Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 71: Scene LXXI — Spoken Summon.

A held breath had frozen the noise surrounding them and each looking into the other’s eye, none wavered until Gilead turned unexpectedly giving in to the woman.

"... Sigh... I suppose it is on me for being ignorant, Ma’am."

Seating back on the seat he once was resting on, Gilead continued to munch on the fruit he had left. Causing Ewelina to lift a brow in managed surprise.

"... You came to reason quite quickly."

"I am in no position to be unreasonable, Ma’am. As you can see... My Lord is not here and only I remain."

"Are you going to answer my question now? Why did you stay, why did you let your Lord return without you? To that north, where life is easier. Since, from what I can see... That is the life you seek."

"That’s more than you asked."

"Answer properly."

"sigh... Indeed. Yet... Ma’am. You are standing your ground now. Protecting your pride that was previously stomped... And although I seek such life, I also have pride."

"..."

The glint of the guard lifted to meet her gaze, conveying the seriousness of his intentions as another bite was given to the fruit.

Ewelina stood silent, solely to stare and briefly ponder to continue their exchange. This time fairly more patient as she could see the man would speak, honest to himself yet also clever in his own ways.

"Is such pride part of the reason you are here?"

"It is. You saw it the day I delivered you–... I meant, escort you." — To the narrow of her eyes, Gilead corrected before continuing. — "It was aggravating... It felt as if I was being played with by Kir. And even that seems like a stretch... I want to dig his nose into the ground I piss on... And crack his head open so he becomes useless as I rip him alive."

"....... I suppose... At least you have a savage’s ideas."

"Thanks."

"It’s not a compliment... Although... I would suggest you to change the way you show appreciation. People here have different customs..."

"I don’t talk to them... Ah, except that one. Sid... He’s persistent... But a good guy."

"... Start saying ’blessed thee earth’... Take this as what it is, undeserved kindness. For you shouldn’t be here."

Ewelina, maintained her reserve, not wishing to sympathize with a man from her birth zone who had a link to the man that disgraced her younger days... For she doubted sole revenge was the whole motive for his presence.

"Yet, I am here. And because I want to. Unlike you... Ma’am."

"That you are also mistaken about, Gilead." — To his provocation a grin emerged in her modest visage. Pleased for it was something truthful that even in the frustration she currently suppressed and continued to feel.

"I was thrown here. That indeed was against my will. Nonetheless... I am certain I belong here.

A vast essence warns me... That these lands, this ground that lets me stand free... they want me here as much as I wish to remain."

Gracefully, her thoughts were conveyed along a satisfied smile as the woman watched the light intruding from the outside, demonstrating her hope for the days that would come.

A brief hush involved them, as the air filled with the scent of the straws made her continuously disturbed heart by uncertainty gain the peace she searched between the kind beasts. Giving birth to thoughts about that one who caused such uncertainty with a new view of his coldness... Along the remembrance of the manly praise he gave as if tame beast.

— You did better than I thought, wife... I liked it. —

Light blush invaded at the remembrance of the feel of his touch at the time, from his hand and voice that made her flutter so nicely after showing authority before his fellow wild men.

’And even the spouse that brought me here and has stayed out of my sight these days... I am certain that even if I wronged him... He also wants his wife to belong... and embrace these lands as hers too.’

— I liked it. —

Her lids closed to feel more of that repetition of his sound and opening them to let them fall on the man she was in front of, Ewelina dismissed the tenderness her memories granted to continue telling the truth she felt about him.

"Whatever brought you here, whichever is your objective... I do not trust you, Gilead. I do not like your presence for who the lord you serve is... Regardless, you may stay. Stay... Yet show due respect to those who live here and their lords... So your death won’t be prompt at the hands of the loyal savages."

"... Is the Ma’am threatening a northerner?"

"No. Warnings are better. For a threat has a possibility to not happen."

"..."

"And what I am telling you will happen if you don’t listen."

"Hmph. Sounds fair."

"Of course it is... This time. Do remember that this place is different. Sortnafeigr’s fairness... I am sure you can see that it is not like that one in Arbeumore and the rest of the Kingdom."

"... I’ll have that in mind."

Seemingly calm responses continued to come from the warned man. And although it was a good sign on his side, the woman found it slightly strange for she knew as he had said that pride could impulse him into exaltation before this authority the Archduchess wanted to convey.

Hence, she pointed it out to him so an explanation would be given about this unexpected attitude the young guard was portraying.

"You are unusually tame while accepting this. I ought to say it surprises and unsettles me. Why is that?"

"... As vain my head might seem in your eyes... Before a Lord one ought to lower their head... You had been thought a maid as a false bait, yet now I believe your words about your roots. You are not like me. That is enough to be tame."

"... I see. You are sane."

"More or less."

"Haha... That is true... More or less... I am glad I could talk with you, Gilead. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

As much as I dislike you, the understanding we share about the lands beyond those hills is something I won’t find here."

"... If it was enjoyable to Her Grace, I am glad."

"I wouldn’t go that far."

"..."

"But it was good enough a distraction." — This time a sincere smile was given to the guard.

Brief. Since kindness shouldn’t be given so vastly in her position. — "... Try to survive Kir. It is said he has fun handling those like you."

"... You’re going already?"

"I am. I found the peace I searched for... And once I leave, practice addressing me properly. It is not ’you’ anymore, Gilead."

"Haaah... Yes, Ma’am."