A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 14

※Not Even for a Single Moment※

Her heart was uneasy.

He lifted her onto his horse.

The warmth and touch emanating from his back continued to make her uncomfortable.

Fewer guards followed him than had been left behind at the Kleinfelter Residence.

Only three mercenaries straggled behind, making her feel as if it were just the two of them going somewhere.

[Liene] “Does your wounded shoulder... not bother you?”

She asked, swallowing her internal discomfort.

[Liene] “If you find it difficult to hold the reins, let me take them.”

He was holding the reins with one hand, while the other supported her.

[Black] “It doesn't hinder me.”

[Liene] “I see.”

[Black] “Something else is bothering me.”

[Liene] “What...”

[Black] “The thought of why there is blood on your lips.”

[Liene] “What?”

She subconsciously raised her hand and wiped her lips.

Blood?

Could that be the blood that stuck when she bit Laffit...

[Black] “Were you bitten?”

[Liene] “No... No.”

She wasn't bitten, but she bit him.

But to say that, she would have to explain why Laffit had covered her mouth.

[Black] “Then why is the blood there?”

[Liene] “This is... well...”

She couldn't think of a plausible answer.

[Liene] “I’m not the one who was hurt...”

[Black] “You weren’t hurt.”

[Liene] “The blood... somehow stuck...”

[Black] “Right on your lips.”

[Liene] “.........”

There were a few situations where blood could stick to the lips.

Seeing her unable to answer, he suddenly brought the horse to a halt.

Instead of asking why, she turned her head to look at him. She could see the tight line of his lips.

He let go of the reins and used his hands to turn her body to face him.

[Black] “May I check?”

[Liene] “Check... what?”

[Black] “Whether you are truly unharmed.”

She was indeed unharmed. That was the truth.

[Liene] “Yes. I’m not the one who was hurt.”

[Black] “I don't believe you.”

His last words were too fast and too quiet for her even to reply.

He grasped her face with both hands and pulled her close.

Before she had time to be surprised, his tongue touched her lips.

[Liene] “Why...”

[Black] “Open your mouth.”

[Liene] “......”

He swept the inside of her mouth.

It wasn't a kiss. He was truly checking every corner of her mouth to ensure there were no wounds.

It wasn't a kiss. That was precisely why it felt even more odd.

Because the inside of her mouth was being checked and carefully touched by someone else, though it wasn't a kiss, she found herself speechless.

When he finally let go of her lips, she was panting, clutching tightly onto his sleeve.

[Black] “There are no wounds.”

...I already told you.

[Black] “Thank goodness.”

Is it excellent news for you?

Worry about how she could forget that sensation was already filling her mind.

She still felt him lingering in her mouth.

Her body continued to tremble subtly, making her feel dizzy.

Even the way he licked the remaining moisture from her lips with his tongue felt intoxicating, like vertigo.

[Black] “Why were you alone at the Kleinfelter Residence?”

He set the horse moving again.

Because her body was still turned toward him as the horse moved, she had to press closer to him to maintain her balance.

...This is what’s odd.

Wouldn't it be better for me to fall off the horse than to be held like this?

These doubts tormented her.

Why did he make her feel this way?

She should hate and fear him. But the truth was...

[Black] “Is it difficult for you to answer?”

[Liene] “...No. Sir Weroz was accompanying me, but he disappeared somehow halfway... Ah, Sir Weroz!”

She finally came to her senses.

She had forgotten about Weroz.

[Liene] “Sir Weroz might be locked up.”

[Black] “In that residence?”

[Liene] “Yes. He’s not the type to disappear without a word, so his sudden disappearance means something is wrong.”

Her heart suddenly pounded fast.

She shouldn't be acting like this; she had to return to the castle immediately and send guards. If something happened to him, she wouldn't be able to bear it.

Weroz was the only person she could trust anytime, anywhere.

[Liene] “Please return to the castle quickly. I must send guards immediately.”

[Black] “There’s no need.”

He pulled the reins, slowing the pace, then motioned behind him.

The subordinates who were far behind quickly spurred their horses closer.

He gave the command immediately.

[Black] “One of you must go back. Tell Fermos. Find the Commander of the Nauk Guard.”

[Mercenary] “Understood, My Lord.”

Without needing further words, one of them immediately turned his horse around and rushed back towards the Kleinfelter Residence.

Given the Mercenary's speed, his command would be many times faster than if she returned to the castle and ordered the guards.

She said in a small voice.

[Liene] “...Thank you.”

The reason he felt comfortable was not only because he was big and strong, but also because of actions like these.

Because he listened to her even though he knew she was hiding something.

Because he checked her injury.

Because he did what was necessary.

Because he reduced her worries.

It was as if they were a couple bound by true love.

[Black] “That's what I have to do.”

Because their bodies were touching, her skin vibrated when he spoke.

She didn't dislike this at all.

Clip-clop.

The horse strolled toward the castle at its reduced pace.

She didn't dislike this slow time. Not even for a single moment.

---

[Marshillow] “A total of 170 Milon will be needed for the funeral expenses. Thankfully, we don't need to pay for the coffin.”

He pushed a paper filled with numbers toward her.

After taking it, she quickly scanned the list and figures, nodded, and put the paper down.

[Liene] “A reasonable price. I should thank Tiwakan.”

[Marshillow] “No need for thanks. If it weren't for them, there would be no funeral.”

He stroked his beard, looking displeased. He looked like a sulking child.

[Liene] “I am not taking sides, but I want you to know that Nauk initiated the surprise attack. As I said, this is not a matter for debate, so let’s forget it.

