A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 15

※Don't Move※

[Flambard] “Hmm... This coat is better than I expected.”

That was her comment after opening an old wooden trunk covered in dust.

[Liene] “Yes. I thought so too.”

Liene had brought Madam Flambard to the royal storeroom.

Inside was a trunk containing her late father's clothes.

Most of the valuable jewels had been sold, but some items remained.

One of them was the late King's wedding coat.

[Liene] “The embroidery is still intact.”

She touched the coat, which still held the richness of the past, with her fingertips.

[Flambard] “But how did this coat remain? Weren't almost all of the previous King’s belongings sold?”

Madam Flambard spoke gently about selling possessions due to a lack of funds.

[Liene] “I felt it was a waste to sell this one. It was so well made, and for some reason, I had a good memory of it... Ah, wait a minute?”

She tilted her head as she spoke.

She was sure this coat was her late father's wedding coat. But how could she have a memory of him wearing it?

She asked Madam Flambard, her face a mixture of confusion.

[Liene] “Is this outfit... not the wedding coat?”

[Flambard] “The shape is similar, but as far as I remember, His Majesty wore it on a different day.”

[Liene] “When?”

[Flambard] “Perhaps at the coronation. A magnificent coat like this is only worn on very special occasions.”

[Liene] “Coronation... So he was crowned after I was born?”

[Flambard] “Yes, His Majesty was crowned after the Princess was born.”

[Liene] “Ah, so that’s why.”

Was that the reason she unconsciously kept it?

She touched the coat's excellent fabric again. The tight silver thread embroidery still glittered enchantingly.

[Liene] “The button decorations are also still there.”

The buttons, made with alternating pearls and rubies, were also intact.

It was fortunate she had forgotten this coat until now.

A coat this exquisite would be perfect for a wedding coat.

[Liene] “I only need to adjust the size slightly.”

[Flambard] “After being washed and ironed clean, it will look like new.”

Fortunately, Madam Flambard agreed to alter the coat. She spoke to her with a mixture of guilt and gratitude.

[Liene] “I thought you would be angry.”

[Flambard] “Me?”

[Liene] “Yes. Because I would be giving it to an unworthy person.”

[Flambard] “I don't need to say it twice, Your Highness, because my anger is pointless.”

Madam Flambard wore a somewhat sour expression.

[Flambard] “However... no matter how much I forbid it, the marriage will still happen. After all, this marriage is the Princess’ marriage, and we must do what must be done.”

[Flambard] “Rather than seeing a barbarian who knows no manners wear whatever clothes he pleases, this is better. Even if his conduct is barbaric, at least his appearance must be made worthy to accompany the Princess.”

She smiled and rested her head on Madam Flambard's shoulder.

[Liene] “Hearing that, I feel like crying instead.”

[Flambard] “What? Did I say something wrong, Your Highness?”

[Liene] “No. I’m happy to hear it.”

[Flambard] “Oh dear, Princess, to that extent.”

Madam Flambard blushed sheepishly. She could tell how much Madam Flambard cared and worried about her just from those words.

[Liene] “Maybe he isn't as bad a person as I thought.”

Madam Flambard, who calmly combed her hair with her fingers, just listened.

[Liene] “Of course, the beginning was terrible. I know... but sometimes I think he's not as bad as I imagined. He isn't rough when dealing with me.”

In fact, the person I thought was my lover was rougher.

I truly thought Lord Tiwakan was a different person.

[Liene] “He cares when I’m hurt...”

I probably will never forget what he did to my mouth today when he checked the injury on my lip.

[Liene] “I thought he would be impolite, but actually, he isn't.”

That's why I don't dislike him.

 I know I should hate him, but the failure to hate him keeps happening.

[Liene] “Today... he came to fetch me, making me feel so...”

She swallowed the surging emotion.

Madam Flambard was the person closest to her, but she didn't want the older woman to know what had happened today.

If she knew, the kind and gentle Madam Flambard would be more shocked than herself.

[Liene] “...I felt relieved.”

[Flambard] “I see. That means he may wear this coat.”

She gently patted the Princess’ shoulder.

[Flambard] “And honestly, he's not a bad man to look at. Though his character is problematic.”

Her words made her laugh out loud.

[Liene] “Does that mean he's handsome?”

Madam Flambard had never said anything similar about Laffit.

[Flambard] “Why do you ask? Well, yes. Is there a rule that all barbarians must look ugly?”

Well, he is handsome. When I first saw him, I almost didn't believe it.

[Liene] “This coat will look good on him.”

[Liene] “Yes... I agree.”

The two women looked at each other and laughed.

[Liene] “Then I will go find out his size.”

[Flambard] “Then I will mend this outfit as soon as I finish with your mourning dress.”

[Liene] “Do it with me. I want to help.”

[Flambard] “Very well, do as you wish.”

She went to find Black to take his measurements.

---

At that time, Black was with his followers in the room he occupied.

There weren't many with him. There were about four people, but because of their large build, the room felt cramped.

Even among those big men, Black stood out. He was the tallest, but strangely, he looked lean and dashing, unlike the other Tiwakan, who looked massive.

Perhaps because his appearance is different...

She remembered Madam Flambard's words, saying he looked handsome.

He is different from the others. He alone is... captivating.

[Black] “Do you have business with me?”

She didn't realize she had been staring intently at him.

[Liene] “...Ah, yes. I wanted to discuss the wedding coat briefly.”

He nodded to her, then spoke to his followers.

