As expected, the woman had a relationship with Klima. Klima said that Kleinfelter had taken her mother hostage. That's why he had to do what Kleinfelter told him to do.
“Then you should be afraid even now. If you lose your life, your son will never recover. It was his mother who supported him. Think about what will happen if even that disappears.”
“Uh, how...how...? How do you know that...”
The woman was the wife of Knight Henton.
“How about that child? Arsak’s daughter?”
Mrs. Henton reached out and grabbed hold of Liene's dress.
“What did you do with that child? Could it be that child...”
Mrs. Henton, who was so pale, looked like someone who had not seen the sun for twenty years. That was Liene's fault, too. The reason why the family of Knight Henton had to live in the dark shadow of Kleinfelter, abandoning their name, was also because of the rebellion twenty years ago.
“He is safe. He has been found not guilty, so he will soon be returned to your arms.”
"Ah..."
Mrs. Henton let out a wet breath. She stared at Liene, relief but confusion that did not go away.
“But why... Arsak’s daughter did that...”
“Your son told me.”
“Oh, that, that? Then that... No way that...”
Pale brown eyes shook terribly. Liene understood what Mrs. Henton was trying to say. To her, twenty years ago must still seem like yesterday. The daughter of Arsak, the leader of the rebellion, was a greater threat and nightmare to her than Kleinfelter.
“By marrying me, Lord Tiwakan becomes co-ruler of Nauk, my lady.”
Liene carefully hid the name Henton. There were still too many people who had to know that Henton's family was alive. It was dangerous, even if the people in the castle were on her side.
“I believe that his blood should continue to rule Nauk. It will be so.”
“That, that... I’m well... How... is that really true? Can it be? Oh, Arsak’s daughter?”
“Because I'm Arsak’s daughter.”
Liene bowed her head in respect to Mrs. Henton.
“I know I have responsibilities. Madam and your son are also part of those responsibilities. I will protect you as much as I can.”
“That can’t be...”
Madame Flambard also did not believe Liene's words.
“No, Princess...? You’re saying you’re protecting her even though she ruined the wedding dress like this? Who on earth is this person to do something like that? Could it be that she was ordered to ruin the wedding dress?”
“Is this a wedding dress?”
Mrs. Henton's gaze turned sharp again.
“This is the clothing worn by King Arsak at his coronation. How could it be...!”
"Ah..."
Mrs. Henton's sharp words suddenly made Liene realize something.
As Madam Flambard's gasping screams became clearer, her wrist was grabbed. The hand that held her wrist forcibly snatched the scissors away and threw them far away.
“Calm down.”
“...?”
The voice that pierced her ear was that low, deep voice that she was afraid of even in her dreams, as if it might one day disappear without a trace.
“Even if you don’t want to get married, don’t do this.”
“...”
Black, who was holding her hand, stood there with his black eyebrows furrowed painfully. What he was looking at was a palm that had been cut messily by the scissors blade.
“...It’s done, Princess.”
Madam Flambard tied the bandage and held it in place. Liene didn't feel any pain, either, because of the medicine or because she was still unconscious.
“Please take care of your hands for the time being. I will help you wash them too, so please don’t wash them alone. Do you understand?”
"...Is it so."
“Then I will go now.”
Madam Flambard forced herself to get up and go out with the medicine. Her heart wanted to stay by her side all night and tend to her wounds, but now was the time to give up her seat to someone more desperate than herself. As Madam Flambard left with a hesitant step, Black and Liene were left alone in the bedroom. The bedroom was getting darker and darker, but neither of them thought to turn on the light.
“It will hurt. Maybe later.”
Black, who was standing with his shoulder resting on the pillar at the foot of the bed, finally opened his mouth after a long time.
"... Yes."
Liene didn't know what to say, so she just nodded. The darkness was heavy today. Liene buried her forehead on her knees, feeling her shoulders being weighed down.
“I think there was something like this in an old story.”
