“I couldn’t help it...”
A faint voice came from under his shoes. Since his adolescence, when he had entrusted his life, which should have been his death, to the Kleinfelters, he had been doing all the dirty work that Linden Kleinfelter had asked him to do. He had killed the former high priest. Everyone thought that the former high priest had tripped on the stairs and broken his neck. Linden Kleinfelter wanted the same kind of clean thinking this time.
“...There was no time. It was too short and there were too many eyes watching...”
He spoke softly with his eyes downcast, wearing a long robe that reached down to his ankles.
“You call that an excuse!”
Bam!
“...”
No matter how tired she was, her body couldn't overcome the habit. Liene felt her eyelids flutter as the early morning sunlight streamed through the window.
“It’s already morning.”
Her tired body didn't want to move. Liene counted with her eyes open.
“One... two... three.”
Only then did she finally find the courage to take off the blanket.
“It’s colder than yesterday.”
"It's okay."
It seemed like he was coming to say this, not to open the door. Still, she couldn't let go of the handle. Liene's face was heating up in a place where no one was looking.
“I’ll be more careful from now on. Then hurry up and... wash up.”
“Is there a special reason why there is no bathtub in this bathroom?”
Suddenly, Black asked something, causing Liene to lose the opportunity to let go of the handle and turn around.
"Yes?"
“I asked why there was no bathtub.”
“Oh, the bathtub. That’s...”
Originally, there was a very large and ornate marble bathtub in the middle of the bathroom. When there was a bathtub with a gold edge and a fancy sculpture, the bathroom did not look so uselessly large and barren as it does now. The bathtub was sold a while ago. The large and fine marble was cut into pieces and is now used as a garden stone for the Kleinfelter family.
“...I cleaned it up. I thought I would waste more water if I had a bathtub.”
For some reason, her heart ached. It was a small lie, but she didn't like the feeling of having to lie every time.
“Do you need a bathtub?”
“I’m not saying I’ll need it right now.”
"Then..."
“Because someday we might be able to take a bath together.”
“That’s... yes?”
Liene, who was about to say something in response, just opened her mouth. Take a bath... together? Why?
“Then I will prepare the bathtub.”
“..."
That was the end of the conversation.
“Yes? Where are you going?”
“In front of the temple.”
“Why are you going there all of a sudden? Do you have business at the temple?”
"Yes."
Liene deliberately cut off Madam Flambard, who was asking in confusion. It seemed unnecessary to tell her the whole story. It was her job to worry about Black, and she didn’t want to worry about things that weren’t certain yet. Besides, the wife was an honest person, so it was obvious that she wouldn’t be able to keep a calm face in front of her if she heard that Black was going to get revenge.
“I’m concerned about the old man I saw yesterday. He must have been handing out food at the temple, but the stairs haven’t been fixed yet. So I’m going to bring him some food.”
“If that’s the case, have the guards do it. Wouldn’t it be too much trouble to do it yourself?”
“I want to go, that’s why. Mad has a lot of work to do. I’ll go by myself.”
Madam Flambard jumped at those words.
“Huh? No, why are you saying that? Going that far away all by yourself!”
“I would like to ask the guards to escort me.”
She had to move as quickly as possible. Tiwakan had quickly taken up residence in the Nauk Castle. Now, even inside the castle, he was seen more often than the guards. If she went out, Black would personally escort her or send his men, so she had no choice but to speak to the captain of the guards and come back quickly.
“Please bring me some food. Something I can eat with my hands.”
“If you really must, then do it. But I’ll go with you.”
“No. Madam, you have to make the wedding dress. Have you forgotten? The wedding is only eight days away. I’ve been worrying about the lack of time every day.”
“Oh, right. That’s right. Then I’ll pack some food and diligently... Oh, but?”
"Yes?"
Madam Flambard paused and tilted her head.
“Why, ma’am?”
“I’m talking about a wedding.”
