“You came to personally deliver the news of death... Hmm.”
Linden Klinefelter's expression was certainly far from welcoming. But he showed no sign of mourning over his nephew's death. He knew that he was not really dead.
"Yes."
Liene faced the great chairman, Linden Kleinfelter, who had refused to budge even after several requests to enter the palace. Since Nauk’s finances had fallen into deficit, he had completely abandoned his duties as the great chairman. Liene had been selling off her family assets to cover the deficit. Both sides knew it was absurd. However, she could not do anything about the Kleinfelter family on her own. She had no choice but to lead the army and force them to surrender, but unfortunately, the Kleinfelter family’s private soldiers far outnumbered the castle guards.
“And I also inform you that the wedding of Tiwakan and Arsak is in ten and four days. As the largest family in Nauk, the Kleinfelters should attend and show their friendship.”
“Are you telling me to attend my enemy’s wedding right now?”
Liene faced Linden Kleinfelter calmly, who was speaking hostilely. They both knew that Tiwakan was not their enemy. After all, her lover was not dead.
"Yes."
“With all due respect, Arsak’s daughter seems to have lost her mind. The fact that she accepted the proposal of the barbarians in the first place is proof of that.”
“...”
Instead of blaming him for his rudeness, Liene laughed bitterly. It wasn’t until a day or two that Linden Kleinfelter began to act like a jerk to the ruler of Nauk. When Liene inherited the throne after her father passed away, the Kleinfelter family had been the loudest in their opposition. If Liene hadn’t become the official lover of the eldest son of the Kleinfelter family, their rudeness would have been unfathomable.
“Unfortunately, my mind is still sound. If I had not accepted Tiwakan’s proposal, it would have been proof of my insanity. Now that I have delivered the news of his death, please prepare for the funeral. Lafitte Kleinfelter, the Knight Commander of Arsak, will now return to the dust, and his name will forever be remembered as one who died with honor.”
Liene's words meant to remain as a dead name. That was the way to keep everyone safe.
“You have lost your pride and courage along with your sanity. Shouldn’t the daughter of Arsak avenge her fiancé?”
“Cover your words, Sir. Sir Lafitte Kleinfelter was never my fiance. There was never any engagement. Don’t you remember?”
Linden Klinefelter pursed his lips.
“He wasn’t a fiance... What kind of wordplay is that? So Arsak’s daughter was just going to have fun with Kleinfelter’s eldest son? What a cheapskate.”
If Werose had been in the same room, he would have been unable to resist and draw his sword. Liene also felt like slapping Linden Kleinfelter in the face.
“I can see how Lord Klinefelter usually treated the eldest son of the family. Even if he is dead, is it okay to insult him so easily?”
“Why did you come here? I told you to stay still.”
Linden Kleinfelter spoke to his niece with a displeased face. That was the reason why Liene had to wait a long time in front of the mansion for the door to open. Linden Kleinfelter decided that his niece would gain nothing by facing Princess Liene alone. His niece was a foolish fool when it came to Princess Liene. If she had asked him to die instead of pretending to be dead, he would have readily accepted. That was why he had told him not to come near the reception room, but he showed up anyway.
“Please step aside, Uncle.”
Even though he was his nephew, he was the eldest son. Because of his gentle personality, he had been treated as an adult until now, but in fact, it should have been the opposite. He would have been left with nothing to say if his nephew said a word and he was kicked out without any real wealth.
“I can’t do that. The daughter of Arsak has already betrayed us. Who knows how she will melt you with her treacherous tongue?”
“Please do not speak rudely to Princessiene. I cannot tolerate it.”
...That’s what it meant to be this kind of person. Linden Klinefelter clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk...! She’s not worth it. Do you know what Arsak’s daughter just said to me? You and our family from now on...”
“Uncle!”
Anger showed in her lover's eyes. Linden Klinefelter kept his mouth shut at that point. Even his normally docile nephew had a side that he couldn't stop once he got angry.
“...Tsk. I stay outside.”
