Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 25: Scene XXV

Aslak stayed behind in the stables, quiet thinking of the woman’s demeanour for a moment.

"... Odd woman." — Eventually he stated with a frown. Turning from staring at the empty road his wife had walked to leave and take a closer look at the steed he had initially come to see.

"..... It’s quite clean."

Snort!

Impressed by the deep wound he recalled to be disastrous to the eye and to Litilmenni’s walk, the man mumbled to himself as his fingers stroked the almost healed injury the woman had treated.

’..... Too clean... The woman has skill.’ — Aslak conceived, for the aid given was thorough, even to the ignorant eye.

"..."

The sour taste of their recent exchange became vexing to the Archduke. Yet, even still, he paid no mind to it in his brutish and proud nature, in which he could not think of following the woman to appease such bothersome lurk of a sorry sensation.

He went back to his high residence. And a meeting he expected came to him in stomping displeasure much too fast to his edgy mood.

"Archduke! What is the meaning of this!?"

"... Greetings, Baron Orteu."

"This is horrendous! I woke up this morning and hear half of my men had been slaughtered by your monstrous guards!! What kind of barbarity is this!! Their skulls were split open!! And the ones that escaped...! They have lost limbs and members!!!"

"... And?"

"!!!!... And...?... I assume the Archduke will pay the price. Your guard has acted recklessly. It is only fair for their Master to amend their rudeness to no other than your Guest... Am I mistaken?"

"You are."

Disturbing silence almost made the Baron choke on his bewilderment at Aslak’s certain reply. Furthermore, after implying so confidently the monetary apology he expected of the man who had bought his stepdaughter.

"-Pardon?"

"You are mistaken."

"..."

"If that is all..." — Bored of meeting the stupefied man’s expression, he sighed intending to leave the unpleasant presence.

"That is not all! What– This is unheard of! Such rudeness! Such lack of manners toward one’s guest!!! To think a man like yourself is the Archduke of this Kingdom!! The one married to my daughter!!!"

Uninterested, Aslak listened to the distasteful man’s scene. Watching his head become red in shameless infuriation. Deciding at the mention of the woman to clarify the greedy old man’s beliefs.

"... Let me tell you. Why you are mistaken, baron."

Giving steps forward, he placed intimidating pressure with his wide build.

"Men fight between them all the time. It’s not rare for a few heads to be lost in a brawl." — Pacing jaded, he commenced to state.

"Also... I am Archduke... Because if decrepit men like you were permitted my position... No kingdom would exist to begin with."

Bending to take the axe attached to his leg, Aslak came back to stare down at the astonished baron.

"I can bet five miles of my territory... That even with an axe five times this one’s size... You could never survive a ten of an hour in battle."

"... What– That is nonsense–"

"Regardless. I can kill quite a few Grizzlies with this spare axe and still bathe with joy in the bloody battlefield... Slaying nobles just like you... For days... For years."

"...!!"

"Fibber nobles like you... That sell their wife’s children for greed... And even then expect to get more benefits out of it..... So... A Pigeon’s price you said I paid? That’s interesting. If I remember correctly, a pigeon’s price doesn’t even amount to the price needed to keep your undeserved Title, and dying territory, from two years of hunger... Am I mistaken?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

"....."

"Be thankful, Orteu... That none of those split heads was yours. Know your place... If you don’t want said place to be a pike on my fortress."

The edge of the spare weapon grazed the neck of the insufferable man, letting a hint of red be seen scarcely. Causing the wicked smirk of the Barbarous Archduke to mock the obvious fear wishing to leak from Cole.

"... Hold it in. Don’t soil my Hall’s Ground."

Walking away, sickened by the disgusting coward of a man nodding profusely before him, Aslak played with the one-foot-sized axe he easily carried around tied to his leg.

’A pigeon... Hah... Gutless shit.’

A small part of his displeasure was slightly appeased. Yet lunch and his noon passed with him still in an unsettled mood.

His visit to the village had been brief in his disgruntled humour, making his lunch a flavourless meal. And now, while in his warden’s company, Aslak decided to inquire on who had invoked such mood.

"... Have you seen the woman?"

"Does my Lord refer to the Madame?"

"..."

"The Archduchess had her meal at her chambers after surveying the Castle’s grounds. Apparently, she found a leak in one of the towers, which is timely to take care of. I also saw her play with the persistent child... She has a knack for maintaining Nu entertained... It is quite intriguing–"

"Did she meet the baron?"

"Oh. Yes. Early this morning. She went to share breakfast with the guests... Although she had no intentions to truly stay."

"... Why is that?"

"She had breakfast before going to their presence. The Madame had no intentions to sincerely seat at the same table with them, it seems."

"..."

"You seem pleased."

"Leave."

Uth’s comment was glared at by he who had smirked at the woman’s character. Dismissing his presence to remain on his own.

Standing from his seat, Aslak rummaged through the sheets on his desk. Pondering blankly for a few moments. Taking a strong suck off his pipe before deciding to also depart and go back to his chambers.

Sunset was not close enough for darkness to paint the sky. Nonetheless, he still went down to the room near hers.

There was no pause whatsoever. Neither a curious glance to her door like last night. Instead, Aslak entered his room. Already decided to leave the wandering displeasure at his door. Nonetheless, he couldn’t dismiss it. For it was impossible to not mind the hidden door inside.

’..... It’s lit.’ — The man reckoned.

Stranged by the sight, he came closer in disbelief to watch the light displayed by the unique gemstone engraved on it.

"... It’s shade... It’s amber..."

The hue and its light’s movement were different to that one he had witnessed the previous night.

It was mysterious... Too intriguing a shade to adopt... More so, because the door represented the summon from the partner on the other side.