Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 157: Scene CLVII
Their hands never released the other as they walked to their chambers. And the man was only growing annoyed the more time passed. For the wife, calmly paced through their path, making him slow down even as he wished to arrive fast to their chambers so her promise would be fulfilled.
“Husband, I am truly amazed by the palace’s decorations... perhaps at home we could decorate in a similar way... haha, solely preserving Sortnafeigr’s essence of course.”
“You can do as you like.”
“Hmm... yet you do not look convinced. I have not interfered with the adornments at our Spiked Barbican... If my spouse allows it I would like to decorate it slightly.”
“... I don’t have to allow it. I’ve heard the women are who take care of that.”
“It is still husband’s home before mine-”
“It’s our home.” — Uninterested in letting the woman wander off in such a manner with their conversation, Aslak corrected immediately. Still more concerned about arriving at the chambers that were already so close he was growing more anxious. — “Fatædi, you can do whatever you please.”
“... Alright, if Husband says so, I shall.” — Ewelina, flattered by his certainty softly accepted. Concealing the entertainment as she was aware there was impatience invading Aslak. — “Then, perhaps we can have another stroll around the palace? From the arched window, I saw a splendid tower I would like to visit.”
“..... Now?”
“Is it impossible?”
“Yeah.” — Honest to himself, the man quickly answered, conflicted by the innocence in his wife’s gaze. — “I want to stay in our chambers. We walked enough for today.”
“Hmm... yet I am curious...”
“Forget doing whatever you please. We are going back, woman.”
Annoyed by her mischievous tease, the man pulled her by the joined hands, walking with long strides the little length til their chambers. Causing the restrained awe to come out from the young wife.
“Hahaha! Husband! I am only teasing you, do not be upset, haha!”
“!... kh... Darn woman.”
Glancing back at the jovial laughter Ewelina singsonged, Aslak cursed her mischief even as pleased by her sound.
Without slowing down, the chambers were reached and it was as he held the door with a widespread limb that his eye’s appreciation of his wife was interrupted... by one awaiting servant placed at his disposition.
“Pardon, your Illustrious Grace...”
“What ya want.”
Taking a quick breath in, the servant found courage and proceeded to speak as properly as he could manage while before a feared noble.
“It is my duty to inform His Grace that the King has invited the Archdukes to share the first meal tomorrow together. His Majesty’s wishes are to converse further with the newly attained Archduchess-”
“Tell him to fuck off.”
“!? Aslak!” — Few steps inside the bedroom, Ewelina had turned to listen to the invitation, appalled by the expression Aslak used to decline the King.
Therefore, the servant kept a distance, discreetly listening to the mutters of the woman that had gone back to the Archduke. — “You cannot express yourself like that!... Has my dislike at yesterday’s introduction already been forgotten?!”
Receiving only the quiet stare of a mal-humoured spouse, she gently told with a cautious sound. Reminding him of the agreement both had come to after telling her distaste.
“... Was husband’s words a lie to calm myself?”
“..... You.” — Only after contemplating on the concern her eyes conveyed did Aslak answer. Addressing the servant instead of the wife talking to him secretly, who while maintaining his distance tried to maintain composure after finding the Archduke’s wife as an adorable partner. — “Tell Jollveld we’ll be there. Don’t bother us anymore and leave.”
“I understand. The time will be announced once-”
“I don’t care. Leave.”
Going finally inside the bedroom, Aslak dismissed the lad. Closing the door after himself to meet the eye of a pondering woman.
“... We’ll eat with him.”
“... You truly are an impossible man. Why is it that husband becomes ruthless when it comes to these matters?? It is conflicting...”
The eyes of the man wandered around reluctant to answer a question he was not inclined to think about. Nonetheless, his amber gaze fell again on the wife that aware of his disinclination commenced pacing away, giving her back to the quiet Aslak.
‘“Where are you going.” — Tranquil, he stopped the wife with his sound. Looking directly at Ewelina, that slightly turned wondering about his tone. — “... We are back. You promised.”
Sudden and straightforward, Ewelina froze to the spouse’s calm demeanour awaiting her response. And so, the arms she had crossed out of displeasure at his attitude slowly loosened after squeezing her own limbs; nervous as his stare was innocently demanding the simple affection the wife had impulsively suggested... Solely to leave their chambers. Melting as only his complicated character could melt the strictness of the wife.
“... I am aware. Yet let myself ask one thing, husband... Is it because of your hast that you immediately declined the king’s invitation?”
“...... It’s also ‘cause he’s bothersome. We could’ve eaten alone.”
"... Goodness....."
The pace of the Archduke made Ewelina tense up as he declared while approaching her. Closing the distance she had placed between them to lightly take her hand and, seemingly nonchalant, inquire if the woman’s curiosity was over.
Summoning more delightful shudders in the woman.
“Can we rest together now?”
“... We may... yet do not use such hast to avoid other official matters...”
“...... A’ight.”
Giving his back to Ewelina as he answered a lie she recognised immediately, the woman bit her lower lip, frustrated yet conflicted by the charm his difficult reasoning had.
‘This spouse of mine...! What am I to do so he will understand my meanings with this...!’ — Following the guidance of his hand Ewelina tightly shut her lids, feeling her chest be stuffed by many emotions, until she noticed the man sat on a near fainting couch, unfolding his other arm to invite her to seat on him.
“...”
“... Fatædi.”
Calling her by the unique address his people gave their fate and most precious one, Aslak invited Ewelina once more, who to the name blushed bashful... delighted by its sound even if still ignorant of its deepness and truth hid within.
Quiet, she did as the man requested. Quickly being wrapped by his arms and feeling the warmth of the spouse’s body... along with the breath his nose grazed her nape with, as it was this kind of simple affection what the man desired.