Black suddenly brought up an old story with a blank expression on his face. Liene just listened quietly.
“The King heard a prophecy that the newborn Princess would be pricked by a spinning wheel and die, so he burned all the spinning wheels.”
It felt strange and yet somehow affectionate that Black would say something like that. That guy would say something so out of place. That she was hurt.
“Then it won’t work. Without a spinning wheel, you can’t make thread.”
“Thank goodness it’s scissors.”
"Yes?"
“It’s not something that would cause any major problems even if it’s not there.”
“...”
Liene looked at Black, wondering if his ridiculous statement about getting rid of the scissors could really be true. Black wasn't smiling at all.
“Do you think I can’t do it?”
...What should I do? I guess he’s serious.
“But that won’t do. Without scissors, Madam Flambard would cry every day.”
“I told her to cry. What’s the big deal?”
“...Why don’t you just leave the scissors work to her? I won’t be using scissors for a while.”
“Not for the time being, but forever.”
“... forever?”
“Answer me.”
“...”
You're being sincere. Even in this kind of thing. Because I got hurt. You... Why are you doing this? How can you do this? If you give me all that sincerity, what are you going to do later?
“Do you want to postpone your marriage?”
"Yes?"
“Don’t ask. Either answer or don’t. Is it true that you didn’t want to get married?”
Black's question was as sudden as the unexpected distance. When Liene was flustered and missed the moment to answer, Black let out a heavy, slow sigh.
“Yes, then take a rest.”
"Yes...?"
Black quickly turned his back. Without a moment's hesitation, he strode toward the door. Then, her heart thumped loudly.
“No... No!”
Liene hurriedly got off the bed. Forgetting that she was barefoot, she ran towards Black and stretched out her arms. Her cheek was pressed against his back. Liene grabbed Black’s hem with both hands and spoke. She kept her voice small, fearing that if she opened her mouth wrong, she would cry.
“No, that’s not true... Don’t leave like that. I don’t like that.”
“...”
Black let out a short gasp.
“Then why did you do that?”
“...Oh, I don’t think it suits you.”
"What."
“The clothes... are for Lord Tiwakan.”
It would sound like a lie to anyone. No one would rip off clothes that they hadn't even tried on just because they didn't suit them. Now, she realized how crazy her actions must have seemed... How stupid. If she kept doing this, he'd get sick of her personality before he even knew that Liene was he daughter of his enemy.
“I thought it would go well together... but after fixing it, it looked old... I got upset.”
“..."
“I wanted to do something nice for you, but I couldn’t... So I was just so angry. I hated the fact that I was a Princess who couldn’t even do what I wanted with my wedding...
“...”
Black very slowly pulled away from Liene's hand that was holding onto his clothes and turned around.
"Princess."
"Yes."
It was the first time that the weight of the lie she had just uttered felt so shallow. Liene couldn't meet Black's eyes, fearing that he would tell her to throw away her lies that she couldn't believe at any moment.
“Open your eyes. Look at me. Is that the answer?”
...No.
"Yes."
“But why can’t you open your eyes?”
“I’m embarrassed. That I was caught... like that.”
I'm scared. I'm afraid that you'll find out about my hidden past. I'm afraid that you'll leave me. I'm afraid that I'll disappear at a speed that I can't catch up to, without even looking back like before. And I'm afraid that you'll forget everything. I'm a person, so cleanly.
“Then you should be afraid even now. If you lose your life, your son will never recover. It was his mother who supported him. Think about what will happen if even that disappears.”
“Uh, how...how...? How do you know that...”
The woman was the wife of Knight Henton.
“How about that child? Arsak’s daughter?”
Mrs. Henton reached out and grabbed hold of Liene's dress.
“What did you do with that child? Could it be that child...”
Mrs. Henton, who was so pale, looked like someone who had not seen the sun for twenty years. That was Liene's fault, too. The reason why the family of Knight Henton had to live in the dark shadow of Kleinfelter, abandoning their name, was also because of the rebellion twenty years ago.