[Black] “Get out.”

[Tiwakan] “Yes, My Lord.”

Although it wasn't necessary, he still sent them out.

She didn't realize that his decision was out of consideration for her, who was still uncomfortable with the Tiwakan mercenaries.

We are alone again... 

Instead, she was bothered by being alone with him again in this room. This room somehow created an atmosphere for kissing.

[Black] “Speak.”

He pointed to an empty chair in front of the bed.

She sat in the chair and faced him.

He was not lying on the bed but sitting on the edge, wearing only a half-open shirt, perhaps to air his wound.

He couldn't be doing it on purpose. He knows how he looks in my eyes. ...No way. 

In any case, that was her own overthinking.

She shook her head to dismiss the inappropriate thought and began to speak.

[Liene] “I want to prepare the wedding coat for you. Although this coat is insufficient as a dowry, it is the greatest sincerity I can show at this moment.”

[Black] “You don’t have to force yourself.”

[Liene] “This isn’t a compulsion.”

She wouldn't be able to do more even if she wanted to. The treasury was literally empty. After the funeral tomorrow, she would become even poorer.

[Liene] “I hope you wear the previous King’s coronation coat, not a new one.”

[Black] “......”

A strange silence flowed for a moment after she spoke.

[Liene] “If it goes against your thoughts...”

[Black] “Nothing goes against it.”

He nodded lightly as if the recent silence was only her imagination.

[Liene] “Then, please allow me to take your measurements.”

[Black] “...Now?”

[Liene] “Yes.”

She took out the measuring tape she borrowed from Madam Flambard.

The old leather tape with scale marks had been used to make many royal clothes.

[Liene] “I will measure the upper body first. Stretch out both your arms.”

[Black] “......”

He stared at her for a moment, then obediently stretched out his arms.

She approached him, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, and measured carefully.

She measured the wrist, from the wrist to the elbow, and from the elbow to the shoulder.

After measuring the shoulder, she had to measure the neck.

[Liene] “You can put your arms down now.”

[Black] “......”

He lowered his arms, and she wrapped the measuring tape around his neck.

And she realized why he had been silent during this measurement.

...Too close. 

To measure the neck, she had to wrap the tape, which meant standing closer to him.

And it was even closer since he was sitting and she was bending down slightly.

It was the position she had been in when she kissed him first.

Realizing it, her gaze locked onto his lips.

Too close. It felt like they would touch at any moment.

Ah... I should have asked Madam Flambard to measure.

The hand that had moved easily when measuring his arm now felt stiff, unable to move as desired when touching his neck.

I didn't know the measurement would... be like this.

He opened his mouth. His quiet, low voice immediately warmed her ears.

[Black] “I am a little confused right now.”

[Liene] “Confused... why?”

[Black] “Whether this action is part of our promise.”

[Liene] “What?”

She slowly raised her head.

The measuring tape was still wrapped around his neck, and her hand was pressing the tip where the scale overlapped.

[Black] “You promised that you also desire me. I’m asking if this gesture is a signal.”

[Liene] “No, I...”

She was too embarrassed to open her mouth.

I didn't do it on purpose. I really just wanted to mend this coat...

[Black] “No?”

[Liene] “Well... I wasn't thinking about that, so...”

[Black] “Not a signal?”

Absolutely not. At least not at the beginning.

[Liene] “...Yes.”

He didn't reply; instead, he gently touched her fingers, which were pressing the measuring tape on his neck.

[Black] “You weren't trying to keep a promise, you just wanted to make a coat for me... I understand.”

The touch on her hand disappeared. That was the moment she wanted to sigh.

[Black] “Continue measuring.”

[Liene] “......”

She took a deep breath and read the scale on the measuring tape.

[Liene] “This part is done.”

She thought the neck was the most difficult part.

But when she realized that the next part was the chest, she knew that everything done before was just the beginning.

[Liene] “Lift your arms again...”

When she, holding the measuring tape and bending lower, suddenly stopped talking, he asked back.

[Black] “Is it the chest measuring turn now?”

He knows.

[Black] “So you are becoming more flustered.”

He knows everything.

[Black] “What do you want me to do?”

I don't know.

Even if he stayed still like a piece of wood, she didn't think she would be able to measure comfortably.

Whatever I do, this measurement will be awkward.

Whatever I do, it will feel disturbing.

Whatever I do, I will... tremble.

Because of this man.

[Liene] “Stay as still as possible.”

She bit her lip once, then raised the measuring tape again.

If she couldn't avoid it, it was better to finish it quickly.

[Liene] “Don't move. I will do it as quickly as possible.”

[Black] “......”

He let out a low sigh, then stood up and raised his arms.

She, feeling she had to finish as fast as possible, stretched out her arms and wrapped the measuring tape around his chest.

She knew that she was in a position to hug him, who had both arms stretched out.

I know. But so what?

It happened by chance. Such a situation will happen again in the future.

I can't be affected every time. I have to get used to this man as quickly as possible.

She forcibly averted her gaze from him to check the scale.

[Liene] “Now I will measure the waist.”

Just as her hand, which quickly finished the task, was about to move away, he suddenly grabbed it.

[Black] “Can’t you do it slowly?”

[Liene] “What...?”

She involuntarily raised her head to look at him.

[Black] “I don't want to stay still.”

What is this man talking about...

He pulled her hand back to his chest and slowly stroked her hair.

[Black] “Do you dislike it when I move?”

[Liene] “......”

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