Incompatible Interspecies Wives chapter 166

166 – Behind the Scenes (2)

Cien held Berg while a surge of powerful emotions swirled within her.

The touch of another person, the warmth of a human body, the touch of… the man she loved; all felt for the first time in 7 years.

Now she realized how profoundly her heart was filled with emotion when touching Berg.

She had held on for the past 7 years just to feel this warmth

She would get up after falling alone and would keep moving even when injured.

The feel of touch on her fingers.

The weight carried on her arms.

The face of Berg leaning on her shoulder.

All of that felt heartwarmingly soothing.

Of course, Cien knew that she was being impulsive.

She also knew that she was approaching a weakened Berg.

Normally, it would’ve been Berg who would have pushed her away.

But this time, he could not.

The shaky Berg, seemingly about to crumble any moment, leaned on her.

It was clear that something had happened… paradoxically, it turned out to be for Cien’s benefit.

At the same time, there was pain she felt in her chest.

Seeing the man she loved in pain was always agonizing.

Especially, Berg’s tears held a lot of meaning.

Before his tears, Cien was always in a position where she had to kneel.

His weeping image begging her not to go, had tormented her like a brand for the past 7 years.

But right now, Cien couldn’t diminish Berg’s pain either.

She vaguely guessed it might be related to his wife… but she did not think deeper.

Naturally, she will know what happened to him.

Right now, she just wanted to focus on the fact that he was leaning on her.

Cien wanted to show Berg the significant change that had occurred to her.

A change that had not been too long ago.

“…Bell,”

Cien tearfully lifts Berg’s head off her shoulder.

She looks into his struggling eyes.

She manages a difficult smile and shows him the back of her hand.

“…. See…?”

“…”

Her hand, full of scars.

But that’s not what she wanted to show him.

Berg looked at her hand and stopped.

“…The mark of Heah… It’s gone.”

Could it because she killed the demon king?

She finally obtained her freedom from her long-worn shackles.

The wish she had hoped for 7 years, had finally come true.

She was free.

No longer… confined to the Hea’s podium.

Perhaps Hea had known already.

That there was no way to hold her now.

Even with or without the Hea’s symbols, she was the one who came to Berg.

But the liberation of the symbol disappearing was just too blissful.

“…It… uhuk…. took a while, didn’t it…?”

From noble mtl dot com

Cien, shedding tears, spoke to Berg.

Berg, who had been alongside her since her childhood.

The memories with him were still her unforgettable strength.

Berg, who rescued her when she was young, who supported her.

She never stopped thinking about him for even a moment.

That’s why she apologized once again for the past goodbye.

“The words I said when we broke up….they were all lies.”

“…”

“…I said I will live without you…all…all… I forced it out…”

Another teardrop flowed from Berg’s eyes.

“We have to give up our dreams… the memories with you will become memories… all… all…”

Cien spoke squarely, looking straight into Berg’s eyes.

“I did wrong. I will never… push you away again…”

Berg sighed as if all these happened too soon.

Cien knew it was strange to push her feelings onto him in a situation where he didn’t even know what was happening to him.

But it was the only chance she had.

The symbol of Hea had disappeared.

Berg was also struggling.

Cien wanted to be his strength.

“… Will you forgive me…?”

Berg’s face didn’t have a hint of the anger he used to have.

For a while, he was simply sorting out his emotions.

Berg remained unmoving for a moment… then spoke to Cien.

“… Let’s go back.”

That was all.

Even if he didn’t give any response…Cien knew that his words accepted her.

Not to disappear, but to return together.

It wasn’t about getting married as in the old dream, or continuing the promise.

Despite that, Cien realized that her once stiff relationship with Berg had started to roll again.

That was enough for her.

So, she nodded.

She gave the brightest smile, alongside tears, for the first time in 7 years.

“…Yes.”

Ner had to crawl around on the floor for a while, looking for the Berg ring that had rolled away and disappeared in her quarters.

Her mind had been numb after hearing the words of parting, so she didn’t make any connections, but her body instinctively moved to find Berg’s ring.

Under the wardrobe. Under the bed. Under the desk… In every nook and cranny, she tried to find Berg’s ring.

Tears fell onto the floor with each step she took.

After a good while spent rolling in the dust, she found Berg’s ring.

Ner’s white hair and tail had become so dirty that they’d turned grey.

She had found the color of the Blackwood family that she’d so desired in the past.

But now, Ner hated that color.

Berg had told her that her white tail was pretty.

He’d told her that he liked it better than grey.

So, Ner knew that she had to wash herself… but again, she couldn’t overcome her instincts.

Ner went outside, shedding tears.

She couldn’t chase after Berg because she was looking for his ring.

This couldn’t possibly be a farewell.

She, his wife, should have remained by his side.

She truly couldn’t believe this reality.

Did he mean that she’d have to live the rest of her life without Berg?

That she wouldn’t be able to feel his warmth?

That on cold nights, even when she reached out, he wouldn’t be there?

That she couldn’t stay by the side of Berg, who had given her his bright smile?

“..Ah… Uh… Ugh…”

It was the worst nightmare.