“He is safe. He has been found not guilty, so he will soon be returned to your arms.”
"Ah..."
Mrs. Henton let out a wet breath. She stared at Liene, relief but confusion that did not go away.
“But why... Arsak’s daughter did that...”
“Your son told me.”
“Oh, that, that? Then that... No way that...”
Pale brown eyes shook terribly. Liene understood what Mrs. Henton was trying to say. To her, twenty years ago must still seem like yesterday. The daughter of Arsak, the leader of the rebellion, was a greater threat and nightmare to her than Kleinfelter.
“By marrying me, Lord Tiwakan becomes co-ruler of Nauk, my lady.”
Liene carefully hid the name Henton. There were still too many people who had to know that Henton's family was alive. It was dangerous, even if the people in the castle were on her side.
“I believe that his blood should continue to rule Nauk. It will be so.”
“That, that... I’m well... How... is that really true? Can it be? Oh, Arsak’s daughter?”
“Because I'm Arsak’s daughter.”
Liene bowed her head in respect to Mrs. Henton.
“I know I have responsibilities. Madam and your son are also part of those responsibilities. I will protect you as much as I can.”
“That can’t be...”
Madame Flambard also did not believe Liene's words.
“No, Princess...? You’re saying you’re protecting her even though she ruined the wedding dress like this? Who on earth is this person to do something like that? Could it be that she was ordered to ruin the wedding dress?”
“Is this a wedding dress?”
Mrs. Henton's gaze turned sharp again.
“This is the clothing worn by King Arsak at his coronation. How could it be...!”
"Ah..."
Mrs. Henton's sharp words suddenly made Liene realize something.
What on earth were you trying to do? Dressing that man in Abama's coronation attire?
She remembered the subtle silence Black had shown when she had first brought up the subject of wedding attire. Why had that man agreed to wear this? It would have been natural for him to refuse. This would smell like blood to him. Why was he so... why was he so secretive? Why on earth?
“Where is it?”
Liene looked around at her feet.
“Princess! What are you doing?”
“Scissors... where are the scissors?”
“Scissors? The scissors were just... Oh, they’re over there. But why are you looking for scissors?”
Madam Flambard tried to pick up the scissors that had fallen on the floor, not knowing what was going on. Liene pushed her away like a crazy person and picked up the scissors.
“Where is it?”
Liene looked around at her feet.
“Princess! What are you doing?”
“Scissors... where are the scissors?”
“Scissors? The scissors were just... Oh, they’re over there. But why are you looking for scissors?”
Madam Flambard tried to pick up the scissors that had fallen on the floor, not knowing what was going on. Liene pushed her away like a crazy person and picked up the scissors.
Clang!
The blades of the scissors, which were not held properly, grazed her palm.
"Princess!"
Liene took off the wedding dress with a pair of scissors.
"Princess!"
Liene took off the wedding dress with a pair of scissors.
Squeak!
“Princess! Princess!”
Liene could hear Madq. Flambard was calling her from afar as if she was about to faint. Everything seemed dizzy, as if her head was boiling.
"It's crazy..."
Their relationship is just like this dress. The past of killing and killing will not disappear. There will be others like Mrs. Henton. People would be shocked and disbelieving if she told that man that she was sincere. They would ask what qualifications she had.
“Princess! Princess!”
Liene could hear Madq. Flambard was calling her from afar as if she was about to faint. Everything seemed dizzy, as if her head was boiling.
"It's crazy..."
Their relationship is just like this dress. The past of killing and killing will not disappear. There will be others like Mrs. Henton. People would be shocked and disbelieving if she told that man that she was sincere. They would ask what qualifications she had.
What qualifications do I have to love that man?
Liene knows that. It’s nonsense to say that she should do it even more because her name is Arsak. She's just scared. That man who found out all about her past would take back the feelings he gave her. That he would never look at her like that again. That his eyes would no longer be warm and affectionate. That he would treat her as the daughter of his enemy.
