Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 31 | Betrayal

...*...

Rienne's voice became confused and embarrassed.

[ Rienne ] “What…..No, it's not like that!”

[ Black ] “Not?”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

But Black did not hesitate to reply, his lips opened easily to speak.

Their minds are focused on something completely different.

All Rienne wants is to prevent Nauk from being torn to shreds by war, but Black truly believes that he made up all these terrible lies just to save his old love life.

[Black ] “As I said, I don't trust you, Princess.”

For some reason, those words were more painful than the thorns under one's fingernails.

[Black ] “Do you still want me to keep him alive?”

[ Rienne ] “………..Yes.”

But even if he didn't believe it, he couldn't back down.

Kleinfelder's eldest son could not die. No matter his personal feelings on it…. Even if she thought things might be better if she did, Rienne couldn't let that happen, no matter what.

[Black ] “Then I will do it.”

[ Rienne ] “Ah..

Relief comes in.

When Rienne instinctively looked at him, Black's eyes narrowed like a knife.

[Black ] “But I want something from you.”

[ Rienne ] “What—”

Suddenly, Black grabbed Rienne's arm and pulled her towards him. He felt his lips touch his ears, his words permeating his earlobes as he exhaled violently into his ears.

[Black ] “You will share a bed with me tonight, Princess.”

[ Rienne ] “What...it.

Then, as quickly as he grabbed it, Black released his arm—as if he had no intention of hearing the answer.

 

[Black ] “Bring that thing. Tie him and lock him.” (1)

[ Mercenary ] “....Yes, Sir.”.

All the mercenaries glanced at each other, seemingly confused as to why they were told not to kill someone like this, but they still followed orders.

Moreover, Black's expression did not invite any questions. He looked so angry that everyone felt that they would be responsible for being seriously injured if they dared to ask him.

[Black ] “Bring Princess to castle. I go first.”

[ Mercenary ] “Oh....uh, you go first? Are you okay to ride with those injuries? ”

Leaving behind the astonished mercenaries, Black stepped swiftly towards his horse and rode on it.

[Black ] “Go!”

Dun, shit, shit!

The black horse that carried Black disappeared into the distance in the blink of an eye.

[ Rienne ]”. .”

All Rienne could do was stand there and watch her back move further and further away.

That's hurtful….

It still hurts to hear him so clearly saying he doesn't believe her.

*

* * *

*

[Mrs Flambard ] “Oh…. Princesses! What happened to your clothes!? What happened?”

By the time Rienne returned to the castle, the sun that had been rising was now setting.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Didn't you say you'd go alone? What is going on...?”

And of course, Mrs Flambard was completely speechless.

That's understandable. Anyone would be shocked if someone who had just left to give food to an old man returned covered in dirt, escorted by three mercenaries.

[ Rienne ] “It turns out this way. I want to take a shower. Is there any water left?”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Of course, you can use mine. I'll prepare some clothes for you to change. Please, go inside. ”

[ Rienne ] “Thank you, Bu.”

Rienne turned to the mercenaries.

In reality, these men were not there to escort him. They're watching. Today's events only show the mercenaries Tiwakan that Rienne is a woman capable of betraying their leader and escaping.

He would not make any excuses against them, but that did not mean he would accept their scrutiny without a word.

[ Rienne ] “I think you've taken me quite far. I want to rest now.”

The mercenaries looked at each other, one of them finally opened his mouth.

[ Mercenary ] “Do whatever is convenient for you. We'll be here until we're told otherwise. ”

[ Rienne ] “This castle is safe. Having an escort here is overrated. ”

[ Mercenary ] “Master we may have a different opinion.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

As he expected, they would not listen so easily. Rienne let out a small breath.

[ Rienne ] “Then please sit down. I'll let you know in advance if I intend to go again. ”

[ Mercenary ] “Don't worry us. We can handle ourselves.”

[ Rienne ] “…….All right then.”

Rienne said nothing more and entered the bedroom. Mrs Flambard waited a long time, still wondering what exactly happened.

……Click.

Once the door closed behind Rienne, Mrs Flambard spoke up.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Princess, what's wrong? Why are they suddenly acting like this?”

[ Rienne ] “Hah.

