Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 171: Scene CLXXI

"Oh, the wine and mead this kingdom owns is truly a delightful taste to the tongue. It is a pity the earth is not cooperative with the harvests this year."

"... The times are difficult. Weather is an opponent the people cannot fight."

"Yes. Indeed. I welcome it, however."

"... Pardon?"

"Oh! Of course, it is not that I wish for this kingdom to peril. Nonetheless, my kingdom earns from it. It is a sad truth... yet some get benefits of others disgrace."

"... Such are the works the world is naturally dedicated to."

"It is good you understand."

The eyes of Ewelina did not falter at the audacity the apparently gentle princess demonstrated. Although sensing within her old soul’s instincts that the woman before her had malicious schemes thought to play.

Certain Ewelina was... That within such schemes her safety or peace was dangerously involved.

The sly ways of the princess’s behaviour were enough of a hint for the archduchess to notice.

And yet, her wise and clever sense acted accordingly so the woman would continue to show a harmless facade. Aware that it would not take long for her spouse to come and liberate her of such an evidently vicious Dorothea.

"Rhea."

"Yes. Immediately, my Princess."

It was as a second cup of tea was being served to the princess that once more Ewelina was offered to take one for herself.

The eye of the archduchess observed the short and apparently young servant pouring the boiling tea. Apprehensive of the liquid and even the cup it was poured into... for as far as she knew...

’A prideful woman such as Dorothea seems to be... would not doubt poisoning any small thing that may be reached by my hand.’

"Will you take this cup?"

"... No, thank you. I do not think–"

"Fatædi."

"... I do not think I will have the time to finish the teacup, Princess Dorothea. As you can see, my spouse has arrived to take our leave together." — Smiling pleasantly she finished her reply, as any trouble she felt at the offering was dissolved after recognising the manliness of her husband’s voice.

The sophisticated motion of the woman was as if a fresh breeze.

Ewelina stood gracious, careful of the dress she wore. Elated that the man had arrived at the rightful time for if she was to be offered once more the tea, out of manners, her hand would have to take it.

Her eye had not seen the man.

The sound of his voice was enough for her smile to emerge. And once turning to walk his way the glare he was dedicating the teacup the princess had drawn near to the wife on the table met Ewelina’s gaze, unfolding the hand to take hers that elegantly lifted as she came before him.

"... You’re done?"

"We agreed I would go with you once you came for me."

"Why don’t you join us Aslak, dear."

"No. Don’t call me that."

"Oh don’t be mad~"

"... Princess, until another time. Thank you. It was a pleasant time we spent together." — Ending any opportunity for the man to retort harshly to the unbecoming princess, Ewelina bowed a farewell, taking the growling man with her as a light nod was given to the tall slave guarding the door.

"... Yes... until another time."

Dorothea’s intense stare on the man was ignored as they departed. For the savage Aslak became curious of the hands taking his as the wife walked before him, falling interested in the shape of her back and rear as she then halted so her arm would link with his.

"....."

"You arrived at the right time."

"..... Was she annoying you? You didn’t take anything she gave, did ya?" — Still distracted by the wish to wrap his hand around the woman’s waist, Aslak asked monotonously.

"Haha, I did not. Nonetheless, a little more and I would have felt troubled."

"She’s annoying."

"! Ouf, do not say it... she may be able to hear us..."

"It’s true."

"..."

"You don’t deny it." — Smirking at the silence of his wife, the attention of the man now laid on the beauty her conservative visage carried. Leaning to tease the wife as she avoided a response. — "She’s annoying isn’t she."

"... Goodness... do not be like this..."

Holding inside the wish to agree, Ewelina´s cheeks blushed at the handsome playfulness of the man. Gripping tightly the strong arm as she became shy recalling the possessiveness she had shown before the princess, displeased at the shameless disrespect to her position.

Aslak´s heart throbbed by the delectable behaviour of his young wife. Feeling again the restless anxiety to embrace her waist, modestly in a tight hug... Since the conversation with the king had instructed him towards ways to ensure a precious confession and clarified those answers he did not understand how to reply. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The quick trace of his surroundings made him aware of the eyes of the guards in the palace. Nevertheless, the castle was known to him.

In the corridors they were walking, Aslak knew there were columns attached to walls that would help them hide...

The anticipation the conversation with his cousin had instilled was impatient to at least feel the woman in his hands. Breathing in his scent as he relished in hers... more so as he also wanted to continue to playfully tease the woman with the attitude she demonstrated before those he found disagreeable.

“Come with me.”

“?? Huh... where are we going??” — Surprised by the unexpected whisper, Ewelina also spoke softly, looking around with precaution as the man nicely pulled her by the hand. Becoming nervous... for Aslak’s behaviour was ultimately unreadable.

“...”

“Husband?... A-are we not going back to our chambers??” — The more steps were given into corridors she could tell wouldn’t lead to their chambers, Ewelina inquired once more to the focused man searching the rightful place. Starting to feel more anxious as no word would be told. — “Aslak?... H-husband, I am talking to you-?!?”

His sudden turn made her flinch as they collided.

There were no eyes around for them to be seen. And the man, taking her curve so she would lightly feel the crash, moved with her already in his hands. Placing her in the empty and guarded spot behind a thick column... hugging her tightly so the tip of her toes did not feel her own weight as he brought her up even as he leaned over her figure to show thirsty affection.