Chapter 32 | Spark (1)

At that moment, Riennes mind went completely blank, but luckily her hand knew to move on its own. She quickly grabbed the towel she had prepared nearby and used it to cover her bare body.

[Rienne] Wha, what are you..?

But unlike her hands, her mouth couldnt speak properly.

[Rienne] I, I thought. I locked it..

It was then that Black took his eyes away, speaking slowly.

[Black] So thats why.

[Rienne] .?

[Black] I thought the door was stuck, but it was just the lock.

[Rienne] . . .

So thats what he meant. He didnt know the door was locked so he ended up breaking in unintentionally.

Rienne felt her heart settle hearing those words. It gladdened her to know he didnt do it because he intended to do away with his good will just to be impatient about tonight.

But looking at him now, she realized he must want to wash up. He was still covered in blood and mud from the incident.

[Rienne] Id like for you to leave now. Ive just finished, so Ill be out in a moment.

[Black] Are you hurt?

[Rienne] ..Excuse me?

As if he couldnt hear her, Black stood still and continually asked his question.

[Black] Your arms and your side.

[Rienne] Oh..

Wanting to hide her body from him, Rienne angled herself away and repeated herself.

[Rienne] Yes, but please leave.

[Black] When was it? Was it when the cart crashed?

No, not then.

When the cart crashed and the barrels started rolling towards them, Black had pushed Rienne to the side so quickly that they didnt even leave a scratch on her.

[Rienne] No, I think it happened when I was in the carriage. And please dont stare at me like that. Even if youre my fianc, its still impolite.

[Black] Ah..

Much too late, Black finally turned his head away.

[Black] Pardon me.

Averting his gaze, he turned his back towards her. As he started to leave through the door with the destroyed lock, he slightly gestured his head back towards her, murmuring quietly.

[Black] Then. Arent (1)

[Rienne] Im sorry?

Maybe it was because he was facing away from her, but Rienne couldnt quite hear him.

[Rienne] Did you say something?

[Black] Its nothing. Never mind.

And then Black left without turning back.

Click.

The door shut behind him, almost soundless in comparison to the booming noise from when it was opened.

[Rienne] Hah

Finally, Rienne was able to breathe.

[Rienne] Whats happening?

On the floor of that large bathroom sat the remains of the needlessly sturdy iron lock. Though not as big in comparison to the locks of the entrance gate, it was still fairly heavy and strong.

It was unimaginable to believe that Black could push it open so easily, thinking the door was merely being stubborn.

Rienne was again given a striking and dawning reminder of their difference in strength. If he wanted to force her to do something she didnt want to do, she would have no way of refusing him.

[Rienne] But he left.

He didnt stare at her when she asked him not to, and he quietly left when she asked him to leave. Thats when a sudden thought came to Rienne about the man named Black.

[Rienne] That man He wouldnt do something that I wouldnt like. Thats the kind of man he is.

Rienne had no choice but to put her faith in that thought.

*

* * *

*

By the time Black had come in, Rienne was already mostly done washing up. After that, all she needed to do was dry herself off and change into the clothes Mrs. Flambard had left for her.

Then, she went back into the bathroom and emptied out the water basin, filling it with fresh water herself. She felt it would be too cruel to ask an injured person to do it on his own.

Knock, knock.

Once she was done with all her work, Rienne left through the other door to the bathroom and knocked on Blacks bedroom door.

[Rienne] You may use the bathroom now.

But there was no response.

[Rienne] Lord Tiwakan?

Rienne tilted her head and eventually turned around to leave. If he wasnt answering, then maybe hed left again. But then an odd feeling took hold of her and she turned right back around and opened the door.

Thump.

[Rienne] Lord Tiwakan!

When she opened the door, Blacks body was lying flat on the floor. Pale-faced, Rienne ran towards him.

[Rienne] Lord Tiwakan! Please wake up!

As Rienne took his head in her arms and gently patted his cheek, his eyes started to open.

[Rienne] Lord Tiwakan!

[Black] Ah.

Though he was lying on the floor, he spoke rather clearly. Over time, his blue eyes slowly came to.

[Black] Whats going on?

He was on the floor with his head resting in Riennes lap, his eyes going over her as she held his face with her hand. He really didnt know what was happening.

