Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 240: Scene CCXL

Some other men commenced to join the manifestation once hearing Ewelina’s sayings, offended... and while they agreed with each other, said Archduchess observed... Slowly feeling pleased by the reaction her words had provoked.

And as their comments subsided, one by one came back to look at her quiet stance, for she softly smiled at their buzz.

“... Is our discussion entertaining for ya, Ma’am?” — One growled, stunned to see her tranquil demeanour, and yet, she continued to appear calm, closing her eyes to save the glad emotion after seeing their actions had followed what she initially foresaw.

“It is not entertaining but pleasant.”

“...”

“You all agree it is to myself and my spouse who you are loyal to. Let myself tell you, that hearing one’s people say this with such strong conviction is what makes a lord’s pride strengthen, good men.” — To her eloquence many did not know how to react to the compliment they were not used to receiving, much less when rebellious. Therefore, Ewelina continued, changing the freshness of her youth into a strict tone before those that were truly difficult. — “Having said this... Let myself remind you. I was not born in Sortnafeigr.” 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“...”

“My roots come from these lands we now stand at. In this castle, I was born and raised until a day came when I was wedded to your Lord...” — Her smile had disappeared the more she conveyed, attaining the men’s attention stronger with the eye a spouse would call fierce. — “Was this situation the other way around, I would stay at Sortnafeigr to return it to its glory, of course. For once I became Archduchess, my roots were split... yet this place... although it is not in the slightest what our Sortnafeigr is... I want to grow it back so my spirit may go back to our territory at ease.”

“.....”

“It will not be long... I promise... Do aid myself, for I-”

“Ma’am!” — As she wanted to bow and request humbly their help, a man shouted, interrupting Ewelina’s motion. — “Were you to lower your head before us, never again would we be able to look in the eye of our Lord Aslak!... Your words are enough for us to understand... you left your roots to take ours instead...”

“... I would say you allowed myself to adopt your roots as mine. Such is another honour I got to be proud of.” — Moved by the grumpy wild guard that understood her meaning, the gentle Archduchess smiled. And a unified agreement came over the men who, satisfied by the value the wife of their Lord honestly held for their birthlands, ultimately started to convey their will to help.

“Tha Ma’am’s for us to please while His Grace is gone.”

“Our heads would roll by his hand otherwise.”

“We should show tha northerners what loyalty is... Our Ma’am came from these grounds yet is brave, unlike these cowards.”

“Tha knights might want ta go back to their palace as northerners they are, but we’ll help our Ma’am, Hwaha!”

Although Ewelina had foreseen the men’s agreement once standing before them, fondness and relief washed her spirit into peace. Slightly curious at how simple-minded Aslak’s kin was when faced with honesty... although believing it fitting for those of their lands that even if hazardous... treacherous in every step they could take and was apart from the defiled minds that knew more of the continent at the north... were pure although barbarians’ spirits they were.

A small confrontation commenced between the few northerners and those of the Jazhara’s tail, playful in its roughness for they were against their sayings, and yet the matter had been settled. Even if later, the Guard that always tried to be by her side inquired doubtful of the Archduchess’ decision.

“... Will it be alright to stay here, Ma’am?”

“Why do you ask? The men have agreed. This is my Mother’s land before Cole’s. As her blood-related daughter, I do not see a problem with us doing this.”

“Yes, that is not what I meant... Won’t Felios try something, given that we sent their heir’s head along with those we captured?”

“... Do not worry about that. Given the end of who made the agreements with them had at the Archduke’s hands, no sane Lord would dare demand her word to be kept... What happened to her is... in a sense good, for no value there is in her word or anything she signed anymore. It’s in their better convenience for them to not make a fuss about this for their little games will be exposed and their house’s honour will only deplorate... Going against the Archduke’s wife is also not wise. They should know this much.”

“... Indeed... That is true.” — Slightly aloof, the Guard answered, understanding her reasoning yet bringing her attention as the thought had been roaming in her mind for some time... that guilt resided in the guard’s heart after executing the Archduke’s orders.

“... Gilead, what happened with Dina... you simply followed orders. It is... horrible... yet actions have their consequences... such were Dina’s.”

“Executing Lady Dina’s sentence were the consequences of my actions, Ma’am.” — Suddenly, wishing to be honest Gilead said, finally looking her in the eye to tell what he believed should be told to the woman that even if initially reluctant, had allowed the guard to serve her and showed the trust she once said did not have in the man. — “What weighs in my mind whenever she is mentioned is not the way she fought the sentence nor the sounds of her limbs... but how my doings... appeared to push her into harming you, the Master I chose.”

“..... what? W-.... why would something you did... harm me?” — Stunned by his sayings Ewelina slightly stuttered while looking into the guilty Gilead’s hues, jumping to a conclusion she did not truly want to believe while talking baffled. — “D-did you... did you perhaps help her??”

“?! No, that-! That is not the case Ma’am, please do not think I aided her in harming you... I... what I did was show her the ring of your Father before giving it to you... I was not convinced in serving you at the time and was looking for ways to get something in exchange... yet once I met Lady Dina, I desisted for she appeared shaken.”