Translator: Nox

Chapter 51

51. This Moment,

Madam Flambard held Liene and spoke very seriously.

“Since the Princess knows nothing, I'm saying this out of concern, but it's not good to engage in relations during your period. No matter how heated you get, avoid it. Do you understand?”

The direct word "relations" was used. Liene didn't know where to look, so she glanced around at other places.

“Th-that, ahem, I wasn't planning on it. It's too sudden. That's too fast.”

It was the Madam's turn to look puzzled.

“Yes? Then why are you sharing a bed?”

Married royals or nobles never shared a bed unless it was for the purpose of sleeping together. There were cases where bedrooms were next to each other, but never one that was completely shared. That was considered something only poor people who couldn't afford separate bedrooms would do. Therefore, what Liene said sounded very strange.

“It's… ahem, he likes it.”

“Who? Did he say that?”

“……Yes.”

Tsk, tsk, the Madam clicked her tongue.

“You really don't know anything, Princess.”

“Know what…….”

“Do you really think it's just because he likes it?”

“Maybe…….”

I mean.

“Well, he's rumored to like men, so maybe that's it. I don't know much about that sort of thing, though.”

“That's just a rumor.”

“No. From what the Princess says, it seems to be true.”

“…….”

That's not it.

“Then I guess I was worried for nothing. I'll stop here and leave. Please sleep well.”

“…….”

Liene couldn't say anything else as the Madam left the bedroom. She felt like she would be very embarrassed if she opened her mouth. No matter what she said. * * * It was very difficult to position the pillows. Liene listened to the faint sound of water coming from the bathroom and changed the position of the pillows several times. If the two pillows were too close, it would be awkward, and if they were too far apart, she was worried it would look like she was rejecting him. Then, at some point, she felt strangely empty. ……What am I doing? Just with the position of the pillows. Tap, tap. Liene patted the pillows with her hands to fluff them up and placed them an appropriate distance apart.

“……No, it still looks too far.”

And then she narrowed the distance a little again.

“That's it. I won't touch them anymore.”

Liene carefully lifted the end of the blanket and slipped inside. In the meantime, the sound of water stopped. Soon, Black would enter the room smelling of clean water. ……Suddenly, it feels a bit suffocating. I wasn't thinking about anything, but my cheeks were warm. Liene pulled up the blanket and hid her face. Thump, thump……. Time passed slowly with the sound of her heart. Then, she blinked her eyes closed. If it hadn't been for the small sound of the door opening, she might have fallen asleep.

“……This makes me have,”

Bad thoughts. It felt like she heard those words. What's bad? Liene opened her closed eyes and was about to ask that.

“……!”

But the blanket that was covering her face was pulled down, and her lips were touched first.

“I know you're not asleep.”

Black said, gently biting her lower lip.

“Open your eyes.”

His two hands sweetly cupped her face. She opened her eyes, but wanted to close them again. She didn't know he would be this close.

“I wasn't pretending to sleep…….”

Liene murmured softly. It was very nerve-wracking because every time she spoke, her breath would be felt on his skin.

“Then what were you doing? You were covering your whole face.”

“That's…… just a habit, kind of.”

It sounded like an excuse, but in cold seasons like this, she often slept with the blanket pulled up to her head.

“Not trying to kick me out?”

“If that were the case, I wouldn't have brought the blanket…….”

Finally, Black's eyes briefly turned to the blanket neatly placed in the empty space.

“I didn't see it.”

Cheok, her lower lip was swallowed.

“But I don't like that you're getting ready to sleep.”

“I am going to slee-ep…….”

“If I can help it.”

“……Pardon?”

“Were you planning to go straight to sleep?”

The words spoken right in front of her strangely wrapped around her ears in a suggestive way. She wondered if it was because of his face. Because that face was too close.

“Then what…… are you planning to do instead of sleeping?”

“I wonder.”

Black slowly rubbed his already wet lower lip with his thumb.

“I'd like to talk for a bit first.”

“Talk about what?”

“Anything.”

His fingertips entered between her lips. When her tongue lightly touched them, he frowned as if in pain.

“What do you like?”

Pressing her lips with his finger and asking what she liked was also unnecessarily suggestive.

“In what way?”

“Anything.”

He keeps saying "anything" since a while ago.

“Um…….”

But that simple question was a very difficult one for Liene. What did I like……. The more she thought about it, the more she couldn't come up with an answer, which was even more embarrassing.

“I think I don't like being cold.”

“……. I asked what you like.”

I don't really know……. After thinking about it for a while longer, Liene said in an unsure tone.

“Not having anything to worry about.”

“……What are you worried about these days?”

There were so many that she couldn't count them all. If she had to pick one, it would be telling you the lie I'm telling you right now. That's it.

“There are many. The Cardinal's appointment is a problem, the whereabouts of the Sectarian are a problem…… the Grand Council is a problem, and I'm worried about the wedding date. If things continue like this, it seems like it will be postponed. Kleinfelter won't appoint a new Cardinal before then.”

“I understand that. Is there anything else?”

“What?”

“Worries.”

“Um……. The autumn drought. And how cold the winter will be. I hope the well doesn't freeze. Last year, it was so cold that everyone suffered so much. And also…….”

“Aren't you worried about today?”

“Yes? Today……?”

Her complexion changed drastically, wondering if he knew what she was worried about.

“Aren't you worried about what I might do?”

……Ah. That's what he's talking about. Liene placed her hand over Black's hand, which was caressing her lips.

“I'm not worried. Because I know.”

“You know?”

“Yes. I already told you. That we'll sleep like that time.”

That we'll sleep in the same bed like that day, and that you'll kiss me when I open my eyes. I hope you'll hug me tightly before I fall asleep, not just in your sleep. Suddenly, Black chuckled.