Linden Klinefelter reluctantly left the reception room.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Liene spoke first. Her lover looked healthy. His skin seemed rough, but it was no fault of his compared to the corpse that had died in his stead.
“Princess... my Liene.”
Her lover called her name in a voice that sounded like he was about to burst into tears. At first, he froze as their eyes met, but then he quickly approached her and hugged her tightly.
“...”
Just hold on a little longer. Liene closed her eyes and pondered this contradictory situation. This person also needs time to say goodbye.
“I kept my promise... I broke my promise.”
Her lover's hands dug into her hair. Those hands were no different. They were passionate, affectionate, respectful, and earnest. So much so that she felt guilty... It's okay. This much, she can bear it.
“You must have waited for me... You must have been scared, but I couldn’t be there for you...”
It was okay. Liene didn't expect too much from him. She would have been happy if he had returned with reinforcements in time, but that would have led to another war anyway. Even if the Kingdom of Sharka had decided to send reinforcements, it was doubtful whether they would have a large enough force to deal with Tiwakan.
“Run away.”
Liene counted to ten, then opened her eyes and said.
"Yes?"
The lover stopped gesturing and pulled away from Liene to look her in the eye.
“What does that mean?”
“It’s literally true. Run away before Tiwakan reveals what’s hidden here.”
“You want me to run away alone?”
“That’s the safe way for everyone.”
The lover opened his eyes wide. Distrust and betrayal seemed to pour out of his wide-open eyes.
“...I can’t believe it. The Princess would give up on me like this.”
Liene couldn't understand her lover. Why didn't he understand? She could give up anything. If it was for Nauk.
“I will marry Lord Tiwakan.”
They were no longer lovers.
“I came to say this. I appreciate you for everything, and I hope you stay safe in the future.”
“Nonsense... You’re abandoning me like this? The Princess?”
The hand that was holding Liene's shoulder tightened. A brief pain was felt, but Liene decided to endure it.
“I believe that is the way to protect Nauk.”
"Princess!"
The lover cried out. The brown eyes that had always been affectionate and gentle, and sometimes felt fragile, now burned like a wood fire.
“How can abandoning me be the way to protect Nauk! How! Why!”
“Even the Arsak family and the Kleinfelter family can’t deal with Tiwakan. Right now...”
“So you’re going to offer it up with your own hands? And add the Princess to it?”
Her lover made an expression she had never seen before. A sharp sneer appeared on her lover's face and even cut into Liene's feelings.
“How can you be so foolish, Princess.. That’s exactly what those savages are after.”
The lover reached out and grabbed Liene's hair. Before she could say anything to let go, he opened his mouth breathlessly.
“Do you know what I heard in the kingdom of Sharka? About the leader of those barbarians?”
“Lord Klinefelter, let go of my hand. I have a fiance now.”
The lover did not listen to Liene. He only said what he wanted to say as if he was deaf.
“Why did he come to Nauk of all places to commit this barbaric act?”
Linden Klinefelter's expression was certainly far from welcoming. But he showed no sign of mourning over his nephew's death. He knew that he was not really dead.
"Yes."
Liene faced the great chairman, Linden Kleinfelter, who had refused to budge even after several requests to enter the palace. Since Nauk’s finances had fallen into deficit, he had completely abandoned his duties as the great chairman. Liene had been selling off her family assets to cover the deficit. Both sides knew it was absurd. However, she could not do anything about the Kleinfelter family on her own. She had no choice but to lead the army and force them to surrender, but unfortunately, the Kleinfelter family’s private soldiers far outnumbered the castle guards.
“And I also inform you that the wedding of Tiwakan and Arsak is in ten and four days. As the largest family in Nauk, the Kleinfelters should attend and show their friendship.”
“Are you telling me to attend my enemy’s wedding right now?”
Liene faced Linden Kleinfelter calmly, who was speaking hostilely. They both knew that Tiwakan was not their enemy. After all, her lover was not dead.
"Yes."
