Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 241: Scene CCXLI

“..... Shaken by what?” — Baffled, Ewelina demanded from the guard to clarify his meanings.

“By her Parent’s unknown whereabouts... Kelly already told you, Ma’am... She was not well because of her parents’ absence and, for once... Sigh... For once, I simply wanted to tell her the end they met so she could... I don’t know. I thought she deserved to learn about it, Your Grace.”

“...”

Ewelina’s head lowered as she came to understand how his guilt was related to his story. And although the sayings the guard was telling had unsettled her momentarily, the woman controlled the disruption within, giving the parchments in her hands a glance before saying something to the now quiet Gilead.

‘Now I see what he meant...’ — She sighed, relieved in a sense for she was not prepared to learn of this man’s betrayal. Pondering momentarily on how unexpectedly, the guard had become someone she appreciated to have close. — “So you say... Telling her the truth is what finally broke her sanity... and made her act as she did towards myself?”

“..... Yes, Ma’am... She... she said so while I executed the Archduke’s sentence... that I had helped destroy my Master... who I so wanted to be loyal to-”

“Hah.”

“...?”

“Ah... I am sorry yet it is laughable, Gilead.” — Ewelina said with a frown as she met the baffled stare of the man. — “How could a good action end in harm? Solely people rotten like Dina and that Princess are able to do such. To begin with... Dina had harmed me even before that. For she was with Cole while Kelly fed me that tea. What you did only gave her the reason she needed to harm me further... that is all.”

“Yet I did give her the reason-”

“Goodness, don’t be naive Gilead. We both know you are not as ignorant as you tell yourself to be. That woman would have searched for a reason even without you telling her the truth. It was only a pathetic attempt she had while meeting an irreversible end that she wanted to drag you with her in misery. Goodness. How despicable a woman.” — Now with deeper displeasure in her frown Ewelina continued to take a look at the parchments in the bureau that was hers to use as the one guarding the Castle. Telling the last of her thoughts to the guard in disgrunt. — “To think you feel guilt over this... she truly was an evil woman until the end. She could tell it would stay in your head and grow concern. How unpleasant.”

“... I... I did think she spouted it by desperation, however-”

“Ouf! Do not even say what you are about to say! Gilead, I thought you were going to say something worse! I am not taking this of you any longer... Forget this matter. Goodness... Men are too simple at times, how can you believe what a bitter woman says? Unbelievable. Truly unbelievable.”

“Ma’am you’re being... too nonchalant.”

“Hmph. As if you were not used to it. We conversed like this all the time at the stables. Solely because I have not done it in a while you think I will not tell you when you are acting foolish?”

“..... hah.”

“??? Pardon... yet was that a laugh I heard?” — Offended, Ewelina then widened her eyes to demand an answer from the guard. Stunned to listen to such given the circumstances.

“... No.”

“Now you dare lie?”

“If the Ma’am knows, why would she ask? Every time, you do this. Whether I curse or something you dislike is told, you ask to repeat myself although you heard me.”

“... Hah...”

“...”

Too stunned to reply, a scoff was let out by the woman, trying to grasp a response for she did not feel nice to let the guard get away with such a retort... However, once she turned to look at his shameless stance, Ewelina found him, standing straight and tall, slightly smirking as they met gazes... dissolving any will to reprimand the guard, for she could see what was the source of his satisfaction.

“... So this is pleasant to you, I see.”

“It is. The Ma’am’s character is coming back to what I was used to.” 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Mhm... Surely that is what you say now.” — Releasing a deep breath, Ewelina said, holding back the grin this little exchange wanted to summon. Continuing to frown for a moment until the good mood won her strict wish. Making her corners rise as no concentration could be placed on the parchments she was looking at. — “... Simply forget that unfounded guilt... besides wanting to get something in exchange as any in your place could have... you did nothing to be ashamed of ultimately.”

“... Understood.”

“Alright... Now, I believe it is time you go. There are matters I asked you to take care of, did I not?”

“Yes. I will show the men some of the tasks to do in the meantime his Majesty’s answer arrives.” — Going back to solemnity, Gilead responded with new ease, asking one last question to his gentle Master.

“Nonetheless, as to how long we will stay... was it true it will not be for long, Ma’am?”

“? I could never lie to our men. They are not to let a lie go unnoticed.”

“If so... how long do you believe we are to remain here?” — With severe expression, Gilead conveyed, concerned that the men could find the time she deems as short as too lengthy. — “This I ask so we may work with this time in mind. Much more those from Sortnafeirgr.”

“... Hopefully only two months... if not three months at most... that is the least I believe it will take us. Although, Sortnerer’s time for short or long... it may be less than what they expect if I say this.”

“In two months you want to get the Orteu’s back on its feet, Your Illustrious Grace? It’s unthought-of. The fields are practically dead given their abandonment.”

“Putting it back in its feet does not mean I am to wait for the crops. Ensuring it will happen is what I aim to do... this is not the household I am to take full care of after all.”