“What did you say?”
Postponing the wedding? What on earth does that mean? Do you really think that's possible?
“Until the god of Nauk cleanses them of all their sins, they must not marry. If they disregard the will of God, a great disaster will surely follow.”
“Are you calling that a word now?”
Liene clenched her fist and asked back. The high priest glanced at Liene’s fist. Still, he said what he had to say.
“Princess, you must know that God’s will is strong.”
“High Priest Milod, you must know that you are now using the name of God to blaspheme the royal family.”
The high priest snorted at the calm sarcasm.
“I am the representative of God and speak on His behalf, daughter of Arsac.”
“What did God say? Did he appear in your dream and tell you to ruin my marriage?”
“Huh...! How can you be so disrespectful to God? Now that I think about it, Nauk’s trials seem to be a revelation from God to punish Arsak’s daughter!”
In the past, the high priest would not have dared to say such a thing. But now, something felt strange. He felt like he was cornered and was swearing. Liene had a feeling that Kleinfelter was trying to stop the marriage between Tiwakan and her by any means necessary. So, instead of talking about fixing the stairs, the Hugh priest would be talking about the wedding date.
“Watch your mouth, High Priest. This is a palace, not a temple.”
Liene, who had been maintaining a calm expression even while clenching her fists, could no longer hold it in and showed her anger.
“The palace is a place governed by secular law. I have the right to punish those who insult the royal family with three inches of tongue.”
“Well, even so, you cannot get married without God’s permission...”
That's when the high priest said that.
“It's late.”
Boom!
The door to the reception room creaked loudly. Black was coming in, pushing the door open with both hands.
“Ugh, ugh...”
The high priest's face turned pale.
“Uh, uh, why is a mercenary in the meeting room without my permission...”
At that point, Liene almost sighed. Thinking about it, she wondered how the high priest could possibly not notice. It seemed that Kleinfelter had pushed him from behind and told him some nonsense about how a mercenary wouldn’t be allowed into the meeting room.
“Welcome, Lord Tiwakan. Come here.”
Instead of kindly correcting the high priest’s misconception, Liene called Black to his seat. With this, she was announcing that he was now the royal fiancé and the new leader of the Arsak Guardians. Black quickly figured out Liene’s intentions. Without saying anything, he sat down next to Liene at the head table. The fact that he didn’t say anything made it seem even more natural.
“How far did we go? Oh, you said that God was trying to sabotage my marriage. So how long did you tell me to put it off?”
"That..."
The high priest stopped his enthusiastically speaking mouth and rolled his eyes. He didn’t even glance at Black, who was sitting next to Liene.
***
“Ugh, ugh...”
The high priest's face turned pale.
“Uh, uh, why is a mercenary in the meeting room without my permission...”
At that point, Liene almost sighed. Thinking about it, she wondered how the high priest could possibly not notice. It seemed that Kleinfelter had pushed him from behind and told him some nonsense about how a mercenary wouldn’t be allowed into the meeting room.
“Welcome, Lord Tiwakan. Come here.”
Instead of kindly correcting the high priest’s misconception, Liene called Black to his seat. With this, she was announcing that he was now the royal fiancé and the new leader of the Arsak Guardians. Black quickly figured out Liene’s intentions. Without saying anything, he sat down next to Liene at the head table. The fact that he didn’t say anything made it seem even more natural.
“How far did we go? Oh, you said that God was trying to sabotage my marriage. So how long did you tell me to put it off?”
"That..."
The high priest stopped his enthusiastically speaking mouth and rolled his eyes. He didn’t even glance at Black, who was sitting next to Liene.
...It’s effective.
Liene smiled bitterly without realizing it. It was refreshing to see the high priest flustered, but she was also fed up with that obvious change in attitude. It meant that he seemed so weak and vulnerable.
“So, until the time when God permits the Princess to marry someone...”
“How do I know if God permits it?”
“Well, He will speak through me as his agent...”
“I guess it’s the mouth that’s the problem.”
“Uh... Huh?”
The High Priest swallowed a breath. Black tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, making a sound. The High Priest raised his head in surprise. Then, when their eyes met, they turned into ice.
