Chapter 18
18. Trap (2)
She could make excuses if she wanted to. Like saying she couldn't consummate the Wedding Night because she was pregnant. But that excuse had too short of an expiration date. Now that she was married, Liene needed to get pregnant as soon as possible. The biological father would be Black, of course, but regardless, the child would inherit the Arsak Family name as promised and become the next ruler. It was the best outcome for Liene. It was a marriage born of a forced proposal, but she could protect everything without losing anything. ...From my perspective. But not for that man. Black would live without knowing that the child was his. Her heart grew heavy for another reason. Under the pretext of protecting Nauk, was she allowed to do such a thing...?
“Princess. What are you thinking so deeply about?”
Madam Flambard broke Liene's reverie.
“Ah, just for a moment...”
“Is there any way to refuse the Wedding Night?”
She couldn't know.
“I don't know. I don't know what to say.”
If she were to postpone the Wedding Night, it would be until her period ended. Until then, she needed a reason not to let Black into her bed.
“Let me think for a moment...”
Knock knock! Just then, a knock on the door cut off Liene's words.
“It seems he has arrived.”
Madam Flambard rose to her feet.
“I will open the door. Princess, please compose yourself first.”
Watching Madam Flambard walk briskly towards the door, Liene smoothed her face. But it was unnecessary.
“Yes, I will open the door... Oh my!”
Madam Flambard, who was opening the door, let out a strange scream.
“Madam?”
Startled, Liene rose from her seat and discovered the reason for the Madam's scream, freezing like a statue. It wasn't Black who had come.
“I just heard something.”
It was Laffite. A person who should never have appeared in Nauk Castle was here now. Laffite pushed past the flustered Madam Flambard and slammed the door shut.
“I heard the Princess is carrying my child... Is it true?”
* * * Of course not. Laffite knew that better than anyone.
“Get out now.”
Liene raised her arm and pointed to the door.
“I don't know what you're thinking. Didn't you even consider that Lord Tiwakan might be watching the road here? Go back.”
“I can't go back until I hear an answer.”
Liene's neck stiffened at the absurdity. She stomped her foot.
“What nonsense are you spouting! You, who know the truth better than anyone!”
“I don't know! How would I know! I've been away from your side for over half a month!”
The color drained from Liene's face.
“What... what are you saying now?”
“The Princess has never allowed me to share her bed. So what does it mean that you're pregnant with my child?”
“You...”
Liene bit her lip tightly, feeling like she was about to utter a very harsh word she had never used before.
“Are you... are you seriously saying that? You, to me?”
“I need to hear an explanation from the Princess's own lips. What is this about a child?”
She didn't think he was really asking because he didn't know. Laffite Kleinfelter couldn't be that stupid. If so, he was trying to confirm something. That Liene had used the lie of a child to reject Tiwakan's proposal. That she was so desperate to reject the proposal.
“Did you tell that barbarian that you were carrying my child?”
Laffite's voice sounded somehow affectionate.
“Did you tell him that I am your man? That I am the one you belong to and that I am the father of the child you will bear?”
“……”
Liene felt a dizzying sensation. It felt like the lie she had told to reject the proposal was constantly twisting and turning into a completely unknown monster.
“You said that you are always mine. To that barbarian.”
“That’s… that’s not it.”
Liene took a step back, avoiding Laffite, who was approaching as if to embrace her. Laffite immediately followed the distance.
“Why isn’t it?”
“It was just a lie to avoid the proposal. I thought if I said I was pregnant, he would withdraw the proposal.”
“So it’s the same thing.”
“It’s different.”
Liene didn't say she was rejecting the proposal because she loved Laffite Kleinfelter to death. It was just Laffite's delusion.
“It’s not different. Any man would think so.”
“It’s different. I’m…”
Liene stopped talking. There was too much to say. Looking back, she couldn't bear this situation. Laffite was acting as if Liene had already forgotten what he had done in his house. How could he do that? While my teeth marks were still on his palm. What he did went too far. He ignored the fact that the rule of Nauk was with Liene, and that he had to obey and be loyal to Liene. He was also a Kleinfelter. It was the bloodline of that family that couldn't be denied. She felt so foolish for believing that he would be different, and she let out a hollow laugh.
“I will marry Lord Tiwakan. And I will have a child. That child will inherit the Arsak Family name and become the ruler of Nauk. That is the path I have chosen to protect Nauk.”
“But didn’t you lie that you were already carrying my child? Do you think that barbarian will just leave another man’s child alone?”
“That’s what will happen. Because that’s what we promised.”
“That’s too naive. Didn’t I tell you? What that barbarian dreams of in Nauk is revenge. He came here intending to see blood, no matter who it is.”
“Don’t force unconfirmed rumors as if they were the truth. I don’t believe it. If he had no intention of acknowledging the child, he wouldn’t have even made the proposal to write a pledge in the first place.”
“What does a pledge mean to barbarians? They can just tear it up whenever they want.”
“Yes. So he wouldn’t have written it in the first place. Why bother making something complicated that will be torn up?”
