A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 16

※In the Count of Three※

His question was absolutely unfair.

She asked herself countless times, but her inner answer was always the same: she didn't object.

[Liene] “If you move... what is it you want to do?”

[Black] “There are many things I can do.”

The fingers that had been slowly stroking her hair paused at the nape of her neck.

All the sensations she had tried to ignore surged back entirely. The tremor that started deep inside her ran along her spine.

She could see her own fingers, resting on his chest, shaking.

[Liene] “You can't do all those things... You can’t.”

[Black] “Is that right?”

One of his eyebrows arched.

[Black] “I don't think it's a problem.”

[Liene] “Right now, wedding preparations are so busy and...”

Even as she spoke, she wondered what kind of excuse she could give when she was merely standing, trembling, in his embrace.

[Black] “In that case, how about we make it brief?”

Do what? 

She had no reason or justification to stop him.

It was Liene who had proposed that they become a couple who desired each other.

The problem was that she herself wasn't sure if she truly wanted to stop him.

[Black] “Letting you go just now was a mistake.”

Black, who whispered his words, wrapped his arms around her waist.

Her upper body bent backward, but she felt no alarm. His wide palm firmly supported her back. She knew how comfortably his arms enveloped her.

[Liene] “......”

When he gripped her chin and brought their lips together, she understood what he meant by 'mistake.'

It meant he regretted only checking her wound and letting her go.

It meant the suppressed desire had lingered within him, disturbing his thoughts.

And it meant he had finally found an opportunity to let it erupt now.

I was the same. I also kept feeling the remnants of your presence inside me. That’s why my body was trembling the whole time.

Their frantic kiss continued. The desire that had been halted became even more intense and greedy when it restarted.

When the wave of passion that swept over both of them like a tsunami slowly receded, she clung to his neck with both hands, intensely savoring the feeling of their fused lips.

Their lips parted slowly. Yet, they remained extremely close.

[Black] “If we want to keep it brief, we must stop here.”

He loosened the arm holding her waist so that she could pull away whenever she wanted.

[Liene] “...Yes.”

She agreed with his statement.

I’m crazy. I still feel unsatisfied. Because of that, I needed to stop right here.

However, even though they spoke of stopping, their position remained unchanged. They remained touching as if they didn't know how to stop.

The large hand supporting her back slowly tapped her skin. Even that small movement on her back felt incredibly stimulating.

She grasped his sleeve tightly and said quietly,

[Liene] “I'll count, so we step back simultaneously.”

[Black] “......”

He hissed something indistinct between his teeth.

[Black] “Fine, give it a try.”

[Liene] “Okay... One, two, three.”

She counted, released his sleeve, and stepped back.

[Liene] “......?”

But he did not.

When she looked at him with a questioning expression as to why he stayed still, he brushed the corner of her lip with his thumb.

[Black] “Your count was too fast.”

[Liene] “Was it...?”

[Black] “Count again. Slowly this time.”

[Liene] “I’m not sure what difference it makes if I count slowly.”

[Black] “There won't be a different result.”

[Liene] “Then why are you telling me to count slowly?”

[Black] “Just to buy some time.”

[Liene] “What?”

He pulled her into an embrace in response. She wasn't as startled as before, even when suddenly pulled into his arms.

I want to stay like this longer. ...I really must be crazy. 

He didn't tell her to count again. She remained in his embrace until someone knocked on the door.

---

[Fermos] “Oh... Did I interrupt?”

The person who came looking for Black was Fermos.

[Fermos] “Should I come back later?”

[Liene] “...? No, it’s alright. On the contrary, I worry I was the one interrupting you. I'll leave so you can talk comfortably.”

She didn't understand why Fermos was so cautious.

Upon hearing the knock, the two of them released their intertwined hands.

Their distance was sufficient, and she had also retrieved the measuring tape she borrowed from Madam Flambard.

She thought Fermos couldn't possibly know what had transpired in the room moments ago.

[Fermos] “Why would Your Highness say that?”

But she was being too naive.

Just by looking into his eyes, Fermos knew that a great passion had ignited between the two of them. He was troubled by this.

My Lord wouldn't be toying with her just for fun.

He is not the type of person who finds toying with someone amusing; rather, he'd consider such actions unnecessary.

I don't understand the reason.

If he truly fell in love, the time frame is far too short.

Furthermore, Princess Liene still presents suspicious aspects.

Just today, she visited her lover’s house, and she's been silent about what happened there.

Yet, my Lord knows all of this. But he doesn't care...?

That can't be. He isn't that kind of person.

[Fermos] “Oh, um... It might be better if I discuss this with the Princess. We haven't found any trace of Sir Weroz. There are no clues whatsoever.”

[Liene] “What? You mean he’s not at the Kleinfelter Residence?”

She had assumed Weroz must be in the mansion.

She thought Lyndon had briefly locked up or driven Weroz away while planning the forced marriage.

Since the forced marriage failed, Weroz should have reappeared.

[Fermos] “Yes. That is what's strange.”

He stroked his monocle and continued,

[Fermos] “If something happened to a knight of his caliber, there would be traces, but there is nothing. And looking at the Kleinfelters' reaction, they don't look like they are hiding someone at all.”

If Weroz were imprisoned at the Kleinfelter Residence as she suggested, there would surely be signs.

However, Lyndon acted brazenly. He said to search anywhere, but if they didn't find him, they should pay the price without hesitation.

This meant Weroz was not inside the mansion.

It also made no sense that he was smuggled out of the mansion. The time was too short for that, and he couldn't avoid all the Tiwakan eyes scattered across the streets under the pretext of the search.

[Fermos] “I think he disappeared of his own accord.”

[Liene] “Impossible... he would not commit such an irresponsible act! The Nauk Guard Commander would not commit such an irresponsible act.”

