Chapter 35 | Spark (4)

translator/editor: astralmech | editor: ghost

*

* * *

*

Their lips met again.

This time felt more rushed and impatient but it was intense and strong without being rough. As she felt him deeply penetrating her mouth, all sense of reason left her as she took in the wet sensation.

The fierce and powerful kiss left nothing but a torrid mess in her head.

It was as though all thoughts had been completely purged, leaving nothing but the senses laid bare.

The feeling of his hands climbing up her back, of being pressed into his body or the familiar scent of their kiss that shed never forget. Even how the taste of him stuck to her mouthit was like nothing else existed.

[Rienne] .?

But their hectic kiss suddenly stopped.

As Rienne slowly opened her eyes in a daze, Black softly whispered towards her, his face still wet and glistening.

[Black] Someones here.

[Rienne] What?

He was right.

Knock, knock.

[Mrs. Flambard] Are you awake, Princess?

It was Mrs. Flambard.

[Rienne] Oh..Oh no.

She felt her cheeks burning up. Rienne panicked, placing her palms against Blacks chest and pushing herself up.

[Rienne] What do we do?

As the fevered expression on his face began to cool down, Black watched Rienne for a moment before nodding once.

[Black] Should I hide?

[Rienne] Excuse me?

[Black] Theres not enough room under the bedbut there should be enough space on the window frame. Thatll do.

[Rienne] . . .

Hearing those words, Rienne felt an unpleasant reminder cross her nose.

It wasnt long ago that she had to hide Rafit on the window frame in this very room. He was in a place where he shouldnt have been, and Rienne, given no choice but to hide him, felt deep shame over the matter.

It made her feel like some kind of dirty person, trying to cover up something they did wrong.

[Black] Stall for time until I can hide.

Black moved to pull himself out of bed.

Rienne wasnt sure if he was purposefully talking about the window frame like this in order to remind her of what happened that day, but at least she was certain about one thing.

In order to preserve Riennes honor, he was willing to hide himself out the window.

[Rienne] No, you dont need to do something like that.

Sharing a bed with Black wasnt some disgraceful thing.

Black was her one and only fianc. There was no reason to treat him like she did Rafit. In fact, it would be more shameful and dishonorable to try and hide him.

[Rienne] Were engaged. It wouldnt be appropriate to force my fianc to hide himself from the eyes of a maid. Not only would it be against etiquette, but its also outright wrong.

[Black] .People will misunderstand. No one will believe nothing happened after I spent all night here.

[Rienne] I dont mind that. Well be officially married in a few days regardless, so it hardly matters.

[Black] . . .

Looking at Rienne, a frown seemed to form between Blacks eyes.

But he wasnt making a displeased face nor did he try and disagree with her.

[Rienne] Ah.

Suddenly, he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly as he overlapped his lips with hers. Rienne couldnt say anything as a kiss more intense than the one before deeply dug into her.

Knock..knock.

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess? Are you in there?

Mrs. Flambard didnt know what was happening so she was left to pace outside, worried about why Rienne wasnt answering the door. All the while, Blacks kiss didnt even begin to slow, only intensifying in heat.

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess?

Before the hesitant woman could open the door, the passionate kiss stopped.

[Rienne] Ah. Whats gotten into you..?

[Black] I just thought all of the sudden

[Rienne] All of the sudden?

[Black] I thought you looked so lovely.

[Rienne] ..Im sorry?

She didnt expect to hear that from him. Rienne was so stunned, her mouth was left slightly agape as Black leaned down and gently kissed her again.

It was a soft kiss, light as a feather that left a sweet sound behind. (1)

[Black] Shouldnt you answer the door?

[Rienne] Oh, youre right..

But shed already taken too much time.

[Mrs. Flambard] My apologies, Princess, but I must see if youre inside. I think I can hear voices, but why arent you responding.?

Thump.

The bedroom door opened.

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess.? Princess!

As she entered the room holding the doorknob, her expression became as cold as stone and her complexion turned grey to match.

[Mrs. Flambard] Oh heavens. How..how come..?

[Rienne] Good..good morning, Mrs. Flambard.

Unlike before, she didnt feel ashamed, but she still felt very embarrassed. Rienne slipped herself out of Blacks grasp, pretending his presence wasnt unusual as she wiped the corner of her mouth with her fingers.

[Rienne] You neednt be too surprised. Lord Tiwakan slept in my room last night, so please treat my fianc same as you would treat me.

