Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 24 | Requiem (4)

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.

They were lucky there was still water left in the bathroom. Rienne took the dampened cloth and started using it to clean the wound.

The candle's axis is short, the flame itself is almost extinguished several times when blinking.

But Rienne's eyes were already adjusting to the darkness, so she could easily see something if the distance was close enough.

[ Rienne ] “Sickness sure.”

And now he could see that wound was no small thing.

The severity is hard to realize because her hand is huge but if Rienne suffered the same injury, no one would question how serious it is.

[Black ] “I didn't realize it.”

[ Rienne ] “How could you not notice something like this?”

[Black ] “…..I must be in a hurry.”

It was hard to imagine such a man was really in such a hurry.

He looked like he was built like a big rock or a tree. No matter the conditions, rain or wind, he never seemed to be shaken.

I don't think there's anything in this world that would really make him rush like that.

[ Rienne ] “It would be better if you apply Tiwakan medicine on this wound. It will work better.”

After carefully cleaning the wound from all the dirt and blood, Rienne thought for a moment before asking.

[ Rienne ] “Do you want to wash your face too?”

As soon as his hands were cleaned of all the dirt, his face only looked more messy.

[Black ] “…………..Yes.”

Black took a deep breath before finally answering.

[ Rienne ] “Then get closer a little.”

His face was far further away from his hands. Black quickly approached and stuck his face towards her.

[ Rienne ] “It was also..”.

Too close.

While Rienne's voice was barely audible, Black sat down with his knees on the floor.

[Black ] “Is this good?”

….He's still very close.

[ Rienne ] “I'll do it quickly.”

Then, Rienne began to wipe her face gently, starting from a place that was not too dirty to avoid stains on the cloth.

….I shouldn't have offered to do it for him.

It would probably be better if he told her to back off a little. Is it because the candle is too bright? For some reason, Rienne could see it clearly.

 ……He's really handsome.

[ Rienne ] “ Please close your eyes.”

As Rienne realized that she was looking at him closely, she realized that she was also looking at him. From this distance, his ice-like gaze felt too excessive.

And he doesn't even seem to blink.

[ Black ] “Why?”

[ Rienne ] “You...too close.”.

[Black ] “Even if I don't, you'll still look the same.”

No, it's different.

When they were this close, nothing could be safely hidden.

If she looked too closely, all that Rienne felt when she saw him—all the confusion, admiration, and confusion—she would see it all.

[ Rienne ] “Fixed only, please close your eyes.”

After which, Black muttered softly.

[Black ] “………..I don't want.”

[ Rienne ] “What?”

[Black ] “I don't want to do that.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Where did all this stubbornness come from?

Rienne wasn't sure if water had entered her eyes or something, but her lips tightened as she struggled to see in front of her, rubbing the cloth perhaps a little too hard.

Trickling.

[ Rienne ] “Ah.!”.

But Rienne finally surprised herself. As the hair around his forehead was swept away, suddenly blood started dripping from his forehead.

[ Rienne ] “You are also injured here!”

In a panic, Rienne began to comb her hair.

He thought it was just mud piling up, but it was all dried blood. It made the wound on his hand look like there was nothing.

[ Rienne ] “Did this also go unnoticed?”

[Black ] “I know about this one. I just thought it would be fine because the bleeding stopped. ”

And if Rienne doesn't make her nervous, the bleeding won't happen again.

[ Rienne ]”. .”

I guess that makes this one my fault.

Rienne's hand stopped, filled with regret.

[ Rienne ] “I shouldn't touch it.”

[ Black ] “No.”

As Rienne's hand came to a halt in the air, Black grabbed it and stuck it to his face.

 

[Black ] “Continue. It doesn't hurt.”

…….There's no way it doesn't hurt.

[ Rienne ] “Let go of me, please. You need to clean that wound with water.”

[Black ] “Are you going to do it for me?”

Honestly, what's wrong with him?

He should be able to handle something like this by himself…. Ah, but he hurt his hand, didn't he?

With such injuries, Rienne could not ask him to do it himself.

Thinking that, he nodded gently.

[ Rienne ] “Yes, if you let me go.”

[ Black ]”. .”

Eventually, he relented and Rienne's hand was released. Rienne put down the cloth and began to lead it towards the basin of water.

