Chapter 163: Fated Partner (3)

 

“...Help me.”

 

“...”

 

It was the first time Ascal had ever heard Arwin ask for help.

 

The desperation in her voice left Ascal speechless.

 

He could feel how cornered she was through this simple phrase.

 

They had spent 170 years together.

 

He had never seen her like this before.

 

Moreover, Ascal was not a good father to Arwin, not even in empty words.

 

Ascal knew well that Arwin resented him.

 

She had wanted to sever their ties.

 

Her pride was so high that he thought she would never bow first... How desperate must she be to ask him for help?

 

“...What... what on earth did Berg do?”

 

“...”

 

“Tell me, Arwin. I will help you as much as I can...”

 

“...Hic...”

 

With those words, Arwin began to crumble.

 

The cold woman who never showed tears was now clenching her fists, tears streaming down her face.

 

Ascal felt a mix of frustration and anger.

 

What had Berg done to make her like this?

 

He couldn’t fathom what she had experienced to be in this state.

 

The fact that Berg was a human only fueled his anxiety.

 

Arwin seemed to be holding back, but sobs leaked through her tightly shut throat.

 

Her cries were irregular and childlike, like a bird chirping.

 

She was biting her knuckles, trying to hold back her tears, but she couldn’t.

 

Ascal couldn’t even grasp the extent of her pain.

 

Especially since she was someone who endured pain well.

 

Seeing Arwin like this was enough to shock Ascal.

 

“...Father... please help me...”

 

Arwin pleaded again.

 

“I will help you, just tell me...”

 

“...Hic...”

 

Ascal asked in her stead, as she was too overwhelmed by her sobs.

 

“...Is that human making you suffer so much?”

 

-Grab.

 

Arwin clutched Ascal’s sleeve and shook her head.

 

She shook her head vigorously, insisting that it wasn’t the case.

 

“...”

 

Then why was she acting this way? Ascal wondered, just as Arwin whispered.

 

“...It’s the opposite, Father.”

 

Arwin looked up at Ascal.

 

With eyes filled with despair, she spoke slowly.

 

“...I was so... happy...”

 

Ascal seemed momentarily unable to follow her words.

 

He blinked repeatedly, trying to make sense of the situation.

 

But everything fell into place with Arwin’s next words.

 

“...The Mel’s Tears...”

 

At her whisper, Ascal let out a sigh.

 

“...Ah.”

 

“...It was discovered.”

 

-Knock, knock, knock.

 

At that moment, a knock echoed through the room.

 

Ascal turned around.

 

A voice came from outside.

 

“Captain Berg of the Red Flames is here to see you. Shall we let him in?”

 

“J-just a moment!”

 

Uncharacteristically stuttering, Ascal helped Arwin to her feet.

 

Even he couldn’t decide what to do.

 

-Tap.

 

Arwin grabbed onto Ascal.

 

With eyes full of endless desperation, Ascal’s daughter pleaded.

 

“...I heard polygamy... is being abolished...”

 

“...”

 

“...I don’t want to lose to Ner... Father... I don’t want to be abandoned...”

 

Ascal didn’t know what to say.

 

Since the discovery of Mel’s Tears, wasn’t it inevitable who would be divorced?

 

While he hesitated, Arwin begged.

 

“...Ner betrayed Berg too.”

 

“...What?”

 

“So there’s still a chance. There’s still...”

 

With Berg waiting outside, Arwin didn’t go into details.

 

Instead, she summarized her plea.

 

“Tell Berg that Celebrein can endlessly support the Red Flames group.”

 

“...”

 

“...Father, please do this for me...”

 

Ascal had never been able to protect Arwin throughout her life.

 

He had to bear her wrath as a result.

 

Now, that same Arwin was desperately pleading with him.

 

Begging him not to let her be taken away from Berg.

 

...Perhaps this was a moment to atone for his past sins.

 

After all, no father could refuse his daughter’s tearful request for help.

 

Ascal wiped Arwin’s tears and nodded.

 

Then he spoke.

 

“Let him in.”

 

-Thud.

 

With those words, Berg opened the door and entered.

 

Ascal had noticed it before, but now it was even clearer—the atmosphere around Berg had changed.

 

Unlike before, he seemed exhausted.

 

He no longer had the appearance of a war hero.

 

Ascal looked into Berg’s weary eyes, contemplating what he must have gone through.

 

The death of his captain... the betrayal of his wives.

 

Although Ascal had promised to help Arwin, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for Berg.

 

“You said you wanted to talk.”

 

Despite his pain, Berg seemed to be hiding it within.

 

His eyes briefly glanced at Arwin, who was still struggling to hold back her tears.

 

Ascal saw Berg’s gaze waver for a moment.

 

But it was just a fleeting moment.

 

Ascal pondered how to continue this difficult conversation and decided to be honest.

