Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 182: Scene CLXXXII
The lethargic murmur of the lady instilled an unnerving silence. Nevertheless, the guard would continue to tell what was bad news.
“... Milady, I am sorry to tell you... yet the answers you hope for will not come out of this guard’s mouth.” — Gilead announced, with difficulty for the attentive Dina had visible wishes to hear what her heart would not feel saddened for. — “There is no knowledge in me of where your parents are... neither do I have a message from any of them...”
“... t-then...” — Dina’s eyes widened... pale at the truth about to be told by the Guard. Breathless as it was what she already feared and ached for in the bottom of her young soul.
“... The reason I am able to stand before you is solely because of a cursed luck I have been blessed with... one that did not accompany the Barons, milady. ”
Taking from his pocket the pouch he had stolen from a dead savage, Gilead then showed the woman the piece of jewellery her father had also stolen from the true Baron, Ewelina’s father.
“I reckon you recognise this piece...” — Revealing the ring, Gilead told the speechless Dina... whose eyes observed intently the piece she had seen in her Father’s hand throughout her childhood.
“...”
“A savage man, one that was used to roam outside the walls of the Archduke’s castle found it along the corpse of half-eaten horses... which I am certain must have been those ridden by your Father and Mother... the night the Archduke ousted them into the treacherous territory.”
“... How did it happen...”
“... Details I do not know... Yet once your mother was brought from the Celebration hall at the Archduke’s Spiked Barbican, the Constable of the Archduke’s Guard told the Baron to explain how he dared to blackmail his lord... After that...”
“... After that...?”
“... What I have already told occurred. In the night, the Barons were ousted from the Castle walls.”
“So... T-this is... Father’s...?” — After her hand had slowly lifted, frightened, to finally take the piece before her... Dina’s eyes lifted surprised at the light and still perceived recoil of the guard’s hand. Taking away the recognised accessory, and staring intently into the eyes of an ashamed yet certain Gilead, that even as she was seemingly rightful to take it, the man would not permit it. — “... hah... I see... no good action comes for free...”
“... I cannot give this to you as easily, milady...”
“It was to be expected. An opportunity it is for you, a humble guard with no loyalty to any house.”
“...”
“Are you offended? I believe it was no less with the lords that killed my Father, no less than your previous Master, that you are able to stand before me am I correct? Ha! Even as you show me this, now I cannot unfathom the possibility of these same hands being the ones that offered my parents heads for their own convenience!”
“... Sadly, that is not the case.” — With a harsh demeanour, Gilead replied to the spiteful and hurting Dina. — “It was myself and those that had followed your father that lost most opportunities... milady.”
“... That is the price of loyalty.”
“That is the price of being loyal to who does not deserve it.”
“!! Evil prick! Give back my father’s possession! Dirty burglar-!?!!”
“Is it not your Father the real Bugglar?” — Annoyed at the insults and punches received, Gilead spouted, shaking her violently while stopping her outlash. — “Wasn’t this supposed to be kept by the Baron who also bore the Archduchess? Do you believe the true roots of the Orteu even if humble will be ignored by everyone?”
“!! Release me!” — Pushing him away Dina yelled. Gasping out of breath by the intensity of her rage. — “I should have known the moment you approached me...!... Keep that if you want... If you have it, I can infer Ewelina is unaware of its whereabouts... and yet now I have more reasons to want her to disappear thanks to your greedy and stupid attempt, ignorant Guard Gilead.”
“...”
“What. Do you think it’s impossible? Do you think money is what I lack and yet what I need to harm her? Pff... that is why you are solely a guard and not a Sire, Gilead.” — With clear hurt in her expression, Dina spouted contempt at the scrutinizing young Guard. — “If not, you would have made a deal before letting out the information I needed, even granting me hints of other things I ignored... a dumb greedy man you are.”
“...... I suppose I am... for I am also a son who wishes to survive his parent’s death too...”
“!!... Compare yourself to those of your class. Now I wonder how you are to follow, for even the lord that allowed you to stay alive you have betrayed with this action.” — Already taking the distance to leave, Dina’s visage had trouble containing the sadness... for even if not a real noble, she had taken notice of the man before her even before this first talk occurred and yet... only bitterness it had brought along with heartache... Much more after the man’s farewells were told.
“If anything... at least now a previous master has received the news she waited... my condolences, Lady Dina... This shall be the loyalty you could receive from myself instead of your Father.” 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
"..."
Slowly, her hast escape stopped, turning to meet the eyes of a stiffly composed Gilead... Keeping the tears to herself without much result... for it was now clearly told that the loyalty he had to offer was not to be hers to possess anymore. — “... May... your days have years to come... may a master you deserve to be loyal appear... Do not die at this one’s hands, Gilead.”
The smile she wished to grant could not take place in a trembling expression. The Orteu’s young and current only lady fleed the obscure back of the building, heartbroken... feeling the loneliest after months of hopeful wait... which was destined to break the young one’s bare stability.
