Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 213: Scene CCXIII

As the second day passed and his duties were solved smoothly as he planned, his talks to the woman lost more and more content as it had always been a hazard for himself to start conversations. Nonetheless, he stayed by her side the most he could, wondering how he was to bring up the imminent departure coming nearer for an uncertain war.

‘I have to tell her... but...’

His eyes would stare at her tranquil back for she would never face his way during his stays... and he would lose himself in the beauty denying his closeness... miserably in the silence she did not allow to break.

‘I wonder if she knows I’m here...’

The one attempt he made to shorten the distance had proved harmful for the spirit he was recollecting, for the lost wife moved away as soon as the distance she could allow was overstepped, and so, now he only observed from afar... hoping that at least his dismissal would be told if wished.

However, such hope did not happen and aware of her wish to be separated from the spouse Aslak would leave for the night... the last night he was to remain under this palace’s roof.

“... Were you able to inform her?” — Jollveld inquired as the time of departure on the third day got near.

“... No... she hasn’t spoken to me.”

“... The gates have been informed of your departure, preparations are ready and Sibbi must have already crossed the Hœttr Hills by now... your people at Sortnafeigr should learn of everything soon if they haven’t already.”

“... Alright... tell the men we are leaving now.”

“? Already? There’s still time-“

“We’re leaving... before I can’t get myself to do it.”

“.....”

“I’ll say my farewell... and leave as planned...” — Standing from the seat he had taken, Aslak told the cousin with a dull sound. Already shedding tears from the suffocating sorrow this separation stabbed in his heart. — “Keep your end of the deal... take care of Ewelina.”

“I will...” — Jollveld promised to the back of the man already leaving his presence. And the door closed to his hand... leading the man to the chamber he did not belong to anymore, solely to get a last glance of the fated lung... that even if the earth had not planned this intense feeling, Aslak’s heart on its own would have crafted it for the wife.

*Knock knock*

The knock on the chamber she was in resounded once more announcing his visit.

No response was given again to allow his entrance and even though aware it was the spouse outside... the lengthy time he took before opening the doors could not unsettle the wife’s determination to ignore his presence once more.

His walk, much more silent and paced than before resounded loudly as she stood before the wide of a window; and the quiet of his stop at the fair distance instilled a palpable tension her instinct could not ignore.

“..... Fatædi...” — She heard the man say, keeping to herself the pain his voice provoked in her soul. — “..... you didn’t eat today either...”

“......”

“...”

In his sound, the sadness flowing off his lids could not be discerned by the woman. Therefore, she remained unmoved. Giving her back to the man she avoided crossing sights with, for the love she had only invoked suffering in both of them.

Her statuesque stance was observed as a piercing arrow crossed his dry throat, and the man allowed the silence to settle his spirit down... swallowing to let the words flow without demonstrating his grief.

“..... Ewelina... I have come to say my farewells...”

“......”

“A war I have to end is about to begin... and I’m to leave this place... now...”

“...”

“... You will remain here... Jollveld said... he would take care of you while I’m gone...”

“...”

“He said... you will lack nothing under his protection...”

“......”

“...... Fatædi... w-won’t you say something?” — Aslak, suffocated by the grief stuttered slightly wishing for at least a curse to be received from the wife he loved so deeply. — “Is there nothing... you want to tell me?”

The sorrow was threatening the composure of his sound for no reaction could be noticed in the woman’s figure only giving her back to the crying spouse. And yet...

“......”

Her chest and breathing were shaking painfully desperate as tears also fell down her cheeks while her hands clenched powerfully the cloth of her skirt... trying to hold onto the determination her wounded soul had decided upon.

“.....”

“... the time it will take... I’m not sure of it.” — Aware that no word would come out from the wife, Aslak decided to continue. — “It might be long before I am able to come back.”

“......”

“... Yet I... I will come back here... I’ll come back for you, Fatædi... and if you allow it..... we’ll go back home together then...”

“.....”

“That is... what I came to say.” — Finally his head lowered, while his chest felt empty by her cold behaviour... one he could still understand... and would convey before leaving her presence. — “..... I’m sorry I hurt you, Ewelina..... I broke my promise to never harm you...”

“..........”

“I regret it with the whole of my soul...”

The spouse’s words reverberated throughout her body and nature painfully. Stuffing her chest with cloudy air repressing the wish of her heart to forget the disgrace and misery her being had experienced because of his ignorant selfishness... and yet... Ewelina’s body did not move in the slightest, looking straight ahead at a sky which its vivid luminescence could not be gracious towards her suffering.

While Aslak, instead... observed her, resigned to this heartbreaking indifference... simply appreciating the shape of the woman he was to separate from.

Her curls and lovely dress that suited her humble yet attractive figure tried to be engraved in his memory as well as his wild self could manage, having daydreams of the visage he could not see shedding tears just as his did, softly smiling at the remembrance the loveliness of her once joyful essence carried.

“It’s time I go.” — Ready to force himself. The spouse declared. Not moving from his spot for he wanted to see her fur for slightly longer... but time was demanding his departure, and his soul... even if hurt... yearned for everything to be told.

“.....”

“..... Fatædi....”

“...”

“... I love you...”

‘... no....’

“I love you deeply...”

‘Don’t.... Don’t say it now....’