A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 19

※The Trap (3)※

Did he know?

Was he deliberately asking despite knowing everything?

Was he baiting me to confess before he opened that window?

She struggled to prevent herself from turning toward the window where Laffit was likely clinging precariously to the ledge.

[Liene] "Yes... That is correct."

[Black] "Then all is well."

The man who seemed to know everything simply uttered those words.

[Liene] "..."

She could not afford to feign composure. She had to move him away from the chamber as quickly as possible and send Laffit away.

Though they might be safe for the moment, someone from outside could spot Laffit hiding on the window ledge at any time.

If he were to slip and fall, the consequences would be far more dreadful.

She leaned her head toward him and whispered.

[Liene] "Let us do this elsewhere."

She felt ashamed and awkward having to resort to such a measure. Yet, at present, she could not conceive of another way to make Black leave.

She suspected that if he was aware of Laffit's presence, he would not simply depart once the measurements were complete.

He would assuredly remain in her chamber to see what transpired—that much was certain.

The Black that she knew was precisely this way.

He was sharp, highly intuitive, and quick in both thought and execution.

Had he truly been a barbarian who knew only war and slaughter, as rumored, he would not have felt so perilous, yet so captivating.

[Black] "Why?"

Sure enough, he asked why they must vacate the chamber.

She had to lower her voice even further.

Her voice sounded like a whisper, as if she were seducing him.

[Liene] "Because the Madam is present here."

[Black] "..."

Upon hearing this, he wordlessly swept his gaze over her.

His eyes, so gentle and clear, seemed capable of stripping bare every microexpression concealed on her face.

He mimicked her, lowering his head and whispering.

[Black] "Then tell the Madam to leave."

[Liene] "I cannot."

[Black] "Why?"

[Liene] "Because all the sewing materials are here."

[Black] "..."

[Liene] "Thus... I cannot keep her waiting outside for long."

As she spoke those words, her face flushed crimson.

[Black] "Perhaps this is why I cannot cease thinking of you, Princess."

He tugged at the lock of her hair he held, compelling her closer without resistance.

The distance between the two, which others would already deem far too close, narrowed even further—almost to the point of contact.

[Black] "Because I cannot expect what your next reaction will be."

[Liene] "What do you mean by..."

[Black] "Where shall we go?"

He took hold of both of her arms and inquired in a deep voice.

[Liene] "The next... chamber."

He instantly spun her around.

Thud! His steps were swift, and the door opened rapidly.

The next chamber was closer than she had anticipated.

Thud! The sound of something striking the wall forcefully echoed.

It was not her body, however; she felt no pain.

She realized this because, before her back could touch the wall, he had already placed his palm there to protect her.

As soon as the door closed, their lips immediately met.

The moment he lowered his head and enveloped her, her mind went blank.

Both her arms wrapped around his neck.

He lifted the clinging Liene, adjusting their height with one hand.

His kiss was burning, and her body felt like it was on fire.

Once the spark ignited, her entire being was consumed by the flame.

As his lips began to descend to her neck, she sighed.

[Liene] "Ah, wait a moment..."

[Black] "Do you dislike it?"

[Liene] "No. It is just..."

[Black] "Then stay still."

The shoulder where her arms rested felt broad and solid.

Although her feet were suspended in the air, she felt no fear whatsoever, wishing only to remain in contact for longer.

[Liene] "..."

She exhaled softly and tightened her embrace around his shoulder.

As she shifted, he briefly paused the kiss.

He did not cease entirely. However, he slowly drew his lips away, brushing the skin they had just touched.

[Black] "Is your position uncomfortable?"

[Liene] "No... No."

[Black] "Then are you frightened?"

She was afraid. Afraid of what would happen next, as her body felt like it no longer belonged to her.

[Liene] "A little..."

[Black] "..."

This time, it was he who released a sigh.

The air of his breath touching her neck generated a peculiar heat—a heat that caused her mind to grow warm as well.

[Black] "Do not fear."

As he spoke, her feet gently touched the floor.

He set her down. Suddenly, her legs felt heavy.

...He misunderstood. That was not the sort of fear I meant.

Nevertheless, she could not possibly ask him to lift her again and kiss her.

Even if he were her lover, she was far too embarrassed to say such a thing.

[Black] "It seems I was too fast."

Too fast? Truthfully, I don't know. 

She only remembered her body had heated up without reason.

Upon reflection, she could not deem it slow. But then again, that did not mean he was the only one who fast.

It might well be that I was the faster one.

She muttered in a voice smaller than a mosquito's, her eyes cast downward.

[Liene] "It is quite alright..."

After a kiss of such intensity, she couldn't look directly at him.

[Black] "Are you certain you are fine?"

Suddenly, he intruded into her lowered gaze.

He crouched down, looking up at her from below.

Startled, she placed her hands over his eyes.

[Liene] "Why... do you stare at me like that?"

[Black] "Because you say you are fine when you clearly do not look like that."

[Liene] "No, I truly am fine."

[Black] "Is that so?"

[Liene] "Yes."

[Black] "Then why do you cover my eyes?"

[Liene] "That..."

Why indeed?

For some inexplicable reason, she felt profoundly ashamed now.

It was not the first time they had kissed, after all.

More accurately, it meant he had come close enough that she felt the need to cover his eyes.

Previously, if she felt awkward or ashamed, she would retreat. Now, instead of avoiding him, she covered his eyes with her own hands.

This was a change that had occurred without her realizing it.

[Liene] "I shall remove my hands, so do not look up at me from below."

[Black] "...If that is the matter, I shall comply."

[Liene] "Good! Then..."

She carefully removed her hands that covered his eyes.

