A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 24

※Requiem (4)※

Fortunately, there was still water in the bathroom. Liene took a soaked cloth and began to clean the wound.

The candlewick was getting shorter, and the flame almost went out a few times as it flickered. However, Liene's eyes had grown accustomed to the darkness, so she could easily see objects that were close enough.

[Liene] “It must hurt.”

And now she could see the wound was not minor. The severity was difficult to notice because his hand was so large, but if she had a similar wound, no one would doubt how serious it was.

[Black] “I didn’t notice it.”

[Liene] “How could you not notice it?”

[Black] “...I must have been in a hurry.”

It was hard to imagine a man like him in a hurry. He seemed like a large stone or a tree; no matter the conditions, rain, or wind, it was as if he would never be shaken. Liene never thought there was anything in this world that would make him rush.

[Black] “You should use Tiwakan medicine for this wound. It would be more effective.”

After carefully cleaning the wound of all the dirt and blood, Liene thought for a moment before asking:

[Liene] “Would you like me to wash your face too?”

Once his hands were clean of all the dirt, his face looked even messier.

Black took a deep breath before finally answering.

[Black] “...Yes.”

[Liene] “Then, come a little closer.”

His face was farther than his hand. Black immediately came closer and leaned toward her.

[Liene] “Too…”

Too… too close.

While her voice was barely audible, Black knelt on the floor.

[Black] “Is this good?”

…He was still remarkably close.

[Liene] “I’ll do it quickly.”

Then she began gently wiping his face, starting with the less dirty area to avoid staining the cloth.

I shouldn't have offered to clean his face.

Maybe it would have been better if she had told him to back up a bit. Was it because the candlelight was too bright? For some reason, Liene could see him so clearly.

…He’s really handsome.

[Liene] “Close your eyes, please.”

As soon as she realized she was staring intently at the man, she knew Black was looking at her too. From this close distance, his ice-like gaze felt too intense. And he wasn’t even blinking.

[Black] “Why?”

[Liene] “You’re… too close.”

[Black] “Even if it wasn't so close, it would still be the same.”

No, it would be different.

When it was this close, nothing could be safely hidden.

If he looked too closely, everything she felt when she saw him—all the confusion, admiration, and wonder—it would all be visible.

[Liene] “Even so, please close your eyes.”

After that, he muttered slowly.

[Black] “…I don’t want to.”

[Liene] “What?”

[Black] “I don’t want to.”

[Liene] “…”

Where did this stubbornness come from?

Liene wasn’t sure whether water had gotten into his eyes, but his lips tightened as she tried to look ahead; perhaps she rubbed the cloth a little too hard.

Drip.

[Liene] “Ah…!”

But Liene was the one who was startled.

As the hair around his forehead was exposed, blood suddenly began to drip from his forehead.

[Liene] “You’re hurt on your forehead too!”

In a panic, she began to comb through his hair.

She thought it was just dried mud, but it was all dried blood, making the wound on his hand look trivial.

[Liene] “Did this also escape your notice?”

[Black] “I knew there was a wound on my forehead. I thought it would be fine since the bleeding had stopped.”

And if she hadn’t touched it, the bleeding wouldn't have started again.

[Liene] “…”

I guess this is my fault.

Her hands stopped, filled with regret.

[Liene] “I shouldn't have touched it.”

[Black] “It’s fine.”

As her hands stopped in the air, he grabbed Liene’s hands and put them on his own face.

[Black] “Continue. It doesn’t hurt.”

…It’s impossible that it doesn’t hurt.

[Liene] “Let me go, please. Your wound needs to be cleaned with water.”

[Black] “Will you do it for me?”

Honestly, what was wrong with him?

He should be able to handle something like this himself…

Ah, but his hand was hurt, wasn't it? With a wound like that, she couldn't ask him to wash his own wound.

Thinking so, she nodded gently.

[Liene] “Yes, if you let me go.”

[Black] “…”

Finally, he gave in, and her hands were freed. Liene put the cloth down and began to guide him toward the basin of water.

[Black] “You have to close your eyes.”

