Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 12 | Dangerous Reunions (3)

[ Rafit ] “There are more than enough rumors about the ruler of Tiwakan. Did you know that they even say he prefers men over women? ”

Rienne listened to Rafit with a cloud of doubt hovering above her.

Does he prefer men? How ridiculous.

Rienne still remembers how she kissed him. He wouldn't kiss her like that if he didn't want her on some level. Every time he reluctantly kissed Rafit was proof of that. (1)

It's just an unfounded rumor.

It's gotta.

[ Rienne ] “What makes you say that?”

Rafit looked at him with a serious look in his eyes.

[ Rafit ] “Have you invited him to your bed?”

[ Rienne ] “Master Kleinfelder.”

Rienne clenched her fists. Whether it was uncle or nephew, everyone in this family had a talent for blabbering inappropriately.

[Rienne ] “If you say something like that again, I'll get angry. You are not in a position to question whether I have brought my fiancee to my bed or not.”

[ Rafit ] “How can you call that barbarian your fiance in front of me?”

[ Rienne ] “Leave Nauk. In honor of your family, I will hold back my anger and leave you in the care of Lord Weroz. He'll protect you until you're safely out of Nauk. Think of it as a parting gift.”

[ Rafit ] “Rienne!”

Rafit is not only stubborn, but also slow. He still did not understand what Rienne was trying to say.

[ Rafit ] “I can't just leave you and let you marry someone else!”

[ Rienne ] “You have no choice.”

Instead of being angry, she tried to beg him.

Rienne wants Rafit to understand where he is coming from and why this needs to happen, but if he gets angry, it will only lead to a fight. Right now, he only needed to end things cleanly.

As he spoke, his words sounded cold, like an emotionless void flowing between the two of them.

[ Rienne ] “What else can you do—shoot an arrow again? Do you know what your actions have done? Tiwakan has fully taken over the guard's duties ahead of the wedding to find the assailant and learn all they can about Nauk for a while. Now seeing Tiwakan soldiers in the streets was a common occurrence all because of the darts that missed.” (2)

[Raffit ] “You can't say that. That arrow must have corrupted that barbarian, and now Tiwakan—“

[ Rienne ] “Durable damage? It's just a flesh wound.”

[ Rafit ] “Then I try again. I'll make it next time.”

[ Rienne ] “That's not stupid. The first assassination attempt only made them more vigilant. You have to compete with all of them before you can even dream of attacking their leader.”

[ Rafi ]”. .”

Finally, Rafit was at a loss for words. He was a knight so he was unwilling to admit it, he knew Rienne was right.

[Rienne ] “If it is revealed that you are the one who shot the arrow, Tiwakan will wipe the Kleinfelder family off the face of the earth. So run while you can. That's the only way Nauk will ever know peace.”

[ Rafi ]”. .”

[ Rienne ] “Now this is goodbye.”

As Rienne turned around and began to open the door to leave, Rafit reached out from behind her and closed it in a blunt voice.

Thud.

That's new. Rafit has never done anything like that before. Rienne frowned and looked back at him as soon as she realized that.

[ Rienne ] “What do you do?”

[ Rafit ] “Only.. answer one question first.”.

Rienne's face changed when she saw a look of despair.

He already knew Rafit loved him with all his heart. In order to honor the feelings he knew he had brought for her, he could endure this.

[ Rienne ] “What is it?”

[ Rafit ] “Do you love him?”

[ Rienne ] “What?”

To Rienne, that sounds like a stupid question but Rafit looks very serious.

[ Rafit ] “Jawab me. Are you happy to marry her because you love her? Is that why you left me?”

[ Rienne ] “Hah.

Rienne let out a desperate breath.

[ Rienne ] “I don't think that's a question worth answering.”

[ Rafit ] “Jawab only me!”

Rafit shouted with tears in his eyes.

 

He looked as if he would not step aside until he answered him.

[Rienne ] “..I didn't expect any of this to happen, but I don't forget how many people died during the siege of Tiwakan. I will never forget.”

[ Rafit ] “Jawablah correctly. Are you sure you don't love him? You just gave up because of his strength?”

Every time she thought of leader Tiwakan, Rienne had already decided she did not hate him. He had even promised to do what he could to want it.

But that's all.

That doesn't mean she has any special feelings for him or that he loves her. Even the small concession he made felt wrong after everything that happened.

