Incompatible Interspecies Wives chapter 172

172 – Flow of Time (4)

Ner was emptily staring out the window.

She still wore the ring from Berg on her left ring finger.

The ring that Berg had left behind was worn on her left thumb.

Knowing herself that carrying proof of marriage from a divorced partner was pitiful, but without it, she felt she might go mad.

She thought about throwing herself out the window more than a dozen times a day.

To get hurt just enough not to die, and to send news to Berg.

…If she did, no matter how much Berg was away, she was sure he would come running for her.

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There was no room for doubt.

She knew better than anyone that if she was injured, Berg would come to her.

That was the kind of person Berg was.

Such disgusting thoughts came one after the after.

Ner knew herself to be a dreadful creature intending to exploit Berg’s kind heart.

“Ner.”

Ner was momentarily startled by the voice she heard.

Her weakened body and soul reacted so strongly to even the smallest sound.

When she turned around, it was her older brother Gideon.

Ner had no idea when he came in.

She wondered when her father had left.

Gideon took a deep breath for a while, then asked with a stern face.

“…Will anything change if you stay like this?”

“…”

“Do you expect any changes to your current situation?”

“…”

Ner surprisingly felt nothing from Gideon’s push.

The fear and terror she used to feel were gone.

The extreme pain of breaking up with Berg had numbed all else.

So, Ner simply ignored Gideon’s words and turned her head.

She continued her thoughts on Berg while looking out the window.

“…If I were the mercenary, I would have pushed away someone like you.”

However, Gideon’s next words provoked Ner more than ever.

-Thud!!

“……”

She stood up, her two fists tightly clenched, trembling violently.

Exploding hate.

She had never dared to oppose Gideon like this.

“…Brother.”

Nel warned Gideon through gritted teeth.

“…Watch your mouth.”

She mimicked Berge, who always warned others.

But Gideon, as stubborn as his appearance, only snorted.

“Think about it. You were scared of that humanoid mercenary from the beginning. As far as I can see, you’ve never laid a finger on him. It must’ve been his consideration. He treated you so cautiously…cherishing you. He prepared a betrayal, of course, he shoved you out.”

“…..”

-Thump…Thump…

Angry tears flowed from Nel’s frowned face.

She knew there was no lie in Gideon’s words.

“…. Get out.”

Eventually, all Nel could say was to leave.

Gideon’s painful truth was hurting her.

And as she was in such pain, she thought of only one person.

The man who always healed her pain.

But Gideon didn’t move.

He continued to speak.

“You, writing letters every day, trying to win him over. Do you think that the heart of that humanoid mercenary will change all of a sudden? Don’t you realize yet that his heart for you has already left?”

“Get out!!!”

At Gideon’s words that Berge’s heart for her had left, Nel screamed with all her strength.

Gideon too yelled at her.

“Pull yourself together!!”

Nel was taken aback by Gideon’s shout.

Gideon, looking at Nel, continued to speak.

“Look at yourself. Your skin is pale, your fur has lost its gloss. Even your face, which was your smallest charm, has lost its vitality. Who would accept a woman like you now? Crying… Do you think…the mercenary will come back…? “

Only then did Nel start to look at herself.

Even her tail hair, which Berge said was beautiful, was in a filthy state.

Looking around, everything was broken.

She hadn’t realized when her room had become so dirty.

The teacups and teapots were rolling on the floor, the hem of her dress was scattered around. The food that the servants brought her laid cold on the table. She could even see the broken pieces of furniture and chairs.

There was no room to step.

It was a consequence of her crying uncontrollably and screaming.

For the first time in a few days, she was aware of everything around her.

Anger gradually left Nel’s face.

And in the place where anger left, only self-loathing and sorrow remained.

“… Berge…”

She whispered.

Her longing for him grew more intense by the moment.

She could do anything as long as she could be by Berg’s side.

Kideon spoke.

“The more wrecked you are, the further you are from him and that mercenary. If you still haven’t grasped it, I swear to God, you better comprehend …!”

“….uhh….uh….”

Nair couldn’t stop her tears, which made Kideon sigh and take a moment to breathe.

For a while, the only sound in the room was Nair’s whimpers.

In the midst of that silence, Kideon continued.

“You won’t be able to see him until that mercenary’s fury towards you cools down. This is a reality you will have to accept. Unless something unexpected happens, you won’t be able to see him for a few months.”

At Kideon’s realistic estimate, Nair’s heart ached even more.

“Even that might not be enough. It could be several years, or over a decade. Especially since he might not be eager to see you.”

Ten years was too long. The thought of not being able to see Berg for that long was painfully unbearable.

She was scared that this extended separation could become a reality.

