A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 32

※The Age Without Surrender※

[Dief] "I’m done, Shellan."

Back in the lounge adjacent to the study, Dief spoke in a voice so small it was barely a whisper.

[Shellan] "What do you mean, you’re done?"

[Dief] "I mean, I don't need to go to Bellisa anymore."

[Shellan] "What?"

Her jaw dropped at this defeatist declaration.

In truth, Dief played a significant role in Shellan’s ability to be so reckless. He was her constant companion; they shared every lesson except for a select few. No matter how nonsensical her claims were, Dief was the one person who would always tell her she was right.

Above all, she firmly believed that eight was far too young an age to learn the art of surrender.

[Shellan] "What are you talking about all of a sudden? Are you going to betray me,e too, just like Father did?"

[Dief] "I’m not betraying you. You should just give up on going to Bellis, too, Shellan."

[Shellan] "But why! Why shouldn't we go!"

[Dief] "What if we go and they hate having us there?"

[Shellan] "Seriously, Dief?"

She let out a sharp, mocking scoff.

[Shellan] "Who would ever hate us?"

[Dief] "Father. He might hate us now."

[Shellan] "Does that even make sense to you?"

[Dief] "But we hated him first. We kicked him out."

[Shellan] "That’s because he was the one in the wrong."

[Dief] "It doesn't matter who started it. If he hates us, the result is the same."

[Shellan] "……What?"

She faltered at those words.

[Dief] "You said it yourself, Shellan. You said emotions aren't logical. That’s why they’re complicated and annoying."

[Shellan] "……Well, that’s true. I suppose you do remember some things."

She slumped down onto the seat beside him. She watched her dejected brother for a moment before reaching out to gently pat the back of his head. While it was rare to see Dief this gloomy, it didn't change her mind. Comforting him was a simple task for her.

[Shellan] "Are you worried, Dief?"

[Dief] "Yes…… what if they actually hate us?"

He squeezed his eyes shut, his lips trembling slightly.

[Dief] "The truth is…… I don't even know why I was so angry anymore."

The reason was obvious: Shellan had subtly egged him on. When she had wailed loudly and protested the sense of betrayal, Dief had naturally mirrored those feelings. Being twins, their emotions shared a fast-moving current, and he had a subconscious tendency to assume she was always right.

So, they had cried blindly, but now, the thought that their parents had gone on a trip without them made the world feel dark and cold.

It was true that having another lover in the past and giving her a ring was wrong. It was a grave mistake. Dief knew he would never do such a thing.

However, he had also been taught that family members must forgive one another’s mistakes. He and Shellan were constantly causing trouble, but their parents always forgave them after the scolding and the punishment were over.

In other words, he had been ready to forgive Black the very night they kicked him out of the bedroom. If he hadn't accidentally fallen asleep from exhaustion after crying, he would have forgiven him then.

Perhaps the reconciled family would have ended up in a good mood, all four of them sleeping in one bed just like when they were younger.

Dief had blown that chance. All because he fell asleep.

As a result, their parents had departed for Bellisa, leaving them isolated at Nauk Castle. It was the first time in his life that he felt truly lonely and excluded.

The realization that he could be severed from his parents—who he thought would always be there—was a massive shock.

[Shellan] "Mother said it wasn't a betrayal. If she said so, then it isn't."

If she kept insisting it was a betrayal, she would be contradicting Liene’s words. Dief wouldn't believe it, and she didn't want to go so far as to openly defy her mother.

[Dief] "I’m so stupid…… Why did I act so meanly? It would only be natural if he said he hated us now."

What made it worse was the fact that they had no idea when their parents would return. Of course, this was the result of complicated schemes and tangled interests among the adults, but the children remained blissfully unaware.

Shellan could only guess, based on her mother's personality, that it wouldn't be for too long.

[Dief] "I think…… I would feel so miserable if that happened."

Dief chose his words with care. It had to be acknowledged: since turning eight, he had begun to use more mature language. Shellan highly valued this trait in her twin brother.

[Shellan] "That’s exactly why we have to go."

Surely he would understand her logic now.

[Dief] "Go where?"

[Shellan] "To Bellisa."

His eyes shook with uncertainty as he stared at her.

[Dief] "We can't, Shellan. They told us not to come. If we sneak there on our own, they’ll undeniably hate us even more."

[Shellan] "Then are you just going to sit here and wait, Dief? Without even knowing when they’ll be back?"

