Black tilted his head, his gaze searching her as if trying to decipher a map of a territory he had never visited. [Liene] "It’s alright if you aren't... 'alright'." She whispered. [Liene] "I’m the one who deceived you." [Black] "At first, it truly didn't matter. Even if you were carrying another man’s child." His voice dropped to a low, gravelly rasp. [Black] "I was the one who decided to take you, and I viewed it as the price proposing to you so late. It didn't matter whos

There were too many things she needed to say, and the weight of them made it impossible to choose where to begin. In the hazy borderland of her dreams, time had felt desperately short. Liene had focused on the one truth she needed him to hear most: I never carried a child. You haven't lost anything to me. Take back what is yours, completely. She couldn't remember his response. She had assumed it was merely a fever dream, but the fact that he was here, by her side, suggested

Black pressed Madam Henton, his voice a low, emotionless rasp. To any outsider, he sounded cold, but the Tiwakan mercenaries standing guard felt the serrated edge of desperation hidden in his tone. [Black] "Speak quickly. Your son’s life—and the life of the Princess he took—depends on how fast you find your tongue." [Henton] "P-Princess... Liene...?" [Black] "If the Princess lives, I will spare him." [Henton] "But why... why go so far...?" [Black] "I don't have time for your

[Klima] "It’s a labyrinth down there. Torches are useless; the air will swallow the flames before they can light your way. You must count your steps. Since your sense of direction will mean nothing in the dark, you have to trust your stride completely." He gave her meticulous directions toward the castle. Liene had never imagined the foundations of Nauk Castle ran so deep, nor that such a subterranean network existed beneath her feet. [Liene] "Even the Kleinfelters are blind

The seven families had been relentless. Knight Henton’s flight ended in a desperate struggle, his life snuffed out by the Kleinfelter private militia before he could breach the border.

The fires had been scattered, none of them large enough to threaten the structure of the castle, but the sheer scale of Nauk made the cleanup an ordeal. Embers hid in the shadows, requiring hours of tedious vigilance. [Fermos] "Whew. I think that’s the last of it, My Lord. You should head back inside." It was only as dawn began to bleed into the sky that Fermos dared to nudge Black toward the living quarters. Truthfully, Fermos had wanted to speak up hours ago,

She would have told him the truth. Thud, thud! The words were on the tip of her tongue when a frantic voice shattered the moment. [Tiwakan] "My Lord! Are you there? Forgive the intrusion, but it’s an emergency!" [Black] "..." Black muttered something under his breath—a string of words she couldn't quite catch, though judging by his dark expression, they were likely a choice set of curses. He rose swiftly, his jaw set in irritation. [Black] "Wait here." Clad only in his loose

Madam Flambard held Liene's arm, her face and voice grave with a seriousness that demanded attention. [Madam Flambard] “And I will tell you this, Your Highness, because you have no experience, but it is not good to have physical relations during your monthly cycle. No matter how fierce the temptation to indulge each other’s bodies, you must avoid it. You understand, don’t you?” Liene was so utterly shocked to hear the words “physical relations” spoken so bluntly that she shoo

Liene closed her eyes. That moment was the most fulfilling time for her as well. This vast Nauk Castle, even though she had lived here since childhood, was not really her home. Or rather, if it was a home, it was too empty. Black’s arrival finally filled that void, making it feel like a real home. Her trembling hands clutched his clothes. [Liene] "Is it... alright?" [Black] "It is. If the Princess desires it." [Liene] "Even if I desire it... I am not worthy. I... I still ca

[Liene] “...” [Old Man] “...” Liene received the old man in the Audience Hall. The Audience Chamber were uncomfortable places for an elderly man with leg problems, as there were no chairs for anyone other than royalty. As promised, Black closed the door and left after bringing him. Liene allowed time for the old man to fully absorb the fact that they were alone, slowly observing his one visible eye. ...No injuries or anything. It meant Black had not

[Liene] "Ah, I must have misheard. There’s no need to come in." [Tiwakan] "I will stay by your side, if you wish. This room seems just right for sword practice." The Tiwakan style of speaking, regardless of time or place, always made her smile, and she found it rather inconvenient. She shook her head, a faint smile on her face. [Liene] "I'll call you when I want to watch sword practice." [Tiwakan] "Understood. Please do. I will be on standby right outside." The clatter of th

Creeaaak. The iron door, rusted by humidity, scraped as it was pushed open, setting teeth on edge. Squish. The sound of footsteps was also thick and wet with dampness. The black hair of the figure who entered the room, tilting his head as if the iron door was too narrow, swayed slightly. [Old Man] “.......” The man sitting on the floor slowly lifted his head. Then, his eyes widened in surprise. [Old Man] “.......” He likely felt aggrieved by the fact

Liene found herself alone with Black in the bedroom, where a strange current flowed, making it hard to breathe with every intake of air. [Liene] "......Thank you for your concern. I am fine now, so please leave to attend to your duties." [Black] "Would the Princess do the same?" [Liene] "......." Black took her silent expression as his answer. [Black] "Lie down. I will watch over you from here." After speaking, he pulled a chair from the fireplace, placed it beside the bed, a

She hated how her voice trembled. She wrapped her arms around her own shoulders as she spoke. [Liene] "If you’re so intent on proving your skills, find another way to do it. Show me in a way that allows me to happily look forward to sharing a bed with you.” [Black] "......Is this wrong?” [Liene] "Yes. Because it only makes me feel like you’re toying with me. My heart won’t open like this. Just because my body reacts to your touch doesn’t mean I’m ready. My heart needs to be r

Black had said something similar before. He claimed to know it was a betrothal, yet admitted it might have just been empty words from his late father. [Liene] "If that’s the case, there wouldn't be any record of it in the royal archives, would there?" [Flambard] "I wouldn't know about such things." [Liene] "I should check, just in case." Liene turned around in a flurry. If there were royal records, they would be somewhere in the study. Please. Let there be something left.