The Midwife's Wards

If only the world was as simple and sweet as Phoebe still seemed to think it was. Unfortunately, Loren had seen the darkest parts of it and the people in it, and it had irrevocably marked him and stained his soul. ”Sometimes things happen to us that we don’t deserve.” Which was why her words didn’t mean anything; they were meaningless in the face of cruel and uncaring fates and gods and a world that wouldn’t care if they disappeared off its face the next day. Another thing Loren knew better than most was that intentions didn’t always and often didn’t matter. There was a reason people said the road to hell was paved with the good ones. Phoebe had made him feel that way and he wasn’t going to apologize for his feelings. However, he’d hurt hers enough, which was why he listened to her explanation to the end. ”I don’t find doing things on my own difficult.” No, where he struggled was with being around other people; he’d been raised to be a tool in the service of the crown, not to have friends, or to let anyone close. Oh, sure it had been family first. However, it had also been might makes right, and everyone for themselves in the end. As Phoebe seemed almost upset that the Launceleyn didn’t hate her, he sighed. Hearing her apologize for everything when he’d been out of line was too much, even for him. ”I am sorry for what I said.” While he’d stand by most of the contents, even he would admit the way he’d said it had been cruel. And he didn't hate her. He just hated misplaced pity and sympathy, hated receiving help he didn't want and certainly didn't deserve. LOREN Not quite an open book