A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 133

※Once It Begins to Flow (3)※

[Liene] "What did you say?"

Liene pushed Black aside and practically leaped from the bed. Black clicked his tongue. Catching up to her, he shed his own robe and draped it over her shoulders.

Thud!

She threw the door open with frantic haste.

[Liene] "Where... where is it? Where is the water coming from?"

[Randall] "The waterfalls, Your Highness."

[Liene] "My goodness..."

As she moved to rush out, Black caught her arm, bringing her to a halt.

[Black] "Put on your shoes first."

[Liene] "Ah..."

He knelt to slide her slippers onto her feet. In that brief moment of waiting, her hands were clenched so tightly that sweat pooled in her palms.

Clad in her nightgown with Black’s large robe wrapped around her, she mounted her horse.

She raced past the castle gates, across the drawbridge, and down to the vantage point where the falls could be seen.

Rumble...

A low, continuous vibration echoed through the air—the sound of something massive in motion. In the nine channels that had stood hollow and barren for twenty years, water was flowing. It began as a trickle but grew into a steady, unbreakable stream.

[Liene] "......"

She was speechless. She watched, mesmerized, as the water plummeted downward. Already, a shallow pool was forming at the base of the falls.

[Black] "With the Princess’shelp, the basin will be filled in no time."

Black pulled her into his embrace, whispering against her. Liene buried her face in his chest, her tears falling as uncontrollably as the water now cascading from the cliffs.

[Liene] "Thank... thank you."

He had brought the water back. She felt a profound sense of gratitude for everything he had done—for surviving, for living, for simply breathing by her side.

[Black] "The gratitude is mine to give."

She could sense that Black was feeling something similar.

As they stood together to welcome the water, there was nothing but a shared, silent thanks to the heavens.

ROAR!

By dawn, the water was no longer just flowing; it was pouring down with a thunderous, magnificent force.

---

The Evert River overflowed its banks. The earth surrounding it was completely saturated.

In some streets, the water rose as high as the ankles. People were running about barefoot, their hems tucked up, splashing with wild abandon.

Liene, who had come out of the castle, was no different. To dismount her horse, she had to hike up her skirts.

[Fermos] "It seems the lack of maintenance on our drainage system is the primary issue."

Fermos was soaked to the bone and carried a rather unpleasant scent. He had spent the entire morning roaming about, trying to determine why the Evert River had flooded so suddenly. Though all the Tiwakan members with him had worked hard, Fermos looked the most bedraggled of them all.

Black wrapped an arm around her shoulder, giving Fermos a pointed look that signaled him not to come too close. Fermos looked momentarily indignant, but Liene—as usual—missed the swift exchange of glances between the two men.

[Liene] "So, you’re saying it’s not an issue with the mechanism?"

[Fermos] "No. I’ve inspected the area around the falls. The surge in volume over the last few days is likely caused by heavy rain in the Erendira Mountains instead of a mechanical failure. The river flooding should only be temporary."

[Liene] "What a relief."

[Fermos] "I think we should take this opportunity to install a new drainage system that extends south of the river. We can't risk this happening again."

[Liene] "That is a wonderful idea. We must ensure this doesn't—"

She cut herself off, trailing into an awkward silence. She felt that saying "this must never happen again" didn't quite fit the current atmosphere. Though the streets were flooded, the people wading through the water looked incredibly happy. They had rushed out barefoot on purpose, laughing loudly as they kicked at the water. Children were swimming in the streets, and not a single adult moved to stop them.

It was an impromptu festival.

[Fermos] "If it rains, they’ll be even more excited. We might actually need to hire some musicians then."

Fermos seemed to be thinking along the same lines, adding his thoughts with a grin.

[Liene] "......I suppose so. Everyone seems... a bit out of their minds. The water might have even reached inside their homes."

[Fermos] "Well, it seems they don't mind. Isn't that right, My Lord?"

[Black] "Perhaps."

Black didn't look displeased either.

