Incompatible Interspecies Wives chapter 163

163 – The Fated One(3)

“….Help me.”

“….”

The plea for help was a first.

Ascal was at a loss for words due to the desperation.

They could feel how pushed to the limit she was, all through this short phrase.

They had spent 170 years together with Arwin.

This was the first time seeing her like this.

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

Ascal knew all too well that she was resented by Arwin.

She was the one who wanted to sever ties.

She was too proud to bow to anyone, so to ask for his help… she must have been really pushed to a corner.

“…What on earth did Berg do?”

“…”

“…Start by talking, Arwin. In the best way I can, I’ll help…”

“….Huh…”

At those words, Arwin began to collapse.

The normally stoic woman, who never showed tears, started to weep with her fists clenched tightly.

Ascal was filled with frustration and anger.

What on earth happened to her by Berg?

There was no way to know what she had experienced.

The only fact being Berg was a human was enough to flare up the anxiety.

While Arwin looked like she was trying to hold back, sobs began to leak through her tightly closed throat.

The sobs were irregular and child-like, like a bird’s chirping.

She attempted to hold back her tears by forcefully biting the back of her hand, but she just couldn’t hold back.

There was no way to measure her pain.

She was one to bear even the worst pains quite well.

This side of Arwin was shocking for Ascal.

“..Father….please help me…”

Again, Arwin pleaded.

“I’ll help, so start talking…”

“……..*sniffle*…”

On behalf of Arwin, who had no more energy to hide her sobs, Askal asked,

“Is that human making you suffer so much?”

-Thump.

Arwin grabbed Askal’s sleeve and shook her head vehemently.

She asserted that it wasn’t that at all.

“…”

Then, why exactly is this happening? Askal was confused when Arwin whispered,

“…It’s the opposite, father.”

Arwin looked up at Askal.

She slowly said with eyes filled with despair,

“I was…too…happy…”

Askal seemed to be unable to comprehend what she meant.

He blinked repeatedly as he tried to understand the situation.

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

“….Mel’s tears….”

At her whisper, Askal heaved a sigh.

“….Ah.”

“I’ve been… caught.”

-Knock. Knock. Knock.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Askal turned around.

The voice rang from outside.

‘The leader of the Crimson Flame Clan, Berg, is here. Shall I let him in?’

“Wait just a moment!”

Struggling to respond, Askal helped Arwin to her feet.

He was uncertain about what to do next.

-Thud.

While he was thinking, Arwin held onto Askal.

With an infinitely desperate look, Askal’s daughter begged,

“I heard…polygamy…. is abolished…”

“…”

“I don’t want to Rank behind Ner…Father… I don’t want to be abandoned…”

Askal didn’t know what to say.

Wasn’t it only a matter of time at this point since Mel’s tears had been discovered?

While he couldn’t give an answer, Arwin pleaded.

“Ner also betrayed Berg, too.”

“…What?”

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

Given that Berg was waiting outside, Arwin couldn’t explain in detail.

Instead, she just summarizes her goal and asks for his help.

“Please explain to Berg that Celebrien can indefinitely support the Honyeomdan.”

“…”

“…Father, please do this for me…”

Askel, who had failed to protect Arwin all his life.

He had to bear Arwin’s anger as a price.

Now, Arwin was desperately pleading with him.

She’s begging not to be separated from Berg.

Perhaps this moment could erase his sins, even a little.

Initially, there was no father who could not help when his daughter was shedding tears and asking for help.

Askel wiped away Arwin’s tears and nodded his head.

And then he said.

“Let him in.”

-Thud.

As he said that, Berg opens the door and enters.

From their previous meeting, Askel could tell that the atmosphere surrounding Berg had changed.

He looked tired, unlike his past self.

He didn’t seem to be the war hero he used to be.

Askel looked into his weary eyes and thought about what had happened to Berg.

The death of his loyal captain, the betrayal of his wives…

Although he promised to help Arwin, he could not help but feel sorry for him.

“You wanted to have a discussion.”

But it seemed like Berg was trying to hide his pain as much as possible.

His eyes turned briefly towards Arwin, who hadn’t yet wiped away her tears.

Askel noticed Berg’s gaze waver for a moment.

But even that was just a fleeting moment.

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

“…Berg. I’ve heard.”

“…”

“Arwin got Mel’s-“

“-If only Arwin wasn’t a noble.”

But Berg cut him off.

