A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 32

※Spark (1)※

For a moment, her mind faltered, but thankfully, her hands moved instinctively.

Quickly snatching the nearby towel, she veiled her naked body and stammered.

[Liene] "Wh-what are you... doing..."

Unlike her hands, her mouth couldn't articulate the words properly.

[Liene] "Why, why did you... I bolted the latch..."

Only then did Black tear his gaze away and speak slowly.

[Black] "....I thought so."

[Liene] "..."

[Black] "I wondered why the door wouldn't open, so it was because of the latch."

[Liene] "..."

This meant he hadn't forced it open intentionally; he simply hadn't known it was locked.

Hearing this, she felt a slight relief. He had not intended to forsake all courtesy and behave arbitrarily toward her.

Looking at him, she also realized he must have wanted to wash. He was still covered in the grime and blood from the accident.

[Liene] "Then, please, withdraw now. I'm finished, and I will vacate the bathroom immediately."

[Black] "Are you hurt?"

[Liene] "...What?"

He asked, remaining still as if he hadn't heard her request.

[Black] "Your arm and side."

[Liene] "Ah..."

She twisted her body to conceal herself and spoke again.

[Liene] "Yes. Please go..."

[Black] "When were you hurt? When the cart overturned?"

It wasn't then. When the cart overturned and the wooden barrels scattered, he had pushed her first, so nothing had managed to hit her body.

[Liene] "No. I think it happened while I was in the carriage. And please stop looking at me. Even though we are engaged, this is impolite."

[Black] "Ah..."

He finally turned his head away.

[Black] "My apologies."

Black turned his back, avoiding her gaze. As he was about to exit through the door whose latch was now broken, he muttered softly, his back still facing her.

[Black] "If so... it wasn't for that reason, then."

[Liene] "What?"

Due to the distance, she didn't hear the words clearly.

[Liene] "What did you say?"

[Black] "Nothing at all. Don't concern yourself with it."

Black exited the room without turning back.

Click.

Unlike when it was opened, when the door closed, there was hardly a sound.

[Liene] "Phew..."

Only now could she truly breathe easy.

[Liene] "What on earth was all that?"

The broken latch lay splayed uselessly on the spacious bathroom floor. Though not as massive as a castle gate bolt, the bathroom latch was quite heavy and solid.

It was bizarre that Black had wrenched it away merely because the door wouldn't open easily.

She was once again struck by how different Black and she were. If he decided to impose anything upon her using his strength, she had no way to refuse.

[Liene] "...But he left, didn't he?"

When she asked him not to look, he obeyed; when she asked him to leave, he went without further argument. She thought that was just who Black was.

[Liene] "That man... won't do what I don't want. He's that type of man."

For now, that belief was all she had to cling to.

---

When Black arrived, Liene was almost finished bathing. She quickly toweled herself dry, stepped out of the bathroom, and slipped on the clothes Madam Flambard had laid out.

Afterward, she went back into the bathroom to empty the used water basin and refill it with fresh water. It felt too cruel to expect an injured man to draw his own water.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Having finished her task, she exited through the opposite bathroom door and knocked on Black’s bedroom.

[Liene] "The bathroom is ready for you now."

There was no response from inside.

[Liene] "...Lord Tiwakan?"

She tilted her head, wondering if he might be gone. Then she spun back and opened the door. Somehow, she sensed he hadn't left.

CRASH!

[Liene] "...Lord Tiwakan!"

As the door flew open, she saw him lying sprawled on the floor. Her face went pale, and she rushed toward him.

[Liene] "Lord Tiwakan! Please, wake up!"

She instinctively cradled his head and lightly slapped his cheeks, causing his eyelids to flutter.

[Liene] "Lord Tiwakan!"

[Black] "...Ah."

Despite having just collapsed, the voice that emerged sounded quite clear. Focus slowly returned to his sharp blue eyes.

[Black] "What's wrong?"

He swept his gaze over her, who was sitting on the floor, cradling his head in her lap and holding his face with her hands. He seemed genuinely unaware of what had happened.

[Liene] "You didn't answer... Ha, so I came in and found you collapsed on the floor."

It was she who was still gasping from the shock.

[Black] "...It seems I momentarily drifted off."

[Liene] "What? On the floor?"

[Black] "Sometimes, when I lose blood."

[Liene] "..."

She met his gaze, who was lying down and looking up at her, with unwavering skepticism.

[Liene] "You're hurt, aren't you? Is that why you collapsed?"

[Black] "I'm awake now, so it's fine."

[Liene] "..."

Why did she suddenly remember all the wounds covering his body at that moment?

This man doesn't seem to realize he's hurt. He ignores the pain. He doesn't take care of himself even when injured. But why does he look at other people's injuries so intently?

[Liene] "Get up."

She released his head. He slowly levered himself up from the floor. Although he winced once midway, he stood on both feet as usual.

[Black] "Will you remain there?"

He asked, walking toward the bathroom. It was a hint that he would undress before entering.

[Liene] "...No."

She shook her head once and stood up.

[Liene] "Follow me."

[Black] "..."

He gazed at her in confusion, but she walked past him and entered the bathroom.

[Liene] "Take off your clothes. Just as you would when you bathe normally."

[Black] "..."

He stared at her. His lips parted slightly, as if he were somewhat taken aback.

[Liene] "I will assist you in bathing. I cannot leave someone who might collapse again alone."

[Black] "I am fine."

[Liene] "It doesn't look that way. Take off your clothes."

[Black] "I'm only slightly hurt."

[Liene] "Precisely."

[Black] "..."

He stopped speaking and furrowed his brow.

[Black] "Why are you insisting on this?"

[Liene] "I told you. Because you are a patient."

[Black] "It is not that serious."

