A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 38

※The More I Know You※

That morning, if it hadn’t been for Lyndon’s antics, it might have passed beautifully.

The dishes in front of her were truly captivating, and how much more perfect it would be if a special someone could see her in her favorite dress. Maybe that man would say again that she looked lovely.

Ah… how wonderful it would be if all that happened.

Liene carefully sliced the roasted meat and put a small piece into her mouth. She chewed, but she couldn’t taste anything, even though she was sure the dish in front of her must have been exceptionally delicious. However, she didn’t feel any deliciousness.

Every time she faced that man, there were too many things she had to deal with, all tangled up and feeling messy. Slowly, a bitter feeling crept into her heart, obscuring everything else.

Liene fell silent.

I can’t eat anything.

However, as she put down her fork, swallowing with difficulty the food she was forced to eat—

BANG!

With a hurried movement, the dining hall doors swung wide open.

It was Black.

[Liene] “…What? …What are you doing here…?”

Liene didn’t expect him to come. She turned her head toward him, her eyes blinking slowly in confusion.

Black rushed closer, pulled out the chair where she was sitting, and turned the chair so she was facing him. His movements were so strong, feeling so forceful and rough.

[Black] “Why are you here?”

[Liene] “…Sorry?”

So, he had heard what happened today, and now he was furious. Well, it would be even odd if he wasn’t.

Once again, he heard that she was involved in another incident involving Laffit. He knew she was negotiating with the Kleinfelter family for Laffit’s release, and the idea of killing him somehow also crossed her mind.

Even if she had no real intention of killing him, Black had no choice but to doubt her. Their relationship had soured again. Black wouldn't believe her.

[Black] “I asked what you were doing here. Why? Why are you acting as if nothing happened?”

[Liene] “I… I didn’t want to break my promise.”

Yet, she held onto the hope that the conflict wouldn't arise.

[Black] “Do you think I would do something to you if you didn’t keep your promise to have breakfast with me?”

[Liene] “No, I didn’t say that…”

[Black] “Are you scared of me?”

Liene had heard those words before.

Back then, the question was asked under different circumstances. However, as the question repeated in her mind, its meaning began to fade as if there was no point in asking it.

[Liene] “No, I’m not scared.”

[Black] “Then why are you here? Do you think it would be a big problem if you didn’t keep your promise?”

[Liene] “I kept my promise because I wanted to, but I didn’t expect you to come back, Lord Tiwakan. I only hoped to be alone for a while.”

[Black] “But why here?”

His question felt strange.

[Liene] “Where else should I go if not here?”

[Black] “Not in a place like this…”

Black stopped his sentence, suddenly grabbing her arm.

[Black] “Shouldn’t you be lying down?”

[Liene] “What? Why should I lie down?”

[Black] “You’re hurt.”

As he lifted her wrist, a clear blue handprint was visible on her skin. The swelling now looked very severe.

[Liene] “It’s nothing.”

[Black] “Doesn’t it hurt?”

[Liene] “Just a little, but it’s not something I can’t handle…”

He swept his finger along the bruise, his lips tightening. Without letting go of her hand, he muttered:

[Black] “You’re in pain.”

Liene fell silent.

No matter what she said, he knew she was in pain, even though she didn't specifically mention what was causing her such great pain.

[Liene] “But the pain isn’t severe enough for me to need rest.”

[Black] “I’m not just talking about your wrist.”

[Liene] “If… if you’re asking if I’m hurt elsewhere, no. I’m truly fine.”

[Black] “It must be hard going through everything alone, Princess.”

[Liene] “It’s alright…”

[Black] “There’s no use saying that if you can’t say it sincerely.”

She couldn’t respond—her voice was completely gone. It felt like a lump of hot air was inside her, rising through her throat.

Everything happened so fast, she didn’t know why she was reacting like that. The only thing she could feel was how much he worried about her.

[Liene] “…Strange, isn't it?”

When she could finally open her mouth, her voice was hoarse and uneven.

[Black] “I didn’t hear you?”

[Liene] “Strange, isn't it?”

She repeated.

[Black] “What do you mean?”

[Liene] “You’re worrying about me, Lord Tiwakan. It almost makes me happy.”

[Black] “…Why is it strange?”

He asked, his voice softening a little.

Liene swallowed hard, struggling to hold back the wave of emotions that seemed to be freezing in her throat.

