A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 2

No one knew exactly when the child had been conceived. Not even Liene or Black could be certain. They would only tilt their heads in wonder, thinking, Could it have been that day...?

Regardless, as winter took hold, her belly began to swell ever so slightly. This caused Madam Flambard to let out joyful cries of mock distress; though the work was taxing, she claimed nothing made her happier than tailoring new dresses with ample room for the growing child.

Nauk Castle, once a place of biting cold during the winter months, was now warm and vibrant in every corner. The number of palace servants had increased so much that Liene occasionally encountered faces she didn't recognize.

Crackle, crackle.

Logs hissed and popped in the fireplace. Liene and Madam Henton sat side by side on a bear-skin rug before the hearth. Madam Henton poked at the logs with a stoker. Whenever she found a chestnut whose shell had burst open, she would rake it out and blow on it to cool it.

[Henton] "Here, Your Highness. Do try this one."

Liene took the roasted chestnut, her lips already slightly darkened from the soot. At first, Madam Henton had been diligent in wiping away the smudges, but she eventually gave up. It seemed Liene would be eating chestnuts for a long while yet.

[Liene] "It’s delicious."

Since becoming pregnant, Liene had been teetering precariously between overeating and bouts of morning sickness. Some days she couldn't even keep down water, while on others, she ate without end. There were days when she craved only one specific food, and other days when the mere sight of that same dish turned her pale.

The physicians often shook their heads and left, claiming they had never seen an expectant mother struggle so uniquely. It was best to feed Liene whenever she felt capable of eating, as no one knew when her sickness might return.

[Henton] "I am glad you have an appetite. We have plenty of chestnuts, so eat until you are satisfied."

[Liene] "……Thank you."

When Liene first mentioned she could stomach chestnuts, Tiwakan members had practically stripped an entire winter mountain bare. They brought back so many that the storehouses couldn't hold them all.

Furthermore, they had gathered so many that the mountain animals were left with nothing for the winter. In the end, they had to carry half of the haul back to the forest.

The chestnuts, which had caused so many people so much trouble, were excellent.

[Liene] "My tastes change every day. I feel I am making things difficult for you, Madam."

She spoke with a look of apology as she nibbled on the chestnuts the Madam was peeling for her.

[Henton] "How could this be considered a hardship? As the other Madam says, if this is trouble, we would gladly welcome it every day."

By "the other Madam," she meant Madam Flambard. The two women had become inseparable, like kindred spirits.

Nauk was undergoing constant changes, both large and small, for which they were endlessly grateful.

[Liene] "By the way, I heard Sir Renfel suffered frostbite on his fingers. Is he quite all right now?"

[Henton] "How could a man’s hands endure when he insists on swinging a sword outdoors in this bitter cold? He learned his lesson after a nasty sting, so he wears gloves now."

Klima’s knightly training did not cease for the winter. Tiwakan were a strange breed; they ran around the castle every dawn with their chests bared despite the freezing temperatures. They even dove headlong into the icy river. They seemed entirely oblivious to the cold.

Amidst them, Klima was still struggling to keep up. Though Madam Henton was a woman of few words, Liene suspected she was harboring a deep worry for him.

[Liene] "Sir Renfel isn't the type to look after himself properly. Should I speak to him?"

[Henton] "He would certainly listen if it came from you, Your Highness, but no... it is fine."

She shook her head.

[Henton] "I appreciate the thought, but I believe it is best to leave him be for a while."

[Liene] "Why is that?"

She handed over another freshly peeled chestnut, and Liene took it naturally. To an observer, they looked like a mother and daughter who shared a very close bond.

[Henton] "I find it heartening to see him so dedicated to something. The poor boy never had the chance to do such things before."

[Liene] "Ah……"

[Henton] "He will learn how to be careful through his injuries."

The look on her face was so profoundly maternal that Liene felt a surge of affection.

[Liene] "Children usually grow that way, though I suppose he is a bit past the typical age for such lessons."

