A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 59

※A Tiny Shadow※

[Flambard] "Are you certain you’re feeling quite yourself, Your Highness?"

The fact that Liene had slept past dawn for the first time in her life seemed to have rattled Madam Flambard to her core.

Liene’s explanation—that she had simply wanted to lounge in bed and do nothing—was met with blatant skepticism.

[Flambard] "Really? You aren't merely putting on a brave face to keep me from fussing, are you?"

[Liene] "I promise you, I’m fine. A long night’s rest was exactly what I needed. In fact, I feel more energetic than usual."

[Flambard] "Then why on earth did you remain sequestered in those chambers for so long?"

Do you have to ask, Madam?

Liene cleared her throat, averting her eyes to avoid the question.

To be fair, the Madam’s confusion was justified.

In their world, it was customary for a royal couple to maintain separate quarters. Unless the goal was strictly the conception of an heir, there was little reason to spend an entire morning tangled in the same sheets.

The Madam assumed Black had stayed only out of concern for Liene’s "ailment."

[Flambard] "It wasn't... ahem... because the meal was delayed, was it? You didn't stay because you were hungry?"

[Flambard] "If you still feel unwell, you must rest. Do not push yourself for the sake of appearances."

[Liene] "I’m alright. Please, Madam, don't worry. You, of all people, know I didn't actually lose a child."

[Flambard] "Well, that is true... Oh! Did that man... did he force you to stay in bed?"

[Liene] "No, it wasn't like that at all..."

Please, stop digging.

[Liene] "Anyway... I told him."

Liene said, pivoting the conversation before the Madam could ask anything more scandalous.

[Flambard] "Pardon? Told him what?"

[Liene] "I told him the pregnancy was a lie. The rest of the world can go on believing I suffered a miscarriage, but I won't lie to Lord Tiwakan any longer."

[Flambard] "Oh, thank heavens! You did the right thing. And how did he take it?"

Just thinking of his reaction made Liene’s heart skip a beat.

[Flambard] "Your Highness?"

[Liene] "...He said his heart felt lighter."

He told me he wouldn't lose me. He said he would never forget. He carved those vows directly onto my heart.

I suspect that was the proposal he always intended to give... and if he had given it from the start, I would have been the happiest bride on the continent.

[Flambard] "Of course he did! He might have steeled his heart to raise another man’s child as his own, but a cuckoo in the nest is never the same as one's own blood. You've done well, Your Highness. Now, nothing stands in the way of your happiness."

[Liene] "That is the plan."

Liene left it at that. If she were the only one left carrying a secret, then everyone else could remain happy. She desperately believed that.

[Flambard] "Well then, I shall go and fetch your breakfast. Once you’ve eaten, there is something you must attend to."

[Liene] "What is it? I can do it now."

[Flambard] "It isn't urgent. Eat first. The man... oh, heavens. I wonder how much longer I’ll keep referring to your fiancé as 'that man.' Forgive me, Your Highness, it’s a difficult habit to break.”

[Flambard] "Anyway, Lord Tiwakan was most insistent. He practically gave me an ultimatum to ensure you were well-fed."

[Liene] "He did? Really?"

Her expression was a strange mix of a smile and a confused wince.

[Liene] "I can't believe it... I didn't think he had a sentimental bone in his body. I mean, he’s tender when we’re alone, but to be so... fussy in front of others..."

She continued to mutter to herself in dazed disbelief, while Madam Flambard beamed with vicarious pride.

[Flambard] "There is nothing a man blinded by love won't do. A man’s natural temperament vanishes the moment he loses his heart.”

[Flambard] "Now, wait just a moment. I’ll be back in a flash with something to fill that stomach."

[Liene] "No rush, Madam. Take your time."

[Flambard] "Nonsense, nonsense!"

The Madam scurried out of the bedchamber.

Liene caught her reflection in the mirror; the Madam had spent an inordinate amount of time styling her hair, as if celebrating a festival.

Today, her blonde hair looked impossibly bright, almost mockingly beautiful.

Is this allowed?

Can I really be this happy... with him?

Liene squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing a sigh. When she opened them again, she consciously smoothed the worry from her features, erasing the "shadow."

No, this is how it must be. I will give him everything he deserves. 

To do that, there was work to be done.

---

After a breakfast that felt far more indulgent than usual, Liene postponed the Madam’s errand. She had a more pressing matter to attend to.

As if the gods were finally smiling upon her, the opportunity walked right through her door.

[Fermos] "I trust you enjoyed your meal? I was concerned my timing might be intrusive."

[Liene] "Not at all. Your timing is impeccable. Sit, Sir Fermos."

[Fermos] "With pleasure, Your Highness."

He took a seat, his fingers habitually adjusting his monocle with a rhythmic click.

[Fermos] "As you are aware, my Lord has briefly stepped away. If my presence in his absence makes you uncomfortable, I can return later."

He knew exactly why Liene found his timing "intrusive." It was because Black wasn't there.

[Liene] "I’m perfectly comfortable. But thank you for the consideration. Now, tell me—what did you find?"

[Fermos] "Ah, the matter of the vanished royal archives. The ones you suspected me of stealing."

Fermos had decided the best way to prove his innocence was to hand her the real culprit.

[Liene] "Did you find out who did it?"

[Fermos] "No. But I discovered something else entirely."

[Liene] "Something else? What?"

[Fermos] "The fact that it is impossible to find the culprit."

Liene wrinkled her nose at the riddle.

[Liene] "I took you for a man of substance, Sir Fermos, not one for idle wordplay. I assume you didn't seek me out just to speak in circles. Please, be direct."

