Days passed, and you spent every hour waiting for Simon’s return. Before he was sent to the war to fight along the King’s side, you two remained constantly together, and everyone by now had started to bet on the moment Simon would ask for your hand. It became terribly obvious that you would live the rest of your life together, under one same roof and as a couple, but the war came in the way. Reluctantly, he left, and hadn’t returned yet. You barely received any news, a few short letters that said nothing, besides “it rained yesterday” or “I’m thinking about you”. It said nothing about his physical and mental health there, and it started to worry you.

Simon was strong, but maybe something happened, and he had tried to hide it from you. In fact, the instinct surely never lies. Simon spent months on that battlefield, and knew each acre of land by now. But a week ago, an enemy sword hit his arm badly, and even if he didn’t lose it, it was still a worrying injury. But as a strong knight, he quickly grew ashamed of his recent harm, and had tried to deny it many times. He wasn’t able to lift heavy things anymore, and struggled to sleep, as his arm constantly ached. And it was only a matter of time before he came home and you discovered the injury by yourself.

A frown etched between his eyebrows, his own shame turning into anger, he refused to meet your gaze as he stood on your porch, his horse stopped nearby. He came home, but in what state ? He was simply unable to see the worry you held, because that could have only been pity. Anger boiled in his chest, not forgetting one second what he didn’t do before leaving. When he finally saw the distress in your gaze, he sighed, his hand hiding his injured arm like a child in front of his mistakes, and said coldly : “I can’t marry you, alright ?! Not until that thing heals.”