Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR

3rd PERSON: - - -

That night, after Pelomina left his study, he could feel his heart beating through the palms of his hand. Until now, he still couldn’t believe she was simply a few meters away from him, resting in the castle. In the bedroom that he prepared and maintained for her return, himself. He knew he was not moving along as planned.

He was supposed to grovel at her feet… instead she threatened her with the lives of her friends who helped her arrive at Temog, and upon knowing that, Lykus's opinion of her odd and suspicious company, thieves at that, changed albeit a fraction. If they were responsible for keeping her alive all these times and helping her come from who knows where, they deserved more than a damp room in the dungeons.

However, their presence in the castle brings risk, ‘what if they urged Pelomina to run away again’ are one of the many thoughts that cross his mind on his way down to the dungeon to give them an ultimatum, to be set free and leave Pelomina, or stay, making sure Pelomina also remains here or it will cost them their lives.

He knew thieves are weasels who will slip in and out of bargains as they please, words not to be trusted. It was odd, but he still trusted them, partly trusted them. They swore their lives to him when they assured him that they will do all they can to keep Pelomina here. He, of course, only encouraged them to keep their end of the deal.

After that he left the castle for a quick surveyance, now that his biggest problem is solved, his heart felt light in his chest that he felt he is now able to carry the weight of the responsibilities he set aside for the sake of finding his wife. Looking around the city and checking the border, and along the forests.

Many issues he ignored as he poured all of his attention into finding Pelomina, a quest that has now come to an end.

‘Finally’ he thought, even though his steps were lighter, the weight on his shoulder lessened by half because just by having her back at the castle didn’t quite solve his problems. There was another challenge that they had to jump over. He knows that all of Pelomina’s affection for him was long gone, while his only grew, and there is a clear imbalance in their relationship.

He doesn’t trust that simply telling her the truth of what happened that night would be enough to earn back her favor. Would it look like he’s just begging for scraps of her pity and not taking account of his fault on that day as well? Using his victimization as a weapon against his wife? Now, he can’t. He will never. He simply couldn’t do that to her, since she was just a victim herself.

He knows he’ll have to start over… He kept what he did before in his head, yet unsure if those same tactics would warm her heart again as it did the first time.

But he will try, and if it would come to him clinging to every method possible, he will do anything until he finds a way that works. She’s still his wife. He knows it’s still the same Pelomina, no matter how much her looks have changed, she’s still her, inside out.

After their patrol, he rushed back to the castle, despite knowing that he instructed the guard to keep a close eye on every entrance, every exit, and every hallway, leaving and having to face the news of her disappearing while he was away still left a bitter taste in his mouth even if it was just his mind playing scenarios.

He burst through the doors, certain that today he will start wooing his wife. Last night was a terrible start, but he was pushed over the edge by his own desperation and fears. That night he slept stiffer compared to the other nights when he could at least gather a few hours of sleep.

He walked through the halls, looking around at the servants who were bowing to him as he passed, “Where is she?” he asked loudly, a guard from his nearby post rushed to his side, walking right behind him as Lykus didn’t even stop,

“The lady has been sighted to leave her room, then she was apparently found in the kitchen in search of Pollerma and now we’ve been informed she’s back into her room,” he reported,

Lykus hummed and waved him off and the guard returned to his post while Lykus headed straight to his destination, his steps echoing in the hallways as he walked briskly, soon enough he reached her bedroom, an indication that she is indeed in her room would be the presence of the two men she came here with, now dressed in clothing that would not, at least, parade around the fact that they are thieves.

His steps called for his arrival and those two men whipped their heads in his direction, startled to see him rushing in their direction, and just remembered to bow deep once Lykus stood in front of the door. He gave a side look to the men, which kept their heads lowered. It’s far too early to tell if they’re keeping their word.

Now even a minute after he came, the doors opened, revealing Polly, who left the room first and gave a curt nod to him before moving out of the way to reveal Pelomina—

“What is this…” he growled, his teeth clenched glaring at the two men who simply averted their gaze, then he looked back at Pelomina who gave him a mild scowl, it crushed him but he still kept his compare, gesturing to his wife’s attired, “Are you in a shortage of dresses?” he asked,

The attire was a trigger by itself, Pelomina came to him wearing clothes not fit for a lady, and he thought the least he could do is to give that glory back to her, he was thrilled to see her wearing a dress last night, but it was clear he knew the furthest thing from what she would like,

“I refused to wear dresses, they’re… restricting,” she replied.

Lykus breathed lowly, taking a step closer to Pelomina, “And pray tell, wife, what would you be doing that a dress would restrict you to do so?” he asked.

Pelomina gritted her teeth and pursed her lips as she looked away momentarily with a breath, “Nothing in particular, my lord, I just feel more comfortable wearing this, however, I would hate to offend you, would you have preferred if I wore a dress?” she said, her tone with venom, mocking him as she tilted her head to the side, but that single motioned moved Lykus.

Because when she did, the glint of a hair clip shone on her head. It simply took him a few seconds. It was a delphinium flower, the first hair clip he ever got her, made with his own hands. It stunned him…

“No… as long as your clothes won't interfere with you doing your duties I will not intrude,” he replied, his eyes occasionally darting to the hair clip on the side of her head, and at that Pelomina froze, squinting at the quick change of tone from him,

“T-That’s good,” she affirmed,

“Meet me in my after breakfast, we have matters to discuss,” Lykus said, with a small nod at her, and with that he left, no glares nor side comments as he did and Pelomina turned to Polly,

“Did he perhaps hit his head in the past four years?”