Chapter 15
15. Don't Move
“Hmm… It’s better than I anticipated.”
That was Madam Flamvard's assessment after opening the faded, dust-covered wooden trunk.
“Yes, I think so too.”
The place Liene had brought Madam Flambard was the royal storage. Among the items there was a trunk containing the clothes her late Father used to wear. Most of the jewelry that could be turned into money had already been sold off, but there were still some things left untouched. Her Father's wedding attire was one of them.
“The embroidery is still in perfect condition.”
Liene ran her fingertips over the formal attire, which still retained the opulence of a bygone era.
“But how did this garment remain? Weren’t almost all of the late King’s belongings disposed of?”
Madam Flambard tactfully glossed over the fact that they had been sold off due to lack of money.
“This outfit… I just couldn't bear to part with it. It was so well-made, but also, it seemed to hold good memories… Ah, wait a moment?”
Liene tilted her head, interrupting her own words. She had been certain that this outfit was her Father's wedding attire. But how could she have memories of Father wearing this? Liene asked Madam Flambard with a confused expression.
“This… isn’t it the wedding attire?”
“It looks similar, but if I remember correctly, he wore it on a different day.”
“When?”
“Probably during the coronation. Such magnificent formal attire is only worn on very special occasions.”
“The coronation… Then he held the coronation after I was born?”
“He did.”
“Ah, so that’s why.”
Was that why she unconsciously kept it? Liene stroked the fine fabric again, which still looked magnificent even now. The dense silver thread embroidery still sparkled dazzlingly.
“The button decorations are still intact too.”
The buttons, made by alternating pearls and rubies, were still there. It felt lucky that she had forgotten about this outfit being here until now. An outfit of this quality would be perfect as wedding attire.
“It looks like it just needs a little alteration to fit.”
“After it’s laundered and neatly pressed, it will look like a brand new outfit.”
Fortunately, Madam Flambard was positive about altering the outfit. Liene felt a little sorry but also grateful as she spoke to the Madam.
“I thought you would be angry.”
“Me?”
“Yes. For giving such a precious outfit to someone who doesn’t deserve it.”
“Well, it’s something I’d complain about until my mouth hurts.”
Madam Flambard wore a strangely bitter expression.
“But you see… No matter how much I object, the marriage will still take place. It’s still the Princess’s wedding, so we must have everything prepared. Rather than watching those barbarians who know nothing of etiquette dress the groom in whatever they please, this would be better. Even if the inside is a barbarian, we must make the outside suitable for the Princess.”
Liene smiled and leaned her head on Madam Flambard's shoulder.
“Hearing you say that makes me want to cry.”
“Pardon? Did I say something wrong, Princess?”
“No. It’s nice to hear.”
“Oh, my. What did I even say… You’re something else, Princess.”
Madam Flambard blushed bashfully. Liene could tell with just a few words how much the Madam cared for and worried about her.
“Maybe he’s not such a bad person.”
Madam Flambard, who had been gently stroking Liene’s hair with her fingers, simply listened quietly.
“Of course, it started off very badly. It’s not like I don’t know that… It’s just that sometimes I get that feeling. He’s not that harsh when he treats me.”
The person I thought was my lover was even worse. I really thought he had changed.
“He even seems concerned when I’m hurt…”
I’ll probably never forget what that man did to my mouth today, searching for injuries.
“He seems like he’d be rude, but he’s actually not.”
So I don’t dislike him that much. I feel like I shouldn’t, but I keep feeling that way.
“Today… I was so… grateful that he came to pick me up…”
Liene quietly swallowed the surging emotions. Madam Flambard was the closest person to her, but she didn’t want her to know what had happened today. Because if she did, the kind and gentle Madam would be even more shocked than she was.
“……Relieved.”
“I see. Then that man can wear that outfit.”
Madam Flambard patted Liene’s shoulder affectionately.
“And honestly, he’s not that bad to look at. The problem is what’s inside.”
Those words made Liene laugh out loud.
“Is that your way of saying he’s handsome?”
Madam Flambard had never said anything similar to Laffite Kleinfelter.
“Why do you keep asking? It’s just that. Is there a law that says all barbarians have to be ugly?”
…Well, he is handsome. When I first saw him, I almost didn’t want to believe it.
“That outfit will suit him well.”
“Yes… I think so too.”
Liene and Madam Flambard looked at each other and smiled.
“Then I’ll go get his measurements.”
“Then I’ll alter that outfit as soon as I finish altering the Princess’s mourning clothes.”
“Let me help you. I want to help too.”
“As you wish, Princess.”
Liene went to find Black to take his measurements. * * * At that time, Black was in his room with his subordinates. There weren’t many of them. Only about three or four, but they were all so large that the room felt cramped. Even among those hulking figures, Black stood out. Black was the tallest, but strangely, he didn’t look bulky like the others; instead, he looked sleek and slender. Was it because of his appearance…? Liene recalled Madam Flamvard's words that he was pleasing to the eye. Different from the others. He alone was so… captivating.
“Do you have business with me?”
Black asked Liene. Liene hadn’t realized until then that she had been staring at Black.
“……Ah, yes. I’d like to discuss the wedding attire for a moment.”
Black nodded once to Liene and then spoke to his subordinates.
“Leave.”