[Liene] What scale of wedding dowry can we possibly prepare?”

[Marshillow] “You intend to give a dowry?”

He widened his eyes in surprise.

[Marshillow] “Didn't they say they would take care of everything, so we didn't need to interfere? Thus, I didn't even consider the dowry issue.”

[Liene] “They agreed to cover the cost of the ceremony and the wedding attire. The dowry is a different matter.”

[Liene] “We have already received something, so we cannot ignore it.”

She had received a large chest full of gold coins as an engagement gift.

She couldn't pretend to ignore the wedding dowry. That action would feel like robbery, not a marriage.

...How ridiculous. Robbery? Who to whom?

 She smiled bitterly, amused by her own thought.

Why did she keep forgetting that he was the one who proposed forcibly?

[Liene] “It’s shameful to say, but we have gold from the engagement gift. We are not short on money, so please prepare a dowry on the same scale as previous Nauk Royal weddings. The dowry must be delivered to Tiwakan before the wedding ceremony.”

When the dowry fund was mentioned, he coughed awkwardly.

[Marshillow] “That... Ahem, ahem.”

[Liene] “Sir Marshillow?”

That cough meant there was a problem.

[Marshillow] “That money... well... not much is left, Princess.”

[Liene] “What?”

She was astonished.

[Liene] “What do you mean? How long ago did we receive that money?”

[Marshillow] “That... according to the promissory note renewed three years ago, the royal income other than taxes belongs to the largest creditor, Lord Lyndon Kleinfelter.”

[Liene] “What did you say?”

She immediately stood up from her seat.

[Liene] “There is such a clause in the promissory note?”

[Marshillow] “Yes, Your Highness.”

He inwardly clucked his tongue and said.

[Marshillow] “Don't you recall, Your Highness? Three years ago, a great drought. Not a single drop of rain fell all summer. Although this region is always short on water, that time was especially severe... Moreover, a great plague afflicted the crops. So, you...”

He stopped talking there.

Seeing her pale expression, she seemed to remember.

[Liene] “I wrote that ridiculous promissory note and borrowed money from the Kleinfelters. True. I did it.”

The memory of that time was filled with nothing but despair.

The people she met every day were on the verge of starvation.

She knew the promissory note offered by the Kleinfelters was utter nonsense, but she had no choice but to sign it.

That decision was humiliating, and she feared the future, but she couldn't bear the death she witnessed every day.

[Liene] “So, there’s no money left?”

[Marshillow] “According to the law, I confirmed the amount yesterday and sent it to the Kleinfelters. I received a letter stating that the amount paid would be deducted from the principal and interest of the debt.”

[Liene] “And you didn't even notify me before sending the money?”

[Marshillow] “I assumed Your Highness was aware.”

[Liene] “......”

She was speechless and stared at him.

His action was clearly deliberate.

If he had told her, she would surely have paid other expenses first; he must have immediately sent that gift money to the Kleinfelters as soon as it was received.

...And he must have received a hefty allowance in return.

He didn't collude with the Kleinfelters because he was wicked. The same was true for Cardinal Milode.

They were simply all relying on the Kleinfelters, who promised benefits, rather than the poor royal family.

[Marshillow] “If Your Highness wishes, I will borrow the funds for the dowry from Lord Kleinfelter. He may not welcome your marriage, but he is a generous man, so he will gladly lend the necessary money.”

[Liene] “...That’s enough.”

She let out a weary sound.

Generous, he says. Impossible for him to be generous.

The massive royal debt was the reason why the Kleinfelters could act arrogantly and insolently, regardless of their status.

However, considering what Lyndon did today, he would definitely not lend a single cent under the pretense of marriage.

[Liene] “No more debt.”

And she wanted to stop being dragged around by debt.

She still couldn't fully believe what she had experienced today.

She never thought they would do such a thing, no matter how little they regarded the royal family.

Calling the Cardinal beforehand and forcing a marriage?

That action meant they didn't regard her as the ruler of Nauk, or even as an equal human being.

If Black hadn't appeared at that time, she would have been locked up in the Kleinfelter Residence, forced to marry, and forced through the wedding night.

[Marshillow] “With all due respect, Your Highness, that will be difficult with just resolve.”

He said that whether he knew about the incident at the Kleinfelter Residence or not.

[Marshillow] “Nauk has been subsisting on Kleinfelter's money for years. If that source of funds is cut off, we will all simply starve to death.”

[Liene] “.......”

[Marshillow] “Far from reducing the principal, we have to borrow money again just to pay the interest. We can only breathe for a moment because the money Tiwakan gave covered part of the debt.”

The undeniable reality silenced her.

The frustration and helplessness she felt three years ago resurfaced. Her stomach churned just thinking about it.

She motioned with a pale face.

[Liene] “I understand, you may leave. I will forget about the dowry.”

[Marshillow] “Very well. Rest, Your Highness. Your face does not look well.”

He offered a concern that sounded utterly insincere, then left the King’s study.

[Liene] “...Disgusting.”

She knocked over the innocent ink bottle.

Since the cap was closed, the ink didn't spill.

In truth, she wanted to throw anything, but venting her anger felt like a luxury.

If the ink bottle broke, she would have to figure out how to buy a replacement.

[Liene] “How shameless I will look.”

If she spent all the money and said she couldn't give a dowry.

She felt foolish and pathetic about her fate.

She buried her face in her palms. Painful self-pity escaped through the gaps between her fingers.

[Liene] “...No, I must do something instead of staying like this.”

She got up.

Although she couldn't give a proper dowry, she could give him one thing.

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