A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 69

※Thirst※

Thanks to Madam Flambard’s frantic fussing, Liene managed to reclaim her usual composure.

Her eyes remained slightly heavy, but the swelling had faded enough that no one would notice without a keen, prying look.

[Liene] "Do I look presentable?"

[Flambard] "I’ve told you three times already, Your Highness. You look lovely."

[Liene] "Right. Of course."

Liene finally forced herself to turn away from the mirror. It was likely the first time in her life she had stared at her own reflection for so long.

Madam Flambard watched her with a secret, knowing smile; the Princess, who had always been stoically indifferent to her own appearance, was finally acting like a woman her age.

[Flambard] "You should go now. You’ve kept him waiting quite a while. Though if you intended to make him burn with anticipation, you’ve succeeded brilliantly."

They had agreed to share the breakfast they’d missed that morning. After that, their schedules were packed. Liene had appointments with tailors to oversee the new wedding finery.

Madam Flambard, too, was set to push aside all other duties to focus on the bridal gown.

While the embroidery could be outsourced, every silhouette and accessory had to pass through her expert hands.

There was also the matter of the new Decree of Investiture. Liene needed to create a new title for the co-ruler of Nauk—her future husband.

She couldn't restore the name Gainers to him yet, but she wanted to bestow a name just as grand. A name that would mark the dawn of a new dynasty for Nauk.

Along with the title, she intended to grant him an estate and lands, and she was more than willing to drain her remaining treasury to make it happen.

[Liene] "Oh, you’re right. He’s likely waiting. Let’s go."

[Flambard] "Indeed. I shall escort you to the dining hall."

The walk was short, but Liene felt a flutter of nerves.

[Liene] "He’s already here."

She was late. As she entered the hall, Black stood immediately. Before she could tell him to stay seated, he had already rounded the table to meet her at the door.

[Liene] "I’m sorry I kept you waiting."

[Black] "Think nothing of it."

He offered a languid smile, his eyes scanning her face, which looked remarkably different from how it had a few hours ago.

[Black] "Are you famished?"

[Liene] "I... suppose I am."

[Black] "Excellent."

The table was a masterpiece of preparation. Liene gasped at the sight of gold candelabras and lush floral arrangements.

[Liene] "Where did all this come from? We don't have these in the castle."

[Black] "The flowers were a bit of a struggle."

In the barren lands of Nauk, fresh blooms were rarer than gold. In truth, it was his mercenaries who had done the "struggling," but Black shamelessly claimed the credit with a straight face.

[Liene] "Oh, my."

A warmth bloomed in her chest. She reached out and patted his arm in a silent gesture of gratitude.

[Liene] "I can only imagine the effort. It’s been so long since I’ve seen fresh flowers. Thank you."

[Black] "The effort was more than worth it."

He offered his hand, escorting her the few short steps to the table.

The scent of the flowers was heavy and sweet—almost dizzyingly so.

[Black] "Please, sit."

He pulled out the chair at the head of the table. In royal protocol, seats were strictly dictated by rank, and Black seemed to know exactly where the sovereign should sit.

[Liene] "I don't like this seat."

Suddenly, the sweet scent of the flowers felt cloying.

This is where you should be sitting.

How can you yield this to me so naturally?

 She couldn't bring herself to take the seat of honor while he sat below her. She stood up quickly.

[Liene] "I’ll sit here, next to you. I prefer it."

[Black] "How curious."

Black tilted his head, his lips twitching with amusement.

[Liene] "What is?"

Liene moved to the side, reaching for the chair beside him.

[Black] "It’s not every day a woman insists on sitting so close to me."

He was faster than her. His hand covered hers on the back of the chair, his fingers warm and firm.

[Black] "I suspect there’s another reason for this."

He sees right through me.

She couldn't bear to sit in the high seat, but more than that, she simply wanted to be near him.

[Liene] "Why do you doubt my motives?"

[Black] "Well... It’s almost too good to be true."

