A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 39

※The Beginning※

It wasn't just a possibility; it was the truth.

Fermos had recounted everything to Black, leaving no detail out, but Black could easily visualize the scene that had transpired in the study.

To call it difficult would be an understatement.

Liene had inherited the crown at nineteen, barely an adult. To the noble elders of the Grand Council, including Kleinfelter, a nineteen-year-old princess was nothing more than easy prey.

She must have had to constantly endure the harassment of those jackals, focused only on their own self-interest, while she was trying to mend this crumbling kingdom.

That was why her seemingly fragile shoulders were, in fact, resolute. That was also why he had never seen tears fall from those eyes that always looked as though they were about to cry.

The moment he grasped that truth, something inside his heart shattered.

Through that breach, the woman known as Liene Arsak flowed in, taking permanent residence.

Laffit was a matter of the past.

Liene was clever. She had likely already calculated the ramifications of an alliance with the Kleinfelter family through marriage.

Whether she had given him her heart or carried his child, she had absolutely no intention of marrying him.

Therefore, that settled the matter.

Her claim that she had not committed adultery and had no intention of doing so was the absolute truth.

Liene Arsak’s intended husband was Black.

Black gently pressed down on her forehead, urging her to settle fully back onto the pillow.

[Black] “Even if the Princess is alright, the child might not be.”

[Liene] “The child? Why the sudden concern for the child... Oh.”

Her expression hardened with confusion.

[Black] “It’s better to be cautious, so please rest for a while. Your complexion isn’t great.”

At his words, her eyes darted nervously.

He was guilty of the same oversight, but she was also too oblivious to the fact that she was carrying a child. Perhaps it was because her body hadn't yet reached a stage of significant discomfort.

If both of them were unaware of the pregnancy, others would certainly remain oblivious as well. That was not a bad thing.

For the entire duration of the pregnancy, Liene would be with him. The fact that the child's biological father was another man would never gain a foothold in their future.

[Black] “You said there was no physician in the palace?”

[Liene] “There isn’t. We don’t require one often.”

A royal who lacked a personal physician was unheard of. To suppress what he wanted to say, he took her hand and lightly nibbled the tips of her fingers.

[Liene] “Huh... Why are you doing that?”

[Black] “Did it hurt?”

[Liene] “No, not really... but I’m curious about the reason.”

In truth, there was no reason.

He had simply found himself wanting to be touching her, in any way possible, for some time. Whether it was her lips or her hand, it didn't matter.

It would be too complicated if every one of those moments required a justification.

[Black] “Because you are beautiful.”

[Liene] “...Pardon?”

And so, that was how he chose to express it.

Since she was beautiful in every moment, that was probably the closest answer to the truth.

[Black] “Then I will summon Fermos.”

[Liene] “No. No one needs to come... But was he a physician?”

[Black] “He has extensive medical knowledge; he’s better than most physicians.”

[Liene] “Is that so?”

[Black] “Stay here for a moment. I’ll return quickly.”

[Liene] “No, please don’t.”

Liene hastily grabbed him as he started to rise.

Even such a minor action complicated his emotions. Relief, satisfaction, and a more aggressive urge surged simultaneously, swirling into a chaotic mix. The clearest impulse among them was the sudden drive to clutch her tightly and kiss her.

[Liene] “Sir Fermos, even if he is similar to a physician, is a man... I’m just uncomfortable.”

Judging by her flustered expression, he suspected there might be another reason.

But he did not want to press her and make her uneasy. The more awkward situations arose, the slower she would be to open her heart to him.

[Black] “Was the physician who confirmed the pregnancy not a man?”

[Liene] “The physician... Ahem, the physician is a man, but the madam usually tends to me.”

[Black] “Then I shall fetch her.”

[Liene] “She isn’t at the palace right now.”

[Black] “When will she return?”

[Liene] “That... I don’t know how long it will take. She might not return today.”

[Black] “Why?”

[Liene] “Well...”

Frowning and pondering for a moment, she soon nodded as if she had made a decision.

Liene patted the space beside her, signaling him to sit down again.

It was a sign that the conversation might be lengthy.

[Liene] “I asked her to do me a favor.”

[Black] “Did she go far?”

[Liene] “No, not exactly... There was something I absolutely had to know, so I asked her to meet someone on my behalf. But I think that task is no longer necessary.”

[Black] “Do you wish to tell me why it’s no longer necessary?”

[Liene] “Yes. Because now, it’s no longer something I have to hide.”

Black saw a subtle shift in her expression. She looked slightly more relaxed and relieved.

[Liene] “A while ago, I met someone on the street who knew you.”

---

The time spent recounting the story of meeting the old beggar near the temple was not long.

But after that brief exchange, her heart felt incredibly light.

[Liene] “...I was just about to listen to his story when you came to fetch me. I didn’t mention it then because I thought it wasn’t good for his identity to be revealed.”

She had a feeling her current expression looked a bit ridiculous. Because her mouth kept twitching as if she was smiling while talking about how she had kept a secret all this time.

It seemed that a light heart also meant lightened lips.

[Liene] “Did the old man hear a rumor somewhere? ... Or perhaps he remembers you. Maybe he saw you when you lived in Nauk long ago.”

[Black] “That’s unlikely.”

Black seemed aware that her mouth was twitching, so he reached out and fiddled with the corner of her lips.

Those minor acts felt like they were genuinely binding them within the framework of a real engagement.

[Black] “My face wouldn’t look the same as twenty years ago.”

[Liene] “Do you think so?”

[Black] “I was a child then. Much smaller than now.”

[Liene] “Hmm... Maybe not. I think I would have remembered.”

