Chapter 147 Iosif decision
Iosif looked at the king, his expression filled with confusion. He understood his words, but couldn''t grasp the king''s intention with such question. What''s all about visiting the East? N?v(el)B\\jnn
"The East?" - E asked, also unable to understand the king''s question - "I don''t understand, your highness."
"Yes, the east" - Henry reiterated, leaning forward with his elbows on the table - "I require someone dependable to oversee that region. They must be trustworthy and hold a high position in the army, as they will be leading the entire area. Currently, I have no one of such stature except..." - He gestured towards Iosif - "The selfless General Iosif, right there."
Iosif shifted ufortably in his chair, trying to maintain his bnce with his hands as he looked at the king, unable to meet those piercing eyes directly. He was afraid to not meet those high expectation.
After a moment of silence, Iosif spoke - "...I''m sorry to disappoint you, Your Majesty, but as you can see, a useless cripple like myself can''t be of much help to the throne" - he said, his tone filled with self-deprecation, as if he wasn''t even worthy of the king''s gaze - "I have no more use for battles, and I can''t even walk on my own."
At those words, Henry''s expression turned into a serious one as if he had been insulted - "Are you doubting my ability to judge my own people, General?" he asked in a stern tone. He then turned to ro. "Is he doubting me?"
ro swallowed hard, about to speak, when a loud bang echoed through the room. E swiftly pped the back of Iosif''s head, nearly causing him to topple from his chair, and pushed his head down.
"I-I''m sorry, Your Majesty! My dar-Iosif doesn''t know what he''s talking about. He''s just grateful to be chosen by you" - she stammered, her desperation evident as she spoke, almost calling Iosif darling in such situation.
Despite her brute and somewhat intimidating appearance, she was truly a simple-minded and sincere person. Henry could see that she was deflecting me away from Iosif with her actions, apologizing on his behalf and taking the me. Iosif found the right one, indeed.
The king crossed his fingers and leaned back in his chair - "Iosif, you''re one of my most trusted generals. I refuse to believe that losing a leg or two could ever diminish your worth. You are not weak, and I won''t allow you tobel yourself as such" - he said.
Despite E''s firm hands, pressing his face against the wooden desk, Iosif absorbed every word of the king. However, he couldn''t scare away the sense of uselessness and self-loathing within his mind. He hated himself. He hated being useless.
Henry continued - "There are countless people in the capital alive today because of you... including a young soldier who is telling the whole city how a general selflessly shielded him from an explosion. He''s waiting there with his child, eager to thank his savior."
You are not useless. You are a hero, and a hero cannot sink into the mud. A hero must raise. Henry wanted to convey this message, but Iosif seemed unable to wee such a change of thought.
"Your Majesty, I... I don''t know what to say" - the general stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. E''s firm grip kept his head down, preventing him from meeting the king''s gaze, not that he really wanted - "I never thought I''d have another chance to serve. But my legs..." "Dumb fool! Legs make no difference!" - ro''s voice thundered, unable to contain his anger in front of such words -"I''ve seen wolves without their front legs hunting down entire herds of deers and even rising as leaders of the pack! I''ve witnessedmoners without arms chopping down trees using only their feet to wield the axe! So what about a General? What can a general do without their legs?" ro really wanted to punch some sense into this man. For months, he had watched him mourn over the past, unable to let go and move forward. ro refused to believe that a few setbacks could turn Iosif into such a pathetic individual. He must be hiding inside this pathetic shell.
"The king is offering you a chance to be useful again, to reim your dignity as a respected general, to live with pride once more... Why are you just wasting it?" - He shouted.
At ro''s words, Iosif flinched, and E shot him a mixed look. She found some truths in his words. Iosif had been squandering his life away, dwelling on the past over and over again. She didn''t mind it. She could support both of them. However, E could sense that Iosif desired to be useful, to go back and work for the king. He wanted to keep being himself, but instead, he was spiraling into self-loathing.
Henry raised a hand, signaling for calm - "ro, that''s enough" - he said firmly, his voice cutting through the tension in the room - "And, Iosif, I''ll be awaiting your response. I''ll be staying here for two weeks, and I expect an answer by then" - Henry stated - "Don''t disappoint me." With that, the king rose from his chair. Apanied by Leier and ro, they departed, leaving E and the bewildered Iosif alone in the room. Iosif wore a lost expression, as if deeply contemting something and wrestling with himself over the future.
"Although I am angry for the way he talked to you..." - E began, her voice gentle, herrge fingers tenderly caressing Iosif''s cheeks - "...he is right. It''s time for a change. You need to be yourself."
Again, silence settled over the room, broken only by Iosif''s trembling murmur - "Will you go with me?" - he asked, unable to meet her gaze.
E looked taken aback, then a joyful smile spread across her face - "Of course, how could I ever leave my darling to go alone to the East?" - she said, snapping her fingers - "I have to apany you and make sure no vixen ever dares toe near you. I''ll have to break a couple of bones if that happens, won''t I?"
Iosif swallowed hard. "R-Right."