Just then, all the fatigue that Rienne was experiencing suddenly caught up with her. He lost all strength in his legs as he lifelessly sank to the floor.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Ah, Princess! Are you okay!?”

Fear took control of her heart, Mrs Flambard grabbed Rienne's hand with a shocked expression on her face.

[ Rienne ] “Wait a minute….. I want to sit..”.

[ Mrs Flambard ] “But don't sit on the floor. Here, use the chair.”

[ Rienne ] “ My clothes will just dirty him. I have to clean my clothes too much…. We already have too much work to do.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “. .”

The woman looked at Rienne's overwhelming expression of defeat and sat down next to her.

[Mrs Flambard ] “What happened?”

[ Rienne ] “…..This..”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Do you not want to talk about it?”

[ Rienne ] “No... I don't want to hide anything...”.

….I'm sorry I had to tell you this.

Rienne doesn't know why it hurts.

[ Rienne ] “Kleinfelder tried to kill Lord Tiwakan.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “What?”

Madam Flambard was so shocked, she almost shouted. When he realized how hard he was, he put a hand on his mouth.

[Mrs Flambard ] “True? Then does he.....does he die?”

[ Rienne ] “No.”

Rienne's face darkened. All the emotions he felt when he was told that Black had died came back, falling down in his heart like boiling water.

[ Rienne ] “But she's hurt. With bad.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Yeah…..But if the Kleinfelder family is in charge then why is he so mad at you, Princess?”

Hearing that was a surprise.

[ Rienne ] “How do you know Lord Tiwakan angry with me?”

[Mrs Flambard ] “The people she sent you seem to be angry.”

[ Rienne ] “They are not angry. They are not rude in the least.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “True? They look different from the way they treated you yesterday.”

[ Rienne ] “What is...is it?”.

Rienne began to understand what she meant.

The Tiwakan mercenaries were completely different from how the rumors described them.

People have always said that they are animals that parade as men, with so many terrible rumors circulating about their deeds. But Rienne had never personally witnessed such a thing.

Even though they were angry at him, even though their tone had become a bit harsh, they still treated him with respect and were never rude.

I think it's all because of him.

Because that guy was always nice to her.

[ Rienne ] “Master Tiwakan thought I was conspiring with Mr. Kleinfelder.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “What?”

His eyes widened so wide that his eyes looked like they were going out.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Princess... Don't tell me you...”.

[ Rienne ] “Of course not.”

Rienne quickly bit the seed of doubt from the start.

[ Rienne ] “I swear I had nothing to do with this. Trying such a thing when Tiwakan occupied the castle would be very stupid.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Ya! Why would Lord Kleinfelder try something that even a five-year-old would understand it was stupid?”

[ Rienne ] “That's what I want to know. I don't understand how he can be so reckless. ”

As Rienne recounts the events, explaining how Rafit kidnapped her and forced her to board the train until Black arrived on the scene, she could hear Mrs Flambard saying words of shock to herself.

[Mrs Flambard ] “…..I think the misunderstanding of the situation is natural. After all, Princess.... she believes you are pregnant with Lord Kleinfelder's child.”.

[ Rienne ] “Ya.”

Rienne buried her face in her lap.

[ Rienne ] “When I say that.. I have no regrets.. if it means protecting the important ones...

Taking a breath, the air choked in Rienne's throat.

[ Rienne ] “…… ..Too many.” (2)

It felt like someone was holding his heart and squeezing it as hard as they could.

She had so many doubts about the man himself, yet, for some reason, she said that she did not believe him in turn causing pain in her chest.

How long should we doubt each other like this?

Will this cycle..end…?

[Mrs Flambard ] “Then tell her it's not so, Putri.”

Rienne hid her face and shook her head weakly.

[ Rienne ] “It's no use doing it now.”

[Mrs. Flambard ] “Then you just have to repeat it yourself, over and over again, until he believes in you. Broken trust is not easy to repair.”

[ Rienne ] “But what's the difference?”

[Mrs Flambard ] “What makes you say that? Doesn't this misunderstanding make you sick, Princess?”

[Rienne ] “Yes. but clearly they go does not mean everything will be fine. ”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Princess...”.

[ Rienne ] “It seems like I can't easily ask her to trust me, so I have no choice but to maintain the lies in the future.” (3)

[Mrs Flambard ] “Why do you have so little faith? Can't you be honest?”