[Liene] "Pardon?"

[Black] "I’m still quite thirsty, you see."

After seating her and tucking in the chair, Black took his own place beside her.

Liene waited for him to settle before unfurling her napkin.

[Liene] "Lean toward me. I assume you aren't talking about water when you say you're thirsty?"

Black followed her instruction with a low chuckle, watching as she began to arrange the napkin at his collar in the royal fashion.

[Black] "I am not."

[Liene] "Then tell me exactly what you mean. I think I know, but I’d like to hear it from you."

[Black] "This."

He caught her hand as she finished fluffing the silk at his throat.

[Black] "It’s hard to believe."

[Liene] "It’s... It’s just a small gesture."

[Black] "Precisely."

He turned his head toward her hand. The tip of his tongue grazed the space between her fingers.

Liene let out a sharp, hitching breath.

This is too much. 

The man was provocatively indecent.

To do this here, at the table...

[Black] "The fact that even these small things are now mine to enjoy..."

He whispered the words against her skin, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to the spot he had just tasted.

Liene felt a matching surge of disbelief. How could she crave him this much during a simple breakfast?

[Liene] "I think you’ve forgotten something."

She murmured, watching his eyelashes flutter as he kissed her hand.

[Liene] "We have a hectic day ahead of us."

[Black] "I’m aware."

[Liene] "If you keep this up... breakfast will take hours."

[Black] "And why is that a problem?"

[Liene] "What?"

She blinked at his casual tone.

[Liene] "Isn't it obvious? We already overslept this morning for the same reason."

[Black] "That was because we couldn't stop kissing."

[Liene] "Exactly!"

His lips curved into a wicked grin.

[Black] "Are you suggesting we should kiss right now?"

[Liene] "I—well, no, I mean—"

[Black] "You’re being quite cruel. No wonder I find this hard to believe."

With a sudden, fluid motion, he hooked his arm around her chair and hauled it flush against his. Before she could protest the lack of distance, he lifted her bodily and settled her onto his lap.

[Liene] "You... you’re going to give me a heart attack!"

She instinctively threw her arms around his neck to steady herself.

[Black] "There’s no need for alarm. I have no intention of letting you fall."

He cupped the back of her head, and that was the only signal she needed.

Their lips met. Even before his reassurance, she hadn't felt afraid. His arms were the safest, most solid place in the world.

[Black] "I think you were right, Princess."

Se murmured against her mouth, his eyes darkening with a familiar heat.

[Black] "Breakfast is going to take a very long time."

[Liene] "I told you so..."

[Black] "We really shouldn't make a habit of this."

And yet, the kiss continued.

When his lower lip parted hers, it was more than a gesture; it was an incantation that cleared her mind of everything else.

I shouldn't do this. There’s so much to do.

The gown, the investiture... 

But those thoughts were drifting away, replaced by the friction of her fingers against the nape of his neck and the sound of his ragged breathing.

They stayed like that until the food had long since gone cold.

If Madam Flambard hadn't eventually cleared her throat at the door, they might have stayed there until sunset.

---

[Liene] "Right. I need to get to the North Tower."

Half the day had vanished. The jeweler had purchased her mother’s sapphire necklace for a price so generous it cushioned the blow of losing the heirloom.

She had spent the afternoon with the tailors and Madam Flambard, debating silhouettes and fabrics. Her ambition was to create a wedding suit that outshone the previous King’s coronation coat.

After instructing Arland to begin drafting the investiture documents, the sun was already beginning its descent.

It was the perfect time to visit Madam Henton. Too early or too late would only heighten the awkwardness between them.

Carrying a basket of biscuits prepared by Madam Flambard, Liene climbed the tower stairs.

Go ahead and break them.

She thought with a small smile.

They won't leave a stain. 

The mercenaries guarding the tower nodded respectfully as she passed. Seeing them within the castle walls had become a comfort.

This place is starting to feel like his home.