"Yes."
“I was already counting the days because I had to mend your clothes... The high priest stopped yesterday...”
The woman quickly made the sign of the cross over her chest and continued speaking.
“Yes, so wouldn’t a new high priest have to come?”
“Yeah...”
“As I recall, when His Eminence Milod was appointed as the High Priest, didn’t we wait a full eight days after His Eminence Motiya returned to the earth? I heard there was a reason to wait eight days. But since the wedding is eight days away, I wonder what will happen to the wedding ceremony. I wonder if God will punish me for worrying about sewing in the face of His Eminence’s death.”
“Oh, so...”
Liene's expression hardened. That's why he killed him. To postpone the wedding. There was a reason why Kleinfelter had to kill the high priest. When a new high priest was elected, he had to fast for nine days according to the temple law and pray to the god alone. This was called a conversation with the god. If the god did not recognize the new high priest, he would not be able to endure the nine-day fast and would lose consciousness. In other words, it was a rite of passage that could not be compromised even for a day.
“Princess, your complexion doesn’t look good. What’s wrong?”
Madam Flambard looked at Liene with a worried face.
“No. It’s not because I’m sick...”
She was afraid. What on earth was Kleinfelter planning to do, to postpone the wedding so viciously? They had absolutely no intention of giving up their rule over Nauk. Knowing that they could not deal with Tiwakan by force, they were probably planning even darker and more vile schemes.
“Are you really not sick?”
“Yes... It doesn’t hurt anywhere.”
“Then I understand. You probably didn’t sleep well last night, so it’s understandable that you look pale. Still, I’m glad that you have one less thing to worry about.”
"Yes?"
Madam Flambard patted Liene on the arm as if to reassure her as she asked again.
“It’s a matter of course. If the wedding is postponed, the first night will naturally be postponed as well, so at least we don’t have to worry about that.”
“Ah... I see.”
“Then I’ll prepare some food. Don’t scold me too much if I don’t prepare enough.”
“I understand that. Please hurry up.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Madam Flambard was away. Liene was getting ready to go out, thinking that she had to hurry somehow, but her mind was in turmoil. She could postpone the wedding. She could hide her period. But that would mean giving Klinefelter time to do something.
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A faint voice came from under his shoes. Since his adolescence, when he had entrusted his life, which should have been his death, to the Kleinfelters, he had been doing all the dirty work that Linden Kleinfelter had asked him to do. He had killed the former high priest. Everyone thought that the former high priest had tripped on the stairs and broken his neck. Linden Kleinfelter wanted the same kind of clean thinking this time.
“...There was no time. It was too short and there were too many eyes watching...”
He spoke softly with his eyes downcast, wearing a long robe that reached down to his ankles.
“You call that an excuse!”
Bam!
The return was another medium. The Kleinfelter's errand boy endured Linden Kleinfelter's wrath without a single groan. Linden Kleinfelter, who had been hitting and stepping on errand boys at random, stopped and took a deep breath.
“You didn’t leave any evidence, did you?”
“Yes.”
“You mustn’t get caught. Do you understand what I mean? You mustn’t get caught doing this on my orders.”
"All right."
“They are definitely not to be taken lightly. Absolutely not... If they get caught...”
It was clear enough that this was the end for him and the Klinefelters. Linden Klinefelter shrugged.
“Then I will abandon you.”
"...Yes."
The messenger nodded obediently. Linden Klinefelter was a little less worried at the sight. The strangely loyal messenger was tight-lipped. Even if the worst came to the worst and the messenger's identity was revealed, his name would never come out of his mouth.
"Get out."
The messenger rose quietly. He caught the blood dripping from his torn forehead with his palm. He seemed not to wipe it away, but rather to be concerned about his clothes getting dirty. With his bloodless hand, he carefully pulled the hood hanging from his robe over his face. He left Lyndon Kleinfelter’s room, his footsteps muffled, and he stepped into the corner passage where the servants passed.