[Mrs. Flambard] Y, yes but..but going so far.so suddenly..

[Rienne] Maam.

Mrs. Flambard quickly shut her mouth in surprise the moment she noticed Riennes voice turning a bit stern. Rienne did everything she could to make her face look as serious as possible, but it didnt work very well with her face as red as an apple.

[Mrs. Flambard] Alright, then.. Ill umIll get the water prepared for you to wash up then.

[Rienne] Yes, please do.

[Mrs. Flambard] Yes, Princess. I will.of course do so.

After that, she quickly excused herself to the bathroom with her face still looking a little unwell. Rienne breathed a heavy sighthe heaviest shed done in her whole life.

[Rienne] Now then. Ill let you get ready for the day as well, Lord Tiwakan.

It was a polite expression, but one nonetheless meaning please leave.

[Black] I dont want to.

[Rienne] ..Excuse me?

Rienne must have looked really serious because Black gave a short smile.

[Black] But Ill go.

[Rienne] Please.

Even though it was just for a brief moment, the memory of Blacks smiling face left a deep impression on her.

Please dont smile at me like that.

If you do, Ill only want to hold on to this morning.

.Oh, what am I even thinking? Whats wrong with me?

[Black] Princess.

As they both moved to get out of bed, Black suddenly called out to Rienne.

[Rienne] Yes?

Turning her head to look at him, Black pulled her into him and brushed his lips against hers once more. As he kissed her, she felt his lips slowly draw up, dappling more kisses along her cheek, up along her nose and across her forehead.

[Black] Can I join you for breakfast?

[Rienne] If youd like, but why do you keep kissing me..? We need to hurry.

[Black] Just dont forget.

Black glanced down at her lips again before finally letting her go.

[Black] See you in a bit.

[Rienne] . . .

Rienne sat there, watching him as he left the bedroom.

Her heart felt as though it had become like a lake, with nothing but a strange and mysterious wave echoing through it.

What do you mean by dont forget?

She wanted to ask him that.

If she didnt hear the answer directly from him, shed be left only to remember the feeling of his lips, diligently putting his mark all across her.

*

* * *

*

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess.

After heading to the bathroom first, Mrs. Flambard appeared much calmer now.

[Mrs. Flambard] Stand here. Ill get your sleeves.

[Rienne] Thank you, maam. I can wash myself.

As Rienne washed her face, Mrs. Flambard helped by rolling up the ends of her sleeves to prevent them from getting wet.

But while Rienne busied herself, leaning in front of the water basin, Mrs. Flambard didnt feel like she could leave quite yet.

[Mrs. Flambard] Pardon my rudeness, Princess, but I cannot help but ask. Did you truly spend the night with him?

[Rienne] W, well.In the way youre thinking.

[Mrs. Flambard] You didnt, did you?

[Rienne] ..No.

Honestly, she had a feeling Mrs. Flambard would know the truth. She was quick-witted, and considered knowing Rienne better than she knew herself a part of her job.

[Mrs. Flambard] No matter how much I think on it, it just doesnt make sense for you to have slept together. You are certainly not the type to do something like that on impulse, Princess. And after what happened yesterday.with Lord Kleinfelder and everything, wasnt Lord Tiwakan upset with you after misunderstanding the situation?

[Rienne] He was.

[Mrs. Flambard] In these circumstances, how could you spend the night together? Especially with a man whos capable of doing who-knows-what when hes angry?

[Rienne] . . .

Rienne made a troubled expression.

Black was certainly abnormal, that much was clear. Even now, Rienne could hear his darkened voice, telling her what he wanted from her as payment for what shed done. Thinking about it still made her heart sting.

But he didnt do anything to her.

He wasnt that kind of man.

[Rienne] Maam, please dont say those kinds of things. Lord Tiwakan.

Mrs. Flambard didnt seem to hear Riennes words, nodding her head at her own thoughts.

[Mrs. Flambard] Or at least thats what I originally thought. Its the strangest thing. Such a great misunderstanding took place and yet, in my eyes, the Princess and Lord Tiwakan looked as sweet as a pair of newly matched lovebirds. How did that happen? (2)

[Rienne] . . .

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess?

At Riennes hesitancy, Mrs. Flambard pressed for an answer.

[Rienne] Thats

Thats what I want to know. How did this happen, again?

He came into her room, suddenly offering to put medicine on hertelling her he wouldnt take no for an answer because thats what shed said to him.

