A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 113

※Like a Honeymoon※

The Kingdom of Sharka was a land of many birds. Grass, trees, and people were abundant.

With every breath she took, she felt a lingering dampness in her nostrils. Bordering the ocean, even the air in Sharka was thick with moisture.

[Liene] "The air has such a peculiar scent."

She hadn't been able to take her eyes off the window ever since the exotic scenery appeared before them. She sat with her hands pressed against the glass as if pinned there, watching the landscape flow by.

[Black] "It’s likely because of the coast."

[Liene] "Ah... I’ve heard that seawater smells different from the waters on land. So this is why."

[Black] "The humidity might make your skin feel sticky or unpleasant. Are you alright?"

[Liene] "I’m not sure yet. It’s all so fascinating. To think that such a different place exists only three days away."

The carriage now entered the bustling downtown area.

In terms of sheer scale, the Kingdom of Sharka was a great power, three or four times larger than Nauk. One could likely spend an entire day just watching the people passing by.

[Liene] "How strange."

[Black] "What is it this time?"

[Liene] "There are so many people, yet the road isn't congested at all. In Nauk, the carriage would have been forced to stop several times by now."

He gave a noncommittal smile in response to her remark.

[Black] "It’s likely because everyone is yielding the way."

[Liene] "Yielding? ...Ah."

It wasn't that they were yielding out of kindness; they were getting out of the way. A massive, fortress-like carriage drawn by eight horses, escorted by twenty-five Tiwakans, possessed a presence that no one would dare obstruct, even in their dreams.

Though she didn't realize it due to the distance, the people of Sharka were watching the foreign visitors with wide, curious eyes.

[Black] "I believe we have almost arrived."

Her head, which had briefly turned toward Black, whipped back toward the window instantly.

[Liene] "Really? But this still looks like the middle of the city...?"

[Black] "I’ve rented an inn. There weren't any suitable manors available. We’ll rest there for a moment, send word to the Queen of Sharka, and wait for her invitation."

[Liene] "That sounds like a proper plan."

Clatter, clatter... stop.

The carriage came to a halt shortly after.

The inn Black had rented was located where the downtown area ended. Thanks to its location, the inn was significantly larger than others and boasted a magnificent view from the rear.

To the right, the high walls that served as the northern fortress were visible, and to the left, the endless blue ocean stretched out as far as the eye could see.

Tap, tap.

Randall approached and knocked on the door after they had sat inside for a moment in the courtyard.

[Randall] "You may disembark now."

Black stepped down first and offered his hand to Liene. As she took his hand and stepped onto the carriage footboard, a sight unfolded that made it feel as though she had returned to a castle rather than an inn. All the inn’s workers were lined up, bowing politely.

[Black] "I mention this in case you feel uncomfortable, but our party is the only guests here."

He had rented out the entire inn. It was no wonder the innkeeper had hounded the workers to come out and greet them.

[Innkeeper] "Welcome! We welcome our esteemed guests from abroad with all our hearts."

There were so many workers—fitting for such a grand and imposing building.

I wonder how much money he spent...

Liene wondered briefly if she shouldn’t have insisted on coming along, then gave a faint smile and a small nod as she lifted the hem of her dress.

[Liene] "Thank you for the welcome."

[Innkeeper] "Th-this way, please. I shall show you to your room."

The innkeeper, dressed far more lavishly than most nobles in Nauk, gestured politely.

The room they were led to was on the third-floor top level. It was vast with high ceilings and a wide terrace that offered a panoramic view of the sea.

[Liene] "This is a lovely room."

At her praise, the innkeeper turned red and bowed deeply.

[Innkeeper] "Our inn is reputed to be the largest and best-equipped in the south. The guests who seek us out are truly formidable individuals. Why, just recently, from the Kingdom of Lekes—"

[Black] "That is enough. You may leave. My subordinates will find you if we require anything."

He abruptly cut off the innkeeper’s endless chatter.

[Innkeeper] "Ah... yes. Yes, of course. Please, rest well."

The innkeeper, whose wits had to be several times sharper than most, quickly shut his mouth and left the room.

