A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 128

※The Secret (1)※

It was nearly noon by the time Liene had finished washing the cream and various traces of breakfast from her face and hands, and made her way to find Blini, who was confined in the underground storehouse.

[Blini] "...I was told you were having breakfast."

She spat out the words with clear irritation as she watched Liene enter the dim cellar. Her hands and feet were securely bound, and Liene had come inside alone. Black remained just outside the door.

[Blini] "Is it still morning to you?"

[Liene] "It took quite a while for a single meal. So, what do you want to talk about?"

[Blini] "He likes being fed—whether by hand or by mouth."

[Liene] "What...?"

Liene’s brows knit together.

[Blini] "He acts so lazy in bed, staying up late. Despite how he looks, he doesn't let you sleep at night and makes you oversleep the next morning."

[Liene] "......"

She felt a surge of heat rise to her face. It was frustrating because every word was undeniably true.

[Liene] "And your point is?"

Liene made no effort to hide the annoyance in her voice.

[Blini] "Once he’s close to someone, he becomes lax. Like a child. He stops guarding himself entirely."

What on earth.... She’s right about everything.

[Blini] "He acts as if you’re the only person in the world."

[Liene] "......If that’s all you have to say, I’m leaving. I have no reason to stay here and listen to things I already know from your mouth."

Just as Liene was about to turn away, Blini asked a question.

[Blini] "Is that how he acts with you, too?"

[Liene] "Yes. He acts exactly like that with me. If you’re trying to suggest you know my husband better than I do, you’ve failed."

[Blini] "Why......?"

[Liene] "......What?"

Liene was momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected expression on Blini’s face.

[Liene] "What do you mean by 'why'? He acts that way because that’s the kind of man he is."

[Blini] "That kind of man......"

[Liene] "I won't discuss this further. It’s pointlessly unpleasant. Is there anything else, or are we done?"

[Blini] "Why......"

[Liene] "Get some rest. Though I suppose that’s difficult given your current condition."

Liene turned around. But the moment her hand touched the doorknob, Blini spoke again.

[Blini] "That ring—it’s not a normal ring."

[Liene] "......?"

Liene turned back toward her.

[Blini] "It hides a secret. Let me go, and I’ll tell you."

[Liene] "Is that the truth?"

[Blini] "Bring the ring here. I’ll show you."

[Liene] "......"

As much as Blini was a practiced liar, her words didn't sound like a lie this time.

Liene stared at her, thinking it would be nice if what she said was actually genuine. It would mean Blini possessed at least a shred of a conscience.

[Liene] "By 'letting you go,' do you mean sending you back to Sharka? Don't worry about that. You are bound for Sharka eventually, though you’ll be traveling by way of Nauk first."

[Blini] "......I don't want to be around you anymore. If you have business left, finish it quickly. And then, let’s never see each other again."

In that response, Liene read Blini’s hidden desire: she didn't want to return to Sharka at all.

[Liene] "No. You are currently a prisoner of war. You will remain in Nauk’s custody until we secure Sharka’s surrender."

[Blini] "Aren't you curious about the ring's secret? I’m telling you I’ll reveal it!"

[Liene] "I’ll find it out myself."

[Blini] "How could you possibly?"

[Liene] "I don't know yet. But if you could figure it out, then I can as well."

Blini ground her teeth.

[Blini] "......Does that man know you’re this kind of person? A hypocrite who only pretends to be kind with your innocent face?"

[Liene] "It’s laughable that you would call me a hypocrite. Why would I need to put on an act? I don't think I’ve ever had a more transparent enemy than you."

[Blini] "......"

[Liene] "As I said, I haven't forgotten anything you’ve done. If you intend to offer such trivial trades, don't bother opening your mouth again. Facing you is unpleasant enough for me."

Click.

Liene pulled the door open. Behind her, she heard a sound of despair escape Blini’s lips for the first time.

---

He was waiting just outside the door.

[Black] "Was everything alright?"

[Liene] "......Hardly."

If something had happened, you would have known already.

Her brow twitched.