“Because that’s how the Princess would accept the proposal.”
“No.”
Liene twisted her lips and smiled. It was a blue self-deprecation.
“That man could have just broken down the castle gates. After killing all the guards of Nauk, he could have dragged me to the altar. Without the need for a pledge, my name would have become Tiwakan's bride.”
“Liene…”
Laffite's face was terribly distorted. Facing him, Liene said words without the slightest guilt.
“If you understand, get out. If you have any loyalty left to Nauk and the Arsak Family, follow my order to leave this land. You are no longer my lover, so I am only your liege.”
“How can you say such…”
It was the moment when Laffite couldn't continue speaking and bit his teeth.
“Princess!”
Madam Flambard's urgent voice flew between the two.
“Something terrible has happened! He is coming!”
“What did you say?”
It felt like she heard something drop from her heart with a thud. * * * Liene had Laffite exit through the large window. Outside the window, there was a railing just barely wide enough to stand on. He had to hide there without being noticed. There was no other way. It was already too late to escape. Liene closed the window again, blocking Laffite's mouth as he tried to say something.
“Don’t make any noise and stay still. If you get caught, I can’t do anything for you.”
Click! At the same time as closing the window, Madam Flambard announced in a loud voice.
“Princess! Lord Tiwakan has arrived.”
Swish! Liene hurriedly turned away from the window. Her heart was pounding. Liene forcibly calmed her anxiety.
“Let him in.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Madam Flambard opened the bedroom door wide with trembling hands.
“Please come in.”
With a precarious time difference, Black entered. His blue gaze went straight to her, and she almost bit her tongue.
“What happened?”
Those blue eyes strangely felt like they could see through anything. So she became more nervous than necessary in front of him every time. …Calm down. He couldn't have seen. It's okay. He wouldn't know anyone was hiding here.
“Nothing. Why do you ask?”
"You said you called for me."
"Pardon?"
Liene blinked, momentarily failing to understand the question.
"Didn't that mean you needed something from me?"
"Ah..."
A weight lifted from her chest. It seemed the message hadn't been fully conveyed. Liene released the hem of her skirt, which she had unknowingly been clutching tightly, and continued calmly.
"While altering the clothes, I realized there were some measurements I hadn't taken. I was wondering if I could see you again when you had time."
"Measurements... was that all?"
"Yes."
Blue eyes blinked slowly. Liene noticed Black's subtle frown. Was he annoyed? That she had made him come all this way for something so insignificant? Was that it?
"..."
But it didn't seem that way. She couldn't pinpoint the exact reason, but it didn't feel like he was angry with her.
"Then take them."
Black strode towards Liene and opened his arms.
"No, this time..."
This time, Madam Flambard will take them. Please go to Madam Flambard, not me. That's what she had to say. But Liene could only move her lips, staring at Black who had come so close. ...The smell of sweat. She could tell as he got closer. He smelled of sweat. The end of his forehead seemed damp, too. It must be from sweating. Suddenly, she felt strange.
"By any chance... did you run here?"
Liene asked softly.
"Yes."
"Why..."
"As I said, I thought you needed something from me."
Rustle. That was the sound of Black raising his hand and letting a lock of Liene's hair slip through his fingers. The rustling sound near her ear was soft and ticklish. This is... strange. Liene muttered inwardly. This makes it sound like he ran here sweating because I called him. This is strange. This is as if this man... as if he...
"Lord Tiwakan is needed."
Liene didn't realize that her cheeks were faintly flushed pink. She didn't realize that her voice became softer when she called Black.
"Because I can't alter the clothes without taking the measurements."
"If I had known it was just that, I wouldn't have rushed so much. You might think of me as a sweaty mess."
"It's not that bad."
Perhaps it was the opposite. It was still the smell of sweat, but it felt like his scent had deepened. A raw, animalistic scent lingered at the tip of her nose, and instead of being repulsive, it made the back of her neck tingle. ...I should move away a little. Madam Flambard might notice. Liene gently placed her hand on Black's chest, pretending to push him away. Of course, there was no strength in her fingertips.
"Then let go of my hair. I'll take the measurements."
"Just a little longer."
But instead of letting go of her hair, Black grabbed Liene's hand with his other hand.
"Why are you doing this?"
Liene asked in a very small voice, conscious of Madam Flambard.
"I didn't realize it, but I must have been surprised. Surprised... no, worried, perhaps. Anyway, it's not a very pleasant feeling."
"Worried?"
As Liene asked back, Black put a little strength into his hand. Not painful, but intense enough.
"I was receiving a report that a bastard of the Kleinfelter Family seemed to have entered the palace. At the same time, I was told that the princess was looking for me. So I thought you might need something from me."
...Thump! Her heart dropped with a thud, making a sound all on its own. He knew... A chill ran down her spine. Black stared intently at Liene's face, which was turning pale without a sound, and wound a strand of her lustrous golden-brown hair around his fingers. Now, that gesture no longer felt like a soft, ticklish greeting. It was a firm binding. You can't get away from me as you please.
"Is taking measurements the only reason you called me?"
