Scene IX

The young woman's first day in her new home arrived once time pointed noon.

Ewelina's wakening took long to happen at the piled exhaustion.

Therefore, her brunch was served in her chambers and the women assigned to serve her came to greet their new Master only by chance for they had been peeking from the door if her eyes had opened. Multiple times. Only finding her resting figure stay in the cuddled position her mattress held her in.

The women brought garments for Ewelina, whose previous ones had been rid of after becoming useless in her journey. And unfit, for the unruly South East weather.

For the first time in a long time, she received help while dressing up. Solely after she made sure her undergown covered her bruises so the women serving her could not see the last of their traces. And as uncomfortable as she was to be assisted after growing accustomed to dressing on her own, Ewelina accepted her fate as none of the women servants appeared approachable nor comprehensive.

Their demeanour was harsh as the lands that surrounded the Archduke's domain and their hospitality was as proper as the one Uth, the warden, had demonstrated the day before.

A dress of heavy cloth was worn. Dark in blue hue yet delicate in simple decorations of white as her fur was arranged beautifully to flaunt the now well-shaped curls of her every strand.

"This hair is not from these lands..." — One of the quiet and severe women had mumbled as she tried to figure out the path to take with such unruly fur.

Ewelina also kept quiet as the women did as they knew. And eventually, her appearance was ready to show herself in front of others in the Castle.

Apparently modest, Ewelina's garments fell beautifully covering her toned legs as only a a speck of the white undergarment could be seen through a certain gap in the front of her skirt.

As the weather was unpredictable, her upper body was not fully covered, framing her cleavage graciously and decorating its visible skin with a simple leather thread of a necklace with a hanging gem as an accessory.

"Uth has arranged for Her Illustrious Grace to meet him and enrol in walks to further the Archduchess's knowledge of her home. We recommend for Her Grace to wear this cloak to prevent any change of weather to affect you."

Placing an ebony shade of fabric on her, the cloak covered her collar with thick dark fur and, instead of simple leathery threads to keep it placed, a metallic pin was used as a brooch.

The emblem of her Husband's household was clearly crafted in the outstanding piece. And once no more was to be worn by her, the presence of Ewelina was finally appropriate for the woman who was now the Archduke's wife.

Hushed gasps of satisfaction were shared by the young servants as the most proper ones simply stood prominently. Restraining any uncalled reaction from surfacing in their hardened expressions.

"..."

The young wedded woman lowered her chin to observe herself in the new attire blankly, and only dissimulated a smile at the fine sensation her curled hair gave her as she gingerly played with some of its loose strands.

Nonetheless, the women reminded her of her scheduled meeting and, aware of the time, Ewelina was sent away, guided by a pair of her assigned servants.

She was led to the Main Hall that had received her the day before. Ultimately, meeting at its vast and empty space the waiting curator, along with the brakian mainglousse child.

"Greetings, Graceful Archduchess. It is pleasing to see that these land's designs suit your presence so marvellously." — Stoic, Uth welcomed the Lady of the Castle.

"Master's Wife!! You are late! Nu has been waiting!" — The energetic child expressed, running to her side to effusively convey her impatience.

"Child."

"Ugh..." — The little girl recoiled at the warden's warning tone.

"Greetings, Uth, Nu... Thank you for patiently waiting for my arrival." — She softly spoke, unsure of how to behave.

"....... No thanks are meant to be given to us, Illustrious Archduchess. It is a must for loyal servants to amass forbearance in honour to their Lords."

"..."

"Nu always waits. Master's Wife, have you ever waited as long as Nu has?? Nu is tired. But Nu waited. Nu knows that Master's Wife will see the Castle today! And Nu wants to impress Master's Wife with Master's huge Castle!!" — The pouting child gradually became more eager, stretching her short limbs of unique shade to point at the far ceiling above them.

Ewelina's eyes watched the girl slightly entertained by the innocent ways she had with words. And came to mull over a few of the words used by her youth.

'... Waiting...'

That is the most she had also done from a young age.

Here, at a different place, Ewelina was aware that, once more, she was to wait patiently.

This time for the Husband she knew nothing of to arrive. Instead of the indicated time her unfitting work began and the propitious one to gather the food she needed to serve the ones living in her Mother's Home.

The long wait to get to these lands had passed... And surely more days of wait lay ahead.

"Over Here, Archduchess. Let us guide you to some of the nooks you are to learn thoroughly about your Castle." — The polite man invited in proper reverence, telling with the unfolding of his limb to begin their walk throughout the rocky hallways of the Spiked Eye Barbican belonging to the Myrkzver's Archduchy she had joined in marriage.

The common uncertainty filled Ewelina as she heeded the warden's invitation. And in tense ignorance, She went to learn of the walls she was to settle her days in.