Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 23 | Requiem (3)

Maslow did not want to answer that question, but it was expected.

There was a difference between advising Rienne cynically versus speaking openly about the kinds of atrocities Kleinfelder could commit.

That way, Maslow was shameless.

[ Maslow ] “Make you pay? I didn't mean it that way.”

[ Rienne ] “No? Did I just imagine you said that everything will be ‘wors’? ”

[ Maslow ] “I just mean to say that Lord Kleinfelder will be angry.”

[ Rienne ] “Sufficiently upset to hurt the royal family?”

[ Maslow ] “Happy? I never said it.”

[ Rienne ] “Easy for you to say, Sir. Words leave no trace once spoken, making it too easy to deny when it's convenient for you.”

[ Maslow ] “….Cough.”

Lost for words, Maslow just coughed awkwardly.

[ Rienne ] “But I will warn you now. Although they leave no trace, you cannot take back such words after you spit them out. ”

[ Maslow ]”. .”

Maslow decided to remain silent.

He could not deny the validity of Rienne's words, but that didn't mean the world would spin the way he wanted. Nauk adapted to the tastes of Kleinfelders.

Rienne knew that better than anyone.

[ Maslow ] “I'll rewrite appointment letter.”

[ Rienne ] “Then please tell them that I will not approve it easily.”

Rienne's voice was strong and firm, but clearly tired.

He was tired of constantly having to meet Kleinfelder's demands but it was a state he was already too ordinary in.

Linden Kleinfelder will never give up on reinstating Rafit's status as a noble and knight. For now, it is best to follow Maslow's advice and get something from them in return before they strike hard.

[ Rienne ] “Ask Lord Kleinfelder how much the royal family owes him he's willing to forgive. We will see how much he appreciates his son's status.”

[ Maslow ]”. .”

Maslow looked puzzled, but he finally nodded.

[ Rienne ] “Now go.”

[ Maslow ] “Segelmu...”.

[ Rienne ] “Not until she agrees to my terms.”

[ Maslow ] “..Yes, Princess.”

And then Maslow left.

[ Rienne ] “Hah.

After which, Rienne let out a long and heavy sigh.

[ Rienne ] “Other secrets to add to the stack.”

The situation was simply asking Tiwakan to misunderstand. Not only did Rafit suddenly appear in his bedroom and hide there, but now he tried to be reappointed as an official knight.

The man will probably think Rienne is trying to keep her old love close to him.

[ Rienne ] “I feel bad.”

And for some reason, Rienne didn't like it.

If Black somehow comes to the conclusion that he is still entangled with Rafit, strangely he feels like he is being accused of something.

[ Rienne ] “…..A vain idea.”

Rienne shook her head with bitterness in her eyes.

[ Rienne ] “I sound like a person who is afraid of being caught cheating. Not at all like that.”

More importantly, it was better to think about how Black would handle the funeral as he said.

[ Rienne ] “I hope no blood is spilled tonight..”.

.

Then late at night, the news came to him.

No blood was spilled but there was an accident.

.

* * *

.

[ Rienne ] “…..What did you just say?”

Rienne was completely shocked to hear the news brought to her by the guards, her lips slightly opened in shock.

It was late at night and the moon was covered in a blue mist, but strangely the bell that was supposed to ring until midnight was absent. It was then that the grave had to be sealed with the ground and the Gods intended to descend to retrieve the souls of the deceased.

[Captain ] “Yah…..At first we thought it was no big deal.”

But the chains that supported the bell hanging in the tower had broken off.

It is impossible to break due to rust. Although they were old, the priests were very careful to look after them every day.

But regardless, the accident ended up causing quite a bit of commotion. Any capable person rushed to the tower and said that they needed to hang the bell again before they could continue.

But the funeral continues. The High Priest ordered the burial to continue. All that was left was to bring the coffin from the Temple to the grave to do so.

[ Captain ] “But then..”.

As he spoke, he had an expression on his face that cried out in disbelief.

[Captain ] “Then a rock fell from the sky...”.

[ Rienne ] “What?”

[Captain ] “I don't believe it either but that's what the witnesses claimed. A large stone rolled down and. well uh...destroyed the stairs leading to the Temple.”.

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Rienne also did not believe.

He doesn't know how, but he knows Black is responsible.

He didn't hurt anyone.

The only way to reach the Temple is by taking the path of the Gods, a steep stairway to the top of the cliff. For that reason, the Shrines were completely isolated. There was no other way they could take to bring the corpse to the grave.

