A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 13

※Etiquette and Petulance※

[Liene] "It’s not as if he did anything particularly strange."

At her response, one corner of his mouth pulled downward.

[Black] "He did plenty. Have you forgotten?"

[Liene] "Rather than saying I forgot, wouldn't it be more accurate to say nothing happened?"

[Black] "I’m telling you, he did."

Whenever his dissatisfaction grew, a faint crease would appear between his brows. It was different from the expression he wore when showing anger toward others; perhaps this look was a habit only she knew.

[Liene] "And what exactly did he do?"

[Black] "He lingered around you for no reason so many times that I won’t even bother mentioning them. But his constant requests for dinner invitations were highly inappropriate."

[Liene] "Well... I wasn't exactly thrilled about that either. But in reality, during his stay here, I only invited him to dine twice. Once on the day he arrived, and once the day before he left."

[Black] "Nonsense. It was double that."

Even if it were doubled, that would only make it four times.

[Liene] "Ah, those were for tea, not dinner. The Prince happened to visit right then, so I had no excuse to refuse."

[Black] "Does it not occur to you that he timed those visits on purpose?"

[Liene] "That’s why I changed the tea time after that."

[Black] "It will be the same this time. He’ll find any excuse to loiter just to catch your eye, and then you’ll feel obligated to entertain him once or twice just like before."

Well, that might be true, but four times in three months seemed closer to neglect than hospitality. It was almost impressive that Dieren Alito insisted on coming to Nauk every year with his children despite such treatment.

[Liene] "But it’s for Shellan’s sake. Can’t you endure that much?"

[Black] "I’m not saying I can’t endure it. I’m saying I hate it."

[Liene] "What’s the difference?"

[Black] "The difference is that you should comfort me. I am suffering through something I detest for the sake of our daughter."

Liene gently pushed at his shoulder as he leaned in close.

[Liene] "Have you no shame, Your Majesty? Acting so spoiled at your age."

He snatched the hand that was resting on his shoulder.

[Black] "I feel no shame whatsoever."

[Liene] "You are the father of two children."

[Black] "I am a man for whom being your husband is more important than being a father."

[Liene] "My, you certainly have a way with words. They would be heartbroken to hear that."

[Black] "When they grow up and find their own spouses, they’ll say the same thing I do. If they don't, then something is wrong with them."

[Liene] "You’re too much."

[Black] "Does that mean you dislike it?"

That question was even more unfair. He already knew she could never give him a negative answer.

[Liene] "What is it you want?"

[Black] "I wonder...?"

Black idly toyed with the hand he had captured. Perhaps it was because his gaze never wavered from her lips, but that simple movement felt unnecessarily suggestive.

[Black] "How about a trip? Just the two of us. Since we’ll have those—admittedly subpar—humans here to look after the children anyway."

[Liene] "What? Where to?"

[Black] "Bellisa Castle."

She hadn't realized it, but given that Shellan had already entertained a similar thought, there was no denying that Black and Shellan were father and daughter.

[Liene] "Hmm... Oh. That seems like a very unrealistic proposal. There’s no way the children will stay quiet. Especially Shellan."

[Black] "She is eight years old. I believe it is the perfect age to learn that parents cannot always be by their side."

[Liene] "No, eight is still so young... Oh... Ah,"

Whether Black intended it or not, Liene was reminded of his past—how he had been forced to leave Nauk at the age of eight. Eight years old. Looking at the twins, it was undeniably a tender age. But at that same age, Black had fled alone and survived on his own. He had passed through the hands of slave traders to become a mercenary.

[Black] "It isn't that young. As you know."

Furthermore, Black possessed the sheer audacity to use his own tragic past to persuade Liene without a hint of guilt. He took the hand he had been playing with and pressed it against his cheek.

[Black] "The sea at Bellisa is at its clearest right now. It won’t take long to get there. Once summer begins, both you and I will have even more work to do, so now is the perfect time."

[Liene] "Mmm... Bellisa."

She let out a shallow sigh and closed her eyes.

The southern border, where Bellisa Castle stood, was the only place in Nauk with a sea. While the large port was a bustling area filled with ships and logistics, Bellisa itself, located slightly apart, was a place of unbelievable tranquility.

The small beach attached to Bellisa Castle was not open to the public, so if one put their mind to it, they could enjoy the sea in utter leisure. The temptation was too great to refuse.

[Black] "If not now, we might not get another chance this year, Liene."

Moreover, the voice of the man whispering so close that his lips almost touched her was far too persuasive. It felt as though she shouldn't refuse him, no matter what he said.

[Liene] "Will the Prince of Alito... actually take good care of the children?"

[Black] ".......He will. Even if he is unreliable, two nannies from Alito will be coming with him, so do not worry."

[Liene] "Ah, those nannies are trustworthy. They are strict but thorough."

Her voice trailed off for a moment because his lips had brushed against hers. The brief contact—half-kiss, half-touch—left a small ripple in her heart, especially since it happened while they were already so close.

She squinted her eyes unconsciously.

[Liene] "If you’re going to do this, just kiss me properly."

He chuckled silently as he watched her, who had her eyes closed.

[Black] "Kiss you how?"

[Liene] "You know exactly what I mean."

[Black] "I do, but I like hearing you say it."

