A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 107

※Absolutely Unbelievable (2)※

When the box was opened, what was inside was a small pair of nail clippers. Its body was made of gleaming silver, adorned with rubies on the exterior.

However, they were not new. No matter how thoroughly they had been polished, there was an undeniable difference between an object that had been used and one that had not.

[Henton] "These aren't new, so they couldn't have been meant as a gift."

Madam Henton murmured as she closed the lid.

[Flambard] "Indeed. Why on earth would he keep such a thing...?"

The same thought occupied everyone's mind—that perhaps this was a keepsake from someone in his past, something he had been unable to discard.

[Liene] "It’s likely not a memento of the deceased."

Liene spoke in a voice so faint it was barely audible.

It was unlikely to be a relic of his mother; when Prince Fernand had left Nauk, the only thing he had carried was the ring known as the key.

Then, strangely, a comment she had brushed aside a few days ago resurfaced in her mind.

—I have something to exchange for the ring.

He had said it would be somewhere if she looked for it.

Then, could this belong to Princess Blini?

[Liene] "...Sigh."

Liene’s breath grew ragged.

[Flambard] "Princess."

The two ladies observed Liene with worried eyes.

But at that moment, she could see nothing else—only those beautiful nail clippers.

...I know, I know.

Tokens of affection are exchanged all the time. Blini still had his ring, after all, and hadn't even given him an answer when he asked for it back. It was perfectly possible for him to keep it.

What could Liene do about things that happened in the past?

She knew. She understood. She understood, but... it felt terrible.

He said he hated it when I showed pity for others. So why is he holding onto something like this?

[Liene] "Give it to me. I’ll put it back."

Liene placed the closed box deep within the dresser drawer.

[Henton] "Is that alright, Your Highness?"

[Liene] "I intend to ask him about it. But it’s not my place to dispose of it as I please."

Her words were composed, but her brow was deeply furrowed.

The two madams turned their heads, pretending not to notice her expression.

[Liene] "Let’s finish organizing. Give me the rest of the things. I’ll put them in this drawer."

[Flambard] "Yes, Your Highness..."

Fearing they had accidentally stirred a hornet's nest, the two madams could not bring themselves to meet Liene's eyes for the rest of the day.

---

Capturing Laffit Kleinfelter was an easy task. He was half-unconscious from hunger and thirst.

His face, which had once earned him the reputation of a handsome man wherever he went, had thinned so much it was almost pitiable.

[Fermos] "It seems it begins here."

After dragging Laffit out, Fermos and Black traced the artificial marks hidden within the maze.

[Fermos] "This appears to be the location the Princess mentioned. It looks like a dead end, but if this is a mechanism, there must be something behind it."

The solid stone wall looked like nothing more than a wall. There were no clues to be found, nor anything that even appeared suspicious.

[Fermos] "Hmm... we can't exactly force it open. We don't know what kind of mechanism it is. And where on earth is the lock?"

Fermos echoed the same concerns Liene had.

If there was a key, there had to be a lock it was meant to open. No matter how close they held the lanterns, nothing resembling a lock appeared.

[Black] "It’s here somewhere."

He narrowed his eyes as he stared at the stone wall.

[Black] "Liene told me that Nauk wasn't originally a place where it rained often, yet water was always abundant."

[Fermos] "Ah, have you already discovered that? Then every circumstance aligns with the idea that the Power of Gods is water. That old man from the Kleinfelter house continues to keep his mouth shut, but he started foaming at the mouth the moment I mentioned 'water'."

[Black] "We might learn more once Manau wakes up."

[Fermos] "To be honest, I don't have high expectations there. If he knew anything, surely the Kleinfelters would have tortured it out of him by now. For now, I’d like to map this area. Knowing exactly where this leads would be helpful."

[Black] "That sounds like a headache."

[Fermos] "I learned cartography, but I’ve never actually used it... It would be much easier if we had someone who knew the local geography well."

[Black] "Find someone."

[Fermos] "Understood. However, regarding the matter of sending a messenger to the Queen of Sharka, there are too many variables. First, we don't know how Sharka will treat a messenger from Nauk. And if we try to test the waters, we don't exactly have any connections within the Sharka Royal Court. Information brokers are useful, but they don't know the intimate inner workings of the palace."

[Black] "It doesn't sound like you’re suggesting we change the plan, though."

[Fermos] "Well... no. There’s no other alternative at the moment. I just wanted to point out that there is much to consider."

Fermos was not the type to complain unnecessarily. Saying there was much to consider meant he had already thought it through and found a problem.

[Black] "Just say it. Don't beat around the bush."

[Fermos] "...You won't be angry?"

[Black] "You’re saying it because there’s no other way."

[Fermos] "That’s true."

[Black] "What is it?"

[Fermos] "You should go yourself, My Lord."

There was a reason Fermos had been laying the groundwork.

[Fermos] "Of course, it will take quite some time, and you’ll be away from the Princess for just as long. But if you go, the Queen of Sharka will have no choice but to listen. Even if you go as the Tiwakan Commander rather than the ruler of Nauk."

[Black] "...It’s going to be hard not to get angry."

Fermos jumped back, creating some distance.

[Fermos] "M-My Lord, you’re the one who said I could speak!"

[Black] "It’s a fact that I’m annoyed. You want me to go to Sharka? It’s a three-day journey just to get there."

[Fermos] "Since you ride fast anyway, it would only take two—I misspoke. I’ll think of another way."

[Black] "...I can't stand it."

Fermos flinched at Black’s low murmur.

[Fermos] "The—the anger, My Lord?"

[Black] "No. Being apart."

[Fermos] "......"