That means the funeral has to be postponed. At least until they can rebuild the stairs.

[ Rienne ] “It...it doesn't make sense.”.

In reality, the stone was the remains of a trickery attempted by Linden Kleinfelder.

If Rienne knew that, she would probably laugh out loud hearing that. But even though he didn't do it, he still felt very relieved.

[Captain ] “Certainly unreasonable, Princess.”

The new captain awkwardly swept his hand over his forehead.

[Captain ] “Now everyone is worried that God is angry with the High Priest for trying to do something so blasphemous.”

[ Rienne ] “Is that true?”

[Captain ] “Ya, you should see the priests, Princess. They hopped around, claiming it was the wrath of a God who brought such a tragedy upon them on the same day as the funeral.”

Rienne quickly closed her mouth.

Although the new captain paid no attention to anything, Weroz would immediately recognize the subtle smile mark on Rienne's face.

[Captain ] “And uh…. There are also rumors circulating that it's because you're not allowed at the funeral, Princess. ”

[ Rienne ] “Oh..”.

And then the laughter that Rienne was trying to endure suddenly exploded.

[Captain ] “P, Princess..?”

The captain lowered his head, his mouth slightly opened as he looked at Rienne's trembling shoulders.

Oh…. What the hell is he doing? How could he do this?

Did he get a witch to help him or something? (1)

The thing that hurt Rienne the most from this situation was that she could not personally comfort their families that were lost during the siege.

Never before has a reigning king ignored those who gave their lives to protect them. This would be the best chance to turn Nauk's men against Rienne.

….Yet somehow it was all done because of the High Priest's fault.

Not a single rumor counts against him.

All thanks to the efforts of Lord Tiwakan…..

[Captain ] “They said God is angry.... but it seems you are happy, Princess...”.

The captain muttered with a confused expression on his face.

[ Rienne ] “God is just angry at my name.”

[Captain ] “What?”

[ Rienne ] “The Great Priest was the one who prevented me from attending the funeral.”

[Captain ] “Oh. Does that mean what they say is true?”

[ Rienne ] “Yes. We need to make the news clear. On behalf of Castle Guard Nauk, make an announcement on the square tomorrow morning.”

[Captain ] “Of course, Princess.”

Rienne spoke again with a sly smile on her face.

[ Rienne ] “They will need a lot of money to rebuild that staircase. I wonder what the High Priest will do.”

[Captain ] “Hah? You're wondering? Well....for such constructions, they definitely need a lot of money. But...isn't such a thing going to be done a lot?”

[ Rienne ] “Tap.”

I wonder…. Will Linden Kleinfelder give you all the money you need?

Rienne did not know exactly how much was needed, but undoubtedly it was much more than the High Priest had already received from Linden. He might have no choice but to bow his head at the Castle and beg for help.

[ Rienne ] “Thank you for the good news. You are welcome.”

[Captain ] “Ya, Princess. Sleep well.”

The captain knelt in front of Rienne, showing his respect before leaving immediately.

As he sat alone in the office, the situation became as calm as night, the same blue moon came into sight.

[ Rienne ] “Luckily I stayed up late at night.”

I could hear good news like that.

When was the last time he felt this comfortable? That must have been a long time ago. Even from the time before the siege of Tiwakan in the castle, he could not remember when the last time he heard something worthy of being happy about.

….Bizarrely.

It is strange that the person who made such amazing news possible after such a long time was a black person.

.

* * *

.

Right after Rienne prepared herself to go to sleep and sit under her blanket, she heard him.

Tap.

An awkward and slow knock on the door.

[ Rienne ] “Is... Is there someone there?”

At first, he thought he might have misheard.

Unsure for a moment, Rienne pulled the blanket and headed for the door. When she stuck her ear to her ear, she heard it again—as soft as before.

Tap, tap.

[ Rienne ]”. .”

It sounded like someone was holding their breath too. It was as if the person knocking did not really expect him to answer.

… That must be him.

Thinking that, Rienne's hand was already holding the doorknob.

[ Rienne ] “….Ah.”

It occurred to him that he probably shouldn't have opened the door, but even before he had time to stop himself, the door had already opened and Black was standing right in front of him.

[ Rienne ] “Why...at this hour..?”.

Rienne instinctively whispered, her words disappearing like she did.

[Black ] “Can I log in?”

[ Rienne ] “You..”.

He was about to say that he couldn't, but suddenly his legs moved backwards as if he was giving him room to enter.

