A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 105

※Insufficient Time※

[Liene] "Prince Dieren’s legs were badly injured. Has he been treated?"

She asked as they walked side-by-side toward the dungeon. Black turned his head slightly, hiding his expression.

[Black] "He has. It looks like a severe injury, but it isn’t as bad as it seems. His life is in no danger."

Whether the man would lose his "function" as a male was a possibility, but Black didn't care about that in the slightest.

[Liene] "Ah, that’s a relief. Will he be able to walk normally once he heals?"

[Black] "He might limp a little, but he won’t be crippled."

[Liene] "Oh dear. What if Grand Duke Alito takes issue with this?"

[Black] "The Grand Duke will be overjoyed just to find his son's limbs are still attached."

Had Liene not appeared when she did, the Grand Duke would have received his son’s legs and torso in separate packages. It was a fact everyone knew—except for Liene.

[Tiwakan] "Oh, you’ve both come together, My Lord?"

The underground dungeon was unusually quiet today.

The crowded Royal Guards had been released, replaced by the two prisoners who had been hanging in the Square of the Gods. One of them was particularly silent, his jawbone having been shattered. Because of his status, Dieren was kept in solitary confinement.

[Liene] "I’ve come to see the Prince of Alito."

[Tiwakan] "This way, Your Highness."

A Tiwakan leading them couldn't help but think the pair looked less like a couple visiting a prison and more like they were out on a pleasant stroll.

Creak.

The door opened, and Black stepped in first. Even though Dieren was pale and exhausted from his own suffering, Black remained vigilant.

[Black] "You may come in."

Once he confirmed there was no threat, he reached out. Liene took his hand and entered the cell.

[Dieren] "…A reply already? That’s impossible."

Dieren spoke through a cold sweat, his face ashen.

[Liene] "It hasn't arrived yet."

[Dieren] "Then why are you here? Have you come to mock my pathetic state?"

His voice was sharp with sarcasm.

Black clicked his tongue.

[Black] "Why don't we just leave? Not when he’s acting like this."

[Liene] "I have a job to do."

[Black] "It’s a waste of time. You should spend that time with me instead."

[Liene] "We are together right now."

[Black] "But there is someone else in the way."

She smiled and opened the basket Black was holding.

Despite his grumbling about visiting Dieren, he had dutifully carried the basket for her.

[Liene] "That’s enough. And Prince Dieren, I didn't come here to mock you. I came to help."

Dieren fell silent when he saw bandages and clean linens being pulled from the basket.

[Liene] "Here. Apply the medicine and change the bandages."

She took the basket and pressed the supplies into Black’s hands instead.

[Dieren] "First you break me, then you offer medicine… what kind of twisted game is this?"

Dieren snapped in frustration.

Black looked just as displeased, but he nodded.

[Black] "Wise of you."

[Liene] "Yes. If I offered to do it myself, you would only hate the Prince more. Right?"

He gave a wry smile.

[Black] "Caught already. That’s troublesome."

[Liene] "It’s not troublesome at all. Knowing what you like and dislike is quite helpful for our marriage. Just like now."

Holding the bandages, Black leaned in and kissed her ear.

[Black] "I think of this every day, but I married well."

[Liene] "I feel the same way."

Dieren watched them, looking as if he wanted to grind his teeth.

[Dieren] "If you’re going to act like that, just don't do anything. Don't make a fool out of me."

[Liene] "I can't do that."

She shook her head firmly and stepped closer to Dieren.

[Liene] "You are a precious hostage, after all. I brought some apple juice; would you like some?"

[Dieren] "......"

Dieren scowled. However, when Liene pulled out a bottle that still looked chilled, he didn't refuse.

[Liene] "Here."

She placed the bottle in Dieren's hand. He took the juice roughly and gulped it down.

[Dieren] "…Gah! Cough, cough!"

He suddenly cried out. Apple juice sprayed everywhere, though he managed to keep a tight grip on the bottle.

The culprit was Black. He had slapped the medicine onto the stitched wound with a loud thwack.

[Black] "Be grateful she is giving up her time with me for this. Be grateful your limbs are still attached. Never forget what you did on Nauk’s soil."

[Dieren] "......"

Dieren muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

[Liene] "I want the ring Princess Blini has returned to me."

She spoke as she placed the basket, now filled with plenty of food, within Dieren’s reach.

[Liene] "Caring for you means that. It’s not because I’ve forgotten what you did to me, or because I think it was a small matter."

Her calm voice had a way of making people weigh her words carefully.

[Liene] "The price for what you did in Nauk will be paid by Princess Blini or Grand Duke Alito. I don't want the process to be more violent than necessary. My goals are clear, and I have no desire to seek petty revenge against you."

[Dieren] "…Well, that’s…"

He started to say something, but closed his mouth.

He knew Liene was treating him without malice. If he had been in Black’s position, he would have cut the enemy's throat first and prepared for war later, regardless of the consequences.

He stole a glance at Black. When Black applied the medicine, he thought his leg was about to be ripped off, but the way Black changed the bandages wasn't actually that rough.

It must be because of Princess Liene. He’s being careful because she’s right here.

Thinking that made Dieren feel strange.

The Black who had become Liene’s husband seemed like a different person from the Tiwakan Commander and the God of War he once knew.

