A Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 62 | Unsuitable Attire

_^*

* * *

_^*

Just as she thought. This woman had something to do with Klimah.

Klimah told her that the Kleinfelders took his mother and locked her away. That was why he had to do everything the Kleinfelders asked of him.

[Rienne] “If so, then you should still be afraid. If you lose your life now, your son will never be able to heal. It was because he had you that he was able to make it until now. Think about what would happen to him if you were to die.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Oh, how…..How do you…..? How can you know that…..?”

The woman standing before Rienne was the wife of Sir Henton.

[Mrs. Henton] “How could the daughter of Arsak say that?”

Mrs. Henton fumbled around, grabbing at the hem of Rienne’s dress.

[Mrs. Henton] “What have you done with my son? You aren’t going to…..?”

Having not seen the light of day for over twenty years, the poor woman looked deathly pale.

This was also a part of Rienne’s sin.

The reason why the family of Sir Henton was forced to live in the dark shadow of the Kleinfelder family, abandoning their name, was because of the treason that was carried out twenty years ago.

[Rienne] “Your son is safe. He isn’t guilty of anything, so he will return to your arms soon.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Ah, ah…..”

Mrs. Henton exhaled, her eyes full of tears. But despite her obvious happiness, there was also a sense of confusion that did not leave her eyes as she looked at Rienne.

[Mrs. Henton] “But why……would the daughter of Arsak do this…..?”

[Rienne] “Your son explained everything to me.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Then…..he…he told you…..Did he…….?”

Her pale brown eyes shook in fear.

But Rienne could understand that. For her, nothing had changed since twenty years ago. The daughter of the Arsak family, the center of the rebellion, would represent more of a danger and a threat than the Kleinfelders.

[Rienne] “Once we’re married, Lord Tiwakan will become the Consort of Nauk, ma’am.”

Rienne carefully avoided using the name ‘Henton’.

There were still too many people who didn’t know they were still alive. Even if the people within the castle were technically on Rienne’s side, it was still too dangerous.

[Rienne] “I believe that those of his blood should be allowed to take over control of Nauk. That’s how it will be going forward.”

[Mrs. Henton] “B, but that’s……I….How….can that be true….? How can that be possible…..for the daughter of Arsak?”

[Rienne] “It’s because I am a daughter of Arsak.”

Rienne bowed her head, as if she were paying her respects to the woman.

[Rienne] “I know I have things I must atone for. And that includes my responsibility over you and your son. I swear, I will protect the both of you to the best of my ability.”

[Mrs. Henton] “No….”

But Mrs. Flambard couldn’t believe what Rienne was saying, either.

[Mrs. Flambard] “What, Princess……? She ruined the wedding attire, but you’re going to protect her? We don’t even know who she is. She might’ve been sent here specifically to ruin them.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Wedding attire?”

Mrs. Henton’s eyes turned sharp like a blade once more.

[Mrs. Henton] “But that’s what King Arsak wore at his coronation ceremony—!”

[Rienne] “Ah…..”

The sharp sound of the woman’s shrill voice made Rienne realize something.

What am I doing? What was I thinking, trying to give my father’s coronation attire to him like this?

Looking back on things, when she first expressed interest in having him wear those clothes at the wedding, Black had turned strangely silent.

Why didn’t he just say no? It would only be natural for him to refuse. To him, these clothes would be stained with the stench of his father’s blood.

So why… didn’t he say anything?

Why?

[Rienne] “Where are they?”

Rienne stood up, looking around at the ground.

[Mrs. Flambard] “Princess! What are you looking for?”

[Rienne] “The scissors…..Where are they?”

[Mrs. Flambard] “Scissors? Ah, here they are. But why do you need them……”

Still confused on the reason why, Mrs. Flambard plucked the pair of scissors up off the ground. But with a swift and hasty motion, Rienne pulled the scissors from her grasp.

Thwip—

She did it so haphazardly, that the sharpened blade ended up slicing against her palm.

[Mrs. Flambard] “Princess!”

And without any hesitation, Rienne ran the scissors across the hem of the wedding attire, cleanly cutting it apart.

Snip—

[Mrs. Flambard] “Princess!”

Rienne could hear the sound of the woman’s voice calling out to her, but it sounded so far away. Her head was boiling so much, everything felt like it was a million miles away.

[Rienne] “Foolish…..”

Their relationship was just like this clothing. Try as she might to ignore their past, the stench of death could not be erased from it. Nor could she escape the reality that her family was responsible for the death of his.