He went down the dark, unlit stairs and into the basement, leaving the main building and heading for the small annex behind it. He stopped when he saw the annex. Then he disappeared behind a nearby tree. He barely managed to see a window in the annex. Inside the tinted glass window, he saw someone moving like a dim shadow. A thin, sorrowful woman was standing up, holding a basin.
“...”
The eyes of the messenger who was watching the woman also began to wet with dark sadness. The woman was the reason why he had to do all kinds of dirty things as an errand boy for the Kleinfelter family. After a while, he left the Kleinfelter family as he had come in, and returned to his place of residence. It was a temple, and his name was Klima the Servant.
“You didn’t leave any evidence, did you?”
“Yes.”
“You mustn’t get caught. Do you understand what I mean? You mustn’t get caught doing this on my orders.”
"All right."
“They are definitely not to be taken lightly. Absolutely not... If they get caught...”
It was clear enough that this was the end for him and the Klinefelters. Linden Klinefelter shrugged.
“Then I will abandon you.”
"...Yes."
The messenger nodded obediently. Linden Klinefelter was a little less worried at the sight. The strangely loyal messenger was tight-lipped. Even if the worst came to the worst and the messenger's identity was revealed, his name would never come out of his mouth.
"Get out."
The messenger rose quietly. He caught the blood dripping from his torn forehead with his palm. He seemed not to wipe it away, but rather to be concerned about his clothes getting dirty. With his bloodless hand, he carefully pulled the hood hanging from his robe over his face. He left Lyndon Kleinfelter’s room, his footsteps muffled, and he stepped into the corner passage where the servants passed.
He went down the dark, unlit stairs and into the basement, leaving the main building and heading for the small annex behind it. He stopped when he saw the annex. Then he disappeared behind a nearby tree. He barely managed to see a window in the annex. Inside the tinted glass window, he saw someone moving like a dim shadow. A thin, sorrowful woman was standing up, holding a basin.
“...”
The eyes of the messenger who was watching the woman also began to wet with dark sadness. The woman was the reason why he had to do all kinds of dirty things as an errand boy for the Kleinfelter family. After a while, he left the Kleinfelter family as he had come in, and returned to his place of residence. It was a temple, and his name was Klima the Servant.
***
“...”
No matter how tired she was, her body couldn't overcome the habit. Liene felt her eyelids flutter as the early morning sunlight streamed through the window.
“It’s already morning.”
Her tired body didn't want to move. Liene counted with her eyes open.
“One... two... three.”
Only then did she finally find the courage to take off the blanket.
“It’s colder than yesterday.”
As she stepped out of bed barefoot, she felt a tingling chill on her skin. Liene quickly put on her slippers and wrapped a shawl over her pajamas. She hated winter. When it was cold, she felt like life was more burdensome for no reason. Winter hadn’t even really started yet, but the temperature had dropped a little, and she was already missing the comfort of her blankets.
“We have to hurry.”
The more this happened, the more diligently she had to move her body. It was a season where it was easy to become lazy if you were too lazy. Liene took off her shawl again, thinking she would quickly wash up and change her clothes. Liene, dressed in thin pajamas, quickly entered the bathroom.
“...Huh.”
And as soon as she opened the bathroom door, her body froze. There was already someone in the bathroom. It was Black, wearing only a pair of thin underwear like hers, and he had even pulled his pants down below his waist, probably because he was planning on washing up.
“Why... here...”
Liene was so embarrassed that she forgot to close the door and leave. The only thing on her mind was why Black was taking off his clothes in her bathroom.
“Would you like to wash first?”
Black asked his fingers on his waist.
“No, that... why is it here...”
“I didn’t know you were awake.”
“So why...”
“Because it’s my bathroom now.”
"Ah..."
Now she remember.
“We have to hurry.”
