A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 17

※The Trap (1)※

He didn't need to try hard to realize his mind was solely focused on her. His shoulder hurt constantly because of it.

Every time she moved, his head followed. His body was still, but his head turned, naturally pulling at his arrow-pierced shoulder.

He found the matter preposterous, yet he had no intention of denying the obvious consequence of his shoulder's movement.

He stared at her in a daze. If she were in front of his eyes all day, he would stare at her all day.

[Fermos] “Given that My Lord already knows...”

[Black] “Even so, she has never once lied to me.”

[Fermos] “......”

Fermos looked at him, an expression asking if his statement was true.

In truth, Black was also confused.

He could guess the reason why she desperately concealed what happened at the Kleinfelter Estate.

If her lover, who wasn't dead, was hiding in Nauk, his location was obvious.

She probably went to that house on the pretext of delivering the news of bereavement to meet her lover.

Meeting there, and then...

Damn it.

His thoughts immediately turned grim.

There was blood on her lips. He found absolutely no reasonable answer as to what caused that blood to stain her lips without an injury, and it bothered him constantly.

He had likely volunteered to examine her wound for that very reason: he couldn't stand it without checking.

What confused him was her reaction.

He thought she would refuse him because she had just met her lover, but she accepted what he did obediently.

She even seemed to believe his ridiculous excuse that he was only doing it to check a wound.

Her confusing and unexpected reaction continued to fuel his desire.

He couldn't tell whether she was attempting to accept him as promised or merely feigning compliance to protect her lover.

This was the first time something so unpredictable had happened to him.

It was also the first time he couldn't take his eyes off someone, wanting constantly to hold her to find certainty.

[Liene] —We step back simultaneously.

When she said that, he had to doubt his own ears. It meant that she was in the same state as he was—unable to let go of each other.

[Liene] —One, two, three.

The expression on her face as she said it seemed utterly sincere.

The endlessly trembling fingertips, the standing goosebumps, and the eyes darkening with desire all seemed to shout that her body desired him.

Could it all be a lie? 

Could that woman fake such micro-reactions just to protect her lover?

He truly didn't know. Liene was the most challenging being he had ever encountered.

[Black] “No matter how good a liar a person is, they cannot create all those micro-reactions.”

[Fermos] “Hmm... that is true.”

In their mercenary work, they often had to identify spies or obtain confessions through torture.

Although the mouth could easily spout lies, most people couldn't make their bodies do the same.

 Micro-reactions such as raised goosebumps, cold sweat, or a racing heartbeat were indicators of deception.

Liene’s micro-reactions simply meant that she desired him.

[Fermos] “Well, then, I'll assume my Lord intends to watch her for a while. Should we just leave the eldest son, who's masquerading as an illegitimate son, alone?”

[Black] “There must be other things we can squeeze out of that family. Squeeze as much as we can while they are under pressure.”

Fermos smiled slyly.

[Fermos] “Considering you said that, it seems you intensely dislike that family. I understand. I will do my best.”

[Black] “In the end, that family needs to be eliminated. Set a trap for the Kleinfelters starting now.”

[Fermos] “So that we can wipe them all out if they ever get caught. I will start now.”

After saying that, Black closed his eyes.

His shoulder hurt.

...Damn it.

Even when Liene wasn't present, he felt as if he were seeing her.

---

Liene did not doubt Fermos's words, but neither could she simply wait for Weroz to return on his own accord.

 She called the guards and ordered them to track down his whereabouts.

The guards were also greatly shocked by his absence.

She noticed that the vice commander, who had suddenly taken over Weroz's position without any preparation, was sweating profusely.

[Liene] “Hoo...”

She sighed after dismissing the guards.

Since Weroz suddenly disappeared, the security of Nauk Castle naturally had to rely more on Tiwakan.

Could Tiwakan have engineered his disappearance... desiring this outcome?

Apart from not disliking Black, she also couldn't feel completely at ease.

Weroz's disappearance meant she no longer had anyone she could trust under any circumstances.

While deeply lost in thought, unaware of the frown between her eyebrows, Madam Flambard arrived.

Knock, knock.

[Flambard] “Your Highness, it's me. May I come in?”

[Liene] “Yes. Wait a moment.”

The Madam surely hadn't come empty-handed.

Liene quickly stood up and opened the door herself.

As expected, Madam Flambard was carrying a large basket in both hands.

[Liene] “What is all this?”

[Flambard] “Sewing materials. For the wedding coat.”

[Liene] “I see. Put them down here.”

Liene pointed to the rug in front of the fireplace.

[Flambard] “I also brought your mourning dress here. I've taken in the waistline and added a collar, so it will now look appropriate as a mourning dress.”

[Liene] “Thank you for your hard work, Madam.”

Liene also asked Madam Flambard to help her change into the mourning dress.

Madam Flambard, who meticulously helped her put on the much tidier mourning dress, sighed.

[Flambard] “But there is still a problem: you are still too beautiful.”

[Liene] “......This is good enough. Don't flatter me, Madam.”

Liene awkwardly put the mirror away. Since she had changed her clothes, it was now time to start sewing.

[Flambard] “Did you measure everything?”

[Liene] “Roughly.”

She hadn't measured from the waist down, thinking: how different could everyone's leg length be? 

Since the previous King was also tall, she assumed the bottom part of the garment would fit roughly.

[Flambard] “Then let's see.”

Madam Flambard spread the mantle on the rug. Liene opened the tape measure and compared the sizes.

[Flambard] “We’ll need to fix quite a lot.”

She furrowed her brow with a serious expression.

[Liene] “Really?”

[Flambard] “This looks like clothing that wouldn't even fit an ordinary person. Huh, why are his shoulders so incredibly wide? Did you measure incorrectly?”

