The Forgotten Field Novel - Chapter 15, 16
## Chapter 15
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVELA)
Annoyed by the interruption of her time alone, Aila frowned. Turning her head, she saw a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard advancing with firm steps through the back garden. He was a knight named Rowen, who had been assigned to protect the Emperor instead of Varkas, as the latter was in charge of supervising the journey.
The knight made a slight bow before Aila and then addressed his superior with a tone of urgency:
—His Majesty demands your presence immediately, milord.
Aila understood instantly who was behind that call. She knew it was Senevier. Just by the knight’s somber expression, she could sense that something unfavorable had occurred. She bit her lip. The upcoming pilgrimage had already been authorized by the council. Likewise, her engagement to Varkas had long been pushed by the conservative nobles who supported the Crown Prince. Whatever intrigues that woman was plotting, it was already too late to reverse them.
And yet, Aila could not shake off that ominous feeling. That woman had spent years weaving plots to stand between Gareth and Varkas. Had she not gone to the extreme of defying the Grand Duke of Siorcan himself, keeping Varkas chained to Talia’s side for seven whole years after his investiture? Surely, she was trying to influence the Emperor again to disrupt the plans.
Although it broke with etiquette, Aila stepped between the two men.
—I will go with you.
—But, Your Highness, His Majesty…
—I am a Princess of this Empire. I have the right to request an audience with the Emperor whenever I wish. And at this moment, I desire to stand before my father beside my fiancé.
The knight appeared bewildered by her insistence and glanced sideways at Varkas, as if his decision mattered more than hers. That wounded her pride, but she maintained her composure; she knew all too well how much the guards revered Varkas. Finally, Varkas inclined his head.
—As Your Highness wishes.
With his approval, the knight placed himself by her side, as if to escort her personally. Keeping her back straight, Aila left the garden and headed toward the main palace.
When they crossed the entrance of the Grand Hall, the contrast struck her: the intense summer sunlight shone through the large windows, scattering over the cool marble interior. She crossed the white expanse of the hall and climbed the steps covered by a deep red carpet. The imposing doors leading to the Emperor’s audience chamber bore engravings of Darian, the first Emperor of Roem, and the knights who had followed him.
After casting a brief glance at those familiar figures, she entered. Beyond opened a vast hall adorned with patterned carpets and, at the opposite end, stood the golden throne of the Emperor.
Aila straightened her back as she contemplated the man who held all the power of the kingdom, and the woman who stood by his side. Her father’s face was severe, as always. And Senevier… Her thoughts came to a sudden halt. The moment she saw the Empress, enveloped in a golden glow, despair invaded her. How was it possible? With each passing year, Senevier only seemed to become more beautiful… in a terrifying way.
“The Golden Demon…”.
Every time she faced her, Aila remembered an old fable. Once, there were two brothers who cherished each other above all things. But a demon, who hated everything good, sought a way to separate them. It dropped a huge gold ingot in their path. Blinded by its brilliance, the brothers fought over it until, finally, they killed each other.
The first time Aila saw Senevier, she thought: “The demon has taken human form to destroy us with its golden brilliance.” Her glow blinded a sovereign who was once honorable, ruined the life of another woman, and condemned Aila and her siblings to lives mired in pain and humiliation. And that was not all: the demon had even given birth to a son, threatening Gareth’s own position.
Her gaze drifted toward the small child standing beside the Empress. Asros Roem Gwirta, the Second Prince, observed Aila and Varkas with large, curious green eyes. Every time she looked at that sharp-eyed child, Aila was assaulted by dread. She could not understand why Gareth took out his anger more fiercely on the insignificant Talia than on this younger brother, who possessed a legitimate right to the throne.
When she thought of the years of disgrace her mother had endured due to Talia’s existence, she also felt fury. But Talia herself was nothing: a pitiful shadow. All she did was torment the servants, cause scandals, and earn the contempt of the court. Aila saw her only as a nuisance, a lingering scar from the past, not as a real threat. For that reason, she could even tolerate the girl’s petty malice.
But Asros was different. She knew that many in the palace were enchanted by the child’s innocent eyes. Some, uncomfortable with Gareth’s irascible temperament, were beginning to place silent hopes in him.
