Chapter 69
69. Thirst
Thanks to Madam Flambard's fussing, Liene managed to return to her usual appearance. Her eyes were still slightly swollen, but it wasn't noticeable unless you looked closely.
“Do I look alright?”
“How many times must I tell you? You look lovely, Princess.”
“Yes.”
Liene barely managed to tear her gaze away from the mirror. It was probably the first time she had stared at herself in the mirror for so long. Madam Flambard smiled inwardly, thinking that Liene, who had been so indifferent to her appearance, finally looked like a woman her age.
“Then you should go now. You're making him wait too long. Well, if you intend to make him anxious, that's fine too.”
Today, they were to have the breakfast together that they had missed the other day. After that, they would each be busy. Liene had to receive the jeweler and the fabric merchant in turn, and then help with the making of her new wedding dress. Madam Flambard had to put aside all her other busy work and devote herself to the wedding dress. Embroidery could be done by others, but the overall shape and the right accessories had to go through her hands. And a new Letter of Appointment had to be made. A new title was needed for the co-ruler of Nauk and the Princess's husband. She couldn't give him back the name Gainus, but she wanted to give him a name just as magnificent. A name that would become the new royal family of Nauk. Along with the new title, a mansion and land had to be bestowed, and Liene was willing to pour all her remaining fortune into providing it.
“Ah, that's right. I think he's already waiting. Let's go then.”
“Yes, let's. I'll escort you to the dining hall.”
It didn't take long to get to the dining hall. * * *
“You're already here.”
It seemed she was late. The moment Liene entered the dining hall, she saw Black spotting her and rising to his feet. Before she could tell him to sit down, he had crossed the table and reached the door.
“I'm late.”
“It's alright.”
He smiled, looking at her face, which was much improved compared to the morning.
“Are you hungry?”
“Um… I am.”
“That's good.”
The table was already fully set. Liene was surprised to see the flowers and gold candlesticks decorating the table.
“Where did you get these? We don't have things like this in the castle.”
“I went through some trouble to get the flowers.”
In Nauk, it was more difficult to find fresh flowers than gold. In fact, it was his mercenaries who had gone through the trouble, but Black nonchalantly took credit for his subordinates' efforts.
“Oh, my.”
An inexplicable warmth spread beneath her chest. Liene tapped Black's arm lightly in gratitude.
“I think I know what kind of trouble you went through. I'm so happy to see flowers after so long.”
“It was worth the trouble.”
Black held out his hand. She was about to be escorted from the entrance to the table. The scent of the flowers must be strong. The smell keeps getting sweeter.
“Please, have a seat.”
Black pulled out the chair on the opposite side with his other hand and seated Liene. The royal dining table traditionally had assigned seating according to status, and Black seemed to know that.
“I don't like this seat.”
So, without realizing it, the sweet scent of the flowers turned bitter. This seat was originally where you were supposed to sit. How can you give it to me so naturally…? It was a seat she couldn't bear to sit in with him in front of her. Liene quickly got up from the head of the table and said,
“I'll sit next to you. I think that would be better.”
“That's strange.”
Black tilted his chin with a smiling face.
“What is?”
Liene moved to the side and tried to pull out the chair next to the one Black had been sitting in.
“It doesn't sound like you just want to sit next to me.”
But Black was faster. He naturally placed his hand over Liene's and moved the chair.
“I think there's another reason.”
…I really can't lie to this man.
“Why do you think that?”
She couldn't brazenly sit at the head of the table, but if she had to choose, Liene preferred to sit next to him.
“I don't know… too good to be true, maybe?”
“Pardon?”
“I'm still the one who's thirsty.”
Black pushed the chair back in after Liene sat down, and then sat down next to her himself. Liene waited for him to finish sitting and unfolded her napkin.
“Lean your head this way. Being thirsty doesn't mean you want water, does it?”
Without thinking, Black did as Liene said, and then chuckled when he saw the napkin being placed around his neck.
