and consequences"

"That's because I am gambling with other's people lives! Good men! When you see their graves in mass gatherings. All those boys that put high heads to you...

And you just fail them, just like that, such defeats you can't just shake off

You are right, I am afraid of failures and risks, and that's why I never take a step forward without taking into consideration how it would impact my men eventually, they are the ones that will for pay my flops"

Louis shook his head slightly, putting his finger on his own eye edges. pausing for a moment before starting again. "That is the problem! Don't you see?! You are thinking objectively most of the time, just like warlords do. This is not a war, commander! This is emotions.

You don't expect everything to work out every time. There is no good choice or wrong one here. No death is involved, only emotions! Embrace that and stop thinking like commanders for once. Think like a lover!

"What if she refused me?"

"I highly doubt it. You say this because you haven't experienced such tasty feelings before. I did."

Joseph blinked at Louis. He took a sit again and stared for a while at the fire camp. Hands intertwined. Thinking through. Judging his approaches.

"I have an idea, How about you talk to her in private? So even if she turned you down. You would be the only one to bear the burden and let not her answer affect you" Louis suggested.

Joseph sighed, striking an eye to Louis "Fine, how does this go?"

"Goddammit, Joseph! you are the one busted in this looping love hole, not me! Think of something!"

"Hmm, you know what? I think you are right. Maybe I needed advice from young youth after all. I will propose to her tonight" he smiled happily.

"Great!" Louis nodded with a great smile as well. Delighted they reached an agreement.