[Black] "That was becoming unpleasant. Come here."

He beckoned her, who had been looking around the room.

[Liene] "Why was it unpleasant?"

[Black] "Weren't you bothered?"

[Liene] "By what?"

He unfastened the ties of her cloak and draped it over his arm.

[Black] "By what just happened."

[Liene] "You mean the innkeeper?"

[Black] "He was staring too much."

[Liene] "He was? I didn't really notice. Isn't that what people do when they speak?"

His expression clouded for a moment before smoothing out.

[Black] "I’m glad you weren't bothered, then."

It seemed Liene was unaware of how intensely, and in what manner, people were staring at her.

In the Sharka royalty, which was little more than a kingdom of beasts, Black hoped Liene would remain as unnoticeable as possible—though he doubted that was possible.

[Black] "Would you like to bathe? It’s been a long journey, after all."

[Liene] "The timing is a bit awkward. Would that be alright?"

[Black] "It’s the perfect time. We have nothing to do but wait for the Queen’s invitation."

[Liene] "Then I’d like that."

The inn workers filled the tub with warm water.

Under the strange pretext that "everyone must be viewed with suspicion," Black volunteered to personally assist her with her bath.

Meanwhile, the information broker hired by Fermos moved busily to bring news.

---

[Randall] "It seems like everyone in this place has eaten something rotten."

Randall, returning from his meeting with the broker, shook his head in disgust.

[Randall] "To make someone suffer like this in this humid, hot place... I clearly barely know the roads myself, yet he tells me to meet him in a place only he knows. He has plenty of subordinates; he could have sent one."

Randall wasn't typically one to complain, but he loathed the damp, sticky coastal air.

Instead of entertaining the grumbling, Black handed him the water glass he had been holding. The glass the innkeeper had brought earlier was filled with unknown fruits and herbs, making it tart and refreshing.

Despite Black’s irritation with the innkeeper constantly knocking to offer things, the drink cleared Randall’s throat.

[Randall] "Whoa... what is this? It’s incredibly delicious for something that isn't alcohol."

[Black] "Go downstairs and ask for more. What is the word?"

[Randall] "The King is expected to hold a banquet soon. Because the Princess Consort is expecting a child."

[Black] "Is that his usual way?"

[Randall] "Hardly. What foolish royal holds a banquet immediately when no one knows what might happen to the child in the womb? There are rumors that the Princess Consort insisted on it. And she’s invited Grand Duke Alito as well."

[Black] "That must be the goal. She’s anticipating that we’ll negotiate with the Grand Duke over Dieren. She wants to avoid being isolated... It seems her position is more precarious than I thought."

[Randall] "The King is the only thing she has to hold onto right now. When the Queen heard news of the banquet, she reportedly threw a plate at the servant who delivered it while she was eating."

[Black] "Quite a temper. I should take note of that."

Black didn't expect the Queen of Sharka to show her temper in front of foreign royalty, but it didn't hurt to know.

[Black] "And the reason the King is protecting her despite the Queen’s opposition, has nothing been uncovered?"

[Randall] "The King and Queen have never been on good terms... Ah, but it is strange. They say that in the past, the King at least kept an eye on the Queen’s reactions, but now he doesn't even bother with that."

[Black] "And no word that the King believes the Princess Consort’s child is his own?"

[Randall] "Pardon? No, I mean, even so... Whoa. No matter how messy that family is, that’s going too far. Is that even possible?"

[Black] "If it’s that woman... she isn't in a position to be picky. It will be even worse once she realizes I am here."

There was a reason Black had appeared in such a conspicuous manner, despite the need to escort Liene. Princess Blini must have heard by now that the Tiwakan had arrived in Sharka.

Having ignored the demand to exchange the hostage for the ring, she ought to be terrified now that the person in question had shown up—especially since that person was Tiwakan Commander.

[Randall] "True. She couldn't possibly be unaware. Won't she return the item if we contact her directly? Should I tell them to send word?"

[Black] "No. That’s unnecessary. If she had any intention of returning it, she would have appeared on her own. She likely has no such intention."

