A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 115

※Beg for It※

Black stayed awake long after Liene had fallen asleep. He had business to attend to where she could not see.

There was a reason for the heavy silence that filled the air.

[Laffit] "......"

[Black] "......"

The silence persisted. Neither Laffit—who had been woken up by a slap to the face from Randall—nor Black, who had ordered him to be woken, was in the mood for pleasantries.

It was Laffit who finally broke under the tension of their mutual gaze.

[Laffit] "......What is it? If you've woken me, say what you want."

[Laffit] "Why are you just staring at me like that! Why!"

[Black] "Be quiet."

His voice was low and hushed.

[Black] "Liene is sleeping nearby. I’d rather not have her disturbed."

[Laffit] "Dammit......"

Laffit gnashed his teeth.

In just a few days, he had become a completely different man. His face was so gaunt and haggard that no one would believe he had been born the eldest son of the prestigious Kleinfelter house. The downfall of his family was written plainly in his face.

[Laffit] "Is that why you woke a sleeping man? Just to brag that you’re sharing a bed with her? To hell with you. No matter what, you’re still second to me. What pride is there in—"

Before Black even had to move, Randall reached out and muzzled Laffit’s mouth with his hand.

[Randall] "Watch your tongue."

[Laffit] "Mmph......"

As if that weren't enough, Randall gave the back of Laffit’s head a sharp smack.

[Randall] "Tsk, tsk... is the bloodline of that house always like this? Even when they’re standing on the edge of a grave, they have no sense of where they are."

[Laffit] "......!"

Laffit offered a clumsy resistance with his battered body, but it was short-lived.

He was a man quick to give up. He had lived a life too peaceful to hold onto anything with desperate tenacity. He had never known lack; everything had always been handed to him.

Liene had been the same—he had assumed she was his by right. What Laffit hadn't realized was that anything held in one's hand could just as easily vanish.

Black stepped closer to the now-subdued Laffit.

[Black] "I am giving you two choices."

[Laffit] "......?"

Laffit tilted his head up, his gaze trembling.

[Black] "You can either leave this place, or you can stay."

Randall quickly removed his hand from Laffit’s mouth.

[Laffit] "What...... what does that mean?"

[Black] "If you tell the truth to Queen Dileras tomorrow, I will take custody of you myself. If you choose to remain silent, I will hand you over to her."

[Laffit] "The truth? What truth are you talking about?"

[Black] "Anything. Whatever you did with the Princess Consort. Whether you killed Prince Vasheyd or fathered her child. If you speak the truth, I will ensure the Queen cannot lay a finger on you."

[Laffit] "You...... you madman. Are you going to save me? You, of all people?"

[Black] "At this point, I have no reason to take your head. Besides, Liene wouldn't particularly care for it."

It was not a lie. Laffit, having lost everything, was no longer a threat that needed to be eliminated. To put effort into killing him now felt merely trivial.

[Laffit] "And if I refuse to speak?"

[Black] "Queen Dileras will find a way to open your mouth herself. I’m sure a family like hers knows many skilled torturers."

[Laffit] "Ugh......"

Laffit winced at the mention of torture.

[Black] "Personally, I would prefer that option. There should be a price for your audacity in setting foot in Nauk again."

[Laffit] "A price?"

He let out a breathless, hollow laugh.

[Laffit] "Isn't the state I’m in now price enough? Do you have any idea what it was like to starve in that tomb-like cave......!"

[Black] "It’s a relief."

He gave a short, cold laugh, cutting Laffit off.

[Black] "The fact that you suffer so much from just a few days of hunger gives me hope. Proper torture should be quite effective on you."

He stood up gracefully.

[Black] "I’ll take that as you choosing the second option. Put him back to sleep."

[Randall] "Yes, my Lord."

Randall grabbed Laffit by the collar. He knew exactly where to strike the back of the head to make someone fall into a deep slumber.

[Laffit] "Wait, wait......! I haven't chosen anything yet!"

He screamed urgently before the blow could land.

[Laffit] "If you take custody of me, what will you do with me? Tell me!"

[Black] "I’ll have you sent somewhere that is neither Nauk nor Sharka. I’ll even provide you with travel expenses this time. I’ve become quite a good person lately."

Randall and Laffit both wore similar expressions at Black’s nonchalant remark. They looked as if they couldn't fathom where such a statement had come from.

[Laffit] "Is that...... certain? Can you promise me that?"

The hesitation in his voice held no trace of his former pride. He didn't even have the luxury of feeling ashamed as a man for begging for his life from Black.

[Black] "If you promise to do your part."

[Laffit] "Then...... then fine. I’ll tell the truth."

[Black] "Suit yourself."

Having expected this outcome, Black turned away without much interest.

[Black] "Now, put him to sleep. I want no more noise."

[Randall] "Yes, my Lord."

Stealing back into the bedroom with silent footsteps, Black found Liene sleeping soundly.

The moonlight over the coast was exceptionally large, casting long, delicate shadows from her eyelashes.

As he carefully climbed into bed, she stirred and burrowed into his embrace.

For a moment, he worried he had woken her, but she remained deep in sleep.

Seeing her press her face against him without even realizing her cheek was being squished, he realized it was a habit she had recently developed.

He gave a small smile and pressed his lips to the crown of her head.

He thought it might be nice to build a castle on the coast where just the two of them could stay.

*****

Rumors circulated through the Sharka court that the Princess of Nauk and her husband were on their honeymoon, and that Queen Dileras, upon learning this, had invited them and spent the entire day with them.