[Dief] "That’s……. Sigh. Haaa."

He let out a long, heavy breath. Based on that sigh alone, one would think he was fifty-eight years old instead of eight.

[Dief] "This is a punishment, Shellan. No matter how much we dislike it, it’s only right that we accept it."

[Shellan] "It’s an unjust punishment."

[Dief] "What does that matter? They aren't here. Even if you say it’s unjust, there’s no one to listen."

Hearing that made her feel like she might burst into tears.

[Shellan] "No, that’s exactly it! That’s why we shouldn't just take it. Preventing someone from even protesting an injustice is a violation of basic human rights. That’s why we have to protest even more fervently."

[Dief] "I don't know what you’re talking about, Shellan."

[Shellan] "To put it simply: we are going to Bellisa Castle."

[Dief] "I told you, it’s a punishment. We have to endure it."

[Shellan] "Goodness. Honestly. You’re impossible to talk to."

She leapt to her feet.

[Shellan] "Fine, stay here and cry then. I’m going by myself."

[Dief] "What? Really? You’re actually going to Bellisa?"

[Shellan] "Yes."

[Dief] "I told you, you can't!"

[Shellan] "Maybe you can't."

She gave a sharp, decisive scoff and marched out, slamming the door behind her for emphasis.

[Dief] "……Unbelievable. Really."

Not knowing what to do, Dief frustratedly thumped the sofa.

For the first time in his life, he felt that Shellan might actually be wrong. Then, his father’s parting instruction crossed his mind:

—If it looks like Shellan is about to cross the line, you have to stop her.

[Dief] "Is this one of those times……?"

It certainly seemed like it.

After tilting his head in a deep frown, Dief hurried out to follow Shellan.

---

Shellan headed for the Northern Tower.

Before going, she made a brief stop at Fermos’ office. His office was always filled with interesting items, and Fermos took great pleasure in explaining their uses. Until she was about three, playing in his office had been the highlight of her day.

Because of this, Shellan had no trouble finding a telescope. She had already confirmed that Fermos was not in his office.

Memorizing the servants' movements proved very useful. For instance, if a gardener who normally never entered the castle suddenly appeared, it usually meant one of three things.

Either Father had sent flowers to Mother, he tried to send flowers but failed, or a guest from another country was due to arrive soon. If guests were coming, a banquet would be held, and banquets required a great many flowers.

The first case was so frequent it was hard to pinpoint, but in the third case, the kitchen staff usually became frantic to make up for the empty-handed gardener.

Today, she knew Fermos’ office was empty because the kitchen staff's routine had shifted. He usually ate lunch in his office an hour later than everyone else, but when no one carried a tray in that direction at the usual time, Shellan walked into the empty office with total confidence.

Armed with the telescope, she climbed the Northern Tower.

Of the four towers, the Northern Tower was the tallest and steepest. Its stairs were a daunting challenge for eight-year-old legs.

Fortunately, she didn't have to go all the way to the top. Halfway up the tower, a small dormer window looked out over the landscape.

Being a clever girl, she stopped in front of the window and examined the frame.

If she pushed the support that held the window open to its limit, then pulled out a loose railing where a nail had fallen out two steps down and wedged it firmly under the window, she could climb over and slip out.

She had done this several times with Dief. Though her body had grown and her shoulders and stomach felt a bit snug against the frame now, she was still able to make it onto the roof without much difficulty.

The roof of Nauk Castle was not steeply sloped. Moreover, a short crawl away sat a chimney where she could settle comfortably, so she wasn't afraid.

[Shellan] "……Suspicious."

She spoke to herself as she scanned the castle grounds through the telescope.

[Shellan] "Sir Renfel isn't at his post?"

Klima was a man who was always exactly where he was supposed to be. To find him, one only had to check the training grounds, the knights’ quarters, or the mess hall.

At the moment, he was nowhere to be found at the training grounds.

Klima was the only person she could count on to secretly take her to Bellisa. Unfortunately, every knight in Nauk knew that fact, which was why Shellan hadn't been allowed to see him until now.

[Shellan] "It isn't even time for the knights' lunch."

She tilted her head and swung the telescope to the side. She checked the stables; nothing. She checked the rear gardens; nothing. She looked toward the quarters, then turned her gaze back to the training grounds.

A considerable amount of time passed.

[Shellan] "Phew…… he’s really not there."

Then, she realized a shocking truth.

Klima was gone. He didn't seem to be inside the castle at all.

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