Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 15 | Don't Move

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[Mrs Flambard ] “Nah, will you see it? It was in much better shape than I thought. ”

Mrs Flambard mused loudly as she opened the wooden crate, which had been covered in dust for years.

[ Rienne ] “Ya, I agree.”

Rienne takes Lady Flambard with her to the royal warehouse, a room filled with relics of the past. Among them was a suitcase containing some of his father's belongings. Rienne had sold most of the valuables, but there was one thing left untouched.

Her father's old wedding dress.

[ Rienne ] “ The embroidery is still intact.”

Rienne said to herself as she moved her finger over the once magnificent cloth.

[Mrs Flambard ] “But why is this still here? I think you got rid of most of the previous king's old stuff. ”

Mrs Flambard cleverly said that Rienne had sold him because they had no money.

[ Rienne ] “I just thought it would be a waste to get rid of it. It was very well made and I have great memories of it…. But wait..”

As she spoke, Rienne suddenly fell silent.

Rienne dares to swear this is the dress her father wore when he got married.so why can she clearly remember her father wearing it?

Rienne looked at Mrs Flambard with a puzzled expression on her face.

[ Rienne ] “This is my father's wedding dress.. right?”

[ Mrs Flambard ] “This looks similar to something worn at a wedding party, but to my knowledge the outfit is for a different event.”

[ Rienne ] “Different opportunity?”

[Mrs Flambard ] “His coronation, perhaps? Such regal clothing is usually kept for such special days.”

[ Rienne ] “What is his coronation.... after I was born?”

[Mrs Flambard ] “I believe so, yes.”

[ Rienne ] “Oh, maybe that's why..”.

Why I could never force myself to sell it.

Once again, Rienne slapped her finger at the cloth. Even after so many years, the embroidery still looked elegant and shone brilliantly under the light.

[ Rienne ] “Even the buttons still look the same.”

Intricately made studs are designed by fusing rubies and pearls and retaining their shape. Somehow, Rienne felt very lucky because these clothes were still left behind, even after everything was slowly given away.

Looking at it, it would be perfect for a wedding.

[ Rienne ] “We just need to slightly adjust the size.”

[ Mrs Flambard ] “After we wash and iron it, it will shine like new.”

Fortunately, Mrs Flambard is an expert when it comes to patching and repairing clothes. Rienne turned to the woman, her voice filled with gratitude and regret.

[ Rienne ] “I don't think you'd agree so easily.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “I?”

[Rienne ] “I thought you would try and tell me not to give something so precious to that man.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “If I keep mentioning it, I will end up hurting myself.”

Mrs Flambard had a bitter expression on her face.

[ Mrs Flambard ] “I know this marriage will happen no matter what I say. But still, it's your wedding, Princess, so I'll do my best to make it fun. Rather than letting those ignorant barbarians show up as they please, we better take matters into our own hands. She may be a beast inside, but I will do my best to make sure she looks like a proper groom outside.”

Rienne smiled, leaning her head on Mrs Flambard's shoulder.

[ Rienne ] “You'll make me cry.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “What's the matter? Did I say anything bad, Princess?

[ Rienne ] “No. That's great to hear.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Oh, Princess...”.

Madam Flambard blushed in embarrassment. Just from those words, Rienne could tell just how much the woman cared for him and how worried he was.

[ Rienne ] “I don't think she's that bad.”

Madam Flambard just listened, gently rubbing Rienne's hair with her hands.

 

[Rienne ] “I know things started off really badly. It was something I will never be able to forget, but it's just that sometimes I think.that he didn't treat me badly.”.

Unlike Rafit, the person he once trusted as a lover, Rienne really felt that the man was different.

[ Rienne ] “He cares whether I'm hurt or not.”.

Rienne would never be able to forget what she did just to check if she was injured.

[ Rienne ] “And he seems to be being rude, but actually not.”

That's why I don't hate him. I have to, but for some reason, I don't.

[ Rienne ] “Dan.. when she came to pick me up today...”.

Sensing the pulsing waves of emotions in her chest, Rienne quietly swallowed her tears. Madame Flambard was very close in her heart, but she could not tell what had happened. That was enough to shock Rienne to the point, but Madam Flambard was a kind and gentle woman.

