Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 20 | Requiem (3)

...[ Black ] “No.”...

He replied so quickly, Fermos became confused for a moment.

[ Fermos ] “Then why..?”.

[Black ] “She's still in her heart.”

Considering everything that happened today, that was how it looked for Black.

Even if she didn't call him herself, Rienne's former lover still came to see him and she was clearly panicking to try to hide her presence from him.

He even made a very out-of-character effort to seduce her just to make her leave the room.

…Despite lying to say it doesn't work. He was so happy with the idea that he had completely lost his mind for a moment. Completely ignoring how suspicious all of that was, his mind was only filled with thoughts of getting away from their clothes. (1)

But just as she felt Rienne's body tremble in fear, she suddenly regained consciousness and the fog in her head disappeared.

He couldn't blame this feeling on his fever anymore, and it wasn't because he was in a hurry to make her leave the room either.

He just wants Rienne.

He wanted her beyond his desire to just continue holding onto the things that had always been his. (2)

[ Black ] “The woman...”.

Suddenly Black began to speak. Seeing that, Phermos quickly closed his mouth and listened.

[Black ] “I think he is part of Nauk.”

He always thought that getting one naturally meant getting the other. That the Princess and Nauk cannot be separated in that sense.

But today, he realized how untrue it was.

She realizes she wants Rienne regardless of her relationship with Nauk. He wanted her to come back completely, as if she had never been taken from him in the first place.

[Phermos ] “You mean to say that things are different from what you told me before?”

After thinking for a long time, Black nodded heavily.

[ Black ] “Ya.”

[ Phermos ] “Can I ask how?”

[Black ] “I'll take back everything this time.”

‘Taking’ something as a whole is completely different from just ‘having’. What he wanted to do now was what he should have done from the start.

Do not leave room for others to intervene.

And that means he has to take back what Rafit Kleinfelder has stolen from him—hati Rienne.

[ Fermos ] “I understand.”

Fermos resisted the urge to sigh.

Not that he didn't see this coming.

[ Phermos ] “If that's what you feel honestly, Milord .. then I'll do what I can.”

No matter how reluctant Princess Rienne was, Black's will was absolute, and Phermos had no right to comment on the woman his Master had chosen.

[ Phermos ] “We must take good care of the Princess so that something like this will not happen next time.”

With his head bowed and his brows furrowed, Black nodded. He will make sure there will never be ‘time next’.

Because Rafit Kleinfelder will never see Princess Rienne again.

.

* * *

.

After being awake all night, Rienne finally woke up from the bed at the first dawn. What happened yesterday interrupted his mind to the point of completely destroying any chance of a good night's sleep.

Why does the man pretend to know nothing when he knows? What's he thinking?

Is he playing me?

Otherwise, would he really ignore it this time? All because he touched her?

Could something so simple....really mean enough to do something like that?

Rienne was well aware of how dangerous it was yesterday. Not only does he have another man sneaking into his room, but on top of that, Rafit's identity can be revealed. It will be revealed that he tried to hide himself all this time.

But regardless, the fact is that Rienne undeniably betrayed her fiance.

He couldn't believe he was willing to close his eyes to it. It was impossible for him to ignore that fact, so maybe he just chose to ignore it for her sake or to be nice?

…There is no way.

No man in this world would do such a thing. And even if someone like that existed, it would not be the Master Tiwakan of everyone.

Should he remind himself of how he proposed? As he laid siege to his castle, he killed hundreds upon hundreds of his men in the process.

Rienne closed her eyes and let out a long sigh.

[ Rienne ] “I don't know.. I have to get ready.”.

Today is a funeral.

It would be held in the Temple, but Rienne still had to attend.

[ Rienne ] “I think others will wake up now ... but I guess not.”

Rienne felt lucky there were things she could do to occupy her mind. He needed to prepare black clothes, gloves, and a veil to cover his face, but he woke up early, everyone was still sleeping.

