A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 78

※Dream (1)※

[Liene] "Are we ever going to finish this...?"

Her voice trailed off, her eyelids fluttering as she fought the crushing weight of exhaustion.

[Flambard] "I’m beginning to wonder the same thing, Your Highness..."

Madam Flambard, usually the drill sergeant of the sewing room who would have barked an order to keep stitching, slumped in her chair. The fierce resolve in her eyes had been replaced by a weary, hollow defeat.

[Liene] "Madam?"

The shift in the older woman’s spirit was enough to snap Liene back to alertness.

[Flambard] "I’m a fool. I completely forgot about your injured hand. My pride got the better of me, and now I’m dragging you through this misery. I should have known better... but it’s too late to turn back now."

Tears welled in Madam Flambard’s eyes. Distraught, Liene reached out to comfort her, her own face pale and drawn.

[Liene] "No, Madam! Don’t say that. We still have time. We’ll find a way."

[Flambard] "What is a bit of thread compared to your health? You have a wedding tomorrow, and here I am, keeping you from your sleep... I’m a failure of a nanny."

The woman looked ready to break into a full sob. Liene shook her head vigorously, trying to stem the tide of emotion.

[Liene] "Stop. Please. I wanted this too. It was my choice to stay, not yours. Don't blame yourself."

[Flambard] "I should have stopped you!"

The dam finally broke. Madam Flambard began to cry, and seeing the woman who had practically raised her in such a state, Liene felt her own throat tighten.

[Liene] "Don't cry... if you start, I won't be able to stop either."

[Flambard] "Do you think I want to be blubbering like a child? Hic..."

Even as she sobbed, the Madam’s needle never stopped moving. Her hands flew over the fabric with a desperate, admirable obsession.

[Flambard] "What will we do? If the Commander has to walk to the altar in an unfinished coat..."

To Madam Flambard, that was clearly the ultimate nightmare.

[Liene] "We’ll work harder! Besides, the Lord Tiwakan isn't the type of man to care about a few missing stitches."

[Flambard] "But I care!"

Her sobbing intensified.

Liene bit her lip, her own tears threatening to spill as she shifted restlessly in her seat.

Knock, knock.

The sudden sound at the door cut through the heavy atmosphere.

[Flambard] "Who... sniff... who is it?"

She wiped her nose with her sleeve and struggled to her feet.

[Flambard] "I’ll... hic... I’ll see who it is."

[Liene] "I can get it, Madam."

But the Madam gave her a sharp look that commanded her to stay put before heading to the door.

[Flambard] "Who's lurking about at this hour?"

She swung the door open, her jaw dropping at the person standing in the hall. She had expected Black or perhaps Fermos, but the visitor was someone entirely different.

[Flambard] "...You? Are you lost?"

[Henton] "Hardly."

Madam Henton stood there, peering over Madam Flambard's shoulder into the room.

[Flambard] "Then what do you want?"

Her grief-stricken face hardened into a scowl. In her mind, the ultimate blame for the ruined wedding clothes still lay at Madam Henton’s feet.

[Henton] "I heard the news this afternoon."

Madam Henton didn't flinch under the icy glare.

[Flambard] "What news?"

[Henton] "That the tailor went home in tears."

Madam Flambard’s temper flared again.

[Flambard] "He should have been crying! The man brought us scribbles and called it embroidery!"

[Henton] "If you have an extra needle, give it to me."

Madam Henton nudged past the stunned Madam Flambard and stepped into the room.

Madam Flambard recovered quickly, scurrying after her and grabbing the hem of her skirt.

[Flambard] "What do you think you're doing? What's your game now?"

[Henton] "Looking at that pile of fabric, you won't finish by morning even if you work until your hearts stop. Why would I bother sabotaging what’s already a disaster? I know how to sew. I’m here to help."

[Flambard] "And why the sudden change of heart?"

[Henton] "A woman's mind can change, can't it? I’m sick of rotting in my room with nothing to do. Don't read too much into it."

[Flambard] "And you expect me to trust you?"

