Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 6 | If You Can Hold It (1)

 

By the time Rienne returned with the scissors, Black's aide Phermos had already taken care of all the necessary care before the doctor.

Weroz, who came up with Phermos, just watched with an awkward face next to Mrs Flambard, they both realized that they couldn't do much to help.

[ Phermos ] “So, you were shot by an arrow?”

Fermos asked that question while carefully wrapping the cloth bandage on Black's shoulder.

It was strange for a man who had plucked arrows, cleaned blood, and bandaged his wounds with gauze and medicine to ask that question.

[ Phermos ] “I mean, did you really get hit by the arrow, My Lord?”

[Black ] “.. Silent.”

Black really shut down Fermos.

The realization that Fermos' question was strange gave way to another thought.

Ah…

Rienne stood with her back straight and a pair of scissors in her hands.

He took off his clothes.

His blood-stained robe and shirt were torn off and thrown to the side on the floor. Black was sitting in front of the chair where Rienne had once been sitting while her shoulders were being cared for.

The first thing that caught his attention was how his body was filled with scars.

Some are larger than others, while some are white by age and others are textured.

From top to bottom, from bottom to top.

When his eyes were fixed on the wound being treated, he realized how intensely he was staring at the man's body.

It was a more dynamic and ferocious body than the others he had seen. And that's also a contradiction.

It was a contradiction that a body filled with so many unsightly scars was not at all ugly to him.

In fact, it's just the opposite. Without looking too much, he could tell that he had a very beautiful structure to him.

He looks like a statue. It was as if any creator was so careful to sculpt it perfectly that no wound would ever remove how perfect he was.

 

[Black ] “Don't just stand there. Sitting.”

As Rienne watched him, Black turned around and faced him.

He also noticed things about her, such as how pale her skin was after seeing her wound or how deep her emerald eyes were.

[Black ] “You look like you're about to faint.”

[ Rienne ] “...I'm fine.”

Rienne was lucky that there were others around. If it was just the two of them, he would not be able to hide clearly how agitated he was.

[ Rienne ] “How severe is Lord Tiwakan's injury?”

Rienne turned to ask Fermos.

[Phermos ] “This is not life-threatening, but it is also not a small matter. It would not cripple him, but he would suffer for a while. He will likely have a fever and trouble sleeping at night. If the arrow is poisoned, then we should probably anticipate things getting worse. ”

The word ‘tox’ completely changes the air in the room.

Weroz spoke up, his voice filled with hatred.

[ Weroz ] “I have guards of Nauk Castle working to track down the attackers. Even if the arrow turns out to be poisoned, we should have no trouble getting the antidote.”

[Phermos ] “Even if the attacker is caught, isn't the person sending them a bigger problem?”

The barbarians never beat around with their words.

[ Phermos ] “We don't like it if this is Nauk's way of showing their politeness now that both parties have committed to the agreement.”

[ Weroz ] “How dare you! Do you really think of us as people who do things like that?”

Weroz was an honest knight, he immediately insulted.

[ Rienne ] “Master Weroz.”

Rienne's stopping.

[ Rienne ] “Pacify yourself. We are the ones who have not shown our faith properly.”

[ Weroz ] “Princess!”

[ Rienne ] “And we cannot deny that the arrow came from Nauk.”

[ Weroz ] “I..”.

Weroz bit his lip.

The attack took place in the garden behind the castle, not in the middle of nowhere, and it was confirmed that the arrow belonged to someone from Nauk. If things were reversed, Weroz would not be able to hide his suspicions.

[Rienne ] “There may be people on Nauk who may oppose this marriage, but they are by no means representative of our official attitude.”

That's the honest truth. Rienne prayed for Black to see that.

[ Rienne ] “In the meantime, while you are on Nauk, we will do everything we can to ease Tiwakan's worries. We don't want this marriage to fail and go back to war. We just want peace.”

[Phermos ] “And what do you think, My Lord?”

Fermos turned to Black and asked him.

[ Phermos ] “Do you want the same thing with Princess Nauk?”

