A Barbaric Proposal

Chapter 64 | Call to Home (2)

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The last king of the Gainers royal house was beyond overjoyed that a daughter was born into the Arsak family.

On the day of her birth, he rushed over to the Arsak estate and proclaimed that an engagement ceremony must be held—exhausting the new parents as they presented him with their newborn daughter.

The daughter of Arsak was in good health, but the engagement continued to be delayed with no end in sight due to the son of Gainers’ frequent illnesses.

But then one fateful day, the six families drove a blade into the king’s back.

And that was the end of their engagement.

Princess Rienne was no longer his fiancée from birth, but rather the new royalty of Nauk. Word had even reached him that she had the eldest son of another family as her lover. He had no choice but to accept that reality.

That’s what his mind was telling him at least. But apparently, in the back of his heart, the idea of returning to his fiancée’s side was an ever lingering thought.

To him, Rienne was his home. She was a place that stayed here, never once leaving, as if she were acting as an anchor for him—giving him something to go back to like he’d never left at all. Had it not been for her, coming back to Nauk would not have felt like he was returning home.

He would be crazy to let go of this now that he had it.

[Black] “My intentions haven’t changed. I will live as the Princess’ husband and one of her Guardian Knights. I have no desire to draw blood just to get more than that.”

[Phermos] “So….that’s why you were careful only to break those nobles’ bones. I understand now.”

After coming to Nauk, Phermos felt that his Lord had become very sweet and soft, to the point of it being a little strange, but at least now he understood more of the reason.

[Phermos] “I will find the servant and bring him here.”

[Black] “Now.”

[Phermos] “Oh, now? You mean now, now?”

Black nodded, gesturing his hand as if it were too much of a pain to repeat himself.

[Black] “Just do it as soon as possible.”

[Phermos] “….Yes, sir.”

With that, Phermos bowed his head, quickly excusing himself from the room.

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[Arland] “It’s in two days.”

As a result of the new royal advisor’s hard work, Lord Arland, the Great Council was finally being established. All six families sent in their consent forms, detailing their intent to attend, and Arland carefully transcribed it into parchment paper, making it into a formal proclamation to be announced in the square.

The place where the Great Council was to be held was the Grand Hall, located in the very center of God’s Square.

The Grand Hall was extremely elegant, decorated with nine fountains that echoed the imagery of the nine waterfalls that were once the symbols of Nauk. But at this point, they looked terribly dirty and unkempt, just like the rest of the country.

Managing the Grand Hall was one of the duties of the six families, but the Kleinfelders handed that job over to the royal family because it ‘cost too much money’.

When Rienne first came into power, she was young and ignorant, so she managed the budget for the Grand Hall as she was told, but in more recent years, the money had to be allocated for other things, so she let its maintenance slip a bit.

And the end result was a cracked ceiling and a dilapidated wall.

[Arland] “I went to visit the Grand Hall…….but maybe we should clean it up a bit first.”

Rienne listened to his words with a disinterested expression.

[Rienne] “The representative families will take care of it. Leave it be.”

[Arland] “Is…..that possible?”

Stunned, Arland quickly asked back.

[Rienne] “If they don’t clean it up on their own, they’ll end up breathing in a lot of dust at the meeting. They’re prideful, so I don’t know if they’ll be able to take it.”

[Arland] “I see….Then I’ll let them know.”

[Rienne] “It’s not urgent, so take your time. Just let them know ahead of the meeting.”

[Arland] “Very well….I will do as you asked.”

Arland awkwardly nodded. He was still mostly unaware of the strange relationship the Arsak royal house had with the six families. But before Arland could go his merry way, Rienne stopped him.

[Rienne] “Has there been any movement on the Kleinfelder’s side?”

[Arland] “Is there anything in particular you’d like to hear about?”

[Rienne] “Anything is fine. Perhaps any rumors of an angry stir from them in the last few days?”

Arland turned his head down in thought.

[Arland] “Well, when I visited a few days ago, everything looked fairly the same. Had I not been a royal advisor and known Lord Kleinfelder was already in custody, I would never have guessed that he was absent.”

[Rienne] “Ah…..I see. Alright then. You’re excused now.”

[Arland] “Please call me if you need anything else.”

Arland gave Rienne a respectful bow, turning on his heel and leaving.

[Rienne] “…..It’s a little strange.”

Sitting alone in the King’s Office, Rienne propped her elbow up on the edge of the desk, lost in thought.

[Rienne] “The Tiwakan went and brought Mrs. Henton in, but nothing happened? How can that be possible?”

The loss of Klimah’s mother meant that they no longer had any sway over him to do their bidding.

Klimah was a well of information, living proof of all the heinous deeds he committed on behalf of the Kleinfelders. If she were them, she would want to kill him or find another way to keep his mouth shut, so their silence was extremely off-putting.

