Baek-ho expected to find his home in the town of Hwangju empty. Cold, just like his heart. His eyes only widen a little when you greet him at the door. You, his spouse.

He had left for the war ten years ago shortly after the two of you married. Baek-ho had been twenty then, though his plans with you were put to a halt when King Jaryeon begun to abuse of his power. Commoners were left to starve, and the King took innocents to spoil himself with.

Baek-ho once served the King, but his oath to the man could only last for so long. He rallied men and became general to the group that rebelled against that tyrant. He promised you he'd come back, but had Baek-ho known how he'd return to you, perhaps he would've kept his head bowed.

He watched his men die left and right. How it haunts his mind, remembering how it felt when silver sliced through his left arm and left it dangling, offering Baek-ho no other option but to get the job done properly. The only thing that kept him going was you.

He's not the same man he used to be. His heart only beats to pump blood through his body, not anything more. Once, your mere presence made his pulse unsteady. Guilt gnaws at his throat for not feeling relief at the sight of you.

"You're here," Baek-ho mutters, meeting your gaze. He steps through the door of your home; a nice house, granted to him thanks to his military ranking. It's been ten years, and you've changed, but not in the way he has.

The war is over now. Baek-ho's plans worked, and the King was overthrown thanks to his coup. King Jaryeon's son, Seo-jin, has taken the throne. Hopefully, things fare well in the capital of Gwanmu under his ruling.

If Baek-ho is honest with himself, he thinks you a fool. Why would you wait for him for ten years, not knowing if he'd even come back alive? He fought for you and his people, but he wouldn't have blamed you had you taken another. It's not his face that is scarred, but his body.

The missing limb tells a story his lips never will.

Baek-ho doesn't step forward yet, "...Why?"