[Liene] “I think I measured it correctly...”

If asked to recount the events when she measured, Liene wouldn't know what to say.

She was so distracted by him that she barely remembered what she did.

 All she could recall was his voice telling her not to count too fast.

[Flambard] “I've never seen measurements like this. Could they really be this wide...? What would it feel like to be embraced by those shoulders... Oh dear, I said something inappropriate!”

Madam Flambard, who had been muttering to herself, was startled and quickly shook her head.

[Liene] “I'll pretend I didn't hear that, Madam.”

[Flambard] “You must. What did I just say in front of you, who is being forced into marriage...”

Liene turned her face away to suppress a fleeting laugh.

[Liene] “It’s been a while since we've fixed such luxurious clothing—you must be a little excited too, Madam.”

[Flambard] “Yes... That's right. It's been so long since such an occasion. Since the previous King passed away, I haven't had a chance to touch good fabric.”

[Liene] “True.”

Madam Flambard's sewing skills were probably the best in Nauk.

 It was understandable that she was excited after so long, as people like her always had to patch up old, worn clothes.

[Liene] “Then, will we run short on fabric?”

[Flambard] “So, we must shorten this coat a bit. The garment was made to trail long below the altar on the day of coronation, so we don't need to do that for a wedding. If we cut here and add it to the shoulders and neck, it will look even grander.”

[Liene] “Right.”

[Flambard] “How about we make a belt too? And add the same fabric to the ankles.”

[Liene] “Ah, that's a good idea.”

[Flambard] “How much should we add? The trousers need to be much longer than this, don't they?”

[Liene] “That...”

That's when Liene fell silent.

[Liene] “I didn't measure the length of the trousers...”

She said in a small, almost inaudible voice.

[Flambard] “What? How could you forget that? What if the trousers ride up too short and the ankles show?”

[Liene] “I thought the trousers would fit roughly.”

Actually, I couldn't measure them.

Because that man said restraint was a mistake. 

No, but because I was the one affected by him.

[Flambard] “Tsk, tsk... How could you think that? You'd better measure it again. What if this wedding coat doesn't fit?”

[Liene] “I suppose so...”

Her voice was so small this time, too.

As Liene hesitated over whether she could accurately measure the trouser length, Madam Flambard misunderstood her expression.

[Flambard] “Your Highness. Do you not want to see him again? Then let me do it.”

[Liene] “No, it's... not that I don't want to...”

[Flambard] “Right. How could you be pleased? I didn't consider your feelings. Then I will go. You please separate the two sleeves of the coat.”

[Liene] “I don't mind.”

Liene repeated it, but the misunderstanding wasn't resolved.

[Flambard] “I'm fine. I'm sure, no matter how much I dislike that man, it couldn't possibly surpass yours, could it? Then, you will be alone for a moment.”

Madam Flambard, who had spread out many sewing items, hurriedly left Liene's bedroom.

[Liene] “It’s not...”

Liene, left alone, touched the scissors, a flushed face for no reason.

[Liene] “It really isn't...”

Is it strange that I don't dislike him? 

Other people might not understand.

That thought somehow weighed on her heart.

Madam Flambard, who went to Black's room, found out that he had left with his followers.

Since she couldn't chase them on horseback, Madam Flambard sent a guard to ask Black to come to Liene's bedroom.

---

After Madam Flambard returned, Liene remained silent and focused on sewing.

Madam Flambard kept watching her as she said she had requested Black to come to her room due to various circumstances.

Although Liene repeatedly said that she didn't dislike him, Madam Flambard didn't seem entirely convinced.

Let it go. She'll know later.

[Flambard] “But, Your Highness......”

Her voice sounded again in the bedroom, where only the sound of a needle penetrating the cloth could be heard.

[Liene] “Yes, Madam.”

[Flambard] “The wedding is only about ten days away, isn't it?”

[Liene] “Right. After the funeral tomorrow, it'll be exactly ten days.”

[Flambard] “Then, um... Doesn't that coincide with the date of your monthly fever?”

[Liene] “Ah... Oh heavens.”

Liene poked her own finger with the needle, not the cloth, startled by the unexpected question.

[Flambard] “Goodness. Are you alright?”

She approached and took Liene's hand. A drop of red blood emerged from the tip of her thumb's nail.

[Flambard] “Oh dear. Why did you prick right under the nail?”

She pricked the most painful spot.

[Flambard] “Give me your hand. I must disinfect and apply medicine. I will go quickly...”

[Liene] “Don't.”

Liene grabbed her as she was about to stand. Although blood was dripping from under her thumbnail, she didn't feel the pain.

[Flambard] “What? What shouldn't I do?”

[Liene] “The date... The date of the monthly fever....”

Her face was as pale as paper.

[Flambard] “Your Highness......”

The Madam's face finally became as serious as hers.

[Liene] “It must not... be found out. No, it must not.”

[Flambard] “Your Highness.”

Madam Flambard patted the back of her hand as if telling her to calm down.

[Flambard] “I don't know much about politics or anything, but... Do you really have to lie about the pregnancy, even though you are getting married?”

[Liene] “It's... yes. I have to. Only then can the sovereignty of Nauk not pass to Tiwakan.”

[Flambard] “So that’s how it is.”

Liene asked with a serious face.

[Liene] “Is there no way to conceal the monthly fever?”

[Flambard] “How can we conceal it? Well, maybe if you don't share a room, but if you're married, you have to go through the wedding night, don't you?”

[Liene] “Ah... What should I do? I didn't think of that at all. That the dates would coincide.”

A dark shadow fell across her pure white face.

[Liene] “Then the only way is...”

[Flambard] “Only by refusing the wedding night.”

The Madam's face also began to resemble hers.

[Liene] “But will he accept that so easily?”

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