Nauk's future is entirely dependent on Black's answer.

It's funny how suddenly Rienne is in a position where she wants this marriage to happen, rather than trying hard to avoid it.

[ Black ] “... My desire has not changed.”

As Black spoke, Rienne felt a wave of relief sweep over her.

He can't believe it. The source of all these feelings is a very contradictory man. It was still the same day that her lover's body was returned to her, but she couldn't even begin to think about it.

[ Phermos ] “Then.”

Phermos looked down, a strange clicking sound coming from the strange-looking glasses on his face.

[Phermos ] “At least now we believe there are factions in Nauk that are still fighting against Tiwakan. We'd better finish it before the wedding day.”

No one disagrees.

[ Rienne ] “Nauk with you.”

[ Phermos ] “Nice to hear it. I should mention that the Tiwakan Charge Army wants to be the one to investigate the matter further. Ah, but please don't misunderstand me. We don't want to snatch the job of the castle guard. It's just that Tiwakan is now considered the Guardians of Arsak. Therefore, we are obliged to handle Lord Tiwakan's life efforts, considering that he is now part of the family. ”

[ Weroz ] “It..”.

Weroz looked between Rienne and Maslow.

If they refused the request, it would only make them look more suspicious, as if they were trying to cover things up behind the scenes. Rienne has already made a decision like a ship leaving port.

[ Rienne ] “I'll allow it.”

Everything they stated on their wedding vows seemed to be going smoothly. Everything except the wedding itself.

 

* * *

 

As they anticipated, his fever rose.

It was night time when Black lost consciousness and fell asleep. Many times, she woke up and groaned in pain, causing Rienne and Mrs. Flambard went and checked.

[ Mrs Flambard ] “I think she's finally asleep. You should also rest, Princess. ”

Rienne looked at Black, who could not even see her.

[ Rienne ] “I don't think she's sleeping.. Her eyelids are moving.”.

[Mrs Flambard ] “That doesn't mean she's conscious.”

[ Rienne ] “We need to show our sincerity with each other. We can't risk looking unconcerned.”

Rienne took out a new towel and offered it to Mrs Flambard.

[ Rienne ] “Please, use this to wipe his sweat.”

[Mrs Flambard ] “. .”

Mrs Flambard received it with tears in her eyes.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Oh, Princess... Why did you marry a man you didn't want to touch? What are you going to do?”

Rienne shook her head.

[ Rienne ] “Quiet, Mom. We're not the only ones here. Tiwakan have eyes and ears outside the door.”

After Rienne said that, Madame Flambard realized her mistake and quickly covered her mouth. Just then, Rienne took back the towel from him.

[ Rienne ] “And it's not like I can't touch it. Give me that towel. I'll do it myself.”

He felt uncomfortable touching this man. But it was different from how Mrs Flambard described it.

Not because he hated it or thought it was disgusting.

It just…

What do I not like about that?

Rienne felt conflicting feelings bubbling within her as she wiped away the sweat on Black's forehead.

I don't hate him, but I hate him.

I hate him, but I don't hate him.

He could not understand this feeling within him.

[Mrs Flambard ] “Then I will change the water, Putri.”

Perhaps embarrassed by his earlier mistakes, Mrs Flambard quickly found something to do as an excuse to leave the room.

The room they were in was the one that Rienne had used when King Seon was alive. Back then, she thought the bed was huge for how small she was, but now it looked cramped and small with a Black color inside.

[ Rienne ] “Once she wakes up, I'll find another room for her.”

It was at that moment that Rienne muttered to herself and moved to wipe away the sweat on the back of Black's neck, she suddenly spoke.

[Black ] “... This room is fine.”

[ Rienne ] “..!”

Rienne dropped the towel in surprise. The light blue black eyes stared straight at him.

[ Rienne ] “ So .. You're up.”

How long has he been awake?

How much did he hear?

[Black ] “I heard you say you are able to touch me.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

Rienne gripped the end of her skirt.

