A Barbaric Proposal Side Story 7

[Shellan] "Mother!"

Liene was in the rear garden.

The garden had become the most beautiful sanctuary in Nauk Castle. The fountain, which had once been parched and covered in cobwebs, now bubbled with water, and trees and flowers that seemed to forget the seasons filled the grounds. Though it was winter and lacked the vibrant colors of other months, the garden possessed a quiet, tranquil charm this time of year.

Liene stood in a secluded corner. Recognizing the familiar figure from behind, Shellan ran toward her.

[Randall] "Wait! The ground is frozen, Princess!"

Randall shouted a warning, but Shellan scampered across the terrain as nimbly as a squirrel.

[Shellan] "Mother!"

She lunged forward and threw her arms around Liene’s legs.

[Liene] "Shellan."

She watched as Shellan rubbed her forehead against the fabric of her skirt for a long moment, then reached down to pat her back.

It was obvious what had happened; Shellan had been caught at the library and brought back against her will. She was likely feeling quite miserable—as was Black, for having had to scold her.

[Liene] "Did you have a nice time at the library?"

[Shellan] "...No."

The answer was dejected.

[Shellan] "I didn't get to finish the last chapter. Now I won't be able to read it for a month. Father banned me from the library for a whole month."

[Liene] "Oh dear. That must be upsetting."

Shellan sniffled and looked up.

[Shellan] "Isn't a month much too long?"

Liene turned her head and offered a silent, private smile.

Occasionally, her daughter acted with such maturity that Liene wondered if she were an old soul reborn, but at other times—usually after being scolded by Black—she acted exactly like the seven-year-old she was.

[Liene] "Well... whether it is long or short, you were the one who broke the promise, Shellan. I believe you must accept the consequences."

[Shellan] "..."

Realizing that nothing would change her mother's mind, Shellan fell silent.

Her mother and father were a perfect pair; their bond was so solid that there was no room to drive a wedge between them. They surely argued at times, but no one ever saw it.

If her father said a month, then her mother said a month. She was stuck waiting.

The feeling of sorrow intensified. She squeezed Liene’s legs even tighter.

[Shellan] "What were you doing out here, Mother?"

She suppressed the urge to cry and changed the subject. Noticing her effort, Liene’s hand became even more tender as she stroked the girl's hair.

[Liene] "I was waiting for you while watching Dief build a roof for the rabbit hutch."

[Shellan] "...That sounds like something he would do."

[Liene] "A blizzard will begin within a few days. We have one every year, but the warmth of this season has delayed it. We can't let the hutch get buried in the snow."

[Shellan] "...The snow would melt on its own eventually."

Despite the remark, Liene knew Shellan was a kind-hearted child. What she meant was that while the snow would melt, it was better to provide a roof in the meantime.

[Dief] "Ah, Shellan is here too!"

While she comforted Shellan, Dief approached, having finished the roof. His nose was smudged with dirt.

[Dief] "I want a hug too, Mother!"

He spread his arms wide, looking ready to latch onto her other leg.

[Shellan] "No."

Shellan blocked him, her voice surprisingly sharp.

[Dief] "No? Why?"

He tilted his head in confusion.

[Shellan] "Look at yourself. You're covered in dirt. You’ll ruin Mother’s dress."

[Dief] "Oh..."

His shoulders slumped. He looked down and tried to brush the dirt off his clothes, then looked back up.

[Dief] "It’s still dirty, Mother."

[Shellan] "Exactly. You can't just brush it off; it needs to be washed."

She waved her hand firmly, trying to shoo him away.

[Shellan] "Don't come any closer. You'll spread the filth."

[Dief] "...Oh..."

His posture grew even more dejected.

Liene found herself in a bit of a predicament. If she told him it was fine and hugged him anyway, it might cheer him up, but it would surely anger Shellan.

[Liene] "Let’s do this instead. I won't hug you, Dief, but you can hold my hand. Would you like that?"

[Dief] "Yes! I like holding hands too."

And so, Liene returned from the garden with her daughter clinging to her leg and her son holding her hand.

---

Two days later, the blizzard began.

Everything ground to a halt when the blizzards struck. No one dared to travel outside; people stayed huddled in their homes by the warmth of their fireplaces. They made sure to stock up on firewood and food well in advance. They gave thanks for the warmth they enjoyed and worried for those who might be without it.

However, Nauk Castle enjoyed no such peace this year.

[Fermos] "The fact that there is still no word means they are likely stranded because of the storm."

Tension hung heavy in the royal office. Black was supposed to have returned before the blizzard hit. His border patrol duties had unfortunately coincided with the late arrival of the storm.

Black knew the blizzard was coming, which meant he would have known exactly when he needed to be back.

Yet, he had not arrived.

Fermos suggested that Black was likely trapped somewhere outside due to an unavoidable accident.

[Fermos] "We must send a search party. As you know, no man can survive this weather in the open for long."

[Liene] "Indeed."

She nodded, suppressing a surge of frantic anxiety.

[Liene] "I understand. Then who will go, and how many?"

[Fermos] "I will take twenty men. And I would like to borrow Renfel. There is no one better than him at tracking signs in the wild."

[Liene] "Of course."

Liene clasped her hands tightly under the desk.

