A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 100

※The Ring's Whereabouts※

Liene had spent a long time in deep thought, but her conclusion remained the same. She did not want to alter their current relationship based on fears of a future that had not yet come to pass.

If you ever do fall ill, I will be consumed by grief, but even that pain would not be as unbearable as losing you entirely.

[Black] "What are you thinking that brings such a look to your face?"

Liene shook her head with a small smile. She leaned in, whispering into his ear.

[Liene] "The key the Kleinfelters mentioned... I think I know what it is."

[Black] "The key?"

He didn't ask because he was ignorant of the term’s weight.

[Black] "I was told the Guard Commander was the one who abducted you. Did he speak of the key?"

[Liene] "No. I discovered it myself while searching through the royal records."

[Black] "Records of it actually exist? If so, it could hardly have been a secret."

[Liene] "I’m not certain if it truly relates to the Power of Gods. However, there was a ring in the Gainers treasury that resembled a key. It was said to be an elongated piece, with gemstones arranged to mirror the royal crest."

[Black] "......"

His expression tightened ever so slightly.

[Liene] "Is this something you already knew?"

[Black] "No... but I am familiar with that ring."

As he spoke, a strange, dark shadow fell across his features.

[Liene] "What kind of ring is it?"

Before Liene could press further, Madam Flambard hurried back from the bathroom.

[Flambard] "Your Highness! The water is ready. Let us get you to the bath at once."

He stood from the edge of the bed and swept Liene up into his arms.

[Black] "We will discuss the details after you’ve washed."

[Liene] "Now I’m worried. Is there some terrifying or heart-wrenching secret hidden behind it?"

Liene spoke half-jestingly, but Black did not return her smile.

[Black] "I am worried as well."

[Liene] "Why?"

[Black] "I fear that once you hear the story, you will either be overcome with grief... or you will look upon me with fear."

Liene found herself unable to ask anything more.

What could a mere Gainers ring possibly contain that would make her fear him?

Black carried her into the bathroom and set her down gently on the edge of the tub. His expression remained grim, keeping her nerves on edge.

---

A brief battle of wills ensued once they were in the bathroom.

Madam Flambard had already rolled up her sleeves, prepared to assist with the bath, but Black intervened. He declared that while the Madam had helped the Princess undress, the task of washing her would be his.

The Madam looked utterly indignant, while Randall stood by, looking perplexed. He caught Black just as the Commander was about to re-enter the bathroom.

[Randall] "My Lord. I’m not trying to be insensitive, but I wondered if perhaps you’d forgotten... the Guard Commander and Laffit Kleinfelter have yet to be captured."

[Black] "I am aware. I believe I gave orders to hunt them down."

[Randall] "Yes, and we are searching for them as we speak... but is that enough?"

The Black that Randall knew was not a man to idle when there were enemies to be caught. While one could hardly call attending to his beloved wife "idling," it was a stark departure from his usual ruthless efficiency.

[Black] "I’ve already cut off the body of the operation."

Baiyar had been the brains behind the plot. Now that he was captured, there was little Weroz or Laffit could accomplish on their own.

Thanks to Fermos’s quick work, the public already understood that the Kleinfelters were behind the Princess’s disappearance. Not a single noble dared to step forward to defend Ternan Kleinfelter while he hung in the Temple Square.

The only remaining issue was the inevitable fury of Princess Consort Blini, but that was a problem for another time. Black saw no reason to sacrifice this moment with Liene.

[Black] "Handle any issues that arise. If it’s more than you can manage, call for Fermos."

[Randall] "I—well, of course I can handle it! Understood, My Lord!"

Realizing he was overstepping, Randall bowed deeply and made a hasty exit.

[Flambard] "…Since your mind is clearly made up, I shall yield this time."

With Randall gone, the Madam no longer had the heart to block Black’s path.

[Flambard] "The Princess tends to be quite dismissive of her own injuries. You must take great care with her, Lord Tiwakan."

[Black] "I will."

Black stepped into the bathroom.

Watching his back, the Madam felt a twinge of sadness, as if Liene were being taken from her, but also a sense of warmth at seeing the two so close.