“It doesn't.”
“Then what exactly does it mean? I think I know, but I still want to hear it.”
“Something like this.”
Black took hold of Liene's hand as she tucked the napkin into his collar, puffing it out neatly according to royal etiquette.
“I can't believe it.”
“This is… a very trivial thing.”
“Because it's trivial.”
Black turned his chin towards Liene's hand. The tip of his tongue brushed past her fingers. In that brief moment, Liene opened her mouth and let out a small breath. This is a bit… too much, isn't it? This man is unnecessarily stimulating. He doesn't have to do this even at the table.
“That even this has been given to me.”
Black whispered as he slowly kissed the spot where his tongue had just touched. Liene couldn't believe it either. That she wanted to hold him even at the dinner table.
“I think you've forgotten.”
Liene murmured, looking at Black's eyelashes, which were softly closed during the kiss.
“We're going to be a little busy today.”
“I know.”
“But if you do this… the meal might take too long.”
“Why would it take longer?”
“Pardon?”
That reaction was a bit unexpected.
“Wouldn't it obviously take longer?”
“Why?”
Why, she asks.
“That's why we overslept this morning. It was like that then…”
“That's because we couldn't stop kissing.”
“Exactly.”
“……”
Black stretched his lips into a silent smile.
“Are you saying we should kiss here?”
“That's… …Yes?”
“You're being too much. It's only natural that I can't believe it.”
Black yanked the chair Liene was sitting on closer. The seat next to him, which wasn't far to begin with, became even closer, but he seemed to think that was still too far, so he lifted Liene, who was sitting in the chair, and placed her on his lap.
“I-I'll be surprised if you do this.”
Liene reflexively wrapped her arms around his neck.
“There's no need to be. I won't let you fall, Princess.”
He cupped the back of Liene's head. As if that were a signal, their lips met. Even before he said he wouldn't let her fall, Liene hadn't been worried. Black's embrace was the safest and most reliable place for her.
“I think you're right, Princess.”
Black murmured with eyes that were darker than usual, after briefly parting their lips to breathe.
“It seems the meal will take longer.”
“I told you so…”
“We shouldn't do this every day…”
Even so, the kiss continued. Black's lower lip parting her lips and entering was the beginning of the kiss and a spell to empty her mind. We shouldn't… I really have a lot to do. I have to quickly make a new wedding dress. And the Letter of Appointment too… …Ah. All of that disappeared somewhere far away. Liene senselessly caressed Black's face and continued the kiss. Every time Liene touched his earlobe or neck, he invariably let out a rough breath. The kiss continued until the prepared food had all gone cold. If Madam Flambard hadn't come to check on them, saying that the meal was taking too long, it would have taken even longer. * * *
“Ah… I shouldn't be doing this, I have to go to the North Tower.”
Half of the busy day had already passed. The jeweler bought her mother's sapphire necklace for an unexpectedly generous price, which was somewhat comforting given the regret she felt selling it. She chose the fabric brought by the draper and, together with Madam Flambard, decided on the overall design. Her ambition to create an even better ceremonial robe than the late King's coronation robe filled her mind. After finishing that and instructing Alland to draft the Letter of Appointment, the sun had passed its zenith. Liene, who had been reviewing the legal issues surrounding the new title conferrals, glanced at the clock. It was the perfect time to visit Mrs. Hinton. Too early or too late would only make the awkward situation more difficult. Liene, carrying the basket of cookies that Madam Flambard had prepared in advance, headed towards the North Tower. It's okay if the cookies get crushed. They won't stain anything, will they? Liene chuckled and climbed the tower. The mercenaries guarding the tower bowed their heads every time they made eye contact. She was now used to seeing them inside Nauk Castle. Hasn't this place become more like his home now? That thought warmed her heart for a moment. Yes... He's finally getting his home back. Liene climbed the steep stairs and reached the room where Mrs. Hinton was staying. Tap, tap.
"Madam. May I come in?"
