Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 215: Scene CCXV

“Yes... Nu, remember you said the king keeps summoning myself to his presence?”

“... Aie... today too, Nu was told to convince Master’s wife...”

“That is correct... Nu, once you leave my chambers tell the guard outside you have convinced myself to meet the king today.”

“... Nu convinced Master’s wife...?”

“Yes... after that, search for Gilead. He has remained here has he not?” — Receiving the nod from the girl who slowly started to calm her cries, Ewelina fondly and honestly smiled. — “Search for him... and bring him to me. I want to meet him after going to the king.”

Although unconvinced, the brakian mainglousse sniffed strongly and agreed to her Master’s wife’s orders, not immediately doing so before making sure once she did as told, the food she had prepared would be properly tasted by the woman.

“Nu understands. Master’s wife, if Nu does as Master’s wife says this time, will Master’s wife eat Nu’s food?”

“Yes, that is correct... if you believe I am lying, once you bring Gilead here, stay and wait for my return. I shall eat before Nu’s eyes so you feel calm and see my honesty.”

“!!! Alright! Nu will do as Master’s wife says!!” — Running energetically towards the door, the innocent quickly went to do as requested. Departing from the woman’s side... allowing her expression to turn back into an exhausted one.

Deep exhalation was released as if a facade had been worn. Standing back up with weariness and glancing at the food growing colder beside her.

‘... It is time to move on...’ — Ewelina thought with immutable soul. Pacing towards the looking glass she possessed to make sure her appearance was not as unsightly as she believed.

“Haah... dreadful... it is no wonder for the child to be distressed.” — Lightly touching the dark circles provoked by the lack of rest and continuous crying, Ewelina sarcastically laughed at her reflex, taking in her hand the powders and oils to lessen the weariness in her visage.

The lid on the oil for the lips was dismissed with natural motion, and as she softly dipped her fingertip to carefully paint her lips... she watched her reflex, painting them slowly... trying to feel indifference to the memories such a simple object invoked.

— I’ll suck on them if you want them redder. —

“....”

— Here. I’ll help. —

“... Don’t think about him.”

— I still want a kiss. —

“Don’t... recall his wild sweetness.” — Closing her lids in pain, she told herself in desperate need to forget. And yet, her fur was to also be combed... that one he loved to touch and felt proud she flaunted.

— Your fur’s unique, Fatædi. —

“...”

Her hand took a piece of leather, pulling it up unlike he used to tell her not to.

Yet staring at the reflex in the looking glass, a drop fell on it as she knew doing this when he could not see it still hurt her own spirit. And she trembled slightly, trying to restrain it with hast inhalation.

“... It is difficult, mama... much more after he said he loved me... like I heard Papa say to you...”

The air she inhaled ever since discovering the truth never was able to clear her lungs unlike they did when the spouse was close. Therefore, she sighed... aware that the stuffiness would only become more cumbersome the more she delayed learning more about the reasons that took the man away at a time their relationship broke.

“It is difficult to hate... one I loved so deeply...” — Taking the end of the leather, Ewelina pulled on it so her fur would be loose again. Arranging it cleanly, before leaving the chamber she had locked herself in for a needed meeting.

*******

“His Sovereignty has been waiting for your visit.”

“... Announce myself.”

“Yes...”

Cold to the politeness of the servant outside the king’s bureau, Ewelina did not grant a glance to the man, looking forward as severely as her Title provided.

The announcement was made as she ordered, being welcomed immediately to walk into the king’s private study.

“... I was wondering when would the miracle happen. You finally listened to my summoning, Ewelina.”

Graceful, maintaining her composure and protecting her pride, Ewelina’s steps took her before Jollveld’s presence, wearing as harsh a demeanour as any powerful man could.

“Don’t use my name as if we are close. It doesn’t please me to see you.”

“..... Well, it is no wonder for it to not please you. The things that happened aren’t to please anyone, dare I say.”

“At least you understand that. There is only one reason I have decided to listen to your summon today.”

“?... and what would that reason be?”

“Tell me what war is it that he left to.”

The calmness of the king’s demeanour quickly became shaken by the information the Archduchess was demanding, for in his knowledge, Aslak had gone to her before leaving and should have explained the matters thoroughly to the woman he was departing from, leaving her behind at the palace he governed.

“... He didn’t tell you?”

“As you are aware, that man didn’t tell many things from the beginning. What he said is simply that it is a war for which he left.”

“Haaah... Take a seat.” — Sighing at the obvious truth the woman dryly told, feeling the headache be born by the lack of conscience his cousin had, Jollveld extended his hand to invite the woman to get comfortable. Receiving only as dry an answer as she desired to grant, for there was no wish in herself to get along with one who aided the schemes of her spouse.

“I am fine standing. Tell it briefly, I don’t want to stay long here.”

“... If you are so adamant on it, I am not going to persist.” — Aware of the reasons the wife had, Jollveld granted, although his expression showcased the displeasure her apathy provoked. — “Truthfully...”

“Yes, be truthful, please. I think at this point there is no need for lies to continue. Tell it as it is.”

“... The truth is, Aslak left to fight two wars.”

“..... Which are?”

“One that is about to start at this moment with Herklain and then the one earth is about to begin at any moment at Sortnafeigr.”

“... Why... Herklain’s?”

“He provoked it. It’s only natural for the king of a nation to seek revenge from the kingdom where his daughter was gruesomely killed... Don’t you think so?”