It would completely destroy him.

[ Rienne ] “...I'm really relieved.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “….So. Then he should be allowed to wear this. ”

Mrs Flambard patted Rienne on the shoulder.

[ Mrs. Flambard ] “In addition he is not bad to look at, even if his character is a bit questionable.”

That comment made Rienne laugh out loud.

[ Rienne ] “You mean he's handsome?”

Mrs Flambard never said anything like that about Rafit.

[Mrs Flambard ] “What kind of question is that? Is there a law that says barbarians should not be handsome?”

…Well, I can't blame her for thinking that way.

When Rienne first saw her, she was completely shocked by her appearance. I can hardly believe it.

[Mrs Flambard ] “I think this will suit her, Princess.”

[ Rienne ] “I also think so...”.

Rienne and Mrs Flambard smiled at each other.

[ Rienne ] “Then I will measure it.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “I'll fix this outfit as soon as I'm done with your mourning dress.”

[ Rienne ] “I'll help you once I'm done.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “If you want, Princess.”

After that, Rienne went to take Black's size.

 

* * *

 

Meanwhile, Black is with his men in his room.

There were not many of them, maybe three or four people, but since they were all very large men, the room felt cramped.

In that small room, Black's figure stood out the most. Even in a group of tall men, he was still the tallest, but he was not as big as the others. Instead, he looked slim yet muscular.

Rienne recalls Mrs Flambard's words when she said she thought that the man was ‘not bad to see’.

Is it because he looks different from the others…?

Perhaps it was because he was so prominent among his people that you couldn't help but be a little charmed.

[Black ] “Is there anything you need?”

Rienne did not realize how much she was staring until Black called out to her.

[ Rienne ] “..I just want to discuss your wedding dress issues with you.”

Black nodded at Rienne and then turned to his men.

[Black ] “Leave us.”

[Paiders ] “Ya, Sir.”

He didn't have to, but he told his men to leave the room. Rienne's mind was so busy that she didn't even notice it due to consideration for him, who was still very nervous in the presence of the other mercenaries.

Now it's just us….

Instead, he thought about how he was stuck alone in the room with this man again. Every time that happens, somehow they always end up kissing.

[ Black ] “Speak.”

Black pointed to an empty chair near the bed and Rienne sat down as she looked at him. Instead of lying on the bed, he just sat there, wearing only half of his shirt — exposing his side with cuts.

He didn't do this on purpose, did he?

Rienne shook her head, expelling such inappropriate thoughts. That's too much to think about. Instead, he had something else he needed to talk about.

[Rienne ] “I thought I'd prepare your own wedding attire, Mr. Tiwakan. I know it doesn't mean as a gift, but it's all I can do to show my sincerity at the moment.”

[Black ] “You don't have to force yourself.”

[ Rienne ] “Nothing.”

Even if Rienne wanted to force herself to do something more, she couldn't. The royal treasury is completely empty and after tomorrow's funeral, Rienne will become poorer.

[ Rienne ] “I'd prefer if you could wear King's clothes before than completely new clothes.” (1)

[ Black ]”. .”

A strange silence filled the room after he said that.

[ Rienne ] “...If the idea makes you unhappy..”.

[Black ] “Not it.”

Black shook his head, making Rienne feel as if her previous silence was just her imagination.

[ Rienne ] “Then I want to measure you.”

[Black ] “You mean now?”

[ Rienne ] “Ya.”

Then Rienne took out what she had borrowed from Madame Flambard.

It was a measuring tape made of leather straps. It had a scale of numbers engraved in it, showing the wear and tear of having made so many royal clothes in the past.

[ Rienne ] “First let's do your upper body. Stretch your hands, please.”

[ Black ]”. .”

Black looked at Rienne for a moment before carefully opening his hand.

As she sat on the bed, Rienne approached her and obediently sized her up very carefully. He lowered the number for his wrist first, then wrist to elbow, then elbow to shoulder.

Now that his shoulders were finished, he needed to measure the roundness of his neck.

[ Rienne ] “You can lower your hand now.”

[ Black ]”. .”