Her hands, slowly moving away, brushed his face. A touch barely distinguishable from a caress.

Before her hand could fully withdraw, he quickly grasped her wrist, keeping her hand resting upon his face.

[Black] "This is not unpleasant either."

[Liene] "What... do you mean?"

[Black] "You touching me."

[Black] "..."

He rotated her wrist slightly and kissed her palm.

[Black] "Therefore, I shall exercise patience today."

[Liene] "Patience for what?"

[Black] "For the Kleinfelter bastard."

[Liene] "...!"

As she froze like a statue, he kissed the back of her hand.

This was the first time she had felt fear toward a man who kissed her with such delicate care.

[Black] "It is Tiwakan who is now responsible for the security of Nauk Castle. Whoever enters without my permission shall not be presumed to hold good intentions. But today..."

Peck. His lips gently grazed the back of her hand before moving away.

[Black] "As I have said, I shall be patient. Because you touched me."

[Liene] "..."

She could not utter another word.

He released her hand and asked, as though nothing had transpired.

[Black] "Which section requires measuring?"

It was only when he asked that she realized she had not even brought the measuring tape.

Ultimately, it was Madam Flambard who completed the remaining measurements.

---

[Fermos] "We allowed him to depart peacefully, as you commanded."

Fermos was profoundly displeased.

The one he referred to as "allowed to depart peacefully" was Laffit.

It was impossible for them not to know that someone had infiltrated the castle.

Although they momentarily lost his trail due to the old castle's many hidden crevices, they eventually received a report.

The moment he was informed that "a rat from the Kleinfelter family" had snuck in, he smirked.

Fermos saw this as an opportunity to extort the Kleinfelter family further. If the chance arose, they could even destroy the family entirely.

However, his smile vanished when word came that the rat was heading toward the Princess' bedchamber.

Because Black was not smiling. In fact, quite the contrary.

His face hardened with palpable clarity. By the God of War, Fermos swore this was the first time he had ever witnessed him lose control of his facial expression.

The Kleinfelter rat was assuredly the Knight Commander rumored to be dead, and the fact that he sought her bedchamber strongly suggested a clandestine meeting between lovers.

Princess Liene had not forgotten her former lover.

It was only natural; it would have been stranger had she already completely purged her feelings.

They had been lovers for a considerable time, and seeing the rat act with such disregard for his own life, it was evident he had no intention of relinquishing Princess Liene.

Especially since he was also the child's biological father, the Princess might not have been able to sever ties entirely either.

The issue was that Black had to hear and see everything firsthand.

...Wrong, utterly wrong. My Lord has been captivated.

Judging by the raw emotion clearly reflected on his face, his heart must have already inclined toward her.

But that could not justify her continuing to hold secret rendezvous with her former lover.

While Black had never had a 'woman' in his life until now, he was not a man utterly lacking in pride.

Devoid of pride? Nay, he was the most ruthless of men.

The mercy his Lord had thus far bestowed upon the Princess should conclude today.

To bring a paramour into the bedchamber while already betrothed was an act that should result in someone's head rolling.

Yet, the matter did not proceed in that manner.

Ironically, a message arrived precisely at that moment.

A message stating that Princess Liene wished their Lord to come and see her.

While Fermos was attempting to process what had transpired, Black had already departed.

Indeed...

Whether it was sheer fortune or cunning manipulation.

At the very least, his Lord's remark that the Princess was difficult to comprehend was true.

Fermos still could not discern whether that beautiful face, appearing so innocent and guileless, was her true self or merely a mask crafted with admirable intelligence.

[Fermos] "He's returned to his hole with his neck still attached to his body, as you stated. But..."

Black, who had just returned from seeing the Princess, somehow resembled her. By which he meant, his Lord was lost in his own thoughts with an utterly inscrutable face.

[Fermos] "Are you genuinely going to overlook this instance?"

Fermos could endure it no longer and asked.

[Black] "...This time."

Black's answer only came after a long pause.

Signifying that it was a conclusion he did not easily reach.

[Fermos] "May I inquire as to the reason... No, no. I must inquire. It is unwise to permit the Kleinfelter family such liberty. A few hundred mercenaries are not the issue, but as you are aware, that rat is connected to the Sharka Kingdom, is he not?"

[Black] "This time I've decided to let him go."

[Fermos] "No, that is not what I mean. Why? Why this time, why..."

[Black] "Because I was compensated."

[Fermos] "Compensation... What compensation? Surely not from the Kleinfelter family, is it?"

Fermos asked, even though he knew it was absurd, for only that household could pay him.

[Black] "No."

[Fermos] "Then from whom?"

[Black] "The Princess."

The ensuing reply carried a faint hint of irritation.

Fermos instinctively knew it was time to hold back his questions.

He was dying to know what form that payment took, but decided to restrain himself.

Of course, if he knew that the payment was merely the brief touch of a face, he might have preferred to remain curious.

[Fermos] "Very well then... I hope that the payment is worth the opportunity lost today. However, forgive my presumption, My Lord, if you act leniently like this, the same occurrence will happen again."

Fermos boldly added, but received a firm and unexpected reply.

[Black] "...No, it shall not occur again."

[Fermos] "Oh. Why is that?"

[Black] "Because the Princess did not summon him."

[Fermos] "Hmm... How do you know?"

[Black] "If her head isn't merely for decoration, she wouldn't summon two men simultaneously."

[Fermos] "Well... that is also true."

Fermos, too, had been slightly perplexed by that point.

If that was the case, could Princess Liene truly be as innocent as she appeared?

Was this what was keeping his Lord's heart as soft as a pudding?

[Fermos] "Then, My Lord, have you concluded that Princess Liene can be trusted?"

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