His Own - Chapter 23：Answers

“The sky never really did brighten the lands in the frontline. Everything felt dreary and dull from the weather to the spirits of the men.

They don’t believe that they could win anymore. Too many men have died and supplies were running low. Seeing the conditions of the ‘help’ that was sent only dampen their spirits further.

One doctor and one nurse were injured, most of the supplies got damaged after the destruction of the truck. Their food supplies are also running low.

But they just couldn’t give up. Not now. They’ve come too far to stop now.

But . . . How? How were they going to counterattack their enemies? Everyday they get closer and closer to the borders. And it seems like they keep getting stronger and stronger. While their numbers dwindled, their enemies grew.

Because of the ambush, they had to move camps. Scouts have been sent out to survey the lands and they never brought back good news.

Lands were getting conquered in all sides and they haven’t heard much from the higher ups.

How much longer is this going to take?

They missed their wives, their children and their families. Not a night goes by without nightmares. Paranoia consuming their very lives.

But there were some. A few who remain unaffected by any of these things. That or they are exceptionally good actors.

Of these, the Lieutenant General Titus Hangzo seemed the master. He could go off and attack enemy camps with only a few men, coming back victorious. But no matter how strong and skilled he may be, he can’t take on a whole army on his own.

The worse people in the war are those that became entirely consumed with bloodlust. They are those that can’t go a day without attacking and killing someone.

They were the first to run into battle and one of the firsts that die as well. But they didn’t care. They’ve become insane because of this-”

“Rosalind?” Titus peeked into the tent to see her scribbling away at a book. Adena sat beside her, on top of a crate, watching as she fervently wrote down whatever the men had told her just minutes ago.

By the time they reached the camp, Rosalind and Louis had already awoken.

Of everyone else, Louis was the most surprised that she was alive. She accidentally revealed her true gender to Titus and his men by pulling her shirt all the way up to check the bullet wound that was barely visible anymore.

But Titus hardly batted an eye, his whole concentration remained on Rosalind and the other men were completely oblivious to the situation.

Unlike the shortcut Ralph and Vincent took, the way back was much longer. It could be because Titus was extra careful so that no one else would get injured. But he didn’t say anything so no one asked him.

Rosalind took a seat beside Titus, asking about the camp and the number of men still alive as well as the conditions they were in.

They all then fell into a conversation about each ones first impression of the other. Rosalind and Adena’s being the strangest with Ralph seeing them working on the kitchen the moment they arrived, not taking any time to rest.

Titus raised a brow when they mentioned that Rosalind and Adena lost the letter that sent them to the hospital in the first place but he didn’t say anything.

The moment they arrived at the camp, some soldiers helped them off and took the supplies along with the prisoner to be kept somewhere else.

They were given a short tour and then taken to the mess where everyone was having their dinner. There they were introduced to the other doctors and nurses.

Most of them already knew Louis but they were just as happy and excited to meet the rest of them. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, almost bringing Rosalind to tears. As it was time for dinner, everyone was either eating, guarding or eating and guarding. Though they talked, they didn’t dare let down their guard.

Without a second’s hesitation, she got to work. Talking to all the soldiers and doctors about what they knew and writing everything down on her diary. Titus tried to get her to rest but the others only shook their head.

“Once she gets like this, there is no stopping her.” Louis patted his shoulders. ‘So we just do this.”

She took a piece of bread and held it out for Rosalind to take a bite any time she looks up from her notes.

Ralph and Vincent were already eating and having discussions with other doctors, being filled in on all that has happened. Just like Rosalind, they were very curious.

Some were very friendly and approachable, while others dismissed Rosalind, because every time they tried to talk to her and flirt, they could feel the burning gaze of Titus’s wrath on them, and they feared him more than anything else in the world.

Really wishing he could talk to her, Titus sat next to Rosalind and watched her scribble away. He had never seen her this serious before not even when she was tending to her garden.

Wait. Didn’t she just get shot?

“Rosalind. What about your shoulder?” He grabbed her arms, stopping her incessant writing.

She only looked at him blankly and then smiled. “Don’t worry. There’s no pain. Adena took care of it.”

He looked to where she was pointing and saw the white haired man, sitting with the other two, looking completely bored and out of it.

“I need to finish writing this as soon as I can. May I borrow your tent?” Rosalind asked Titus, gathering her belongings.

“Of course. Let me take you to it.”

Just as he was about to walk with her to the tent when someone called to him. “Lieutenant General!”

He visibly cringed and turned to face the man saluting him. “Major General Mattes, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“We need to plan the best course of action. If you would not mind coming to my tent with the other generals, then we will start strategizing.”