[Liene] "......How mean."

Liene reached forward and tugged sharply on his collar. The distance vanished as their lips met. She gave his lower lip a small nip and murmured.

[Liene] "Fine, let’s go. But you must be the one to get permission from the children."

The kiss began in earnest immediately after. Thanks to that, Black lost his chance to argue, and since he didn't say no, Liene took it as his agreement.

Lunch was not particularly long, and since the two had spent so much time kissing, they had to rush through their meal as if they were being chased.

---

[Shellan] "......Are you serious?"

Shellan asked in a low, quiet voice. At first glance, it almost sounded like a low, threatening growl.

Standing beside her, Dief flinched at the cold, piercing glint in Shellan’s eyes.

[Shellan] "Do you mean to tell me you’ve made such a decision? I could understand Father, but Mother agreed to this?"

[Black] "She did."

But Black was just as formidable. Ever since the twins were born, his time alone with Liene had been drastically reduced. Even for royalty, raising children well was no easy feat if one were ambitious about it, and for that reason, Black had sacrificed a great deal of his time to the children.

Because of that, eight years had already passed. The children were already grown. While an eight-year-old might not be able to flee alone, kill slave traders, and survive as a mercenary, they were certainly at an age where they could eat, sleep, and study on their own.

For a month—or even three weeks, if he were to compromise, they were old enough to be without their parents.

[Shellan] "I find this absolutely unacceptable."

Shellan hissed.

Dief, who had been watching Shellan with a worried face, also nodded cautiously.

[Dief] "A trip for just the two of you? I don't like that. Can't you take us with you?"

[Black] "If I took you, there would be no reason for the guests to come. It’s already decided. Besides, Liene needs a rest."

[Shellan] "Do not call Mother by her name."

[Dief] "Huh...?"

Dief felt that Shellan was getting angry over something strange. He looked at his father in confusion, but his father didn't seem to find it odd at all.

[Black] "That is my prerogative."

[Dief] "Uh..."

That statement sounded just as strange to Dief. It was odd, but not entirely wrong, which made it doubly strange. If there was anyone allowed to call their mother by her name, it would be their father... but why did it feel so weird?

[Shellan] "It goes against royal etiquette."

[Black] "This is not a formal setting."

Perhaps it was the fact that the King and Shellan were arguing over the right to use their mother's name that felt so bizarre.

[Black] "The guests from Alito will arrive by tomorrow morning at the latest. While Liene and I are away, you two must act as proper hosts."

[Shellan] "You expect us to take on work in this situation? Are you serious? From children who are only eight years old?"

Black remained cold.

[Black] "Shellan, you usually get angry whenever you’re treated like an eight-year-old."

[Shellan] "......"

Shellan fell silent, her lips trembling slightly.

Dief looked at her sympathetically. It was rare for Shellan to be at a loss for words, but whenever it happened, it was always because of their father.

[Shellan] "Surely you don't believe I will just accept this."

[Black] "You will. Since you hate the idea of them being here just as much as I do."

Shellan furrowed her brows. That expression was a mirror image of Black’s whenever he was caught between something he didn't want to do and something that piqued his interest.

[Black] "They’ve been visiting for three years now; that is more than enough. It is time for it to end."

While Dief wore a face that said he had no idea what they were talking about, Shellan ground her teeth audibly.

[Shellan] "So, in truth, you’re dumping your responsibilities onto me? And using that as an excuse to monopolize Mother all to yourself?"

[Black] "I can't agree that it’s my responsibility. That would be a diplomatic issue."

[Shellan] "That is a cowardly excuse."

[Black] "But you, Shellan, will find a way. A way that won't cause any problems."

Black stood up from his desk and walked over to pat her shoulder affectionately.

[Black] "If you think about it, you’ll realize this isn't a bad deal. After all, there are things you can't do when Liene is around."

[Shellan] "You're..."

Underhanded.

Shellan barely managed to swallow the word rising in her throat. Her father’s actions were underhanded, yet she had to admit they were clever. It was already a done deal; there was nothing she could do besides get angry, and at that point, her father had cleaned up his profits by offering her a trade.

Perhaps from the moment Alito requested the invitation, her father had already been setting the stage for this. If that were the case, she had to take what she could for herself at this stage.

[Shellan] "Give me something in return. If I make it so that the Alito family never comes here again before you return, I want to go to Bellisa Castle too."

[Black] "......If you succeed."

[Shellan] "I will."

Before they knew it, the glint in their eyes had become identical. It was the look of two conspirators entering a pact.

[Black] "Just don't make any mistakes."

[Shellan] "You can save your parental concern for someone else."

With that, Shellan spun around and marched out of Black’s office.

Dief looked at Black with a troubled expression. He was only just now beginning to understand the conversation between Shellan and his father.

[Dief] "Um... will it really be okay?"

Black gave the small smile he reserved only for the children.

[Black] "It will be fine. Because you’ll be there."

[Dief] "But I don't know much about diplomatic issues or anything like that."

[Black] "Just watch Shellan. And if she’s about to do something that might upset Liene, remind her of that. That’s all you need to do."

[Dief] "Oh... okay. I can do that."

[Black] "Then go after her."

Black sent Dief out.

He was in a hurry. He had to prepare for their departure to Bellisa.

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