"So do you have a plan or not?" Said Louis, referring to 'Nale', the occupied city near the borders.

"We didn't receive any order yet from high command, Son. Despite sending a group of scouts to them telling them about the earlier battle results". He frowned. "As much as I admire your enthusiasm, We need to wait, Louis. We need more men"

Louis's eyes dropped. Every minute passing could put Diana's life in danger.

"But what if they attacked us again?"

"Unlikely, this camp is well hidden, and to be double sure I had already appointed 10 watching patrols just in case.

Come on, let's wake those lazy ladies up". Ending his argument with Louis. Joseph stood up to begin his day.

The rest of the day was all about Joseph trying to study the region very well, noticing every way in and out. Every scenario was possible, observing the men's morale and lastly trying strategies with his tactician.

Louis on the other hand spent half of his day with Aurora to gain some of her knowledge of the medical herbs and their appropriate usage while the other half of the day he spent training with some soldiers, increasing his bond with them as well as his fighting skills.

Until the night came...

"RED FLAG! Orders from the royal palace!" A shout burst as two horsemen carrying red flags were spotted entering the camp. The whole camp was surprised and eager for the new orders.

Joseph, the injured commander. Got out of his tent to welcome the two messengers, tempted by what they carried with them.

The messengers saluted and delivered the rolled message as ordered. They also had to wait for his reply.

He unrolled the paper, marching his eyes upon the written speech.

He kept reading in silence, revealing nothing to his loyal men or to Louis, until he finished reading...with a smile.

"Cheer up, boys! Another 10,000 men are on their way to reinforce us!" He shouted with a spirit.

In reply, The whole camp filled with courage and high morale, cheered raising their weapons in the air.

"Alright, Listen up!" he yelled in command.

"Our allied army would reach us after 2 days of travel, which gives us a good time to prepare our counterattack strategy. So, rest up and eat well cause we are going back to that hell again!

Another powerful long cheer echoed, with supported fists in the air.

Despite being from another land, Louis felt so much patriotism coming from those men. They were prepared to defend their homeland even if the stakes were too high. He wished if his people had the same level of loyalty to their country and their king.

He wished that in better days, the two nations could prosper together.

However, something was itching him, the feeling that he is helping his enemy to face his own people, was this the right thing to do? He always Imagine the condemning looks of his father to him

Another big sacrifice he bore for Diana for sure.

...

The day ended, and everyone called it a night except for Louis, he wanted to help more.

He took permission to join the soldiers as a nightguard to watch while others slept. Not knowing what awaited him this very night, he was lent a medium-sized sword which he knew how to use from before and a light breastplate matching his size.

....

The night began with a bright crimson moon stuck on the sky above, slowly singing a silent lullaby for all under its calming light to sleep well, and forget the war for a period.

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Hours passed and nothing of interest happened, only crackles of the fire camp sound. it was too peaceful. Darkness soon takes its effect on the prince. He began to yawn, feeling a bit sleepy.

Suddenly Louis's eyes caught something. A shadow of two human figures moving out of the camp along the tree line. He rubbed his eyes. Maybe he was imagining things. but the two figures were still there, sneaking away.

"Spies!" his mind screamed, his heart sunk, and he considered sounding the alarm. Although in that case the enemy will be spooked and long gone by then.

Afraid but confident, he left his post and followed those shadows. Taking small steps, moving from tree to tree. Trying to be far enough away from the enemy so they don't hear his armour tingle in this quietness but closely keeping up with the shadows without compromising himself.

The shadows halted in a clear area, absent of any surrounding trees, and so did Louis stop to observe.

The light of the moon provided a dim light to help recognise the identity of the two figures. And on further examination. He saw Commander Joseph and Aurora.

"So what important thing did you want me for, sir?"

"I-I want to admit something to you"

"You said that before, is everything alright? You look nervous, Is the wound still a problem?" she said with a concerned face.

"No, No, It's...um..." he frowned, Hand on his head, Lost in words.

