Scene X

Three days of a similar schedule were done after her first one at the stout Fortress.

Rooms of leisure, work stances, kitchens, little libraries, the protecting walls they crossed to find a roof under the sturdy Castle and much more were shown to Ewelina during those days. It was only the underneath townlet she had not visited as it was a must for her to do so in her Spouse's company if he so desired to introduce her.

During those few days of reconnaissance through the Archduke's domain, she held onto the duties she had been told to execute. Until conflicting news was told by Uth to Ewelina.

"It has been informed that Our Outstanding Lord's arrival is yet to be confirmed. As it stands, his journey has taken an unexpected turn and his return to these cruel corners he possesses is not clear at these times."

"... Is there... A gist of when he could be able to return?" — Ewelina had inquired, hopeful to have a slight sense of the remaining time she had and needed to prepare for.

"None, Her Ladyship. My Lord has not expressed any further information on the matter."

"... I understand..."

"..."

"... Are his whereabouts known?" — She then inquired to the efficient servant.

"..... That is also not mentioned." — Uth ultimately replied to the thirsty-for-information woman.

No clear news had been given for her to calculate an estimative time for her Spouse's arrival at his Far Lands.

And as days went by, the view of the path she had crossed to come to this forlorn corner of the Zaarmideos Kingdom kept being inspected by her gaze every time a window crossed her path while walking through the fief's corridors.

Ewelina tried to adapt to her new reality, studying the ways to manage the Castle assisted by the dedicated warden in charge. Sporadically supervising the good maintenance of the stored food and cleanliness of the ever so obscure Barbican, along with little miscellaneous duties she needed to become used to as the Lady of the Archduke... Her days passed... Certain yet slowly.

Polite, she would greet the servants with soft expressions. Nonetheless, she was to quietly roam the Castle every day so time could pass by faster.

'... When is he to arrive...?'

She would wonder, nervously at the incertitude she was holding.

Amassed concern piled within the woman for she could see no other choice but to wait where she was... As leaving on her own in this hazardous territory would only confirm her disappearance from within the living ones in this Zaarmideos Kingdom earlier.

'... How am I supposed to receive him?'

"..."

Worry was all that filled her thoughts when it came to the future she was fated to meet once her Spouse appeared before her.

'Dina used to say... That hearsay was that he is a man of questionable appearance...'

The ignorance of not knowing the appearance of the man she was wedded to... was another source of concern for the young woman.

'What if I make a mistake and cannot recognise my own Husband?... Would that not be enough of a reason for him to get rid of me: the woman that cannot tell who her Spouse is?'

Many questions kept emerging in her unconfident psyche, as well as many moons in the sky were changed.

Weeks, a month and more weeks passed, yet still, no news on the Lord of the Castle she lived in was heard.

Her ways to make time go quicker evolved. And now after surveying the minimal duties she had over the Castle, as it was necessary for the one she waited for to entrust more tasks to his Wife... Ewelina went back to relish her time in the same way she did at her Mother's Barony.

Therefore, afternoons of leisurely care for the stables were done by her too.

It was a task her stepfather had ordered Ewelina to do little after her Mother's demise. As a measure to deprecate her existence further.

Nevertheless, she learned to enjoy the horses' company, which bestial nature was still noble to those who feed them.

In delicate dresses, Ewelina would come and go, caressing the loyal manes kept on those mews. Only exchanging a few comments on the animals with the assigned caretaker from time to time. Sometimes also visited by the playful company of the enthusiastic Nu, who would join her out of boredom on the days she deemed nice. Ewelina would stay in the straw-scented stable, peacefully enjoying what she was accustomed to.

"... I have not seen you before... Have you recently arrived from the village underneath?" — Ewelina sweetly asked a steed she had not met. This time alone in the mere company of animals.

Snort...

"... You are a friendly one..."

She declared amused at the beast's willingness to be caressed by her hand as it strongly exhaled through its nostrils.

"... You might be young but... Do you happen to know what this Castle's Lord looks like?" — Ewelina resignedly asked the beast. That very same question she had done to any other she cared for in that stable.

As she had no way to know and no one who to comfortably ask, the helpless woman had turned to the silent beasts that would not tell a soul about her ignorance... Yet neither answer her questions.

"... This matter concerns me... As I don't want to cause shame to fall on my Spouse as soon as we meet." — She conveyed to the ignorant steed.

... Rustle...

The sound of steps approaching into the empty stables made her stop any other intent of speaking, bending to grab one of the few apples she had brought to gift to the kept animals.

"Here... Juicy apples for the new friend." — Ewelina innocently whispered to the kind equine that listened to her questions... As a big man in armour entered the stables.

Followed by a large stud, befitting to be ridden by someone of his corpulence, yet sadly limping its way inside as it was guided, the man strolled inside.

A furtive glimpse was given to the knight whose head was protected by his armour's Helmet and as weak her voice became when against prominent men pertaining to the Jazhara's Tail Guard... She greeted the indifferent man with the quiet bow of her head.

"..."

Silently, the man returned her shy greeting. Nevertheless, the strong impression of his presence made Ewelina depart the stables on impulse.

'... What an ominous man...' — The young woman thought as she left. — 'Is he also from the village?? His presence... It's more dangerous than that of the Hœttr Hills we crossed when I came here...'

Halting her steps once ponder ended, Ewelina looked back at the stables she had fled from.

"..... Men like him... Surely many are under my Spouse's order..." — The woman mumbled to herself after realizing something she had not considered before.

Resuming her steps away from the stable, concern invaded her expression once more. This time much deeper. For imagination could not help the woman.

'... Just... who is it... Who is it that the Baron sold me off to?'