Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 18 | Traps (2)

...* * *...

 

If Rienne needed to make an excuse, then she had a reason she could use. She could easily say she was not feeling well because of her kean so she would not be able to spend the night with him.

But such reasons will not last long.

Having said that, Rienne should have children as soon as possible after they get married. Black will be a father by nature, but at least the boy will inherit Arsak's surname as they promised and become the next ruler.

If successful, it would be the best ending for Rienne. She was forced to marry, but she could still protect all that mattered while minimizing losses.

… At least for himself.

But it's not gonna happen to him.

If he does this, Black must live without ever knowing that the child is his own. Thinking about it made Rienne's mind and heart feel heavy for a completely different reason.

Even if it means protecting Nauk...can I do it…?

[Mrs Flambard ] “What are you thinking, Princess?”

As Rienne's imagination turned, Mrs Flambard's voice rang out.

[ Rienne ] “Oh..”.

[ Mrs Flambard ] “How will you refuse your first night?”

Rienne has not yet made up her mind.

[ Rienne ] “I'm not sure.”

His current reason had only succeeded until the end of his monthly fever. Beyond that, she needs another reason to refuse to share a bed with him until he solves the problem.

[ Rienne ] “First, I need to think of—“

Tap, tap.

A knock rang out at the door, cutting off Rienne's words.

[Mrs Flambard ] “She must have returned.”

Mrs Flambard stands up.

[Mrs Flambard ] “I'll open the door, Princess. You should calm yourself as best you can.”

As she watched Madam Flambard's back walk towards the door, Rienne gently tidied her face with her palm.

But it's no use.

[ Mrs Flambard ] “Ya, I'll get the door for you!”

Madam Flambard called out as she opened the door before letting out a startled cry.

[ Mistress Flambard ] “Bu?”

Hearing the voice of the woman's scream, Rienne jumped in shock, and as she looked at the source of the shock, her entire body hardened like a statue.

It's not Black.

[ Rafit ] “I just found something.”

That was Raffi.

Rafit Kleinfelder, the only person who should never have been there, is here at Nauk Castle. Rafit pushed past Mrs Flambard, who could not shake her confused shock, and slammed the door behind her.

[ Rafit ] “True Princess? That you ....with my son?”

 

* * *

 

Of course not. Rafit should know that better than anyone.

[ Rienne ] “Go. Now.”

Rienne raised her hand and defiantly pointed towards the door.

[Rienne ] “I don't know what you think coming here but Tiwakan has eyes and ears everywhere, especially here. It should be obvious so just go. ”

[ Rafit ] “Not until I get an answer.”

Hearing him spit out such nonsense made his spine shiver. Rienne stomped her feet.

[ Rienne ] “What are you talking about? You should know the answer better than anyone. ”

[ Rafit ] “No! How can I know what is right?! We parted for over fifteen days!”

The color was completely drained from Rienne's already pale face.

[ Rienne ] A... What are you talking about?”

[Raffit ] “Not once have you allowed me to sleep with you, Princess. So what do I hear about my son?”

[ Rienne ] “It..”.

Rienne bit her lips tightly. He was afraid that otherwise, he might end up uttering cruel words that he had never used before.

[ Rienne ] “Are you really asking me that? You?”

[ Rafit ] “I need to hear you explain this. What do you mean by ‘anak?’”

Previously, it had not occurred to Rienne that Rafit would not understand his intentions. The Rafit he knew would never be that stupid.

So what he is doing now is trying to confirm what he wants to know. He wanted to hear her say it out loud.

That Rienne had lied about rejecting Tiwakan's proposal. That he so badly wanted to say no, that he lied about something like that.

[ Rafit ] “Did you tell that barbarian that you're my son?”

Rafit's voice grew more friendly and mellow the more he spoke.

[Raffit ] “Did you tell him that your heart was already spoken? Did you tell him that I am yours and the father of your future son?

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Rienne felt herself getting dizzy. It was like the lie he said to reject the proposal had only turned into a monster the more people talked about it.

[ Rafit ] “You told the animal that I am yours .”

[ Rienne ] “No, that's not what I..”.

As Rafit approached her with his arms outstretched as if he was about to hug her, Rienne took a step back, but Rafit continued to approach without hesitation.