No one on the continent had ever seen the Tiwakan Commander walk on eggshells around someone.

People don't change that easily...

He was just pretending to be gentle—to be loved by the wife he adored.

[Dieren] "Ha, seriously."

The more he watched them, the more he realized how foolish his sister had been.

How did she ever think she could steal a man like that?

It was a blessing she had failed. Had he successfully sent Liene to Sharka as planned, the result would have been far more horrific.

Baiyar’s claim that their father was in league with Blini might have been a lie to lure Dieren in.

His father knew Black better than anyone and had never once cheated the Tiwakan on the gold he sent. It wasn't just out of fear.

[Dieren] "My sister..."

He forced himself to speak.

[Dieren] "I know she made a mistake. And I know I did things I shouldn't have."

[Liene] "That you did."

[Dieren] "…I would like to send a letter to the Duchy as well. I will inform the Grand Duke of everything. Including your wish, Princess, that this doesn't end in blood."

[Liene] "I would appreciate that."

Princess Liene gave a faint, quiet smile.

For reasons he couldn't explain, Dieren felt a sudden wave of shame for having used poison as his sister had instructed.

[Liene] "Then rest. Since your servant is away, I will send someone once a day until he returns. If you need anything, let us know."

Dieren was grateful, but he felt it would be pathetic to start making demands immediately.

[Dieren] "Just being able to write the letter is enough."

[Liene] "Understood. I hope your wounds heal quickly. We’ll be leaving now."

Liene tucked her hand into Black’s arm.

Black’s eyes softened as he looked down at the Princess, who was smiling up at him. Those eyes, which usually held a cold guard against the world, now looked as if they were melting with warmth.

[Black] "Watch your head."

He reached out to hold the door frame. The Princess crossed the threshold comfortably, though she hadn't been in any danger of hitting it.

[Liene] "How strange."

[Black] "What is?"

[Liene] "You."

[Black] "Am I being strange today?"

[Liene] "Why is it that every time you do these things, my heart still flutters?"

[Black] "I find you the strange one, Princess."

[Liene] "Why? I’m only being honest."

[Black] "I think it’s time you realized what happens in my head every time you say you like me."

[Liene] "Oh...!"

The door closed, hiding whatever happened next.

Instead, the sound of footsteps merged into one, followed by the sound of Liene’s breathless laughter.

[Black] "Give me just one hour."

[Liene] "No... It’s the middle of the day."

[Black] "Nothing is 'no.' We are newlyweds."

It seemed Black was carrying Liene toward their bedroom.

Listening to them, Dieren felt a bitter taste in his mouth and had to gulp the apple juice Liene had left behind.

His letter reached Grand Duke Alito four days later.

---

[Fermos] "Things are turning out quite... well, I can't say 'interestingly.' It’s more like a complete mess."

The information brokers in the Sharka Kingdom were sending news several times a day. It was a sign of how chaotic the situation had become.

[Fermos] "The mad Princess heard about her brother's letter. She seems to be delaying her reply. Not because she’s testing us, but because she’s in no position to do so. Her own feet are currently in fire."

Fermos reported on Blini’s recent movements.

[Fermos] "The 5th Prince has a rather dim-witted son... his name is Wistard. This man was caught bribing the prison guards. He was trying to kill a prisoner—interestingly enough, the same Sharka soldier who was sent back alive."

[Liene] "Wait, then...?"

Her eyes widened, and she adjusted her posture. The old, large armrests of the office chair gave a loud creak.

Even as newlyweds, the two remained busy. Dealing with the fallout between Sharka and Alito made them busier than they had been during wedding preparations.

Fortress construction, reorganizing the guards, executing the Kleinfelters, and dealing with the Temple—the list of tasks was endless.

[Black] "Careful."

He quickly caught the creaking chair.

[Liene] "Ah, it’s fine. This chair is old; it always does that. Anyway, what do you mean he tried to kill the survivor?"

[Fermos] "It seems the mad Princess is trying to deny sending the Sharka troops to Nauk. Wistard refuses to name who is behind him, which is causing the 5th Prince a lot of trouble."

[Liene] "Is Lord Wistard, the son of the 5th Prince, protecting Princess Blini?"

[Fermos] "Yes. He’s said to be a weak-willed man, but he’s holding out. Regardless, Wistard has been confined to his home. The 5th Prince is furious, making the atmosphere in the Royal Court quite bloody. The King is siding with Princess Blini, though he isn't doing so openly for the sake of appearances."

He stole a glance at Black.

[Fermos] "Because of that, the relationship between the King and Queen is also strained. Well, that household rarely gets along anyway. Furthermore, the Queen still suspects foul play in Prince Vasheyd’s death. She believes Princess Blini killed her son."

[Black] "It’s not outside the realm of possibility."

He added without much emotion.

[Black] "The Princess Consort is not the type to care about the lives of others. But if she truly killed him, it was a foolish move. Did she not consider her position in the Royal Court?"

[Fermos] "Hmm... I’m also a bit confused by that. She doesn't seem like someone who would kill her husband without a plan. Unless she hated him that much."

[Black] "Perhaps she has someone else she’s relying on."

[Fermos] "Could it be the King? Hmph, in that family, it wouldn't even be surprising if the King and the Princess Consort had that kind of relationship."

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