Thinking back, this was the first time that Madam Flambard had ever spoken to Black alone. The man she had vaguely thought of as a scary and savage mercenary leader was a bit different from what she had imagined when they actually met. The way he gave orders was familiar and clear. He wasn't particularly polite, but he wasn't rough either. Strangely, he had the kind of intimidating aura that only a high-ranking person could have.
“That’s... a wedding dress.”
She started to feel more and more intimidated, so she became more careful with what she said.
“If you say we need to build a new one, then do so. If money is the issue, talk to Fermos. He will take care of it.”
“Oh, then could you speak to the Princess directly? The Princess keeps trying to sell the jewels...”
“Jewelry?”
“Yes. I don’t know about other jewels, but she asked me to sell the necklace of the late Queen. She kept it carefully, even if she had to sell the marble bathtub. Now that she's even selling that, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be. She sold everything the late Queen left behind, and now only the necklace remains.”
Black frowned.
“You’re selling the necklace she inherited for my wedding dress?”
"Yes."
“It’s like clothes, anything...”
Madam Flambard continued quickly.
“It’s not just any clothes. It’s a wedding gift that the Princess is giving in place of other gifts. She strongly advised me not to think about money and to prepare the best. But isn’t it too much to sell Her Majesty’s necklace? Once it’s sold, it might not be possible to buy it back with money.”
Anyway, that was the reason Madam Flambard was telling him to stop Liene. It seemed like he was sincere to the Princess, and he seemed to have a lot of money to spend, so he figured he would easily accept this request.
“...It’s difficult.”
But Black's small, continuous monologue went like this.
"Yes?"
Mradam Flambard clutched at her skirt in embarrassment. Was that a waste of money? Should I see this man again?
“It wasn’t that she didn’t like marriage...”
No, it was something else, said the woman, sweeping her chest again.
“How could that be? The Princess had been preparing to welcome Lord Tiwakan as her husband for quite some time. When she first made the wedding dress, she was so diligent that she did most of the sewing herself. She prepared it with such passion and sincerity, but the woman who brought it to the northern tower at the very moment she was away ruined the dress... Oh, really. I shouldn’t have said that.”
She said no, but it was intentional. In fact, Lady Flambard felt a little wronged. It wasn’t Liene who ruined the coronation dress. Of course, she didn’t know why that woman suddenly got so emotional and cut it, but in any case, it was the woman in the North Tower who started it. It was unfair for Liene to take the blame alone. She didn’t know everything about that woman’s relationship with Lord Tiwakan, but she had to know anyway.
“The Princess told me not to say anything. If the sin of ruining the wedding dress is serious, it is a serious sin, but I guess she wanted to cover it up.”
So, what she meant was that the Princess was such an angelic being who was so understanding and caring towards those below her. Naturally, she was too much for a mere mercenary leader, so Madam Flambard told her to take care of herself.
“If not thar...”
Fortunately, her efforts seemed to have worked. Black was so deep in thought that his temples twitched.
"...I get it."
Madam Flambard smiled as if she had expected this.
“Then what should I tell the jeweler? The Princess said she wanted to see the jeweler today.”
After a brief pause, Black replied.
“For now, just do as the Princess wishes.”
“Huh? No, then that jewel is...”
“It will never fall into someone else’s hands.”
“Oh, yes. I understand.”
It seemed like he had something else in mind.
"...No."
Liene quickly got out of bed and hurriedly searched through the drawers. She thought of an excuse to talk to him.
“I wanted to ask if there was anywhere I could put some ointment. I was wondering if any wounds weren’t healing well.”
Liene's shoulders started to hunch for no reason, and her voice kept getting smaller.
"No."
“Ah... I see. That’s fortunate.”
Contrary to what she said, she didn’t feel at all relieved... Then, there are no more excuses. Liene hid the hand holding the medicine bottle behind her back.
Actually, she was expecting it a little. He liked doing things for her. He said he felt happy when she touched him. So she thought it would be easier to reconcile if she applied medicine to him. It was just a misunderstanding that she ruined the wedding dress to avoid marriage. Liene wants him so badly. That's how scared she is of Black leaving.
“Which room will you be sleeping in tonight?”
Liene, who had been wondering if it was possible, hesitated and asked.
“Should I bring a blanket?”
Actually, she's already brought it.
"... It's okay."
Black answered a little slower than usual. The hand that was brushing his hair brushed back his wet hair. A body wrapped in a towel moved in front of her eyes, and it was humiliating to watch it. This man must know exactly how he looks to her. Liene tried to avoid eye contact and said something reluctantly.