It felt similar to the time she had discovered those nail clippers. It wasn't that Black had done anything wrong, but her feelings were tangled.

[Liene] "I’m going back to my room. When do we leave for Nauk?"

[Black] "Whenever you wish."

[Liene] "Good. Are we taking a carriage?"

[Black] "Yes."

[Liene] "Then I won't need to change. I’m ready."

[Black] "I’ll have the carriage prepared. However......"

[Liene] "Yes?"

Black stepped in front of her with a smile.

Liene, suddenly blocked, hesitated and tried to move around him, but he followed her movements.

[Black] "Since you won't meet my eyes, I take it something has upset you."

You must know what it is. It’s not like the voices couldn't be heard from that distance.

[Liene] "If you know, would you mind stepping aside? I’d rather not look at your face right now."

[Black] "But I’d very much like to look at yours now."

Black lowered his head suddenly, forcing their eyes to meet. Liene pushed against his cheek.

[Liene] "Oh, honestly. Let’s do this later."

[Black] "Let’s do it now."

[Liene] "Not right now."

He held the wrist of the hand she was using to avoid his gaze, and he suppressed a chuckle.

[Black] "You’ve experienced this before, haven't you? I’m not the type of man who leaves the Princess to sort out her feelings alone."

He was referring to the incident with the nail clippers.

Now that I think about it, the reason I feel bad is exactly the same.

No, no. It’s different. Back then, I misunderstood, but this time it’s not like that.

[Liene] "It’s different from then."

Her lips pouted involuntarily.

Liene pushed him once more.

[Liene] "Move aside."

Black didn't budge. True to his word, he wasn't the type to leave her alone.

[Black] "If you look at me, I’ll make sure all that tension melts away. Trust me."

[Liene] "......It’s not that serious. It’s not your fault or mine, so I’ll get over it soon. Right now, I just... don’t feel good. You don't have to do this."

[Black] "Liene."

Black stubbornly held her face, which she was trying to turn away, and pressed his forehead against hers. He could no longer hold back his smile.

[Black] "Why are you so consistent, Princess?"

[Liene] "......What are you talking about? Anyway, let go. I feel like you're doing this only to make it harder for me to get over it."

[Black] "Anything you say you dislike is usually a good thing for me."

[Liene] "This time, I really, really mean it."

[Black] "It’ll only take a moment. Just look at me."

[Liene] "And what then?"

[Black] "Your anger will vanish."

[Liene] "No, it will naturally get better anyway. It’s not like I enjoy being upset. ......I’m not even really 'angry,' I just feel out of sorts."

[Black] "Princess."

[Liene] "Don't keep calling me that. It makes me lose my resolve."

[Black] "Princess. ......Liene."

Oh, honestly. This man is wonderful, but he really needs to fix this habit.

If I seem upset, he should just leave me be. I told him I’d get over it on my own.

[Liene] "......Fine. I’ll look, so let go immediately."

Liene met his gaze reluctantly, determined to push him away. Black was smiling so broadly it was almost infuriating.

Why is he even smiling? I feel so—

[Black] "It’s a lie."

[Liene] "......What is?"

[Black] "What she said."

[Liene] "......? Which part?"

[Black] "All of it. Except for the part about the ring having a secret. I don’t know about that either."

[Liene] "All of it......?"

Liene blinked. She found it hard to believe. Yet, thinking back, there wasn't a part that seemed like a lie.

[Liene] "Liar. Everything she said is all things you do."

She put strength into her hands, pushing him away.

[Liene] "Let me go. Now I’m actually starting to get mad. You shouldn't lie to me, no matter what."

[Black] "I have never acted that way with her."

[Liene] "......Then how does she know so much?"

[Black] "I don't know that myself. But what I do know for certain is that I never did those things with her."

[Liene] "......? Isn't that...... very strange?"

[Black] "It is strange indeed."

[Liene] "......"

She stopped pushing and instead stood on her tiptoes to hold his face. She searched every corner of his features as if a trace of a lie might be hidden there. Black cooperated by bending his knees to match her height.

[Liene] "Then how did she know? If you didn't tell her."