[Rienne] I called out for you, but you didnt respond..then I came in and I found you on the floor.

Meanwhile Rienne was so surprised, she was completely breathless.

[Black] ..I mustve fallen asleep.

[Rienne] Asleep? On the floor?

[Black] I do that sometimes when I get hurt.

[Rienne] . . .

With a look of disbelief on her face, Rienne looked at Black who only stared up at her.

[Rienne] Have you lost your mind? Youre injured.

[Black] I woke up, so its fine.

[Rienne] . . .

In that moment, why did his scar-riddled body come to her mind?

He doesnt even realize hes hurt. He doesnt notice his own pain or his own sickness so he forgets to take care of himself.

So why did he look at her like that when he saw her bruises?

[Rienne] Stand up.

Rienne let go of Blacks head as he slowly stood up from the ground. He made a strange face as he did so, but eventually he was able to stand on his own two feet.

[Black] Are you going to stay here?

Black asked this as he faced the bathroom door. He was saying that he wanted to take off his clothes before going in.

[Rienne] ..No, not here.

Rienne shook her head and stood up.

[Rienne] Follow me.

[Black] ?

While Black was left to wonder, Rienne walked right past him and into the bathroom.

*

* * *

*

[Rienne] Take off your clothes. Like you normally do when you wash up.

[Black] . . .

Black looked right at Rienne. Perhaps stunned into speechlessness, his lips were slightly parted.

[Rienne] I will help you. It wouldnt be right to leave someone who could collapse at any moment on their own.

[Black] Its fine.

[Rienne] Its not. Take them off.

[Black] Im not that hurt.

[Rienne] Im sure.

[Black] . . .

Getting quiet again, Black frowned.

[Black] Why are you doing this?

[Rienne] I said it earlier. Youre hurt, so I must treat you like a patient.

[Black] Its not that big of a deal.

[Rienne] And you wonder why Im doing this? This isnt the first time Ive needed to take care of your wounds. Why must today be any different?

As his frown deepened, so did the creases between his brows.

[Black] Thats not it..If youre doing this because you want to pay the price for keeping the Kleinfelder alive, then this isnt necessary. Thats something else entirely, Princess.

[Rienne] That.

With those words, Riennes face turned pale, but it was only for a moment. Not long after that, she was able to make her expression calm again.

[Rienne] This has nothing to do with that. Youre hurt, Lord Tiwakan, but unfortunately you dont seem too interested in mending yourself. That leaves it up to me.

[Black] And why would you do that for me, Princess?

[Rienne] Because youre my fianc.

[Black] . . .

Rienne caught a glimpse of Black raising one of his eyebrows. She didnt know exactly what that meant, but it certainly didnt mean he was happy.

Though if I were him, Id feel the same.

Especially after what happened today.

[Rienne] .I know it sounds ridiculous coming from me, but my feelings have not changed since the day we first wrote our marriage vows. In neither body nor mind, I have no intention of cheating on my fianc. Such will always be the case so long as I carry the name of Arsak. (2)

I cant force him to believe me. Its his own heart, not mine.

But she couldnt leave him, alone and injured, just because of a misunderstanding.

[Rienne] If you cant trust me, then please, at least call for someone else.

[Black] . . .

Black stood still, running a hand through his dirty hair. When he moved his hand away, his expression was entirely visible, and it looked different from usual.

[Black] I usually take all my clothes off when I wash myself.

When he said that, Riennes face turned a little red.

[Black] How much do you want me to leave on?

They decided on the bare minimum. In the bathroom where Rienne was waiting, Black entered wearing only a pair of pants that cut above the knee.

*

* * *

*

Rienne had to hold back a scream.

With injuries like this, any other man would be lying sick in bed, groaning from the pain. And yet Black, against all belief, was sitting completely unperturbed with a distant look on his face.

[Rienne] The wounds are everywhere.

Rienne sighed, looking over the places where his skin had become swollen or cut. She was lucky his back was turned towards her so he couldnt see her expression.

[Black] I dont tend to feel pain unless a bone is broken so..

His words trailed off like he was rushing to make an excuse.

In all honesty, over the course of his life, he had made so few excuses he wasnt even aware he was doing so. He just thought it was strange why something that was normally so obvious was difficult to say in front of Rienne.

[Rienne] But this one healed so quickly. I think it might be completely healed by now.