[Flambard] "I suppose I should go prepare her clothes."

Shaking her head with a faint smile, she headed for the bedchamber.

---

[Liene] "Those two haven't been caught yet, have they?"

She had overheard the conversation from outside.

[Black] "You needn't worry. They will be found soon, and even if it takes time, they are powerless now."

As before, Liene sat on the edge of the tub, a towel wrapped around her. She hadn't entered the water yet because of her injuries.

Black rolled up his sleeves and approached her.

[Liene] "Mmm, I’m not worried about them. It’s just..."

[Black] "Just what?"

[Liene] "I think it might be better if the Madam helped me after all."

He ignored her polite request to leave as if he hadn't heard it.

[Black] "I disagree."

[Liene] "I’m serious. I forgot that I can’t actually soak in the tub."

[Black] "And why is that a problem?"

[Liene] "Well... it was embarrassing enough when I was hidden under the water. Now, it’s even worse."

[Black] "Then get in. I have no intention of yielding."

[Liene] "I can't. My feet will sting."

With her soles covered in raw scratches, the water would indeed be painful.

[Black] "Then we shall do it this way."

[Liene] "How?"

Black shed his outer tunic and boots, then lifted Liene into his arms.

[Liene] "Wait, what are you doing?"

[Black] "Putting you in the bath."

Black stepped into the tub while still holding her.

He sat in the water, using his own body as a seat for Liene, and carefully lifted her wounded feet so they rested on the edge of the tub, safely away from the water.

[Liene] "Oh..."

She had never imagined such a thing. Nor had she expected him to join her in the water so readily.

The towel was thin, and the water was warm. A strange, fluttering sensation took hold of her.

[Liene] "This... this feels even more embarrassing."

[Black] "Did you not say you were embarrassed because I could see you?"

[Liene] "Well... yes."

[Black] "I can't see anything right now."

As if.

But the visibility wasn't an issue anymore. The fact that her body was using Black as a chair was far more distracting.

This is so strange. Shouldn't warm water make me feel sleepy and relaxed?

I can barely breathe because I’m so conscious of him.

The sound of splashing water filled the room as Black began to work. He used his hands to gently ladle warm water over her feet, being careful to avoid the open wounds.

[Black] "It breaks my heart to see this."

[Liene] "Please... don't say things like that right now."

It was dangerous to her composure.

[Liene] "It only hurts now because you're looking at it. At the time, I didn't even notice the pain."

He pressed his lips to the nape of her neck.

[Black] "Do not even think about walking on these feet for the time being. I will carry you wherever you need to go."

Though it wasn't a ticklish sensation, her body flinched involuntarily.

[Liene] "You mean to carry me all day? You have far too many responsibilities for that."

[Black] "I will make the time. My most important responsibility right now is looking after you."

[Liene] "That’s... that’s impossible."

She swallowed hard and tried to change the subject.

[Liene] "We should finish our conversation from earlier. What is the tragic story behind the ring?"

[Black] "......I’m not ready to tell it yet."

He slowly washed her injured feet with a stroking motion before burying his face against her bare shoulder.

[Black] "Can we not wait until after the bath?"

[Liene] "Why?"

[Black] "Because I don't want you to become afraid of me."

Liene found the notion almost absurd.

How frightening could a story possibly be? This man was exaggerating, and it didn't suit him at all. 

[Liene] "Does that really make sense? Any story about the ring must be from a long time ago, so there's no way it would scare me."

[Black] "I would prefer it if you were merely angry."

The heat of his breath followed the curve of her shoulder as he let out a sigh.

[Black] "Let’s wait until we are finished. Anger, I can survive. But the look of fear in your eyes... that is what I cannot face. "

[Liene] "No. Tell me now."

Everything felt too strange. Why did he keep saying such things? It was making her anxious.

[Liene] "If it’s something that won't change by waiting, then tell me now. It’s better this way."

His lips stopped moving.

[Black] "Then promise me one thing."

[Liene] "What is it?"

[Black] "If you feel you must do something... promise me you will choose to be angry."

[Liene] "...? But what if I don't feel angry?"

[Black] "To me, that would be far more terrifying."

Liene couldn't fathom what he meant.