[Black] "Go back and ask her. Or I will."

[Liene] "No, why would you say such nonsense? Don't even think about facing her for something that isn't necessary. Do you understand?"

[Black] "Are you sure it’s not necessary? Clearing your doubts is important to me right now."

[Liene] "Hmm......"

The grip on his face loosened, turning into a gentle caress.

[Liene] "Your position must be uncomfortable, so stand up."

[Black] "Only if you tell me you believe me."

[Liene] "I’m still thinking about it. But......"

As she gazed at his face, she began to realize something.

Perhaps, she wished it were so.

Everything he did out of love for her was wonderful.

Because the way he let his guard down, laughed incessantly, and poured out affection as if she were the only person in the world was sometimes almost unbelievable.

It felt as if no one else like him existed. It was so good it still felt like a dream.

She must have wished for that too...

[Liene] "I believe you."

[Black] "What a relief."

Only then did Black straighten up.

Liene followed his eyes, which had suddenly become much higher, and impulsively pulled him into an embrace.

[Liene] "You mustn't do those things with anyone else."

[Black] "......What kind of nonsense is that?"

He borrowed the words she had used.

[Black] "Don't even think about such things. Do you understand?"

[Liene] "Yes."

She rubbed her cheek against his chest.

[Liene] "I'm sorry I got upset."

[Black] "Don't be. I’m at the point where I lose my mind with joy every time you act like this."

[Liene] "You like it when I misunderstand and get upset?"

[Black] "It only proves how much you like me. Enough to even cherish the past."

That’s true. He’s right. I value his past too.

[Liene] "I feel the same. Every moment that has already passed is precious to me."

[Black] "How do you always know exactly what to say?"

She must have wanted this, too. But this man is mine......

[Liene] "You are mine."

The words tumbled out before she could stop them. Black laughed out loud.

[Black] "Yes. I am yours, Princess."

[Liene] "Don't you forget it."

After exchanging tender whispers for a long time, the two left the basement.

Unintentionally, their words had reached Blini’s ears. She wanted to cover her ears, but her hands were bound. Instead, the fingernails she had been scratching against the floor finally snapped.

Her despair and her malice broke along with them.

---

The journey from Blue Warren to Nauk usually took about five days. Tiwakan decided to increase their pace and cut it down to three. As a result, the carriage raced as if its wheels might shatter, and Liene’s backside felt numb from the constant jolting.

[Liene] "Ugh...... I miss that carriage. The one we left back in Sharka. Even when it went fast, it wasn't quite this bad."

Black nodded in agreement. It wasn't like him to express regret over material things, which only emphasized how much the carriage was shaking.

[Black] "I should order a few more of those."

[Liene] "A few more?"

[Black] "To prepare for cases like this where we’re forced to leave them behind."

[Liene] "Hmm...... It’s extravagant, but for some reason, I find myself agreeing right now."

Liene looked more drained than she had that morning. Her cheeks were pale.

Black reached out his arm.

[Black] "Come here. It’ll be better if I hold you."

[Liene] "It’s a tempting offer, but I’ll decline. I don't want to make things hard for you just so my backside hurts a little less."

[Black] "If that’s the reason, then I decline your refusal. Come here."

[Liene] "I’m serious."

Actually, I feel sick.

It seemed she was suffering from motion sickness. It was likely because she had spent so long in a violently swaying carriage immediately after eating breakfast.

Should I ask him to slow down just a little......?

No, I can't do that just for my own comfort. I’ll endure it as long as I can.

Liene took slow breaths while fiddling with the ring on her right thumb.

If Blini knew something even Black didn't, she must have discovered it by accident.

She decided to keep the ring on her hand just as Blini had. She believed that if she kept touching and examining it, the same stroke of luck would find her.

[Black] "Don't worry too much. It could easily be a lie."

He misinterpreted her pale face, focused so intently on the ring. He assumed she was anxious because the ring's secret hadn't been revealed quickly.

[Liene] "I know. But if this ring really is a key, there must be a mechanism hidden somewhere. I think there is a secret."

Prev

Chapters

Next