[ Black ] “Thank you.”

Not wasting a chance, she quickly moved through the gap Rienne made as she stepped back.

Clik.

The door closed behind him.

[ Rienne ] “What brings you here.. so late at night?”

Rienne gulped as she spoke.

It was dark so he didn't notice it at first, but Black wasn't dressed as if he was going to visit someone's room. And for whatever reason, even though he thought it was dust at first, his clothes were covered in dirt and dust.

Maybe he just returned to the castle?

Did she directly come to her room without checking to see what she looked like?

[Black ] “I want to tell you that everything is taken care of.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

I've heard.

[Black ] “The High Priest will be contacted tomorrow. I left no trace of my involvement, so don't worry about what he said.

[ Rienne ] “…..Okay. I understand.”

[Black ] “And there's a broken one so it costs to fix it. Don't worry about that either. I'll take care of it.”

[ Rienne ] “Oke.”

[Black ] “And I think you should be the one to talk to him. That would be better.”

[ Rienne ] “I agree.”

[ Black ] “Dan..... ..... that's it.”.

Black sounded uncomfortable as usual when he suddenly frowned.

[Black ] “That's not enough.”

[ Rienne ] “No...enough?”

[Black ] “Time.”

[ Rienne ] “.......?”

[Black ] “I have a lot of things I need to take care of before I get here. I definitely spent more time on the cliff than I thought. ”

[ Rienne ] “... Cliffs?”

Somehow, Rienne felt like she knew what she was talking about.

He was talking about the cliff behind the Temple. Considering what he did, he would not be able to climb the stairs.

He must have climbed a really steep cliff to break the chain that held the bell. Then, while everyone was distracted, he might prepare a large stone that he used to break down the stairs.

And that's why he's so messy now.

[Black ] “I plan to stay here for the rest of the day to talk to you about this....but now there is not enough time.”.

Whispering almost to himself, Black suddenly changed the subject.

[Black ] “This means I can use the room next to this from now on?”

[ Rienne ] “It...”.

She didn't expect him to handle all this so quickly.

Stepped over.

Before he could answer, Black stepped closer.

[Black ] “Can I touch you?”

[ Rienne ] “Where...?’.

[Black ] “Anywhere is fine. Wherever you say it's okay. ”

Stepped over.

As she got closer, her form became clearer in Rienne's vision thanks to a small candle lit by her bedside.

And that was when he saw the hand that he was about to place on his cheek was also covered in dirt.

 

[ Rienne ] “Oh, wait...”.

Rienne tilted her head to avoid her hand.

[Black ] “…..Ah.”

As he looked at his own hand under the candlelight, Black realized that it was dirty.

[Black ] “You don't want to be touched by dirty hands like me.”

[ Rienne ] “Not it.”

As she tried to pull her hand back, Rienne grabbed Black's wrist and guided him closer to the candle. There, the back of his hand was clearly visible.

[ Rienne ] “You're injured.”

[ Black ] “....?”

Obviously he himself did not realize it. From the shocked expression on his face, it seemed like he had just noticed the long wound on the back of his hand.

[ Rienne ] “What are the cliffs that do this?”

[Black ] “I don't know.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Seeing him covered in dirt and blood made him feel strange inside. To deliver the news that made him the happiest in a long time, he destroyed himself like this.

He's wounded. He's getting dirty.

What should I say about this?

He even thought for a moment that it would be fair if he was really there to take revenge.

Rienne knew how ridiculous that thought was.

It was something that only Princess Nauk could think of. (2)

…..Please let that be just a rumor. Please let Rafit and Lord Weroz be wrong.

Justjust please.

[ Rienne ] “Come here. I have to clean that wound first.”

Rienne grabs Black's wrist and begins to lead him to the bathroom next to the bedroom.

[Black ] “Before that.”

Black let her hold it, but did not move to follow her. Instead, he stood still and stubbornly asked his question.

He acted as if it was more important than anything. Nothing could be done until he heard the answer.

[Black ] “I want your answer.”

[ Rienne ] “Jawab?”

[Black ] “Can I use that room from now on?”

Sure oes. That's the payment they agreed on.

[ Rienne ] “With all means.”

[Black ] “One more question.”

Rienne waited for him to speak again.

[Black ] “Can I touch you?”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Why does he keep asking that?

[Black ] “After my hands are clean, of course.”

[ Rienne ] “….After your wound is treated, not.”

[ Black ] “Oke.”

It was only then that Black finally followed suit.