“But if you’re going to be wrecked like this, the next time you meet him, will be the last. In this ruined state, he won’t even look at you. Instead, he might shake off any lingering regrets.”

Kideon said, his face grim.

“It’s your choice. Stand up… or stay wrecked. But if I may suggest something, in the distant future when I become the master: if you’re still in this state… I won’t hesitate to use you as a chess piece for the family. I will sell you off again. This isn’t a threat, it’s a promise… take it to heart.”

With that, Kideon left Nair alone.

“………”

Nair sat there lifelessly, shedding her tears.

But for some reason, Kideon’s endless insults made her situation more clear.

Kideon was right.

If she remained as she was, nothing would change.

She had understood that vividly through Berg.

Berg, under any circumstance, always got up and moved.

Even recently, he continued to move despite losing leader Adam.

As his wife, Nair had watched him do this many times.

She greatly admired him and wanted to support him in those moments.

Now, it was time for Nair herself to follow in his footsteps.

Nair sat in the same spot until nightfall, lost in deep thoughts and contemplation.

If she thought about it now… Berg had been too good for her.

Despite their mutual affection, she possessed nothing that would allow her to get close to him.

“…was it…this difficult, Berg?”

She felt like she needed to get up and start moving again.

As true as Kideon’s words were, she at least needed to make an effort to look beautiful.

The relationship between Blackwood and the Hongyeom Party wasn’t completely severed yet.

Thanks to Berg’s generosity, Blackwood still had a debt to repay.

Although she didn’t know what Berg would ask for… perhaps during that process, she would have a chance to get closer to him.

She didn’t know how long she should wait.

She knew it would be a wait without promises.

And the longer the wait, the deeper the lingering affection for Berg would become.

She hoped it wouldn’t take a long time.

After all, she didn’t know how she would change.

Ner gazed at the moon.

Wondering if Berg from somewhere was looking at the same moon.

“…I miss you too much…Berg…”

She whispered.

Ner’s body began to shiver in the cold.

The night air was chilly.

The night air she would have borne if Berg was near… but it felt even colder tonight.

Finally, Ner leaned against the desk.

She knew she had to pull herself together as Gideon said… but tonight, she felt like crying.

.

.

.

.

The next day, Ner pulled herself together.

Many of the servants were surprised at her change.

She wiped her tears and brushed her tail. She put on some light makeup, just the way Berg liked.

Then after preparing herself, she went to find her father.

At the sight of her standing up, Gibson was in half disbelief.

“…Ner…!”

Beside Gibson was Gideon as well.

Ner, who stood up for Gideon’s words… but she didn’t feel any gratitude towards him.

There was still a grudge against Gideon in Ner’s heart, and now that Berg had appeared… she didn’t need her family’s love anymore.

Ner slowly approached her father and asked a question in a stern tone.

“…You said, thanks to me, Blackwood could stand, right?”

Gibson, who had been noticing the change in Ner, nodded and said.

“That’s true. It’s all thanks to you.”

“…Then, could you do me a favor?”

Gibson nodded again.

“Of course, Ner. I’ll help as much as I can.”

Ner’s stern expression cracks momentarily.

She asked in a trembling voice.

“Can you… take me to Stockpin now?”

Gibson could not easily return a response to her words.

The atmosphere hardened.

Silence continued for a while.

It was Gideon who broke the silence.

“…I can take you there, but you’ll only be driven away.”

“Gideon…!”

Ner nodded quietly at his words.

She already knew that.

She has just said it anyway.

She felt like she had to wait until when Berg needed her power.

So, instead, she spoke.

Because she needed the strength to endure the hopeless waiting.

“… Then, could you at least continually update me on Berg’s whereabouts?”

“…What?”

“How he lives, whether he eats well, the expressions he makes… who he meets with… whether he misses me…”

Ner was just way too curious about Berg.

Ner rested her face on her palms.

The pain didn’t fade.

It was rather becoming even more real.

Her heart, which loved only one person, was still longing for Berg.

Finally, Gibson said.

“…Alright.”

“…”

“I’ll try… in any way possible.”

Ner nodded at his response.

She wanted at least that for now.

****

Sylphien rushed out at the news disturbing the territory of Celebrien.

As expected, many elves were gathered in the town center.

And in the midst of them was Arwen.

She was leading a horse, wearing a sorrowful expression, back to the territory.

Arwen’s disappearance had shocked everyone.

She had just taken a horse and disappeared somewhere, that was the last known information.

Given Arwen’s dislike towards the world tree… Sylphien didn’t think that they would see Arwen here again.

But now, Arwen was facing the elders.

Even in Sylphien’s thoughts, the elders were whimsical beings.

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There was a fear in his heart about what kind of danger could approach Arwen, who hasn’t even reached adulthood at 200.