[Rienne] “Is Linden Kleinfelder’s absence really that vast? Is there no one else capable of doing things when he’s gone?”

But that didn’t make much sense either.

House Kleinfelder was the largest family in all of Nauk. And because of their boundless wealth and property, they had many people working for them.

[Rienne] “Linden Kleinfelder couldn’t be capable of committing all that evil by himself……There must’ve been someone else involved.”

She felt frustrated that she didn’t know.

Rienne pushed up from her seat, walking up to the window and staring out at the scenery as she leaned her head against the glass.

[Rienne] “I never knew the full depth of how this kingdom works.”

The Kleinfelders were such a massive force within Nauk, and the royal family’s greatest enemy. And yet, she never had any idea what kinds of schemes they were plotting behind her back.

It was sad and shameful all at once.

[Rienne] “I was just so focused on surviving until the next day.”

Even living day by day was difficult in Nauk. Having gained the crown at such a young age, Rienne did not know what it was like to live the life of a monarch who didn’t struggle.

[Rienne] “But that can’t go on anymore.”

She needed more eyes and ears. Something that could give her a better look at every corner of her kingdom, no matter how small.

This realization was a long time coming, and so she was only glad her resolve solidified before it was too late. If she had continued to live as Rafit’s lover, quietly marrying him to settle the debt when it became too much to bear, she would not deserve to be called royalty.

After Black entered her life, it felt like everything was changing.

[Rienne] “He’s really…….given me far too much.”

Rienne pulled back from the window.

So I’m going to put everything I can into this, too. Everything I possibly can.

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After leaving the office, Rienne headed for the northern tower, carrying with her one of the only pieces of royal jewelry left.

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[Rienne] “. . .”

[Mrs. Henton] “. . .”

Her expression was calm now, but her eyes stayed the same. Those eyes that were exceedingly gentle, but somehow completely ruined, too. It was a look that pained her heart to see.

[Rienne] “I came to see if you were doing well. I hope your bed wasn’t uncomfortable.”

[Mrs. Henton] “……It’s fine.”

After Rienne’s sudden visit, Mrs. Henton didn’t even say hello to her. Even though it was completely warranted, it still made Rienne feel bad.

[Rienne] “I’m glad to hear it. I….. I brought you some fruit. Would you like some?”

On the way to the northern tower, Rienne had stopped by the kitchens and prepared a basket filled with an assortment of fruits, which she was holding out now.

[Mrs. Henton] “Why are you doing this?”

Mrs. Henton looked straight at Rienne, not even sparing the basket a glance, much less taking it from her.

[Mrs. Henton] “You know who I am right? I would never accept anything you have to give me, Princess.”

[Rienne] “……..I thought you might feel a little stuffy staying here. I know it can be a little dark and dreary in this room, but I heard eating sweet things can help you cheer up.”

[Mrs. Henton] “If one’s mind is in hell, what point is there in getting sunlight?”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Rienne couldn’t say anything back.

The things Mrs. Henton had been through were not things that needed to be repeated.

One of her sons was killed, and the other was utterly ruined. And it was her husband who killed her son, wanting to save the blood of the king he served rather than his own family. She was taken hostage by the people who murdered her husband, her existence turned into that of a slave, neither living nor dead.

All that weight crushing upon her would want to make her give up on her life.

How could one endure such an existence?

[Rienne] “Then….are there any other foods you would like to eat?”

[Mrs. Henton] “I don’t need it.”

[Rienne] “I’ll come to give you new bedding before the night comes. Everything in this room is old, so I don’t know how well it will hold up.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Don’t force yourself.”

[Rienne] “I’m sorry. I don’t know what the best thing is that I can do for you right now, so please tell me if there’s anything you need, ma’am. I’ll leave the fruit here so please eat it later if you have an appetite.”

Rienne placed the basket of fruit on the small table next to the bed and turned around.

Slap—

But she stopped in her tracks hearing a noise.

She turned her head, only to see that Mrs. Henton had knocked the fruit basket onto the floor. Then, feeling like that wasn’t enough, she stomped on the nearest fruit with her foot.

[Rienne] “……Please be careful. There’s more than just fruit in there. If you step incorrectly, you might get hurt.”

[Mrs. Henton] “……?”

As she smashed the fruit with her foot as if she were crushing Linden Kleinfelder’s head, Mrs. Henton lifted up her head and looked at Rienne.

She looked speechless.

[Mrs. Henton] “What……did you say?”

[Rienne] “Here.”

Rienne got closer, crouching down near the ground and searching through the remains of the crushed fruit.

[Rienne] “I brought this, too.”

Taking the hard object in her hand, Rienne wiped it clean of the fruit juices with her sleeve, carefully holding it out to the woman.

[Rienne] “This was the one thing my mother brought with her when she married into House Arsak. It’s one of the more priceless things I still have.”