As Black lowered her arm, Rienne wrapped a measuring tape around her neck— suddenly realized why she was so silent.

….We're very close. Too close.

In order to make the measurements he needed, he basically pressed his body against his body, wrapping his arm around his neck. He was still sitting as he stood up, their heads slightly bowed to each other.

This was the same position when Rienne first kissed her.

The moment she realized that, Rienne's eyes immediately stared down towards her lips. He was so close that he could almost reach them.

I should have asked Ms. Flambard to measure it.

Rienne was fine as she measured her arms, but as she moved to do her neck, suddenly her body did not move as she wished. It was like he was frozen in place.

I don't think ..it's going to be like this.

Suddenly, Black's soft voice warmed Rienne's ears.

[ Black ] “I'm confused now.”

[ Rienne ] “Bingung..?”

[Black ] “Is this part of our promise?”

[ Rienne ] “What?”

Rienne raised her head. The measuring tape was still wrapped around Black's neck, with Rienne's hands gripping both ends as they overlapped.

[Black ] “You promised you'd want me too. I'm wondering if you're trying to tell me something right now. ” (2)

[ Rienne ] “No, this..”.

Rienne was so confused that she could not even open her mouth properly.

He didn't do all this on purpose. She was just trying to measure her body so that she could fix her wedding attire…..

[ Black ] “Are you?”

[ Rienne ] “No... that's not what I had in mind..”.

[Black ] “Is that so?”

He didn't think about it at all. At least not before.

[ Rienne ] “…..Yes.”

Black plays Rienne's fingers holding a measuring tape around her neck instead of saying anything.

[Black ] “So this is not about your promise..You really just want to measure my body...”.

She pulled her hand back and as she felt her touch retreat, Rienne held her breath.

[Black ] “Ukur, then.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Rienne inwardly sighed and read the measuring tape.

[ Rienne ] “ Already done.”

She thought measuring her neck would be the hardest part, but the moment she realized her chest measurement was the next one, she realized it was just the beginning.

[ Rienne ] “Thank you again...”.

As Rienne held the measuring tape in her grasp and lowered herself, she suddenly fell silent as Black interrupted.

[Black ] “What's my next chest?”

Yep.

 [Black ] “It must be hard.”

Sure oes.

[ Black ] “What do you need me to do?”

…That's I don't know.

Even if she kept her mouth shut and stood still like a tree, Rienne would still not be able to measure it comfortably. No matter what he did, he was still a little agitated.

He's still nervous.

Because the person he measured was the man of all these people.

[ Rienne ] “Stay as silent as possible.”

Rienne tightened her lips and lifted the measuring tape again. Nothing helped how nervous he was, so he just had to get it done quickly.

[ Rienne ] “Do not move. I'll finish it as soon as I can.”

[ Black ]”. .”

Seeing him, Black let out a low sigh as he stood up and straightened his arm. Rienne took out a measuring tape and wrapped it around her chest, unable to dispel this persistent feeling.

The feeling that he just hugged her.

Obviously when measuring someone's chest, your position will be similar to a hug.

But what's wrong with that? That's just how it is. This sort of thing would happen more and more often in the future, so Rienne knew she could not be continuously shaken by it.

I need to get used to it as soon as possible.

Rienne turned her gaze away from Black, checking the numbers on the gauge.

[ Rienne ] “Now for your waist.”

But as soon as he finished, Black grabbed his wrist.

[Black ] “Can't you do it slowly?”

[ Rienne ] “Excuse me.?”.

Rienne subconsciously looked at him.

[Black ] “I don't like standing still.”

….What is he talking about….?

She pulled Rienne's hand back and placed it on her chest, cupping the back of her head with the others as she gently stroked her hair.

[Black ] “You really don't like it when I move?”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

 

 

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T/N: (1) The exact words that Rienne uses are “predecessor/predecessor/who came before” Black, that is the previous King.

(2) It can also be written as “send signal” or “sign” – basically he wonders if he moves.

Translator's Comment: I love the mom/daughter dynamic that Rienne has with her old nanny. She needs more people by her side Also sometimes I forget it's just like, four days since chapter one. I remember that when Rienne referred to the funeral as ‘besok’. Slow burn, anyone?