Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 218: Scene CCXVIII

Wanting to keep her word and wait for the return of the man and learn everything she continued to ignore because, at the time, no will to listen could be sowed, Ewelina’s reason tried to think again over the events that led them to this present.

‘Perhaps... my sorrow blinded me further than I can tell...’ — Ewelina contemplated, still conflicted for the pain was not easy to forget even as relevant details could be amiss. — ‘However, your departure... I never thought it would happen...’

— I love you deeply —

‘..... fuh... I am to hate you... until your true reasons are told... The love I had will amass as hate in the meantime...’ — Pained by the harsh decision upon her heart and soul, the lids of the woman shut tightly making with such, another pledge. — “Return so it may dissolve... oh... Barbaric spouse...”

“!? Master’s wife! Master’s wife!! Nu did as told!! Gilead is here!! Master’s wife is to eat now!!!” — Happy the brakian child that made guard at her chambers doors waved while pulling on the severe guard’s garments. Jumping as she made sure her master caught sight of how her instructions were followed to the dot.

“Haha... Good child, I can see you have obeyed. My appreciation.”

“It is Blessed thee earth! Hehe~”

“Yes... blessed thee earth, Nu.”

“As earth is us to become~~ Now! Quickly, Master’s wife! Gilead too!! Nu must watch Master’s wife eat!!” — Once at her reach, the brakian mainglousse commenced to push the woman and man inside the chamber, finally extracting from the wife a wholehearted giggle.

“Hahaha~ I understand, Nu. This time I am to keep my word.” — Giving a nice caress to the child’s cheek, Ewelina fondly smiled, deeply wishing to leave the sorrow behind... even for a moment.

However, against the sweetness the wife conveyed... the child became doubtful after a while...

“... It is not enough for Master’s wife size.”

“Er... yes, I am aware, dear Nu. However, eating more at this rate will not be good for myself...”

“But Master’s wife barely ate anything! There is a lot of meat that was left untouched!!”

“Uhm... Nu, as I was telling you, after not eating for days, my stomach cannot welcome this much food... Surely as I eat more every day, I am to eat what my size requires.”

“Hurm... Is Master’s wife not lying, Gilead? Master’s wife lied to Nu before, did Gilead know?” — Tugging on the guard once more, the child asked for support, causing the man to meet the eye of the Archduchess before replying.

“It’s true, kid. Every day she’ll eat more. Don’t force your Master to eat now.”

“Hmph! If Gilead says so, Nu is to believe it.” — Jumping from her seat, the girl smiled satisfied. Facing the Archduchess with happiness. — “Later, Nu will bring more delicious meat! Master said meat is good, so Nu will give lots to Master’s wife!!”

“Uhm... alright...” — With a conflicted expression Ewelina agreed. Although within, other questions emerged. — ‘Why is it always meat they want to feed myself... She follows his ways a tad too strongly, this child...’

“Teehehe~ Nu will take care of Master’s wife~” — Pleased by the agreement, Nu’s innocence was showcased with a tight hug to her Master. Receiving a sorry smile from the woman, for it was apparent how her attitude had affected the child. — “Will Master’s wife talk to Gilead now? Does Nu need to leave?”

“I did request you to bring him so I can talk to him... Yet do not go far, I would like for us to spend some time together.”

“!?! Aie! Nu will go investigate the palace and come back to Master’s wife with stories!!” — The delight brightened the child’s visage as she hopped her way out of the chamber, announcing to the guards outside her activities whom she appeared to have befriended without Ewelina’s knowledge. — “Sir! Nu will investigate!”

“Is that so?” 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Yes! Cot me with Nu!...*Bang!*...” — The girl’s voice could be heard as the door closed, leaving those remaining inside in a momentary stillness.

“... She never loses any energy...”

“She’s a kid. Energy is what she possesses the most, Ma’am.” — Severe, Gilead agreed with the comment, showing respect with a lowered head while standing a few steps away from the Archduchess.

“Indeed that is the natural...”

“... What is it that Her Illustrious Grace wanted to talk with myself?” — Gilead straightforwardly asked. Granting Ewelina the cue to freely inquire.

“As always there is no need for detours with you, Gilead... Then, let myself also be direct. Why did you not join the Archduke in his march?”

“... I wanted to remain here, for some time ago I decided you were the one I was to become loyal to.”

“... Hah... Hahaha, Gilead... you could have come up with a better lie than that.” — Stunned by the reasons given, Ewelina scoffed slightly entertained at the idea. — “Both of us know how loyalty is not something you are fond of.”

“Nonetheless, it is no lie.” — Serious, the man told with no trace of uncertainty. — “My hurt pride took me to Sortnafeigr initially. The men there are something not common from where we are born as you as well may know... It was mere revenge from Kir that led me there... Where I found out savage barbarians such as himself every man inhabiting that place is... Proving it so truly different to Arbeumore.”

“... That tells nothing about your loyalty.”

“Indeed... yet a hurt pride became envious of theirs.” — Aloof the man answered. — “The times they spoke about their lords, their chests would puff with pride I have not witnessed... I have no wish to serve the Archduke. Yet if it is the Archduchess, my axe and old sword is to be pledged to the woman who won their respect while being from veneer lands, allowed my stay under her ceiling... and even conversed with myself when my previous behaviour did not deserve it.”

“What you are saying is not enough to pledge loyalty, Gilead. Not for one like yourself.”

“... I simply want to be loyal to you, one respected without care for her roots. Is it that wrong of myself to do so?... If I said it is guilt that brought me to this decision would that change anything, Ma’am?”