[Liene] “Sir Fermos was hiding in the king’s study, so you must have heard it from him. I was asked to kill you, Lord Tiwakan.”

[Black] “And I also heard you didn’t agree.”

However, that wasn’t all he was worried about.

[Liene] “That’s not all. They said you would kill me after you took over Nauk.”

[Black] “I was also surprised to hear that.”

[Liene] “Does that mean it’s not true?”

[Black] “I’ve told you before. If I wanted Nauk, I would have taken it a different way—a much faster way than this proposal.”

[Liene] “Then what about revenge?”

[Black] “Revenge?”

[Liene] “I keep hearing that what you’re looking for is revenge. That someone in Nauk is responsible for the spilling of your family’s blood.”

With her words hanging in the air, a frown formed on his forehead—his expression changed.

Seeing his face change so quickly, she felt her heart sink in her chest, as if something was freezing inside her.

He didn’t deny it. That means… there’s some truth to it.

[Liene] “Because of that, your current attitude feels strange to me.”

Her form and voice became so small, almost inaudible. She shrank as she tried to pull away from his grasp.

[Liene] “Please let me go. I want you to leave now.”

But he didn’t let go.

[Black] “I don’t think my attitude is strange.”

[Liene] “…Why…?”

While he carefully held her wrist, his other hand reached out, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.

His movements were gentle yet hesitant. Just like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings.

[Black] “Everything you’re telling me now, Princess, was told to you by others. And I’m not interested in others.”

[Black] “Is the debt so big?”

[Liene] “...?”

[Black] “Is the debt the reason why you have to do so many unreasonable things?”

[Liene] “…”

She didn't answer, but the stiff expression on her face explained everything.

[Black] “How long has it been going on?”

[Liene] “...Please don't ask me such questions.”

It was too pathetic for a ruler of a country to use debt as an excuse. And more than that, she didn't want him to see how severe the poverty she was facing was.

He already knew, but knowing and seeing were two different things.

Liene tried to turn her face away, but Black kept his hand firmly on her cheek, holding it in place.

He was acting differently from last night. He was still as kind as before, but his actions weren’t forceful. The hand holding her cheek felt solid and strong, but somehow, it also felt filled with regret.

[Black] “Answer me.”

[Liene] “…No.”

[Black] “Why not?”

Because I’m embarrassed. I don’t want to admit to you that I am a weak and pitiful person.

[Liene] “I just don't want to. You haven’t answered my previous question either. The question about the revenge you’re demanding.”

For some reason, Black smiled softly as he began to gently stroke her cheek with his thumb.

[Black] “Where did you hear that?”

[Liene] “Don’t look at me like that… The story about your revenge has spread throughout the continent and is rampant everywhere except Nauk.”

[Black] “Strange. How could I not have heard about it?”

[Liene] “…You don’t know?”

[Black] “Although it’s true that my family’s blood has been spilled. They were killed on this land a long time ago.”

[Liene] “You…”

His calm expression betrayed how terrible his words were—so casual talking about his family’s death.

His face didn’t match someone who was carefully sharpening his sword, demanding revenge for his loved ones who were no longer there.

[Black] “I was still a child when it happened. Initially, I was filled with so much anger because all my flesh and blood were gone, but I had to focus on surviving. Eventually, I forgot everything as I grew up. And as I told you before, the reason why I proposed is because I don’t want you to be taken by someone else.”

Black answered so clearly and innocently, a sense of confusion gripped her.

[Liene] “So… the desire for revenge… is just a rumor?”

[Black] “I didn’t even know such a rumor existed.”

[Liene] “But this… this doesn’t make sense. We have no prior connection, so what makes you say ‘I’m being taken’?”

[Black] “Do you really think so?”

[Liene] “Am I… am I wrong…?”

[Black] “I called this land my home until I lost my family. You might not know me, Princess, but I know you.”

[Liene] “Ah… but how could you know me…?”

All of this… is too strange.

[Liene] “A long time ago, you said… When exactly?”

[Black] “About twenty years ago.”

[Liene] “Twenty years?”

Of course she wouldn’t remember. If it was about twenty years ago, she must have been a child—at most five or six years old.

[Liene] “Did I know you at that time?”

[Black] “Probably not. I think you were too young back then.”

[Liene] “Then, how could you know me?”

