A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 124

※A Trivial Reason※

[Liene] "Ah..."

It did hurt, after all. Having worn boots that didn't fit her, her feet were in a miserable state.

[Liene] "I didn't realize it was painful. And honestly, it’s nothing much. Everyone else was wounded by blades, while I only have a chafed heel."

[Black] "Do not get used to small wounds. It doesn't suit you."

He moved to remove her other boot as well.

[Liene] "What do you mean, it doesn't suit me? Besides, you’re injured too. Look here."

She pointed to his leg, where blood was beginning to seep through. A dark stain had spread over his charcoal trousers. It was on the upper thigh, slightly toward the inside. If the wound had been just a bit deeper or the location slightly different, it would have been a grave injury.

[Liene] "I doubt this is the only one."

There were cuts and bruises scattered across his forearms and shoulders as well.

[Black] "You shouldn't touch them so carelessly."

He caught her hand and gently pulled it away from his wound.

[Liene] "Ah, I’m sorry. Does it hurt a lot?"

[Black] "No. That is why you shouldn't touch them."

[Liene] "What is that supposed to mean?"

[Black] "It feels as though I haven't seen you in a very long time."

He brushed the sweat-dampened hair from her forehead.

[Black] "It makes me want to verify your presence... even if I have to forget where we are right now."

[Liene] "That..."

There was no need to ask what he meant. His expression told her everything.

[Black] "The water might sting. Tell me if it hurts."

Changing the subject, he carefully poured water over her foot.

The water was cold, yet the hand holding her foot was burning hot. The contradictory sensations made her body tense.

Even though they were married and shared a bed, he always managed to make her heart race without warning. This tingling tension was precisely why he was so captivating.

[Black] "There, all finished."

Since they had no towels, he wrapped her foot with a part of his own cloak.

[Black] "I would advise against a full wash for now... can you endure it a bit longer?"

She glanced over his shoulder. Not a single man was uninjured. They were all tending to familiar wounds, changing clothes, and looking ready to move at a moment’s notice.

[Liene] "I can endure it, but can you?"

She playfully rubbed her damp hair against his shoulder.

[Liene] "Can you really hold back even if I do this?"

[Black] "Don't. You’re being too cute. I’d rather not look embarrassed in front of my subordinates."

[Liene] "Oh, honestly... You shouldn't say things like that so casually, either. I might not be able to hold back myself."

At that, he leaned in close, his face inches from hers.

[Black] "And what is it you won't be able to hold back?"

[Liene] "You know exactly what I mean. Why ask?"

[Black] "I don't, actually."

He pressed his nose against hers, rubbing it gently.

[Black] "I don't know, so tell me. I’ll consider it."

[Liene] "Wow... you’re being quite mischievous right now."

She laughed and pushed against his shoulders.

Randall, holding a thick bundle of clothes, approached them hesitantly after watching for the right moment.

[Randall] "My Lord. We are all ready. The sun will be up soon, so we should move now. We have to cross that mountain to reach the southern border, and it will be troublesome if dawn catches us before we clear the ridge."

[Black] "Ah, I see. Princess, are you able to wear your shoes?"

She could wear them, but she wanted him to reconsider the route to the border.

[Liene] "About that..."

[Black] "Do you have something to say?"

He signaled Randall to step back, but she stopped him.

[Liene] "No, I’d like Sir Randall to be part of this discussion. You heard what Queen Dileras said, didn't you?"

[Randall] "Ah, me? Yes. I was there. But why...?"

[Liene] "She said that if the Princess Consort isn't in the main palace, she’ll be at the castle near Gereum Gorge. She suspected the King sent her there. Perhaps he moved her in advance, anticipating that sending the Royal Guards to Nauk might fail?"

[Randall] "But wasn't that just a guess? She might be hiding somewhere in the main palace. And even if she is there... hmmm."

He rubbed his chin, his expression turning serious.

[Randall] "…… It sounds like you’re suggesting we head to Gereum Gorge right now. Is that correct?"

[Liene] "Yes. What do you think?"

Black’s brow furrowed.

[Black] "The Queen wouldn't have given that information for free. No matter how much she dislikes the King, she wouldn't normally side with an enemy nation."

[Liene] "No, she had a reason. I told her that Nauk wants only the Princess Consort. I said if Nauk can punish her, we desire nothing more—that there is no need to escalate into a full-scale war."

[Black] "…… Princess."

The voice calling her name grew heavier.

[Black] "The time for that has passed. The war began the moment the King refused to hand over the Princess Consort."

She didn't think Black was wrong. The King had sent his guards instead of keeping his word, an act that brought irreversible consequences. This was exactly why she had sought out the Queen.

[Liene] "That may be true. But the Queen promised to try and stop the King from gathering an army."

Black finally realized what Liene had been up to.

[Black] "…… Go on."

[Liene] "You said it yourself—if even the Queen’s family opposes conscription, it will be difficult for the King to muster a force. The Queen wants Blini to pay for her crimes. She said she would inform every noble house under her influence of the King’s genuine reasons for starting this war."

[Black] "That would certainly delay their mobilization."

[Liene] "Yes. Just as you predicted."

Randall scratched his cheek with the hand that had been rubbing his chin.

[Randall] "Doesn't that put us at a greater advantage, then? If their army isn't properly gathered, they’ll be much easier to handle. We could force a surrender within two months."

