Chapter 44 | Today, Like Yesterday

translator/editor: astralmech | editor: ghost

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Black did mention something similar before. He knew he was engaged, but that it couldve just been something his father mentioned.

[Rienne] If thats the case, it wouldnt be in the royal records, would it?

[Mrs. Flambard] Im not sure.

[Rienne] Ill look for it just in case.

Rienne turned around in a hurry. The royal records would be kept somewhere in the Kings Office.

Please. Let there be something left there.

[Mrs. Flambard] Where are you going, Princess? Why are you so suddenly speaking of a past engagement? While were talking about that man of all things?

[Rienne] We used to be engaged.

[Mrs. Flambard] Excuse me?

The woman blinked her eyes in a daze, as if the words shed just heard were ones she couldnt understand.

[Mrs. Flambard] You and who? Lord Kleinfelder was never engaged to you as far as I know.

[Rienne] Lord Tiwakan.

[Mrs. Flambard] Sorry?

She was so surprised by the answer, she quickly covered and shut her mouth.

[Mrs. Flambard] And um.when this wastwenty years ago, you said?

[Rienne] Im not sure, its been too long to ascertain the exact date. But he said thats how he remembers it. It was why he proposed in the first place.

[Mrs. Flambard] Then.. does that mean hes from Nauk?

[Rienne] Yes. He said he left Nauk after his family was killed.

[Mrs. Flambard] How odd.

Rienne swept her hair back with her hand, her face becoming troubled.

[Rienne] He told me he forgot everything because it all happened so long ago, and how that was the reason he proposed to me. But I just

Riennes words got caught in her throat, as she let out a long breath.

[Rienne] I keepthinking terrible thing things. Was it maybe..the King who killed his family? Was that why the old man kept saying I would bleed at the hands of Lord Tiwakan?

[Mrs. Flambard] What are you talking about, Princess?

The woman adamantly shook her head, as if she were expressing how awful Riennes words were.

[Mrs. Flambard] The King was a good man. He was wise, thoughtful, and open-minded. Its unimaginable to believe he would do something like..killing someones family. Its an absurd thought.

[Rienne] Then why would the old man say that?

[Mrs. Flambard] Thats

With her heart thrust into confusion, Rienne held her own shoulders with a painful grip. Mrs. Flambard looked at her with a sad expression, doing her best to comfort her.

[Mrs. Flambard] Think about this, Princess. Is there anyone who truly understands who that old man is? We cannot even say for certain whether or not he is of sound mind. For someone to beat a servant who only wishes to bring them food, they cannot be sane. How can someone like that know things that neither you nor I know, Princess? It doesnt make sense.

[Rienne] Perhaps.But hes very old. He mustve lived through things the both of us cannot even begin to remember.

[Mrs. Flambard] But who even is he to start with?

[Rienne] . . .

She wasnt wrong.

Rienne had her priorities backwards right now. Before she worried about what the old man said, she needed to find out who he was.

[Rienne] Im certain that servant must know.

[Mrs. Flambard] You mean the one who was being beaten by his cane? Seeing that, there definitely must be a story there that cannot be spoken. But didnt the servant run away.? No, what if the Tiwakan are mistreating the servants now?

[Rienne] Its not like that. We dont know for sure right now, but theyre pursuing him because he may be the one responsible for the death of the High Priest.

[Mrs. Flambard] What? No, is that really true?

With a shocked expression, she put her hands together as if she were in prayer.

[Mrs. Flambard] How can that beA young man who looks so gentle and pure, too. Could it be the Tiwakan have the wrong person?

[Rienne] No, we have clues that imply his guilt. But, did you happen to see the servants face, maam?

[Mrs. Flambard] It happened by chance. He was covering his face, as you mightve noticed yourself, Princess, but the old man was beating him so severely, his hood ended up coming off.

The servant, who looked infinitely kind, had a terribly sad expression on his face.

Not to mention the scar on the back of his hand.

[Rienne] Was it that prayer again?

[Mrs. Flambard] Prayer?