Not wanting to disturb anyone, Rienne decided to take some water to wash her face.

[ Rienne ] “After the funeral is over.”.

Rafit Kleinfelder will officially be the dead man and the labyrinth of trouble Rienne has to go through will at least be a little quiet.

Wearing only a mourning gown over her clothes, Rienne headed to the basement with a pot of water.

.

* * *

.

They have wells, but should be used sparingly. After suffering years of drought, Nauk learns to appreciate every drop of water they have.

Once a day, the water they needed to use in the castle would be taken from the well and stored in a basin in the basement. If anyone needs additional water, they need Rienne's permission, and Rienne will personally verify its use.

Whirr.

It was quiet in the basement at dawn.

Even though it was pitch dark that day, Rienne had been there to fetch her own water before, so she navigated her way towards the basin with ease.

[ ??? ] “Princess.”

[ Rienne ] “....!”

But someone waiting in the shadows was unexpected. Rienne was so shocked that she almost dropped the pot she was carrying to fetch water.

 

[ ??? ] “Ah, I understand!”

That person quickly entered and raised the unstable pot with their palm.

[ Rienne ] “Ap—Hyde?”

[ Hyde ] “Yes, Princess. Sorry to surprise you.”

[ Rienne ] “What are you doing here?”

[ Hyde ] “Oh, it... Ah, but I can't be caught.”.

Hyde was one of the bodyguards that Weroz had once guarded, but unfortunately he did not have strong knight qualities. According to Weroz, Hyde was repatriated not long after arriving at the castle because of that.

Hyde's eyes looked around in the darkness as he lowered his voice as much as he could.

[ Hyde ] “I have a message from Lord Weroz for you, Princess. But he told me to keep this a secret from others, so I hid here waiting.”

[ Rienne ] “How do you know I'll be down here?”

[ Hyde ] “Hah? Oh, naw. I'll ask you after your servant comes here. Someone close to you will give you water to wash your morning face at any time. ”

He thought he would have to wait a long time before being able to deliver his message. This is luck.

[ Rienne ] “And what about Lord Weroz? Is she okay? Do you know where he is?”

[ Hyde ] “I'm not sure.”

[ Rienne ] “What? Then where did you meet Lord Weroz when you received this message?

[ Hyde ] “He suddenly arrived at the factory where I work. I was also surprised to see it..”.

Since Weroz was reported missing from the Kleinfelder Plantation, Rienne thought he might be injured. Now he heard he seemed to be running away on his own.

Everything is too confusing.

[ Hyde ] “But he told me to deliver this message as I can.”

Once again, Hyde looked around the room, calling Rienne closer.

[ Hyde ] “Lend me your ear, Princess.”

A polite man would not do that to the Princess, but Rienne listened. If this is a message from Weroz, then he should hear it at any cost.

As Rienne approached, Hyde whispered as quietly as possible.

[ Hyde ] “She said, ‘Do not trust that person.’”

[ Rienne ] “What?”

[ Hyde ] “Lord Weroz says that the reason humans are on Nauk is because he wants revenge.”

[ Rienne ] “....!”

Rienne's bright green eyes widened, appearing almost gray in the darkness. Hyde did not notice it, continuing the rest of his message.

[ Hyde ] “She said to be careful and postpone the marriage until she could return. Lord Weroz was confident he could uncover the man's secret and bring him back.”

[ Rienne ] “So, Mr. Weroz is ...”

[ Hyde ] “Yes. She's already left Nauk.”

And soon his eyes began to tremble violently.

.

* * *

.

—’His family was killed by someone on Nauk.’

—’She is here for revenge.’

Stories fit.

[ Rienne ] “How...?”.

Unknowingly, Rienne started biting her nails.

How could Weroz know such a thing? She disappeared on the Kleinfelder Estate, so Rienne kicked herself for not asking better when she was there.

A vendetta?

At first Rienne said she did not believe such a thin story. He thinks it's just bullshit that Raffit spat on him in a last-ditch effort to prove the man's crimes.