No matter how hard she tried to prove her sincerity, there would always be people like Mrs. Henton. Those who were still filled with so much anger that they’d never believe her.

What did she even deserve now? What right did she have to love that man?

Her name was that of Arsak, so it was complete nonsense to think something like this was even possible. She knew that from the moment she learned the truth.

But she was scared.

She was afraid to give back the kindness he had given her once he learned more about the past.

She was afraid he would never look at her the way he does now ever again.

That his eyes would no longer carry affection or passion.

That he would treat her as she deserved to be treated—like the daughter of his enemy.

Snip, snip, snip—

But Rienne already knew.

She could rip and tear as many articles of clothing as she wanted, but nothing could ever tear apart the past. But she still didn’t stop. She wanted to cut it all up and get rid of it completely.

If only that were possible.

Snip, snip—

Before she knew it, Rienne was cutting up the wedding attire, holding the scissors by the blade as if she were wielding a sword.

[Mrs. Flambard] “….cess, Princess! Princess!”

Suddenly, she could hear Mrs. Flambard’s voice much clearer than before as someone grabbed onto her wrist with a firm grip.

That same person who forcibly held her wrist, took the scissors from her and quickly threw them to the side.

[Black] “Calm down.”

[Rienne] “…….?”

The voice that pierced her ears was low and deep. It was one that even tormented her in her dreams—terrified that it might one day disappear without a trace.

[Black] “Even if you hate the idea of getting married, don’t do something like this.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Black took up her hand, holding it in his own as he furrowed his brows like he was in pain.

And as he looked down at her hand, his eyes were trained upon her badly injured palm, cut by the blade of a pair of scissors.

_^*

* * *

_^*

[Mrs. Flambard] “…….It is done, Princess.”

Mrs. Flambard finished tying the bandage, adjusting it as she pulled away. Rienne couldn’t feel any pain right now, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of the medicine, or if her mind was still elsewhere.

[Mrs. Flambard] “Avoid using your hands for now. I’ll help you when you need to wash up, so don’t do it alone. Do you understand?”

[Rienne] “……Yes.”

[Mrs. Flambard] “Then I will take my leave now.”

The woman stood up, packing away the medicines she had brought. In her heart of hearts, she wished to stay by Rienne’s side all night so she could tend to her wound, but right now, it would be best if she left that role to the person more desperate for it than she was.

As Mrs. Flambard excused herself with quickened steps, the only people left in the bedroom were Black and Rienne.

The inside of the room was very dark, but neither of them thought about lighting a candle or setting the fireplace.

[Black] “You’ll probably start to feel the pain later.”

Standing with his shoulder leaning against the tall bed post, Black finally spoke after a long period of silence.

[Rienne] “……Yes.”

The darkness felt particularly heavy today. Feeling the mood oppressing over her shoulders, Rienne pulled her legs to her chest, burying her face in her knees.

[Black] “I heard a story once in the past.”

Unprompted, Black brought up a story, speaking with an expression Rienne could not see nor read from the tone of his voice.

Rienne’s body stayed completely still as she listened.

[Black] “There was once a king who burned all the spinning wheels in his kingdom after hearing a prophecy that his newborn daughter would die after pricking her finger.” ⁽¹⁾

It was something Black was bringing up out of nowhere, but for some reason, he sounded like he was trying to be nice. Now that she was hurt, he was saying things that didn’t suit him.

[Rienne] “That’s not possible. You can’t make thread without a spinning wheel.”

[Black] “Then it’s a good thing it was only a pair of scissors.”

[Rienne] “What?”

[Black] “Even without scissors, the world can manage.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Rienne lifted up her head, looking up with Black as she wondered whether or not he was telling a joke.

But Black wasn’t smiling at all.

[Black] “You think I won’t do it?”

……Well, what should she do now? He looked awfully serious.

[Rienne] “You can’t do that. I’m sure Mrs. Flambard would weep if she ever lost her scissors.”

[Black] “Then tell her she’s free to cry. That’s fine.”

[Rienne] “……Why not just let her keep her scissors? I just won’t use any myself for a while.”

[Black] “Not for ‘a while’. Forever.”

[Rienne] “…..Forever?”

[Black] “Answer me.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

He was really taking this seriously. All because she got hurt from improperly using a pair of scissors.

But why did he have to do this? How could he do this? What would she do after receiving so much sincerity from him? The more she got from him, the more intense and gnawing the sense of loss would be once it went away.

And it wasn’t just her. It would be the same for him as well.