Fermos knew exactly why she wasn't saying more. She was terrified. She knew the cruelty of the winter better than anyone.

[Liene] "Then leave at once. If there has been an accident, every second counts. Take whatever you need—carriages, sleds—without needing my further permission."

[Fermos] "Understood."

He bowed deeply. Just then, Randall burst into the office, knocking hurriedly.

[Randall] "My apologies, Your Majesty. I have urgent news..."

[Liene] "What is it?"

[Randall] "The tower of Alaudin Bridge has collapsed."

[Liene] "What?"

The Alaudin Bridge was one of the six bridges spanning the Evert River. Though it was a wooden structure, it saw the most traffic, connecting major districts of the city. For it to collapse was a disaster.

If the tower at the end of the bridge had fallen, the bridge itself was likely collapse. People could fall into the frozen river.

[Randall] "We must go and assess the damage. The bridge needs to be closed immediately as a precaution. It would be best if Sir Fermos came with us."

[Liene] "That won't work."

It was Liene, not Fermos, who answered.

Multiple crises had erupted at once. Even if her heart felt like it was burning, her mind had to remain cold.

[Liene] "Sir Fermos, proceed with the search at the border as planned. Sir Randall, you will come with me to Alaudin."

[Randall] "What? Your Majesty, you mean to go yourself?"

[Liene] "I know the area of Alaudin well. And I have experience with rescue operations from the past. I will be more helpful than most. Sir Fermos, depart. We cannot waste time."

He looked just as pale as Randall.

[Fermos] "If My Lord finds out I let you out in this weather, he will have my head."

[Liene] "That is a matter for later. Besides, he is the one at fault for not returning on time. Tell him it was his mistake, not yours."

He shook his head.

[Fermos] "If I tell him that, I really won't survive."

[Liene] "We shall see. Now go."

[Fermos] "...Fine. Understood."

He gave Randall a brisk pat on the back.

[Fermos] "Bring her back safely, without fail."

[Randall] "...I expect the same from you."

[Fermos] "I know."

She rose from her seat. She needed to hurry as well.

[Liene] "Then let us prepare and depart."

[Randall] "Yes, Your Majesty."

The blizzard continued to howl outside.

---

Even at seven years old, they knew the blizzard was frightening. However, they didn't quite realize just how dangerous it was.

[Henton] "Are you not hungry? It has been quite a while since you last ate."

After Liene had left for the Alaudin Bridge, the children had spent much of the time on the verge of tears.

They couldn't understand why their mother had to leave in such terrifying weather, and more than anything, they felt abandoned. Though the Madams looked after them with great care, they remained sullen.

Shellan had brought out a chessboard but stopped moving the pieces, and Dief didn't pester her to let him join as he usually did.

[Dief] "I'm not hungry..."

The twins, who usually ate like bottomless pits, were refusing food. The Madams looked worried.

[Flambard] "We can't have that. Would you like some cookies instead?"

[Shellan] "Cookies..."

They didn't say no, but it wasn't enough to lift their spirits.

[Henton] "Not your usual cookies—I'll bring sweet, fluffy ones made with plenty of butter and sugar. And I’ll bring that hot cream you both love."

The twins shared a glance.

[Shellan] "Can we have plum jam with them?"

The two Madams nodded frantically.

[Flambard] "Of course!"

[Shellan] "Then I'll eat."

[Henton] "Wait just a moment."

Madam Flambard and Madam Henton rose quickly.

Weather like this made even healthy adults feel gloomy; they needed to fill the children with delicious treats to soothe their hearts. Seeing those dejected faces was more than the Madams could bear.

[Flambard] "We’ll be back in a flash."

The two Madams hurried out of the twins' room.

---

[Dief] "You know..."

Dief, staring at a candle flame that seemed to flicker more violently than usual, finally spoke.

[Dief] "...I'm really bored."

Usually, Shellan would have scoffed at his boredom, but today she simply nodded.

[Shellan] "Me too."

Click, roll.

Shellan rolled a chess piece across the board. She had been looking forward to playing with Fermos today and was deeply disappointed.

[Dief] "And Sir Renfel isn't here either."

[Shellan] "You're right."

Klima was the person who played with the twins the longest and most joyfully. Dief missed the man who would lift him high above his head with ease, and Shellan missed the man who could sneak her into the library without anyone knowing.

[Shellan] "...Wait."

She climbed down from her chair with a determined huff.

[Dief] "What is it, Shellan?"

Without answering, she approached the window. Since it was too high for her to see out of, she dragged a nearby chair over and climbed onto it.

[Shellan] "There’s no one outside."

[Dief] "That’s because of the blizzard."

[Shellan] "Sir Renfel isn't here, Mother isn't here, and Father isn't here."

[Dief] "Yeah..."

While he murmured sadly, Shellan’s eyes began to sparkle with life.

[Shellan] "Sir Fermos isn't here, and Sir Randall isn't here either."

[Dief] "I know... why do you keep saying it?"

[Shellan] "It means no one will be paying attention to me."

[Dief] "Mm...? What are you talking about?"

[Shellan] "I can go to the library."

[Dief] "What?"

His jaw dropped in shock.

[Dief] "How? In this weather?"

[Shellan] "Yes."

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