[Liene] "I, too, want to ask why you are acting this way. This is not the first time I've offered to look after your wounds. Why do you refuse now?"

The slight crease in his brow furrowed further.

[Black] "It's not that... If you're doing this because I let Kleinfelter live, don't bother. The price you owed is different, is it not?"

[Liene] "That..."

Her face paled at his words. It was only for a moment, though. She quickly reasserted a calm expression.

[Liene] "This has nothing to do with that price. Lord Tiwakan is injured, and sadly, you seem unconcerned with tending to your own wounds, so I merely wish to take over."

[Black] "Why must you take over?"

[Liene] "Because you are my fiancé."

[Black] "..."

She saw one of his eyebrows twitch. She couldn't know exactly what it meant, but she was certain he was displeased.

I would be the same if I were him. Especially after what happened today.

[Liene] "I know it might sound ridiculous for me to say this. But ever since the engagement talks began, I have always held the same conviction. Neither in mind nor in body have I ever betrayed my fiancé. As long as my name is Arsak, it will never happen in the future."

She couldn't force him to believe her. That was his heart, not hers. However, even if he misunderstood her, she didn't want to leave an injured person unattended.

[Liene] "If you don't trust me, then please, call someone else to tend to your wounds."

[Black] "..."

Black stood his ground and raked his hand back through his dirty hair. When he lowered his hand, his entire face was visible, and his expression had changed slightly.

[Black] "When I bathe, I strip completely."

Hearing that, her cheeks flushed slightly.

[Black] "What part do you wish me to keep on?"

They agreed on the bare minimum.

Black entered the bathroom where she was waiting, wearing only knee-length undergarments.

---

Not a single spot remains uninjured.

Liene sighed as she looked at his skin, which was swollen and torn in various places. It was a blessing that he had his back to her, so that he couldn't see her expression.

[Black] "As long as my bones aren't hurt, it doesn't excessively trouble me..."

He said, his voice trailing off as if he were making an excuse. In truth, Black rarely defended himself, and he didn't even realize he was doing it now.

He only thought it strange that things that were normally common sense sounded so awkward when he spoke them in front of her.

[Liene] "But this one healed quickly. It feels completely recovered already."

Liene, who had carefully wiped away the bloodstains and grime, gently traced the area near his shoulder, where he had been shot with an arrow some time ago.

[Black] "…Ugh."

He let out a low groan and twisted his shoulder. She was startled and quickly pulled her hand away.

[Liene] "I'm sorry. I didn't realize it pained you."

[Black] "It doesn't hurt."

[Liene] "...Then?"

[Black] "Because it's too soft."

[Liene] "..."

Why did he flinch if it was soft? Ah, he must mean it's ticklish.

Liene nodded to herself, interpreting his reaction that way. The wound has healed but left a scar, so it's normal for it to itch.

I should be careful.

[Liene] "How did you plan to bathe with so many wounds on your back?"

She was gently wiping him with a wet towel, as pouring water directly would likely be too painful. She couldn't fathom he had intended to bathe alone in that condition.

[Black] "I wasn't planning to bathe. I would have merely splashed water over myself."

[Liene] "Ha..."

Her guess was right. He was extremely oblivious to his own pain.

...But I'm not. I feel such pain looking at him that it's difficult even to touch him.

[Liene] "I'm almost done. Just hold on a little longer."

[Black] "It's fine. You don't need to rush to finish."

[Liene] "I am the one who cannot bear it."

If she looked at the wounds any longer, she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. She felt as though she was experiencing the pain herself.

[Liene] "Your back is done. You can probably reach the rest yourself..."

To say the next sentence, she felt she needed courage.

[Liene] "Even so, I wish to do it."

He glanced over his shoulder and studied her.

[Black] "Is it, again, because I am your fiancé?"

[Liene] "No. It is because Lord Tiwakan clearly won't tend to his wounds properly."

[Black] "..."

For some reason, Black remained silent, only staring at her. She wondered if his neck hurt, tilting his head like that.

[Liene] "Very well, I shall take that as your agreement."

So, she shifted her position. Black, sitting on the bathroom stool, looked cramped, and she was now at eye level with him. When their eyes met, she suddenly felt awkward.

Why did I offer? If his face is visible like this, I can't stay composed.

[Black] "…I do not agree."

It happened just as she brought the wet towel close to his collarbone. Black snapped his head back, pulling away from her touch. Her hand holding the towel froze awkwardly in the air.

[Black] "If you continue like this, I will be sorely tempted to demand the price you owe me from today."

[Liene] "That... Ah."

Liene understood his words a little too late. She figured it out not from the words she heard, but from his gaze.

His eyes blazed hotter than they had been when he had a fever from the arrow wound. It was utterly impossible not to understand what that look meant.

[Liene] "You... you wouldn't dare."

Her mouth suddenly went dry, and her voice came out in a cracked whisper.

She put her hand over her mouth and coughed pointlessly. He stared at her, not blinking.

[Black] "What wouldn't I do?"

[Liene] "Lord Tiwakan is not the man who would force such a cruel thing."

A corner of his mouth twitched momentarily.

[Black] "Is sharing my bed a cruel thing?"

[Liene] "No, not that... I meant, you wouldn't force it when I am not ready."

[Black] "How can you be so certain?"

[Liene] "Because you have always shown that demeanor to me. I know you were always polite to me."

He smiled bitterly.

[Black] "I was polite... even so, sharing a bed is a different matter."

[Liene] "No. It is the same matter. Your courtesy toward me, despite my having no power to refuse the proposal, means you value and care for me. Such a man would not force me to do something I do not wish to do."

[Black] "..."

His bitter smile deepened. After the smile vanished, he looked at her and said,

[Black] "I don't know......."

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