She narrowed her eyes "Are you trying to seduce me?"

"WHAT?! NO! OF COURSE NOT!"

She jiggled playfully, her chuckles came like that of a dancing flower. "I was messing with you, Joseph. You look strained from war, you need a good woman to help make you laugh a little" she ended with a wink.

He smiled widely, "Well said, I need a woman indeed... a woman to call her my pride...and my wife". He eyed her ."...a woman Like you,"

The smile on her face vanished slowly.

"Wha-" she said with red cheeks, looking at him, nailed in her place by her shock.

He pulled his sword from its sheath and slowly descended on one knee. Sword's tip bowing to the ground, while supporting its holder.

The right hand slowly reaches for her slightly trembling hand, squeezing her a bit.

Her eyes began to widen, realizing what he was doing and what was that walk was all about.

Lost in the details of her blushing face he smiled while handing his proposal

"Mrs Aroura, Would you honour me to be my beloved wife?"

He forced himself out of character in the process.

The weight of those few but gorgeous words rammed both Louis and Aurora alike with the same reaction.

She pulled her hands fast. putting her both hands on her mouth. "Sir, I...I didn't know...you ..."

He stood up, interrupting...

"I was and still am in love with you, Aroura. To my soldier you are a good healer, to me you are my guardian. A soul I wish to live what's left of my remaining life with"

"Please...stop it. You are making me blush" she said calmly and shyly. Trying unsuccessfully to hide her wide smile.

"Alright, I will stop" he said understanding, "Take much time you need to think it through" he said in a mature tone.

After he ended his talking, he walked some solid steps to her, until he was right in front of her short body. She raised her small eyes to reach his loving gaze.

His head slowly approached hers, slightly squeezing her shoulders, while his lips met her forehead with a long passionate kiss.

She gasped air from her tiny lips as she felt the heat of the moment flow through all of her veins, warming her heart and messing her emotions up.

He put his finger gently under her chin leveling her eyes to meet his loving orbs. "Remember that even if you refused, you will still be the honest and merciful healer that I always adore". He said calmly with a smile.

He retreated away a few steps back before turning to leave.

"Wait!" She said with a mellifluous voice, her hands reached for his arm, holding his limb tightly.

He turned around to meet her messed-up face expression.

She began with exaggerated happiness. "Joseph, I-I don't need time to think about my response...". Her eyes glimmered as she stepped closer to him.

"I'm already in love with you, you silly bastard!". She laughed a bit as her eyes shyly were intimidated by his calm figure. She didn't even realise she had the courage to say such magical and core-touching words

"I know. You are too obvious to hide it from me, that's what makes me love you even more"

"I am not that obvious, big guy". She said while her eyes escaped his gaze as her small cheeks bumped with redness.

"Doesn't matter. I still want you" his voice was filled with emotions but was also domaining with his military presence.

She looked at him with those blue eyes that reflected the moonlight, fingers clutching her cloak, feeling her chest drowning in a soft sensation of devotion. She couldn't resist answering anymore...

"Yes". She answered

With a strong nod, a chuckle escaped her childish lips.

The effect of the answer was immediate. The man's eyes widened and rushed the woman with a hug, raising her up above the ground.

She was taken by surprise. But soon their happiness was mixed together with the moment, Imagining everything around them helping their bond sail to the vast endless horizons.

The trees were dancing at the breeze of the night, and the grass below was containing their magical contact, while a nosy pair of eyes were watching behind a bush in amazement.

He put her down, still his arms around her waist. Exchanging admiration gestures and smiles...

At the backstage, Louis watched happily as he noticed the two of them having their first kiss with the full bright moon behind him,

"Well, Well. Commander. You sure do not disappoint" he sighed... "Lucky you"

Louis stared for a couple more minutes then slowly he drifted away back to his guarding post, giving the couple some space together and hoping that no one noticed that he just left his post for a sight of two shadows in the woods.

*******