A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 26

※Suspicion※

Laffit stared at his uncle with a look of displeasure.

[Laffit] “Since… Since when did our family become like this?”

Lyndon clicked his tongue at his nephew, who looked bewildered and stunned.

[Lyndon] “Have you really been that naive all this time?”

[Laffit] “Even without doing something like that, Kleinfelter will still be the most powerful family in Nauk.”

[Lyndon] “It's because we do things like this that you can live comfortably, so you should be thankful to me. And the most powerful, you say? While the throne is in the hands of the wrong family?”

[Laffit] “Are you that desperate to control Nauk? That position belongs to Princess Liene! Do you know what suffering and humiliation she has already endured because of it?”

[Lyndon] “That doesn't mean the power belongs to her. She's just a child who doesn't even know how to use power properly.”

It was the Kleinfelter family that controlled many things, with their hands firmly planted on the Cardinal's neck.

[Lyndon] “Just remember that the Cardinal needs to be replaced.”

[Laffit] “…”

Laffit's face looked weary.

[Laffit] “What exactly are you planning?”

[Lyndon] “If he can't fix this problem…”

The Kleinfelter family had all the means they needed to get rid of someone. The difficult part was that their target was a Cardinal.

[Lyndon] “...Then we just need to find someone who can.”

But honestly, that wasn’t a problem for Lyndon. For him, replacing the Cardinal with the right person was far more important—a top priority.

[Laffit] “I’m telling you, you can't do it. What will you do if it gets exposed? How will you face the consequences of harming a Cardinal?”

[Lyndon] “This is your biggest weakness.”

Lyndon looked at his nephew, an exasperated sigh escaping him.

[Lyndon] “You’re too soft and weak. That’s why your woman was easily taken from you.”

His words were too sharp, piercing Laffit with the precision of a spearhead.

[Laffit] “Uncle!”

Instantly, Laffit, of course, lost control, showing his anger.

[Laffit] “She wasn’t taken from me. I know Liene still loves me.”

Laffit was almost losing his mind over it. In Lyndon’s eyes, his nephew looked pathetic.

[Lyndon] “You can't control one woman, and now this is what happens. Now that the Cardinal is on their side, there’s no way the wedding can be postponed.”

[Lyndon] “I can fix it.”

[Laffit] “How?”

[Lyndon] “…”

After a moment of silence, Lyndon got an idea—a thought he immediately held on to with the cunning of a snake.

[Lyndon] “If the Cardinal dies, a replacement must be chosen. In the meantime, a funeral needs to be held. Without a Cardinal to lead the ceremony, no wedding can be held, of course. Do you understand what I mean?”

His plan would give them plenty of time. Laffit’s face tightened.

[Lyndon] “Today is a good day, I think. The path to the burial site will be quite dark.”

And darkness was the perfect cover for a heinous deed.

[Lyndon] “Just remember. Think about what the right thing to do is. Or more precisely… what is most beneficial for you.”

[Laffit] “…”

Like the sight of the moon in the early morning, a dark plan was formed in the pre-dawn hours.

---

The destruction of the Temple stairs left a significant impact on the people. Among them was an old man, a beggar who used to go to the Temple every day to get bread and water from the priests.

[Old Man] “…”

The old beggar stood still, staring at the collapsed stairs. One of his eyes looked very murky, covered by his dirty and dangling hair. Although he had two arms, the beggar couldn’t use one of his hands.

His legs weren’t much better. His ruined left leg wobbled and fell to the ground every time he used his cane to help him walk. The fact that he used a body like that to climb the stairs was a miracle.

[Mercenary] “You there! It’s dangerous, you need to get out of the way!”

The voice of someone shouting at the old man. It was a Tiwakan mercenary. He was part of the group sent to retrieve the coffins from the Temple.

Normally, people like them would attract a lot of attention, but strangely, the front of the Temple was empty.

The people of Nauk were still afraid of the Tiwakan. Many of them believed that maintaining eye contact with one of them was the fastest way to get their heads taken off.