Berg was the one who was supposed to spend his life with her.

He was her beloved husband.

Her only love.

“Berg… Have you seen him?”

So, she went around asking this question to anyone she could see.

Nobles. Servants. Knights. Soldiers… It didn’t matter.

But she kept asking the same question repeatedly.

“Have you… seen my husband?”

Seeing her in tears, people were surprised, but Ner didn’t have time to care.

She had to find her lifemate.

“Have you not seen Berg…? He’s… he’s my husband… he’s very kind… and… ugh… he likes me a lot…”

The more she went around, the louder the murmurs grew.

A sound that would’ve made her flinch in the past.

‘…Ner…’

‘…Ner Blackwood…White Tail…’

For the first time, Ner retorted to that whisper.

“It’s not Blackwood, it’s Liker..!!”

The servants scattered in surprise at her shout.

Lyker.

She insisted on a surname that she herself was not yet familiar with.

But it couldn’t be helped.

She was in so much pain that it felt like her heart was tearing apart, she couldn’t bear it for a moment.

The fact that she was not linked to Berg was tormenting her.

Even this ring was the same.

It was a ring that connected her to him.

It pained her that he had no trace of her whatsoever at this moment.

So, with both hands, she clutched Berg’s ring tightly and wandered around in search of Berg.

Soon, she finds Shawn, a member of Jo’s Board of Directors, wandering around.

Ner hastily called out to him.

“Sho…Shawn!”

Shawn turned to look at Ner.

His hardened expression momentarily breaks.

Ner ran to him and asked.

She felt a slight sense of relief.

“I’m…I’m looking for Berg. Can you guide me?”

“………”

But Shawn did not respond, looking unsure of what to do.

He seemed surprised at Ner’s state.

Ner called his name again at his nonresponsive appearance.

“…Shawn…?”

Shawn, after closing his mouth for a while, finally spoke.

“I….I heard you’re getting a divorce….”

Ner is stuck in her place.

She struggled for a moment to find something to retort back.

Finally, she asked him with a little anger.

“…Who says such a thing?”

“……..”

“…Who would…spread such a lie…?”

But Shawn, unfazed, said to Ner.

“…I…I heard it directly from the…boss.”

Ner felt her heart drop at his words.

She lowered her head to the words she could not accept.

Berg couldn’t have sorted it out already.

He wouldn’t prepare for a separation so quickly.

“You’re…mistaken. Please take me to Berg.”

“…”

Ner felt frustrated at Shawn’s unresponsive look.

In the end, she brings up stories from the past and tells him.

“…Shaun, I saved your life in the past…”

“…”

“Please. Take me to Berg.”

Shaun seemed to be troubled for a moment, but soon shook his head decisively.

“…Chieftain Berg has also saved my life multiple times. I… will prioritize his command.”

With that, Shaun left Ner and took his leave.

Ner blankly watched the departing mercenary.

For a moment, just like Berg, the Red Flame Clan turned their heads.

It seemed to show how much trust all of Red Flame Clan had towards Berg.

Ner was quickly separated from Berg.

…But she could do nothing about it.

Ner was only tightly holding onto Berg’s ring.

****

The next day, I received a summon from the king.

I could already predict what was waiting for me.

There was no need for further explanation.

End with my wives.

That says it all.

I headed to the conference room with Baran, who had become the deputy chief of the Red Flame Clan.

Senior officers Theodore and Krian also followed me.

Throughout the journey, I could clearly feel the treatment towards us had changed.

It seemed like respect shown to the Red Flame Battalion, who were revered as war heroes.

Even in such moments, I imagine how it would’ve been if Brother Adam was here.

If it was usual… Brother Adam would’ve been walking in front of me.

What would he have said to me if he was here?

Since Brother was so close… I felt like I could hear his voice.

‘Berg. Shall we also make a corridor like this? Looks quite cool.’

I grinned painfully and continued to walk.

I know there’s still suffering that I must endure.

.

.

.

On entering the assembly hall guided by the king’s secretary, Gendry, all the people expected were already present.

The King.

Blackwood family.

Celebrien family.

… And Ner and Arwin.

The two were unable to look at me.

They were already suffering from a bitter pain.

Arwin was already wearing my World Tree necklace around her neck, and Nell was holding my ring precious to her heart, pressing her lips to it.

“…”

I clenched my teeth and turned my head away from them.

Despite knowing that divorce was the right choice, it hurt.

I knew it was a choice made solely for me.

I now understood that their betrayal was a choice stemmed from anxiety.

Having seen them shedding tears pleading for my return, there was no other choice but to believe them.

But I no longer had the strength.

Nor the confidence to withstand the pain any longer.

I had done my best.

…So now, it’s probably okay for me to indulge my desires.

That kind of selfish thought was driving me into a corner.

It was really hard.

Why are they making me feel guilty?

…I only showed sincerity.

As I entered the meeting room, King Rex Draygo looked at me.

“Warrior of Lyn, Berg Liker.”

“…”

Once he called me, I knew.

Now things were really coming to an end.

The king says,

“I heard you’ve chosen a divorcee.”

I nodded.

…Separation from my wives awaited me.