A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 30

※Just This Once※

It was a perfect morning.

Through the gap in the window—which Liene had asked to leave slightly open last night, complaining of the heat—the unique scent of the seaside air drifted in quietly.

The shadows cast by the fluttering summer curtains seemed to dance softly, and the distant sound of crashing waves wove into the scene with a sweet rhythm.

The idea that Black had never liked the sea in his life was sheer nonsense.

The ocean was a more perfect place than anywhere else. It became the undisputed champion of locations in his mind the very moment Liene wrapped her arms around his neck last night, breathless, and whispered:

[Liene] "I like the sea because the sound never stops."

When she had traced the trail of sweat seeping between their pressed skin with her fingertip and added:

[Liene] "That way, even in the middle of the night, we don't have to be so quiet."

Black was ready to issue orders to research a construction project for a canal stretching from here all the way to the Evert River.

However, that thought changed quickly. A mere waterway could never replicate the sound of those waves. It would be better to simply abdicate the throne the moment Shellan and Dief grew up and reached adulthood, then move here immediately.

He was even considering that, since they had Shellan, perhaps they didn't even need to wait until the children were fully grown, when Liene stirred beside him.

[Liene] "Mmm..."

With a speed he couldn't even explain to himself, he moved to shield her cheeks from the morning sun.

[Black] "Are you awake? You can sleep more."

[Liene] "Mmm... I don't think... I’m quite awake yet. We went to sleep... so late..."

Still with her eyes closed, her voice trailed off in a sleepy murmur, only her lips moving.

[Black] "Yes. You may sleep more."

[Liene] "What about... you? Aren't you going to sleep?"

She fumbled with her hand, searching for him without opening her eyes.

Black leaned his face into her searching hand and let out a silent sigh. He wished she had some awareness of how she looked to him at that moment.

[Black] "I’ll sleep. Once you fall back asleep."

[Liene] "Mmm... alright then."

This time, Liene felt around the bed. To a casual observer, it might have looked like aimless movement, but he knew she was looking for the covers. He pulled up the thin summer duvet that had bunched at their feet and placed it over her hand.

[Black] "Shall I cover you? Are you cold?"

[Liene] "No... it’s not that... I want you to lie down too."

[Black] "Ah."

Black quickly lay down beside her. Often, when he looked at Liene, there were moments when he forgot his own state of being. He supposed that’s what people meant when they said their mind goes blank.

[Liene] "Why did you... wake up so early?"

She wriggled her body, snuggling into his embrace. Black patted her back, trying his best not to hold her too tightly.

[Black] "The breeze was cool. And you?"

[Liene] "I think... I felt the same..."

Looking at her face as she smiled loosely with her eyes closed was a sight he still couldn't fully comprehend. His mind couldn't seem to tell whether he was facing reality or a dream. Perhaps that was why, at times like this, he felt as though he were in some distant place, separated from reality and time.

[Liene] "You were right. This was the perfect time to come to Bellisa. It would have been a bit too hot at Nauk Castle."

Black carefully brushed the hair scattered over her cheek behind her ear. Her pale cheek and the nape of her neck were revealed, and the summer duvet covering her body was incredibly thin.

The moment the fingertip he was using to clear her hair slid down her cheek and touched her lips, her mouth opened of its own accord.

[Black] "Will you be angry if I kiss you now?"

[Liene] "Mmm... ah, what was that?"

[Black] "I asked if you would be angry."

Even in her half-asleep state, Liene puckered her lips as if she found the question absurd.

[Liene] "Why so suddenly?"

[Black] "Because I need to know."

[Liene] "No... why would anyone be angry about that while sleeping?"

He knew she would be annoyed, even though she said she wouldn't be angry, because he was forcing a kiss while she was still half-asleep.

"It was past noon yesterday when they arrived at Bellisa, having left Nauk Castle two days prior. After arriving, washing, and changing clothes, they began a meal at Liene’s request.

Even when Black asked for the meal to be brought to the bedroom instead of the dining hall, his only wish was for Liene to eat more comfortably. He meant it.