[Fermos] “I thought so too, but the situation suggests he did leave of his own will.”

[Liene] “What could be the reason?”

[Fermos] “So, could there be a reason that forced him to erase his own tracks? Something extremely urgent.”

[Liene] “Something...”

What kind of urgent reason?

[Fermos] “If that is the case, it means nothing bad has happened to him, and I believe he will return when the situation improves. Or he will contact you.”

[Liene] “That...”

The story confused her. She shook her head, then her legs gave way, and she swayed.

[Fermos] “Oops, Your Highness!”

Fermos was startled, and Black quickly supported her.

Fermos clicked his tongue.

[Fermos] “Um, I know you are in shock, but you must be careful. I hear that being greatly startled when you are... alone... is dangerous... I mean, yes. It would be a huge problem if you were to fall. As much as possible, you should always sit down.”

Although Fermos spoke vaguely, she could feel the muscles in Black’s supporting arm tighten with tension.

That’s right. He thinks I’m pregnant...

She would have to lie that she suffered a miscarriage soon, and that thought made her vision darken.

Can I be that bold? ...No, I’m not sure.

Then, should I just be honest?

That she isn't carrying a child. That no such thing ever happened.

What would this man say?

The problem was that she had already signed the marriage agreement.

 That agreement stated that she agreed the child to be born would use the Arsak name and guaranteed that Nauk's sovereignty would be inherited by her child.

With that, Nauk's sovereignty was safe. In other words, even if the Tiwakan Commander tried to seize Nauk with the proposal, they couldn't steal the sovereignty as long as a child was born.

Shouldn't the sovereignty of Nauk be protected? The child was her only safety net.

[Liene] “...Thank you for your concern.”

In the end, she chose security. She could not let go of the safety net named 'the child' while she still didn't know the Tiwakan's purpose.

[Black] “Sit here.”

He practically carried her and set her down on the chair.

[Fermos] “Ahem, ahem.”

Realizing the awkward atmosphere, he cleared his throat to redirect attention.

[Fermos] “And um, I think I should also convey this fact to the Princess. The Head of the Kleinfelter Family is the Chairman of the Council, correct?

[Fermos] He promised to send two chests of gold, a new bed, and five servants as a wedding gift for the two of you. He is a man full of greed, as true to his appearance. How dare he act so stingy, being the richest man in Nauk?”

[Liene] “What?”

She was shocked that Kleinfelter promised to give a wedding gift.

[Liene] “He said he would give a gift?”

 A gift? That must be a curse.

[Fermos] “Well, accurately, he didn't promise to give it, but was forced to... But he will give it.”

[Liene] “How is that possible?”

She asked breathlessly.

Fermos, who had dealt with Lyndon, immediately understood her reaction.

There must be a reason why the Kleinfelters could increase their wealth every year in this poor kingdom.

He suspected their wealth was the result of squeezing this not-so-wicked Princess.

[Fermos] “I apologize if my words sound like boasting, but I am quite persuasive.”

[Liene] “You only convinced Lord Kleinfelter with words?”

[Fermos] “Well, it wasn't easy. But as I said, I’m good at talking. Eventually, he agreed that he had to show his sincerity.”

[Liene] “That... I can’t believe it.”

She sighed audibly. Her face showed clear relief.

It looked pitiful, even in Fermos' eyes. He could tell from her expression how much suffering this fragile body had endured to support the crumbling kingdom.

Could it be that my Lord softened because of the Princess’s appearance?

Because I somehow feel it too right now.

My Lord was not a man full of compassion, but as a human, perhaps he could feel it at times.

Fermos ended the doubt whose answer he himself did not know.

[Fermos] “You can believe me.”

Of course, Lyndon did not comply willingly from the start. Fermos succeeded by mixing in appropriate threats.

At the right moment, he hinted that he knew that Laffit Kleinfelter was not dead, and Lyndon, who had to conceal that fact at all costs, was finally forced to concede.

[Fermos] “However, the gift isn't entirely free. He requested that we acknowledge his illegitimate son in exchange for showing his loyalty to the House of Arsak. That is something the two of you must decide, so I have not given him an answer yet.”

He noticed that her complexion changed the moment the word 'illegitimate son' was mentioned.

Just as I thought.

That illegitimate son must be the Commander of the Arsak Knights.

Pretending to be dead and crawling back home, pretending to be someone else.

Seeing her reaction, she also seems to have realized that fact.

There must have been a conflict over her lover's presence.

It was obvious from the disappearance of the Guard Commander and her being left in that house as if she were confined.

 I must bear in mind that the Princess seems to have no intention of speaking about what had transpired there herself.

She seemed to want to keep her lover's existence a secret.

[Fermos] “That is roughly what happened at the Kleinfelter Residence. Are there any further orders?”

[Liene] “No. Thank you for what you did for Nauk.”

[Fermos] “You’re welcome. Showing loyalty is simply my duty.”

She left Black's room with the unexpected gift.

The estimated amount seemed to exceed the engagement gift she didn't even get to use, and had to return to pay off debts.

---

[Fermos] “What do you plan to do with the Princess?”

After she left, Fermos brought up what he had been holding back.

Black raised an eyebrow as if asking what he meant.

[Fermos] “You must have guessed it already. An illegitimate son appears out of nowhere right after the eldest son dies, but what if the eldest son isn't dead? One plus one is not one, but two.”

Black remained silent. His silence usually meant agreement.

[Fermos] “The Princess just reunited with her lover. Whether that’s a plan to betray you or not, you cannot deny that she has feelings for her lover.”

[Black] “...I know.”

He also saw her face turn pale when the word 'illegitimate son' was mentioned. It would be stranger if she didn't know.

[Black] “When she appears, my eyes refuse to leave her.”

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