Black obediently bowed his head near the basin, and Liene began to clean the wound. Instantly, she saw blood spreading throughout the water.

You’re badly hurt…

Why did you let this wound get so serious?

Why did you come straight here instead of treating it first?

Liene touched him carefully.

Only the sound of splashing water and an occasional soft breath could be heard in the air. The two blended mysteriously in the candle's soft light.

[Liene] “I am almost done. Just a little more.”

It was hard to see the wound in the very dim light. As soon as Liene wished for more light, the candle flared brighter for a moment as if giving her false hope.

[Liene] “Alright, I think I'm finished… Ah.”

But it was only for a moment.

Suddenly, the candle went out. The smell of the burning wick danced around her nose as the last embers of the candle faded, burning brightest in its final moments.

[Liene] “The candle went out.”

[Black] “Good.”

The room, shrouded in darkness, brought a different atmosphere.

With her other senses eliminated, her hearing suddenly became sharp, every sound prickling her skin. Even Black’s faint voice echoed in the room, hitting her ears like a large tidal wave hitting her ankles.

[Liene] “What…?”

[Black] “The candle went out right after you finished.”

[Liene] “...?”

[Black] “You said I could touch you after I was clean.”

[Liene] “That… Can I ask why?”

[Black] “The reason is not very important.”

Swoosh.

The sound of his hands reaching out toward her gave her goosebumps, and she took a sharp breath even before he touched her.

Slip.

In the dark, she thought Black would need time to find her, but Black quickly wrapped his arms around her waist. Kneeling, he rested his head on her chest, his hair tickling Liene's skin.

Liene was so confused that she didn’t know what to do with her hands. Finally, she awkwardly placed them on his head.

This wasn’t the first time Black had hugged her, but everything felt strange and different right now. It was embarrassing.

…Is it because it's dark?

Many people tend to act differently when they can’t see anything.

[Liene] “But… there must be a reason why…”

[Black] “When the stone fell and hit my head…”

Black spoke slowly, still hugging her.

[Black] “It suddenly crossed my mind… that it would feel nice to touch you, Princess.”

[Liene] “Your feeling… is a rather strange.”

[Black] “I agree. I’ve never felt this way when I was hurt before.”

[Liene] “…”

Liene recalled the sight of the large stones falling from the cliff. It was completely unimaginable that his only thought in that dizzying moment was her.

But why would he think of her? If he hadn’t noticed his wound, Black could have died.

Liene didn't understand why this man so desperately wanted to touch her, but the cause of his injury made her wish to fulfill his request.

[Liene] “It must have been dangerous.”

Without thinking, she began to gently comb his hair with her fingers.

[Black] “...My wound is not very serious.”

[Liene] “But still.”

The two remained hugging in the dark for a while. They were completely silent, except for the sound of her hands stroking Black’s head echoing in the small, dark room.

Much softer than he looks.

Finally, Liene realized how she was touching his hair, but she didn’t stop herself.

I thought it would be rougher than this.

This man had so many different sides. If Liene could take a lesson from today, that was it. She never expected him to be willing to risk his life just to solve her problem.

If he could surprise her in that way, maybe he could surprise her in other ways, too. If Liene had taken the time to get to know him, perhaps she would realize that everything was different from what it seemed.

Everyone said that all this man wanted was revenge, but it might not have been true.

[Black] “…Different from what I thought.”

Then he whispered a sentiment that was very similar to hers.

Her hands stopped.

[Liene] “What’s different?”

[Black] “You, Princess.”

[Liene] “How so?”

[Black] “Before, whenever I asked to touch you, you would just stand stiff and endure it.”

[Liene] “That…”

[Black] “So I didn’t think you would touch me so willingly.”

[Liene] “…”

[Black] “And I didn’t know how happy it would make me when you did.”

Stopping her with his words, Black tilted his head and looked at her.

[Black] “I’m glad I got hurt.”

[Liene] “…”

Liene held her breath. All she could do was watch as he took the hand that had just been stroking his head and pressed his lips to it, giving her a gentle kiss.

---

As they expected. With a pale face, the Cardinal immediately came to the castle.