It was a strange tale for the times. It was odd for guests to visit a country so soon after the funeral of its First Prince, and even odder for the Queen to welcome them so graciously. Word had it that the Queen was currently wretched, prone to outbursts of tears and throwing objects.

It also seemed a futile gesture for a foreign princess to accept the Queen’s invitation. The Queen had lost all power; she had been driven out by the King, and her son was dead. She had no leverage left. Power within the palace was shifting toward Princess Consort Blini, who would soon give birth to the next First Prince. The King was also busy purging any royal relatives who disapproved of Blini.

Thus, the sudden invitation to the separate palace was a source of great curiosity. But the most peculiar thing was that, after the guests departed, Queen Dileras sent a letter to the King.

[King] "Ah, enough. It’s a nuisance."

The King waved away the Secretary who offered to read the letter to him. The Secretary retreated, looking flustered.

[King] "It’s likely the same old story. Something about the Prince’s grave or a memorial service. Why does she keep insisting on repeating a funeral that is already over?"

The King, though over sixty, was unnecessarily vigorous. He hated the way somber talk of death ruined his mood. For as long as he drew breath, his interest was entirely focused on spending every moment in pleasure, such as admiring the young, fresh face of his widowed daughter-in-law.

No, perhaps it had been that way from the start. From the moment the Princess of Alito had first set foot in this kingdom as his son’s bride, the King had felt a surge of vitality. Just looking at her face made him feel infinitely younger. Because of her face, the grief of his son’s death could find no purchase in his heart.

[King] "What do you think? Am I not right?"

In the palace vacated by the Queen, the role of sitting by the King’s side had fallen to the Princess Consort.

[Blini] "......"

Instead of responding, Blini gave a short smile as their eyes met. For the King, that was enough.

What he liked most about Blini was that she never spoke unnecessarily. She was like him; she knew how to focus on what mattered most in the moment.

[King] "I thought you would be wearing your new clothes today."

The King had sent new garments, pitying his daughter-in-law for still wearing mourning clothes. He had expected her to please his eyes in them, but today she wore similar mourning attire again.

[Blini] "It is still too early for that."

Blini shifted her legs beneath her mourning gown. The King’s nostrils flared as if he could catch a faint, pleasant scent.

He harbored a secret hope: if the Queen were to die or leave of her own accord, could he not marry Blini?

For now, he could only hold her hand, but if the child to be born were named a Prince, it wouldn't be so strange for her to be called Queen.

Surely, Blini knew his heart. If not, she wouldn't look at him with such a knowing gaze, as if inviting him to come closer.

[King] "It is not too early. The funeral is already finished."

[Blini] "He was my husband; I must at least keep him in my memory."

She turned her head with a languid expression as if to end the conversation, then murmured.

[Blini] "The clothes are quite heavy...... perhaps I should change."

The King nodded firmly.

[King] "If you must, then change into something else, even if only for now. No one else is coming in or out anyway."

[Blini] "......You seem quite eager to see."

She gave an expression that was too sharp to be called a smile and rose from her seat.

[Blini] "Then I shall go and try them on."

[King] "I shall accompany you."

He rose to follow her with unseemly haste. Blini stopped him.

[Blini] "Just stay seated. What if someone sees?"

[King] "Does that concern you?"

Such things only fueled the King’s anticipation. He chuckled and patted the back of her hand.

[King] "Go on, then."

Without so much as a parting word, she turned and left the King’s quarters.

The King licked his lips as he watched her retreating, as if parched.

*****

[Blini] "Filthy. I need a bath. I feel as if something is clinging to me."

Returning to the Prince's Palace, she pulled down the stifling mourning clothes. Her maids rushed to assist her in removing the garments that were difficult to take off alone.

The issue was that Blini had not returned alone. The King’s Secretary stood quietly in a corner of the bedroom, a letter in his hand.

Blini, having shed the cumbersome clothes, walked barefoot toward the bathroom. She made a nonchalant gesture over her shoulder.

[Blini] "Come in. Read the letter."

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

The King’s Secretary followed Blini with quick steps, showing no sign of embarrassment.

The maids followed as well, hurrying to fill the tub. The water still felt a bit cold, but Blini stepped into the tub without a care.

A heavy ring sat on her thumb, drawing attention as it stood out against her white hand—an ill-fitting ornament for a bath. The reason her thumb was held so awkwardly was that she was hiding a large decoration by turning it toward the inside of her finger.

[Blini] "What are you doing? Read it already."

[Secretary] "Yes, Your Highness."

The Secretary unfolded the Queen’s letter and began to read. While previous letters had begun with long-winded regrets and pleas, today was different.

Today’s letter was an invitation. It stated that there was someone at the separate palace whom she should come and see.

[Blini] "Who is there?"

She interrupted, her heart beginning to race.

The Secretary hesitated for a moment, then quickly scanned the next lines.

[Secretary] "It says it is someone who has something to say regarding the child of the Prince who is yet to be born."

[Blini] "......And who is that?"

[Secretary] "She did not disclose a name."

[Blini] "......"

Blini bit her lip.

Black had met Queen Dileras. Suddenly, the Queen knew something about her child.

Blini brought her thumb to her mouth and gnawed on the ring.

[Blini] "......Shouldn't you beg if you want something?"

Instead of appearing and begging, Black had chosen to tighten the noose around her neck.

[Blini] "Why won't you show yourself to me?"

After everything I did to call him here.

He knows all of it. So why?

---

T/N: Blini has been engaging in a series of extreme actions—including keeping the ring, inviting the Grand Duke of Alito to the banquet, her current pregnancy, and her affair with the King—all in an attempt to capture Black's attention and force him to appear personally for a direct negotiation.

Prev

Chapters

Next