Chapter 38 | The More I Get to Know You

translator/editor: astralmech | editor: ghost

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She probably wouldve had a fairly nice morning if it hadnt been for Linden Kleinfelder.

The food in front of her was wonderful and it wouldve been nice if a certain someone couldve seen her done up in a dress she actually quite liked. Maybe hed tell her he thought she was lovely again.

That wouldve been very nice.

Rienne carefully cut into the roast and placed a small piece in her mouth. She chewed, but she couldnt taste a thing, even though she was certain it must be an amazing dish.

But she couldnt taste anything good.

Whenever she had to deal with that man, there were far too many things to handle, all tangled up together. It gradually made a bitter feeling pass through her, to the point of blocking out all else.

[Rienne] . . .

I cant eat anything.

But as Rienne set down her fork, quietly swallowing the food she had forced herself to eat

Bang!

With a hurried motion, the door of the dining hall swung open.

It was Black.

[Rienne] .What? ..What are you doing here.?

She didnt think hed come. Rienne turned her head towards him, her eyes slowly blinking in a daze. Black rushed towards her, grabbing the chair she was sitting in and jerking it to face him.

It was done with so much force, it felt incredibly vigorous and rough.

[Black] Why are you here?

[Rienne] ..Im sorry?

So hed heard about what happened today and now he was angry.

Well, itd be stranger if he wasnt.

Once again, Black was hearing that Rienne was involved in another incident concerning Rafit Kleinfelder. He knew shed bargained with the Kleinfelders over Rafits release and that the idea of killing him had somehow entered the equation, too.

Even if Rienne had no real intention of doing so, he would have no choice but to doubt her.

Their relationship was turning sour, again.

He wouldnt believe her.

[Black] I asked what youre doing here. Why? Why are you acting like nothing happened?

[Rienne] II didnt want to break my promise.

But maybe that wouldnt happen this time.

[Black] Did you think Id do something to you if you didnt keep your promise to have a meal with me?

[Rienne] No thats not what I said

[Black] Are you afraid of me?

Shes heard those same words before.

Back then, the question was asked under completely different circumstances. But as the words repeated themselves in her head, they began to lose all meaning. Like the question itself was pointless to ask.

[Rienne] No, Im not.

[Black] Then why are you here? Did you think itd be a big issue if you didnt keep your promise?

[Rienne] I kept it simply because I wanted to, but I didnt think youd return, Lord Tiwakan. I just wished to be alone for a time.

[Black] But why here?

Those words felt strange.

[Rienne] Where else would I go if not here?

[Black] Not in this kind of place.

Black interrupted himself, suddenly grabbing Riennes arm.

[Black] Shouldnt you be lying down?

[Rienne] What? Why would I do that?

[Black] Youre hurt.

As he lifted up her wrist, a clearly visible hand mark was bruised into her skin. It was completely swollen at this point, too.

[Rienne] Its nothing.

[Black] Doesnt it hurt?

[Rienne] Just a little, but its nothing I cant handle.

Black swept his fingers along the bruise as his lips tensed. Without taking his hands away, he muttered.

[Black] Youre hurting.

[Rienne] . . .

No matter what she said, he knew she was in pain, even if he wasnt specifying what exactly was filling her with so much hurt. (1)

[Rienne] But it doesnt hurt enough that I need to rest.

[Black] Im not just talking about your wrist.

[Rienne] If..If youre asking if Im hurt anywhere else, Im not. Im really fine.

[Black] It must have been hard going through that alone, Princess.

[Rienne] Its alright..

[Black] Its meaningless to say that if you cant promise it with a straight face.

[Rienne] . . .

Rienne couldnt say anything backher words completely gone.

It felt like there was a lump of hot air inside of her, rising up through her throat. It was all happening so quickly, she didnt know why she was having this kind of reaction.

The only thing she could sense was how worried Black was about her.

[Rienne] nge, dont you think?

When Rienne was finally able to open her mouth, her voice was coarse and uneven.

[Black] I didnt catch that.

[Rienne] Its strange, dont you think?

[Black] What do you mean?

[Rienne] Youre worrying for me, Lord Tiwakan. It almost makes me happy to see.

[Black] ..Why is that strange?

Rienne swallowed hard, struggling to bite back the swarm of emotions that seemed to have solidified in her throat.

[Rienne] Lord Phermos was hiding in the Kings Office, so you mustve heard it from him. I was told to kill you, Lord Tiwakan.

[Black] And I also heard you didnt agree.

But that wasnt everything she was worried about.

[Rienne] Thats not all. They said you were going to kill me once you held Nauk in your hands.

