A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 25

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Fortunately, it was about time for the children to get hungry.

After successfully luring them with cream pies and entrusting them to the care of the nannies, Liene immediately went in search of Dieren.

[Black] "Walk slower."

Black followed closely as Liene marched forward, clutching her skirts and huffing with indignation. She shot him a sidelong glance.

[Liene] "Where were you?"

[Black] "......I was in the same spot."

[Liene] "Leaving me to face the children alone?"

[Black] "That was..."

A crease formed between his brows. Liene knew that expression well; it was the look he wore when he had no excuse or words to offer.

[Liene] "You didn't want to be the villain in front of them. I understand that, but you were wrong. You can't persuade them that way."

As she turned her head and resumed walking, Black quickened his pace to block her path.

[Black] "It wasn't because of the children."

[Liene] "Then what was it?"

[Black] "It was you."

Liene let out a sharp sigh.

[Liene] "Were you afraid I’d get angry about that matter again? What do you take me for? We’ve gone over this so many times already."

[Black] "It wasn't that I was scared of your reaction. I couldn't find the answer you deserved to hear."

[Liene] "What answer? I’ve already heard everything about what happened back then. Is there something else I don't know?"

[Black] "No, it’s not that—"

She reached out and pushed against his chest.

[Liene] "Just move aside for now. I have something urgent to attend to."

They had been married for nearly ten years. It was impossible for them not to read each other's expressions. Black realized that Liene was currently angry for a reason entirely different from what he had feared. It seemed the conversation weighing on his chest would have to wait.

[Black] "......Are you in a hurry?"

[Liene] "Yes, I am. So please, move out of my way."

[Black] "Then leave it to me."

[Liene] "What are you— Ah!"

Before she could finish, Black swept her up into his arms. Regardless of her surprise, her arms reflexively wound around his neck.

[Black] "Where should we go?"

[Liene] "I’m not entirely happy about this right now, but I want to settle this immediately, so just go."

[Black] "Tell me. Where to?"

[Liene] "To the Prince of Alito."

Black began to stride forward. His pace was much faster than hers as she tried to run while holding up her skirts, which she found quite satisfactory.

---

Crr-ack!

[Dieren] "Gah! You scared me!"

The door to the parlor in the East Wing, where the Prince of Alito was staying, flew open. The hinges groaned, likely damaged after Black—still holding Liene—had kicked it open.

[Dieren] "Wh-why! Why are you here!"

Startled, he dropped the wine glass he had been holding.

[Dieren] "Coming in like this without a word, that’s just..."

[Liene] "I’m here because I have something to say."

Liene tapped Black’s arm, signaling him to set her down. In the past, she might have felt a bit embarrassed by such a display, but she was currently too furious to care about such trifles.

[Dieren] "Wh-what is it?"

Seeing Dieren’s face only made her anger boil over even more.

Dieren reflexively recoiled. Even someone with poor intuition could tell the atmosphere was dangerous.

[Dieren] "You didn't have to come all this way. If you had just summoned me, I would have—"

[Liene] "Leave Nauk."

[Dieren] "Come again...... what?"

[Liene] "Leave. Right now. I will send servants to assist with your packing."

His face flushed a deep red.

[Dieren] "What kind of rudeness is this, so suddenly! To a guest who came by invitation! Does the name Alito mean so little to Nauk?"

[Liene] "And what of Alito? How much weight does the name of Nauk hold for you?"

[Dieren] "What... what are you talking—"

[Liene] "Do you take me lightly?"

[Dieren] "I— No! That’s an absurd thing to say—"

[Liene] "If that’s not the case, then what were you thinking, telling my children about Blini?"

Dieren’s jaw dropped.

[Dieren] "Wait... I did what?"

[Liene] "You surely know better than anyone the damage she caused to Nauk. That woman poisoned me. That fact alone is reason enough for Nauk to consider the House of Alito an enemy."

[Dieren] "That was so long ago......!"

[Black] "Long ago?"

Standing beside her, Black narrowed his eyes and glared at Dieren.

[Black] "To me, it’s as if it happened only yesterday. And yet, the House of Alito has already forgotten?"

[Dieren] "Uh, well... no, I... that’s not what I meant—"

The corner of Black’s mouth curled upward.