“I’ll give you a choice. Either sell me that mouth, or I’ll open it.”
“...”
The high priest's jaw seemed to be set in stone, either because he did not understand or because he was surprised that he could not find any manners that should have been shown to the high priest.
“It seems too polite to say that. Then I will say it again. Either open your mouth yourself, or I will tear it open.”
“Wh... what the heck!”
Finally, the high priest spoke. It was loud enough to shake the audience room. But he couldn't do anything more. Black thumped the armrest again.
"Quiet."
“...?”
“Don’t be rude. In front of royalty.”
“...”
“Choose. Open side or tear side.”
“...”
It wasn't that his jaw was really stiff. He just couldn't speak. The high priest was afraid of the sound of his voice softly echoing through the room.
“If you don’t choose, I will.”
Knock.
“So, until the time when God permits the Princess to marry someone...”
“How do I know if God permits it?”
“Well, He will speak through me as his agent...”
“I guess it’s the mouth that’s the problem.”
“Uh... Huh?”
The High Priest swallowed a breath. Black tapped the armrest of the chair with his fingers, making a sound. The High Priest raised his head in surprise. Then, when their eyes met, they turned into ice.
“I’ll give you a choice. Either sell me that mouth, or I’ll open it.”
“...”
The high priest's jaw seemed to be set in stone, either because he did not understand or because he was surprised that he could not find any manners that should have been shown to the high priest.
“It seems too polite to say that. Then I will say it again. Either open your mouth yourself, or I will tear it open.”
“Wh... what the heck!”
Finally, the high priest spoke. It was loud enough to shake the audience room. But he couldn't do anything more. Black thumped the armrest again.
"Quiet."
“...?”
“Don’t be rude. In front of royalty.”
“...”
“Choose. Open side or tear side.”
“...”
It wasn't that his jaw was really stiff. He just couldn't speak. The high priest was afraid of the sound of his voice softly echoing through the room.
“If you don’t choose, I will.”
Knock.
Black tapped the armrest as if to replace the number.
Knock. Knock.
The moment the third sound was heard, the high priest squeezed out his voice.
“This, this can’t be happening. This can’t be happening to God’s agent...!”
But that was the last straw. As soon as Black’s gesture stopped, the door to the meeting room slammed shut as if on a signal.
“Ugh! This can’t be happening!”
The high priest and his entourage turned their backs in a hurry, but that did not mean that the closed door would open again.
“Princess! Open the door quickly!”
The only place the High Priest could hang was Liene. If it was a barbarian, it would be impossible to understand, but Liene could not do that. The ruler of Nauk could not disregard the one whom the god of Nauk had created with his own mouth.
"Princess!"
“If you tell me to open it, I will open it.”
Black spoke slowly, his voice as emotionless as ever. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, but at least one thing was clear: Liene was the only one who could handle the leader of Tiwakan.
“...Thank you for your words. However, since the conversation is still in full swing, I think it would be best to close it until we finish.”
Liene also noticed that fact. To be exact, she knew that Black was trying to show that kind of appearance to the high priest. Now, as long as Tiwakan was there, the high priest could not shout at Liene about gods like he did just a moment ago. No, it was not just that. To leave this place safely, he needed Liene’s protection. The leader of Tiwakan would never open the door unless Liene asked.
“Then let’s talk again. Why do you think we should delay the wedding?”
“...”
The face of the high priest hardened like lead. The words that the gods did not tolerate unclean beings and that the marriage should be postponed were never mentioned again.
“This, this can’t be happening. This can’t be happening to God’s agent...!”
But that was the last straw. As soon as Black’s gesture stopped, the door to the meeting room slammed shut as if on a signal.
“Ugh! This can’t be happening!”
The high priest and his entourage turned their backs in a hurry, but that did not mean that the closed door would open again.
“Princess! Open the door quickly!”
The only place the High Priest could hang was Liene. If it was a barbarian, it would be impossible to understand, but Liene could not do that. The ruler of Nauk could not disregard the one whom the god of Nauk had created with his own mouth.
"Princess!"
“If you tell me to open it, I will open it.”