“With all due respect, Arsak’s daughter seems to have lost her mind. The fact that she accepted the proposal of the barbarians in the first place is proof of that.”
“...”
Instead of blaming him for his rudeness, Liene laughed bitterly. It wasn’t until a day or two that Linden Kleinfelter began to act like a jerk to the ruler of Nauk. When Liene inherited the throne after her father passed away, the Kleinfelter family had been the loudest in their opposition. If Liene hadn’t become the official lover of the eldest son of the Kleinfelter family, their rudeness would have been unfathomable.
“Unfortunately, my mind is still sound. If I had not accepted Tiwakan’s proposal, it would have been proof of my insanity. Now that I have delivered the news of his death, please prepare for the funeral. Lafitte Kleinfelter, the Knight Commander of Arsak, will now return to the dust, and his name will forever be remembered as one who died with honor.”
Liene's words meant to remain as a dead name. That was the way to keep everyone safe.
“You have lost your pride and courage along with your sanity. Shouldn’t the daughter of Arsak avenge her fiancé?”
“Cover your words, Sir. Sir Lafitte Kleinfelter was never my fiance. There was never any engagement. Don’t you remember?”
Linden Klinefelter pursed his lips.
“He wasn’t a fiance... What kind of wordplay is that? So Arsak’s daughter was just going to have fun with Kleinfelter’s eldest son? What a cheapskate.”
If Werose had been in the same room, he would have been unable to resist and draw his sword. Liene also felt like slapping Linden Kleinfelter in the face.
“I can see how Lord Klinefelter usually treated the eldest son of the family. Even if he is dead, is it okay to insult him so easily?”
“The one who insults Klinefelter’s eldest son is Arsak’s daughter. Even if you cut off that barbarian’s Adam’s apple right now, it won’t be enough, so how can you marry him? Can’t you, with your pretty brain, understand how insulting that is to me?”
Bam!
Bam!
She couldn't stand it any longer. Liene picked up a vase that decorated one side of the living room and hurled it at Linden Kleinfelter's feet. The shards of broken porcelain and water stained the expensive, foreign carpet.
“Temperament...”
Lindon Klinefelter twitched his mustache.
“It was passed down by the previous King of Nauk. I think it was meant to personally admonish anyone who dares to speak nonsense beyond their status like a lord.”
Liene let out a ragged breath as she spoke.
“If you are so upset that I accepted his proposal, then look back and see what Kleinfelter was doing during the two weeks that Nauk was under siege. Where were the privates hiding when nearly a hundred of Nauk’s guards gave their lives?”
“So, are you saying that you sold your cheap body to those savages for Nauk’s sake?”
It was a mistake. She should have thrown the vase somewhere else.
“I guess I was too generous. I should have hit the head instead of the floor.”
“What, head? Why don’t you keep nagging me like that? What can you do?”
Linden Klinefelter bared his gums and growled like a dog barking. The two men, who had thrown away even the slightest manners, looked like they were on a battlefield rather than a reception room.
“Tell that man to just be dead and leave quietly. And don’t even think about shooting an arrow again.”
While they were glaring at each other for a moment, Liene brought up the main topic.
“If you want Nauk to be safe, then you should put aside your personal vendetta.”
“Temperament...”
Lindon Klinefelter twitched his mustache.
“It was passed down by the previous King of Nauk. I think it was meant to personally admonish anyone who dares to speak nonsense beyond their status like a lord.”
Liene let out a ragged breath as she spoke.
“If you are so upset that I accepted his proposal, then look back and see what Kleinfelter was doing during the two weeks that Nauk was under siege. Where were the privates hiding when nearly a hundred of Nauk’s guards gave their lives?”
“So, are you saying that you sold your cheap body to those savages for Nauk’s sake?”
It was a mistake. She should have thrown the vase somewhere else.
“I guess I was too generous. I should have hit the head instead of the floor.”
“What, head? Why don’t you keep nagging me like that? What can you do?”
