A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 21

※As Deep as Your Heart※

[Dieren] "What...? No! That’s not it! I’m honestly telling the truth!"

He practically jumped in shock.

[Dieren] "She bears a bizarre resemblance to her, but she is undeniably my daughter! My sister didn't leave behind any children! She didn't! Gack!"

His voice was so gratingly loud that Black yanked hard on his collar.

[Black] "Lower your voice. Give me one good reason why I should believe a word you say."

[Dieren] "I—I swear to the Gods! She is genuinely my daughter!"

[Black] "..."

Black stared down at Dieren in silence. He was pale with terror, his entire body trembling like a leaf. There were no obvious signs that he was weaving a lie. It seemed that, by some cruel trick of fate, a child had been born inheriting the wrong bloodline’s features.

[Black] "Then why did the Grand Duke send your daughter here? For what purpose?"

[Dieren] "Th-that... I mean, I was invited! I only came because I received an invitation—Ugh!"

Black didn't bother wasting words on such nonsense. Instead, he tightened his grip on the fabric. Dieren’s mouth clamped shut instantly.

[Black] "The invitation is revoked. Now, get out."

[Dieren] "No, you can't do that! I won't go—Urgh! Gack!"

The time for talk had passed. Keeping his firm grip on the scruff of Dieren’s neck, Black began to drag him toward the door.

Thud!

Black kicked the door open, but it swung wide faster than expected.

[Black] "..."

[Randall] "Ah, Your Majesty. You’re here. I’ve come with urgent news."

It was Randall. The door had been opened from both sides simultaneously. Considering this was the guest room assigned to the Prince of Alito, Randall’s unannounced entry was beyond rude, but no one present was in a position to complain about etiquette.

[Black] "What is it?"

Randall glanced briefly at the pathetic figure of Dieren on the floor before addressing Black.

[Randall] "The little Lady of Alito has fallen from her horse."

[Dieren] "...What? What did you say?"

Dieren, who had been nearly pinned to the floor, snapped his head up.

[Dieren] "What happened! Which bastard dared to do such a thing!"

[Randall] "Well, I didn't see it myself, so I couldn't say. It wasn't one of our men, so it must have been one of those dullards you brought with you. Just look at the fat clinging to the sides of those so-called knights. They look like the type to make mistakes at any moment."

[Dieren] "You... you insolent—"

Dieren gnashed his teeth, but since he was painfully aware of the poor quality of the knights he had brought, he had no further argument.

[Randall] "Fortunately, the pony was small, so it wasn't a life-threatening fall. I just came to let you know. Judging by the size of your people's backsides, I figured it would take them half a day just to walk this far."

Though his tone was mocking, Randall was actually being quite courteous by his standards. A child falling from a horse was a serious matter. Even if the father was a sniveling coward, Randall had run all the way back to deliver the news quickly, knowing a parent would be worried.

[Randall] "They’re moving her back to the castle now, so she’ll arrive soon. You should go out to meet her."

Dieren flailed his arms.

[Dieren] "Ah. Meet her! I must go! My child is hurt! Gah, let me go already!"

Black clicked his tongue in annoyance.

[Black] "...How badly is she injured?"

[Randall] "I haven't seen for myself, but they say her leg is hurt."

Randall gave Dieren a look of feigned pity. He could tell Black had been in the middle of evicting the man, but that would be difficult now.

Regardless of Dieren’s character, one could hardly force an injured child into a carriage for a multi-day journey.

[Black] "Haaaah..."

He let out a long, frustrated breath.

---

Following the accident, the castle became a hive of activity. With Seira’s fall, the couple’s travel plans became shrouded in uncertainty.

[Dief] "I suppose I don't have to pretend to like her anymore. Isn't that right, Shellan?"

Shellan, however, was determined to seize this opportunity. She dragged Dief out to the rear garden. Once a place of withered trees, the garden had been transformed into one of the most vibrant floral displays in Nauk.

Dief was busy picking flowers as Shellan instructed. They were meant as a "get well" gift for the injured Seira. Yet, much like Liene, Dief didn't particularly enjoy plucking flowers. Liene, who still carried the habits from when flowers were a luxury, preferred visiting the garden to see them in the earth rather than cutting them.

[Dief] "But we shouldn't lie."

[Shellan] "It isn't a lie if you don't say the words out loud."

She replied sharply.

[Shellan] "Just bring her some flowers. She’s injured, after all."

[Dief] "Mmm... that is a pity."

He nodded kindly and continued to pick more blossoms.

[Dief] "Is this enough?"

[Shellan] "Pick more."