The more this happened, the more diligently she had to move her body. It was a season where it was easy to become lazy if you were too lazy. Liene took off her shawl again, thinking she would quickly wash up and change her clothes. Liene, dressed in thin pajamas, quickly entered the bathroom.
“...Huh.”
And as soon as she opened the bathroom door, her body froze. There was already someone in the bathroom. It was Black, wearing only a pair of thin underwear like hers, and he had even pulled his pants down below his waist, probably because he was planning on washing up.
“Why... here...”
Liene was so embarrassed that she forgot to close the door and leave. The only thing on her mind was why Black was taking off his clothes in her bathroom.
“Would you like to wash first?”
Black asked his fingers on his waist.
“No, that... why is it here...”
“I didn’t know you were awake.”
“So why...”
“Because it’s my bathroom now.”
"Ah..."
Now she remember.
He decided to use the room next door, right? So we'll be sharing the bathroom, too. Then I... Bam!
Liene, who suddenly came to her senses, closed the bathroom door.
“Actually, there were a lot of examples. I guess I’m still... not fully awake.”
Liene spoke from behind the closed door. Her tongue was still too shocked to move.
“Actually, there were a lot of examples. I guess I’m still... not fully awake.”
Liene spoke from behind the closed door. Her tongue was still too shocked to move.
What did you do... What if I forget that?
The sound of footsteps thudding behind the door could be heard. Liene gripped the handle tightly, wondering if Black would open the door.
"It's okay."
It seemed like he was coming to say this, not to open the door. Still, she couldn't let go of the handle. Liene's face was heating up in a place where no one was looking.
“I’ll be more careful from now on. Then hurry up and... wash up.”
“Is there a special reason why there is no bathtub in this bathroom?”
Suddenly, Black asked something, causing Liene to lose the opportunity to let go of the handle and turn around.
"Yes?"
“I asked why there was no bathtub.”
“Oh, the bathtub. That’s...”
Originally, there was a very large and ornate marble bathtub in the middle of the bathroom. When there was a bathtub with a gold edge and a fancy sculpture, the bathroom did not look so uselessly large and barren as it does now. The bathtub was sold a while ago. The large and fine marble was cut into pieces and is now used as a garden stone for the Kleinfelter family.
“...I cleaned it up. I thought I would waste more water if I had a bathtub.”
For some reason, her heart ached. It was a small lie, but she didn't like the feeling of having to lie every time.
“Do you need a bathtub?”
“I’m not saying I’ll need it right now.”
"Then..."
“Because someday we might be able to take a bath together.”
“That’s... yes?”
Liene, who was about to say something in response, just opened her mouth. Take a bath... together? Why?
“Then I will prepare the bathtub.”
“..."
That was the end of the conversation.
Swish, thud.
In the quiet bathroom, the sound of fabric brushing against skin could be heard. It was the sound of Black taking off the clothes he was wearing... No, why...
Liene swallowed dryly without realizing it.
Why are you... taking a bath with me?
The sound of water splashing could be heard. It seemed like he was washing his face. She remembered him lowering his head and rubbing his face. She could see his shoulders and arms moving, his hair soaking in the cold water, and his wet eyelashes sticking to his forehead.
So why are we...
Liene couldn’t bear the thought any longer and turned around. It’s all that man’s fault. He looks like that and says weird things. Liene covered her ears with both hands and went back to her room. What on earth was that sound of water?
She should be able to hear it when he washed his face. Strangely, her heart started pounding for a long time. Liene closed the door and stood there, waiting until her loud heartbeat died down...
She shouldn’t be like this. It wasn’t good to keep feeling anything other than wariness toward that man. She needs to know what that man is trying to do. She needs to find out why everyone says that his goal is revenge. Stop thinking about useless things.
Liene swallowed the dry saliva that had collected in her mouth. She had to meet the old beggar.
***
“Yes? Where are you going?”
“In front of the temple.”