[Black] I was surprised to hear that, too.

[Rienne] Does that mean it isnt true?

[Black] I told you before. If I wanted to get Nauk, there would be more than a few ways I couldve done so. All of them faster than proposing.

[Rienne] Then what about revenge?

[Black] Revenge?

[Rienne] I keep hearing that what you seek is revenge. That someone in Nauk is responsible for spilling the blood of your family.

[Black] . . .

With those words left to hang in the air, creases formed on Blacks foreheadhis expression distorting. Seeing his face twist so quickly, Rienne felt her heart drop in her chest, like something was curdling inside her.

Hes not denying it.

Then that must mean..theres a bit of truth to it all.

[Rienne] Thats what makes things like this strange.

Riennes form and voice had grown so small, one could hardly hear her words. She shrank away as she tried to pull out of Blacks grip.

[Rienne] Please let me go. Id like to leave now.

But Black didnt let himself get pushed away.

[Black] I dont think its strange.

[Rienne] Why.?

As he carefully held onto Riennes wrist, he reached out his other hand and swept Riennes tousled hair behind her ear.

The gesture was both gentle and hesitant. No different from the flap of a butterflys wing.

[Black] Everything youre telling me now, Princess, was said to you by another person. And Im not interested in other people.

[Rienne] . . .

[Black] Is there a lot of debt?

[Rienne] ?.

[Black] Is the debt the reason why youve had to put up with so many unreasonable things?

[Rienne] . . .

Rienne didnt answer, but the stiff expression on her face said everything for her.

[Black] How long has this been going on?

[Rienne] ..Please dont ask me questions like that.

It was far too pathetic for the ruler of a nation to use debt as an excuse for the state of things.

And more than that, Rienne didnt wish for him to see how terrible the poverty shed been dealing with was. He already knew about it since before, but knowing and seeing were two different things.

Rienne tried to turn her face away, but Black kept his hand firmly on her cheek, keeping her in place.

He was acting differently from last night.

He was still just as kind as before, but his actions didnt feel as forceful. The hand that was holding her cheek felt firm and strong, but somehow, it also felt like it was filled regret.

[Black] Answer me.

[Rienne] ..No.

[Black] Why not?

..Because Im ashamed. I dont want to admit to you that Im a weak and pathetic person.

[Rienne] I just dont want to. You yourself havent answered my question from before either, Lord Tiwakan. The one about the revenge you supposedly seek.

For whatever reason, Black gave a soft smile as he started gently caressing Riennes cheek with his thumb.

[Black] Where did you hear that?

[Rienne] Dont look at me like that..Stories like this have been circulating all across the continent. Such a belief is rampant everywhere but Nauk.

[Black] Thats weird. How havent I heard about this?

[Rienne] ..You didnt know?

[Black] Though it is true that those of my blood are dead. They were killed in this land a long time ago.

[Rienne] You

His calm expression betrayed how harrowing his words were so casually speaking of his familys death like that.

It was a face not suited for someone who was carefully sharpening their blade, seeking to avenge their fallen loved ones.

[Black] I was only a child when it happened. At first, I was filled with so much anger that my flesh and blood were all gone, but I had to focus on staying alive. Eventually, I forgot all about it as I grew up. And like I told you before, the reason why I proposed was because I didnt want you to be taken away by someone else.

He was answering so clearly and plainly, a sense of confusion gripped Rienne.

[Rienne] Sowanting revenge was just hearsay?

[Black] I didnt even know such a rumor existed.

[Rienne] But this.This doesnt make any sense. We had nothing to do with each other before now, so what makes you say taken away like that?

[Black] Is that what you really think?

[Rienne] Am..am I wrong.?

[Black] I called this land my home until the loss of my family. You may not know me, Princess, but I know you.

[Rienne] Ah.but how is something like that possible..?

All of this.is too strange.

[Rienne] A long time ago, you saidWhen was this, exactly?

[Black] About twenty years ago, now.

[Rienne] Twenty years?

Of course she wouldnt remember. If this was around twenty years ago, Rienne wouldve been barely a childonly five or six at most.

[Rienne] Did I know you back then, Lord Tiwakan?

[Black] Probably not. I think you were too young for that.

[Rienne] Then, how did you know about me?

[Black] I only knew your name.

[Rienne] My name?

[Black] My father wanted to arrange a marriage for me. With the Arsak family. (2)

[Rienne] Wha

Riennes eyes widened.

Shed never heard anything about this.

Riennes father, the late king of Nauk, never mentioned anything to her about a childhood engagement. Not once.

[Rienne] We were engaged.back then?