With how their relationship started, there was no way such a feeling could develop.

Rienne smiled bitterly.

[Rienne ] “Nothing is more important to me than Nauk. Whether it's ending something with you or receiving a proposal covered in blood—I did what I had to do to protect her.”

If I have to endure it, then I will survive.

[ Rienne ] “Leave Nauk. That's a command.”

[ Rafi ]”. .”

As Rafit's face paled, Rienne pushed past him, opening the door to the living room herself.

 

* * *

 

But just because he entered of his own accord doesn't mean he can leave easily.

[ Rienne ] “Where is Mr Weroz?”

After leaving the living room, Rienne went straight to the main entrance of Kleinfelder Plantation to meet Weroz, but she could not be found anywhere.

Feeling a bad premonition, Rienne went to inquire about the whereabouts of the gatekeeper Kleinfelder.

[ Gatekeeper ] “I don't know.”

[ Rienne ] “You don't know? But Lord Weroz was here a moment ago.”

[ Gatekeeper ] “I don't see it.”

[ Rienne ] “What…? Mr Weroz!”

Rienne looked around as she called out her name.

[ Rienne ] “Master Weroz!”

But no matter how many times he called out to her, there was no answer. The bad feeling in his stomach turned into a heavy anxiety.

Suddenly, he realized that he was in a dangerous place without an escort.

I gotta get out of here.

[ Rienne ] “Open the door.”

Normally he would ask the guards to track Weroz down, but there was little he could do now.

[ Gatekeeper ] “I have been ordered to guard this door.”

The gatekeeper was unwilling to budge, stubbornly blocking his way and Rienne's anxious feelings suddenly became more real.

[ Rienne ] “So you can't let me go?”

[ Gatekeeper ] “I don't know about it. All I know is that I was ordered to guard the exit, not open it.”

[ Rienne ] “Do you not know who I am? My Princess Rienne of Nauk and I order you to open this door.”

[ Gatekeeper ] “I've got my order.”

Although the princess herself ordered him otherwise, the answer remained the same.

[ Rienne ] “Then get out of the way. I'll open it myself.”

That might not mean much, but Rienne gave a warning to the weak-willed gatekeeper.

[Rienne ] “If you don't step aside, you will pay the price for not obeying the crown. Remember that Kleinfelder cannot protect you from everything.”

[ Gate Guard ]”. .”

The gatekeeper hesitated for a moment, but finally stepped aside. Rienne extended a hand past him, her hand outstretched to open the door.

But it's too late.

Stomp, stomp!

Behind him came the sound of heavy footsteps echoing throughout the hall. When she turned her head, Rienne could see Linden Kleinfelder walking towards her with her soldiers by her side.

[ Linden ] “Retreat, Princess. How foolish you are to try to open the door to the land belonging to others.”

[ Rienne ] “What do you think you're doing?”

Linden stepped towards Rienne, close enough that their noses touched.

[Linden ] “Now I think about it, it would be a bad decision to let you go.”

[ Rienne ] “What?”

[Linden ] “The princess deigned to hand over the sovereignty of Nauk to a reckless barbarian rather than a Kleinfelder.” nobleman

Rienne, dumbfounded by Linden's words, took a deep breath.

[ Rienne ] “Hah.. Should I repeat it? Has your mind started to disappoint you?”

[ Linden ] “It's not necessary. Instead..”.

Linden winked at someone from behind her shoulder as the soldiers parted and someone walked out. Rienne's eyes widened as soon as she saw the person, wearing a thick plum-colored robe that reached her ankle.

[ Rienne ] “….High Priest Milrod.”

[ Milrod ] “Hmph.

Milrod, the High Priest, stopped his words as he glanced at Rienne.

Although religion is not a major part of Nauk culture, there are still times when a religious representative is needed, such as a spring festival, funeral, or even a wedding to bring good luck to the rain.

[ Rienne ] “What brings you to Kleinfelder's estate?”

But the High Priest and Rienne had no close relationship.

In an effort to reduce spending, Rienne was quick to cut donations to religious embassies, which clearly needed funds for events. After all, it was an expensive luxury that the current royal budget could not afford.

But in turn, the High Priest never missed a prayer for the royal family, instead casting his fate with the Kleinfelder family. Apparently, Linden would even send private funds to the High Priest once a month.