“Yes, Lord.”
It wasn’t necessary, but Black deliberately sent the men out. Liene didn’t realize that it was a consideration for her, as she was still uncomfortable around Tiwakan’s mercenaries. Now they’re alone… Rather, she was bothered by the fact that she was once again alone with him in this room. It was as if this room kept creating reasons for them to kiss.
“Speak.”
Black pointed to the empty chair in front of the bed. Liene sat down and faced him. Black wasn’t lying down on the bed, but sitting on the edge of it, with his shirt only half-buttoned, perhaps to show off his scars. Surely he wasn’t doing it on purpose. Knowing how he looks to me. …Surely not. Even so, that was too much to assume. Liene shook her head to dispel the inappropriate thoughts and began to speak.
“I will prepare Lord Tiwakan’s wedding attire. It may not be enough to be called a wedding gift, but it is the greatest sincerity I can show right now.”
“You don’t have to push yourself.”
“It’s not a burden.”
Even if she wanted to push herself, there was nothing she could do. The national treasury was literally empty. After holding the funeral tomorrow, Liene was scheduled to become even poorer.
“I would like you to wear the late King’s coronation attire, rather than having something new made.”
“……”
A strange silence flowed for a moment at those words.
“If it goes against your wishes…”
“There’s no need to worry about that.”
Black nodded lightly, as if that silence had been a figment of her imagination.
“Then please allow me to take your measurements.”
“……Now?”
“Yes.”
Liene took out the measuring tape she had borrowed from Madam Flamvard. The tape, with markings on the old leather strip, had been used to make countless royal garments.
“I’ll measure your upper body first. Please spread your arms out to the sides.”
“……”
Black stared at Liene for a moment before obediently spreading his arms out. Liene approached him, who was sitting on the edge of the bed, and carefully took his measurements. She measured the circumference of his wrist, then from his wrist to his elbow, and then from his elbow to his shoulder. After measuring his shoulders, she had to measure his neck circumference.
“You can lower your arms now.”
“……”
Black lowered his arms, and Liene wrapped the measuring tape around his neck. And Liene realized why he had been silent all along. …It’s too close. To measure his neck, she had to wrap the tape around it, which meant standing very close to him. And he was sitting down, while she was leaning over slightly, so there was no need to say more. This was the position she had taken when she first kissed him. Realizing that, her gaze was drawn to Black's lips. It was too close. It felt like they would touch any moment. Ah… I should have asked the madam to measure. The hand that had moved so casually when measuring his arm seemed to freeze when it touched his neck, unable to move as she intended. I… I didn't know it would turn out like this. Black opened his mouth. His low voice warmed her ear directly.
“I am a little confused right now.”
“About what…?”
“Whether this is part of our agreement.”
“Pardon?”
Liene slowly raised her head. The measuring tape was still around Black's neck, and Liene's hand was pressing down on the overlapping part of the scale at the end.
“You promised that you would want me too, Princess. I am asking if this is such a signal.”
“No, I'm…”
She was so embarrassed that she couldn't bring herself to speak. It wasn't intentional. I really just wanted to fix his clothes…
“It isn't?”
“It's not like I was thinking about it…”
“It's not that?”
Not at all. At least, it wasn't at the beginning.
“……Yes.”
Then, instead of replying, Black fiddled with the knuckles of Liene's fingers that were holding the tape measure around his neck.
“You weren't trying to keep the promise, you just wanted to make clothes for me… I understand.”
The hand that had been touching hers disappeared. It was a moment that made her want to sigh for some reason.
“Continue measuring.”
“……”
Liene swallowed a sigh and read the measurement on the tape.
“That's all for here.”
She thought the neck was the most difficult part. But when she realized that the next step was the chest circumference, she realized that everything up until now had just been the beginning.
“Raise your arms again…”
Black asked back when Liene, who was holding the tape measure and lowering her body further, suddenly stopped talking.
“Is it time to measure the chest now?”
He knows.
“So you're more troubled.”
He knows everything.
“What do you want me to do?”
…I don't know. Even if he just kept his mouth shut and stood still like a tree, she didn't think she would be able to measure him comfortably. Whatever he does, it will be uncomfortable. Whatever he does, she will be conscious of it, and whatever he does, she will be… trembling like this. Because it's this man.
“Stay still as much as possible.”
Liene bit her lip once and raised the tape measure again. If she's going to tremble no matter what, it's better to just get it over with quickly.
“Don't move. I'll do it as quickly as I can.”
“……”
Black let out a low breath, then stood up and raised his arms. Liene, with the intention of getting it over with, spread her arms and wrapped the tape measure around his chest. She knew that she was in a position to hug him with his arms spread wide. She knows. But so what? It couldn't be helped. There will be more of this in the future. She can't be swayed by everything every time. She needs to get used to this man as soon as possible. Liene forcibly took her eyes off Black and checked the scale.
“Now I will measure the waist.”
Black suddenly grabbed the hand that was quickly dropping after finishing the job.
“Can't you do it slowly?”
“Pardon…?”
Liene unknowingly raised her head and looked at him.
“I don't really want to stay still.”
What is this man saying… Black, who had pulled Liene's hand and placed it back on his chest, slowly stroked her hair.
“Do you dislike it when I move?”
“……”