Once the mess was cleared away, what was revealed was an elegant, rose shaped pendant made of rubies that danced in their own light.

[Mrs. Henton] “Why are you doing this…..?”

[Rienne] “Like I said, it’s very precious.”

[Mrs. Henton] “. . .”

The woman’s face turned pale.

This woman was a gentle one based on the look in her eyes. Even though she was filled with anger, the worst she was capable of was crushing some fruit. But that changed as the color in her face disappeared.

[Mrs. Henton] “You think I’ll forget about everything just because you’re giving me jewelry? Just toss aside all memory of who were killed and I’ll get this? Something like that?”

[Rienne] “No.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Could you forget something like that for a mere jewel? Is it really that amazing? That it can make you forget about death?”

[Rienne] “That’s not what I think.”

[Mrs. Henton] “Then what is it!?”

Mrs. Henton rushed forward, snatching the necklace from Rienne’s hand and throwing it violently back down on the ground.

Splat—!

The elegant pendant was once again buried beneath the crushed fruit.

[Rienne] “I brought this with me because…..”

Rienne quietly knelt down, once again picking up the pendant and clearing away the mess with her sleeve.

[Rienne] “Because it’s lovely.”

[Mrs. Henton] “……..What?”

[Rienne] “So I thought having it may provide you with some semblance of comfort.”

[Mrs. Henton] “. . .”

Tap.

Rienne stood up, gently putting the clean pendant onto the table.

[Rienne] “I heard what happened to you. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must’ve been. For you, I’m no different from a Kleinfelder. Escaping them was one thing, but being in Castle Nauk is just as painful. I know that, but I don’t know what else I can do. I… don’t have the power to revive the dead.”

The words that Rienne spoke came out slow and drawn out. Like every word was deeply thought out. Just like the guilt that should’ve been hers these past twenty-one years.

[Rienne] “It’s painful. So painful you aren’t afraid to die, and maybe that’s still how you feel. I know my words mean little, but if you look around, I hope you’ll find the potential for good things to happen. I hope I can give you the opportunity to think about that.”

[Mrs. Henton] “That’s…….What good things? What good could possibly be found for a mother who’s lost her child?”

[Rienne] “You still have one. He doesn’t have to listen to the Kleinfelders anymore.”

[Mrs. Henton] “. . .”

Mrs. Henton looked at Rienne.

She looked so much like Klimah. Klimah also looked at her with those sad but good eyes that were lost in a sea of confusion and hurt. She was getting angry, but she only looked pitiful to the person sitting in front of her.

[Mrs. Henton] “He….did so many things. He thought I didn’t know, but I did….I thought…..I thought he would eventually get himself killed…..”

[Rienne] “I know he didn’t want to do any of it. The blame lies with the Kleinfelders.”

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

The woman turned her eyes towards the ground, her gaze heavy with confusion. Reflected in her eyes was the crushed fruit and soiled floor.

[Rienne] “I was four years old at the time.”

Settling down onto the floor, Rienne quietly started gathering up the uncrushed fruits, placing them back into the basket. Though she knew if she didn’t, Mrs. Henton would do it herself.

[Rienne] “I keep thinking about it. If I had been a little older, would things have turned out differently? Could I have stopped my father from doing what he did? Would Sir Henton still be alive? Would he……?”

Would he not have lost his home?

Could I have stayed with him without being so nervous about the time when I would lose him?

Since the moment she spoke to that servant, she never once stopped thinking about it. It was like a never ending nightmare—one that haunted every waking moment.

[Mrs. Henton] “…….My second son was six years old.”

Not wanting to watch Rienne clean the mess anymore, the woman sat down on the floor, mindlessly toying with one of the fruits on the ground.

[Mrs. Henton] “He was tall and had a strong figure compared to other boys his age, so no one ever believed he was only six. He resembled his father, so he looked very similar in size to the eight year old prince. When my husband picked up his sword, he couldn’t even scream before he died.”

[Rienne] “. . .”

Rienne couldn’t say anything back, biting down on her lip.

She could not allow herself to cry.

Compared to Mrs. Henton or Black, Rienne hadn’t lost anything. She did not deserve to shed any tears.

[Mrs. Henton] “No matter how unforgivable the sin of the Arsak family is, I know a four year old girl could not have done anything. Just like that boy couldn’t. And my son, he….”

Thud.

The fruit she was about to put back into the basket fell from Mrs. Henton’s hand.

[Mrs. Henton] “……Hnnn!”

And then she collapsed to the dirty ground, loud sobs echoing out in the room. Rienne wanted to comfort her, to tell her she could cry to her heart’s content until she was completely exhausted.

But she couldn’t. All she could do was stay by the woman’s side, biting her lips and fighting back tears of her own.

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^{T/N: This was actually one of my favorite chapters to translate. My heart hurts *sob*}