The truth that her Spouse was aware about her family’s arrival was certain. Nevertheless, Ewelina found no fault in the delayed announcent of their visit. Only learning of it as it was near to happen.
She had not seen her Husband even when living under the sa roof. Much less... They had not properly conversed with each other in the least.
Therefore, no offence was given to this occurrence.
’It is... Fortunate I learned of this now.’
Instead, Ewelina appreciated the tardiness. Her character was timid even after summoning her soul’s experience.
The tis were different as well as the life she has been leading until this day. Her nature was to continue as it has been raised in these tis. Even when acquiring the knowledge from the glimpses of her long past, that could now beco the guide she had lacked in this life.
However, to the eye of the woman, the ways between n and won had little to no change in her beliefs.
Spouses were to be the only ones for one another.
Respect and honour were the rits of their lawful bond to God and the Kingdom.
’Father... The Baron exchanged my bows for finance’s sake... Now I owe myself to him who paid the price... And also keeps alive.’
The woman’s doubts about her safety under this bond were yet to be cleared. Regardless, it was orderly in her mind that he who held more danger... Was to whom she needed to side in search of safety.
Her servants comnced to nourish her appearance imdiately. While the young and enthusiastic Nu curiously watched her Master’s Wife be cared for in delicate oils and fabrics.
"Master’s Wife cannot play while getting dressed~ Nu will play in her stead~ Master’s Wife’s room is Nu’s to play in~!" — The girl singsonged with bad intonation, feigning to help the busy servants by taking things from one place to another.
"haha..." — Ewelina softly giggled at the brakian’s presence. Relieved that her entertaining innocence distracted her from amounting to unnecessary anxiety at the eting about to occur.
Noon ca and the guests were now at their Residece’s Gates. However, she forced herself to wait even when the servants had co to inform her of their presence.
’Uth said... They should have co long ago... Therefore...’ — The poised woman reckoned.
"Are you not going to welco the guests, Master’s Wife?" — Curious at Ewelina’s leisure the inquisitive child ascertained.
"... A little wait ought to be repaid to these Guests, Nu."
"Huh? Why? Are they bad? Nu hates bad... Although it’s fun when Nu does bad to Ugh. Muhuhu~"
"... I cannot say..." — Ewelina lied. For a child’s tongue was easy to slip. — "However, Their visit is tardy. And it is Nu’s Master who invited them... So as his Wife..."
"Hm?"
"It is as must that I repay them the insolence, for they did not show due respect to Myrkzver’s Archduke kind invitation."
"!!!!!" — Aghast, the child straightened from her laying position. Enraged at what she heard about the guests. — "Yes! Insolence! To make Master wait as they like! Nu is offended!!"
Happy to have the child’s support, Ewelina glanced at the other won of harsh deanour that had been urging her to depart.
Finding in their eyes satisfaction and approval at her intentions, Ewelina stayed seated. Losing ti on purpose... For it was only the Mada of the Castle’s duty to receive her Spouse’s guests.
*******
"....."
"... How long are we to wait here?! Where is Ewelina?! Should she not be here to welco her father?! What is this insolence!?" — For the fifth ti, the Baron infuriated demanded of the composed Steward. — "In this grueso weather and even after a long journey!! I cannot believe this atrocity!!"
"... Once more... I am sorry, yet it is only Her Illustrious Grace who can give permission to the guests to enter Her Spouse’s roof."
"Ugh! That child is a misfortune!"
"It is Uth. Not ’Ugh’, Sire."
"I am not talking to you!"
"..."
"There is not even a carriage we can wait in! To have us stand at their door... Outrageous, I say!"
The man continued to fu away with his composed wife by the arm. Indifferent to the n guarding the Castle’s square as well as the roaming inhabitants of the Archduke’s Territory.
Glaring eyes had been watching them at the discourteous sayings of the man and the distasteful woman backing him. Who wore clothes that demonstrated the absurd sense of the world those outsiders from Sortnafeigr held.
Their wait had not been more than three tens constituting an hour. Yet the people who waited as well as the guards that escorted them along with the servants that moved their belongings were suffering the wait in different ways.
Murmurs had comnced in clear judgent to the situation. And so, the mont for Ewelina to greet them also ca.
Paced walk, truthful to who she was now on the ladder of the Kingdom’s hierarchy. the Archduchess ca to be seen. Crossing the vast Main Hall of her Castle, to finally stand at the gate and welco the Family she used to pertain to.
"Greetings, Baron and Baroness Orteu... Welco to our Skiked Eye Barbican. It is joyful that you found your way here safely."
"Ha! You finally deign to appear, Ewelina! What is this disgrace you make us go through?! Have you not seen this excruciating weather??!"
Scratch... was the sound of near n taking their weapons from the ground that reached her ears... Failing to reach her step father’s.
"...Pardon?" — She answered composed. Taking rein of the nerves causing her fright at the tense situation.
"... Sigh... This girl..." — The Baroness lanted.
From the edge of her eye, Ewelina saw willing n to throw attacks at the disrespectful. Hence, reassured by the Loyalty pledged to her Husband, she also delivered her authority. Composed and prideful.
"Archduchess."
"... What?"
"Archduchess. That is who I am. These Lands... Are my Husband’s: Aslak Ingvar, Myrkzver’s Archduke. I am no ’girl’... Baroness."
"..."
"Therefore?" — The man who her Mother had Married retorted. — "Is this the Archduke’s Hospitality?... Do you illusion the ti we have been waiting for you to deign welco us on this requested visit?"
"... Uth." — Observing the spout of the distasteful man, Ewelina turned to Her warden.
"Yes, Excelent Mada."
"When was it that our visitors were expected to arrive at our Lands?"
"... It was conveyed by a letter that sixteen moons have gone by from their promised arrival. Graceful Archduchess." — Finally aware of what she intended, Uth answered. Softening his severe deanour in satisfaction.
"Sixteen moons..." — Ewelina pondered elegantly. — "Baron Orteu. Five days of delay would have been reasonable... Nonetheless, you took three tis the reasonable ti to get here, to the Archduke’s Barbican. Where my Husband had kindly invited you and now is generously welcoming you after such a lengthy wait you caused."
"..."
"Do not tell ... Are three tens of an hour of wait... Comparable to what you made these cruel lands Lord to wait?"
"......"
Stunned by the woman’s sayings, the Guests stood speechless. Showcasing in their wide-eyed expressions, the realisation that no act of disrespect would go unnoticed by the one they sold out of greed.
"Certainly it is not." — Gentle smile was granted by the confident Mada that answered in the guests’ stead, before continuing her duty.
"Now, Would you like to co inside? I am sure that His Illustrious Grace will be delighted to see his awaited guests can finally rest under his ceiling."
Reviews
All reviews (0)