Liene looked at the two men and shook her head with a smile.

[Liene] "If this keeps up, people will start saying we don't even need a drainage system. That won't do. We can't have this every time it rains in the Erendira Mountains."

[Fermos] "Perish the thought, Your Highness. We will delay the construction of the southern fortress and prioritize the drainage works. It should be finished before the year is out."

[Liene] "I shall trust your word."

Black, who had been watching the streets, reached out a hand to her.

[Black] "Then let this be the first and last time such a thing happens."

Liene took his hand as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

[Liene] "Yes?"

[Black] "In that case, why don't we enjoy it together?"

[Liene] "Ah...?"

Black pulled her hand, pointing toward the flooded street ahead.

The water reached mid-calf, yet the area was boisterous and full of life. There was nothing but laughter. People were splashing about, some even joining hands to dance. As Fermos had suggested, musicians would have perfected the scene, but they weren't strictly necessary—the people had already begun to sing.

[Liene] "I would love to."

She gave him a radiant smile.

[Black] "Wait a moment."

He quickly leaned down to remove her shoes. Fermos, ever attentive, took them from him. Now barefoot himself, Black pulled her into the street.

[Citizen] "It’s the Princess! The Princess is here!"

[Citizen] "Princess Liene!"

[Citizen] "Lord Tiwakan!"

Upon spotting her, the people stopped their singing and began to cheer. The sound of her name on their lips soon transformed into a wave of massive laughter.

Black swept Liene up and began to spin her around. The singing, the laughter, the dancing, and the people all melded into one.

Liene was so caught up in the joy that she could hardly keep her head. It was the first time she had seen Black smile so much.

[Citizen] "Blessings upon Nauk!"

[Citizen] "May the Nine Waterfalls never run dry again!"

[Citizen] "May the Princess’ name live forever!"

The songs were a disorganized mess of improvised verses, which only made the experience more exhilarating.

As Liene laughed until she was breathless, her wet dress heavy against her legs, Black leaned in and whispered in her ear.

[Black] "Did you hear?"

[Liene] "Hear what?"

[Black] "The news that the Princess Consort has fled."

[Liene] "Oh. This is the first I’ve heard of it. When did it happen?"

[Black] "On the night King Sharka exchanged the peace treaty for the hostage."

[Liene] "I see......"

King Sharka had lost so much to get her back. His treasury was empty, his borders were pushed back, and his political standing was precarious. And yet, Blini had abandoned him.

[Liene] "I suppose she is no longer a Princess Consort."

[Black] "She is no longer even a Princess. Grand Duke Alito has stripped her of her inheritance and title."

For the Grand Duke, it was likely the only way he could maintain a relationship with Tiwakan.

[Liene] "Then where did she go?"

[Black] "She likely went somewhere where she could survive on her own."

[Liene] "Hmm... I wonder why you’re telling me this now. We are in the middle of a dance, after all."

[Black] "That is precisely why."

[Liene] "Why?"

[Black] "Because I didn't want a single lingering worry left in your mind."

[Liene] "Aha."

She understood what he meant, but in truth, she was so happy right now that there was no room for thoughts of Blini to interfere.

[Liene] "It sounds as if you’re telling me I should focus entirely on being happy from now on."

[Black] "Indeed."

[Liene] "Haha... well, actually, I’ve been doing just that for quite some time now."

[Black] "......"

Black didn't reply with words; he simply smiled.

He gazed at her for a long moment before cupping her face with both hands. She felt she knew exactly what he was saying in his heart.

That is all I ever wished for.

Liene whispered back to him with her eyes.

Then your wish has been granted entirely.

Now, all that remained was to find happiness in every moment within their home.

---

Liene’s dress was a total loss. She wasn't concerned about the garment, but she felt a pang of guilt for adding to the workload of the two madams.

Surprisingly, Madam Flambard removed the wet garment with an air of total indifference.

[Flambard] "We shall throw this away."

