A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 44

※Today, Like Yesterday※

Black had said something similar before. He claimed to know it was a betrothal, yet admitted it might have just been empty words from his late father.

[Liene] "If that’s the case, there wouldn't be any record of it in the royal archives, would there?"

[Flambard] "I wouldn't know about such things."

[Liene] "I should check, just in case."

Liene turned around in a flurry.

If there were royal archives, they would be somewhere in the study.

Please. Let there be something left.

[Flambard] "Your Highness. Where are you going? And why bring up the betrothal all of a sudden? You were just talking about him."

[Liene] "He said we were betrothed."

[Flambard] "Pardon?"

She blinked, looking utterly bewildered.

[Flambard] "Who do you mean? You weren’t even betrothed to Sir Kleinfelter."

[Liene] "Lord Tiwakan."

[Flambard] "What?"

Startled by her own volume, Madam Flambard clamped a hand over her mouth.

[Flambard] "Wh-when...... You mean...... twenty years ago?"

[Liene] "I’m not certain. It was such a long time ago. But he said that’s how he remembers it. That’s why he proposed to me."

[Flambard] "T-then...... does that mean he is a man of Nauk?"

[Liene] "Yes. He said he left Nauk after his family was killed."

[Flambard] "What a tragic fate......."

Liene swept her hair back, her face contorted with distress.

[Liene] "He said he’s forgotten it all because it was in the past. He claimed his only reason for returning was to propose to me. But...... I keep......."

She broke off, exhaling a long, shaky breath.

[Liene] "My thoughts keep drifting...... in a bad direction. What if the person who killed his family...... was the late King? Is that why the old man said I would bleed because of Lord Tiwakan?"

[Flambard] "What a horrible thing to say, Your Highness."

She shook her head vigorously, as if just hearing it was terrible.

[Flambard] "The late King was a good man. He was wise, thoughtful, and generous—a true sage king. A man like that killing others? Impossible. That is an absurd thought."

[Liene] "Then why did he say that? The old man."

[Flambard] "That is......."

Thrown into confusion, Liene hunched her shoulders in pain. Madam Flambard watched her with pity, then tried her best to soothe her.

[Flambard] "Your Highness. Let us think about it this way. No one knows who that old man is, correct? To put it bluntly, we don’t even know if he is sane. Seeing how he beat the servant who brought him food, he certainly doesn't seem to be in his right mind. How could such a person know something that neither you nor I know? Don't you agree?"

[Liene] "Is that so....... But he is elderly. He might have experienced things you or I don't know about."

[Flambard] "So who on earth could that old man be to know such things?"

[Liene] "......."

Madam Flambard wasn't wrong.

Her priorities were askew. Before worrying about what the old man said, she needed to find out who he was.

[Liene] "That servant must know the old man's identity."

[Flambard] "You mean the servant who was being beaten with a cane? Seeing as he said he deserved to be hit more, he must have some unspeakable story. But didn't he run away? ......No, wait, why is the Tiwakan harassing a mere servant anyway?"

[Liene] "They aren't harassing him. It’s not confirmed, but they might be chasing him because he could be the culprit who killed the Cardinal."

[Flambard] "What? No, is that true?"

Horrified, she clasped her hands together and invoked the gods.

[Flambard] "How could such...... He looked so gentle and kind. Are you sure the Tiwakan aren't framing an innocent man?"

[Liene] "No. There was evidence to suggest it. By the way, Madam, did you see the servant’s face?"

[Flambard] "It happened by chance. You know he usually covers his face, Your Highness? But the old man was beating him so severely that his hood fell back."

She said the endlessly kind-looking servant had looked sorrowful instead. And that he had scars even on the backs of his hands.

[Liene] "Was he praying again......?"

[Flambard] "What kind of prayer does that?"

[Liene] "I heard there is a prayer of atonement. One where you whip your own body while praying."

[Flambard] "Heavens....... Even the gods would not be pleased to hear such a prayer."

[Liene] "I think the same. What was he trying to atone for?"

[Flambard] "Perhaps he committed a sin grave enough to warrant it....... So maybe he isn't just a kind man after all."

If the servant, Klima, really killed the Cardinal. And if the old man knew that and was beating him for it. And if Klima was enduring the beating as an act of atonement.

Then it might mean the old man wasn't just spouting nonsense like a madman. Somehow, it felt like he knew far more than he had spoken aloud.

[Liene] "I wonder where the Tiwakan took the old man. I really need to talk to him."

[Flambard] "That is true, but...... if they took him on purpose, would they readily reveal his location? They'll likely hide him away and make excuses."

[Liene] "I suppose so....... Then I must find out about that servant instead."

[Flambard] "That seems right. Shall I go to the temple?"

[Liene] "No. It’s already late. Let’s go together tomorrow."

[Flambard] "Will you have time?"

[Liene] "If I don't have it, I'll make it. Fortunately, the new advisor has arrived, which has lightened my workload a bit."

Liene squeezed the madam’s hand tightly.

[Liene] "You’ve worked hard, Madam. You are the only person I can fully trust."

[Flambard] "That is truly an honor to hear, Your Highness."

With deep affection, she gently smoothed Liene's disheveled hair.

[Flambard] "Then let us go to sleep. Won't tomorrow be another busy day?"

[Liene] "Indeed."

Liene and Madam Flambard parted ways in the audience chamber and returned to their respective bedrooms.

Fortunately, they didn't run into anyone on the way back. The Tiwakan seemed busy chasing Klima outside the castle walls.

---

Click.

It happened the moment she grabbed the doorknob.

[Black] "Where have you been?"

The door was pulled open from the inside as if he had been waiting.