It seemed even more apparent now just how deeply Berg had been hurt.

One could feel how sincerely Berg cared for Arwin.

“…you would be punished for the crime of betrayal.”

Arwin bowed her head to his cold words.

She wept silently at his side, as if a criminal.

Whether what he said was truth or an empty phrase was unknown… Askel was unable to comment.

Swallowing, Askel whispered.

“… you understand our mistake. And compensation will be made for it.”

“That would be appropriate. It’s something that could plummet the reputation of Celebrien.”

Berg’s words were harsh, but it was obvious he wanted to discreetly bury the matter.

Indeed they also needed the power of nobility. They were oblivious whether it was justifiable.

He didn’t want this to grow into a bigger problem.

Even among the many words to say to Ascal, he immediately raised his voice only for Arwin.

“Berg. Although she’s wrong… Arwin understands her mistake enough. Can’t you forgive her just this once? Didn’t we form a vow in front of the Tree of World? Breaking that sacred promise is not good.”

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

“… The one who broke the sacred promise first wasn’t me.”

“…………..”

Arwin’s body shuddered.

Ascal viewed Berg such and was thinking inwardly.

… It’s already too late.

Whether due to furious anger or the affection had genuinely run out.

The truth was unknown, but the animosity Berg was showing didn’t seem false.

Berg definitely would not listen to any words at this moment.

Berg spoke further.

“… Also, isn’t it the Tree of World that Arwin so detested? What’s the meaning of the vow in front of it?”

“…”

“Weren’t the elders originally not in favor of abolishing polygamy?”

Neither Ascal nor Arwin could say anything to him.

Despite this, Ascal tried to persuade Berg further, but Berg lowered his head, implying he had heard enough.

Berg, looking down at Arwin with a sigh.

“….Arwin.”

When her name was called, Arwin raised her head.

Her wet eyes filled so simply with hope, it was incredible.

“…..Yes?”

How kind had Berg been so far if she’s reacting like this?

Berg said.

“… Stay with your father.”

The corner of Arwin’s eye quivered.

“…What….does….”

“Don’t come looking for me without reason.”

“………………………..”

“… Because I need some time.”

Arwin slowly clutched her chest.

As if she couldn’t bear the pain.

Yet she hid that pain and said something.

… Husband and wife are supposed to sleep together, right…?

Arwin herself seemed aware that it was shameless.

Still, she seemed to be stubbornly resisting.

Berg didn’t respond.

Arwin, who ultimately gave in first, spoke once again.

“…If I give you time…”

“…”

“…Can we go back to how it was before?”

“…”

“…Berg…”

Whether Arwin felt pathetic about herself, she whispered with her head bowed.

From noble mtl dot com

“…Instead of Ner, can’t you choose me…?”

“…”

“You probably don’t want to see the same thing… but…I…I’ll do better….”

Berg closed her eyes.

After briefly catching her breath, she turned and left the room.

No one was able to stop her.

****

Afterward, I spent time by myself.

I sat in the room without a thought, staring out the window.

Though normally my mind was filled with countless worries… for some reason, it was just peaceful now.

Perhaps due to the painful burden, I decided to stop thinking.

And then, time flew by as I sat like that.

Night fell, and darkness descended.

The full moon rose high and illuminated the sky.

I didn’t eat, nor did I bother to meet anyone.

I just sat in the room like that.

Perhaps considering that I arrived at the capital city after an extensive journey, even the king didn’t look for me.

From what I’ve heard, they plan to begin wrapping up the war by tomorrow.

They’ll announce the merits and distribute the rewards.

It seemed that at that moment, the position of the Crimson Flame Squad would also be decided.

For a moment, I looked around the room.

Strangely, the room felt spacious.

Perhaps it felt so because this was a space I always used to share with Ner or Arwin.

I felt this kind of emptiness after a long time.

An emptiness that made it harder to endure amidst the difficult circumstances.

Laughs erupting intermittently in order to mask the sorrow.

-Knock, Knock, Knock.

Just then, someone knocked on the door.

“…”

I didn’t respond and just sat there blankly.

So then, the door knocked again.

-Knock, Knock, Knock, Knock.

I remained silent.

Her faint voice echoed in the air.

“….Berg, it’s me….”

Ner’s voice.

“………”

-Knock, knock, knock….

“….Can I come in….Please…”

-Thump…Thump…Thump…

“……………..”