[Black] Not officially. If we had been, thered be some evidence of it or it wouldve been taken down in writing somewhere.

And with nothing to solidify the agreement, it was left to exist only in ones distant memory.

[Rienne] Why didnt you tell me from the beginning?

[Black] I didnt think it was important.

[Rienne] How is something like that not important if its the whole reason why you proposed in the first place?

[Black] It was an engagement that was brought up when I was young. Theres a chance it was just a decision my father made on his own. In the end, Im the only one who still remembers.

Which meant even if he had told her, she wouldve struggled to believe him or take his words seriously.

And this had nothing to do with her already having someone by her side, either. If any man approached her with the intent to propose, making such odd claims, Rienne likely wouldve laughed them off or passed their words off as some unpleasant joke.

[Rienne] ..You still shouldve told me.

But that was when the man in question wasnt Black.

Rienne reached out, gently tugging on Blacks sleeve.

[Rienne] If you had, I wouldve

Then I wouldnt have felt so confused and scared, my heart shattering under the uncertainty, not understanding why everything was happening.

Now, she had an actual reason behind his abrupt proposal. Suddenly, everything felt more real. More believable.

[Rienne] I.

[Black] Princess.

If only hed told her earlier.

She would never have lied so much if she knew.

[Rienne] Im

[Black] Im listening.

I wouldve been honest from the very beginning.

[Rienne] I..wouldvemuch sooner..

That was all Rienne could say. She couldnt finish her sentence, her words tapering off as she fell into complete silence.

Black didnt force her to keep talking. Instead, he had something he wanted to say. His touch upon her cheek was a little teasing, making her body feel as though it were melting.

[Black] You were afraid what kind of person I was. You thought I proposed in order to take Nauk, and that I was going to kill you one day. All so I could take revenge.

[Rienne] Not necessarily

[Black] And yet, you didnt want to postpone the wedding, and you didnt want to kill me before then, either.

[Rienne] I told you I had my doubts.

[Black] You made me take off my clothes so you could tend to my wounds because I was hurt. And instead of driving me out of your bed, you found a spare blanket to cover me with and allowed me to sleep next to you.

[Rienne] Thats..because youre my fianc

The hand gently touching her face stopped. Black leaned over, bringing his face even closer to hers. It was an unavoidable distancesomething she couldnt turn away from unless she closed her eyes.

[Black] Is it safe to say you like me? Even just a little bit?

He asked her so suddenly, Riennes tightly shut eyes widely opened and she swallowed hard.

[Black] It doesnt matter what it is. If theres anything good about me that you like, just say yes.

[Rienne] . . .

[Black] You can nod your head, too.

[Rienne] . . .

Blacks eyes were cold and clear. Rienne stared into them as she slowly nodded her head. Unblinking, he watched her hesitantly move her head up and down.

[Black] I see.

Despite how simple the words that floated through the air were, both sides of Blacks mouth were being tugged into a smile.

[Black] I wont listen if you say otherwise later.

[Rienne] . . .

Rienne wanted to say something back, but her mouth wouldnt open. As if to replace her unspoken words, she gripped the hem of Blacks clothing a little tighter.

If I knew, I wouldve grown fond of you much sooner.

Those quiet thoughtsthe words Rienne couldnt say.

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[Rienne] Im fine.

After being forced to rest, Rienne was left to lay idle in bed, though she didnt fight much. It hadnt been that long since she first woke up, so this was the fastest shed ever gone back to bed in a while.

[Rienne] Its just a bruised wrist. Thats all.

But even as she lay defeated, Rienne continued to argue.

Black sat next to her on the edge of the bed, watching her every move. Every time he noticed her try and shift her body, hed shake his head at her.

[Black] Thats what you think now, but it could get worse later.

[Rienne] Thats never happened in the past. Its not that terrible. The Kleinfelders are just like that sometimes.

[Black] Youre saying this has happened before?

Black immediately jumped on Riennes words.

[Rienne] Its just their nature to do this kind of thing..

[Black] So this isnt the first time this has happened, but its okay because youre used to it?

[Rienne] Thats.

If she were to say it bluntly, then yes..but why did he look so unhappy?

Only

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T/N: (1) Pro-drop! Except this time, the text is pointing it out for me. Hes pointing out her pain, but isnt being specific about what is causing it/what hurts.

(2) The term he uses here means specifically a dead father. Theres also no pronoun listed, but unless otherwise specified, one is usually referring to their own parent, so I made the assumption in the translation.

astral comment: Didnt the drought in Nauk start twenty years ago too? Ive got my theory cap on, but Im gonna stay really quiet instead.

ghost comment: Not important he says. Sir, please.