Barbaric Spouse, Descry the Night's Lure-Chapter 264: Scene CCLXIV
Nevertheless, she went back to the chambers still followed by the Jazhara, meeting the warden guarding the doors whom she would request another task.
“Uth, we might need more food later. Do ask the women to prepare more fresh bread along with some dried meat we had stocked.”
“Will do, Ma’am, do not worry about anything.”
“‘Blessed thee earth-”
“Why are you not entering.”
“?! H-husband.” — Interrupted by the sudden opening of the spouse’s door, Ewelina jumped to his sound. Turning to look at the man peeking from inside, wet from the waters he had soaked in, without the beard he came back with and hiding his nudity behind the door poorly. Provoking her fluster, which she tried to conceal while quickly coming inside with cautious steps so his body would not be seen. — “I was about to come in... Um U-Uth, do take care of what I asked you.”
“Be at ease, Ma’am.”
“Psst. Alsvartr. Not now.”
Giving a nod to the warden as she closed the door after the spouse told the beast to stay outside, Ewelina, blushed at the fluster of the man standing close to her side while her eyes tried not to peek at his wide and unforgettable manliness. Walking to the opposite side to place the tray with food on the nearby table... followed by the man who quietly watched her waiting for anything she would do.
“... I brought you this so you may eat.”
“... Is this why you took longer to come back...? The things to treat wounds were brought by the servants.”
“Ah... y-yes... I asked Uth to do that since I wanted to prepare something for you to eat... the Jazhara also followed me, haha... it is an intriguing beast... uhm... N-Nonetheless, how did you know I was outside? It surprised-?!... Husband...! You gained too many wounds!” — Given his closeness, she could no longer avoid the sight she always became bashful for and yet, instead of heat her body grew cold to the sight of so many scars and fresh injuries on the man, lifting her hand fearful to touch him for even pieces of his body could be discerned as lost after healing up. — “T-there are still some that are red too...!”
“... Most have healed already.”
“How are you so sure?? W-what if some didn’t??... Haaah... they must have hurt terribly... oh... oh goodness, Aslak...” — Conflicted by the struggles he must have experienced, Ewelina sighed dropping the hand that did not touch him to lean on the furniture behind her holding her head in disbelief at his current consciousness. — “It pains myself only to think of your days away..... Even your face has scars...”
“... You won’t touch me?”
“... Huh?”
“You were about to touch me... but you didn’t... is it bad to have scars?”
“!? No! I-...” — Shocked by the question and the sadness in his voice, an instant reply was stopped to compose herself. Taking a moment to finally place her fingertips on the man’s chest to slowly lay the hand on the wet skin, provoking his shudder... while Ewelina closed the lids troubled. — “I solely fear they might still hurt... it would be bad if one had taken your life without having them heal with a scar...”
“... Since you weren’t coming back, I was alert to the sound.”
“??”
“You asked just now... That’s how I knew you arrived.”
“Ah... I-I see...” — Her hand had been wrapped by the man’s in the confusion his unexpected answers invoked and self-awareness was again making the woman feel conflict at what to do with the man she yearned for standing so close right now... Not knowing where to look at, resorting to the matters to be done to hide her fluster even if a little longer. — “H-husband, eat a tad. A robe I will bring you so then I may see the wounds.” 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶
“Won’t you eat with me?”
“This is for you, I have already eaten-?!”
“But you have less flesh than I remember... you said you read my message...” — Being stopped again so his hands could hold the woman’s curves, Aslak frowned at the bewildered woman. Caressing her waist that had indeed become thiner for she did not eat as much given her continuous concern about the spouse’s whereabouts. — “You can’t fight me like this.”
“...! I- I eat plenty y-yet I will bring the robe and join you if you want..!”
“A’ight.” — Softly, he smiled as she agreed. Leaning onto the woman who was trying to slide away, grooming her forehead as he loved the blush over her skin. — “Fuhh... My Fatædi...”
“!! Um... I-I will get the robe...” — Reluctant but in need to escape his grasp, Ewelina finally slid away from the happy man with a loving push from her hands. And in hast, she started to look for the mentioned cloth while the man took a piece of the bread and continued to talk. Surprising her... while she acted nonchalant when truthfully unsettled...
“Why were you here? I first went to your chambers but found ya here instead, Fatædi.”
“... I was organizing what we cleaned...”
“Why? You don’t have to do that.”
“I... I do so when the time allows it...” — Coming back to the man’s side, Ewelina offered her aid to Aslak to wear the robe. Provoking his brief pause to stare at the woman to then do as needed to wear the robe. Turning to face her, waiting for her hands to tie it together recalling how she cared for his attire once at a palace. — “There was not much to do... so I decided to organise a little... there! Mm... Husband’s hair is still wet...”
“It’s fine. It’ll dry quickly since I cut it.”
“... Alright.” — Softly and timid, Ewelina nodded to his intent gaze. Moving to pick a piece of the bread and soak it in the oil mixed with fresh herbs, wrapping it with some dried meat so she could offer it to the man. — “Here. Eat more. You also appear to have lost weight, husband.”
“...”
“Would you like some mead? It is fresh...” — To his quiet stare, she continued to serve him, slightly nervous yet glad of his presence and hand that took the food. Feeling enthusiastic the more their ambience felt lighter.