Fermos turned toward the shadows and silently clicked his tongue.

[Black] "I’m afraid something will happen again while I’m gone."

[Fermos] "Ah... well... that’s understandable. But haven't we locked up everyone who could cause trouble?"

[Black] "It was the same back then. But problems keep arising. Not just Kleinfelter, but worse things."

[Fermos] "Well, um... we didn't expect the Kingdom of Sharka or the Duchy of Alito to interfere... Of course, I understand your feelings completely."

Having gone through the same ordeal twice, it was only natural for him to be scarred. It made sense that he would cherish her so dearly.

Fermos repeatedly muttered to himself that it was normal and that his Lord wasn't being excessive.

...Though he does seem a bit excessive. No, but what power do I have?

If he doesn't want to go, I have to find another way.

[Black] "I’m glad you understand."

[Fermos] "Y-yes... of course."

The two of them surveyed the maze a bit longer but eventually emerged after failing to find any other significant traces.

---

From the moment he returned to the castle until they finished their late dinner, it had been a day like any other.

It was a pity that Liene had eaten first with the ladies, but it was better than her going hungry while waiting for him.

It was also a pity she had used the bath alone, but it wasn't something to make an issue of.

[Black] "......"

However, the fact that Liene was lying flat on the bed, staring at the ceiling the entire time, was definitely a sign that something was wrong.

[Black] "May I ask if something has happened?"

He spoke after a long silence, his body feeling stiff as he followed her lead.

[Liene] "Nothing happened."

...As if.

If he believed her when she had been staring wordlessly at the ceiling for an hour since they climbed into bed, his mind would have to be severely lacking.

[Black] "I know that isn't true. Just tell me."

[Liene] "Since it’s something we’ve already discussed, I don't think there’s much point in saying it again. It’s not something I can do anything about, anyway."

Ultimately, it meant he had repeated a mistake. But what on earth could it be?

He seriously retraced the time he had spent with Liene since the afternoon.

Was it because I kept her in bed since midday?

He knew he hadn't acted maturely. Even though he knew Kleinfelter meant nothing to her, he couldn't stand the pity she showed him. He wished she would give him even the smallest crumb of the heart she wasted on such a man. That was likely why he had held onto her—like a child consumed by jealousy.

...I thought she understood that.

If Liene had shown even the slightest hint of reluctance, he wouldn't have kept her in bed until late afternoon. It wasn't like her to get angry about it now.

[Black] "Usually, if I’ve done something wrong, I have an idea, but this time I’m at a loss."

He spoke once more.

[Black] "Tell me. Consider it as saving me tonight."

[Liene] "......"

She was preternaturally kind. At his single plea, she turned her head toward him.

[Black] "...You can't tell me?"

But the gaze that had turned toward him vanished in an instant.

[Black] "Why?"

[Liene] "It’s just... I don't like the fact that I can't hide how upset I am over something like this."

[Black] "I feel the same. I don't like the fact that I’m the one who made you upset."

[Liene] "It’s not your fault. ...Well, it’s not a 'fault,' but you are the cause. Anyway, I just want to let this go. My mood will improve once some time has passed."

As if that makes any sense.

To spend more time lying side-by-side like this, staring blankly at the ceiling—it was a high-intensity form of torture.

[Black] "I don't like it. I can't endure this."

[Liene] "Then what should I do?"

[Black] "Don't be like this. Look me in the eye and be angry."

[Liene] "It only makes me feel worse when I look at your face. I’m intentionally not looking at you because I want my mood to improve as quickly as possible."

The implication that she didn't even want to see his face was a shock.

[Black] "...Liene."

He sat up abruptly and forced himself into her line of sight.

[Liene] "Ah... don't do this."

[Black] "What do I have to do?"

[Liene] "Nothing. I told you. It’s not your fault."

[Black] "It is my fault."

[Liene] "I told you it isn't."

[Black] "If you are angry with me, then it is my fault."

[Liene] "Haa..."

She finally reached her limit and sat up as well.

[Liene] "What on earth does that mean? It’s not that you did anything wrong; it’s just that I’m in a bad mood on my own. How is it your fault just because I’m angry?”

Liene] "If I were walking down the street, tripped on my own, and got angry at you for being there, would that be your fault?"

[Black] "That is definitely my fault. For being beside you and failing to catch you."

[Liene] "Wow... how can you say such a thing?"

She caught her breath and shook her head before firmly grabbing the hem of his robe.

[Liene] "You have no intention of waiting for my mood to improve on its own, do you?"

He looked down and kissed the back of her hand as it gripped his robe.

[Black] "Forgive me just this once. I can't stand it."

[Liene] "You shouldn't be doing this."

She frowned and pulled her hand away.

[Black] "Am I not allowed to kiss you?"

[Liene] "No. Not right now. Because I’m angry."

[Black] "Usually, people make up after a kiss."

[Liene] "In 'usual' cases, perhaps. ...But this isn't one of them."

[Black] "Why not?"

[Liene] "It keeps..."

She closed her eyes tight and swallowed hard. Her mouth felt dry.

[Liene] "...coming to my mind."

[Black] "What does?"

[Liene] "Ever since I found out you... You’ve been keeping it all this time. I keep thinking about it. Thinking that you must have been like this with other people, too."

[Black] "......"

[Liene] "I know it’s foolish. So just leave me be. I’m embarrassed to even say these things."

Having finished, she lay back down and pulled the duvet over her head, turning herself into a cocoon.

[Black] "......"

He stared at the "Liene-cocoon" for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

It sounds like she’s saying she’s jealous... is that right?

[Black] "Princess."

Prev

Chapters

Next