After pouring out so many emotions onto another person, even if you try and take it back later, your heart would never be the same as it was before.

It would just be hurt and ruined.

[Rienne] “It’ll get better soon. It’s just a little cut.”

[Black] “That’s how it is for you, Princess, but not for me.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Black slowly pushed himself away from the bedpost. She thought for a moment he would approach her like he normally did, but he stayed where he was.

Considering both of them were in the same bedroom, he felt so far away.

[Black] “I have something I want to ask you.”

Rienne turned to look at Black, unfamiliar with the awkward sight of him standing so distantly.

[Rienne] “…….Yes, what is it?”

[Black] “If the answer is yes, then don’t say anything.”

[Rienne] “…..?”

[Black] “Do you want to delay the wedding?”

[Rienne] “I’m sorry?”

[Black] “Don’t ask. Just answer or don’t. Do you really hate the idea of getting married?”

Black’s question was just as sudden and awkward as the distance between them.

Rienne was so flustered and confused that she missed the right chance to answer. And in response to her telling silence, Black let out a slow and heavy sigh.

[Black] “Alright. Just rest, then.”

[Rienne] “What…..?”

But before she realized it, Black had already turned around and started to leave. With no hesitation in his steps, he walked towards the door.

And that’s when Rienne heard the sound of her heart sinking.

[Rienne] “No…..that’s not it!”

Forgetting she was barefoot, Rienne stepped down from the bed, rushing towards Black with her arms outstretched.

Hugging him from behind, she pressed her face against his back, holding him tightly. She spoke, keeping her voice quiet because she was afraid the sound of her tears might be heard through her words.

[Rienne] “That’s not true….So don’t walk away like this. I don’t like that.”

[Black] “. . .”

She heard Black spit out a whisper.

[Black] “Then why did you do that?”

[Rienne] “……I just….decided those clothes didn’t suit you.”

[Black] “What?”

[Rienne] “Your clothes, Lord Tiwakan.”

Anyone could easily guess that it was a lie. There was no need to tear apart clothes like that, claiming they didn’t suit him when he’d never had the chance to try them on.

Now Rienne was realizing how crazy she must’ve looked.

….I’m such a fool.

At this rate, he would get sick of her personality before he ever knew she was the daughter of his enemy.

[Rienne] “I thought it would look nice…..but after it was all fixed up, I got a little frustrated……because it looked a little worn.”

[Black] “. . .”

[Rienne] “I wanted to do something nice for you, but I couldn’t…..so I ended up getting angry. I hate being a princess….who can’t even carry out the preparations for her own wedding ceremony properly. That’s why…..”

Moving slowly, Black pulled Rienne’s away as she held onto him, turning around to face her.

[Black] “Princess.”

[Rienne] “Yes?”

It was the first time she felt the weight of her lie so clearly on her tongue as it left her.

Rienne turned away, unable to make eye contact with Black, fearing he would instantly be able to recognize her dishonesty.

[Black] “Open your eyes and look at me. Is that all?”

……No.

[Rienne] “Yes.”

[Black] “Then why can’t you look at me?”

[Rienne] “I’m embarrassed. It’s embarrassing….to be seen like this.”

I’m scared. I’m scared you’ll notice the past I’m hiding, and that knowing it will end up in you leaving me. I’m afraid that you’ll walk away with your back turned to me, just like you did earlier, disappearing into the distance at a pace I can’t keep up with.

And I’m afraid you’ll end up forgetting everything. Cutting me away from your memory cleanly and quietly.

Watching Rienne, who still couldn’t make eye contact with him, Black finally said something.

[Black] “It doesn’t matter what I wear and I require no gift from you. And the Treaty of Risebury isn’t a problem anymore either. I’ve already prepared a way of solving the issue with the High Priest. We could get married right now if we so wish.”

[Rienne] “That’s already done….? But how….?”

[Black] “So this is your only chance to say it, Princess.”

[Rienne] “What…..?”

[Black] “If you say you don’t want to get married, I’ll delay it all.”

Finally, Rienne opened her eyes.

[Rienne] “No, that’s not—”

[Black] “Think well and give me your answer. You get to say it once. If you don’t do it now, you won’t be able to avoid getting married to me a second time.”

Rienne swallowed hard. Her mouth was completely dry and her throat hurt.

[Black] “Should I give you a timer? Alright. One…….”

* * *

^{T/N: (1) Not so subtle nod to “Sleeping Beauty”. I think it’s kinda cute he knows that story.}