He stared at the towel he dropped directly on his injured shoulder. He had no choice but to approach her to take it.

[ Rienne ] “I just need more time. My beloved is the only one who makes me comfortable, while You, Mr. Tiwakan, are still a stranger to me.”

[Black ] “But not for me.”

…excuse me?

[Black ] “You are no stranger to me, Princess.”

The words are so low and breathless, they sound more like *******.

[Black ] “If you can tolerate touching me, then how much is acceptable?”

[ Rienne ] “...Hah?”

The look in Black's eyes made his intentions clear. They slowly and meticulously looked at Rienne's face.

[Black ] “Maybe because of fever, but there's something I want to check.”

[ Rienne ] “What do you mean.?”.

[Black ] “I just asked. I'd like to see if you hate him. ”

Black stretched out his hand, his skin warm from his fever. It was getting closer and closer until it finally stuck to Rienne's cheek.

[Black ] “Is this okay?”

[ Rienne ] “Master Tiwakan, I..”.

[Black ] “My jawab, Princess.”

…I don't know what to say.

Why would he let her touch his face and not push him away?

[Black ] “Is this okay?”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

He doesn't know. Everything is so warm. It must be because his body temperature is so high. Even his normally clear eyes like springs of water became turbid due to the heat.

He looked very feverish, it felt like it would rub off on him.

[ Rienne ] “Your temperature is very high, Tuanku.”

Rienne shook her head to avoid touching her.

[ Rienne ] “You should close your eyes and rest. If it's hard, I have some painkillers I can give you. ”

[ Black ] “...My temperature is high..”

He did not know if he was talking to her, talking to himself, or just delirious about the fever.

[Black ] “Then I will try this.”

Before Rienne realized it, she sat up straight, putting her feverish hand on her lips. Rubbing his lower lip slightly with his thumb, Black asked him a question.

[Black ] “Is this tolerable?”

He must have a fever.

The way he touched it was different from the sane one, but it was also different from his old love touch.

It was so hot, he could not ignore it.

[Black ] “Do you hate this?”

His thumb, which had once rubbed his lips, moved down until it met his chin. He gently brushed his fingers across his jaw before touching his neck.

Her warm hands gently touched her skin and at some point began to caress it. Let alone her eyes—the whole body of Rienne trembled.

The man's hand may be warm from his fever, but it fills him with a burning sensation. It was a heat he had never felt with his lover before.

I can't take it anymore.

He felt like he would lie to himself if he continued this way.

Believe that he wants this man.

[ Rienne ] “Enough.”

With her eyes still closed, Rienne pushed Black's hand to stop her.

She's afraid. Not because he put his hand around his neck, but because it was too hot.

[ Rienne ] “What is this... what do you want me to bear?”

Rienne was strong enough to see Black's fever-filled eyes.

[ Rienne ] “What are you..?”

[Black ] “I don't know.”

The answer is as vague as him.

Holding Rienne's hand, Black looked down as he slowly moved his tongue.

[ Black ] “What will I do?”

[ Rienne ] “You..”.

[Black ] “I guess I just want to know how you'll treat me, Princess.”

Black slowly pulled Rienne's hand closer to her, pressed her lips against that hand and gave her a kiss for whatever reason.

[Black ] “Or maybe I just want to touch you.”

[ Rienne ]”. .”

[Black ] “Is the reason very important?”

[ Rienne ] “..Ya.”

Rienne insisted on the answer.

[ Rienne ] “This is no ordinary engagement. Since you asked Nauk for this marriage, Mr. Tiwakan, I was forced to part with my love. And I'm with the kid.”

As he quickly added those final words, his voice trembled.

Sure oes. Lying so blatantly is never easy.

[Rienne ] “In these circumstances, do you really expect me to easily show affection to you, as if this is something we promised together?”

[Black ] “..As I said, I don't know what I should do now.”

Usually his eyes were like the eyes of an animal, but now he only looked dazed from the fever.

He was honest when he said he didn't know.

[Black ] “All I know is that I don't want anyone else to take you away.”