Linden Klinefelter bared his gums and growled like a dog barking. The two men, who had thrown away even the slightest manners, looked like they were on a battlefield rather than a reception room.
“Tell that man to just be dead and leave quietly. And don’t even think about shooting an arrow again.”
While they were glaring at each other for a moment, Liene brought up the main topic.
“If you want Nauk to be safe, then you should put aside your personal vendetta.”
“Why don’t you show off that temper on some savages?”
“I trust you will convey this without fail. I also inform you that Tiwakan knows that the Knight Commander of Arsam is not dead.”
“Oh, now that you’ve adjusted your lower abdomen, there’s no room for you to lose your temper?”
“Shut... !”
Just as the words to shut up were about to spill out, knock. A sound rang out from beyond the living room door.
“I brought some refreshments for the guests.”
It was a familiar voice that made Liene and Linden Klinefelter both stiffen at the same time.
“Can I come in?”
Creak.
“I trust you will convey this without fail. I also inform you that Tiwakan knows that the Knight Commander of Arsam is not dead.”
“Oh, now that you’ve adjusted your lower abdomen, there’s no room for you to lose your temper?”
“Shut... !”
Just as the words to shut up were about to spill out, knock. A sound rang out from beyond the living room door.
“I brought some refreshments for the guests.”
It was a familiar voice that made Liene and Linden Klinefelter both stiffen at the same time.
“Can I come in?”
Creak.
The door opened and the person coming in was the lover who was not dead.
***
“Why did you come here? I told you to stay still.”
Linden Kleinfelter spoke to his niece with a displeased face. That was the reason why Liene had to wait a long time in front of the mansion for the door to open. Linden Kleinfelter decided that his niece would gain nothing by facing Princess Liene alone. His niece was a foolish fool when it came to Princess Liene. If she had asked him to die instead of pretending to be dead, he would have readily accepted. That was why he had told him not to come near the reception room, but he showed up anyway.
“Please step aside, Uncle.”
Even though he was his nephew, he was the eldest son. Because of his gentle personality, he had been treated as an adult until now, but in fact, it should have been the opposite. He would have been left with nothing to say if his nephew said a word and he was kicked out without any real wealth.
“I can’t do that. The daughter of Arsak has already betrayed us. Who knows how she will melt you with her treacherous tongue?”
“Please do not speak rudely to Princessiene. I cannot tolerate it.”
...That’s what it meant to be this kind of person. Linden Klinefelter clicked his tongue.
“Tsk tsk...! She’s not worth it. Do you know what Arsak’s daughter just said to me? You and our family from now on...”
“Uncle!”
Anger showed in her lover's eyes. Linden Klinefelter kept his mouth shut at that point. Even his normally docile nephew had a side that he couldn't stop once he got angry.
“...Tsk. I stay outside.”
Linden Klinefelter reluctantly left the reception room.
Knock.
Behind the closed door, a suffocating space remained where separated lovers faced each other.
***
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
Liene spoke first. Her lover looked healthy. His skin seemed rough, but it was no fault of his compared to the corpse that had died in his stead.
“Princess... my Liene.”
Her lover called her name in a voice that sounded like he was about to burst into tears. At first, he froze as their eyes met, but then he quickly approached her and hugged her tightly.
“...”
Just hold on a little longer. Liene closed her eyes and pondered this contradictory situation. This person also needs time to say goodbye.
“I kept my promise... I broke my promise.”
Her lover's hands dug into her hair. Those hands were no different. They were passionate, affectionate, respectful, and earnest. So much so that she felt guilty... It's okay. This much, she can bear it.
“You must have waited for me... You must have been scared, but I couldn’t be there for you...”
It was okay. Liene didn't expect too much from him. She would have been happy if he had returned with reinforcements in time, but that would have led to another war anyway. Even if the Kingdom of Sharka had decided to send reinforcements, it was doubtful whether they would have a large enough force to deal with Tiwakan.
“Run away.”
Liene counted to ten, then opened her eyes and said.
"Yes?"
