A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 26

※The Meaning of Family※

[Dief] "I’m hungry, but... It’s hard to swallow. My throat hurts."

He spoke in a weak, fading voice. Poor Dief had cried so much that his voice had gone completely hoarse.

[Shellan] "That’s because you’re trying to eat solid food first. Try the soup for now."

[Dief] "Oh, really?"

Shellan’s voice was also raspy, but she was in much better shape than Dief. Moreover, the carrot soup was particularly delicious today; by the time she had diligently finished her bowl, the stinging sensation in her throat had already vanished.

Dief, who had a habit of following her word without question, set down the crispy meat-filled pie and began to sip the soup.

[Shellan] "Can you eat it now?"

[Dief] "Uh, yeah. Thanks, Shellan."

[Shellan] "It’s nothing."

Driven by hunger, the two of them ate their soup and pies in a hurried, silent rush.

However, the silence was fleeting. Dief’s head was still foggy, and his throat felt tight from all the crying. Strangely, Shellan seemed different. She was swinging her feet under the table as she did when she was in high spirits.

While eating her soup, she couldn't suppress a giggle, causing a stray droplet of soup to smudge the corner of her mouth.

[Dief] "Are you not sad anymore, Shellan? You were crying with me just a moment ago."

[Shellan] "That time has passed."

He pouted.

[Dief] "I still feel so sorry for Mother. And I’m so angry."

She smiled warmly at Dief, looking quite pleased.

[Shellan] "That’s a good attitude, Dief. Keep it up."

[Dief] "Huh? Really? For how much longer?"

His expression turned cautious.

[Dief] "But my nose hurts so much. My throat,t too. I want to stop crying now."

[Shellan] "Hmm... does it hurt a lot?"

She seemed a bit disappointed, but she didn't force him.

[Shellan] "Well, maybe it’s okay to stop. It seems certain now that those two won’t be going on their trip."

[Dief] "Oh, um... right. They won't go. They shouldn't. Father did something wrong, after all."

[Shellan] "Exactly... Hee-hee."

As she nodded, she suddenly let out a very strange, almost eerie chuckle. He flinched and stared at her.

[Dief] "Why are you laughing, Shellan?"

[Shellan] "Because I feel good."

[Dief] "Suddenly?"

[Shellan] "Yes."

[Dief] "Why? What happened?"

[Shellan] "You’re better off not knowing, Dief."

In truth, she felt terrifyingly good. The existence of Blini was a powerful weapon. Since the fault was undeniable, Father couldn't even counter-argue or evade it. Furthermore, surely Mother must dislike Father just a little bit now. She had to.

Past secrets and betrayals were the most fatal wounds to affection. While Mother would forgive Father in the end, it would take time. How long would it take? Shellan hoped for at least a month.

She drifted into a sweet daydream. She imagined herself and her mother walking hand-in-hand along the beach at Bellisa, without her father.

Hmm... it sounds nice, but...

Being alone with Mother was good, but somehow it felt a bit empty. Shellan added Dief to the mental scene. However, she didn't have Dief hold Mother’s hand like she was; he was just walking beside them.

Yes. This is perfect.

The beach at Bellisa was undeniably beautiful, especially at sunset when the white sands were dyed a brilliant red. In her mind, the three of them laughed happily together.

Yes, good.

...No, wait.

[Shellan] "Why is he there—"

She suddenly squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head violently.

The sunset beach was beautiful, and she was holding Mother’s hands tightly. Dief was smiling, his green eyes—so like Mother's—crinkling with joy.

[Shellan] "Agh, not now!"

Yet, from behind Mother’s shoulder, Father’s face suddenly appeared. Mother turned her head, and the two of them looked at each other. Then, they smiled.

[Shellan] "I said not now!"

As her voice grew louder, Dief jumped in surprise and asked with wide eyes.

[Dief] "What’s wrong, Shellan? What’s 'not now'?"

[Shellan] "Haa... Dief."

She looked like she was about to cry.

[Dief] "What is it, Shellan?"

[Shellan] "No matter what I do, Father won't disappear."

[Dief] "Huh? From where?"

[Shellan] "From Bellisa."

[Dief] "Huh? They haven't gone yet. He’s right here."

[Shellan] "No, it’s not that..."

She was about to explain that in her imagination, Father refused to go away.

Knock, knock.

A soft knocking sound was heard. It wasn't a knight or a guard; it was Madam Renfel.