—Why this delay in presenting your respects?
The Emperor’s deep voice snapped Aila out of her thoughts. He was observing her with a slight perplexity. Quickly, she placed herself beside Varkas and bowed gracefully.
—I followed Lord Siorcan because I wished to see Your Majesty’s face. Please forgive me for arriving without prior notice.
—Raise your head. You may present yourself before me whenever you wish.
The voice of Emperor Virrus Roem Gwirta was unusually gentle. Perhaps he felt guilt upon remembering the wife he had betrayed, as he always treated Aila with special indulgence. Repressing her bitterness, she inclined her head with respect.
—I thank Your Majesty for your gracious words.
—My, this turns out to be convenient. The First Princess will have to find out sooner or later. Better to explain it now, in front of everyone.
It was Senevier who spoke, leaning toward the Emperor and whispering softly while caressing her son’s brown hair. Little Asros seemed captivated, his green eyes moving from one adult to another as if the conversation were a game. Aila, watching him cautiously, raised her gaze to fix her eyes on the Empress.
—What exactly do you intend to explain?
—You will hear it from His Majesty’s mouth —Senevier replied naturally, brushing her fingers against the Emperor’s hand. Aila forced herself to look away, as if she hadn’t seen it.
Silence flooded the room. After a moment, her father spoke, as if choosing his words carefully:
—The reason I have called you here today is to inform you that there has been a change in the plans for the pilgrimage.
—I will listen to His Majesty’s orders.
Varkas, even before the unexpected turn, did not show the slightest trace of surprise. That composure seemed to uncomfortable the Emperor, who frowned before speaking abruptly:
—Talia will accompany the pilgrimage. Assign additional guards for her and prepare the necessary equipment.
Aila froze at those words she had never expected.
—
## Chapter 16
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVELA)
She fixed a look full of suspicion on Senevier. What kind of intrigue could be behind sending Talia with her? The girl was not capable of doing much more than annoying mischief designed to bother her. But Senevier was not the kind of woman who would involve even the Emperor in something so trivial. There had to be another motive.
Aila’s tone became rigid as she retorted:
—Is it not customary for a lady of the imperial family to undertake a pilgrimage only when she is on the eve of entering marriage? Why send that girl now, precisely at this moment?
—Talia may marry soon —Senevier replied lightly.
Aila frowned. She had never heard the slightest rumor about a marriage proposal concerning Talia. No matter how illegitimate she had been born, Talia was still an imperial princess inscribed in the family registry. Such a match could not be arranged at all without word getting out. Clearly, this argument was a flimsy pretext, invented only to drag Talia along.
Her doubt sharpened into a severe look, but before she could continue speaking, Varkas’s cold voice cut through the air:
—A rather convenient time for such a match to materialize, don’t you think?
Even in the face of his obvious sarcasm, Senevier remained serenely composed.
—The imperial house is blessed with one happy occasion after another, how could that not be a good thing? The proposal arrived recently, so a formal engagement has not been made. Even so, His Majesty and I are inclined to look upon it with favorable eyes.
A grimace of disdain pulled at Varkas’s lips.
—And are we permitted to know the name of that fortunate suitor?
—You must have heard of him at least once —Senevier replied with a gentle smile—. The head of the house of Count Serian: Verdein Serian. His formal letter of proposal arrived just a few days ago —she added—: After all, the girl has already passed the age of her coming-of-age ceremony. It is about time she marries. In my judgment, it is a suitable union.
Aila was on the verge of letting out a laugh. Verdein Serian was one of the Empress’s most fervent followers. It was rumored that at one time he held the record for being Lady Taren’s longest-lasting lover. And now this woman intended to marry her daughter to a man like that? Thinking of Talia beside Serian was nauseating. A mother willing to offer her own daughter to her former lover, and a daughter docile enough to obey… It was madness.
—Well, then make sure that the preparations for the journey are made with speed —the Emperor ordered in a sharp tone, clearly signaling the end of the discussion.
Varkas, with an indecipherable expression, contemplated his sovereign in silence before making a deep bow. Then he turned around without a word and strode out of the audience chamber.