 

“...Berg, I’ve heard.”

 

“...”

 

“Mel’s-”

 

“If Arwin wasn’t a noble.”

 

But Berg cut him off.

 

His wounds seemed more visible now, and it felt like he genuinely cared for Arwin.

 

“...She would have been punished for treason.”

 

At those cold words, Arwin bowed her head.

 

She cried silently beside him, like a sinner.

 

Whether Berg meant it or not, Ascal couldn’t say anything.

 

Swallowing hard, Ascal whispered.

 

“...We understand our mistake. We will provide compensation accordingly.”

 

“You should. This could ruin Celebrein’s reputation.”

 

Though his words were harsh, Berg hinted at wanting to bury the issue.

 

They needed the power of the nobles, so it was understandable.

 

It seemed he didn’t want the issue to escalate.

 

Among the many things Ascal wanted to say, he focused on Arwin for now.

 

“Berg, I know it’s a mistake... but Arwin understands her wrongs too. Can’t you give her another chance? Didn’t you make a vow before the World Tree? Breaking that sacred promise isn’t right.”

 

Berg broke his gaze from Ascal and looked down at Arwin.

 

“...I am not the one who broke the sacred promise first.”

 

“........”

 

Arwin trembled slightly.

 

Ascal looked at Berg, thinking to himself.

 

...It’s already too late.

 

Whether it was due to intense anger or a complete loss of affection, the truth was unclear, but Berg’s displayed hatred seemed genuine.

 

For now, no matter what was said, Berg wouldn’t listen.

 

Berg continued.

 

“...And isn’t the World Tree something Arwin detested? What meaning does a vow before it holds?”

 

“...”

 

“Didn’t the elders support the abolition of polygamy in the first place?”

 

Neither Ascal nor Arwin could say anything in response.

 

Ascal still tried to persuade Berg, but Berg shook his head, signaling that there was nothing more to say.

 

With a sigh, Berg looked down at Arwin.

 

“...Arwin.”

 

Hearing her name, Arwin lifted her head.

 

Despite her tear-filled eyes, a faint glimmer of hope appeared.

 

“...Yes?”

 

How well must Berg have treated her for her to react like this?

 

Berg spoke.

 

“...Stay with your father from now on.”

 

Arwin’s eyes quivered.

 

“...What...do you mean...?”

 

“Unless there’s a reason, don’t come looking for me.”

 

“.............................”

 

“...I need time.”

 

Arwin slowly clutched her chest as if she couldn’t bear the pain.

 

Still, hiding her anguish, Arwin spoke.

 

“...Husband and wife are supposed to be together, aren’t they...?”

 

She seemed to know how shameless her words were.

 

But still, she seemed desperate to cling to any hope.

 

Berg remained unresponsive.

 

Eventually, Arwin, who had bent first, spoke again.

 

“...If I give you time...”

 

“...”

 

“...Can we go back to how things were before?”

 

“...”

 

“...Berg...”

 

Feeling utterly insignificant, Arwin bowed her head and whispered.

 

“...Can’t you choose me instead of Ner...?”

 

“...”

 

“...I know you don’t want to see us the same way, but... I’ll do better...”

 

Berg closed his eyes.

 

After taking a deep breath, he turned and left the room.

 

No one could stop him.

 

****

 

Afterward, I spent time by myself.

 

I sat in the room, staring out the window without thinking.

 

Usually, my mind would be filled with countless worries... but now, for some reason, it felt peaceful.

 

Maybe my mind decided to stop thinking due to the overwhelming pain.

 

As I sat there, time passed.

 

Night fell, and darkness descended.

 

A full moon hung high in the sky, illuminating the night.

 

I didn’t eat or move to meet anyone.

 

I just sat there in the room.

 

Fortunately, the king seemed to be considerate of my long journey to the capital and didn’t seek me out.

 

After all, I heard that tomorrow, they would begin the end of the war.

 

Announcing the achievements and distributing the rewards.

 

At that moment, the future of the Red Flames seemed to be decided.

 

I glanced around the room.

 

It felt unusually spacious, perhaps because it was a space I usually shared with Ner or Arwin.

 

It had been a long time since I felt such emptiness.

 

The emptiness was even harder to bear amidst the difficult circumstances.

 

A laugh, meant to hide the sadness, kept escaping my lips.

 

-Knock, knock, knock.

 

Then, someone knocked on the door.

 

“...”

 

I sat there in a daze, not responding.

 

The knocking resumed.

 

-Knock, knock, knock, knock.

 

I still didn’t answer.

 

Then, a faint voice reached my ears.

 

“...Berg, it’s me...”

 

It was Ner’s voice.

 

“........”

 

-Knock, knock, knock, knock, knock...

 

“...Can I come in...? Please...”

 

-Thud... thud... thud...