“So you’re saying it’s not necessary?...May I ask why?”
She didn't know why she added the question so hastily. It was probably because she was hurt. She felt sad that the man who said he would cool his head and come back had cooled his heart instead.
“I want to know if it’s just for today or if it won’t be needed in the future.”
“I felt like I was being forced to do something I didn’t like. It’s funny that I’m saying this now, after proposing to you under duress.”
Black's expressionless face, which showed his forehead without leaving a trace, was rather hard to believe. If nothing was covering his face, his expression should be more visible. But that man is the opposite. She doesn't know what he's thinking. It's like he's wearing a mask.
“I started sleeping in the Princess’s bed because I was being stubborn. I realized that it’s not right to rush someone who doesn’t want to do something just for my own good. That won’t happen anymore.”
“I never said I didn’t like it.”
“It was something I did for the Princess and got something in return. Actually, I don’t even remember exactly what it was because it was always like that.”
“Even though I said it was a price..."
Black turned his indifferent gaze towards Liene.
“It’s pathetic how you always take it away. Don’t worry about it and go to sleep. I won’t disturb your sleep anymore.”
“I never thought of it as a nuisance.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever felt good about it.”
Black opened the door to the opposite side, to his own room.
“Now, Princess, do something good.”
Tak.
“Are you just going?”
“That’s... a wedding dress.”
She started to feel more and more intimidated, so she became more careful with what she said.
“If you say we need to build a new one, then do so. If money is the issue, talk to Fermos. He will take care of it.”
“Oh, then could you speak to the Princess directly? The Princess keeps trying to sell the jewels...”
“Jewelry?”
“Yes. I don’t know about other jewels, but she asked me to sell the necklace of the late Queen. She kept it carefully, even if she had to sell the marble bathtub. Now that she's even selling that, I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it must be. She sold everything the late Queen left behind, and now only the necklace remains.”
Black frowned.
“You’re selling the necklace she inherited for my wedding dress?”
"Yes."
“It’s like clothes, anything...”
Madam Flambard continued quickly.
“It’s not just any clothes. It’s a wedding gift that the Princess is giving in place of other gifts. She strongly advised me not to think about money and to prepare the best. But isn’t it too much to sell Her Majesty’s necklace? Once it’s sold, it might not be possible to buy it back with money.”
Anyway, that was the reason Madam Flambard was telling him to stop Liene. It seemed like he was sincere to the Princess, and he seemed to have a lot of money to spend, so he figured he would easily accept this request.
“...It’s difficult.”
But Black's small, continuous monologue went like this.
"Yes?"
Mradam Flambard clutched at her skirt in embarrassment. Was that a waste of money? Should I see this man again?
“It wasn’t that she didn’t like marriage...”
No, it was something else, said the woman, sweeping her chest again.
“How could that be? The Princess had been preparing to welcome Lord Tiwakan as her husband for quite some time. When she first made the wedding dress, she was so diligent that she did most of the sewing herself. She prepared it with such passion and sincerity, but the woman who brought it to the northern tower at the very moment she was away ruined the dress... Oh, really. I shouldn’t have said that.”
She said no, but it was intentional. In fact, Lady Flambard felt a little wronged. It wasn’t Liene who ruined the coronation dress. Of course, she didn’t know why that woman suddenly got so emotional and cut it, but in any case, it was the woman in the North Tower who started it. It was unfair for Liene to take the blame alone. She didn’t know everything about that woman’s relationship with Lord Tiwakan, but she had to know anyway.
“The Princess told me not to say anything. If the sin of ruining the wedding dress is serious, it is a serious sin, but I guess she wanted to cover it up.”
So, what she meant was that the Princess was such an angelic being who was so understanding and caring towards those below her. Naturally, she was too much for a mere mercenary leader, so Madam Flambard told her to take care of herself.
“If not thar...”
Fortunately, her efforts seemed to have worked. Black was so deep in thought that his temples twitched.
"...I get it."
Madam Flambard smiled as if she had expected this.
“Then what should I tell the jeweler? The Princess said she wanted to see the jeweler today.”
After a brief pause, Black replied.
“For now, just do as the Princess wishes.”
“Huh? No, then that jewel is...”
“It will never fall into someone else’s hands.”
“Oh, yes. I understand.”
It seemed like he had something else in mind.
“Then I will tell them to call the jeweler.”
Black nodded to convey his meaning, then turned and disappeared.
