Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 239: Scene CCXXXIX

“Someone once told me that it brings happiness.”

“...”

“You should also allow that for yourself.”

“. .. nh... fh...”

Unaware of the silence Kelly was keeping, it was once her emotions could no longer be restrained that Ewelina lifted her eyes to find a disconsolate sob Kelly’s hand tried to muffle uselessly.

The shock took a whiff of her breath and senses away at the sight... and attempting to change the sorrow in their ambience...

“Haha... I-... i ToLd yoU not tO cry...” — The forced laugh was eventually affected by the tears Kelly could not gulp down the more she felt remorse to Ewelina’s words... The Archduchess’ voice broke. Fighting the tears that wanted to come out shamelessly this time... For even if saddened by this reality... a wish to replace her soul’s desire wanted to be born.

Hence, hardening herself, for the eleven lives she had lived was not to become a useless amount of wisdom and experience, Ewelina tried to find the good in her fate and current life... Composing her sound to finish conveying her beliefs to the crying Kelly.

“aHem... hm... When i-... when I say this, don’t take such words as a way for myself to cause remorse in you... My aim is solely to tell you... that it does not matter whether I forgive you or not... For even so, I would still... haha, as foolish as it may sound... I would like it for you to enjoy what you still have... for I want to also do that, Kelly.”

“... sniff...w-Will the divine lords... allow it? My evil doings do not deserve joy in my beliefs...”

“You will learn that as you live... One never stops learning...” — Inhaling deeply, the ring she held was strongly grasped. Softening her brown as if youthful again while thinking of the bracelet she once received. — “I am sure that being a mother is not the only thing that brings happiness...”

*******

— Continue serving this household if you wish after we leave. —

— Uhm... M-May I instead... follow you to the household you now pertain to Ma’am? — 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

‘... Kelly... she is adamant on redeeming herself...’ — Ewelina sighed, troubled to have allowed the woman to decide on her own. Not truly inclined to do anything against her will for after learning the hazards she also had to survive... hate towards the servant felt useless and difficult by the demanded energy she now lacked.

The conversation had allowed some peace to be blessed upon her soul, for there was an unreasonable belief in herself that simple evilness traversed the blood of those that had schemed her disgrace... However, some had simply fallen victim to the truly evil ones, granting their hand in aid out of fear for themselves... which if not for the circumstances she possessed, lacking the wisdom of many lives... an ignorant and helpless Ewelina would have not acted differently to them.

‘... Even so... following me is not something I would appreciate...’ — Troubled, she grumbled at the circumstances as she continued to walk in a dark castle.

*Crea~k* — The sound of the flimsy door her hand easily pushed open resounded like a void echo, and her tired eyes, unable to grasp rest even though night demanded slumber as she felt uncomfortable using the room where those heads of the house lay in... now watched the inside of the dirty space she had to visit... the one she used to sleep in while being a servant of her Mother’s household.

“..... They probably never wanted to even peek at this place... solely the amount of dirt changed...” — With a saddened smile... with the candle she carried to illuminate her steps, Ewelina saw the rats she despised move under the lousy covers she never truly used to sleep. Wrinkling her nose to the smell that had strengthened... yet even so, stepping inside the small corner she once lived in to carve its sight stronger in her memories.

“haaah...hah... haha, sniff... hic..... how... how terrifying...” — Suddenly she mumbled while starting to cry... for although it was a place she despised... — “I cannot allow... for myself to feel at ease at a place like this...”

The strange calmness felt desperating to the woman, provoking her soul to tremble in humiliation to have such broken a spirit to find peace where no human should.

*******

“Once I see the matters of the Barony are back in the correct path... It will be solely then that we are to go back.” — The Archduchess’s announcement resounded in the vast hall filled with men.

“... I am sorry to say this Ma’am...But why do we have to stay in a place that’s not one of our roots? These knights of that king may do whatever, yet this land... it isn’t ours to take care of.” — Having summoned those inhabiting the Castle that were who travelled alongside the Archduchess, one of those who had come from the Archduke’s residence in Sortnafeigr inquired to the announcement Ewelina was giving after deciding such would be the course their days would have; for the Barony was originally her Mother’s... and the wife wished to return it to it’s prosperity. Not solely for the love to a parent, but also for the needs its rise would satisfy while also excusing her time spent in those terrains.

Ewelina’s gaze fell on the man who even if talking with the harshness of his roots attempted to show respect while still conversing, and she paused not solely to look him in the eye, but also to track every single one of those present who clearly agreed with the Sortnerer with the grace she knew how to showcase.

“Go ahead and leave, if you wish.” — Suddenly as if carefree she said, nonchalant to the immediate surprise it instilled. — “These certainly aren’t the grounds that raised most of you, men. Yet it is mine’s... the Myrkzver Archduchess’ and your Lord’s partner. The loyalty you own is clearlnot for these grounds to receive... yet I suppose the wife of your Lord isn’t also one you care to give it.”

“Ma’am, that’s not sincere on your behalf!”

“We serve our Lords and are loyal, unlike northerners! This Household is proof of that disgrace!”

“Aie! Why help the unloyal!? Besides the Ma’am, these people are cowards!”