Startled, Liene let go of her hand. Standing in the open doorway was Black.

[Liene] "......I just escorted Madam Flambard back for a moment."

She swallowed once, and her voice came out surprisingly smooth.

Liene knew how futile it was to lie in front of him.

Perhaps he had already sensed someone visiting while he was in the bathroom.

[Liene] "I told you I sent her on an errand. I heard she met Sir Fermos there. She was disheartened because she couldn't finish the task I gave her, so I walked her to her room. I also told her it wasn't necessary anymore."

[Black] "I see."

Finding no fault in her explanation, he nodded. Then, he held out his hand.

[Black] "Aren't you coming in?"

[Liene] "Ah......."

Liene stared at his outstretched hand for a moment before taking it.

His hand was the same as always. Warm to the point of being hot, and large enough to envelop everything.

Even after they entered the room, he didn't let go.

As they walked past the bed in the center of his room, Liene joked lightly.

[Liene] "Surely you aren't trying to escort me from room to room?"

[Black] "No."

To get to Liene’s room, one had to pass through his room.

Across from the bed were two doors: one led to the bathroom, and the other to a small chamber situated between the bedrooms.

This small room was once called the King’s Gallery.

Though small, it used to be filled with exotic, expensive ornaments and paintings for the ruler and his spouse.

Now, it had been empty for a long time. Liene sometimes forgot what the room's original purpose even was.

Opening the door to the King’s Gallery, Black spoke.

[Black] "I’m going with you."

[Liene] "......Pardon?"

[Black] "I want to sleep together tonight, too. Like yesterday."

[Liene] "......."

It was that feeling again. A tightening sensation at the bottom of her chest, coming out of nowhere.

Whenever she felt this, she suffered a little. Her throat went dry, forcing her to swallow repeatedly.

[Black] "I thought you liked me a little more in that short time...... Was I wrong?"

[Liene] "......."

You’re right. It must be so. Even after the Madam said those things, I didn’t come to hate you one bit. That’s why the suspicion was even more painful.

I find myself making excuses for you even now.

Even if the late King harmed your family, and because of that, you lost your home at a young age and had to wander foreign lands, and even if that is a sin connected to the bloodline of Arsak.

Still, you might have just wanted to forget the past and propose to me. Just like you said.

As you said, it was twenty years ago.

I was just an ignorant child, so if you ask me to feel sorry for what the late King did, I would do so gladly.

Because I like you this much.

So... maybe you feel the same.

It’s possible.

[Liene] "It just. Bugs me a little."

But she couldn't speak her inner thoughts.

That was something she could only say if she were the daughter of an ordinary family, not the ruler of Nauk.

[Black] "What bugs you?"

[Liene] "You said you don't have much experience."

[Black] "......Pardon?"

[Liene] "That means you’re unskilled."

[Black] "......"

[Liene] "I worry about someone like that."

[Black] "......."

Actually, it was the opposite. She was worried he would be too skilled compared to her, who was sure to be clumsy, and that she would involuntarily keep imagining his past.

But she couldn't say that either because she couldn't say she wasn't carrying a child yet.

[Black] "......That’s a bit absurd."

His cheeks seemed to stiffen at first, but soon his expression changed, and he laughed lightly.

[Black] "Just how far were you thinking ahead?"

[Liene] "About what?"

[Black] "What did you intend to do with me? When I said let's sleep in the same bed."

[Liene] "......"

Finding it difficult to answer, Liene shut her mouth, but a flush rose on her cheeks like an answer in itself.

[Black] "What could happen that my lack of skill would be a problem?"

[Liene] "......Anyway, I’ll take that as an answer. Goodnight."

Liene opened the bedroom door as if fleeing.

Thud!

But it slammed shut again. Black had pushed the door from behind her.

As a result, Liene was trapped between the closed door and him.

[Black] "How skilled do I have to be to satisfy you?"

He whispered low, bowing his head toward the nape of her neck, who was now caged in his arms.

[Black] "What exactly do I have to do for you to consider me skilled?"

[Liene] "It’s just...... that...... not right now......."

[Black] "Strange. Didn't you mean we should do it right now?"

Slide. 

His arm wrapped around her waist. At the same time, his lips parted the hair covering the nape of her neck.

His lips slowly glided over the exposed, tender skin.

The hand not holding her waist stroked her hair, tickled her earlobe, and traced down the line of her neck.

[Liene] "No...... it wasn't......"

[Black] "No. You were talking about today."

The fingers sweeping down her neck paused at the edge of her nightgown.

His fingertips teased her, hovering as if they might lift the thin fabric and slip inside at any moment.

Liene bit her lip hard, afraid a sound might escape.

[Black] "Fortunately, based on your reaction, I don't seem to be so unskilled that you dislike it, Princess."

The fingers that had left her nightgown now slipped between her lips.

Black used his fingers to slowly pry open her tightly shut mouth.

[Black] "If you do this, you'll get hurt. I told you this afternoon. I won't let any wounds appear on you other than the ones I make myself."

[Liene] "That......."

Her body kept trembling so that she couldn't speak properly.

[Black] "Don't do this anymore. Promise me."

Having parted her lips, Black gripped her chin and turned her toward him. He gently rubbed her lips, where the mark of her teeth remained.

It was scandalously alluring and hot enough to melt her. If this continued, even her thoughts would vanish.

Why was his allure so intense?

Why was he doing this?

What plans he was hiding inside...…?

All thoughts of uncovering the truth before disaster struck Nauk.

[Liene] "S-stop!"

What is this? I didn't want this.

Shove!

She pushed him away with all her might.

[Liene] "Stop it."

[Black] "......"

Sensing she was serious, Black closed his mouth and looked at her.

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