A surge of warmth filled her.

He’s getting his home back. 

She reached the door and knocked softly.

[Liene] "Madam? May I come in?"

A frantic shuffling sounded from within before the door swung open.

[Liene] "Oh!"

Liene found herself face-to-face with a startled Klima.

[Liene] "Klima? You’re here?"

[Klima] "Yes... I... the Princess... I mean... Fer... no, I mean... he said I could come."

[Liene] "Don't be so flustered. I’m glad you’re here; I just didn't realize. Is Madam Henton inside?"

[Klima] "Yes."

Klima scrambled out of the way, unable to meet her eyes. The memory of what he had almost been forced to do to her clearly still haunted him.

[Liene] "Madam."

Madam Henton sat by the small hearth. She tensed, clearly caught between the urge to turn away and the obligation to stay.

[Liene] "It’s alright. You don't have to stand for courtesy. I know our situation is... complicated."

She set the basket on the table.

[Liene] "I brought biscuits today. They’re easy to break and even easier to clean up. But don't worry—they’re delicious. I made sure the royal chef put extra care into them. Klima, do you like sweets?"

Klima looked up, his eyes wide.

[Klima] "Me? I... yes! Yes, I’ll eat them! I’ll eat anything you give me!"

He looked as if he’d eat poison if she offered it. It broke Liene’s heart to see how guileless and loyal he was.

To use a man like this for such filth... the Kleinfelters were monsters.

[Liene] "Try one. If you like it, have more. There’s no pressure."

[Klima] "Yes... I will. I definitely will."

He approached with an almost comical solemnity, holding out both hands.

[Liene] "You don't have to do anything by force anymore, Klima. You’re free to do as you please."

She placed a golden-brown biscuit in his palm.

[Klima] "As I please..."

He murmured the words, staring at the biscuit before taking a bite. The crunch echoed in the quiet room.

[Liene] "I brought plenty. There’s enough for the Madam to break, too."

She turned back to Madam Henton with a sad smile.

[Liene] "I see you have new linens. Much better, isn't it?"

[Henton] "..."

[Liene] "And it must be better now that Klima is here. This room is a bit cramped for two, though. Would you consider moving?"

[Henton] "..."

The Madam’s lips parted as if to speak, but she hesitated.

[Liene] "Think it over. If you need anything, tell anyone in the castle. They will help you."

[Henton] "Is that why you keep coming here? To say these things?"

The Madam finally spoke, her voice thick with hesitation.

[Liene] "In part. But I also have something to discuss with you."

[Henton] "What could you possibly need from someone like me?"

[Liene] "I want to change your names."

[Henton] "Our names? Mine and my boy’s?"

[Liene] "Yes."

Liene took a breath. This was the difficult part.

[Liene] "The Kleinfelter family will be stripped of their power at the next Grand Council Assembly. But I can't guarantee the other five families won't target you. If you can use the Henton name, that’s fine—but if not, perhaps a fresh start would be safer?"

[Henton] "A fresh start?"

[Liene] "If you wish to leave Nauk, I will provide the funds and travel expenses. I won't have you living as outcasts."

She saw the Madam’s expression harden and quickly added:

[Liene] "I’m not trying to exile you. I just don't think it’s right for you and Klima to live in the shadows forever."

[Henton] "And if we change our names... will we be safe?"

[Liene] "Change your names and stay here in the castle. The Tiwakan are here; no one will touch you. I suspect this castle is about to become a very busy place."

It was different now. She wasn't the lone survivor of a dying line anymore. The castle would soon be bustling.

When the Tiwakan settled, they would build families. And she... she would have children of the Gainers bloodline. While Madam Flambard would be the head nanny, she would need hands to help.

[Henton] "You... you would entrust us with that?"

Madam Henton’s brow furrowed in disbelief.

[Henton] "Do you not remember how I lost my second child? Are you not afraid that I’ll wait for you to look away so I can slide a knife into your back?"

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