The Forgotten Field Novel - Chapter 21, 22
## CHAPTER 21: THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL)
He glanced sideways at the cold back of his superior and then at the contemptuous eyes of the citizens; after letting out a heavy sigh, he spurred his horse forward.
The Second Princess, who had locked herself in the carriage as if starring in a silent protest, finally emerged only when the procession had left the capital behind and stopped by the riverbank to rest. The servants, busy setting up tents and preparing the camp, turned to Talia with looks of discomfort. It had been no exaggeration when she said she would change her outfit several times a day. She was no longer wearing her palace dress, but a silk attire embroidered with gold threads. Around her slender, white neck hung a necklace whose value would suffice to buy a castle, and on her delicate wrists—as thin as birch branches—glinted bracelets encrusted with diamonds.
Watching her from a distance, Edric put on a dumbfounded expression. They were about to have dinner and settle in for the night; what possible reason could she have to dress up like that? He already felt exhausted just thinking about it. Swallowing a sigh, he handed his horse’s reins to a squire and approached the princess. She turned her head; her eyes became sharp and hostile the instant their gazes crossed.
For a second, Edric’s throat tightened. Bathed in the light of the setting sun, Talia looked as if she were made of fire and gold. Her wheat-colored hair fluttered in the strong river wind, forming a halo of shimmering waves around her face, and her flawless skin glowed with a pale, marble-like radiance, even amidst the burning sunset. Without realizing it, he took a step back. Everything about her seemed too delicate, as if she could shatter at any moment, scattering sharp, glittering fragments in all directions. He swallowed hard, gripped by a strange and chilling premonition, when the princess’s crimson lips opened to give way to a sharp, irritable voice:
—I do not like this place. Move the camp somewhere else.
The absurdity of the order snapped him out of his lethargy. He straightened his back. This woman was nothing more than a poisonous mushroom wrapped in beauty. If you lowered your guard around her, you would pay dearly.
He forced his voice to adopt a formal and distant tone:
—This campsite was chosen by the Royal Guard for security reasons. We cannot relocate at this stage.
—Did I ask for your opinion? —Her gaze was like a blade of ice—. I ordered the camp to be moved. Your only job is to obey!
He had to stop and take a deep breath to summon the little patience he had left.
—All decisions regarding this expedition fall under the authority of Sir Varkas Sierkan. As I have already said, we cannot abandon the formation without permission.
—So you mean it is fine as long as Varkas agrees?
She interrupted him mid-sentence and turned around immediately. It was clear she had been looking for an excuse to confront Sir Sierkan from the very beginning. Edric hurried to follow her, bewildered that anyone could be so desperate to cause trouble on the very first day of the journey. With a few long strides, he caught up to her and pulled level.
—What exactly is it that Her Highness dislikes so much about this place?
—Everything. I utterly detest it. —Her steps were quick and sharp—. I detest being near the water, and I detest being near the forest. There must be insects crawling everywhere!
—Her Highness, how can we camp without a water source nearby? And besides, griffins and harpies have been sighted in these areas. The forest acts as a natural barrier in case of a monster attack…
—Security? Don’t make me laugh! I have already been bitten by insects twice! If I spend the night here, the vermin will devour my skin! And those noises from the forest? How am I supposed to sleep with the birds screeching and the leaves rustling all night?
Edric looked at her in incredulity. Not even a spoiled five-year-old child would have such a tantrum. He fought desperately to suppress his irritation.
—We will be camping for several days. It is best that Her Highness starts getting used to it from now on…
—Or we could simply move the camp! Why should I have to endure something I dislike?
Her shrill voice pierced the air as she stormed straight through the camp like a racehorse. He clenched his fists to avoid stopping her by force.
—Everyone is exhausted after a full day of marching. We cannot dismantle the tents and look for a new site just because Her Highness feels uncomfortable. Enough nonsense; please return to your carriage and rest.
He planted himself in front of her, using a firm and authoritative tone. The princess’s terrifyingly beautiful face contorted slightly… then a sharp snap was heard, and a stinging pain blossomed on Edric’s right cheek.