Liene rose and walked toward the two bickering women.

[Liene] "That’s enough, Madam Flambard. And you, Madam."

She wasn't sure what Henton’s true endgame was, but she knew one thing: even if the woman resented her, she didn't seem to harbor that same bitterness toward Black.

Henton was the one who had reminded her that an eight-year-old boy—Black—had been powerless in the past.

[Liene] "This is my wedding, but it’s the Commander’s as well."

[Henton] "I know what you're thinking. But..."

Madam trailed off, a bitter, complicated smile touching her lips.

[Henton] "My son wants to live here. It’s the first time he’s ever asked for anything, so I find myself wanting to make it happen. You have nothing to fear from me, Your Highness."

[Liene] "Is that true? Klima wants to stay?"

[Henton] "Yes."

The bitterness in her smile seemed to soften, if only slightly.

[Henton] "And he mentioned the cookies here are quite excellent."

[Liene] "Oh..."

Exhaustion washed over Liene in a sudden wave. She wanted to say something profound, but the words wouldn't come.

[Liene] "That... that's wonderful to hear."

Her voice sounded thick, as if she were speaking through a fog.

Madam Henton turned away, looking embarrassed, and pointed at the worktable.

[Henton] "I’ve spent half my life with a needle in my hand. We’ll finish the coat."

Without waiting for an invitation, Madam Henton took a seat and reached for the fabric.

[Henton] "Which needle should I use?"

Madam Flambard looked at Liene, her expression a mix of shock and skepticism.

[Flambard] "Your Highness..."

Liene offered a weary, swollen-eyed smile.

[Liene] "Let’s trust her, Madam."

[Flambard] "Well... fine. But don't you dare... ugh, here. That’s my needle. Use this one instead."

Madam Falmbard, realizing Madam Henton was going to start with or without her, begrudgingly carved out a section of the work.

[Flambard] "Use this thread. Do this section here, and maybe I can actually catch my breath."

[Henton] "Understood."

Despite the friction between them, the two women worked with a seamless, professional efficiency.

Madam Henton hadn't lied about her skill; her stitches were precise, rhythmic, and fast. She even took the time to measure the tension of her stitches against Flambard’s without being asked.

[Flambard] "I suppose you weren't lying about your experience."

[Henton] "When you spend twenty years as a silent slave in another man's house, you learn to keep your hands busy."

[Flambard] "Whose house...? No, never mind. It’s none of my business."

[Henton] "It isn't. And it’s not a pleasant story, so I’d appreciate it if we moved on."

[Flambard] "Fine by me."

The pace of the work accelerated. Seeing the two older women flying through the embroidery, Liene felt a spark of renewed energy and picked up her own needle.

[Liene] "He’ll be so happy when I tell him you helped."

[Henton] "..."

She looked up from her work, meeting Liene’s eyes.

[Liene] "He told me he always wanted a home. This... this feels like a home. Like a family. It makes me happy. Maybe even happier than him."

[Henton] "Then I suppose it’s a good thing."

Silence fell over the room, but it wasn't the heavy, suffocating silence from before. It was warm, as if an invisible fireplace had been lit, casting a glow over the shared task.

---

It was half-past five in the morning when Liene finally staggered back toward her quarters.

Madam Flambard had practically shoved her out the door, insisting she at least get an hour of sleep. Madam Henton had plucked the needle from Liene’s hand without a word.

They looked like two old friends who had been working together for decades rather than two women who barely tolerated each other.

By the time Liene reached the bedroom door, her vision was tunneling.

I should wash my face...

The thought flickered in her mind, but her feet were already carrying her toward the bed.

He must be asleep. Goodnight, my love. I’ll see you in the morning.

To avoid waking him in their shared bed, Liene decided to use the guest bed in the adjoining room. She didn't even have the strength to change her clothes; she just collapsed onto the mattress.

Her eyes snapped shut. Her limbs felt like they were made of lead. She knew she should at least kick off her shoes, but she was already halfway to a dream.

In the haze of sleep, she felt a touch on her foot.

Thud.

