Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 72: Scene LXXII

Listening to his tired answer she silently left the stable, pleasant to have had such a conversation with someone she still didn’t trust.

’As much as I doubt him... Between the lies he could have told or truth he could be hiding, he did sufficiently while imitating sincerity.’ — Ewelina appreciated in her scepticism as she walked the humid ground.

Planning to do the duties she had left for later, the woman was to visit the women working outside her Castle before doing so.

Learning about their day and tasks was helpful to manage the residence finer along with comprehending things she could still be ignorant about their culture.

"Good day, Shuno."

"Ah! Her Grace! Good day. Are you coming from the stables?"

"Yes, I decided to visit earlier today."

"I see... Sigh, your hair looks as pretty today..."

"Hmm... May a day come when you won’t say that?"

"Haha, I wonder–"

"Archduchess."

An interruption nonetheless came to the start of a comfortable exchange.

The man in robes she had said farewell before going to the horses, called her as he walked at a faster pace than usual.

"Uth... what brings you here?"

"Yes. I am sorry to interrupt your activities... His Grace, nonetheless... He is requesting your presence."

"..... H– Husband is?"

"Yes. He is at his work stances. Do please heed his summon."

Anticipation invaded her chest like a wide wave as the opportunity to meet him emerged in an unexpected summon. Provoking a lack of words, the anxiety had resurfaced this time along with excitement and daze to the sensation... Causing Ewelina to stand still, blankly at the overwhelming notice.

"Your Illustrious Grace?"

"... ah...! Ah, Yes... I– I shall visit immediately..."

"Let me escort you."

"Umh... I–It is alright. I can go by myself. You have duties to assist..."

"I understand."

Commencing her steps inside the Castle, Ewelina gently dismissed the warden and said farewell to the women, wishing to take her time to compose in solitude her bafflement as her way to her husband was made.

The time spent felt too short in her blank thoughts and it was once she stood before the gates that would open to let his frame be seen... that Ewelina’s walk halted to truly contemplate about her situation.

’What... What should I expect?... It’s been so many days... and being here I am ignorant of what I am to do...’

*******

A message from the King was the first bad omen for the Archduke and then the warlock’s announcement today had finished making his bad feeling a reality.

"His pestering will stop at least thanks to this but... It’s still troublesome..." — Aslak grumbled to the multiple letters on his desk as a strong puff of his pipe was exhaled.

’Even more now that Otrur Nolsvun... Clarified what I’m under.’

His fall to the village today had been done at the time sun appeared to lighten slightly the sky.

As bothered as the woman was, he had decided to ignore such sensation at the current problem the King and the delayed notice from the returnees posed. Although

also using such as an excuse to stay away from the woman, whose resistance was low to take him as much as he desired.

The moment his foot touched the ground below the boulder, the warlock was there to receive him, aware of his visit even though no notice had been given.

"... Should I take this as a good sign?" — Aslak asked aware that his instinct said otherwise.

"Of course not. For us to coincide it can’t be a good sign, Aslak... The sound that came could you sense it from above?"

"I sensed it. But you heard it. What’s the sound they emitted?"

"... The earth is moving. Huge ones must have appeared... But at least we know one is alive to tell us."

"..... We’re leaving tonight. Tell the tribe to pack. Some must stay with the young... Are you staying, Trur?"

"No. There’s something I need to see. I’m going too."

"Alright."

Hush of the ending night settled after these brief decisions were taken and as he observed the Archduke ponder on the situation for a moment, Otrur Nolsvun broke the pause... Solely to talk about what had Aslak doubtful.

"... Have you found her a gemstone?"

"... No. Maybe I can find one while we travel."

"Aslak. You haven’t seen her lately."

"... How do you know? Don’t start with the odd stuff. I’m not in the mood to hear your madness and legends."

"Do you think Hrom wouldn’t tell me what happened with Yngve? I waited for you to tell me since I liked the story but you never did, arse. Did something else happen that you avoid her?"

"... It’s not for you to know."

Receiving the dubious glimpse from the savage Lord, Otrur grinned already aware of everything, as the earth had shown him and whispered during his every visit.

"... She’s already restraining your breath... The lung is strong. And you can’t accept it, stupid man."

"What’s it that you want to say? I know you schemed this conversation."

"You want her close but you’re bothered by your ignorance. A lung is stronger when you avoid them, Aslak. Just be truthful and have your fill of her... You are also putting a hazard on the woman while you do this."

"Haaah... This lung matter again..."

"If you want I’ll say it how some tribes do: Your heart has been reigned. Conquered."

"..."

"Your affection is already hers. Halt the torment before we leave... Ask what you’re refusing to request... Leave the pride for it is useless before a fated one."

Aslak silence was the only response Otrur Nolsvun received after such wise words were told.

Further discussion about their coming trek was resumed after his stillness implied reluctance to continue and as the morning advanced his return to the Castle came.

At his desk, in eerie solitude, the following orders to be given to his servants were contemplated. And as his pipe emitted the calming scent of the herbs that would stuff his lungs further out of air, the warden arrived at his door. Knocking once as he was instructed.

"Come in." — He said instantly, saving the man the address of his presence.

"Excuse my delay, my Lord. I went to tend Her Grace and finish some tasks as I did not hear from you this morning."

"... It’s alright. I was in the village... Prepare some food and water. Tell Kir to choose a few men, a dozen should do since many from Kleifar will join. We are departing tonight into the nooks."

"... Understood."

"... Did she say anything?" — Holding his warden’s quiet, Aslak finally inquired. Lifting his gaze from the last letter received from the King to look at the stoic Uth hesitating to speak.

"... She asked the same as other days... Her Grace seems to have resigned to receive the same answers and she seems to feel no need to write a word to you after hearing them... Again."

"I see."

A moment to feel completely the words of his warden was taken as he smoked from his pipe a last inhalation, to then clean it of the herbs and stand as he exhaled a big cloud to fill his jack with mead before giving fresh orders.

"Go and bring her to me... Do what I told you after that."