Black gently stroked the foot she had propped on the edge of the tub. The stinging sensation of the water had long since faded into a dull hum.

[Liene] "I don't understand why you're saying this, but if the situation calls for it, I will do my best to be angry."

[Black] "That is a promise."

He pulled her closer in the water and began his story.

---

[Black] "It was the King’s Ring. The signet worn only by the monarch who had undergone the coronation."

Henton, the knight who had fled with him from the hunting grounds during the rebellion, had handed it to Black. It was the symbol of Gainers authority—the proof of kingship itself.

King Pembrovin had passed the burden of Nauk onto his sickly eight-year-old son.

[Black] "Protecting that ring was a difficult task for a child of that age."

A passing merchant caravan had found him abandoned among the corpses, clinging to life.

Back then, the borders of Nauk—the wealthiest kingdom in the south—were bustling with trade and constant movement.

But help always came with a price. The caravan took him in, waited for him to regain consciousness, and then sold him to a slave trader in the city of Blue Warren.

[Black] "I had nowhere to hide the ring... so I pushed it into an open wound. The one on my side."

His voice was calm, but Liene began to tremble uncontrollably.

Unable to simply sit there, she turned around and wrapped her arms tightly around his shoulders.

[Liene] "How... how did you bear it? It must have been so painful."

[Black] "It didn't stay hidden for long. The wound festered, and they discovered it.”

[Black] "And while I appreciate the embrace... your feet are dipping into the water."

[Liene] "It’s fine. They don't hurt anymore."

How can I complain about this pain?

You went through that. Alone, at only eight years old.

Even when I’m in pain, I have you by my side. I have so many people I can lean on.

How can I call this 'pain'?

[Black] "Even so, you must be careful. You’ll suffer for it later if you aren't, and the healing will be delayed."

Black gripped her wet feet and adjusted her position, resting them back on the edge of the tub. Before he let go, he leaned down and pressed a short, electric kiss to her ankle. The kiss felt more piercing than the wounds, making her want to cry.

[Black] "Don't forget your promise to be angry."

His voice rumbled low behind her.

Liene bit her lip, fighting back tears.

[Black] "The ring was taken from me."

The slave trader had seized it.

Black had suffered for a long time as his wound rotted. His resolve shifted a dozen times a day; one moment, he wanted to survive and reclaim what was stolen, and the next, he wanted to give up.

[Black] "I escaped when the opportunity arose."

He took advantage of a lapse in surveillance while his wound was still healing.

He didn't have a grand purpose or a plan. He just felt he had to move. If he stayed, he felt he would be truly defeated.

[Black] "Perhaps I simply didn't want to live my life as a slave."

He lived as a fugitive, always moving, always growing. By the age of fourteen, he had lied about his age and joined a small mercenary group.

[Black] "Mercenary groups rarely last. I had to move from one group to another every few years—sometimes twice in a single year."

By the time he turned seventeen, his weapons no longer felt heavy in his hands. He was more at home on a battlefield than in a city. It was around that time he took the name 'Black.'

Eventually, the mercenary group he was with lost a battle. Half were killed; the survivors were taken as prisoners of war.

Prisoners who couldn't pay their ransom were usually sold to slave traders.

Strong, healthy mercenaries were highly valued commodities. By a stroke of fate, the trader who purchased him and three other mercenaries was the very same one from Blue Warren.

[Black] "I was lucky."

Black gave a short, dark laugh as he described how the four of them had destroyed the slave trader’s estate.

The trader’s greed had been his downfall; he had chosen "merchandise" that was far too dangerous. For four seasoned mercenaries, dealing with the trader’s hired guards was a simple task.

Black found out the ring's whereabouts from the slave trader, who begged for his life. The man told him the ring had been sold long ago.

The trader hadn't even recognized him, which made Black realize just how much his appearance had changed.

That day, at the age of eighteen, he gained his first four followers. Three were the mercenaries captured with him, and the fourth was a slave he had helped escape. That was Fermos.

They spent several years as a group of five, traveling to whichever battlefields promised the most coin.

Their numbers grew steadily. By the time he was twenty-three, the world had given his group a name: Tiwakan.

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