[ Rienne ] “But how? Even now, I still have to keep my monthly fever a secret.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “. .”

Rienne, who hid her extremely pale face, slowly pulled her head upwards.

[ Rienne ] “Enough. I have to shower now.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “Princess ..... You can stay here longer.”

Mrs Flambard said this instead of saying Rienne looked unwell.

[Rienne ] “If I stay here, I may never leave so I have to move on while I still can. I will clean up now, so please prepare my clothes. ”

[Mrs Flambard ] “....Please wait a minute. I'll prepare the water.”

Mrs Flambard jumped to her feet and headed for the bathroom before Rienne could answer. Maybe she's worried Rienne will refuse.

[ Rienne ] “Everything is fine.”

Rienne whispered to herself, watching Mrs' back. Flambards.

[ Rienne ] “Really.”

Regardless of the haggard feeling within her, everything was completely fine. Rafit Kleinfelder is alive, and so is Black.

Nauk is safe, which means it should be fine.

[ Rienne ] “…..Although there is one thing that is not.”

Nauk's security has a price. One Rienne needs to pay.

[Black ] –’You will share a bed with me tonight, Princess.’

Recalling that, Rienne felt a chill running through her body as Black's voice cut through her mind.

No …. It's gonna be fine. The wedding is still a few days away.

Black was not the type of man to speak empty words, yet Rienne was eager to believe that she meant the opposite.

[ Rienne ] “No. He is not the type to force such a thing.”

But the more he denied it and the more he tried to convince himself, the thought only reverberated louder in his head. Fearing the weight would make her fall, Rienne quickly shook her and stood up.

I'll feel better after I clean up.

He just felt a little sick, so he couldn't help but worry about the upcoming night.

Everything's gonna be fine. It's gotta.

*

* * *

*

To avoid what happened earlier, Rienne blocked both doors leading to the bathroom before taking off her clothes.

Taking off the robe, Rienne turned towards the water basin in front of the mirror. The sight was more miserable than he thought.

[ Rienne ] “This..?”.

Decorating his right arm and down his elbow, along the sides of his body were various blue and red bruises. It must have been where he was injured when he was forced into the carriage.

[ Rienne ] “I'm truncated here. No wonder I felt it sting before. ”

Feeling a sense of despair, Rienne even surprised herself as a soft laugh came out of her.

[ Rienne ] “She did not help at all.”

The man he once trusted as a lover had now become a very troublesome and heavy existence.

[ Rienne ] “Not the slightest bit.”

Rienne whispers to herself about Rafit, starting to work cleaning the blood from her arm. The blood has started to dry up, so the process is a little painful.

[ Rienne ] “The guy.....he was also injured, right?”

Black was so injured that his clothing cloth was soaked with blood. Given that even his subordinates were worried about him riding a horse, it was probably worse than he thought.

[ Rienne ] “Is she treated?”

He said he'd be back first, but he hasn't returned to the castle. Rienne feels herself to be worried, wondering where she is and whether she is okay or not.

At some point, her feelings for him strayed from disgust and fear. Instead, sadness, anxiety, gratitude, and regret took more place in his heart than not.

But this was something Rienne was unaware of.

I hope you're not in too much pain.

Rienne gulped, concentrating on clearing her wound.

But the moment he got distracted by finishing drawing blood from it and cleaning it, that was when it happened.

Bumps…..Booms!

The door that was open. The iron holder is meant to keep the bar in place immediately torn from the sheer force of pushing.

[ Rienne ] “....!”

Rienne jerked her head towards that voice.

And that's when he saw Black. He looked at her, his face stiff as a statue.

 

* * *

T/N: (1) He uses a language that refers to Rafit that is more indicative of objects, not people.

(2) on “too narrow/tight”. This can be a double meaning for the literal tightness in his chest and the weight of his more figurative lies.

(3) they use the word “ ⁇ ” here twice, light up. “to continue (something)”. Using it twice in a row is usually done for emphasis, possibly illustrating Rienne's desperation that the situation is inevitable.

astral comment: We have officially entered the anxiety-filled territory, if we have not been there the last chapter.

ghost comments: The truth is important, but this drama feeds me