[Renfel] "Princess, Prince. May I ask if you have finished your meal?"

[Shellan] "Yes, Madam."

[Dief] "Come in."

If it was Madam Renfel, she would likely be bringing the sweet plum juice they usually drank after meals.

As expected, she entered with a tray holding a bottle of juice. When their eyes met, Madam Renfel smiled warmly. She must have felt relieved to see that they had stopped crying and finished their food.

[Renfel] "I thought I might help you change your clothes after you finish this. How does that sound?"

The twins, who were gulping down the cool juice she had poured, tilted their heads in unison.

[Dief] "Change our clothes?"

[Shellan] "Why?"

[Renfel] "It seems the guests from Alito will be departing before sunset. The East Wing is currently busy with packing. Wouldn't it be best to change? You’ll need to see them off."

Shellan set down her juice.

[Shellan] "What? Those people are leaving?"

[Renfel] "Yes. That seems to be the case. I didn't see it myself, but I heard that His Majesty was so furious that he revoked the invitation."

[Shellan] "Angry? You mean Father?"

[Renfel] "No. I heard that while the two of them went together, it was Her Highness Liene who expressed her anger."

Thump!

Shellan bolted upright from her seat.

[Shellan] "The two of them together? Is that true?"

[Renfel] "Goodness, Princess. Why so surprised?"

Shellan stomped her foot under the table.

[Shellan] "Madam, you were there too. Father committed such a massive fault, so how can they be going around together?"

[Renfel] "Ah...?"

She was surprised at first, but soon let out a small chuckle.

[Renfel] "That is because it happened a long time ago."

[Shellan] "Does betrayal disappear just because time has passed? How can that be?"

[Dief] "That’s right. I don't understand. He loved someone else."

The small smile on the Madam’s face grew a bit wider at the children's words.

[Renfel] "You are both young, so you might not understand yet. But resentment does not last forever."

Shellan tilted her head.

[Shellan] "Doesn't that depend on what kind of resentment it is? What Father did to Mother was so grave that it cannot be easily forgotten."

[Renfel] "Well... I'm not familiar with the intricate details of their relationship. However, I have watched them for ten years, so I have some knowledge. Just as there are degrees of resentment, as you say, the same applies to affection."

[Dief] "Uh... what?"

Dief couldn't follow what Madam Renfel was saying, but Shellan was different.

[Shellan] "Are you saying that even though Father might have loved someone else, he loves Mother even more than that person?"

[Renfel] "Hmm... I wonder if he ever actually loved anyone else."

[Shellan] "Why wouldn't he? They were lovers."

[Renfel] "There are different kinds of lovers."

Shellan wrinkled her nose.

[Shellan] "That sounds like a bad thing. Why call someone a lover if you don't love them very much?"

[Renfel] "Aha... I suppose you are right, Princess. Indeed, if one does not love, one should not take a lover in the first place."

[Shellan] "Exactly. It’s a betrayal."

Dief interjected cautiously.

[Dief] "If he didn't love her, maybe it’s not a betrayal?"

Shellan answered coldly.

[Shellan] "It’s not a betrayal of Mother, but a betrayal of the other person. Father betrayed two people."

[Renfel] "Oh, it's not necessarily..."

Madam Renfel was flustered. She had accidentally spoken ill of her King.

[Renfel] "It’s just that adults sometimes... oh, this isn't quite right..."

But the milk was already spilled. Moreover, since she had already agreed with Shellan’s words, she couldn't find a smooth excuse.

Creak.

Shellan pushed her chair back, preparing to leave the table.

[Shellan] "Thank you, Madam. Thanks to you, I’ve realized what kind of mistake Father made."

Madam Renfel asked with a face full of worry.

[Renfel] "What... kind is it, Princess?"

[Shellan] "The kind of mistake that can never be easily forgiven. Let's go, Dief."

[Dief] "Where are we going?"

[Shellan] "To see Mother."

[Dief] "Now? I heard we have to change our clothes first."

[Shellan] "Ah, right."

Shellan pondered for a moment, and after finishing her thoughts, she turned back to the Madam.

[Shellan] "I will follow my assigned schedule for now. As you said, I’ll change and say goodbye to the people from House Alito."

[Renfel] "That is a very commendable thought..."

However, both Madam Henton and Dief knew. They knew that Shellan had already formed a plan for what she would do the moment that schedule was over.

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