Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 168: Scene CLXVIII

"..."

"Yes. You have been here for some time I believe I hope your stay has been delightful."

"... It has." — Glancing at the man concentrated on appreciating the gracefulness of his wife as she leaned to take the refilled cup of wine, enthralled by the cleavage her dress allowed to peek at from his place, Dorothea took a moment to control the disgust in her sound.

"I have met many people..." — The princess continued, displeased yet still yearnful as well as lustful for in her mind the men she used to satisfy her wants were recalled gladly as her hand played with the thin length of her cup. — "And I finally met you, Ewelina... oh! An idea has occurred to me. Now that his grace has said he does not want my company..."

"What would that be." — Aslak immediately replied, dubious of what the princess could suggest while his wife glanced tranquil... reckoning the mention of her husband’s blunt comment she would excuse to any other if not for it was Dorothea who received it.

"Aslak... dear savage, do not frown. I was hoping for Ewelina to join me while you men talk in private. Us women can find more entertainment in each other’s company and I want to get to know the archduchess."

"No."

"It sounds like a nice idea."

"!? No. You’re not going." — Repeating his order, dislike was apparent as the spouse straightened to growl at his woman, gripping the hand he never let go of. Causing Ewelina to discreetly chuckle within as a fair smile continued to decorate her humble visage.

"Husband wants this wife to stay?"

"Yes."

"... It shall not be for a long while..." — Graceful, Ewelina looked at the woman across from the side of her eye, laying purely a kiss on the cheek of the unsettled Aslak that continued to scowl even as his heart throbbed by the lovely stroke her hand gave his jaw. — "I would like it for you to talk with his majesty more in private. I can tell there are matters only men can converse with men."

"I’ve got nothing ta talk with Jollveld."

"I do, however."

"Shut the mou–"

"Dear." — The Archduchess firmly yet elegantly interrupted her spouse, looking straight into the eyes of the displeased man to end any unmannered action he could commit once more. — "Few tens of an hour. No more than that... Our meal was almost ending. Perhaps... how about my spouse comes for me after talking with his majesty? We may return to our chambers together. Meanwhile, I shall get to know the princess."

"Aslak, may you see? Ewelina is willing." — Dorothea added, even as annoyed by the scene. Attempting to gain his permission so their closeness could be broken even if for a moment. — "Why would you keep her to your side forcefully?"

"Don’t talk to me." — Farther annoyed by Dorothea, Aslak roared at her. Coming quick to stare at the calm Ewelina that conveyed confidence in her pure visage. — "... Fatædi... don’t go too far." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"... Yes. I shall ’stay near so your hand may reach me.’... Will such promise placate this frown?"

"..... Grrmm~ Yes..."

"! Then, I am to leave along with the Princess... where are we to go?"

The brief groom was stopped by the proper Ewelina that separated before a kiss on her lips was stolen by the indifferent spouse. Standing formally and with an unrestrained smile to invite that one who had suggested their leave out of the dining hall.

Dorothea stood up slowly, apprehensive of the attitude the cold man she once knew continued to show solely with the wife to his side. Trying to control her expression as her intentions, even if in an unpleasant way, were accomplished.

"The tea room is near. Let us go there."

A silent bow was given to the men by Ewelina as she followed the proud princess.

The King and the Archduke observed as if unbothered, listening to the door’s closure behind them without saying a word until Aslak had gulped down the wine in his wife’s cup.

"... You’re quite an affectionate husband."

"..."

"A tad too much."

"Shut up. We can be like that. Married people are like that."

"Did you ever see me be like that with Peonia?"

"She wasn’t like Ewelina."

"Of course. She wasn’t my fated lung as Ewelina is to you! Bloody brute you are." — Frustrated by the archduke’s naivety Jollveld sighed displeased. Continuing to speak out his thoughts. — "Yet how did you so easily let her go with that Dorothea? Didn’t I tell you she’s resentful?"

"... Ewelina would get mad if I ordered her to stay."

"... Now I understand why she’s still so sweet to you. You haven’t told her the truth yet."

"..."

Silence became heavy as the man also became downcast. The worries he was not used to experiencing were disrupting his peace; more so as the concern about the dangerous princess joining his wife was unsettling the heart and air of the spouse.

His still ponder was respected by an observant Jollveld... who waited patiently so his cousin could find in himself the desire to share his thoughts. Yet no word came out of the mouth of the conflicted Aslak for a while. Inviting Jollveld to talk first... although to be interrupted by the Archduke’s impulse.

"You know, this matter–"

"I don’t know what to do."

"..."

"I don’t know how to tell her. It’s a first... I feel odd just thinking I’ve to say it. I’m not sure why that is."

"... It’s a scary thing to say to a woman..."

"... She keeps asking things."

"? What kind of things?"

"... Things like ’why’."

".....?? ’Why’?"

"I don’t know why."

"No, darn imbecile. About what is she asking why?"

Both glared at the other feeling as frustrated by the ignorance both had at the circumstances and yet... Aslak sighed heavily... mumbling his meanings to the also scowling cousin.

"Ewelina asks why I became affectionate... why I want her near... why I keep grazing her with my nose... she even asked why I make her upset on purpose and want to bath together."

"..... And what did you tell her."

"Nothing. There’s no reason... I don’t know how to even answer that."

Already knowledgeable of the woman’s intentions, Jollveld listened blankly. Staring judgmental at the ignorant Aslak who seriously contemplated on what other answer he could delay to his woman.