But..maybe not.

For a long time, Black's behavior was something Rienne didn't understand, but putting it in the context of revenge made things a little clearer.

Can't he just take my head and finish it? Or does he want to see me suffer a more cruel and painful ending?

Did he refrain from opening the gate and killing him immediately because he wanted to dry Nauk up to his roots?

[Mrs Flambard ] “What is it, Princess?”

As Rienne muttered to herself, Madame Flambard caught her whisper as she meticulously combed her hair and tied it with a black ribbon for the funeral.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Ah, oh no, Princess! What did you do to your nails!?”

Realizing he was late, Mrs Flambard quickly lectured Rienne.

[Mrs Flambard ] “No, don't say anything. Why are you doing this to yourself? How can you break your beautiful nails like this? Please wait here.”

The woman put down her comb, quickly looking around for a nail trimmer in a nearby box.

[ Rienne ] “Ah..”.

Suddenly, Rienne felt embarrassed to see the state of her hand.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Give me your hand.”

[ Rienne ] “… .I'm sorry.”

Rienne gently extended her hand, the woman sighed as she carefully fixed her nails.

[Mrs Flambard ] “You've done quite a lot on them, Putri.”

[ Rienne ] “It's okay, just do what you can. My nails don't matter.”

[ Mrs Flambard ] “Nails may be just nails but.. Your hands are still the only hands of our royal Princess.”.

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Mrs Flambard looked like she was going to cry. Although Rienne herself felt she was going to start crying a moment ago, she quickly swallowed the feeling.

Madame Flambard was a sympathetic person, so if Rienne were to cry, her emotions would be endless.

[ Rienne ] “What's the point of having a good hand on Nauk? So don't cry and do the best you can—aw!”

As she said that, Rienne moved her hand and scratched herself with the tip of her sword. The trimmer was old but sharp and easily cut the meat under his nails mercilessly.

Madam Flambard gasped.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Oh, Princess!”

He was too shocked to see blood gushing from Rienne's fingertips that he could not stop stuttering. Mrs Flambard threw the trimmer aside, clasping Rienne's hand with her own.

[Mrs Flambard ] “What should I do? Ah, it's all my fault..”.

[ Rienne ] “No, error is on me. You didn't do this, Bu.”

[Mrs Flambard “But the bleeding is very much and I'm sure it must have been very painful ...”

Rienne tried hard not to make her nanny cry, yet somehow it still happened. Forcing to smile, Rienne did her best to relieve her pain.

[ Rienne ] “That's not true. It doesn't hurt at all so you can let go of me now.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “What do you mean? You bleed so much. ”

[ Rienne ] “Cemetery is about to begin. I can't be late.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “But with this...”.

He refused to let go. The woman sat there, holding Rienne's hand for a long time.

[Mrs Flambard ] “At least we have to stop the bleeding. I'll go take the medicine so keep pressing the wound, Princess.”

With hesitation, he got up from his seat and left.

[ Rienne ] “….It's rather deep.”

The wound was undeniably large. It was a little scary.The sight of so much blood seeping out of it without any sign of it would stop.

—’He will take revenge on Nauk.’

The endless thoughts mixed with the blood loss made him dizzy.

[ Rienne ] “.. Pain...”.

Rienne tightly clasped her hands. Seeing the wound with his own eyes made it even more painful and his mind became even more confused the more he tried to face the real reason of Black to propose.

[ Rienne ] “Totally...sick...”.

And now that her nanny had left, Rienne finally cried.

He tried to tell himself that there was no evidence behind Weroz—'s claim that it was just words.

But even so, the pain still did not go away. The baffling pain he felt lingered like pain under his nails.

[ Rienne ] “What if...”.

What if he really tried to take revenge?

Then what's he gonna do? He wasn't sure, but there was one thing he believed in.

I can't let my guard down.

No matter how kind or gentle she acted towards him, he must not allow himself to be blinded.