“Why are you going there all of a sudden? Do you have business at the temple?”
"Yes."
Liene deliberately cut off Madam Flambard, who was asking in confusion. It seemed unnecessary to tell her the whole story. It was her job to worry about Black, and she didn’t want to worry about things that weren’t certain yet. Besides, the wife was an honest person, so it was obvious that she wouldn’t be able to keep a calm face in front of her if she heard that Black was going to get revenge.
“I’m concerned about the old man I saw yesterday. He must have been handing out food at the temple, but the stairs haven’t been fixed yet. So I’m going to bring him some food.”
“If that’s the case, have the guards do it. Wouldn’t it be too much trouble to do it yourself?”
“I want to go, that’s why. Mad has a lot of work to do. I’ll go by myself.”
Madam Flambard jumped at those words.
“Huh? No, why are you saying that? Going that far away all by yourself!”
“I would like to ask the guards to escort me.”
She had to move as quickly as possible. Tiwakan had quickly taken up residence in the Nauk Castle. Now, even inside the castle, he was seen more often than the guards. If she went out, Black would personally escort her or send his men, so she had no choice but to speak to the captain of the guards and come back quickly.
“Please bring me some food. Something I can eat with my hands.”
“If you really must, then do it. But I’ll go with you.”
“No. Madam, you have to make the wedding dress. Have you forgotten? The wedding is only eight days away. I’ve been worrying about the lack of time every day.”
“Oh, right. That’s right. Then I’ll pack some food and diligently... Oh, but?”
"Yes?"
Madam Flambard paused and tilted her head.
“Why, ma’am?”
“I’m talking about a wedding.”
"Yes."
“I was already counting the days because I had to mend your clothes... The high priest stopped yesterday...”
The woman quickly made the sign of the cross over her chest and continued speaking.
“Yes, so wouldn’t a new high priest have to come?”
“Yeah...”
“As I recall, when His Eminence Milod was appointed as the High Priest, didn’t we wait a full eight days after His Eminence Motiya returned to the earth? I heard there was a reason to wait eight days. But since the wedding is eight days away, I wonder what will happen to the wedding ceremony. I wonder if God will punish me for worrying about sewing in the face of His Eminence’s death.”
“Oh, so...”
Liene's expression hardened. That's why he killed him. To postpone the wedding. There was a reason why Kleinfelter had to kill the high priest. When a new high priest was elected, he had to fast for nine days according to the temple law and pray to the god alone. This was called a conversation with the god. If the god did not recognize the new high priest, he would not be able to endure the nine-day fast and would lose consciousness. In other words, it was a rite of passage that could not be compromised even for a day.
“Princess, your complexion doesn’t look good. What’s wrong?”
Madam Flambard looked at Liene with a worried face.
“No. It’s not because I’m sick...”
She was afraid. What on earth was Kleinfelter planning to do, to postpone the wedding so viciously? They had absolutely no intention of giving up their rule over Nauk. Knowing that they could not deal with Tiwakan by force, they were probably planning even darker and more vile schemes.
“Are you really not sick?”
“Yes... It doesn’t hurt anywhere.”
“Then I understand. You probably didn’t sleep well last night, so it’s understandable that you look pale. Still, I’m glad that you have one less thing to worry about.”
"Yes?"
Madam Flambard patted Liene on the arm as if to reassure her as she asked again.
“It’s a matter of course. If the wedding is postponed, the first night will naturally be postponed as well, so at least we don’t have to worry about that.”
“Ah... I see.”
“Then I’ll prepare some food. Don’t scold me too much if I don’t prepare enough.”
“I understand that. Please hurry up.”
“Yes, Princess.”
Madam Flambard was away. Liene was getting ready to go out, thinking that she had to hurry somehow, but her mind was in turmoil. She could postpone the wedding. She could hide her period. But that would mean giving Klinefelter time to do something.
What should I do?
It was a confusion that she could not tie up on her own.
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