[Liene] "And in those two months, many people would die."

She added calmly.

[Liene] "I’m not saying we should avoid war at all costs. I know that even if we recover the ring and try to end it there, Sharka might disagree. In that case, war would be inevitable. But we can at least attempt to avoid it."

[Black] "The King won't think like you do, Princess."

[Liene] "I know. But the King is going to war because he won't hand her over to Nauk, right? Yet what we want isn't the woman herself, but specifically the return of the ring."

[Black] "Are you saying we should give up on the Princess Consort? She sent an assassin after you. As long as she lives, she is a person capable of doing the same thing again."

[Liene] "Well... She must pay a fitting price. It doesn't necessarily have to be in Nauk’s hands. But I don't think she will be able to live peacefully in Sharka anymore. The Queen still has Kleinfelter as a witness, after all."

[Black] "……Hmm."

Black let out a short breath. He didn't look entirely pleased.

[Liene] "Furthermore, I’m to receive a written vow from the Queen stating that Blini’s punishment will be left to Nauk. Even if signed by her instead of the King, it holds weight. Her rank in the royal family is undeniably higher than the Princess Consort’s."

Randall continued to shake his head.

[Randall] "I doubt they’ll care much for a piece of paper when they’re brazen enough to send assassins..."

[Liene] "Having it is different from not having it. It justifies Sharka's nobility to oppose the war."

Black, who had been scowling, suddenly spoke up.

[Black] "If you were the King, what would you be doing right now?"

[Randall] "Eh? Are you asking me?"

Usually, such questions were directed at Fermos. Randall, slightly flustered, answered as best as he could. He knew Black didn't expect him to be a second Fermos.

[Randall] "Well... first, I’d try to catch us. He must be livid. I imagine he’s hounding the Royal Guards right now."

[Black] "And the Guards? What must they do to catch us?"

[Randall] "Well... unless they’re idiots, they’ll predict our movements. They’ll think about where we’re going. Since we’re outnumbered, we’d normally head for the border to regroup... hmmm, they’ll likely block the path to the southern border. Of course, we aren't using the main roads; we're traveling through the mountains."

[Black] "Exactly. The Royal Guards will be concentrated in the south."

[Liene] "Then there will be no interference on the road to Gereum Gorge! They won't suspect we're heading there. No one knows the Queen told us about it."

Black nodded.

[Black] "If we pick up the pace, we can arrive before noon. Once we get the ring and take the Princess Consort hostage, we can cross the northern border and return to Nauk through Blue Warren."

[Liene] "Then we won't have to face the Sharka army at all."

Startled by this unexpected turn, Randall muttered with a wry face.

[Randall] "Whoa... if that happens, it’ll feel like we’re stabbing them in the back while they’re just loitering. It sounds a bit more boring than I expected. Hmmm... but it’s not too bad, either."

[Black] "However, we must be fast. We have to cross the northern border before sunset. Blue Warren does not open their borders at night."

[Randall] "So instead of being chased, we’ll just be out of breath."

[Black] "Get everyone ready."

[Randall] "Yes, My Lord!"

He spun around and ran toward the group.

[Liene] "So... it’s decided? We’re going to Gereum?"

[Black] "Yes."

The short, concise answer left Liene feeling somewhat bewildered.

[Liene] "I thought you would... well, I thought you’d consider more..."

[Black] "I don't believe there has ever been a time when I didn't grant what the Princess desired."

[Liene] "Well, that’s true... but this isn't a trivial matter. And my idea might be wrong."

[Black] "Whether it is trivial or not makes little difference to me. And your thinking is not wrong."

[Liene] "Really? You think so too?"

[Black] "Yes."

He leaned down for a moment, pressing his forehead against hers.

[Black] "Until now, war was something I waged for personal reasons."

[Liene] "......"

[Black] "It was the same this time. I was furious that she dared to lay a finger on you."

[Liene] "I was enraged too..."

[Black] "The reason you wish to go to war is different from mine. Thus, I can understand your reason for wanting to avoid it. You likely considered what would be better for Nauk."

[Liene] "That’s true... but I have a personal reason as well. If we go to war for two months, I’d have to be away from you for that long. And I would be worried every single day."

His forehead pulled away from hers abruptly.

[Black] "If that was the reason, you should have said so from the start."

[Liene] "No, it’s just something so trivial and personal—"

[Black] "It is the one I like best."

He leaned in and captured her lips. It was a kiss that was exceptionally short, yet so intense she wouldn't be able to forget it for a long time.

[Black] "…… We shall save the rest for Blue Warren."

He released her lips.

Despite having shared countless kisses, she found it embarrassing to meet his eyes now. It was likely because the heat between them felt so out of place in their current surroundings.

[Liene] "…… Yes. For Blue Warren."

She turned her head, fanning her face with her hand for no reason.

[Black] "Stay seated. I’ll get your shoes."

Black brought her shoes and put them on for her.

Every time he handled her reddened, chafed feet so carefully, her heart couldn't stop pounding.

After leaving the mountain, the group acquired horses nearby. There was a pilgrim village in the area where a market was always held, even at dawn, due to the pilgrims coming down from the north.

By obtaining and donning the thick robes worn by pilgrims, the group blended perfectly into the procession.

The journey to Geurm Gorge was turning out to be easier than expected.

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