By the time they found a moment of leisure, they were already on the bed. It went without saying that they didn't even need to change clothes in the first place. By then, the sun had already set, and Liene’s eyes were half-closed.

She said she wanted to wash her body before sleep, so they moved to the bathroom.

If he may add one excuse, the bathroom at Bellisa Castle was magnificent. The sun had already set, and since they hadn't called for anyone, there was only moonlight.

Submerged in the water, Liene looked like a fairy who lived on the moon and had come down for a short visit.

When Black said as much, she let out a laugh, asking how he could say such a thing when their children were already eight years old. Her unbridled laughter filled the bathroom like the ringing of bells, and—not that he was trying to make excuses—that was how it became dawn again.

Still, Black felt he should be praised for at least moving her back to the bedroom before the water grew cold.

Therefore, surely it wouldn't be so wrong to kiss her again now.

In a train of thought that made no sense but was perfectly logical in his own head, Black nipped at her lower lip.

[Liene] "You... really."

She shook her head from side to side.

[Liene] "We shouldn't... right now."

Yes, we should. Since you said you wouldn't be angry.

As a result, the morning kiss lasted quite a long time. Thanks to that, Liene was now wide awake.

[Liene] "Seriously, you mustn't do this. You know that."

She grabbed the tip of his nose and gave it a playful shake. Instead of stopping her, Black pulled her tightly into his arms as she lay draped over him.

[Black] "I don't know any such thing."

[Liene] "What do you mean you don't know? We decided before we came here, didn't we?"

[Black] "No, honestly. What did we decide?"

Her eyes widened.

[Liene] "Don't you remember? We agreed to stay for just one night and then head back. We don't have much time. I haven't even gone near the sea yet."

[Black] "Mmm... I don't like to say I don't remember our conversations, but I still don't understand. We wouldn't have traveled this long distance just to stay for one night..."

That was a lie. Black knew exactly why Liene was saying that. Therefore, he had to play his cards right. He had to carefully conceal the fact that he remembered their agreement.

[Liene] "I mean the matter of the children apologizing. When I said we should have them do it the next day, you said that was impossible, and it should be two days later, remember? So we have to leave tonight."

[Black] "Ah, about that."

Black deliberately rolled over, switching positions with Liene. There wasn't a specific reason, but he knew that a face looked better when seen from above. He wanted to look handsome to Liene right now.

[Black] "They made a mistake, but their feelings were likely hurt as well."

He slowly brushed one hand against the tips of her eyelashes.

[Liene] "And?"

[Black] "I think it would be better to invite them here as well."

[Liene] "Ah...? Really?"

She was clearly surprised.

[Liene] "Mmm... but I’m not sure if that’s a good idea. We’re currently using the act of leaving them behind as a form of punishment."

[Black] "Do you not wish for them to come?"

That couldn't be the case, but Black's heart swelled with a tiny hope.

[Liene] "It’s not exactly that, but we shouldn't be parents whose standards of discipline are vague. Let’s go back today and bring them here separately later."

No, that was exactly what he wanted the least.

[Black] "...That would be problematic."

As he muttered lowly to himself, Liene cupped his face with both hands.

[Liene] "Why? Do you hate the idea of going back?"

[Black] "No, it’s not that."

Of course, that was exactly why. Again, in his mind, at eight years old, one was at an age where they could survive alone, even if they were stabbed in the side and had to flee to a neighboring country. To him, the children were already fully grown.

[Black] "Actually, I told Fermos to send them here around tomorrow."

Black deliberately kept the timing vague. He had already concluded a negotiation where Fermos’ winter vacation would increase by one day for every day he successfully kept the children at Nauk Castle.

If all went well—if Fermos held out against Shellan—they could spend more than three whole days alone.

[Black] "If we depart now, our paths might cross on the road. I suspect that would be even worse for the children's emotional well-being."

While such words flowed from his lips, a single wish repeated inside him like a prayer.

Please, believe me. Just this once.

Prev

Chapters

Next