A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 87

※When Ears Go Deaf※

[Fermos] “About the Kleinfelter estate—now that the wedding is safely behind us, I think it’s time we cleared it out entirely. We’ve seized the visible assets, but a family like that is bound to have a secret vault or two tucked away in the floorboards.”

Fermos hadn’t come to their chamber at this hour only to make idle conversation. He had a specific concern.

[Black] “If you’re bringing this up now, I assume you have a reason to suspect something is hidden there.”

[Fermos] “I do. It’s just a hunch for now, but something about the situation feels... off.”

Liene’s expression sharpened, her brow furrowing in concern.

[Liene] “What is it?”

[Fermos] “The family is effectively gone. The direct line can never set foot on this soil again. And yet, the servants are still there. Who is managing them? Even if they stayed out of some misplaced sense of loyalty, they still need to eat. Someone is footing the bill.”

Since the wedding, their primary focus had been monitoring those who opposed the new reign. Even with the Kleinfelters gone, the roots they had planted over decades ran deep.

While the other five families were bound by the new treaty, a change of heart right after the ceremony would be a nightmare.

Governing was a different beast from war, and the Tiwakan Commander intended to master the former.

In that context, the presence of lingering staff at the Kleinfelter mansion was a dark omen.

[Black] “So, you think someone is hiding in the shadows.”

[Fermos] “Exactly. It’s like I mentioned before—the more I think about it, the more suspicious it becomes. It’s a house that enjoys every luxury imaginable. Doesn’t it seem strange that they’ve remained so quiet until now?”

Liene nodded in agreement.

It was hard to believe that someone capable of pulling the Kleinfelters' strings could remain invisible in a kingdom this small.

[Liene] “So we suspect a puppet master, but we have no proof.”

[Fermos] “Not yet. That’s why I want to clear that house as soon as possible. They’re hiding something. I’m certain of it.”

[Liene] “Then we do it. The people are still riding the high of the wedding and feel well-disposed toward the royalty. It’s better to act now. By this point, the reasons for the Kleinfelters' exile should be common knowledge.”

[Fermos] “Understood. Since the manor is part of the forfeited estate, it officially belongs to the Crown. It’s a grand building—instead of letting it sit empty, perhaps we could repurpose it? A library or a school, perhaps?”

[Liene] “Oh, I love that idea. That would be wonderful.”

[Fermos] “Thank you for the approval. I’ll see to the eviction tomorrow. And—just to be clear—I’m not saying this to win points with my Lord, but this is a matter of cold, hard pragmatism.”

He cut himself off with a sharp grin.

[Fermos] “My Lord, stay at the castle tomorrow. It wouldn’t look right for you to be seen personally raiding the Kleinfelter nest. I’ll handle it. I already have someone in mind to assist me.”

He was referring to Klima. Having frequented the mansion for years, Klima knew every nook and cranny of Lyndon’s private sanctuary.

Black didn't object.

[Black] “Very well.”

[Fermos] “Enjoy your time together while you can. But remember—it’s only for a short while. A very short while.”

Realizing he might have overstepped, Fermos wiped the smirk off his face, gave a final, solemn nod, and took his leave.

It was finally time for rest.

---

[Liene] “By the way, we have somewhere to go tomorrow.”

Married life was a series of small, decadent luxuries.

They had enjoyed a late dinner without Liene having to lift a finger, and now Black was even tending to her hair before they retired to the bedroom.

As she leaned against him, her arms draped around his neck, his face was inches from hers. This proximity was exactly why she hadn't turned down his offer to carry her.

[Black] “Where to?”

[Liene] “The Temple.”

[Black] “And why is that?”

[Liene] “I want to see the Cardinal.”

[Black] “Ah...”

As Liene offered a mischievous grin, the realization dawned on him.

Liene had met the 'old beggar,' but she had never officially met Cardinal Manau.

[Liene] “I need to know the full story, don’t I? You have no idea how shocked I was to recognize his face during the wedding.”

When Manau had approached to offer the blessing, Liene had nearly screamed. She’d had to grit her teeth so hard her jaw still ached from the effort.