 

“.................”

 

Even her desperate voice didn’t move me to respond.

 

Still, with a sigh, I spoke.

 

“...Go back.”

 

Silence followed.

 

Thinking she had left, I turned my gaze back to the window.

 

-Creak...

 

Then, the door opened on its own.

 

Ner stood in the doorway.

 

Her white hair and tail shimmered in the moonlight.

 

Quietly, she entered the room and closed the door behind her.

 

-Thud.

 

“...Didn’t you hear me? I said go back.”

 

I didn’t have kind words for her.

 

The betrayal still felt fresh, tormenting me.

 

I wanted to keep my distance.

 

But Ner shook her head.

 

“...I can’t... go back.”

 

“...”

 

“...I can’t even... breathe like this...”

 

With each step she took closer, her form became clearer.

 

Her flushed cheeks, tear-streaked eyes.

 

And the scent of alcohol that lingered around her.

 

-Swish.

 

Ner approached and cupped my cheeks with her hands.

 

-Thunk.

 

I brushed her hands away.

 

-Snap!

 

“Hah... hah...”

 

Ner gasped, her breath uneven.

 

Then, as if she had lost all reason, Ner climbed onto me with a rough motion.

 

Her hips settled on my thighs, and her arms wrapped around my neck.

 

-Thud...

 

Tears fell from her eyes onto my body.

 

“...Please... don’t push me away...”

 

Ner whispered, her voice filled with regret.

 

She lifted her head.

 

“...I love you... Berg, please don’t do this to me... okay...?”

 

She reminded me that, true to her race, she could only love one person.

 

“We’re married...”

 

She grabbed my left hand and started rubbing it against her cheek and head.

 

“There’s no one closer than us...”

 

I could feel her tear-soaked face.

 

“Like before... please stroke me...”

 

“...”

 

“Like before... please... take care of me...”

 

She kept pressing her lips to my palm.

 

Tears continued to flow from her eyes.

 

Maybe it was her desperation, but my body froze.

 

I wanted to push her away roughly, but my body wouldn’t move.

 

Slowly, Ner buried her face in my neck.

 

She inhaled deeply, taking in my scent, and then lifted her head to whisper in my ear.

 

“...I’m in heat, Berg.”

 

Her voice trembled, her desperation overcoming her shame.

 

At the same time, something warm and prickly touched my neck.

 

Ner started licking my neck.

 

“...Tonight... I want to have a baby with you...”

 

She whispered between her licks, her voice breaking with sobs.

 

“...I love you, Berg... okay? I love you... you’re the only one...”

 

“...”

 

In the end, I had to push her away.

 

I grabbed her shoulders and separated her from me.

 

A long string of saliva hung from her lips.

 

I frowned and spoke to her.

 

“...Go back, now.”

 

I pushed her feelings away too.

 

“...............”

 

Tears continued to fall from Ner’s empty eyes.

 

Her drunken breath repeatedly dampened my face.

 

Blinking as if she couldn’t believe it, she awkwardly grabbed her tail and showed it to me.

 

“...Ah...ri-right... Be-Berg... this tail...”

 

“...”

 

“...The tail you said was beautiful... I groomed it today...”

 

It was clear that her fur was more neatly arranged than usual.

 

“...Is it pretty...?”

 

“...”

 

“...Can’t you tell me it’s pretty...?”

 

“...”

 

“...Today... I won’t complain... even if you touch it... please...”

 

-Slide.

 

Ner suddenly shrugged off the clothes hanging from her shoulders.

 

Her bare skin from her neck to her shoulders was exposed.

 

Her clothes slipped further, almost revealing her chest.

 

“...Miss Blackwood.”

 

I called her by her surname.

 

At that, Ner froze.

 

No curse would have made her react like this.

 

She seemed unable to believe the words coming out of my mouth.

 

“...Step away.”

 

At the same time, I stood up.

 

Unconsciously, I supported her back to prevent her from falling.

 

But she seemed too shocked to notice.

 

Ner, frozen and unmoving, sat down on the floor.

 

I adjusted her slipping clothes and then grabbed her arm to help her stand.

 

Slowly, I led her to the door.

 

I set her down by the door and let go of her.

 

“...I...”

 

Ner whispered, not even looking at me with vacant eyes.

 

“...I’ll wait outside as I always do.”

 

“...”

 

“I’ll go for a walk and wait... until you come.”

 

Ner slowly looked up at me.

 

Finally, with a twisted smile, she left.

 

The sound of her weak footsteps echoed endlessly down the hallway.

 

“.......”

 

After sending her away, wrestling with my heavy emotions, I saw her through the window.

 

Ner briefly looked up at me, then sat down where she could see me.

 

In a place she would never usually sit, she spent the night there, waiting for me who would not come.

– – – The End of The Chapter – – –

 

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