[Rienne] Its a prayer of atonement. Ive heard it requires one to whip their body as a form of penance.

[Mrs. Flambard] AhEven a God could not be pleased hearing such prayers.

[Rienne] I feel the same. What was it that the servant couldve been atoning for?

[Mrs. Flambard] He may have committed a crimeso I suppose he may not be such a nice young man, after all.

If the servant Klimah was in fact responsible for killing the High Priest and the old man knew that, that would explain the beatings. It was also possible Klimah was willing to take the assault as atonement for what hed done.

If the old man was coherent enough to understand that, then perhaps he didnt say what he said before simply because he was crazy.

It was starting to feel like the old man knew more than he was willing to let out of his mouth.

[Rienne] I wonder where the Tiwakan took him. As I thought, Ill have no choice but to ask.

[Mrs. Flambard] Thats true but..if they detained him on purpose, will they tell you about it so easily? Itd be too easy for them to hide it and make excuses every which way.

[Rienne] Maybe..Though they should at least be able to tell me about the servant.

[Mrs. Flambard] I agree. Shall I return to the Temple?

[Rienne] No, its already late. Lets go tomorrow, together.

[Mrs. Flambard] Will you have the time?

[Rienne] If I dont, then Ill make time. As it happens, a new advisor has come in to help lessen my work load.

Rienne squeezed Mrs. Flambards hand.

[Rienne] Youve been working very hard, maam. Youre the only person I can trust completely.

[Mrs. Flambard] Its my honor, Princess.

The woman gently swept her hand along Riennes messy hair, the gesture full of affection.

[Mrs. Flambard] Now, off to bed with you. Tomorrow will be another busy day.

[Rienne] I know.

Then, Rienne and Mrs. Flambard split from the audience room, returning to their respective bedrooms.

Luckily, Rienne didnt run into anyone on her way back. All the Tiwakan that would normally be around were out and about, busy in their search for the servant, Klimah.

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Tap.

Just as Rienne went to reach for the doorknob

[Black] Where did you go?

As if hed been waiting for her, the door was opened from the inside. Surprised, Rienne pulled back as soon as she saw the face that appeared through the open doorBlack.

[Rienne] ..I went to go speak with my nanny for a little bit.

Swallowing hard, Riennes voice was surprisingly calm.

Rienne already knew it was pointless to lie in front of Black. He probably already noticed them talking and leaving while he was in the bathroom.

[Rienne] I told you Id sent her on an errand. She met Lord Phermos while she was out, and she was apologetic she couldnt do everything Id asked of her. Then I took her to her room and told her it wasnt necessary anymore.

[Black] I see.

Black nodded his head, seemingly convinced there was nothing wrong.

Then he reached out his hand.

[Black] Are you not coming in?

[Rienne] Oh.

Rienne looked down at Blacks hand before eventually taking it.

His hands were the same as they always were. Holding his hand was so warm, sometimes too much so, and it was so big it felt as though it could take anything in its grip.

Though even when they entered the room, Black still wouldnt let her go.

Passing the bed in the middle of the room, Rienne made a joke.

[Rienne] Are you planning on escorting me to my room?

[Black] No.

In order to get to Riennes room, it was necessary to pass through Blacks room first.

From across the bed there were two doorsone that led to the bathroom and one that led to the small room between the bedrooms.

This small room was once known as the Kings Gallery.

There used to be days when it was filled with exotic and priceless baubles and paintings, meant for the King and his wife. However, it had been empty for so long, Rienne sometimes forgot what it was even for.

Opening the door to the Kings Gallery, Black spoke.

[Black] Im going with you.

[Rienne] Sorry?

[Black] I want to sleep with you again. Like we did yesterday.

[Rienne] . . .

Its that feeling again.

That sensation of her heart tightening from the bottom up without end.

Whenever this feeling swelled up inside her, Rienne always felt a little distressed. It made her throat burn and she kept swallowing nothing.

[Black] I thought I we were getting a little better.Were we not?

[Rienne] . . .

Yes. He was probably right about that.

Thats why the doubts felt even more painful. Even after her nanny had told her such things about him, Rienne didnt want to hate him.