[Black] "The audacity."

[Dieren] "Eeeek— No! No! I haven't forgotten! I haven't! I misspoke! Believe me!"

Dieren had numerous flaws, but the worst among them was that his voice grew louder whenever he was terrified. Just like now.

Black frowned. If it was this grating to his own ears, it must be even worse for Liene. He stepped forward and pressed his palm firmly against the middle of Dieren’s throat.

[Dieren] "Ack! You’re going to k-kill—"

[Black] "Silence."

[Dieren] "H-help—"

[Black] "Your voice is too loud. It’s irritating."

[Dieren] "Guh... hng..."

Fortunately, his survival instincts returned at the critical moment, and he shut his mouth. Instead, his eyes desperately searched for Liene.

He knew all too well that Black was a man devoid of mercy when provoked. Black had once been ready to sever Dieren's own legs without hesitation. The only reason his legs were still attached was, quite honestly, because of Liene Arsak. She was the only human who could stop Black, then and now.

[Liene] "It’s finally quiet. Thank you."

[Dieren] "Wait, what?"

Those words sent a chill down his spine, and his legs felt weak.

Liene, who had always been relatively kind compared to Black, had suddenly changed. Coldness now radiated from her, no less intense than that of her husband.

[Black] "It was nothing. Continue."

Black stepped back and turned away.

Though he could now use his voice again, Dieren found himself unable to say anything.

[Liene] "You have done something irredeemable. The reason Nauk decided to overlook the faults of Alito and maintain an amicable relationship was that Alito first chose to erase the existence of Blini. Yet, you brought her up again. And you did it to my children—the very people I hoped would never have to know of her."

[Dieren] "Th-that... I think there has been a misunderstanding."

[Liene] "Keep your mouth shut. I won't listen to any more excuses. Pack your things and go. I hope never see you or anyone from the House of Alito ever again."

[Dieren] "Wai— Wait a moment!"

In this absurd and terrifying situation—suddenly being kicked out by the only person in this god-forsaken place who had been kind to him—Dieren saw it clearly. He saw Black, making no effort to hide it, smiling.

He scrambled to salvage what was left of his shriveled pride.

[Dieren] "This is a frame-up! I did not say a word! Who on earth told you I said such things?"

The culprit had to be Black. He must have lied to drive a wedge between Dieren and Liene. Black looked like the type who wouldn't even know the meaning of the word "lie," yet he was a man capable of fabricating facts without blinking an eye.

[Liene] "Because there is no one else who would do such a thing."

[Dieren] "No, I didn't do it! I can swear on the name of Alito! It wasn't me!"

[Liene] "Are you suggesting there is someone else in Nauk who would do that? Don't you find that laughable even as you say it?"

[Dieren] "No, it’s just..."

There wasn't a hint of hesitation on the beautiful yet cold face interrogating him. In truth, Dieren thought so too. It was hard to imagine anyone in Nauk would dare blabber about the past that the two sovereigns had buried.

Of course, there were two such individuals—Klima and Fermos—but unfortunately, that was a truth Dieren could never know.

[Dieren] "But it... It really wasn't me. What would I even gain by mentioning my dead sister... no, she’s not even my sister. Why would I bring her up? It would only make you hate me more. ......Wait! Wait a minute!"

As if something had just occurred to him, Dieren stopped mid-sentence and practically jumped.

[Dieren] "Yes! That’s it! I’m not the culprit! I’m in a position where I absolutely must win over the children! I still have an entire carriage filled with gifts I brought for them! So! Why would I do something like that and—!"

The grievances he was spewing with veins bulging in his neck suddenly cut off.

[Liene] "You must' win them over?"

[Black] "Why? Not Liene, but the children?"

Liene and Black cut him off simultaneously.

[Dieren] "No, well... you see, that’s how much I... uh. I mean, they are the ones who will wear the next crowns, so..."

Dieren tried to squeeze out an explanation, but it didn't work.

[Liene] "Stop making excuses."

[Black] "Speak the truth. That is, if you wish to return home on your own two feet."

[Dieren] "That... I... I..."

It took less than five minutes for Dieren to confess the true purpose of his visit: the ambition of the Grand Duke to secure a marriage alliance with the Arsak family, even if it had to be in the next generation.

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