[Randall] "Mm... then we must wait for the invitation as planned."

[Black] "Was the gift delivered to the Queen of Sharka?"

[Randall] "The men haven't returned yet. They should be back soon."

[Black] "Send them up as soon as they arrive."

[Randall] "Yes, my Lord."

At that moment, Liene emerged from the bathroom. A clean, fragrant scent of someone fresh from warm water wafted through the air.

[Liene] "Ah, Sir Randall. Has there been any new news?"

[Randall] "Pardon? Ah, ah... uh..."

Strangely, Randall could only stutter, unable to answer. It was a bizarre reaction.

It was no secret that Liene was a rare beauty; even at the time of the proposal, seeing her from afar confirmed the rumors weren't exaggerated.

But indeed, Liene had changed lately. Her eyes were constantly moist, and her lips were red; she was no longer a distant princess from a far-off land, but a vivid, breathtaking beauty who was "too close," which often left people flustered.

The Princess, just out of the bath, was wearing a Sharka-style robe. Even though it wasn't a garment Randall had never seen before, he felt as flustered as if he were seeing it for the first time. He didn't know where to look.

Black stood up abruptly, planting himself in front of Liene with his arms spread.

[Black] "I told you to call for me when you were finished with your bath."

[Liene] "I was going to, but I heard voices talking."

[Black] "So you’re saying you came out knowing someone else was here?"

[Liene] "Was my being here a secret?"

[Black] "It’s not that..."

He swallowed a sigh he couldn't quite let out.

[Black] "Out."

And so, it was Randall who took the "arrow."

[Randall] "Ye-Yes...? Ah, yes! Yes, sir!"

Randall fled the room in a hurry, failing even to offer a proper goodbye to Liene.

[Liene] "Is the talk over?"

Liene asked, looking as if she knew nothing of the chaos she’d caused.

Black stared silently at her, who was dressed differently than she had been in Nauk.

Why did I tell her to wear this robe? A robe with no buttons.

He had been feeling it every day lately, too. Liene looked as if she had been drinking the peach wine crafted by the gods. She had always been the most beautiful face in his eyes, but lately, her beauty wasn't just blooming—it was on the verge of exploding.

What on earth was the reason? A person’s face couldn't have changed suddenly; it must be the small things, like her expression or the clarity of her complexion.

Actually, Liene didn't need to be any more beautiful. It was already becoming a problem. Even someone like Randall would have his face change color the moment their eyes met; others would be no different.

[Black] "The Princess needs to be aware of how she appears to others."

He pointlessly pulled up the edge of the robe, though there was nothing more to tighten.

[Liene] "Why? Ah... should I not be wearing this robe instead of clothes? Other than having no buttons, making it easy to put on and take off, it’s similar to what I wear in the evening in Nauk."

From Black’s perspective, it was different. Very different.

First of all, the fact that it was easy to put on and take off made it as different as heaven and earth. The fact that the Sharka-style fabric was thin, light, and vibrantly colored compared to the thick, heavy Nauk-style fabric was a secondary issue.

Furthermore, when she stepped out with that moist, post-bath expression, he had no choice but to become a narrow-minded man who chased away his innocent subordinates.

[Black] "From now on, call me when you are finished bathing."

[Black] "Don't just come out when someone is here. At the very least, I want to chase them away where you can't see."

[Liene] "I don't want to be a burden. I didn't always have the madams assist me in Nauk, either."

[Black] "I want to do it. Very desperately."

Fortunately, Liene believed him.

Well, it wasn't a lie. He desperately didn't want anyone else to see her like this.

[Liene] "If you wish it so much."

She gave a bashful smile and playfully tapped his chest.

[Liene] "Because you’re acting like this, it feels like we’ve come on a honeymoon rather than a mission that holds the future of Nauk. It’s nice that you’re so affectionate, but please let me stay alert. I came here with quite a firm resolve."

Alertness. It was the perfect word for this moment.

[Black] "That is a good idea. Keep your guard up."

Not against me, but against everyone else.

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