Rosalind’s eyes twinkled in excitement, “You know the Major?”

“Why, of course. We knew each other from when we were just boys.” He said, twirling his mustache.

“It’s so sweet that you’re both close even until now.” Rosalind smiled at him.

“We couldn’t be separated even as kids. We know everything about each other. The stories I could tell. Oh, excuse me my dear, but we have some business to take care of. Let’s talk some other time. Coming, Lieutenant?”

“I will be there in a moment.” Titus said, turning back to Rosalind. “Come.”

He walked briskly to his tent, almost leaving Rosalind behind but she managed to catch up.

“Titus.” She huffed. “Are you mad?”

“Do I have a reason to be mad?”

“Not that I can think of.”

“Then, I’m not mad.”

“If that’s the case then why are you not looking me in the eyes?” Rosalind ran ahead and stopped right in front of him, smiling.

Titus gave a sigh and said, “Is there something you wish to say, my lady?”

“Aww~Titus, don’t be like that.” She hugged him tight. “I missed you so much, you can’t even tell.”

Giving up, he hugged her back. “I missed you too. Every single day that passed by.”

“You say the cheesiest things.” Rosalind teased.

“You seem to like it though.” He retorted back, bringing his face closer to hers.

“Well, I can’t deny that. Is it this one?” She slyly turned her head away just as he was getting closer and pointed to a tent just beside another bigger tent in the center.

“Yes.” He composed himself. “The lantern is inside, I believe I still kept it burning, if not there will be matches in the drawer. I will be in this tent, call me if you need anything.”

“Ok!” Lillian skipped to the tent and entered inside.

Titus stood there, just staring after where she was just standing, unable to process of this is a dream or reality.

Preparing to go inside, he heard a call. “Titus!”

Rosalind jumping into his open arms, pressing her lips against his and holding him ever so tightly. As though afraid he would disappear any moment.

Whoever passed that way and saw this display did a full one-eighty and scurried away.

“What was that about?” He looked at her, stunned.

“I missed you.” She blushed, unable to comprehend with she just did. She got down, covering her reddening face in her hands.

“I missed you to-”

Rosalind ran back into the tent. As quickly as she appeared, she disappeared. Leaving Titus to stare at her direction again.

He let out a laugh and shook his head, giving one final look before entering the tent.

After about an hour of meeting and planning, Titus made his way back to his tent to see Adena and Rosalind.

He sighed, “I have some questions, Rosalind. Well, q lot of them.”

She turned with a concerned expression to Adena who only gave her a knowing look.

“Tell him.” He said to her.

“What good will that do?” She replied to him, becoming extremely uneasy.

“He’ll know. That’s the good it will do.”

“Then, you’ll be here with me through this, right?”

Adena looked at him as Rosalind hung her head. “Whatever she says, promise you’ll listen very carefully.”

“Or course.”

They looked at each other and Rosalind told him, everything from the deal to present time and Titus listened without interrupting, only raising an eyebrow here and there.

When she was done telling everything, Titus asked to see her hands.

Reluctantly, she took off the gloves and showed them to him. He frowned, seeing them.

Rosalind braced herself for whatever may happen but Titus only took them into his own and kissed it.

“These hands, I’m not worthy of even holding these hands that have saved so many people.” He reached up and patted her head. The golden strands shining with the golden flame of the lantern.

“You are amazing.” He looked at her, admiration in his eyes.

Rosalind teared up, “You’re- you’re not mad?”

“Why would I be? Sure, I would have appreciated if you had a safer option to choose from but you did what you knew was right and in doing so, helped so may people. I can’t get mad at that.”

Rosalind burst into tears, hugging him close.

“I wanted to tell you everything so bad.” She hiccuped. “But I didn’t know how you were going to react. I was so scared that you would be mad at me.”

“I’m not mad. I understood why you did it. I would have done the same if I was in your shoes.” He patted her head. “Good job.”

“Just promise me one thing.” He pulled away, looking her straight in the eyes.

“What’s that?” She sniffled.

“Stop using your healing magic, ok?” He held her trembling blackened hands in his own, swallowing hard.

“I’ll try.” She smiled, tears still running down her face.

“Thank you.” Titus kissed her hands once more and wiped the tears away. He took her on his lap and held her there as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

Adena stared at the both of them, deciding that it was time to leave. He only stayed to make sure nothing happened to Rosalind but seeing that everything was under control, he made his move.

However Titus stopped him.

“Wait.” He said. “I have some questions for you too.”

“I knew you would. I’ll be waiting outside.” He glanced at Rosalind who was fast asleep and walked out the tent.