Since the stairs to the temple had been destroyed, he had no choice but to tie a rope to his body and descend from above. Apparently, the Cardinal made a few mistakes during the descent, and at that moment, he truly thought he was going to die.

[Cardinal] “This is all the wrath of God!”

The Cardinal screamed. Liene raised an eyebrow and held back her annoyance.

The temple was a hotbed for gossip. Rumors spread quickly there. He must have realized that after the stairs collapsed, people were spreading rumors that God was angry because he forbade Liene from attending the funeral.

Now he was screaming to fight it.

[Cardinal] “This is all because that disgusting and filthy Tiwakan has defiled our land with their presence!”

Sitting in the audience chamber, Liene frowned and pressed her finger to her temple.

[Liene] “That’s not what I heard.”

[Cardinal] “What? Are you denying the word of God, Your Highness?”

[Liene] “I'm just saying what I heard. They say God is angry because I was not present at the funeral. Since you were the one who gave that order, isn’t it your fault that God is furious, Cardinal?”

[Cardinal] “How dare you!? Who would spread such lies about God…!?”

[Liene] “If God were truly angry with the Tiwakan, they would be the ones to face punishment. However, the temple stairs were destroyed… Isn’t God’s intention clear?”

[Cardinal] “...!”

The Cardinal was at a loss for words, his mouth gaping. He didn’t expect her to show her fangs like this.

He’s not a very bright man, I see.

Liene thought as the Cardinal struggled to lift his jaw off the floor.

If this was the angle he was going for, he should have at least brought some evidence to incriminate the Tiwakan.

Black probably climbed the cliff secretly in anticipation of something like this, making her remember how decisive and clever he was.

[Cardinal] “That doesn’t explain anything.”

After a long time, the Cardinal finally stammered.

[Cardinal] “Why would God be angry with the faithful children? We were only encouraged to get rid of the seeds of evil, don’t you agree?”

His words were echoed by the priests he brought with him.

[Liene] “Indeed.”

Without question, the priests immediately voiced their support.

[Cardinal] “So don’t be deceived by those rumors, Your Highness. God does not hesitate to punish those who are guilty of negligence.”

[Liene] “Indeed.”

Liene just shook her head at them, her face looking a little tired.

[Liene] “Hah…”

And yet, she felt tired since this morning.

It was all because she stayed up late last night. She spent too much time in that dark room.

Black finally stood up and hugged her again. Unlike the previous time when they were sitting, a different kind of hug seemed to envelop her whole body.

When it first happened, Liene felt she couldn't breathe, but it was only for a moment. Over time, the hug began to feel as if it was made just for her. It felt so comforting, making her feel as if everything would be alright.

When they finally managed to separate, the light of dawn was already breaking.

Liene was surprised at how quickly time had passed. Even though they didn't do anything, she wondered why she didn't feel bored or bland when they were together.

What’s happening to me?

Every time she was with him, she always lost track of time. It was the first time she had met someone who could make her feel that way.

[Cardinal] “…So that God will… Never… Again… Your Highness? … Your Highness!”

As Liene was lost in her thoughts, thinking about something completely different, the Cardinal’s voice suddenly rose, interrupting her.

[Liene] “...Continue.”

Liene came back to her senses, turning her head slightly toward the Cardinal. Her expression was so calm that the Cardinal would not find a flaw on her face.

[Liene] “And? For what did you come here?”

The Cardinal most likely wanted to say that the extremely high cost to fixing the stairs could not be paid by the Temple.

[Cardinal] “You must make an offering so that something like this never happens again. And the impiety and filth of the Tiwakan must be punished.”

[Liene] “And how do you propose I handle it?”

He’s only here to spout more nonsense, again.

Who else could do that?

The Cardinal and Kleinfelter just sit and tell Liene what to do. Their audacity was impressive. They never intended to leave her alone.

As usual, they didn't seem to realize that her existence was the only thing keeping this kingdom safe.

Completely oblivious, the Cardinal proudly spouted his nonsense.

[Cardinal] “Postpone your wedding.”

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