Liene mentally pictured a young Black. Even if recalling his exact features was difficult, she felt certain she would recognize one thing.

[Liene] “Your eye color never changes.”

[Black] “Even if my eyes are unique, I’m not the only one who possesses them.”

[Liene] “Is that so...”

She had never seen light-colored eyes like his before.

But perhaps that was only because she had never traveled outside of Nauk.

[Liene] “Anyway, I should tell the madam to return now. She might be going through unnecessary trouble.”

[Black] “I will send someone.”

[Liene] “Thank you.”

As she smiled with her eyes slightly crinkling, Black abruptly leaned his head closer.

[Black] “However, until the madam returns, it would be best for Fermos to stay here.”

The problem had returned to square one.

Liene faced him, who was alarmingly close, and tried hard to conceal her nervousness.

[Liene] “No, truly... I’m really fine. I don't need a physician.”

[Black] “Are you certain?”

A real physician arriving would cause a huge problem. She would have to confess that she wasn't actually pregnant.

But... just a little later.

If she confessed everything now, this would turn into an endless session of admitting her lies.

So, just a little. Just a little later.

[Liene] “Yes. You are unnecessarily... Ahem, unnecessarily worrying. I’m the same as always.”

[Black] “That’s not true. Don’t say you’re the same.”

Black intentionally placed her bruised wrist on top of his own hand, showing the mark.

[Liene] “...Except for that.”

[Black] “Then I will believe there is no problem. In that case, may I kiss you?”

[Liene] “What? Suddenly?”

Black muttered as he looked at her, who questioned him in disbelief.

[Black] “Is it sudden? It is not sudden to me.”

[Liene] “...Just a moment ago, you were treating me like a patient.”

[Black] “I ask because you are a patient, and I do not want to force an unwell person just to satisfy my own desires.”

That was his way of saying he cherished her immensely.

Liene paused and swallowed. She felt like she could say this now.

[Liene] “I... I would rather you not ask anymore.”

Because she knew what she meant to him.

[Black] “Do you dislike it?”

No.

[Liene] “Yes.”

The moment she answered, she lightly traced the corner of his mouth with her fingertips, which had frozen instantly.

[Liene] “I am tired of you asking every single time.”

Black only moved his eyes, fixing his gaze on her finger that touched his lips. Watching that made his mouth inexplicably dry.

[Black] “...You might regret saying that.”

He slowly spoke a moment later.

The movement of his lips transmitted through her fingertip every time he spoke.

[Liene] “I don’t... think I will.”

[Black] “I will not listen even if you say otherwise later.”

[Liene] “Even so, I won’t call it a mistake.”

[Black] “In that case...”

His lips approached suddenly and parted her lower lip. His upper lip slipped into her mouth. Her body instinctively arched at this new sensation she had never experienced.

...Maybe it was a mistake after all.

This man kissed too well.

It wasn't as fierce as the morning's kiss, but this one was persistent.

He burrowed into every corner, forcing her to taste him until she was sated. Her two arms wrapped around his shoulder without her realizing it.

When he pulled her waist, pressing their bodies tightly together, her golden eyelashes fluttered rapidly.

Their lips momentarily parted.

Black supported her back with one hand and slowly leaned his upper body over her.

Liene lay on the bed, and Black looked down at her from above.

[Black] “Magnificent. That look on your face right now.”

His thumb rubbed her damp lips. The sensation felt like a new kind of kiss.

Liene closed her eyes, unsure of what to do.

[Liene] “In this position... I usually look unflattering, don’t I?”

[Black] “The Princess speaks as if she came from a land without mirrors.”

She felt slightly embarrassed, wondering if he was pointing out the lack of mirrors in the palace. After all, she had diligently sold off the large, ornate, and valuable ones.

[Liene] “What... does that mean?”

[Black] “I say it because you look like someone who has never seen her own face.”

[Liene] “Then that means...”

Does he mean I’m pretty?

Does he mean he sees me favorably, just as I see him?

[Black] “I wish there were a room where time did not flow. To lock you away and be with you, just the two of us.”

Black slowly removed his thumb.

The chilling word 'lock' sounded different when he spoke it slowly, with fiery eyes. It felt as though a warm breeze was caressing her skin.

[Liene] “There is no such place... but I’ll let you know if I find one.”

Black laughed softly, as if releasing a breath he had been holding.

[Black] “I can’t let my guard down.”

[Liene] “About what...”

[Black] “You, Princess...”

He lowered his head. Their lips were now perfectly aligned.

Liene instinctively closed her eyes.

It was a mistake.

They were already in a room where time did not flow. A place where it didn't matter if it was day or night, here or there.

...No, it wasn't a mistake.

And she realized that she might actually love such a room.

She had entered by mistake, but it was a fortunate mistake. Therefore, it could not be called a mistake.

[Black] “I am not confident I can stop here...”

Black whispered lowly, pausing after rubbing his lips against hers.

[Black] “Do I have to ask about this, too?”

She thought her breath was suddenly constricted.

And at the same instant, a gentle, extremely cautious knock sounded.

[Fermos] “It is I. My Lord... and Princess.”

It was Fermos.

[Fermos] “May I enter?”

---

She could not refuse.

Black’s words about not being confident he could stop were too intense for her to object.

Liene couldn't decide what to answer, so she used Fermos, who had knocked at just the right moment, as an excuse.

She was the one who had said Fermos didn't need to be summoned moments ago, but now she didn't care.

[Liene] “I had many things I wanted to ask anyway. What became of Lord Kleinfelter?”

She allowed him into the room to deter Black, but it was actually a necessary conversation.

The fact that Lyndon was imprisoned was a truly momentous event for Nauk.

Imprisonment wasn’t the end of it. The real work was just beginning.

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