Aila, startled by the docility with which he had complied with the order, hurried to follow him after making a superficial bow to her father.
—Do you really intend to take Talia with us? —she urged him once they were outside the hall—. That supposed marriage is nothing more than a pretext. Senevier must be plotting some dreadful plan!
—Undoubtedly —he replied with coldness, walking down the stairs with measured steps.
For a moment, Aila was stunned; then she gathered her skirts and ran to catch up with him, taking him by the arm in agitation.
—And that’s it? Even knowing that the Empress could use that girl for some vile purpose, you’re simply going to allow it?
—What exactly am I supposed to do?
He stopped, turning toward her with a gield look. Aila startled, realizing too late that his temperament had sunk to the very depths. Just an hour ago he had smiled at her. Now, once again, he was the distant stranger looking at her with eyes full of ice. He drew a bitter and mocking smile.
—Do you want me to defy His Majesty’s order?
—I only meant…
—His Majesty is the sovereign of this Empire. I have sworn to serve him. From the beginning, obedience has been my only path. Is that not precisely what your royal house has always demanded of men like me?
The unexpected sharpness of his words left her paralyzed on the spot. He contemplated her with a blank gaze for a moment longer, then turned around and kept walking.
Seeing his back move away without hesitation, dread suddenly welled up inside her. Just like in her childhood, she ran forward and wrapped her arms around his firm waist.
—I’m sorry! I only spoke out of fear. Please… don’t turn away from me so coldly.
His body, rigid at first, gradually relaxed. With a slight sigh, he turned and held her gently in his embrace. As in her childhood, his hand moved to caress her hair.
—You have nothing to fear. Whatever intrigue the Empress conceives, no harm will reach you —he murmured.
Aila raised her gaze to his face. The stranger’s mask had fallen again, and once more he was her loyal knight. The scattered storm of her emotions quieted, returning to order. A man who could move her with such ease and then calm her with just a few words… Before him, her pride as a princess, her dignity, and even her authority meant nothing.
Clinging to that cold embrace that had never warmed in all the years they had shared, Aila searched desperately in those pale blue eyes that never seemed to rest. What was it that he was seeing? His gaze was abyssal, always wandering as if he were lost in some distant place.
—I swore to the late Empress that I would protect you both with all the strength I have —he said in a low voice, tucking a few stray strands of hair behind her ear—. No matter what happens, I will fulfill that vow. You don’t have to fear anything.
She studied his face for a long time before finally nodding. Yes, as long as this man was on her side, there was nothing to fear. Absolutely nothing.
The broken fingernail made her fingers feel strangely bare. How long would it take to grow back to a length sharp enough to dig deeply into flesh? Several weeks, at least. Talia contemplated with anxiety the faint pink edge of the nail that was growing back.
The satisfaction of having wounded the Crown Prince had not lasted long. Undoubtedly, her esteemed brother had run straight to the chaplain to have his hand healed until not a mark remained. While she, on the contrary, had lost the secret weapon she had taken such care of for weeks.
“If only I had saved it for Aila…”.
How many times had she imagined digging her nail into those greenish eyes every time that woman contemplated Varkas? She scratched the wound where the nail had split. The scab came off and new drops of blood welled up. Her nerves tensed. Observing the red stain on the tip of her finger, she brought it to her lips and sucked lightly before turning away from the window.
Varkas had been unreachable all day. With no hopes of catching a glimpse of him, there was no reason to keep enduring the scorching sun behind the glass any longer. She crossed the room and splashed her sweat-dampened face with cool water from a bowl. Just at that moment, a knock was heard at the door. It would probably be her nanny again, bringing some sweet.
Drying her face with a linen cloth, she called out indifferently:
—Come in.
But whoever entered was not the plump, short-limbed woman who was half dwarf. Instead, a small child appeared with a mop of reddish-brown curls and eyes that shone with an intense green.
Comments for chapter "Chapter 15, 16"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Madara Info
Madara stands as a beacon for those desiring to craft a captivating online comic and manga reading platform on WordPress
For custom work request, please send email to wpstylish(at)gmail(dot)com
English