She wanted to make excuses for him.

If it was true that the previous King was responsible for the loss of his family, and he was forced to run away at such a young age because of it, then that was a sin that followed the Arsak bloodline.

Maybe it was true that hed already forgotten the past and only wished to propose. Like he said, it had been twenty years already.

But even if I was only a child who knew nothing at the time, if you want me to atone for what the previous King has done, I will do everything I can to do so.

Because thats how much I like you.

And..Maybe he felt like that too. It was possible.

[Rienne] Though, theres something that worries me a little.

But Rienne couldnt say what was on her mind.

Perhaps if she were the daughter of any ordinary family, she could. But as one responsible for Nauk, she couldnt make that kind of promise.

[Black] What do you mean?

[Rienne] You said you didnt have much experience.

[Black] What?

[Rienne] Does that mean youre clumsy?

[Black] . . .

[Rienne] So Im a little worried about being with someone like that.

[Black] . . .

Though truthfully, the exact opposite was true.

She was actually worried he might be too skilled in this area compared to her, who was obviously clumsy. Thinking about that, she kept unconsciously reminding herself of everything that had happened in the past.

But she couldnt even say that out loud.

She hadnt even told him she wasnt actually pregnant, yet.

[Black] Ha, this is crazy.

He seemed stiff at first, but eventually Blacks expression softened into a smirk.

[Black] What were you thinking?

[Rienne] What?

[Black] When I said I wanted to sleep with you again, what were you thinking of doing with me?

[Rienne] . . .

She couldnt find the words to say, so Rienne just kept completely silent, but her charmingly red cheeks served as her answer.

[Black] If I wasnt very good, would that be a problem?

[Rienne] I, I understand your answer. Goodnight, then.

Rienne quickly turned on her heel, frantic as if she were running away from him, and went to open the bedroom door.

Bam!

But just as quickly it was opened, it was closed again. Black had reached out from behind her, pulling the door back in place.

Trapped, Rienne was locked between the door and Blacks body.

[Black] How good do I need to be in order to satisfy you?

With Rienne trapped in his arms, Black whispered softly, bowing his head towards her neck.

[Black] What should I do to be considered competent to you?

[Rienne] Something like that.Not..not right now..

[Black] Thats weird. I thought you meant it needed to be now.

Slowly, Black wrapped his arms around her waist, pushing past her hair and pressing his lips against the back of her neck. And then, he gently started running his lips across her soft, pale skin.

Moving his free hand up, he brushed it against her hair, tickling her earlobes and allowing his fingers to wander down her neck.

[Rienne] No..I wasnt

[Black] No. You were talking about today.

The fingers that were running down her neck stopped at the edge of her nightgown. He lifted up the thin cloth, playing with edges of it as if struggling with idea of just tearing it aside.

Feeling it, Rienne bit down on her lips almost to the point of tears.

[Black] Luckily, based on your reaction, I dont think Im clumsy enough to make you hate this, Princess.

His fingers fell from the edge of her nightgown, moving up her neck and across her jaw until they reached her lips, and at his gentle urging, she felt them being pushed apart.

[Black] This will leave a wound. I told you this afternoon. Unless theyre made by me, I dont want to see any more wounds on your body.

[Rienne] Thats

Her body was shaking so much, she couldnt even speak properly.

[Black] Dont do this anymore. Promise me.

With her lips apart, Black grabbed Riennes chin and pulled her in, slowly rubbing against her lipshurt by her own bite.

It felt vulgar and heated, as though she was moments away from melting. If this continued, all her thoughts would completely vanish.

Why was he acting so obscene? Why was he doing this to her? What kinds of plans was he hiding inside of him? She couldnt lose sight of those questions. She had to find out the answer before Nauk paid the price for his anger.

[Rienne] S, stop!

Whats going on? I didnt want any of this.

Push!

With the sudden surge of thoughts, Rienne pushed Black away with all of her strength.

[Rienne] Please stop this.

[Black] . . .

As if he could sense her sincerity, Black kept quiet and looked at Rienne.