A soft sound, and her shoe was gone. A gentle hand slipped the other one off, then carefully rolled her over from her stomach onto her back.

A plush pillow was slid beneath her head.

Who is it... a house-elf?

The whimsical thought made Liene let out a tiny, sleepy giggle.

[Unknown] "Don't laugh."

The "elf" whispered, his voice low and vibrating.

[Unknown] "I’m trying very hard not to wake you up properly."

She smiled, her eyes still closed.

[Liene] "Since you're at it... take off... the stockings too... too much work..."

[Unknown] "You certainly have a colorful way of talking in your sleep."

The elf sounded like he was grumbling.

[Liene] "What... don't want to...?"

[Unknown] "It’s not that I don't want to. It’s quite the opposite. Why don't you realize that?"

The elf lifted the hem of her skirt slightly and began to tug at the silk of her stocking. Liene giggled again.

[Liene] "Silly elf... You don't even know... how to do it... undo the garter... first..."

[Unknown] "Where is the garter exactly?"

The elf let out a frustrated, strained groan.

[Unknown] "I’m losing my battle to remain a gentleman here."

Slide.

The hem of her skirt rose higher as two hands slipped beneath the fabric.

Fingers brushed against the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, searching for the silk knot of the garter.

Slip, tug.

The knot gave way. The stocking began to slide down her bare skin. The elf’s hands followed the silk, pulling slowly.

[Liene] "Mmm... that feels strange..."

She shifted, her breath hitching.

The elf seemed to be trying his best not to touch her skin directly, pinching only the silk between his fingertips. The caution made the process agonizingly slow.

Why does this feel so... intimate?

The sensation of the silk dragging inch by inch over her legs made her heart race. Her mouth felt dry, and she unconsciously licked her lips.

It was a simple task, but in this half-awake state, it felt monumental and heavy with tension.

[Liene] "Don't be so slow... just... grab the band... and pull..."

She fumbled over her dress, searching for the garter band. Her hand found the spot mid-thigh, and she grabbed the elf’s hand, guiding it to the silk.

[Liene] "Here... just pull it down... quickly... okay?"

Suddenly, the hands vanished.

[Unknown] "I can't do this anymore."

The dream-like voice of the house-elf was gone, replaced by Black’s ragged, exhausted tone.

[Liene] "Huh...? Wait... what?"

Her eyes flew open.

[Black] "Ask me to do anything else. Anything but that."

It wasn't a house-elf. It was Black.

[Liene] "How... how long have you been there?"

She scrambled to sit up, her face burning.

Black reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead.

[Black] "I haven't slept. I was waiting to see if you’d eventually come to bed."

She had meant to ask when he had stopped being a "dream elf" and started being himself, but he had interpreted it as a question about his wakefulness.

[Liene] "I... I thought I was dreaming..."

[Black] "I gathered that."

He let out a long, weary sigh.

[Black] "I shouldn't have disturbed you. Go back to sleep."

[Liene] "But I still have one stocking on..."

She started to reach down, but froze.

To take it off, she’d have to hike up her dress or reach inside. The realization of what she’d just been asking him to do hit her like a lightning strike.

No wonder it felt so... charged.

[Black] "Should I close my eyes?"

He shut his eyes tight, even as he spoke.

[Liene] "Do you think... after we're married... this will become normal?"

She watched his face, her heart thumping against her ribs.

[Black] "What will?"

[Liene] "Helping each other undress. Things like this."

[Black] "...Perhaps."

[Liene] "I want it to be normal soon."

She sat up fully to tug at the remaining stocking.

[Liene] "Right now, it feels so difficult. But a moment ago, it felt like a sweet dream... I liked it."

She wasn't even sure what she was saying anymore. She was flustered and embarrassed, yet she felt a pang of regret that the sensation had ended.

[Liene] "You were like a house-elf. Doing everything for me while I didn't have to lift a finger."

[Black] "In that case."

He opened his eyes and leaned in, his face inches from hers.

[Black] "I suppose I’ll just have to put in more effort. Until you get used to it."

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