[Black] “I only knew your name.”

[Liene] “My name?”

[Black] “My father wanted to arrange a marriage for me. With the Arsak family.”

[Liene] “What…”

Her eyes widened.

She had never heard anything about this. Her father, the late king of Nauk, had never mentioned anything to her about a childhood engagement. Not once.

[Liene] “We were engaged… back then?”

[Black] “Not officially. If so, there would be proof, or it would be written somewhere.”

And without anything to prove the engagement, then it would only exist in someone’s memory.

[Liene] “Why didn’t you tell me from the start?”

[Black] “Because I didn’t think it was important.”

[Liene] “How could our past engagement not be important if that’s the reason why you proposed in the first place?”

[Black] “The engagement was talked about when I was young. It’s possible it was just a decision my father made on his own. In the end, I’m the only one who still remembers it.”

Which meant that even if he had told her, she would have had a hard time believing him or taking his words seriously.

And it had nothing to do with her already having a lover at that time. If a man approached her with the intention of proposing, making such strange claims, she would likely laugh at him or consider their words an unpleasant joke.

[Liene] “…You should have told me anyway.”

However, everything would have been different if the man who proposed to her at that time wasn’t Black.

She reached out, gently pulling on his arm.

[Liene] “If you had told me, I would have…”

Then I wouldn’t have felt so confused and scared, my heart breaking under the uncertainty, not understanding why everything was happening.

Now, she had a real reason behind his sudden proposal. Suddenly, everything felt more real. More believable.

[Liene] “I…”

[Black] “Princess.”

If only he had told her sooner.

She would never have lied this much if she had known.

[Liene] “I…”

[Black] “I’m listening.”

I would have been honest from the start.

[Liene] “I… would have… been much faster…”

That was all she could say.

She couldn’t finish her sentence, her words fading as she fell into a total silence.

Black didn’t force her to keep talking. Instead, he had something he wanted to say.

His touch on her cheek was a little seductive, making her body feel like it was melting.

[Black] “You’re scared of what kind of person I am. You think I proposed to take Nauk, and that I would kill you someday. All for revenge.”

[Liene] “…Not really…”

[Black] “However, you didn’t want to postpone the wedding, and you also didn’t want to kill me.”

[Liene] “…I told you I had doubts…”

[Black] “You made me take off my clothes to treat my wounds. And instead of chasing me out of your bed, you looked for a spare blanket to cover my body and let me sleep next to you.”

[Liene] “That… is because you are my fiancé…”

The hand gently touching her face stopped.

He bent down, bringing his face closer to her. The distance was unavoidable, she couldn’t look away unless she closed her eyes.

[Black] “Is it safe to say that you like me? Even just a little?”

He asked suddenly, she tightly closed eyes opened wide and she swallowed hard.

[Black] “It doesn’t matter what it is. If there’s something good about me that you like, just say it.”

[Liene] “….”

[Black] “You can nod your head too.”

[Liene] “….”

His eyes were cold and clear.

She looked at him as she slowly nodded her head.

Without blinking, he watched her hesitantly move her head up and down.

[Black] “I understand.”

Although the words floating in the air were so simple, the two corners of his lips lifted into a smile.

[Black] “I won’t listen if you say otherwise later.”

Liene wanted to say something, but her mouth wouldn’t open. As if to replace the unspoken words, she gripped the end of his clothes a little tighter.

If I had known, I would have liked you much sooner.

Silent thoughts—words that she couldn’t say.

[Liene] “I’m fine.”

*******

After being forced to rest, Liene was left lying passively in bed, although she didn’t resist much.

She had just woken up, but she was forced back to bed—never before had she had to return to bed so quickly after so long.

[Liene] “Just a bruised wrist. That’s all.”

However, even as she lay helpless, she continued to argue.

Black sat beside her on the edge of the bed, watching her every move. Every time he noticed her trying to shift her body, he would shake his head.

[Black] “That’s what you think, but it could get worse later.”

[Liene] “It never has in the past and the injury isn’t that bad. Kleinfelter is just like that sometimes…”

[Black] “You’re saying this has happened before.”

[Liene] “It’s their nature to do things like this…”

[Black] “So, this isn’t the first time this has happened, but you’re fine with it because you’re used to it?”

[Liene] “That…”

If she had to say it directly, then yes…

But why did he look so angry?

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