Vow Of Silence

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

1st PERSON: Pelomina Lorenzo-Capiz

We waited for the merchant to pack everything. He gave us our stuff in a white pouch; it feels and looks like expensive fabric was used for it—wait, did we pay? We’re already out of the store when I realized that we didn’t pay them. I was too caught up in Lykus’ current about being able to pay for everything that I forgot it was an issue.

I turned to Lykus, who was already busy untying our horse to a waiting pole that seemed to be set there for that purpose. I trudge to him, “My lord… the payment?” I asked, and he tilted his head at me and sighed,

“My lady, you seem to become forgetful, I don’t carry money when I leave, I do the purchases, remember which shops made a stop at and sent a knight who represents me to pay for everything,” he explained and I made an ‘Oh’ shape with my mouth, that seems bothersome doesn’t it? What if the shops charge us more than what these are worth?

He scoffed as he offered his hand to me and gestured at the horse, “I see you’re still quite bothered, but it practices and tests my people’s integrity,” he elaborated as he lifted my body back onto the saddle.

“How so?” I asked,

“Well… if they levied us for more than we owe them, that’s on their conscience, and if these people are willing to fool even me, then they’ve been quite desperate for money, and really needed that…” he trailed off.

I placed a hand on my heart just so I could calm it down. Everything he said is contrary to my established impression of him. I can’t believe this guy was the same man who used the word ‘Hunt’ as he went out in pursuit of bandits. Bandits in this place must’ve been those really hardcore ones and not just pesky thieves. Lykus and his whole army were all suited up for the encounter.

“Oh, I see… how unexpectedly noble of you, my lord,” I replied with a giggle and he turned to raise a brow at me,

“Unexpected?” he noted in a low voice,

‘Ah… I spoke too much, I SAID TOO MUCH—’

“A-Ah, my lord, I mean—” I started trying to word it out, but Lykus only chuckled for the third time and I’m still as awestruck as the first time I heard it,

“I’m only joking, breathe wife,” he said with a smirk, I just did as he said because for a split second I was genuinely afraid I was going to ruin his mood, that said, I wonder if he’ll tell me why he’s in a good mood if I asked now,

‘better try it before you knock it,’

I cleared my throat as I leaned forward and a little closer to him, “My lord… you look a bit more cheery today, did something nice happen?” I asked. Lykus glanced at me for a millisecond before looking forward again,

“Am I more cheery?” he said,

“Well… yes,” I affirmed. It's not just in my head. I'm not just imagining him being nice because frankly, that's not exactly something easy to picture.

He inhaled before humming a tune. I furrowed my brows at him. Did he just purposely ignore my question? He could’ve just said he doesn’t want to talk about it. At least I wouldn’t look like an i***t talking to myself. I won’t pry if he’s that secretive about it. I huffed as I straightened my back and moved away from him.

‘Shouldn’t have tried it,’

“You know, I’ve been asking around the castle to ask if you were seen sneaking around with a man,” he began. He ignores my simple freaking question and goes on to talk about something that heavy outright? Is he kidding me?

I frowned at him and said nothing, “Turns out… that you were too sick to even stay long out of your bed, that your health deteriorated so badly that even the neighboring towns knew of how frail you’ve been,” he narrated.

Oh… for real? It was that bad? For the whole time that he was gone? She had to endure really poor health for two years? That must’ve been too much. Is it as painful as the one I experienced before?

‘imagine if he came back to her being able to talk,’ and then she had to endure being antagonized by false accusations on top of that.

“I know I’ve been talking about your ‘lover’ or ‘escort’ even up to here but I know that you’re innocent, I just don’t know how to talk to you about it, and…” he trailed off, finally turning to look at me fully,

“I’m sorry for putting you through that despite everything, and I’m glad you still chose to be in my presence…” he finished, giving me an apologetic smile, “I’m not good at things like this, but for you, I’m willing to try, now that your health is improving, I figure I should improve too,” he noted.

I had to bite the inside of my lip for that one. I’m kind of torn between realizing he’s a literal playground bully with a quick follow-up on his redemption arc and finding it cute that he’s a grown man, a literal lord of a land, has a whole castle but has really weak mechanisms for resolving mundane crises.

I smiled knowingly and hummed, not saying a word and copying what he just did. Makes me think if what Polly sees is this side of him, he does have somewhat of a soft spot for his wife.

The only problem is I’m not his wife and if this strong, brutal lord ever finds out what happened between me and my wife along with my nonsense of an explanation, I don’t know where I’d end up. Kind of scared about that part.

“Wife?… I’d understand why you’d be upset,” he started, slowing down his pace until he was walking just beside the horse, and therefore beside me, “Still, I hope could console you with these cheap tricks as an attempt to woo you,” he followed and I had to look away for that.

He still spoke in that deep, somewhat cold/intimidating tone, but I can sense that he was being sincere, and I’ve been long sold before he started fessing up with his plans. Given that he’s already bullying me before we even got to the carriage, I’m glad he’s finally upfront about his little apologetic shopping spree.

“Are you not even going to spare me a glance?” he noted before sighing, “I deserve that," he followed, "I’m very sorry... I couldn’t imagine how painful these past two years have been,” he followed soon after.

“Painful is an understatement,” I replied, and he only lowered his head, “False allegations on top of that,” I added and he loosened his collar,

“I… have no excuse, I’m simply sorry, if you want to hit me until you pass out you’re free to do so, just don’t strain yourself,” he replied with a side shrug and I could help but chuckle, even if he’s the one who’s offering to be hit, his main concern is still his wife’s well-being.

Is this why Pelomina stayed with him? Was he secretly nice all these times? I guess what really rattled his bones was the fact that I started speaking… wait… I think I’m missing something important, but I can’t remember what.

‘Well, that’s why it’s missing, duh’ But it feels like it’s something vital. Never mind, it’ll come when it does.

“Then can I go to the training hall too?” I asked, trying to get back on track with our conversation, and he nodded,

“Certainly, the castle is yours too, you’re welcome everywhere,” he said with a scoff,

“Well, last time… I didn’t feel so welcomed,” I argued with a sneer and he visibly stiffened up before he coughed awkwardly and cleared his throat.

“Please forgive your foolish husband… I could say it’s the aftermath of a war that left me rough on the edges the moment I got back but that would just be unaccountability,” he said, his eyes shut and his expression solemn, I hummed and smiled, now I see it. This is the man that Pelomina fell in love with, the man she married.

I wouldn’t blame her, he does have this weird allure about him.

“I forgive you,” I announced with a huff,

“I won’t force you to—pardon?” he paused in mid-sentence, giving me a confused look.

“I said I forgive you,” I repeated, it’s not like he’s got some personal vendetta against me and vice versa, all his feeling were to Pelomina, yes, and in return, I think the real Pelomina of this world would’ve forgiven him.

He chuckled, shaking his head and he touch my cheek with the back of his fingers, the same gentle smile from earlier making another appearance, “Were you truly a saint as they say?” he joked,