[ Rienne ] “You should close your eyes.”

Black obediently lowered his head near the basin and Rienne began to clean his wound. Immediately, he saw blood spread throughout the water as soon as it flowed from him.

You're very hurt…..

Why did you leave such a serious wound alone? Why did you come straight here instead of treating him first?

Rienne continued to touch her carefully.

All that was heard in the air was the sound of splashing water and the occasional gentle breath. The two fused mysteriously in the soft light of the candlelight.

[ Rienne ] “I'm almost done. Just a little longer.”

It is difficult to see the wound because the light is very dim. As soon as Rienne wished it was lighter, the candle lit up brighter for a moment as if giving her false hope.

[Rienne ] “Oke, I think that's it…. Ah.”

But it was only for a moment.

Suddenly, the candle went out. The smell of the burning wick danced around Rienne's nose as the last coals of the candle faded, burning brightest in her final moments.

[ Rienne ] “ The candle goes out.”

[ Black ] “Good.”

The room where darkness consumes everything carries a different kind of energy. With the loss of all senses, his hearing suddenly increased, every sound tickled his skin.

Even Black's low voice echoed in the room, smashing into his ears like a huge tidal wave hitting his ankle.

[ Rienne ] “What is it......?”.

[Black ] “Lilin extinguished right after I finished.”

[ Rienne ] “.......?”

[Black ] “You said I could touch you after I'm clean.”

[ Rienne ] “It........Can I ask why?”.

[Black ] “It doesn't really matter.”

Whirr.

Black's voice reaching out towards her made her skin pierced, and Rienne took a rough breath before she even touched it.

With how dark it was that day, he thought he would need a minute to find her, but Black quickly wrapped his arms around Rienne's waist. Sitting on his knees, he leaned his head against his chest as his hair tickled his skin.

Rienne was so confused that she did not know what to do with her hands. Finally, he awkwardly placed it on Black's head.

It wasn't the first time she had held him, but everything felt completely different now. That's shameful.

…..Is it because it is dark?

Many people tend to act differently when they can't see anything.

[ Rienne ] “But..there must be a reason why...”.

[Black ] “When the stone fell and hit my head...”.

Black spoke slowly, still holding onto Rienne.

[Black ] “Tiba suddenly thought by me.. that it would be nice to touch you, Princess.”.

[ Rienne ] “It...a little weird.”.

[Black ] “I agree. I never felt like this when I was hurt in the past.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Rienne recalled the sight of huge boulders falling from the side of the cliff. It was simply unthinkable to imagine that Black's only thought at that dizzying moment was himself.

But why think so?

He didn't bring it up, but he could have died easily.

Rienne did not understand why she wanted this so badly, but that reason alone made her want to spoil her.

[ Rienne ] “Dangerous certainty.”

Without thinking about it, Rienne began to gently move her fingers to her hair.

[Black ] “....My injury is not so serious.”.

[ Rienne ] “But still.”

Both of them remained like that in the dark for a while. They were completely silent, except for the sound of Rienne's hand stroking Black's head echoing in the small, dark room.

It's much softer than it looks.

Finally, Rienne realized how she touched her hair but she did not stop herself.

I think it'll be more rough than this. (1)

This man has so many different sides in him. If Rienne can take anything from today, it's her. He never thought he would so easily risk his life just to do something for him.

If he could shock her in that way, perhaps he could also shock her in another way. If he took the time to get to know her, maybe he would realize that things were different than they seemed. (2)

Everyone said what this man wanted was revenge, but it could not be true.

[Black ] “….Different from what I thought.”

Then, Black whispered a sentiment very similar to his own feelings. Rienne's hand stopped.

[ Rienne ] “What is it?”

[Black ] “You, Princess.”

[ Rienne ] “How?”

[Black ] “Previously, every time I ask to touch you, you will just stand still and endure it.”

[ Rienne ] “It...”.

[Black ] “So I don't think you'll touch me yourself.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

[Black ] “And I don't know how happy I am when you do it.”

Stopping Rienne with his words, Black tilted his head and looked at her.

[Black ] “I'm glad I got hurt.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Rienne stopped breathing. All he could do was watch as he grabbed her hand that had just caressed her head and pressed his lips against it, giving her a soft and gentle kiss.