Black spoke slowly, his voice as emotionless as ever. It was impossible to tell what he was thinking, but at least one thing was clear: Liene was the only one who could handle the leader of Tiwakan.
“...Thank you for your words. However, since the conversation is still in full swing, I think it would be best to close it until we finish.”
Liene also noticed that fact. To be exact, she knew that Black was trying to show that kind of appearance to the high priest. Now, as long as Tiwakan was there, the high priest could not shout at Liene about gods like he did just a moment ago. No, it was not just that. To leave this place safely, he needed Liene’s protection. The leader of Tiwakan would never open the door unless Liene asked.
“Then let’s talk again. Why do you think we should delay the wedding?”
“...”
The face of the high priest hardened like lead. The words that the gods did not tolerate unclean beings and that the marriage should be postponed were never mentioned again.
***
The conversation ended smoothly. The high priest nodded obediently and left, becoming a completely different person. Of course, it was not free. Black had agreed to pay the entire cost of repairing the steps of the temple. With that, the wedding vows and the wedding ceremony that the high priest had to perform were all decided.
The funeral that had been suspended was to be held this evening at the chapel of Nauk Castle. The task of moving the coffin was left to the Tiwakan mercenaries. With this, the high priest could never again say that Tiwakan was an unclean being that the gods did not tolerate. An unclean being could not carry a coffin, and if that were the case, the corpses would rot in the temple until the steps were fixed. Liene was bewildered because it was the first time she had negotiated without giving a single concession and got everything she wanted.
“I didn’t know this would happen.”
After the high priests and their party fled, only Liene and Black remained in the audience room.
“The high priest was such a fearful person.”
Liene's bitter smile revealed the many things she had been through.
“I’m glad you like the results.”
She doesn't know if she can just say she like this. She thinks she should use a more extreme expression.
“But you spent too much money.”
Liene added softly, looking at Black. That was still on her mind.
“You didn’t have to pay all that money. Even if you hadn’t, the high priest wouldn’t have insisted on postponing the wedding.”
“It’s okay, I have enough to spend what I want.”
“Still.”
That's too much money to talk about so lightly.
“Would it be rude if I told you not to worry about money from now on?”
Liene thought for a moment and then answered.
"...No."
Nauk's financial difficulties were too old to be proud of. She doesn't know how much longer she can endure. This year, she just endured each day, praying to God for more rain.
“I don’t think so.”
“Then don’t worry.”
It was strange that he spoke so simply. That's why she thought she would be mistaken. That he was just a good person. That he was a strong supporter who would solve any problem.
“I didn’t know this would happen.”
After the high priests and their party fled, only Liene and Black remained in the audience room.
“The high priest was such a fearful person.”
Liene's bitter smile revealed the many things she had been through.
“I’m glad you like the results.”
She doesn't know if she can just say she like this. She thinks she should use a more extreme expression.
“But you spent too much money.”
Liene added softly, looking at Black. That was still on her mind.
“You didn’t have to pay all that money. Even if you hadn’t, the high priest wouldn’t have insisted on postponing the wedding.”
“It’s okay, I have enough to spend what I want.”
“Still.”
That's too much money to talk about so lightly.
“Would it be rude if I told you not to worry about money from now on?”
Liene thought for a moment and then answered.
"...No."
Nauk's financial difficulties were too old to be proud of. She doesn't know how much longer she can endure. This year, she just endured each day, praying to God for more rain.
“I don’t think so.”
“Then don’t worry.”
It was strange that he spoke so simply. That's why she thought she would be mistaken. That he was just a good person. That he was a strong supporter who would solve any problem.
What on earth did he gain from this marriage that he was willing to take on so many losses?
“...If that’s okay.”
Liene nodded, hiding her true feelings. Black's hidden intentions would be revealed once Werose returned anyway. Until then, wouldn't it be okay to hold on to this sense of security for a little while? It won't be for long.
“Thank you, Lord Tiwakan. It is thanks to you that both the funeral and the wedding went smoothly.”
“...”
“...If that’s okay.”
Liene nodded, hiding her true feelings. Black's hidden intentions would be revealed once Werose returned anyway. Until then, wouldn't it be okay to hold on to this sense of security for a little while? It won't be for long.