Squeak! Squeak! Smack!
Liene knew that. No matter how much she tore the dress, she couldn’t tear the past apart. But Liene couldn’t stop her hands. She wanted to tear everything apart and throw it all away. If only she could.
Smack, smack!
Before she knew it, Liene was holding the scissors like a knife and stabbing the wedding dress.
“... Oh Lord, Princess! Princess!”
“... Oh Lord, Princess! Princess!”
As Madam Flambard's gasping screams became clearer, her wrist was grabbed. The hand that held her wrist forcibly snatched the scissors away and threw them far away.
“Calm down.”
“...?”
The voice that pierced her ear was that low, deep voice that she was afraid of even in her dreams, as if it might one day disappear without a trace.
“Even if you don’t want to get married, don’t do this.”
“...”
Black, who was holding her hand, stood there with his black eyebrows furrowed painfully. What he was looking at was a palm that had been cut messily by the scissors blade.
***
“...It’s done, Princess.”
Madam Flambard tied the bandage and held it in place. Liene didn't feel any pain, either, because of the medicine or because she was still unconscious.
“Please take care of your hands for the time being. I will help you wash them too, so please don’t wash them alone. Do you understand?”
"...Is it so."
“Then I will go now.”
Madam Flambard forced herself to get up and go out with the medicine. Her heart wanted to stay by her side all night and tend to her wounds, but now was the time to give up her seat to someone more desperate than herself. As Madam Flambard left with a hesitant step, Black and Liene were left alone in the bedroom. The bedroom was getting darker and darker, but neither of them thought to turn on the light.
“It will hurt. Maybe later.”
Black, who was standing with his shoulder resting on the pillar at the foot of the bed, finally opened his mouth after a long time.
"... Yes."
Liene didn't know what to say, so she just nodded. The darkness was heavy today. Liene buried her forehead on her knees, feeling her shoulders being weighed down.
“I think there was something like this in an old story.”
Black suddenly brought up an old story with a blank expression on his face. Liene just listened quietly.
“The King heard a prophecy that the newborn Princess would be pricked by a spinning wheel and die, so he burned all the spinning wheels.”
It felt strange and yet somehow affectionate that Black would say something like that. That guy would say something so out of place. That she was hurt.
“Then it won’t work. Without a spinning wheel, you can’t make thread.”
“Thank goodness it’s scissors.”
"Yes?"
“It’s not something that would cause any major problems even if it’s not there.”
“...”
Liene looked at Black, wondering if his ridiculous statement about getting rid of the scissors could really be true. Black wasn't smiling at all.
“Do you think I can’t do it?”
...What should I do? I guess he’s serious.
“But that won’t do. Without scissors, Madam Flambard would cry every day.”
“I told her to cry. What’s the big deal?”
“...Why don’t you just leave the scissors work to her? I won’t be using scissors for a while.”
“Not for the time being, but forever.”
“... forever?”
“Answer me.”
“...”
You're being sincere. Even in this kind of thing. Because I got hurt. You... Why are you doing this? How can you do this? If you give me all that sincerity, what are you going to do later?
The more sincerity he gives her, the greater and more severe the sense of loss will be when she loses it. It's not just Liene, but this man too. Even if he takes it back, it won't be the same since he gave it to someone else once. It'll get dirty and hurt.
“It’ll get better soon. It’s just a small cut.”
“The Princess may be, but I am not.”
“...”
Black slowly pushed himself away from the bedpost. It looked like he was going to come closer, but that was it. The distance between them was too far for them to be in the same bedroom.
“I have something to ask the Princess.”
Liene faced Black with a new sense of unfamiliarity. It was strangely awkward for him to be standing so far away.
“...Yes. Go ahead.”
“If the answer is yes, then don’t answer.”
“...?”
“It’ll get better soon. It’s just a small cut.”
“The Princess may be, but I am not.”
“...”
