Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 208: Scene CCVIII
— What will it be. Archduke. —
Like a void echo... her broken sound selfishly started to repeat in his head. — ‘Fatædi...’
— If you don’t leave, then I will. —
‘... I’m sorry... I said I would... but I can’t leave your surroundings... at least that... or this pain will..... kill me...’
— Death... was all I wanted, Aslak... —
“No... please...” — Feeling this reverberating sorrow... Ewelina’s words pierced harder into his heart for her pain must be such a powerful one... that she sought an end to it.
“..... What’ve I done...”
With a croaking sigh, his anguish came out, thinking back to the wishes he came to give birth to while by her side that this agonizing sorrow would obfuscate so horribly... For an end was obvious to the ignorant man when a loved Ewelina refused his being. — ‘You can’t disappear... I... I..... the things I was to leave behind... You don’t know yet...’
“... Nothing...” — The hand clutching his chest was suddenly observed... and it was a burning coldness that Aslak felt in the empty palm that appeared useless because it could no longer reach the wife to appease their anguish. — ‘Is there truly nothing...? How... how am I to win back your warmth now Ewelina...’
The Archduke’s concerns were vast enough so no attention would be placed on his surroundings anymore. Aslak’s deep ponder was indifferent to the steps of a guard that had cautiously approached the quiet guards feigning ignorance in respectful thoughtfulness to the high nobleman, and yet even as discreet murmurs were exchanged between the men for new notice had arrived summoning the stray Archduke... Aslak remained with a mind filled with worries and sadness, only breaking out of it for a second as those guards saw themselves obliged to inform the king’s summoning.
“... Your Illustrious Grace...”
“?........ What is it.”
“... His Majesty, the King, has sent word. At this moment he wishes to meet your presence at the discussion hall.”
“..... A’ight.” — Dazed he answered. Moving accordingly only after looking back at the closed door, touching it reluctant to renounce yet aware no choice was there for him as the summon was expected after his gruesome doings.
The men watched the quiet man go into the corridor, feeling within themselves unsettled concern, for the usual menace had not been growled by the fearsome Archduke. Hence...
“M- My lord. We shall inform to you of everything.”
“..... Ou... Blessed thee earth.”
The drift his amber took to stare at the door he had told farewell was stared as gratitude was expressed. Sending a compassionate shudder to the men, who could feel in the savage the lack of force to show the feared danger the Kingdom known him for.
*******
Initially, there was no plan to summon his cousin to his presence.
After instructing his servants so no hint of the cruel murder was left in the grounds of his garden, Jollveld made sure to threaten every guest to keep their hands tied and mouth shut about the scenes witnessed in what was supposed to be a merry celebration.
In his eyes, he could tell those from the crowd who were to follow his warnings... yet also could tell apart those who would slyly disobey for a greedy wish for power was sought in those under his ruling. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢
A matter of time it was for the news about the gory death of the Princess of Herklain to reach her birthlands yet his troops were already following his orders, shooting arrows at every flying creature that could carry a message flying in Herklain’s direction... solely to earn, even if slightly, more time.
As Jollveld decided to let his orders take action by his people, the king also decided to dismiss his troop’s captain, remaining in the silence of his bureau, from which the splendour of a currently peaceful Ramideos under the loom of an impetuous moon... that somehow, ominously gained a red shade that could not be perceived as beautiful whilst the circumstances.
Jollveld’s exhaustion only enhanced thinking of the consequences this day could have on the kingdom and nevertheless... only a resigned sigh was exhaled before turning his back on the scenery. For there was no other destiny besides this one as the actions his cousin had committed were in his eyes justified, unlike those impulsive ones he committed in the past.
“Dorothea... I told you this game would not end in your favour... the little honour your lifestyle managed to maintain will be buried under the disgrace Aslak sentenced your rests to be defiled in... even as they become putrefactive...” — Jollveld muttered, taking a seat to rest his head even if for a little while he awaited the report telling every single one of his orders had been taken care of successfully.
A drink was sought in his solitude to placate the headache to bother his crafted calmness. And the sky commenced to darken deeper... and it was as the aid of many candles were needed to illuminate his bureau that the flaps of weary feathers called his attention, for along its audible approach its hurt manifestation called for the receiver to welcome his feathers to rest on his window.
“... Grey...” — The beautiful bird was recognized immediately, for there were many times a message from a guarded corner of the continent and Kingdom came tied to its strong claws. Nonetheless, shocked, Jollveld stood from his seat. Watching how the majestic creature hopped inside, falling and crawling with a wounded wing and pierced leg. Stained in red that did not belong to its feather’s shade. — “Oh cursed earth, these idiots shoot you of all birds, damn it.”
Coming to its side, the King’s hands took hold of the wounded grey hawk, looking at its wound even as it fought back from the pain the small movement provoked.
“... You avoided it well... You’ll need treatment good friend yet you’ll fly again.” — Relieved, his hand caressed the tame creature, grinning at its imposing beauty to then glance at the foot where a small scroll was tied to its leg.
“.... Good job, Grey... a mission you had and arrived with it in this state... your lord will appreciate it.”