The lover stopped gesturing and pulled away from Liene to look her in the eye.
“What does that mean?”
“It’s literally true. Run away before Tiwakan reveals what’s hidden here.”
“You want me to run away alone?”
“That’s the safe way for everyone.”
The lover opened his eyes wide. Distrust and betrayal seemed to pour out of his wide-open eyes.
“...I can’t believe it. The Princess would give up on me like this.”
Liene couldn't understand her lover. Why didn't he understand? She could give up anything. If it was for Nauk.
“I will marry Lord Tiwakan.”
They were no longer lovers.
“I came to say this. I appreciate you for everything, and I hope you stay safe in the future.”
“Nonsense... You’re abandoning me like this? The Princess?”
The hand that was holding Liene's shoulder tightened. A brief pain was felt, but Liene decided to endure it.
“I believe that is the way to protect Nauk.”
"Princess!"
The lover cried out. The brown eyes that had always been affectionate and gentle, and sometimes felt fragile, now burned like a wood fire.
“How can abandoning me be the way to protect Nauk! How! Why!”
“Even the Arsak family and the Kleinfelter family can’t deal with Tiwakan. Right now...”
“So you’re going to offer it up with your own hands? And add the Princess to it?”
Her lover made an expression she had never seen before. A sharp sneer appeared on her lover's face and even cut into Liene's feelings.
“How can you be so foolish, Princess.. That’s exactly what those savages are after.”
The lover reached out and grabbed Liene's hair. Before she could say anything to let go, he opened his mouth breathlessly.
“Do you know what I heard in the kingdom of Sharka? About the leader of those barbarians?”
“Lord Klinefelter, let go of my hand. I have a fiance now.”
The lover did not listen to Liene. He only said what he wanted to say as if he was deaf.
“Why did he come to Nauk of all places to commit this barbaric act?”
***
Line was very curious about that. Why did the leader of Tiwakan want Nauk? This was the poorest and most barren of the five kingdoms in the south. Even now, after promising to be sincere to each other, this curiosity remains unsolved.
“What was the reason...?”
Liene opened her mouth to the eldest son of the Kleinfelter family, who was no longer her lover.
“I heard he has a grudge against Nauk.”
"... Yes?"
“So they said he had been planning his revenge for a long time. It is a well-known fact outside of Nauk.”
“What kind of... what kind of grudge?”
“They say his family was killed by someone in Nauk.”
“So he's trying to get his hands on Nauk? Doesn’t that make sense?”
“Do you want to make sense? To a savage?”
“...”
Liene shut her mouth. For a normal person, it might not make sense. But if the person who dreamed of revenge was the leader of Tiwakan, it might make sense. He had the power to crush someone like Nauk at will, no, that would make even more sense. Then, instead of proposing, he should have started a war. If he had started a full-scale war, Tiwakan wouldn’t have needed to besiege the castle for two weeks. Everything would have been settled in three days.
“What was the reason...?”
Liene opened her mouth to the eldest son of the Kleinfelter family, who was no longer her lover.
“I heard he has a grudge against Nauk.”
"... Yes?"
“So they said he had been planning his revenge for a long time. It is a well-known fact outside of Nauk.”
“What kind of... what kind of grudge?”
“They say his family was killed by someone in Nauk.”
“So he's trying to get his hands on Nauk? Doesn’t that make sense?”
“Do you want to make sense? To a savage?”
“...”
Liene shut her mouth. For a normal person, it might not make sense. But if the person who dreamed of revenge was the leader of Tiwakan, it might make sense. He had the power to crush someone like Nauk at will, no, that would make even more sense. Then, instead of proposing, he should have started a war. If he had started a full-scale war, Tiwakan wouldn’t have needed to besiege the castle for two weeks. Everything would have been settled in three days.
Her head would have been hung on the castle walls, and Tiwakan would have erased the name Nauk from the map of the continent. And he clearly said so. If he wanted to ruin it, he would have done so from the beginning.
Revenge? No. That can’t be it.
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