.

* * *

.

It was as they expected.

With a pale face, the High Priest immediately came to the castle.

According to him, since the stairs to the Temple were destroyed, he had no choice but to tie the rope to his body and rappel from above. Apparently he made some mistakes on the way down, and he really thought he was going to die.

[High Priest ] “This is all the wrath of Gods!”

The High Priest shouted. Rienne raised an eyebrow and held back her sense of regret.

The Temple is a hot place when it comes to gossip. Rumors spread quickly there.

He had to be aware that after the stairs collapsed, people spread rumors that the Gods were angry because he forbade Rienne from attending the funeral.

Now he was shouting loudly in an attempt to fight it.

[High Priest ] “That's all because that disgusting and dirty Tiwakan littered our land with our presence!”

Sitting in the living room, Rienne frowned and pressed a finger to her temple.

[ Rienne ] “That's not what I heard.”

[High Priest ] “What? Do you deny the word of God, Princess?

[ Rienne ] “I just said what I heard. They say the Gods are angry because I was not present at the funeral. Since it was you who made the order, didn't it make the wrath of the God be your fault, High Priest?”

[High Priest ] “How dare you!? Who would spread such a lie about God..!?”

[ Rienne ] “If the Gods are really angry with Tiwakan, they are the ones who will face punishment. However, the steps of the Temple were destroyed…. Isn't God's intent clear in this case?”

[High Priest ] “.....!”

The High Priest was at a loss for words, his mouth gaping.

She had not expected Rienne to show off her fangs like this.

He is not a very intelligent man, right, thought Rienne as the High Priest struggled to lift his jaw off the floor.

If this was the angle he had planned, then he should have at least brought some evidence to incriminate Tiwakan. Black might climb the cliff so as not to be seen in anticipation of something like this.

Such things made Rienne remember how resolute and ingenious she was.

[High Priest ] “Nothing is clear.”

After quite some time, the High Priest finally made his argument.

[High Priest ] “Why are Gods wrathful by faithful children? We are only encouraged to rid ourselves of bad seeds, don't we?”

His words were echoed by the priests he brought.

[ Priest ] “Indeed.”

Without question, the priests immediately voiced their support.

[High Priest ] “So don't be fooled by those rumors, Princess. Gods do not hesitate to punish those guilty of carelessness.”

[ Priest ] “Indeed.”

Rienne just shook her head at them, her face looking a little tired.

[ Rienne ] “Hah.

Although it was true that he had felt a little tired since this morning.

It's all because he stayed up last night. He spent too much time in that dark room.

Black finally stood up and hugged Rienne again. Unlike before when he was sitting, it was a different kind of hug that enveloped his entire body.

When it first happened, Rienne felt like she could not breathe but it was only for a moment. Over time, it felt like the hug was made just for her. It was a comfortable feeling that made him feel as if everything would be fine.

By the time they managed to part, the light of dawn had already set.

Rienne was surprised at how quickly time passed. Although they did nothing, he was amazed how it never felt to be boring or boring when they were together.

What the hell happened to me?

Every time he was with her, he seemed to always forget about time. This was the first time she had met someone who could do that to her.

[High Priest ] “....For Gods to……. Never is……. ........ Princess? …..Princesses!”

While Rienne was deep in thought, thinking of something completely different, suddenly the voice of the High Priest raised and interrupted her.

[ Rienne ] “…..Continue.”

Rienne regained her senses, slightly turning her head towards the High Priest. His expression was so calm, the High Priest found no fault in it.

[ Rienne ] “Dan? What are you coming here for?”

The High Priest probably wanted to say that the expensive price for repairing the stairs could not be paid by the Temple.

[High Priest ] “You must make an offering so that something like this will never happen again. And the wickedness and defilement of Tiwakan should be punished.”

[ Rienne ] “And how do you propose I do that?”

He's just here to spit out more bullshit, again.

Who else could do that?

The High Priest and Kleinfelder just sat down and told Rienne what to do. Their courage is almost impressive. They never intended to leave Rienne alone.

They do not seem to realize that the existence of Rienne is the only thought that keeps this kingdom safe, as it once was.

Completely unconscious, the High Priest proudly said his absurdity.

[High Priest ] “Delay your wedding.”