Black slowly pushed himself away from the bedpost. It looked like he was going to come closer, but that was it. The distance between them was too far for them to be in the same bedroom.
“I have something to ask the Princess.”
Liene faced Black with a new sense of unfamiliarity. It was strangely awkward for him to be standing so far away.
“...Yes. Go ahead.”
“If the answer is yes, then don’t answer.”
“...?”
“Do you want to postpone your marriage?”
"Yes?"
“Don’t ask. Either answer or don’t. Is it true that you didn’t want to get married?”
Black's question was as sudden as the unexpected distance. When Liene was flustered and missed the moment to answer, Black let out a heavy, slow sigh.
“Yes, then take a rest.”
"Yes...?"
Black quickly turned his back. Without a moment's hesitation, he strode toward the door. Then, her heart thumped loudly.
“No... No!”
Liene hurriedly got off the bed. Forgetting that she was barefoot, she ran towards Black and stretched out her arms. Her cheek was pressed against his back. Liene grabbed Black’s hem with both hands and spoke. She kept her voice small, fearing that if she opened her mouth wrong, she would cry.
“No, that’s not true... Don’t leave like that. I don’t like that.”
“...”
Black let out a short gasp.
“Then why did you do that?”
“...Oh, I don’t think it suits you.”
"What."
“The clothes... are for Lord Tiwakan.”
It would sound like a lie to anyone. No one would rip off clothes that they hadn't even tried on just because they didn't suit them. Now, she realized how crazy her actions must have seemed... How stupid. If she kept doing this, he'd get sick of her personality before he even knew that Liene was he daughter of his enemy.
“I thought it would go well together... but after fixing it, it looked old... I got upset.”
“..."
“I wanted to do something nice for you, but I couldn’t... So I was just so angry. I hated the fact that I was a Princess who couldn’t even do what I wanted with my wedding...
So...”
“...”
Black very slowly pulled away from Liene's hand that was holding onto his clothes and turned around.
"Princess."
"Yes."
It was the first time that the weight of the lie she had just uttered felt so shallow. Liene couldn't meet Black's eyes, fearing that he would tell her to throw away her lies that she couldn't believe at any moment.
“Open your eyes. Look at me. Is that the answer?”
...No.
"Yes."
“But why can’t you open your eyes?”
“I’m embarrassed. That I was caught... like that.”
I'm scared. I'm afraid that you'll find out about my hidden past. I'm afraid that you'll leave me. I'm afraid that I'll disappear at a speed that I can't catch up to, without even looking back like before. And I'm afraid that you'll forget everything. I'm a person, so cleanly.
Black said, looking at Liene, who still couldn't meet his eyes.
“I can wear whatever you want for the wedding. I don’t need any gifts. I have also found a way to resolve the issue of the high priest regardless of the Treaty of Liseberg. If you want, we can have the wedding ceremony right now.”
“So, that’s how it happened? How...”
“So, Princess, you can only speak once now.”
“What...”
“You say you don’t want to get married. Then I’ll postpone it.”
Finally, Liene opened her eyes.
“That’s not true...”
“Think carefully before you speak. I said once. If not now, the Princess will never be able to avoid marrying me again.”
“...”
Liene swallowed dry saliva. Her mouth was so dry it almost hurt.
“Should I even count the numbers? Then one.”
“I can wear whatever you want for the wedding. I don’t need any gifts. I have also found a way to resolve the issue of the high priest regardless of the Treaty of Liseberg. If you want, we can have the wedding ceremony right now.”
“So, that’s how it happened? How...”
“So, Princess, you can only speak once now.”
“What...”
“You say you don’t want to get married. Then I’ll postpone it.”
Finally, Liene opened her eyes.
“That’s not true...”
“Think carefully before you speak. I said once. If not now, the Princess will never be able to avoid marrying me again.”
“...”
Liene swallowed dry saliva. Her mouth was so dry it almost hurt.
“Should I even count the numbers? Then one.”
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