As she worked cleaning him of all the bloodstains and dirt, she carefully touched where his shoulder had been pierced with an arrow not long ago.

[Black] Hng.

Rolling his shoulder, Black let out a low moan. Rienne was immediately taken aback, pulling her hand away.

[Rienne] Im sorry. I didnt know it was still causing you pain.

[Black] It doesnt hurt.

[Rienne] ? Then.?

[Black] Your hand is soft.

[Rienne] ?

If my hand is soft, then why is he avoiding it..? Oh, it must be because its irritating it.

Understanding his reaction, Rienne nodded to herself. The wound might be healed but the skin would be sensitive because its still scarring over.

I need to be more careful.

[Rienne] How did you plan on washing your back with so many wounds?

Thinking itd cause too much pain otherwise, Rienne gently dabbed his wounds with a wet cloth. With how injured his body was, it was unthinkable to imagine him doing it on his own.

[Black] I didnt think about it. Probably wouldve just poured water on it.

[Rienne] Hah..

Just as she thought. The man was terribly insensitive when it came to his own pain.

But Im not.

From Riennes perspective, he looked so hurt it was difficult to even touch his wounds.

[Rienne] Im almost finished. Hold on for just a little bit longer.

[Black] Its fine. You dont have to rush.

[Rienne] Its not fine.

If Rienne spent any more time looking at his wounds, she wouldnt be able to sleep at night. Seeing him so hurt made her feel sick.

[Rienne] Your back is done. Youll likely be able to reach the rest on your own..

Mustering her courage, Rienne spoke again.

[Rienne] Still, Id like to do it for you if at all possible.

Black turned his head back to look at her.

[Black] Is it because Im your fianc?

[Rienne] No, its because I know you wont take care of your wounds properly yourself, Lord Tiwakan.

[Black] . . .

For some reason, Black didnt answer. He kept his mouth shut as he looked at Rienne. She thought it might hurt his neck if he stayed like that for too long.

[Rienne] Ill take that to mean its alright.

So she moved herself to the front of him.

Sitting in the bathroom chair like that, Blacks stature was much smaller than usual and it was easier for Rienne to stand at eye level with him. But she always seemed to get into trouble when their eyes met.

Maybe I shouldnt have offered.

Rienne could never be calm seeing his face like this.

[Black] .Its not alright.

It was when Rienne reached out to place the wet cloth on his collarbone that he tilted his head back to avoid her touch. Her outstretched hand hovered awkwardly in the air, stiffening in response.

[Black] Ill just end up wanting payment for what happened today.

[Rienne] ThatOh.

Rienne understood Black just a beat later.

It wasnt his words that made her understand, but rather the look in his eyes. There was a fire there more intense than when he was hit with that arrow and his fever rose, though she didnt see it immediately.

[Rienne] Something like thatwont happen.

Saying that, Riennes throat felt dry and her voice cracked. Without even blinking, Black watched her as she held a hand over her mouth and awkwardly coughed.

[Black] What do you mean, it wont?

[Rienne] Youre not the sort of man who would force such an awful thing on me, Lord Tiwakan.

Blacks mouth tensed only for a brief moment.

[Black] Is the idea of sleeping with me really that awful?

[Rienne] No, thats not what Im sayingI only meant that you wouldnt force me if I wasnt ready.

[Black] How do you know that?

[Rienne] Youve shown me with your actions. I know because youve always been so respectful towards me.

Just then, Black gave a bitter smile.

[Black] Respectful.. Even if I was, the matter of us sleeping together is different.

[Rienne] No, its not. I was not in a position to reject this proposal and yet you were still respectful and considerate towards me. Im certain that means you wouldnt force me to do something like that if I didnt want it.

[Black] . . .

From that, his bitter smile only grew.

But after his smile faded, Black looked at Rienne.

[Black] I dont know.

Only

* * *

T/N: (1) He uses an incomplete phrase, so its left ambiguous what hes talking about, though basically hes asking for confirmation of negative statement, leaving out any specifics because he wasnt heard. Kinda like saying Not? in English.

(2) By the phrase body or mind, she means that she didnt conspire against him or physically cheat on him.

astral comment: Youve earned a lot of points by being nice so far, dont throw them away now!

ghost comment: this is my favorite CG so far though, I think. Its v soft.