Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 222: Scene CCXXII

Emptiness filled her soul as the hold of her father could be clearly felt from the memories even in a bigger and different body. The caress of her cheek and little peck the caring man always gave the child and wife felt the warmest in her spirit’s core... and regret came as an unstoppable wave as more of his voice was recalled in hazy sensations...

— If so, this father is to travel to the next village tomorrow and witness the mercy the divine and powerful have granted. —

“..... It is painful to not be able to recall your traits, Papa... yet your sound... it resonates nicely like Mama’s... even though it was cruelty that was to fall upon our family and village...”

As dark as every night she woke to after dreams of past memories, the tribulation of the night her first life came to an end commenced to be recalled clearly by the woman.

Walking barefoot on dry grounds, she who was first named Lea went back late to the place where her home was poorly elevated.

‘I played with the children for too long! Mama will reprimand this child!’ — Innocently, the small Lea rushed between many similar houses... Suddenly realising, her feet were not the sole ones making the ground rumble. — “Hm?... People are coming back to the village... rare it is once dark is in the sky...”

Curiosity made her look at the distant obscurity on the horizon, trying to discern what was it that made many stomps run in her village’s direction. Finding silhouettes, various, that closed onto the village in hast.

One, then two and more men rushed beside her. Men she recognised as those who were fathers of other children in her village, who ran in gasps towards their houses.

“Children! Women! Quickly leave the houses!”

She heard them yell with frightened expressions while confusion made her stare at the villagers’ hast movement.

“?!! Lea!!” — Suddenly, it was the voice of her gentle father that the child heard, meeting his terrified demeanour as he closed the distance with a hurried run. — “Lea!! Child! Why are you not at home?!”

“Papa? This child-!?”

“I’m sorry, child... gasp... yet you need to hurry, Lea!! Your Mother and sibling! Go to our home! Take them and flee from the village!!” — Holding her once before the girl, the father interrupted, pushing her so the child would do as told. Having her bewildered at the urgency in his sound.

“Huh?? Papa is not coming??”

“Go, Lea! Huff... Papa is to go behind you!”

To her resistance the Father continued to push her away, trying not to alarm the child with the blood already dripping from his back. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

However, the girl noticed the hint of red against the dim light of dying bonfires, although the concern was not expressed as she understood it was no time for questions.

With infected fright, the child nodded and ran, giving her back to the Father who would stand and warn the other villagers in his way while the girl rushed to their home.

“Huff! Hff! Huff! Mama! Mama!” — She yelled with her innocent voice, conveying urgency once she saw the flimsy home where her mother was to be. — “Mama!... Mama? Mama, where have you hidden?!”

Looking around she could not easily find the Mother that was supposed to receive her strict and with reproach. Yet in the corner where they usually slept as a family, a tired figure slowly tried to compose itself to answer the child’s call.

“... Lea... Finally, you have come home...”

“!? Mama! What is Mama doing in bed?! We need to hurry-...” — As the girl came closer to the Mother, a small being like humans were at the beginning was held in the woman’s arms. Making the girl’s confusion heighten once when the sibling’s birth was realised. — “Mama... is that... this child’s sibling?”

“Haha... Yes, Lea... the sibling’s name is Rie... a brother was born today.”

“... a brother for Lea... Rie...”

Kneeling to the side of the Mother, the child, entranced by the small being her little brother was, smiled overwhelmed by the caress the baby welcomed lovingly. Forgetting the uproar outside that the Mother was to remind her.

“... What is it that is causing so much noise...? It is dark already... Has the children’s Father not returned yet, Lea?”

“!! Mama, I am overjoyed by Rie’s birth! N-Nevertheless, this child met Papa! We ought to flee the village!”

Without explaining for no information possessed the child to give, she tried to lift her mother so her father’s orders would be followed, however, exhausted by the labour, the Mother posed great weight for a child of her size, provoking further anxiety, for even with great effort nothing was gained.

“Mama, please! Father said we need to flee! Hurry, please stand!”

“Ah... Y-yes, however, it is too much for myself now, child...” — Almost fainting, the Mother said as efforts were made with difficulty. — “Hold Rie in your arms... aid mother with that.”

Afraid of her brother’s small body, Lea hesitated, resolving herself to take him once the people’s noise became stronger.

“... R-Rie... This sister is to hold you...”

“Hff.. haha... ngh... T-that’s correct. Hold Rie just as you are Lea...” — Incorporating herself the Mother said with a pleased yet exhausted gasp at the endeavour standing had become. — “... It appears we need to hurry, something is happening...”

“Y-yes... M-Mama, what to do with Papa? He did not tell this child where to meet.”

“... Let us do as warned for now child. Worries may come later... Come. Hurry-?!”

“! Mama! Do walk properly, this child begs you!” — Surprised by the stammer of the mother’s feet the girl begged. Trying to support her even as her hands were full with the Brother she was to carry.

“Yes... I am to try, Lea...”

“!?!? Suna! Lea! Why are you still-...” — The Father then appeared at the entrance of the house they were to flee from, meeting an exhausted wife supported by their children. — “... R-Rie has...”

“... hff... Happiness may come again once we flee, Thaor...” — Conflicted by the situation, the woman told the father of her children. Extending her hand towards him for the help the children could not give. Breaking his bafflement at the disrupted delight he could not permit for his son’s birth.