But the old beggar stared at them without hesitation, standing in the middle of the road the whole time and making them wonder if he hadn't heard the rumors about them or if he had lost his mind.

At first, the mercenaries didn’t mind him, but as the coffins began to be lowered, the old man started to block the path.

[Old Man] “He…”

Instead of leaving as he was told, the beggar approached the mercenary, trying to speak. His voice was heavy with phlegm, as if it was boiling in his throat, making him difficult to understand.

[Mercenary] “What?”

The beggar tried to raise his trembling hand, pointing to a place. And what was caught on the tip of the old beggar's finger was Black, who was sitting on a dark horse.

[Old Man] “Who…”

[Mercenary] “Huh? What…?”

[Old Man] “Wh-who…”

Although the old man couldn't use his mouth as well as his hands and legs, the mercenary could vaguely understand what he was trying to say. He looked back and forth between the old man’s pointing finger and Black.

The Tiwakan were known as a fighting force more brutal than anyone on the battlefield. But behind their brutality, they still maintained rules. One of their rules was that they were never allowed to kill an unarmed person without cause or permission.

The old man didn’t seem to recognize Black, and even though the mercenary thought the old man’s question was a little strange, he decided to answer. He just assumed the old beggar’s eyes weren't working properly.

[Mercenary] “That man is the Tiwakan Commander, but to us who bear that name, he is our God.”

[Old Man] “…”

[Mercenary] “Now that you know, you should leave. You're blocking the way.”

But the old man didn’t move. His eyes were fixed on Black, as if he was in a trance.

[Mercenary] “Hey, you need to move.”

He couldn't even hear the mercenary's words. His lips, covered by his gray beard, trembled. Quietly, he whispered something completely inaudible.

Have you finally returned?

The sin of Nauk.

The blood that was not spilled that day.

Are you coming to finish it…?

Twenty-one years ago, the old beggar first arrived in Nauk.

And twenty-one years ago, the nine waterfalls dried up, signaling an endless drought.

---

The time came to leave for the chapel.

Liene, in her mourning clothes, replaced the ornaments in her hair with black roses. Madam Flambard thought her outfit looked beautiful, but said nothing out of respect for the funeral.

On that day, the castle gates were opened. The funeral was originally supposed to be held at the Temple, but was now held at the royal chapel, giving more people a chance to attend.

The number of people heading to the chapel did not escape her notice either.

[Liene] “I think it will be more crowded than before.”

Hearing her whisper, Madam Flambard nodded.

[Madam Flambard] “It wouldn’t be surprising. Everyone is curious.”

[Liene] “What… oh…”

In the middle of her sentence, she bit he lips.

Everyone would be curious about her reaction; that’s what she was about to say. They all still thought Laffit was dead, and now they were interested to see her coming to her deceased lover's funeral in the arms of her new fiancé.

The whole situation was a mess. They might even say terrible things about Black and the Tiwakan, and she couldn't ignore the possibility of Kleinfelter trying to do something, fanning the flames and whispering slander.

[Liene] “I need to warn Lord Tiwakan.”

[Madam Flambard] “If you can’t stop them, you should at least tell Lord Tiwakan beforehand. So that he doesn’t get too angry.”

[Liene] “...Really?”

Although for some reason, she couldn't imagine Black being angry, even if someone threw the crudest curses at him.

Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him angry once.

However, every time she thought about it, fear was the most prominent emotion.

...I’ve been acting so strange lately.

She didn't hate him, though she wasn't afraid of him, but she still felt scared sometimes.

[Madam Flambard] “What are you thinking so deeply about, Your Highness?”

After thinking about the man for a long time, Madam Flambard tugged at her gown.

[Madam Flambard] “Be careful with your steps. The path here is uneven. You’ll fall if you’re not careful.”

[Liene] “...Ah.”

Before she knew it, Liene was already approaching the chapel. She thought she was only thinking for a moment, but time disappeared, as it always did when the man was involved.

[Liene] “I know. I need to get a hold of myself...oh.”

Thump.

Something stopped her foot. If she hadn't noticed it, she might have stumbled.