And then he told her he was going to kiss her.

Closing her eyes, she could easily remember the feeling of him tenderly pressing his lips against the back of her neck.

[Mrs. Flambard] Princess?

[Rienne] .Ah, I was just thinking about what happened.

After that, he said he was going to sleep in her room. She found an extra blanket for him and then

Then he found a freckle under my ear this morning. Then he kissed me after saying I didnt understand.and he told me he thought I was lovely.

[Mrs. Flambard] So I havent been seeing things incorrectly? Have you given him your heart?

[Rienne] I dont know about that.

Everything happened so quickly, pouring like rain as it flowed into a river.

It was obvious she hadnt managed to clear up the misunderstanding with Black. No matter what she said, he didnt seem to believe her.

All Rienne could do was continue to insist it was a misunderstanding. There wasnt much she could do besides that. And it was true that Rienne herself couldnt trust in Black either, which is why she had resorted to telling so many lies in the first place.

But even so, there was no animosity.

His eyes that looked for things to notice about her were kind and the hands that made her body tremble were always gentle.

But given the situation and everything that happened, she still couldnt understand why it felt like everything was calming down so quickly.

[Mrs. Flambard] You dont know?

[Rienne] YesI dont know.

Looking down at Rienne for a moment, Mrs. Flambard sighed.

[Mrs. Flambard] Ive heard..and I believe this to be true

[Rienne] What is it?

[Mrs. Flambard] The affairs between a man and a woman. Sometimes it happens out of nowhere, and we cannot say for certain exactly why. (3)

[Rienne] Thats.. I think this might be a little different than that

Mrs. Flambard shook her head, as if trying to see where the difference lies.

[Mrs. Flambard] I may not know much, Princess, but please listen to me. About the matter of having a child.I think it would be best to just be honest and tell him it isnt true. Though I cannot see the politics of it all, Im saying this as someone who knows a thing or two about what goes on between men and women.

[Rienne] . . .

She knew Mrs. Flambard was saying that for her sake.

But she couldnt do that. Not yet, at least.

[Rienne] I cant.

[Mrs. Flambard] Such a lie will do you no good once youre married, Princess.

[Rienne] Of course I know that. I want nothing more than to say theres no child directly to him with my own voice.

She wanted to say there was no man she couldnt forget, either.

Its all just a misunderstanding. Ive never thought of Rafit even half as much as I think of you.

[Rienne] ..But before I can, theres something I need to know. Something I cannot ignore.

[Mrs. Flambard] What in heavens name could it be?

Maybe the time had come to be honest with Mrs. Flambard.

[Rienne] Ive been hearing from multiple peoplethat theres another reason why Lord Tiwakan proposed to me. That marriage was never the main point of what he soughtAnd that his true aim is something much more dire.

[Mrs. Flambard] What? No, who told you that? Do you know for certain?

[Rienne] I dont know if its true or not, but I cant pretend I dont know anything and just overlook it. If it turns out to be true, theres no coming back from it.

[Mrs. Flambard] Well, yes, youd be right about that.

[Rienne] Lord Weroz left to look into these claims, but I dont know if hell manage to come back before the wedding.

[Mrs. Flambard] Then what should we do? Should we postpone it?

[Rienne] I dont know.

Rienne held Mrs. Flambards hand. Now it was time to ask for something more dangerous.

[Rienne] But I think I know someone other than Lord Weroz who can help.

[Mrs. Flambard] Who?

[Rienne] Can you meet with them?

She wouldnt be able to move freely for awhile. She wasnt certain what the Kleinfelders would do now that Rafit was in custody, and Black still didnt trust her. Shed only raise more suspicions if she tried to meet with someone now.

And this was concerning a secret more dangerous than a simple misunderstanding about her relationship with Rafit.

[Mrs. Flambard] I will, Princess.

After she became Riennes nanny, Mrs. Flambard hardly ever left the castle, save for a few times. Nonetheless, she nodded her head with her lips tightly clenched.

[Mrs. Flambard] Who must I meet with?

Only

* * *

T/N: (1) lit. a birds kiss, meaning a soft and gentle kiss, like birds. We replaced it with the more common English adage of light as a feather. Somehow theyre both bird related idioms.

(2) lit. love parrots more commonly known as lovebirds, a breed of parrot known for monogamous mating and spending long periods of time with their partners.

(3) Shes talking about falling in love.