“You're an unpredictable person, Princess.”

Liene didn't know what he meant.

“In what way?”

“When I said I would sleep in the same bed, you said yesterday that you would refuse because I might not be good at it, but today…….”

Black paused for a moment and turned Liene's hand over his, kissing her palm.

“You're acting like you don't know anything.”

“…….”

I heard that from the Madam too. It was true that Liene didn't know anything. Hearing her clumsy lie through Black's mouth made her even more embarrassed.

“That's…… I have something to tell you…….”

Liene managed to bring it up with difficulty.

“I, today might be difficult…….”

“I know.”

Black lowered his head and touched his forehead to hers. It was a different feeling than a kiss, a gesture that made him feel very close.

“I’ve also heard that we need to be careful for now.”

“……?”

What does that mean?

“The doctor visited this morning, I haven’t forgotten that already.”

The doctor visited… Ah… It’s because of the baby. That’s… because this man doesn’t know yet.

“I intend to cherish the Princess very much… and I will do my best to protect this body. So don’t worry ahead of me.”

“……”

Black lifted his forehead and pulled the blanket he had lowered up to her chin.

“Still, the pillow seems too far.”

Before Liene could say anything, Black picked up the pillow that was placed a little away and brought it close to her side.

“……”

Liene quietly held her breath and watched him lie down beside her. At some point, her body had turned sideways towards him, but Liene didn't realize it. They lay facing each other, having turned their bodies sideways, making eye contact. …Um, I have something to say. Liene was very embarrassed that she couldn't get that one sentence out. Amidst the embarrassment, Black's face, visible up close, was so amazing in every detail that her heart fluttered.

“Are you looking for another scar?”

Black asked.

“No. I think there’s only the one I found back then.”

I have something to say.

“I hope no more appear there.”

I have to say it today… but strangely, the words won’t come out. Black took Liene’s hand and pressed the tips of her fingers to his lips.

“Then the Princess won’t have to examine my face so closely, will she?”

“That’s wrong.”

“What is?”

“I didn’t examine you to find a scar, I discovered a scar while examining you.”

So, even if there are no scars, I will look at your face like this. If you are there.

“Like I discovered this spot?”

Black murmured lowly, as if talking to himself, and stroked the mole behind Liene’s ear. It was a mole that Liene had never seen with her own eyes.

“Maybe.”

Liene also raised her hand and stroked the scar above Black’s eyebrow. Black closed one eye as her fingers brushed against his eyelashes.

“Is it uncomfortable?”

“……Of course not.”

He’s only opening one eye. Black took Liene’s hand and pulled it down a little. The fingertips that had been caressing his eyebrow touched the center of his cheek.

“I wish there was one more scar here.”

“I don’t want that.”

Liene immediately changed her expression. What are you talking about? Why on this face?

“If you like touching it, just ask me to touch it. Don’t think about scars.”

“……”

Black suddenly frowned. It was a complicated expression. He seemed to be smiling, but also the opposite.

“I feel like when the Princess says she doesn’t like something, it means she likes it……”

Liene remembered it too.

“So, be careful when you say those words.”

“Huh?”

Why, if it’s good?

“Because the aftermath will be difficult to handle.”

Black spat out the words as if cutting them off, and then pressed his lips against hers. They were lying in the same bed, and the distance was very close. His large hand firmly gripped her face, making it impossible to avoid. Black, who parted Liene’s lips with his own, gave her a hasty and hot kiss that felt like it would melt her. Ah… my thoughts… feel like they’re flying away. Black trapped Liene in his arms. The weight felt on her chest was disgustingly erotic. This, I… what should I do if this happens… Inside the loose gown that Black was wearing, there was nothing but pajama pants that went down below his knees. As their bodies touched and the fabric rubbed against each other, the gown opened on its own. Her eyes closed on their own accord, and her thoughts had already disappeared. Liene, led by her senses, caressed the firm skin that was much warmer than her own.

“……”

Black, who had been making intermittent sounds between his teeth, slightly parted his lips. Haa, the breath he had been holding back flowed out all at once.

“Instead of being careful, I was thinking of kissing you until you were sick of it,”

The whisper, mumbled with his lips almost touching hers, was also erotic. Liene unknowingly raised her head and searched for his parted lips. But why? You can do it.

“I can’t do it anymore.”

Black tilted his head back as much as Liene approached.

“It’s a little dangerous right now. The Princess is, to me.”

“……”

Her face flushed at those words. It wasn’t because she was embarrassed. It was different from that kind of feeling. Black, who was so flushed that she felt her eyes wavering, was suspiciously erotic as he pulled himself away. Liene reached out and placed her palm on Black’s left chest. Black flinched, twisting his upper body, and the sound of a throbbing heartbeat was imprinted on her palm for a moment. She suddenly wondered. Could the sound of her heartbeat be heard so loudly in his ears? I’m not the one who’s dangerous. It’s you. You, the man, are dangerous to me. Unbearably dangerous. It’s become that way.

“I have… something to say.”

Black met Liene’s gaze, who was lying down as if trapped between his arms, with a gaze that seemed to penetrate her.

“What is it?”

At this moment, she could be sure. This man won’t be disappointed that I lied about the baby. He won’t be angry about it, nor will he feel betrayed. He will be very… happy. In a way that cannot be compared to him being relieved that I don’t have Kleinfelter’s child.

“I’m still… bleeding today.”

Black’s expression hardened.

“Why didn’t you say so sooner?”

He seemed to firmly believe that it was because of the baby. Liene hurriedly grabbed Black, who looked like he was about to pull away and call someone.

“The reason is because……”

Now was the moment to speak.