[Dief] "It’s heavy, though. It’s hard to hold. If I pick any more, I won't even be able to carry them all."

[Shellan] "That’s the whole point."

[Dief] "Huh?"

[Shellan] "Mother and Father need to see this. A small bouquet won't do."

[Dief] "I don't really get it. Flowers are easy to see whether there are many or few, aren't they?"

[Shellan] "It's different when representing how big your heart is."

[Dief] "Umm... this is difficult, Shellan."

[Shellan] "Just pick more."

[Dief] "Fine."

Despite his reluctance, Dief did as he was told. Normally, he might have argued his point, but things were different now. Shellan’s plan had worked—their parents really hadn't left for the trip.

Only when Dief began to pout, complaining that his arms were going numb, did Shellan finally look satisfied.

---

[Liene] "Dief...?"

Dief was drenched in sweat, clutching a massive, overwhelming bundle of flowers. He had been forced to stop and rest three times just to get from the garden to the castle interior. He desperately wanted to set them down, but Shellan kept insisting they weren't there yet.

As they circled the halls, they happened to run into Liene. She was on the path leading to the East Wing, where the guests stayed, seemingly returning from visiting Seira herself.

[Shellan] "Yes, Mother. These are flowers for Lady Seira. Dief wants to give her this many."

Shellan answered before he could speak.

[Shellan] "I told him it was enough, but he wouldn't listen. He seems so incredibly worried about her."

[Liene] "Ah... I see."

Liene tried her best to hide her expression, but she wasn't sure if she succeeded. Afraid the children might notice her distress, she quickly changed the subject.

[Liene] "Then you should go quickly. You both must have been quite startled."

[Shellan] "No. We weren't startled at all."

[Dief] "Yes. The horse she was riding was very slow. She was far behind us."

They explained that they hadn't actually witnessed the fall. That was a relief. In fact, Madam Flambard, who had been closer to the children, was likely the one most shaken.

It was Liene who had taken charge of the sobbing Seira, giving orders to the knights to bring her back to the castle. She had summoned the royal physician and instructed the maids to care for the girl before heading back to her office.

Liene reached out and stroked the children’s hair.

[Liene] "I hope she likes the flowers. Make sure to comfort her well."

[Shellan] "We will."

As she prepared to send them on their way, Liene felt a tug on her sleeve. Shellan looked up at her with a bright, innocent face.

[Shellan] "Mother. About Lady Seira... is she so beautiful because she resembles a person you know? She doesn't look like the Prince at all."

[Liene] "Mmm... Shellan. The Prince of Alito wouldn't be happy to hear that."

[Shellan] "I know. That’s why I’m asking while he’s not around."

[Liene] "But you know it isn't proper, right?"

[Shellan] "Yes. I’ll reflect on it. But I was just so curious. What was that person like—the one she resembles?"

[Liene] "She is someone who has already passed away. Beyond that, I have nothing more to say."

She gently turned the children around.

[Liene] "Now, go on. Dief looks tired, so Shellan, give him a hand."

[Shellan] "...Hmm. Yes, Mother."

Dief’s voice emerged with effort from behind the gargantuan bouquet.

[Dief] "So, are you not going on the trip anymore?"

[Liene] "Well... I’m not sure yet. I have to speak with your father."

A rustling sound seemed to echo from behind the flowers. Then, Dief spoke up a bit louder.

[Dief] "If she likes them, I’m going to pick more flowers for her tomorrow too!"

[Liene] "..."

Liene couldn't find the words to respond. She felt as though it was becoming hard to breathe; her legs felt weak, and she felt a lump forming in her throat.

She felt sorry for Black, but this was not the time to be dreaming of a leisurely getaway.

The trip was canceled. Entirely.

---

[Dief] "Ah... they’ve wilted."

It couldn't be helped. Because of the sheer weight, Dief had to grip the bouquet with all his might to keep from dropping it. In the process, half the flowers were crushed, causing them to wither prematurely. It certainly didn't help that Shellan had made him circle the castle corridors repeatedly.

[Dief] "Uh... I am sorry."

The wilted, crushed flowers did not seem to please Seira.

Dief wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve and muttered a reluctant apology.

[Dief] "Hey, Shellan?"

He felt a bit wronged. He had worked so hard to carry the flowers, yet no one seemed to appreciate his effort. He glanced sideways, hoping Shellan would take his side, but she didn't seem interested in the flowers at all.

[Shellan] "But you really are beautiful, My Lady."

She stared, her blue eyes—so like her father's—shimmering with an intense light.

[Shellan] "Who do you take after? Do you resemble your mother?"

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