“Oh my... Well, looking at it again, how can his shoulders be so broad?”
So Madam Flambard thought that maybe he was broad-minded and generous with his spending.
“...Yes. What use is family to a man? It’s more important to take good care of her woman. No matter what.”
Madqm Flambard thought that this might be a little bit of a relief for Liene, who had been lacking as a mercenary leader. Liene, who had no idea what the two had talked about, sold her mother’s necklace to a jeweler that evening. The rather generous price soothed the sense of loss in a corner of her heart.
Black nodded to convey his meaning, then turned and disappeared.
“Oh my... Well, looking at it again, how can his shoulders be so broad?”
So Madam Flambard thought that maybe he was broad-minded and generous with his spending.
“...Yes. What use is family to a man? It’s more important to take good care of her woman. No matter what.”
Madqm Flambard thought that this might be a little bit of a relief for Liene, who had been lacking as a mercenary leader. Liene, who had no idea what the two had talked about, sold her mother’s necklace to a jeweler that evening. The rather generous price soothed the sense of loss in a corner of her heart.
***
The day was coming to an end.
Whew Whew.
If she listened closely, she could faintly hear the sound of water. It was the sound of Black washing himself after finishing the day. Liene doesn’t think she can go to bed without hearing that sound anymore. Although the time is different, the sound of water right before falling asleep was a gentle comfort that the day was finally over. It meant that Black and Liene had both returned safely to their places.
“...”
Liene fiddled with the pillow next to her. Shr still didn’t know if Black would come to her room or not. She left the pillow and blanket, but he might not use them.
“...”
Liene fiddled with the pillow next to her. Shr still didn’t know if Black would come to her room or not. She left the pillow and blanket, but he might not use them.
He said he would cool his head... Did he cool it all down?
He looked angry. No, maybe disappointed. Because it seemed like he was trying to avoid marriage. Liene had to tell him no.
What should I say?
While Liene was thinking about it, the sound of water stopped. It meant that Black had finished washing himself, and it was time to come out of the bathroom.
"...No."
Liene quickly got out of bed and hurriedly searched through the drawers. She thought of an excuse to talk to him.
***
Knock, knock.
A slightly cautious sound rang at the bathroom door.
“Can I come in...?”
There was no answer. Had he already washed up and gone out the other side? Liene knocked on the door again.
“Are you done washing?”
...The closed door without a response felt like a rejection. Liene, lost in thought, chewed her lips. What should she do? Should she postpone reconciliation until tomorrow?
“Can I come in...?”
There was no answer. Had he already washed up and gone out the other side? Liene knocked on the door again.
“Are you done washing?”
...The closed door without a response felt like a rejection. Liene, lost in thought, chewed her lips. What should she do? Should she postpone reconciliation until tomorrow?
Some people might not like being forced to talk to someone when they’re in a bad mood. But then, wouldn’t he be the type to say no? He doesn’t seem like the type of person to pretend not to hear when someone calls him. So, does he really not hear her... Oh, no way? Did he collapse like that time?
Black had been injured and had lost a lot of blood at that time. Liene was suddenly scared.
“Lord Tiwakan.”
Bang bang.
“Lord Tiwakan.”
Bang bang.
The knocking on the door became a little rougher.
“I’m worried that there’s no answer... I’ll open the door.”
Finally, Liene opened the bathroom door.
“...?...”
There was no incident in the bathroom. Black was standing on his feet, shaking the water out of his hair. The only thing different from usual was the towel wrapped around his waist instead of his clothes.
“Are you... okay?”
"Yes."
The answer was short. That made Liene feel uncomfortable. It was like he was telling her to just get out of his sight because he had nothing more to say.
“I called, but there was no answer..."
“I don’t really have anything to say.”
“...”
...I see. This guy has this side to him. I didn't know. I thought he was just affectionate. He can also be cold...
“I’m worried that there’s no answer... I’ll open the door.”
Finally, Liene opened the bathroom door.
“...?...”
There was no incident in the bathroom. Black was standing on his feet, shaking the water out of his hair. The only thing different from usual was the towel wrapped around his waist instead of his clothes.
“Are you... okay?”
"Yes."
The answer was short. That made Liene feel uncomfortable. It was like he was telling her to just get out of his sight because he had nothing more to say.
“I called, but there was no answer..."
“I don’t really have anything to say.”
“...”
...I see. This guy has this side to him. I didn't know. I thought he was just affectionate. He can also be cold...