Although the divorce took place in less than a year… She may be trapped in the territory again.

It wasn’t like Arwen, she wouldn’t overlook that possibility.

But why on earth did she come back?

Sylphien felt guilty about Arwen.

He realized her actions ultimately led to Arwen’s unhappiness.

Of course, she chose to let Mel cry and to let Berg drink the bard liquor.

Ultimately, the final piece was placed by Sylphrien.

Ascal was the first to rush out and grab his daughter’s shoulder.

“Arwen…! Where on earth have you been…!”

“….”

It seemed as though Arwen, her emotions seemingly more dried up than before, looked at her father.

On Arwen’s neck hung a necklace with two overlapping World Tree leaves.

Then she spoke.

“…I came because I have a request for the elders.”

With that, she passed by her father in a dry manner.

Ascal, doubting his daughter’s words, asked.

“…A request…?”

It was something Arwen, as she usually was, would never do.

Especially if the elders were involved.

Sylphrien watched as Arwen approached the elders.

From a certain distance, she looked at the elders….and then slowly bent her knees.

There was a hum of surprise.

Would they have ever thought the day would come when Arwen, who had been continuing her journey despite her collapse, would kneel before the elders?

Even Sylphrien swallowed her breath at the sight.

But Arwen continued.

“Elders.”

The faces of the elders also seemed complicated.

On their faces too, a light of sympathy for Arwen existed.

Arwen continued.

“From now on…I will perform the sacrifice ritual under the World Tree every day…”

With these words, a rumble spread amongst the elves.

Ascal also tried to restrain her from behind.

“Arwen….what are you saying…”

But Arwen continued as if she didn’t hear.

“From now on…I will do as ordered…”

Arwen, shedding a lone tear, pleaded.

“…If there’s a way to transfer a lifetime…could you please teach me?”

At these words, no one could open their mouth.

Among the elves, there was nothing as important as lifespan.

Yet Arwen, the one with the longest lifespan, and a talent that would remain in history for a long time, asked for a way to share it.

Even though she was given the freedom she so longed for.

But only Arwen whispered from the center.

“…I now have…a being that I can’t be without…”

.

.

.

After a brief commotion, Sylphrien found himself facing Arwin.

The elders, for now, led her to a room in an attempt to soothe her.

And it was Sylphrien who ended up staying with her.

Sylphrien had not spoken with Arwin since the conversation that day.

Sylphrien asked with difficulty.

“…You will share your lifespan…?”

“…”

“Arwin, what are you talking about?”

“…You already know what I’m thinking.”

Arwin’s voice expressed complete resignation.

Whether she felt something somewhere, she began to explain.

“…If Berg is no longer there… There is no reason for me to live in this world.”

“Arwin-“

“Lately, my senses have been disappearing too, Sis. I can’t distinguish the colors well… Nowadays, I can’t even smell. I don’t really taste anything, no matter what I eat…”

Arwin looked up at Sylphrien with a small smile.

As if she had forgotten about the resentment of the past.

She then spoke.

“…I feel like I’m withering.”

“…”

Sylphrien, searching for what to say, spoke to Arwin.

“Arwin. Even if there is a way to share lifespan… It will definitely be taboo. Suppose other races discover this fact. Elves can be used as a device to prolong life”

“-It’s not my concern.”

As expected, Arwin spoke dryly.

It felt like none of her words were reaching her.

“I feel like dying… there’s no time to worry about others.”

“………”

Soon, Arwin began to laugh.

It was a light and harmless feeling of laughter.

“…I can wait.”

“What?”

“Even if Berg ends up with that saint… I can wait.”

“…”

“I’ll wait until the saint’s lifespan ends. Until Berg has enough happiness with her… I don’t mind being next in line… After that, I’ll share my lifespan and live on. If there’s no one else to love… wouldn’t he be able to love me again…?”

Tears trembled on the edge of Sylphrien’s eyes.

It felt like she had caught a glimpse of Arwin’s deep obsession.

Arwin turned her head to look at Sylphrien.

“…Sis.”

“…Yes?”

At the same time, Sylphrien saw into Arwin’s eyes and realizes.

Just how many tears Arwin was holding back.

It seemed impossible to say anything harsher to her.

From the look in her sad eyes, even Arvin seemed to realize how absurd his words must sound.

While Arvin was locking eyes with Sylphrien, a bird flew in and perched upon Arvin’s shoulder.

A bluebird.

Arvin’s bird.

“…Is there magic that allows one to see the world through my bird?”

“What?”

“Can I… see what my bird sees…?”

“…”

Of course, there was such magic. It was actually quite a simple spell.

A magic to share the view with one’s pet. It was a spell that Sylphrien used often.