[Black] “I apologize. Telling you slipped my mind for a moment.”

It was surprising to hear him admit to a lapse in memory. She’d thought she was the only one prone to such mistakes.

Playfully, Liene gave his ear a tiny tug. Instead of flinching, he simply let out a low, vibrant smile.

[Liene] “He was the Cardinal all along, wasn't he? It makes sense now. That's why he recognized Prince Fernand immediately.”

[Black] “I was a sickly child.”

Black lowered Liene onto the bed and began to unravel the stories of his past.

They lay side by side, foreheads touching, sharing the weight of a history that still felt heavy and unfamiliar.

[Black] “There were rumors... that the royal family was cursed by the gods.”

Because of that, Prince Fernand had spent most of his youth within the temple walls.

Manau had recognized him instantly because he had spent countless hours praying over the boy, offering blessing after blessing.

[Liene] “How could they say something so cruel?”

She squeezed his hand, her heart aching for the child he had been.

[Liene] “You were just a sick little boy. The one suffering most was the child in pain.”

[Black] “That is the nature of such places. Your father, the late king, heard the same whispers during the Great Drought.”

It stung her to hear him refer to her own father as 'the late king'—not as a father, but as the man who had stolen his crown.

Unable to meet his gaze, Liene pressed her face into his chest.

[Liene] “When the Cardinal told me your name was Henton... he did that on purpose, didn't he?”

[Black] “I asked him to. I didn't want to start a war here.”

He stroked her hair with a slow, rhythmic grace.

[Black] “Thankfully, he humored me. Though it was a shallow ruse that didn't last long.”

[Liene] “We really took... the long way around, didn't we?”

[Black] “It was a road we had to travel, no matter how long the detour.”

[Liene] “I suppose... you're right.”

Her voice had grown small.

He shifted, propping himself up to force her to look at him.

[Black] “You don’t sound convinced.”

[Liene] “It’s just... I wonder if I’m allowed to feel this way. If it’s okay for me to receive so much.”

[Black] “I am the one receiving, Liene.”

[Liene] “What are you talking about? That makes no sense.”

[Black] “The fact that I am lying here right now—that is a gift you gave me.”

[Liene] “How is that a gift? We’re married. This is where you’re supposed to be.”

[Black] “I could have been banished to the guest wing, like any other Nauk noble.”

The look in his eyes was so tender, so searingly honest, that she finally understood. This wasn't about politics or duty.

He was talking about her heart. The fact that she had opened it to him was everything.

[Liene] “I think I’m the lucky one to be sharing a room. You don’t realize how cold Nauk winters get. The bigger the room, the deeper the chill.”

[Black] “Then love me more. Because no matter how much you care for me, I’m confident I’ll always love you more.”

[Liene] “You don’t know that.”

[Black] “Watch me. You’ll see.”

[Liene] “Fine. I’ll be watching.”

Locking eyes, they shared a long, breathless laugh.

As the laughter faded, his lips found hers. The taste of him was dangerously sweet, a slow-acting poison she never wanted to cure.

[Liene] “Tomorrow... no... sleeping in. We have to... go to the temple.”

She tried to protest between gasps of breath, but Black, who usually indulged her every whim, was a different man in the dark.

[Black] “We can just tell him to come to us.”

[Liene] “No... he’s the... Cardinal. And his legs... he has trouble walking...”

[Black] “What does that matter?”

His lips nipped at the curve of her neck before trailing downward. Her loose nightgown offered no resistance.

As she exhaled a shaky sigh, the air turned to heat.

Liene ran her fingers through his dark hair, feeling the silk of it against her skin.

Where was he planning to take her this time?

She didn't know, but she was certain of one thing:

Wherever he led, it would be exquisite.

The night was only beginning.

---

Fortunately, Liene didn't remain unconscious until evening this time. She opened her eyes just as the clock was about to strike noon.

[Liene] “This counts as morning... mostly.”

Having overslept two days in a row, she muttered the embarrassing excuse to herself as she sat up.

Black had claimed he’d reflected on his lack of self-control, but whether he actually meant it remained to be seen.

[Black] “Are you awake?”