“I wanted to ask if there was anywhere I could put some ointment. I was wondering if any wounds weren’t healing well.”
Liene's shoulders started to hunch for no reason, and her voice kept getting smaller.
"No."
“Ah... I see. That’s fortunate.”
Contrary to what she said, she didn’t feel at all relieved... Then, there are no more excuses. Liene hid the hand holding the medicine bottle behind her back.
Actually, she was expecting it a little. He liked doing things for her. He said he felt happy when she touched him. So she thought it would be easier to reconcile if she applied medicine to him. It was just a misunderstanding that she ruined the wedding dress to avoid marriage. Liene wants him so badly. That's how scared she is of Black leaving.
“Which room will you be sleeping in tonight?”
Liene, who had been wondering if it was possible, hesitated and asked.
“Should I bring a blanket?”
Actually, she's already brought it.
"... It's okay."
Black answered a little slower than usual. The hand that was brushing his hair brushed back his wet hair. A body wrapped in a towel moved in front of her eyes, and it was humiliating to watch it. This man must know exactly how he looks to her. Liene tried to avoid eye contact and said something reluctantly.
“So you’re saying it’s not necessary?...May I ask why?”
She didn't know why she added the question so hastily. It was probably because she was hurt. She felt sad that the man who said he would cool his head and come back had cooled his heart instead.
“I want to know if it’s just for today or if it won’t be needed in the future.”
“I felt like I was being forced to do something I didn’t like. It’s funny that I’m saying this now, after proposing to you under duress.”
Black's expressionless face, which showed his forehead without leaving a trace, was rather hard to believe. If nothing was covering his face, his expression should be more visible. But that man is the opposite. She doesn't know what he's thinking. It's like he's wearing a mask.
“I started sleeping in the Princess’s bed because I was being stubborn. I realized that it’s not right to rush someone who doesn’t want to do something just for my own good. That won’t happen anymore.”
“I never said I didn’t like it.”
“It was something I did for the Princess and got something in return. Actually, I don’t even remember exactly what it was because it was always like that.”
“Even though I said it was a price..."
Black turned his indifferent gaze towards Liene.
“It’s pathetic how you always take it away. Don’t worry about it and go to sleep. I won’t disturb your sleep anymore.”
“I never thought of it as a nuisance.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever felt good about it.”
Black opened the door to the opposite side, to his own room.
“Now, Princess, do something good.”
Tak.
He left behind a word as indifferent as his expression.
Thump.
A wooden medicine bottle fell from her exhausted fingertips. Liene watched the medicine bottle rolling on the bathroom floor and didn’t even think about picking it up. She never thought of this... It really hurts to be ignored. Liene grimaced as if she really was in pain. She had been extremely tired and had no energy until she washed up, but now she didn’t think she could sleep at all.
***
It must have been almost dawn.
Squeak.
Liene rolled up the blanket in one hand and opened the bedroom door, muffling her footsteps. Just as she had worried, she couldn’t sleep the whole time. She felt like she would never be able to sleep at this rate. When on earth did it start? Liene bit her lower lip as she passed the King’s Gallery and stood in front of Black’s bedroom door.
When on earth did it start? When on earth did I not sleep without this man by my side, I...
The tightly closed door seemed thick, large, and heavy today. She kept losing confidence in opening it with her own hands.
“...”
Should I just go back?
“...”
Should I just go back?
That guy is probably sleeping. He must be sensitive to sleep since he lived in a war zone. If she opens the door, he’ll wake up right away. She shouldn’t wake him up. Their feelings are already bad, and that might make things worse.
Yeah, I think I should go back. She thought, but her feet wouldn’t turn around. Liene swallowed dryly several times and gently grabbed the doorknob.
Creak...
The problem was that the door opened as if it had been waiting for her. Liene flinched in surprise, but her heart grew bolder.
The door just opened... I didn’t open it.
The room was quiet. Even Black’s breathing was low. Since he showed no sign of waking up, Liene approached the bed. He was sleeping as if he was dead. Looking at his tightly shut eyelids, she felt strange. She felt sorry for him sleeping soundly, but also a little resentful. She can’t sleep. It seems like she’s forgotten how to sleep alone. Still, it was fortunate that he didn’t wake up.
Liene traced his outline with eyes accustomed to the darkness. She had missed him in just one day.
...Good night. I hope I can meet you again tomorrow.
Liene quietly turned her foot away, feeling like she would be unable to bear it if she kept going and would touch something. She tried to turn around.
“Are you just going?”
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