Klima, whose childhood had been stolen by Kleinfelters, was only now beginning to live his real life slowly. To say it was good to watch him was another way of saying Madam Henton had already forgiven the past.

[Liene] "……You said we have many chestnuts, didn't you?"

[Henton] "Yes, Your Highness."

[Liene] "Then let’s roast a great many of them. I want to share some with Sir Renfel."

She laughed, waving her hand dismissively.

[Henton] "These are the chestnuts meant for the little one. Do not worry about him. That boy eats anything, so he will be fine."

[Liene] "Chestnuts are meant to be enjoyed in winter. Come to think of it, I shouldn't be the only one eating them."

And so, they roasted a vast quantity of chestnuts.

Liene peeled the hot shells and tucked the nuts into pouches, her fingertips turning black from the soot. She personally left a full pouch in Klima’s bedroom. He would return late at night after his grueling training and fall asleep after a warm, delicious snack.

---

[Liene] "So, I roasted some for you as well."

She looked slightly disappointed as she spoke.

[Liene] "But I worked so hard peeling them that my fingertips turned completely black. The stains won't come off, even though I’ve washed them. If I stain my new dress, Madam Flambard will be so upset."

Black laughed as he set down the pouch full of chestnuts. He found Liene adorable, especially with her eyes downcast as she worried about her darkened hands.

[Black] "It will be fine soon. You likely just need to wash with warm water."

[Liene] "But it feels like such a chore to heat water just to wash my hands."

[Black] "Isn't it better than ruining your dress?"

[Liene] "I suppose so?"

He leaned in and pressed a customary kiss to her forehead.

[Black] "Wait here. I will go and warm some water."

[Liene] "Oh, I can do it myself. I’m capable of that much."

[Black] "I know you are. But I am the one who will do it."

[Liene] "Aren't you far too busy for such trivial tasks?"

[Black] "Perhaps, but I received a gift. Even if it seems I am merely sharing the portion you intended for Klima."

She knew he was joking, but she put on a serious face anyway.

[Liene] "What do you mean by that? Even when I am doing something for others, I am always thinking of you."

[Black] "I know. But I wanted to hear you say it."

[Liene] "……Goodness. You are secretly quite petty."

[Black] "I can be when I choose to be."

She gave him a playful glint in her eye, and he laughed again, finding the expression charming.

[Black] "Stay right here for a moment."

[Liene] "Very well."

There was a reason he insisted on doing a task that could have been handled by a servant. Liene was happy to accept it. These were the private moments that belonged only to them.

A moment later, Black returned from the washroom with a basin of water. He set it on the table.

[Black] "Give me your hand."

[Liene] "Ah, before that."

She opened the pouch he had set down. A sweet, nutty aroma wafted out.

[Liene] "Have a taste first."

She popped a roasted chestnut into his mouth.

[Liene] "Is it good?"

[Black] "Yes."

His lips and throat moved as he chewed.

Why does he look so handsome even when he’s eating?

She tilted her head and swallowed hard. He smiled and pointed to her left hand.

[Black] "Give it to me."

[Liene] "……Yes."

Her hand was submerged in the warm water. Black applied soap to her wet hand and rubbed it thoroughly, his fingers interlacing with hers.

[Liene] "Ah…… this feels wonderful."

She murmured, her eyes half-closed.

[Black] "Then I should make sure your hands get dirty more often."

[Liene] "Mmm…… next time, you should do the work. Then I will wash you."

[Black] "That sounds like a fine idea."

After cleaning her left hand meticulously, he dried it with a towel.

[Black] "Now for the right."

[Liene] "Yes."

As she reached out her right hand without a second thought, she noticed the persistent smile on his face.

[Liene] "Why are you smiling so much?"

[Black] "Because you are beautiful, Princess."

[Liene] "That’s strange. You don't usually smile this much."

[Black] "Then let us just say you are particularly beautiful today."