[ Rafit ] “What do you mean?”

[ Rienne ] “I just said what I did to avoid the application. I don't think she still wants to marry me if I say I already have a child.”

[ Rafit ] “The price is the same, right?”

[ Rienne ] “It's different.”

It's not that Rienne said she loved Rafit Kleinfelder so much for rejecting the proposal. Only Rafit's delusion makes him believe that.

[ Rafit ] “No. Any man will tell you that. ”

[ Rienne ] “This is different..”.

Rienne stopped talking. There was too much he wanted to say but not enough words to express it. No matter how you look at it, this whole situation is very frustrating. Rafit acts as if what he is trying to do to her never happened even though it happened in his own home.

How could he do that? There was still a mark on his palm from that.

He went too far. Rafit has forgotten where his loyalty should lie—that Rienne is a member of the royal family and should be respected and obeyed.

But in the end, Rafit was still a Kleinfelder and the fact that Kleinfelder's blood was flowing in his veins was undeniable. Rienne wants to laugh at her past self who once believed that she was different.

[Rienne ] “I will marry Mr. Tiwakan and the child I gave birth to will inherit the Arsak Family and become the next King of Nauk. That's the path I choose to protect what matters.”

[ Rafit ] “But you've lied about it being mine. Do you really think that monster will let another boy live?”

[ Rienne ] “He will do it. That's what he promised me.”

[Raffit ] “You're too naive. I told you before, didn't I? The barbarian has a plan to take revenge against Nauk. No matter what, he would make sure there was blood to pay. ”

[ Rienne ] “Do not try and spread unconfirmed rumors as truth. I told you I don't believe it. He will never offer to write a promise in oath if he does not intend to keep his promise.”

[ Rafit ] “Oath? You've written your vows with the beast? He can destroy it anytime he wants.”

[ Rienne ] “Why do you insist on complicating matters? There was no point in making such a promise if he planned to retract his words. ”

[ Rienne ] “Maybe he just promised you this to force you to accept his proposal.”

[ Rienne ] “You're wrong.”

Rienne's mouth twisted as she smiled blankly.

[Rienne ] “You realize he could have broken through the gate, right? He could have killed all the guards of Nauk Castle and dragged me to the altar if necessary. She doesn't need to write an appointment or make any promises to force me to be her bride if she wants.” (1)

[ Rafit ] “Rienne ..”

Rafit's face changed as Rienne faced him. Seeing him, he said his last words without the slightest guilt.

[Rienne ] “If there is any loyalty left in you to the Arsak or Nauk family, then leave this land. Right now, I'm no longer your lover. This is an order from your daughter. If you understand, then go. ”

[ Rafit ] “How could you...”.

When Rafit started gritting his teeth—

[Mrs Flambard ] “Princess!”

[Mrs Flambard ] “We're in trouble! He's on his way back!”

[ Rienne ] “What?”

Suddenly it was like something was rattling in Rienne's heart.

 

* * *

 

As soon as she heard the news, Rienne started pushing Rafit into the big window. There's a fence out there where he can stand. It would not be comfortable, but he would have to hide in order not to get caught.

They had no choice—it was too late to escape.

Rienne starts closing the window, covering Rafit's mouth with her hands just as she sees Rafit trying to say something.

[ Rienne ] “Do not speak and be silent. I'm not going to be able to do anything for you if you get caught. ”

 

 

Click, clack!

As Rienne closed the window, Mrs Flambard raised her voice and made an announcement.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Princess, Mr. Tiwakan has arrived.”

Stepped over.

Rienne hurriedly turned away from the window, her heart pounding fiercely on her chest. Focusing on himself, he swallowed his anxiety.

[ Rienne ] “Let him in.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Ya, Princess.”

With trembling hands, Mrs Flambard opened the door wide.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Please enter.”

Without giving Rienne a chance to calm down, Black entered the room. His blue eyes looked straight at him and he was so nervous that he almost bit his tongue.

[Black ] “Did something happen?”

Those same blue eyes seemed to see everything. Even if he did not hide anything, he was still nervous.

….Stay cool. He hasn't seen anything. It'll be fine .. he doesn't know who's hiding here.

[ Rienne ] “Nothing special. Why are you asking?”

[Black ] “You called me.”

[ Rienne ] “I did it?”