“Thank you, Lord Tiwakan. It is thanks to you that both the funeral and the wedding went smoothly.”
“...”
Liene thanking Black. Her words of gratitude were sincere. But instead of greeting him, Black kept his mouth shut and stared at Liene.
“Why... are you doing that?”
“Because it’s interesting.”
“What do you mean?”
“No, I guess I should say it again. I want to know if you’re serious.”
Was my thanking lacking?
“I am very grateful. This is not an empty promise.”
“No, I mean the wedding date.”
“Is there anything wrong with the wedding date?”
“Is it your true heart, Princess, that you don’t want to put it off?”
“Of course... Ah.”
Liene realized the meaning of Black’s words a beat later. At some point, Liene too had taken marriage with Black for granted.
“Why... are you doing that?”
“Because it’s interesting.”
“What do you mean?”
“No, I guess I should say it again. I want to know if you’re serious.”
Was my thanking lacking?
“I am very grateful. This is not an empty promise.”
“No, I mean the wedding date.”
“Is there anything wrong with the wedding date?”
“Is it your true heart, Princess, that you don’t want to put it off?”
“Of course... Ah.”
Liene realized the meaning of Black’s words a beat later. At some point, Liene too had taken marriage with Black for granted.
Black looked at Liene, who stopped talking and opened her mouth. It was as if he was looking for a piece of the lie that Liene had hidden in her face.
"Of course?"
“Of course... that’s what I meant.”
“...”
At Liene's answer, Black paused for a moment and then stretched his lips to the side.
"Of course?"
“Of course... that’s what I meant.”
“...”
At Liene's answer, Black paused for a moment and then stretched his lips to the side.
Ah... This time, it was Liene's turn to pause.
That's... smiling. It was a subtle change, but it hit Liene hard. It was the first time she's seen that kind of expression.
“I don’t regret spending the money.”
Black said with a face that slowly lost its smile. That man says such things with a smile. It seemed to mean that he was that happy about marrying her, so Liene felt strange.
“I don’t regret spending the money.”
Black said with a face that slowly lost its smile. That man says such things with a smile. It seemed to mean that he was that happy about marrying her, so Liene felt strange.
She thinks he's mistaken. He’s just a good person. He’s just someone who likes her. The wedding is now just around the corner.
***
“Have you ever seen such a stupid man!”
Boom!
Linden Kleinfelter slammed his fist on the table in frustration. The ink bottle shook and spilled ink. Lafitte glanced at the dirty table, but that was all. In the end, Linden Kleinfelter ground his teeth and straightened up the fallen ink bottle.
“Can’t you even solve such a simple problem as postponing a wedding? And on that note, you’re holding the position of high priest?”
Tararang!
“Can’t you even solve such a simple problem as postponing a wedding? And on that note, you’re holding the position of high priest?”
Tararang!
Linden Klinefelter pushed aside the ink-soaked table and paced around the room.
“I guess it won’t work. I’ll have to find another worthy person.”
The ridiculous talk of replacing the high priest was heard as if nothing had happened. Lafitte, who had been frowning while lost in thought, suddenly raised his head.
“What did you say, Uncle?”
“That won’t do. It’s already over. It won’t be of any use in the future.”
“How do you replace the High Priest?”
“What are you talking about, you? Do you think that our family can’t even do that?”
The High Priest of Nauk was a life-long position. Only when one died would a new High Priest be chosen. What Linden Kleinfelter was saying now meant that he would kill the current High Priest and that he had done the same thing before.
“I guess it won’t work. I’ll have to find another worthy person.”
The ridiculous talk of replacing the high priest was heard as if nothing had happened. Lafitte, who had been frowning while lost in thought, suddenly raised his head.
“What did you say, Uncle?”
“That won’t do. It’s already over. It won’t be of any use in the future.”
“How do you replace the High Priest?”
“What are you talking about, you? Do you think that our family can’t even do that?”
The High Priest of Nauk was a life-long position. Only when one died would a new High Priest be chosen. What Linden Kleinfelter was saying now meant that he would kill the current High Priest and that he had done the same thing before.
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