Unlike Liene, who was still in her nightclothes, Black was already fully dressed and looking impossibly sharp.

He leaned against the doorframe, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached the bed.

[Liene] “Mmm... I’m awake, but please keep pretending I’m not. I haven't even washed my face yet.”

[Black] “Duly noted.”

He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her sleep-heavy eyes.

Liene felt her eyes crinkle into a smile, but she made a valiant effort to push him away.

[Liene] “This is unfair. You’re already perfectly groomed, and I’m... this.”

[Black] “I’ll keep pretending. Go back to sleep.”

[Liene] “I can’t. I’m wide awake.”

[Black] “You still look like you're dreaming to me.”

What does that mean? Are my eyes swollen?

[Liene] “Now I really want to wash up. I feel like the only lazy person in this castle.”

[Black] “You’re allowed to be lazy. You only have to be there when I open my eyes.”

[Liene] “Oh, stop. Don't say things that sound so tempting. You'll make me lose my resolve.”

Liene gripped his arm to pull herself up. Before she could struggle, Black effortlessly scooped her up and set her on her feet.

[Black] “Any pain today?”

Any pain? My back nearly seized up the moment I stood up.

[Liene] “...I think I’ll be fine if I’m careful.”

[Black] “Which means you’re not fine. Why won't you just stay in bed?”

[Liene] “I don't want to. I feel like an invalid.”

[Black] “If you’re hurting, you’re supposed to rest like one.”

[Liene] “That’s the thing. I’m not sick; we were just... expressing our affection. I can’t be a 'patient' every single time we do that. This is supposed to be our daily life now.”

Black let out a long, heavy sigh.

[Black] “What am I going to do with you?”

[Liene] “What do you mean?”

[Black] “Talking like that won’t suddenly make your body feel better... but you’re so incredibly lovely when you say it that I can’t help but think of the consequences.”

[Liene] “Why would the consequences be bad—”

[Black] “Forgive me just this once. I promise I won’t do it again.”

He cut her off, his lips capturing hers with a sudden, desperate hunger.

Liene gasped, clutching his shoulders for balance as his arms locked around her waist, pulling her flush against him.

[Liene] “Wait, I just woke up—”

Black, who usually listened to her every word, had a habit of going deaf at times like this.

Like right now.

---

[Flambard] “Princess! Princess!”

Bang, bang.

Whether it was a stroke of luck or a tragedy, Madam Flambard arrived just before Liene was swept back onto the mattress.

[Black] “...Can’t we just tell her to go away?”

She looked at him, scandalized.

[Liene] “We can’t do that! She’s called for me twice already.”

Bang, bang.

[Flambard] “Princess! Your Highness! May I enter? I must speak with you...”

Her voice sounded genuinely frantic.

Black shook his head with a sigh and reluctantly released her.

[Black] “Stay still. I’ll help you up.”

While Black settled her against the pillows, Liene called out to the door.

[Liene] “Come in, Madam!”

The door flew open, and Madam Flambard rushed in, her face pale.

[Flambard] “Oh... I see you are both still... occupied. Please, forgive my intrusion, but I couldn't sit still a moment longer.”

[Liene] “What’s wrong, Madam?”

[Flambard] “It’s her! She’s been missing since this morning. I’ve searched every corner of the castle, but she’s vanished. I have a terrible feeling about this...”

[Liene] “Wait—do you mean Madam Henton?”

[Flambard] “Yes, Your Highness!”

Despite the stiff formal etiquette they maintained as "friends," it was clear the Madam was deeply worried.

[Liene] “Are you certain she’s not within the castle grounds?”

Madam Flambard nodded, her hands trembling as she clasped them together.

[Flambard] “I am positive. Didn't we agree she shouldn't leave the castle? I have no idea why she would suddenly disappear like this...”

[Liene] “We need to alert the guards immediately. Search inside and outside the walls. We have to find her.”

Black, who had been listening intently, stepped forward.

[Black] “I’m going to the Kleinfelter estate.”

[Liene] “What? You said you weren't going there today.”

[Black] “I know. But I have a feeling that’s exactly where Madam Henton went.”

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