[ Rienne ] “Have you come here to prepare a funeral prayer?” (3)

Even the High Priest would not know that Rafit was still alive. Hoping for that, Rienne asked such a question.

On behalf of the High Priest, Linden replied instead.

[ Linden ] “No, he's here as officer.”

[ Rienne ] “ Officer ..?”

[ Linden ] “That's true.”

Linden looked at Rienne with a grin that made her stomach wrapped around.

It was an unpleasant smile and a hunch.

[ Rienne ] “Who will get married...?”.

[ Linden ] “Isn't it clear? Who else can do it?”

Linden pointed her finger at Rienne. In his eyes, it was no different from an arrow flying towards him.

[ Linden ] “Princess Arsak will promise everlasting affection and obedience to Kleinfelder's son ... as his wife.”

[ Rienne ] “..!”

 

* * *

 

My fault.

Unknowingly, Rienne gritted her teeth.

I should have known they would willingly use such dirty tricks to get what they wanted.

Kleinfelders had long wanted control of Nauk. Rather than handing it over to someone else, of course they would be willing to do anything to take it.

[ Rienne ] “This is unacceptable. Did Lord Rafit approve of a marriage unknown to both of us?”

[ Linden ] “Oh Princess, you must have forgotten. Raffi is dead.”

Linden made a dramatic show shrugging her shoulders.

[ Linden ] “That's a shame, but now you have no choice but to marry her cousin, Lopez.”

What joke.

As far as Rienne knew, there was no one with that name in the Kleinfelder family.

[ Rienne ] “There is a son from the Kleinfelder family I don't know about? Is he even a registered member of your house, recognized by the royal family?”

[ Linden ] “Oh of course not. He's a bastard, but what can we do? Now that the eldest son has died, we have no choice but to bring him in. ”

His lie is so insolent, it's insulting.

[ Rienne ] “Quite the lie, Lord Kleinfelder. Allow me to pass before things get out of control. ”

[ Linden ] “That's no lie. Although he was an illegitimate child, the blood flowing in his veins was no different from the late Rafit. Isn't that so, High Priest Milrod?”

Without batting an eye, the High Priest helped lie.

[Milrod ] “Indeed, I checked and it was exactly the same. The blood relationship is undeniable. This is a blessing sent to us from the Gods, Princess.”

A blessing.

Rienne picked up her dress fabric with her white knuckle handles. Staring at them with his green eyes, he looked at the people blocking his path as if they were walls.

I gotta get out of here first. There must be a way.

[ Rienne ] “…..That was amazing. I was very curious to see if she looked like him as well. Bring her here.”

[ Linden ] “It won't be difficult. Go and bring Rafit—ah, I mean Lopez. Bring Lopez here.”

[ Rienne ] “Good.”

A soldier ran towards the living room, and before long he returned with another man.

As he thought, the person he was carrying was Rafit Kleinfelder.

 

* * *

 

Rafit's eyes were red, like they were crying after Rienne left. He even saw his right hand appear to be injured. He must have ruined something.

[ Rienne ] “Please don't do this.”

As their eyes met, Rienne approached her.

The only person who can end this madness is the heartbroken Rafit. Although her family was greedy and hideous, she herself was different. She always told him her feelings for him were sincere and Rienne always believed in him.

And even though her own feelings were never smoldering like fire, she still thought of him as her lover and did everything she could to treat him like that, just like she did.

Your heart is always true and sincere. I know, deep down, you don't want to do anything that could hurt me like this.

[Rienne ] “Please, your love is not the only thing you promised me. As Knight Commander Arsak, you swore to protect me and Nauk. Please... don't harm Nauk by doing this.”

Rafit opened his mouth with a distorted expression on his face.

[ Rafit ] “I…..I don't know what you're talking about.”

[ Rienne ] “Rafit.”

Rafit turned his head and looked towards his uncle. Linden nodded and Rafit bit her lip.

[ Rafit ] “Don't call me by that name. My name is Lopez Kleinfelder.”

 

* * *

T/N: (1) She said she knows what it's like to kiss someone you don't like, and if that's the case with Black, she'll know.

(2) Rienne means “melt” because the arrow does not really do anything effective.

(3) The proper term is , which is a break for separated souls or a sad song usually sung by monks in honor of the deceased.