Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 216: Scene CCXVI

The notice shook the woman although the essence of the conversation and the ways of her spouse and world gave away the posible motives. Causing the wife to maintain a difficult composure, seemingly apathetic, while bewilderment was rumbling within her chest.

“You said to be truthful. The very day you... ‘fell sick’. Aslak came back down to the feast, killing her without any speck of mercy right before the guests’s eyes. Her head is being used as men’s release and toilet while her body became the house of leeches and worms... ravens are also feasting on it at Aslak’s orders said. Herklain learned about it eventually. Quite fast actually. Even after I made the effort to keep it hushed.”

“..... Is that so.”

“... It is so. Did you think he wasn’t going to punish the one who hurt his woman?”

“... You said you would be truthful. I doubt such was the reason but instead he killed her for telling his secret-“

*Bang!!*

“Woman... As hurt as you may feel... don’t let the hurt look for reasons to hate him when they aren’t true. Much less while implying lies from your King.” — Enraged, Jollveld hit the desk. Growling as he could not allow Aslak’s doings be misunderstood by the broken wife, reminding her the position he held so Ewelina’s hostility would placate to reason. — “For the first time... that man cried for the hurt someone else felt... He killed that princess because of what her doings pushed you to... Aslak placed the kingdom in further hazard only for you. I have no need for lies. That day, he was to confess everything to you.”

“... Everything you say?”

“... Everything he was keeping. Aslak wanted to tell it to you himself... Even the chamber was thoroughly prepared to do so.”

“...”

“However destiny is cruel upon those that want redemption it seems. That Princess told some of it to you without the whole truth, aware that it would separate the two of you.” — Sighing as he saw the woman impassively listen to the things he told, Jollveld sat back, taking in his hand one of the rings that were rescued from one of Dorothea’s severed hands. — “Although... I am certain she did not think it was going to be her death that would physically bring both of you apart. How idiotic... She never was able to understand that Aslak was not to be owned by her... No woman truly was to..... That is until a wife came to his side.”

“... What is the reason of the other war that he left to.” — Keeping frank demeanour, Ewelina’s harshness was forced to remain even as the sayings of the king made her heart waver. Continuing to forbid any warmth to loosen her determination to learn what she needed in sights for a future. Invoking a pause from the man before her that observed the impassive stance she kept, wondering if such attitude was sincere. — “... May tell, my King?”

Nonetheless, after a sigh of resignation, Jollveld granted the answer.

“... I will elaborate on this.” — He said, aware that as it was, Ewelina should learn in detail the strategies her husband had decided to protect the kingdom and his birthlands. — “With Herklain’s war, in about five days his duty will be over. The plan is to take the two slaves the Princess kept to her side so Herklain’s Kingdom can understand a war is not what they want nor need... Those sisters appear to be the key to avoid confrontation. However, if that fails, he will awaken a certain beast to take care of their ships and make some time for better preparation.”

“... Nonetheless, that beast is long gone.”

“Don’t worry, we know the kraken is gone.”

“I meant the Leviathan. I remember when it died at a distant sea.”

“... You remember?”

“... Perhaps it had pups. You appear confident it exists.” — Acting indifferent to the acute inquire the king made to her comment, Ewelina said casually so the conversation could continue. — “Then, it is in five days that Herklain’s war is to be prevented or done with... However, you have yet to tell what is it that triggered the other war he left to battle.”

“That ‘other’ is no less than at your Home. Sortnafeigr.” — Consequent to the wishes she implied with avoidance, Jollveld did not prod further, telling the real hazard Aslak departed for while reminding her it was no any other land that was involved but that one she reigned along her spouse. — “... A message arrived the day of the feast. Luckily, Grey made it to this very window, slightly wounded yet holding onto life and mission to carry the piece written by Uth.”

“Grey the hawk? Has it healed?”

“It is healing thanks to the care I requested. If not for those brave feathers... the continent itself would be in greater danger because of ignorance.” — Solemn, an exhausted whiff of air was released by solely thinking the danger coming their way. — “Herklain is the smallest trouble compared to what Sortnafeigr hides. There are a few things about the Lands you and your Husband owns that you have yet to learn, Ewelina... yet know that the words... ‘The branches are cracking, the ground is ripping’... it is sign of destruction sought by the core of the earth.”

“... It is its rage’s manifestation.”

“?... You knew?”

“... No... yet if it is coming from Sortnafeigr, no other reason comes to mind. Those corners nature itself is danger to its habitants.” — Sincere, Ewelina said after following the instinct of her wise soul born from said earth. — “Being as it is... It is at Sornafeigr that the true urgency lies for... for that man to reach faster.”

“... You won’t even call him your husband anymore?”

“....”

Scrutinizing on the woman, Jollveld stared without getting an answer. Frowning as there was no apparent intent in the woman to tell what he asked. — “Haaaah... both of you will drive me crazy...”

“... How inconvenient, yet sadly, it is not of my concern, King Jollveld.”