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

[Flambard] "You’ve worn it more than enough. If a dress has been worn this much, it should be proud to have fulfilled its purpose so thoroughly."

[Liene] "Now, Madam. I’ve had it for a long time, but surely it isn't that bad. And even though I got it wet, I made an effort to keep it out of the mud."

[Flambard] "The mud isn't the issue, Your Highness. The dress itself was the problem."

[Liene] "It’s old, but it’s still perfectly fine......"

[Flambard] "Only a priest in the middle of a week of penance would call that dress 'fine'. Your Highness, the time has come for me to speak plainly."

She handed the wet dress to Madam Henton with a firm hand. Madam Henton accepted it just as resolutely, rolling it into a bundle and tossing it into a wooden bin without even a second glance. Her determination to discard it was undeniable.

[Liene] "Speak plainly about what?"

[Flambard] "Your Highness, you are a wealthy woman now. Do you realize that?"

[Liene] "Pardon? Me?"

[Flambard] "Absolutely. Just the other day, I received next year’s royal budget from that man with a monocle... Ah, where are my manners? From Sir Fermos."

[Liene] "And?"

[Flambard] "At first, I thought there was an extra zero added by mistake."

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

[Flambard] "I honestly don't think I can spend that much money in a single year."

[Liene] "Then we can just leave it unspent—"

[Flambard] "Princess!"

She suddenly adopted such a stern expression that Liene swallowed hard, just as she had when Liene was a child.

[Liene] "Yes, Madam? Why are you so angry?"

[Flambard] "My point is that you can finally afford to throw away clothes you’ve worn for far too long."

Madam Henton nodded with military precision. For some reason, that was even more intimidating.

[Flambard] "I heard Sharka will be sending war reparations for the next ten years. I also heard that your husband has so much personal wealth that even that massive sum looks like pocket change to him. Therefore, starting tomorrow, I am reorganizing your wardrobe. I’ll clear out the old rags and have new clothes tailored. I shall also hire more staff."

[Liene] "We certainly do need more staff..."

This time, Madam Henton chimed in.

[Henton] "I shall start by bringing in ten workers. We can add more as they are trained. And while we’re at it, every empty room in this castle needs to be refurbished. It makes no sense for more of this grand castle to be empty than occupied."

[Liene] "Hmm... if it’s necessary, I suppose we should."

Liene felt that if she asked why they needed so many workers or why every single room needed a makeover, she would be in for a lecture.

Nauk was changing. It was time for Nauk Castle to change as well.

[Liene] "Very well. Let’s do that. I’m glad the budget is good enough. Shall we start by narrowing down who to hire for the castle? I’ll call the secretary and—"

[Flambard] "No, Princess."

She cut Liene off sharply.

[Flambard] "This woman and I will handle that. Such tasks were never meant for a Princess to begin with. It is time for you to focus on your actual duties."

[Henton] "Yes. And don't you dare think of helping with the cleaning."

She had only done so because she was worried the two madams would be overworked.

[Liene] "......Sir Fermos is incredibly capable. Because of him, my workload has decreased significantly."

She murmured, as if making an excuse.

[Liene] "So, um... I don't think I’ll be as busy as I used to be."

The two madams shook their heads in unison.

[Flambard] "Nonsense. You’re about to become much busier."

[Henton] "Indeed."

[Liene] "I don't think so."

Both of them ignored her protest.

[Flambard] "Just you wait. That’s how it will be. You must also have your formal coronation, must you not?"

[Liene] "Ah... I suppose there is that."

A coronation. It was an issue she had pushed aside so long ago that the thought felt almost foreign now. Because Kleinfelter had insisted the wedding must precede the coronation, Liene had yet receive the crown formally.

[Liene] "I wonder if a joint coronation is possible. I should ask."

[Henton] "And there is one more task even more important than the coronation."

This time, it was Madam Henton who spoke.

[Liene] "Tell me. What is it?"

[Henton] "You must have a baby. If your belly begins to swell once winter arrives, won't it be difficult to prepare for a coronation?”

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