Liene, stopping just a moment before, looked down.

The tip of someone’s cane was protruding from the side of the road. As if trying to get her attention.

[Liene] “…”

Moving her eyes to the side, she saw an old man extending his cane. A beggar from the temple.

[Liene] “Wait here for a moment, Madam.”

Liene knew the old man. On the occasions she visited the Temple, she would bring food for him. He didn’t seem like a bad person, just someone who had been hit by a hard life.

[Liene] “I have to attend a funeral today, so I don't have anything to share. If you’re willing, could you wait until the ceremony is over?”

[Old Man] “…”

Without a word, the old man stared at her.

[Liene] “The coffins will be passing through here soon. Be careful and hold on to your cane so your leg doesn’t hurt too much.”

[Old Man] “...the..Daughter..of..Arsak...a..sinner...”

[Liene] “What?”

As he mumbled, the beard covered his lips, so she didn’t quite catch what he was saying.

[Liene] “What did you say?”

Liene leaned towards the old man, urging him to speak again.

[Old Man] “Sins of the past...must be paid...with blood.... And now... the Daughter... of Arsak... will bleed…”

[Liene] “What are you…?”

Seeing her expression change, Madam Flambard stepped closer and grabbed her arm.

[Madam Flambard] “Your Highness! You mustn't get too close to strangers. How can you trust someone you don’t even know?”

[Liene] “Wait—I think he's trying to tell me something.”

Having been assigned to oversee the funeral, the Tiwakan were on high alert. Noticing the commotion, a pair of mercenaries rushed from their distance post.

[Mercenary] “Your Highness! Are you all right?!”

They quickly grabbed the old beggar, roughly pulling him back to a safe distance from Liene.

[Liene] “Yes, I’m fine, but I’m not finished talking to him. Could you give us some space, please?”

[Mercenary] “Oh, really?”

The two immediately stepped aside, but their eyes were still on the ragged old man. Although they intended to protect her and nothing else, they were still very intimidating.

Liene turned to face the old man.

[Liene] “Could you repeat that? What are you trying to say?”

The old man’s lips trembled.

[Old Man] “...look…”

[Liene] “...?”

Thinking she misheard, Liene shook her head.

[Liene] “Is something going on?”

As soon as she turned around to see the source of the voice, Black was standing right behind her. Liene hadn’t even heard him coming.

[Mercenary] “The Princess had an important thing to discuss with this man.”

The mercenaries did not hesitate to answer as Black approached.

Although his posture was casual and relaxed as usual, for some reason, Liene felt that the air in front of him had the sharpness of a knife. Showing her a glimpse of why the Tiwakan considered Black their leader.

[Black] “…”

Black glanced at the old beggar.

Instantly, Liene noticed the old beggar’s eyes trembling as he shrank away from Black's gaze. She suddenly realized what he was trying to say.

[Black] “I see. Do you need more time?”

He asked if she wanted to continue talking to the old man.

[Liene] “No.”

Quickly, Liene turned and held Black’s arm, part of her afraid her hands would start to tremble.

[Liene] “I don't think you can speak properly right now. If we spend too much time here, we'll be late for the funeral, but if you have something you want to say to me, please come see me later.”

Her last words were directed at the old man. His eyes were still trembling as he remained silent.

[Liene] “Let’s go.”

[Black] “...If you wish.”

Black touched her hand, who was still holding on to his arm.

Then, as her body swayed and she leaned on him slightly, Black stopped and looked at her.

[Black] “Are you alright?”

[Liene] “...Yes.”

[Black] “You don't look all right.”

She was not all right... not at all. The old man... He said...

—The daughter of Arsak will bleed.

His voice was calm, blunt, and broken...

Suddenly, his words connected so clearly that it made her head spin.

—Revenge.

Who was that old man? How could he know Black?

When everyone told her that Black was taking over Nauk for revenge, was this what they meant?

Did they mean that the target of Black's revenge was her?

[Liene] “…”

Bong! Bong!

The sound of the chapel bells shook the ideas in her mind. Her head was a complete mess, her thoughts in disarray.

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