[Liene] "How odd."

Despite her teasing, her right hand was washed just as smoothly and thoroughly—so much so that it felt almost provocative.

[Liene] "Wow…… the stains are all gone. You are very skilled at washing, Your Majesty."

[Black] "I believe I could wash more than just your hands quite well. Do you have any desire to test that theory, Your Majesty?"

[Liene] "Hmm…… once I feel a bit heavier with the child, I will ask for your help."

[Black] "That is a promise."

[Liene] "Yes, next time…… oh, they’re all gone."

Liene, who had naturally reached into the pouch with her left hand, suddenly stopped.

[Liene] "Wait…… why was I eating these? Weren't these yours?"

Black laughed, as if a person who had finished the whole pouch had no right to ask such a thing.

[Black] "The baby must have wanted them. It is fine. I heard there are still many chestnuts left."

[Liene] "No, but…… I didn't intend to eat them. I specifically put them in the pouch to give to you."

She looked distressed, her face turning into a pout.

[Liene] "And I ate so many earlier today, too……"

Now she realized why Black had been smiling; it was because she had been eating his chestnuts the whole time.

He could have said something. He could have asked why I was stealing after giving them to him.

……But he isn't the type to say things like that. Still, I feel terrible.

[Liene] "I worked so hard to peel them……"

When Liene looked like she might cry, Black hurried to pull her into his arms. She had become quite prone to tears lately. The Madams had warned him that pregnancy often brought such sensitivity.

He didn't mind. For every time she cried, she seemed to laugh just as much.

[Black] "We can just roast more."

[Liene] "That isn't the point. I was looking forward to seeing you enjoy what I gave you."

[Black] "I felt the same."

[Liene] "You felt what?"

[Black] "I enjoyed seeing you eat my chestnuts with such relish."

[Liene] "Mmm. If you put it that way……"

He pressed a light kiss to the tip of her nose.

[Black] "It feels as though I was the one who roasted them for you. Even though it was you who put in the effort until your hands were black."

[Liene] "……You are far too soft."

At those words, he burst into a booming laugh. Every so often, he laughed with such abandon, and Liene loved the clear, resounding sound of it.

[Black] "I’ve never heard anyone call me that before."

[Liene] "It’s true. You’re being incredibly soft right now."

[Black] "……Well, let’s leave it at that. I am soft for you, Princess."

[Liene] "Hearing it like that makes it even better. But really, chestnuts this season are delicious."

He brushed his thumb over her cheek, which had grown a bit fuller lately.

[Black] "Shall we roast more then?"

[Liene] "Yes."

[Black] "Your hands will get dirty again."

[Liene] "Even better. Then I will be the one to wash you."

[Black] "Princess, you are far too generous."

[Liene] "Don't call me generous over something so small. It makes it sound as if I were stingy before."

[Black] "I would prefer if you were stingy."

[Liene] "You would prefer I am stingy?"

She was startled, wondering if he was suggesting she had been spending too much now that the kingdom’s finances were stable. She hadn't thought so, but she had been buying quite a few things for the baby lately.

……But aren't they all necessary? And he bought three whole crowns!

[Black] "Yes. You may be stingy with everyone else. Just be generous with me."

[Liene] "Oh……"

Of course. He wasn't talking about money.

[Liene] "Just to be sure, you weren't telling me to stop buying things for the baby, were you?"

[Black] "You needn't buy them. If you don't, I will."

Yes, that’s exactly the kind of man he is.

[Liene] "On that note, don't buy too much."

[Black] "……I should go and ask for more chestnuts."

He smoothly changed the subject.

[Liene] "You didn't answer me. Don't buy too much. You’re the kind of man who buys three crowns that will only be worn for a short time. It worries me."

[Black] "……I understand. I will try not to buy too much."

His answer was so compliant that Liene let the very brief silence before his response pass by unnoticed.

It was only after the child was born that she realized she should have paid more attention to that pause.

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