Even her desperate voice didn’t make me want to respond.

Nevertheless, I let out a sigh.

“….Go back.”

A moment of silence came over us.

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

-Squeeeeeek….

The door opened unbidden.

Ner’s figure stood at the door.

Her white hair and tail were radiant in the moonlight.

Ner quietly entered the room and closed the door.

-Thump.

“….Didn’t you hear me tell you to go back?”

I didn’t feel like saying anything kind to her.

The feeling of betrayal was still fresh, tormenting me.

I was trying to keep her at a distance.

But Ner shook her head.

“…I…I can’t go back.”

“…”

“…I can’t even breathe like this….”

As she took a step forward, her image began to clarify.

Her flushed cheeks. Her tear-streaked eyes.

And the smell of alcohol wafted in the air.

-Swish.

She approached me, sitting quietly, and suddenly held my cheeks.

-Thud.

I brushed her touch away.

-Snap!

“Aha….aha….”

Sounding like someone who has lost their sense, she climbed onto me with a rough movement.

Her buttocks landed on my thighs, her arms wrapped around my neck.

-Thud…thud….

Tears flowing from her eyes fall on my body.

“…Please….don’t push me away…”

Ner whispers with a voice filled with regret.

She raises her head.

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

Ner reminds me of her kind’s trait of loving only one individual.

“We’re married…”

She lifts my left hand and begins rubbing her head and cheek against it.

“There’s no one closer than us…”

I can feel her tear-soaked face.

“Like before….stroke me….”

“…”

“Like before….sob…find me cute…”

She repeatedly presses her lips against my palm.

Tears wouldn’t stop falling from Ner’s eyes.

Whether it’s her earnestness, for a moment, my body freezes.

I want to push her away roughly but my body doesn’t move.

Eventually, Ner slowly buries her face in my neck.

After taking long, deep breaths, smelling my scent, she slowly raises her head and whispers into my ear.

“…I’m in heat, Berg.”

Whether her shame was devoured by her earnestness, she was trembling as she said it.

At the same time, I felt something prickly yet warm against my neck.

Ner started to lick my neck.

“…Today….I want to make a child with you….”

And between the licks, she whispers with a sobbing voice.

“…I love you, Berg…okay? I love you…only you…”

“…”

In the end, I had to push her away.

Grabbing her shoulders, I tear her away from me.

A long string of saliva stretches out from her mouth.

I furrow my brows and say to her,

“….Go back, now.”

I also pushed away her heart.

“……………”

Tears kept falling from Ner’s vacant eyes.

Her drunken breath keeps wetting my face.

She blinks as if in disbelief and then painfully shows me her tail that she’s holding onto.

“…Ah…. Ri, right… Be, Berg…this tail…”

“…”

“….This tail…you said it was pretty…I decorated it today…”

Unlike usual, her fur was neatly groomed.

“…Beautiful…?”

“….”

“…Can’t I call you beautiful…?”

“…..”

“…You can…touch as you… want… tonight…please…”

– Slide.

In a flash, she slid the clothes on her shoulder aside.

From her neck to her shoulder, her bare skin was revealed.

Her clothes slipped, threatening to expose even her chest.

“…Blackwood.”

I called her by her surname.

At that appellation, Nell’s movement hardened.

In any insult, surely Nell has never reacted like this.

It seemed she couldn’t believe the words that came out of my mouth.

“…Stay away.”

At the same time, I stood from my spot.

Unconsciously, I propped her back so that Nell wouldn’t topple over.

But she seemed not to comprehend, stunned by the sudden profound shock she had received.

Nell, who stayed still and slumped on the ground, did not move.

After catching her clothes that were about to slide down, I grasped her arm and helped Nell stand.

And then, I gently led her towards the door.

Eventually, I placed Nell by the door and withdrew my hand from hers.

“…I…”

Nell murmured without looking at me with her dazed eyes.

“…As always, I’ll wait outside.”

“…”

“Even today, I’ll go for a walk… And wait until you come.”

Very slowly, Nell looked up at me.

Finally, she left me with a twisted smile.

Her feeble footsteps echoed endlessly in the corridor.

“….”

So, I let her go.

While wrestling with my heavy emotions.

From the window, I saw Nell.

Nell, after glancing up at me for a moment, sat down where she was visible to me.

In a place where she would never normally sit….. she spent her time there.

Waiting for me, who would never come, she sat there all night.