Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 268: Scene CCLXVIII

Slumber was blessed upon them deeply and uninterrupted until the rise of the sun became too high in the skies for a woman to continue sleeping. However, scared she woke up, for the deep rest made the night before appear false given the bliss.

“!?...” — She flinched, confused by the sensation the empty dream left. Staring at the hand that she had laid on the man being grasped by his hand, glancing up to see if his eyes were open... to find a peaceful demeanour in the spouse whose grasp would not lose hold of her body.

‘... haha... he’s still asleep...’ — Ewelina fondly smiled at the peace in his face. Letting her head rest on him to admire the handsomeness he could never lose in her eyes... eventually noticing the layer of cold sweat that covered the spouse. — “... Aslak...? Husband, wake up... I will need to wash you...”

“...”

“Aslak?”

“...”

“Aslak!!”

“nh...” — In pain, a whine the man gave... one that would leave him motionless, and unresponsive for days...

*******

“Ma’am, his Illustrious Grace’s fever is already settling down. Don’t feel concerned anymore. As a Sortnerer, his body will not fall to sickness.”

“He has not woken up in days... until his eyes open, I will continue to feel concerned for my spouse, Gilead.” — Guarding the spouse’s state, Ewelina frowned while replying the Guard that wished to comfort the Master who had not departed the chamber ever since the Archduke fell sick. — “... Uth has been taking care of the Castle’s matters... I was told the Jazhara behaves wonderfully yet... has everything else been well with the men?”

“Yes-”

“Aie, Ma’am.” — Sir Kir interrupted the northerner Guard, for the men were in his care. Glaring at Gilead for the animosity remained although with shared respect, sighing for he also wanted to support the guard’s words to the Archduchess. — “The men are calm and keeping their eye alert to any menace the Jazhara or the beasts outside the Barbican may try... Everyone is certain our Lord will wake up soon, do at least share such belief, Your Fair Grace.”

“..... It is not that I do not believe it... yet I am restless at this wait...”

“...”

“I ask of you to continue guarding us as you have.” — Finally turning to meet the men’s eyes, Ewelina requested gently. Provoking the sigh of the men as no need was there for such a request as they deemed it a given, holding the wish for the Archduchess to feel at ease while taking care of their Lord.

“We certainly will.” — Both bowed to leave her presence. Ready to vacate the chamber... although one paused a moment before turning on his feet to smirk.

‘Heh... Good ta know she won’t have to wait much... fucking imp.’ — The Sire laughed at the flinch of the sick man’s finger which led to the thought of the savage.

Nonetheless, although the wait would end certainly as the earth was to permit it... his eyes remained closed against the Constable’s hope while the wife sighed troubled. Moving to feed him the water as she well knew how to, caressing his skin that was properly healing the wounds she had treated and laying a kiss on it... to then graze the man’s nose like he would every time he waited for her lids to open.

“... Do wake up soon, Aslak...” — She whispered as a prayer while caressing the big hand of the man.

*Knock knock* — “Pardon myself, Your Grace...”

“... Come in, Kelly... How is the baby?”

“Ah... it is growing unstoppably, haha...” — The now pregnant servant, laughed softly as she came into the Archdukes chambers. — “Yngve never stops asking when the baby will be born...”

“He is enthusiast, haha... Do leave the basins over there... Also, carrying heavy things will make it difficult in your condition... do desist of doing it from now on.” — The Archduchess, appreciating the roundness of the woman’s body ordered in her brief visit, receiving a timid nod thanks to the kindness she would show towards her.

“I will, Ma’am... How is the Archduke’s health?”

“The fever is almost disappearing... we hope for his eyes to open sooner than later.”

“I am confident the earth will allow it... his return is not to be unfair... that we all trust.”

“... Thank you, Kelly...”

Now, being the northern servant the last one to visit, Ewelina was to continue to care for the spouse. Cleaning the body to then continue to solely keep him company and watch over him... however... as she knew the heat had lowered, the wife allowed herself to remain closer. Sitting at the edge of their mattress to observe his demeanour continue to frown as it naturally did when not feeling her touch.

“... The exhaustion your body took upon... was too great, handsome barbarian...” — She softly told the spouse... staring fondly at his frame and the shape of his nose and hair’s shade, which she had kept clean as he liked. Deciding to let her yearns walk her around the mattress, so she could lay beside him, near his heart that beated consequently to his tranquil slumber.

“... dear spouse... A wife continues to wait... this time by your side...”

“...”

“... Wake up... my dear spouse...”

Cuddling to his side, the eyes of the Archduchess commenced to close wanting to rest while fresh was the noon. Ignorant that the gems that never ceased to glow softly would become stronger once night arrived. Marking the end of the spouse’s slumber provoked by the earth... for a last agreement came to be in what sickness was believed.

*******

“...”

Waking with her to his side, the man smiled glad of the heat she transmitted. Inhaling the scent that proved the bliss real to the spouse while his hand lifted to play with the sleeping wife’s long and curly fur.

‘... my Fatædi...’ — Entranced by delight, Aslak, unlike the wife, could no longer restrain his wish to wrap her figure completely in his arms. Selfishly for he wanted her to wake up as he once used to do every other morning... so now her sound could make the bliss of waking up sweeter again. — “Grrmm~ Fatædi... you’re sleeping?”

“?... ?! A-Aslak?!”

“Grmn~... Good morning.”

“?! W-...! You...!... Uff...” — About to retort while being led by the surprise and the wave of concerns being washed, Ewelina desisted, closing her eyes to feel her body tremble while experiencing the conflicted thrill his relaxed purr and embrace invoked from her core to her every vessel. Shutting the umber hues tightly to finally shrink in the man’s hold... to solely enjoy the relief of the end of the wait.