But maybe it hesitated because it knew where Arvin intended to use this magic.

“….Sister?”

At the same time, tears welled up in Arvin’s eyes. These seemed to form unwittingly.

Unaware even to herself.

“….”

In the end, the only answer Sylphrien could give was one.

Perhaps it was because of the guilt towards Arvin.

“…Yes, there is.”

“Can you teach me?”

“…’

Arvin desperately clutched Sylphrien’s hand.

“…Teach me, sister. I… want to see Berg’s face.”

After a while of contemplation, Sylphrien finally nodded.

“…Yes. I’ll teach you.”

****

A few more days passed.

I was getting red-faced with the persuasive proposal that flew in every day.

If there was a part where the letter helped…It was that I could memorize the family emblem a little easier.

“The Tass family?”

“Yes, it’s Tass.”

Repeatedly confirming the emblems, Gale helped me each time.

Gale, who had been shaking his head back and forth, asked me at one moment.

“So, Berg. How are the preparations for the agricultural implements?”

“The letter regarding that should arrive today.”

“I see. And what about the news about the scattering mercenaries?”

“……”

I was looking at a few letters.

Letters came from the mercenaries who had participated in the mercenaries’ meeting like our Hongyeom group.

Arakredan, Lunar Deer Clan, Dragon Speech Clan… They are all turning to us for help.

We had to ignore all, as we were already overwhelmed by what was in store for us.

-Knock knock knock.

That’s when the knock echoed through the room.

‘It’s Desmond. May I come in?’

It was Desmond, our newly employed butler.

“Come in.”

He bowed his head as he opened the door.

He seemed to be well-prepared from the start.

“Master, new letters have arrived.”

Gael sighed.

“…They keep on coming nonstop.”

Like Adam would have done, I accepted those letters without a word of complaint.

I was checking each letter’s origin when my eyes suddenly fixated.

“….”

Seeing my hesitation, Gael asked,

“…Is it from Ner again?”

“…”

I bit my lip and put Ner’s letter in a drawer first.

Already, there were over ten letters piled up unread.

It makes me uncomfortable that Ner is still trying to find me.

But I knew that even this was something I had to overcome.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but feel troubled by the letter.

I let out a long sigh and got up from my seat.

“…I’ll go out for a breather for a moment.”

“As you wish.”

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.

.

I took a moment out of the village, sitting in the open grasslands.

It was the grassland where Arvin and I used to visit often.

-Rustle… Rustle…

“…Are you tired?”

Then, someone came and asked me.

Upon looking, it was Cien who was standing beside me.

We had gradually been becoming closer over time.

I nodded my head in response.

“…A little.”

Cien cautiously walked over and took a seat next to me.

Just like we did in the past, we sat side by side, gazing at nature, spending our time together.

“Memories are resurfacing.”

As if reading my thoughts, Cien whispered.

I quietly nodded in response.

Without realizing it, her shoulder and mine were touching.

We just found ourselves in this natural position.

“… It feels strange to experience peace after spending 7 years on the battlefield…”

“…”

I too felt the same way, being a mercenary and now experiencing this was unfamiliar.

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Upon reflection, we had a lot in common.

“….Indeed.”

-Chirp! Chirp!

Just then, a bluebird flew in and perched on my thigh.

It was a small bird, about the size of a sparrow.

Cien watched this delightful and adorable scene, laughing in surprise.

“Bel…!”

She whispered gently, to prevent the bird from flying off.

I too found myself laughing at the bird.

Stretching out my hand, I patted the bird gently, but it did not fly away.

-Chirp! Chirp!

What I noticed then, was Cien sticking close to my shoulder

It seemed she leaned in closer to get a better look at the bird.

I was gazing at Cien whilst stroking the bird.

Cien also smiled at the bird before catching my gaze.

“…Ah.”

Her eyes trembled and became rigid.

We were caught in a mutual gaze for a long while.

After an extended period of eye contact, Cien turned her head away, clearing her throat.

With a blush, she fiddled with her hair and spoke.

“Be… Bel, you said there’s a festival today, right?”

I nodded in response.

“Would you… like to spend some time… together?”

She asked tenderly.

For a moment, I blinked at her.

Her cheeks were flushing from her neck to her ears.

A familiar floral scent started emanating from her.

She hasn’t changed since the memories of 7 years ago.

Before I could reply, Cien rose from her seat as if recalling something.

“I, I’m sorry. I misspoke-”

“-Let’s do it.”

I replied to her.

“…Huh?”

She stiffened at the spot.

Again, I looked at her face and said.

“That’s the way.”

“……………..”

A bright smile spread across her face.

She was teary-eyed but nodded and said, “Yes…!”

-Chirp! Chirp!

The bird perched on my knee continued to chirp.