Scene V

The sky still had the shade of night. Yet, as told by the Sire, they had arrived at the said tent the men prepared for her to rest.

She wasn't as sickened.

Nonetheless, Ewelina went down the carriage drowsily and walked bowing with a downward demeanour intending to show appreciation to the considerate men that bowed to her good night as she paced to her frugal quarters.

Entering her tent, the dim light of the candles and the arrangement of the mattress where she was to lay, portentously decorated by fine curtains, welcomed her. Offering the meal she had been deprived of properly eating, the place was an overwhelming sight for the woman even in her fatigue.

Although stranged by the luxury, Ewelina paced carefully not to ruin any of the objects.

Her eyes observed the fruits and doughs along the beverage to soothe her throat as she wished to eat them in hunger.

However, the revolted stomach and lasting taste of her thrown insides from her mouth abstained the woman from ingesting any of it.

Without taking her cloak off, she climbed the mattress, feeling the forgotten softness of its nature below her.

Ewelina hesitated for a moment, but her languishment took over her body. Letting it rest on the bolster as her head placed itself comfortably.

The image of her room at her previous castle flashed in her peacefully dazed blink... And then, she shut her eyes to find slight rest in a stretched laying position she was only permitted to gain at the barns she visited.

"...fuu..."

Her sleep arrived after a whiff... just as fast as her time to wake.

The bustling of the busy men outside her tent opened her eyes to a new day of travelling journey; along the quiet work of a young girl leaving fresh food and a jar of clean water to tidy herself.

Observing in quiet, Ewelina slowly posed on her bed, rubbing her eye with the side of her finger before greeting the busy child.

"... Good Morning..."

"Gasp! Has Nu woken you, Illustrious Grace??!" — The surprised child turned in a jump to say.

"... No... Y–You have not...Uhm... May I ask what are you doing... er...?" — Ewelina answered the nervous girl.

"Nu. That is this child's name. Graceful Master's Wife."

"... Nu... Were you sent by Sire Kir?"

"No! Nu's been sent because Nu wanted to meet Nu's Master's Spouse... Nu was curious. So Nu brought food and water to be well received!" — The uniquely named child said, showcasing her race with its repetition.

'Oh... her skin has a lilac shade... She is... A Brakian Mainglousse...' — Ewelina realised, admiring the shiny shade.

"Ah! Master's Wife likes Nu's skin!!"

"... It is pretty..." — Ashamed by being found staring, Ewelina answered with a sorry tone.

"!!! Hehehe~! Master's Spouse! Eat and eat Nu's fruits! More water will Nu bring! Hihahah! Hehe!!" — Energized the child jumped her way out. — "Kiiiiiiiir!!! The Spouse woke!! Nu is happy!!"

The girl's voice resounded outside her tent conveying the running motion the child had adopted.

Slightly troubled by the uncommon meeting, Ewelina still stood from her spot and did as the child had demanded.

A bunch of grapes, bread and other pieces of food were eaten after tidying her face in the available water.

The woman grinned recalling as she ate the innocent enthusiasm of the unknown girl and proceeded to organise her mane with the help of humble fingers again.

"... Fuu..." — Ewelina exhaled. Fiddling with her strands as the reminiscence of some words crossed her thoughts.

'Spouse... Wife...'

"I am wedded now... What am I to do when I am to finally meet him?... His name... I have not even learned my Spouse's name yet..."

The ignorance of Ewelina was told with anxiety.

She was not aware of the current nobles reigning over the houses of the Kingdom.

At this time, everything she knew about her unknown Husband was his heritage. His authority as the only Archduke in the Zaarmideos Kingdom. And his rumoured character, which seemed to prevail on his lineage's fame.

Daunting in their culture, the Myrkzver's history in the South East intrinsic and selfish lands was reserved for only their people to know. And heightened respect in cautiousness by those who ignored it.

Men and women... Barbaric and primitive people survived the challenging nature of their earth on those far mysterious grounds.

And now... A man that directly descended from such people and nooks of the continent was her owner.

"..." — The uncertainty frightened the woman in the silence of her senses. Causing Ewelina to scowl, helplessly at her present.

"May I intrude, Your Illustrious Grace?"

A familiar voice came from the slightly opened partition of her tent that made the entrance. The voice of the knight escorting her to his Master's manor.

"It is I, Kir, who requests permission."

"... Come in, Sire."

Bending to enter the tent, Kir stood only two steps inside and bowed to greet the Young Woman.

"Good Morning, Archduchess. I was informed of your awakening. Was your rest slightly recovering?"

"Good Morning... I rested sufficiently... Thank you for asking." — Her soft voice made its way to him slowly.

Nonetheless, the man was to speak proficiently as the long day was to commence, taking no pause to follow her hesitant speech and proceeding to inform the days to come.

"That is good to hear... Her Ladyship. It is unfortunate. However, we ought to continue our path. If we want to arrive before troublesome creatures begin to migrate to the Hœttr Hills, it is pressing for us to depart immediately. We have three weeks before their season commences. Therefore..." — The eyes that looked downwards in respect, lifted to meet her concerned expression, conveying the hast in their hue with a severe glint. — "I ask you to prepare. We are to leave immediately."

His serious stare demanded an answer from the Young Woman, whose nervousness began to scale at the certainly difficult days she was to live in the move.

"... I understand."

With no other option, Ewelina blankly agreed. And the serious knight bowed, to swiftly turn in his feet and leave her space with one last report.

"An hour at most. Eat as much as you can for the ride will be lengthy, Your Grace."