[Fermos] "My word. You’re quite blunt when you want to be, aren't you? You share that trait with my Lord."

[Liene] "I’ve never been told that before. But if it means I resemble your master, I’ll take it as a compliment. Now, explain why the culprit can't be found."

He allowed a ghost of a smirk to cross his lips before his face settled into a mask of professional gravity.

[Fermos] "Quite simply, the records didn't go missing recently. They were purged a long time ago."

[Liene] "Are you certain?"

[Fermos] "I am. I consider myself something of an expert when it comes to bookbinding and bibliography. Royal archives are, in essence, the very history of the craft."

Tiwakan’s brilliant strategist was a man of surprisingly broad intellect. It was almost a tragedy that such a mind was wasted on the battlefield rather than in a library.

[Fermos] "I’ll spare you the technical lecture, but the short of it is the binding thread. It’s old. Twenty years old, at a conservative estimate. Had the pages been removed recently, the thread used to mend the spine would be fresh."

[Liene] "Twenty years... you said?"

[Fermos] "Indeed. There’s no mistake."

Then the culprit was obvious. It was her father. He had wanted to ensure she never remembered the last King of the Gainers line.

If anyone was going to crack open those royal archives in the future, it would be her.

He had hidden it all: the rebellion of the Seven Families, the disappearance of Prince Fernand, and the betrothal contract between Gainers and Arsak.

[Liene] "I see. Thank you for your hard work, Sir."

[Fermos] "Oh? You believe me just like that?"

[Liene] "I believe you are telling me the truth as you see it."

[Fermos] "Well, I am... but I suspect that isn't the only reason you're so composed."

He was far too sharp. He was already dissecting the reason why Liene’s reaction deviated from his predictions.

[Fermos] "If I were in your shoes, I would be shocked. This is proof of a royal secret hidden from you for two decades. Yet, you don't look surprised at all. You already knew, didn't you?"

Liene quickly schooled her features before they could betray her.

[Liene] "Events from twenty years ago are ancient history. My lack of shock is merely a lack of interest."

[Fermos] "Perhaps. But you aren't exactly a 'lazy' sovereign, Your Highness."

[Liene] "I can be lazy when the situation calls for it. Regardless, I appreciate you keeping your word. In exchange for this information, I will overlook your unauthorized entry into the King’s study."

[Fermos] "What a remarkably generous mercy. My thanks, Your Highness."

Liene moved quickly to the next point.

[Liene] "There is one more thing."

[Fermos] "For me?"

Liene knew how fast his mind worked. Keeping a secret from Black was one thing; keeping it from Fermos was a different kind of challenge.

She looked him in the eye, placing her bet.

[Liene] "It’s regarding the servant, Klima. I previously stated I saw him bleeding... but on reflection, I believe that was merely from the blow he took from that old man. He is not the one who killed the Cardinal. I believe it would be best if you ceased your pursuit of him."

[Fermos] "Aha."

He was not so easily swayed.

[Fermos] "It seems you wish to spare his life. Am I correct?"

[Liene] "...Yes."

[Fermos] "I assume there’s a reason."

Unbeknownst to Liene, Black had already decided to spare Klima. Fermos had been there for that conversation.

[Liene] "I cannot allow an innocent man to be branded a murderer."

[Fermos] "Even if he is innocent of that, he still kidnapped you. Surely we can't just let that slide?"

[Liene] "That... he might not have been the one. I never actually saw my kidnapper’s face. I woke up alone in that place, and shortly after, Lord Tiwakan found me."

[Fermos] "Aha."

Fermos let out a sound that sat somewhere between a sigh and a dry chuckle.

[Fermos] "If I may be so bold, Your Highness... you are a terrible liar."

Really? Everyone believed the pregnancy lie.

Liene felt a flush of heat creep up her neck, her fingers nervously bunching the fabric of her skirt.

[Liene] "I wouldn't say that. Besides, you have no proof that I’m lying about the kidnapping."

[Fermos] "Technically... no. I suppose I don't."

[Liene] "Then take my word for it. Klima is innocent. If Lord Tiwakan disagrees, I will speak with him myself."

[Fermos] "Well... regardless of his personal agreement, he won't refuse a direct request from you."

He rubbed his face with his hand, muttering bitterly to himself.

[Fermos] "Especially not today. When I saw him earlier, he was in a terrifyingly good mood. I imagine that has everything to do with your safe return, so... yes."

[Liene] "Then I’ll consider the matter of Klima settled."

[Fermos] "Mm... there is just one problem, Your Highness."

Fermos knew they couldn't kill Klima; Black had made that clear. But Fermos had gleaned a great deal from the brief exchange between Black and Madam Henton.

The moment Black saw the woman, he called Klima "your son." That meant Black knew both the boy and the mother.

And Madam Henton had recognized him—not with joy, but with a deep-seated, unresolved resentment.

Black had ordered their lives spared. To Fermos, that suggested the woman had another child—one who had died because of Black.

Was Black sparing them out of a debt from the past?

Fermos was beginning to piece together exactly what that debt was.

Black hadn't told him, but he hadn't forbidden him from using his brain either.

Madam Henton had mentioned the "Nine Waterfalls," and Black had understood her perfectly.

The Nine Waterfalls were the ancient symbol of the Nauk Kingdom in its prime. If Black knew that symbol, he was almost certainly of the old royal bloodline.

Which left Fermos with some burning questions:

What was the true nature of the bond between Liene and Black?

It was needless to say that Black was indeed sincere towards Liene, but what about her?

Why was she so desperate to save the very people to whom Black owed a blood debt?

Prev

Chapters

Next