Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 231: Scene CCXXXI

“However.” — The Archduchess continued as her attention was caught. — “Reply to my questions and if tonight we succeed... I may consider listening to you.”

“I-if so... I am to answer... let myself answer and please find it in yourself to listen to me later, Your Kind Grace...”

“Good. Then, before going into the Castle of my Mother, since you had been by the side of those people who resided here you should know well the situation the Barony faced until your leave to Ramideos. Do you have any idea of who could it be that dared take the Castle? I have some suppositions... Yet the matters with the barony’s people, how much had it declined for them all to be gone from their lands?”

The detached manner Ewelina used to address her saddened Kelly as the dislike was made more apparent in the Archduchess’ tone. Nevertheless, the gulp to aid her throat allowed her to tell... what would open Ewelina’s eyes to other matters she ignored.

“If anyone could lead a takeover, that would be the neighbouring Lord’s son, from the house of Felios, Devor Felios.”

‘... So matters with the Felios were indeed involved...’

“After few days the Archduchess had left for her new Home, the people got aid from Lord Cole-”

“Call him whatever but a Lord before me.” — Glaring at the dizzy woman, Ewelina scowled. — “This wouldn’t have happened if his duties had been done honestly and properly. He was not a Lord in the slightest... That aid you say was probably a mere grain to shut their mouths for a while, am I wrong?”

“... My apologies... Yes, as Her Grace says, solely for a few weeks was it able to grant peace to the people... C-Cole however, enjoyed luxuries that before were not able to befall him and the people did not take long to find out this truth. They started talking again... discontent by the difficulties they faced while he enjoyed himself... Yet it was then that he left to never return from your Lands.”

“...”

At Kelly’s sayings, it became clear to Ewelina. Once, she had fought the absent partner because of the price his inherent wealth had paid for her hand... and the value was told to be greater to common imagination... Cole’s luxuries came from such payment. And although, given her spouse’s words, the price had not been used for which it could have satisfied... Ewelina did not find these actions as rare coming from a man as greedy as Cole.

“Lady Dina was left to take care of the Barony and nothing much changed under her ruling... However...”

“? What? Why did you stop talking.”

Nervous to tell she was aware and did nothing to prevent Dina’s decisions, Kelly’s hands trembled for she knew Ewelina appreciated the Household she was rightfully from, and Dina’s actions had placed it in danger for she ignored how to properly lead a House.

“... Lady Dina, given the extravagance her Father and herself had enjoyed without concern, she went into discussions with Felios, with their son mostly, Devor Felios...”

“... Don’t tell me she exchanged lands for money.”

“...”

“KELLY!”

“I-I am not certain of it yet I know an agreement was met back then. S-she got some aid from them and the Barony managed to continue its peace-”

“What peace was it that the people are now gone?!... You were always beside her and never did you think of telling her to desist?? Your mother served this household! Shouldn’t you be aware that Felios has always been ready to take what is not of them!?”

“I did tell her, Your Grace! Yet never did she listen! Only beatings was I to receive if I opposed her...!”

“... It is obvious why would people leave if they were not killed by Felios’ people. Their Lords who were to veil for them only thought of themselves and their servants were all ignorant and cowards...” — Filled with rage, Ewelina hissed for she could not continue to look at the woman, fighting herself this time to let the rage grow stronger so the mention of beatings would not weaken her resolve to not forgive the servant. — “... How many times did she ‘discuss’ getting aid from Felios?”

“...”

“Don’t stay silent, you’ve already said what you said. It only maddens me further if you don’t answer.”

“As far as I recall... she visited at least five or six times... Although he also came here a few times...”

“........”

Exasperation started to make Ewelina’s blood boil for so many visits from Dina to the other household could only convey closeness between the houses, one the people would not accept given the rivalry they held for each other... and would condemn for one who did not even share the blood of their true lords was the one disrespecting their honour and history, going to those rivals for the aid to fill their plates and feed them and receiving them nonchalantly in the lands they weren’t welcomed in.

“... Do you know if there was anything she promised?”

“... I do not know... Lady Dina did not share such matters with myself. Her stability became unsettled the more time her parents took to come back. She probably was not thinking properly...” 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

“Of course, she wasn’t. She never thought properly, just like her father. Her end is the only thing that’s proper here.” — With disgust, Ewelina could not hold her tongue from spouting. Lastly giving a glimpse at the two that stood solemn with lowered heads, and letting her gaze fall on the guard whose expression made her recall Dina’s gruesome punishment had been under his hand and watch.

A sigh left her, regretful for the man was not at fault and yet had received a tad of her rage indiscriminately. His expression when telling details about Dina’s torture made her guilty to the storming of her tongue. Yet no apology was to be told... for deserved it was for both of them to feel ashamed after serving those that were not legitimate.

“Alright. No matter what agreement she got to, if the person itself is not here such an agreement is void. It is getting late, we better go now.”

“I will tell the men.” — Ready to comply with his Master’s order, Gilead bowed, taking the arm of Kelly to take her with him. However, Ewelina stopped him... strict in frown.