Chapter 8: The questions of love

Third person Pov:

Under the cover of night, General Luna emerged from his study, the weight of the interview still heavy in his thoughts. The soft glow of lamplight danced along the corridor, casting elongated shadows that seemed to mirror the uncertainties he now grappled with.

The polished marble floor reflected the dim illumination, creating a path of ethereal light that guided his way.

As he walked towards the entrance, the waiting carriage stood as a silhouette against the darkness, an enigmatic vessel ready to bear him away from the confines of his study and General quarters.

As he enters the carriage he is followed by his trusty captain Rusca and the carriage begins moving to its destination.

As the carriage continued its journey towards its destination, the conversation between the two men flowed uninterrupted. The occasional creak of the carriage and the rhythmic clip-clop of the horses' hooves added a soothing backdrop to their talk. The passing scenery outside the window provided a changing tableau, prompting them to comment on the sights and reminisce about similar journeys from the past. The steady progression of the carriage seemed to mirror the gradual deepening of their conversation, creating a sense of camaraderie amidst the night's voyage.

first person Pov:

' ah, the air smells so fresh and the dark sky's so clear, I guess it's because industries isn't fully developed yet huh' I thought while watching the outside of my carriage. ' Rusca looks like he has something to say but is hesitant to speak' I remark as I took a peek at him a little bit.

" Several drunk men made a scene in town last night. There was a scuffle, so we had to arrest them. " Said Captain Rusca as he took a pause and seemingly looking more hesitant to continue speaking. " One of them was your brother." He finally finished.

" Who? " Slightly confused because the original Luna had Four Brothers and two sisters.

" It's Joaquin, sir " He replied.

' ah, Joaquin Damaso Luna de San Pedro y Novicio Ancheta, Jr. named after our or my supposed father and the one who will be a Senator later in life among other things but for now a Coronel in the revolutionary army. ' I thought

" I bet it was over a woman " I said with a smirk, we Luna's are known to go crazy for our ladies.

" The mark of a true Luna " Captain Rusca said Laughing and me joining him in his laughter.

" Dr. Rizal and I almost got into a dual because of a Woman " I said remembering that particular memory.

" So I heard from Paco. " he said as we continued our Laughing.

As I ride in the carriage with Captain Rusca on a moonlit evening, sharing stories and jokes that keep us both entertained. The carriage journey is filled with laughter and camaraderie, and as we arrive in front of my supposed "lover's" house, I feel a mix of excitement and anticipation for the evening ahead. The air is charged with a sense of warmth and possibility as I prepare to spend time with my " beloved" .

As I get off the carriage and head towards the gate I was met with Isabel, a composite character of several of the historical Luna's love interests in this universe.

" What took you so long?" she said with a hint of annoyance in her voice.

" Sorry, I got busy with an interview ." I said while scratching the back of my head.

fast forward a bit she finally leads me inside her house and to her Chambers.

" Were you seen? " she inquired as she goes to the wine stand and pours both of us a drink, maybe because she is afraid people will know of our secret relationship and her future husband won't marry her.

" No, I have always been discreet. " I said as I put my officer hat on a nearby table and make my way to her and slightly hug her from behind, chuckling.

" Don't laugh. " she said as she turns to look at me and hands me the glass with wine in it then she heads for the window of her room.

" I have more to lose. I am a woman of marrying age. " She said.

" And comes from a prominent family. " I said getting behind her again. " In love with an Indio." I joked to her.

" Your not an Indio. Your family is rich with connection's from Spain." she said slightly laughing.

" But I'm right. your falling for me." I said leaning closer to her to kiss her neck as I took her wine class.

She turns Around and kisses me on the lips but I pulled away with a smirk on my face.

As I walk to the wind stand she yells at me calling me a bastard.

" I'm thristy." I said still looking at her with a smirk and drinks both of the wine in our classes and then pours more wine into my clas and heads to her bed sitting.

" Am I not enough to satisfy your thrist." she said taking the wine class from my hand and drinks it.

I grab her from the waist and pull her into bed the class she was holding falling to the ground.

As I get on top of her and looks at her eyes I kissed her.

___________________________________________

Antonio Luna and Isabel shared a moment of intimacy that left their hearts intertwined. As their fingers brushed against each other's skin.

After their tender exchange, Antonio's gaze met Isabel's, revealing a mixture of vulnerability and affection. As the silence settled around them, Isabel's eyes caught a glimpse of something amiss. Her gaze gently wandered to Antonio's left chest area, where a faint injury marked his skin.

With a concerned touch, Isabel's fingers brushed over the injury, her expression shifting from intimacy to worry. "Antonio," she whispered, her voice carrying a delicate blend of tenderness and concern, "What happened?"

" Work." I said plainly to her.

" You were shot?!? " She said very much concerned for me.

" Why is it that after making love, you start acting like my mother? " I said slightly annoyed.

" You were shot. " she said angrily.

" It's just a scratch." I said trying to ease her concern.

" bastard, that's not just a scratch you could have died."

" Now you sound like a nagging wife. " I commented while laughing a little.

She leaned in to kiss me but stopped mid way and made her way to the bed.

" Antonio. " she said as she lay on the bed pretending to sleep. " The war is your wife. I'm just the mistress. "

" Hey, it's cold over here." after a couple minutes of silence I said, still standing near the window.

" Go to hell." When she said that I made my way to the bed also and lay with her.

" I'm in hell everyday when I'm not with you. " I Lied as I hugged her from behind. ' I'm sorry Isabel, but I have higher ambitions then most. ' I thought.

" Liar." Was her only reply. " You think I enjoy fighting? " I said slightly annoyed.

" Yes, because you are a sadist. " She joked and I laughed a little.

" The War is not my wife, it is the cross I bear. " I said turning the mood to seriousness again. When I said that Isabel stood up again and went to the edge of the bed.

" Is this really our last night together? " She said sounding sad.

" Isabel. " I said her name with sadness.

" We can't keep seeing each other again like this, correct? " She still remained serious.

" Correct. " I said after a moment of silence.

" We Do not have time for things we cannot sustain. Our duties in this war are more important than our feelings for each other. The next time we meet, you are a soldier and I... a woman of the Red Cross. " She said resolutely but still with a hint of sadness

" Isabel..."

" General. " Came her cold reply.