Then, she heard a rustling sound from inside, and the door opened with a thud before long.
"Ah...?"
Liene met Klima, who was looking at her with equally surprised eyes.
"Sectarian, you were... here?"
"Y-yes... P-Princess... No, I mean... F-Fer... No, I mean, that... person said it was okay for me to come..."
"You don't have to be so flustered. Oh, I see... I had no idea. Is Mrs. Hinton inside?"
"Yes, yes."
Klima quickly stepped aside. He still remembered what he had tried to do to Liene, so he couldn't make proper eye contact.
"Madam."
Mrs. Hinton, who was sitting in a chair in front of the small fireplace, turned her head. Her body twitched slightly, as if she was struggling with whether to ignore her or not.
"It's okay. Just stay as you are. I know I'm not in a position to demand courtesy."
Liene then placed the basket on the table.
"Today, it's cookies. I thought they would be easier to crush and clean up. Oh, but that doesn't mean they don't taste good. I told the royal chef to put in extra effort, so they shouldn't be bad. Sectarian, do you like cookies?"
At Liene's question, Klima, who had been standing cautiously in a corner of the room, raised his head sharply.
"Yes? N-no... No, yes! I-I'll eat them! Whatever you give me..."
He looked like he would eat poison if she told him to. It broke her heart to see how innocent and blindly devoted he was. To make someone like that do such dirty work... Kleinfelter was truly a vile man.
"Try one and eat more if you like it. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to."
"Yes, yes... I will."
Klima approached with an unusually solemn expression and held out his hands respectfully.
"You don't have to do anything you don't want to. Just do what you want to do."
Liene placed the most delicious-looking cookie in Klima's palm.
"Do what I want to do..."
Klima stared at the cookie in his hand and mumbled before taking a bite. The sound of him eating the cookie slowly filled the small room.
"I brought plenty, so Madam, you can crush some too."
Liene smiled faintly and turned to Mrs. Hinton.
"The bedding has been changed. It's a little better, isn't it?"
"......"
"It'll be much better now that Sectarian is here. This room must be uncomfortable for the two of you. How about moving to a different one?"
"......"
Mrs. Hinton's lips moved as if she was about to say something, but she closed them again.
"Do as you please. Talk to anyone you want when you want to. Anyone in the castle is fine."
"...Is that what you came to say again?"
Finally, Mrs. Hinton spoke hesitantly.
"That and something else. There's something I want to discuss."
"What business could you have with someone like me?"
"It's about changing your names."
"...Changing our names? Mine and my child's?"
"Yes."
Liene took a moment to breathe. It seemed it wouldn't be easy to say.
"The Kleinfelter Family will be dealt with at the upcoming Grand Council. But I can't guarantee that the remaining five families will be as well. It would be best if you could use the Hinton name, but if you can't, how about living under a new name?"
"So... so what? A new name?"
"If you want to leave Nauk and live somewhere else, that's fine too. I'll provide the travel expenses and settlement funds."
"......"
Seeing Mrs. Hinton's face hardening, Liene added,
"I don't mean to drive you out of Nauk. I just don't think it's right for you and Sectarian to keep hiding."
"If we change our names... will we be safe then?"
"Change your names and stay in the castle. Tiwakan is protecting this place, so it's safe. I think it's time for more people to stay in the castle."
It was different from before, when she was the only royal left. Just like this morning's breakfast. If there had been someone to serve her meals as there was when the late King was alive, she wouldn't have been distracted and let her food get cold. ...Not that she disliked it, but doing that every day would be a problem. Now, Nauk Castle would be bustling with people. Once Tiwakan settled down, he would meet someone and start a family. And she would give birth to a child who would carry the blood of the Gainus Family. Madam Flambard would naturally be the child's nanny, but she would need help with the work.
"You're... entrusting that to me and my child?"
Mrs. Hinton furrowed her brow in disbelief.
"Don't you remember how I lost my second child? Aren't you worried that I might lose my mind and stab you in the back?"