Rienne's eyes twitched in confusion. He doesn't really understand what he's talking about.

[Black ] “I think there's something you need for me.”

[ Rienne ] “Oh..”.

Instantly Rienne felt a burden lift from her shoulder. There seems to be no news of Rafit's arrival at the castle. It's just about the message they send about measurement.

Releasing her grip on her skirt, Rienne continued in a calm voice.

[Rienne ] “When we change clothes, I realize there are some sizes I missed. I thought I'd like to see you again so I can get those numbers if you have time.”

[Black ] “Measurement…. That all?”

[ Rienne ] “Ya.”

The black blue eyes blinked slowly. Although her face looked expressionless, Rienne saw a slight frown on her forehead.

Is he upset? It wouldn't surprise me. I did make it back for something so insignificant. Maybe that's all.

[ Black ]”. .”

But it doesn't seem like it. While Rienne did not know exactly why, she did not seem to be angry at him.

[Black ] “Then measure.”

Approaching Rienne, Black extended his hand.

[ Rienne ] “Actually this time..”.

This time Mrs Flambard will. Please go to him for this, not me.

She needed to say it, but instead, as she got closer, Rienne noticed her well and her eyes immediately headed to her face.

…And that's when he realized the smell of sweat.

The closer he got, the more he knew how it smelled like sweat. Her forehead was wet so maybe that was why, but thinking about it made Rienne feel strange.

[ Rienne ] “...What is...did you run here?”

Rienne's voice was soft as a whisper.

[ Black ] “Ya.”

[ Rienne ] “Why you...”.

[Black ] “As I said, I think you need me.”

Sliding.

When Rienne noticed the voice, she realized that Black was raising her hand and combing her hair with her fingers. As the soft slip sound hit his ears, it felt soft and strangely tickling.

It's freaky.

Rienne muttered to herself. Thinking this man would make himself sweat just to try to get close to him after hearing that he needed it.

This guy is willing to do that for him…

In the meantime, I….

[ Rienne ] “ You're the one who needs this, Mr. Tiwakan.”

Rienne did not even realize that her cheeks had turned into a charming pink color or that her voice had become much softer each time she spoke to Black.

[ Rienne ] “That outfit won't fit if I don't get the correct size.”

[Black ] “If I knew that, I wouldn't be in a hurry to get here. I don't want you to think that I'm an unclean person.”

[ Rienne ] “Not too bad.”

Maybe even the opposite.

Although it was the smell of sweat, it only intensified its natural aroma. It was dancing around the tip of Rienne's nose, but she didn't feel it was disgusting. Instead, it made the back of his throat burn.

….I have to move.

He didn't want Mrs Flambard to catch them like this.

Rienne gently placed her hand on Black's chest as if she was going to push him away, but there was no strength behind it.

[ Rienne ] “I can't measure you until you let go.”

[Black ] “A little more.”

Black did not let go, instead using his other hand to grab his hand as he continued combing his hair with his fingers.

[ Rienne ] “Is everything okay?”

Asking that, Rienne kept her voice calm, her mind still very conscious of Madam Flambard waiting outside.

[Black ] “I don't know. I guess I'm just surprised.No, that's not the right word. I have a bad feeling.”

[ Rienne ] “Worried?”

When he asked what made him feel worried, Black tightened his grip on his hand. It doesn't hurt, but it must be strong.

[Black ] “I received a report that an illegitimate son of the Kleinfelder family allegedly entered the castle. Around the same time, I was told that you were looking for me, Princess. So I thought something might have happened.”

…pounding.

Rienne's heart skipped a beat as if it had fallen inside her chest.

He knows….

He felt goosebumps forming along his spine.

Black glanced at Rienne's pale face silently as she braided her beautiful golden hair on her fingers. What was once a gentle, tickling greeting suddenly turned into a completely different meaning.

He tied it to her.

As he told her, he could not get away from her so easily.

[Black ] “Is measurement the only thing you need for me?”

 

 

* * *

T/N: (1) A subtle but purposeful nod to what Rafit is trying to do. Raw people use the same terminology of ‘force marriage’.

Translator's Comment: Rienne said a few chapters ago she was willing to do anything to protect Nauk, but now she's second-guessing about this because it would be very unfair to Black. We love growth.