He glared at her, his eyes darkening. He had anticipated the possibility of a slap when he was assigned as her escort, but even so, it felt much worse than he had imagined.
—How dare you give me orders. —She grabbed him by the collar of his clothes, pulling his face close to hers as she hissed through her teeth—: I am the Emperor’s daughter, and you exist to serve my comfort. If I tell you to walk all night, you will walk until dawn; that is your duty. So keep your insolent mouth shut and get out of my sight.
She pushed him hard and resumed walking with long strides along the riverbank.
Edric’s jaw tightened as he watched her small silhouette walking away. A part of him wanted to sling her over his shoulder, just as his superior had done once, and throw her back into her carriage. But, unlike Sir Varkas, he did not possess the kind of protection that would save him from punishment for putting his hands on a member of the royalty.
He watched her figure grow smaller and smaller and exhaled a bitter sigh.
Will I really be able to endure the tantrums of that malicious woman for the rest of the trip? Just thinking about it made the back of his neck throb.
As Talia walked along the riverbank, she could feel the prick of stares on her back. She cast a sharp glance over her shoulder, and those who had been watching her startled and looked away, pretending to be busy.
It was not an unusual reaction. People had always treated her like a powder keg ready to explode at any moment. But today, those furtive glances felt… different.
I am sure. Some of them must be Senebier’s spies.
She scrutinized each of her servants one by one. In fact, all of them could be. If it came to her mother, it wouldn’t surprise her at all.
Her thoughts began to spiral out of control.
Senebier had spent years undermining Gareth’s political foundation. Perhaps, this time, she planned to eliminate every obstacle that stood in her son’s way.
Talia’s heart began to beat irregularly.
If her mother’s target were Gareth or Aila, she wouldn’t care; she would even help her if necessary. But if, by chance, Varkas was the one Senebier intended to attack…
The thought made her breathing accelerate. Her eyes anxiously scanned the rows of military tents.
No, she had to move her camp. If she created enough physical distance, it would be harder for her mother’s spies to act during the night.
She quickened her pace. Soon she spotted Torq, Varkas’s favorite war stallion, tied in front of a large tent. Ignoring the horse’s gray snort of recognition, she passed by and entered the bleak interior.
The tent was immaculate, like a temple. Candles flickered dimly, illuminating an ornate chest and a stand displaying polished armor.
Her eyes followed the line of light until they caught a dark shadow behind the folding screen. Without hesitation, she advanced with a firm step.
—I want my camp moved elsewhere. But apparently, my oh-so-dedicated knight says I cannot go anywhere without Sir Sierkan’s permission. It seems your subordinates believe the commander of the Knights of Roem holds more rank than royalty. How pathetic that the Imperial Guard no longer understands the order of hierarchy…
She pushed the screen aside mid-sentence, continuing her diatribe… and froze.
Varkas was standing there, bare-chested, wiping water from his face with a towel.
—
## CHAPTER 22: THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL)
When that robust body, pale and gleaming under the light, filled her field of vision, it was as if her tongue had cleaved to the roof of her mouth: she could not move.
She swallowed hard and scanned his body with a slow, deliberate gaze.
Perhaps he had just washed off the dust kicked up during the march; his hair, of a faint blonde and slightly darker than usual, was dripping water, and moisture still lingered on his sculpted shoulders and his broad back. Talia watched the droplets slide down the taut curves of his muscles and, blushing, hurriedly averted her gaze.
The trouser legs, loosely cut, were also soaked and clung to his long, strong legs.
The last time she had seen him so unprotected was when she turned fourteen, when—by a spiteful whim—she had ordered him to get into a lake.
Talia moistened her chapped lips and tried desperately to piece together the broken words in her throat.
At that moment, a dry laugh echoed nearby.
—Hearing the word “hierarchy” coming out of your mouth… is enough to make a dog laugh.
The mocking tone swept away her confusion like a low tide and left only irritation. She narrowed her eyes and scoffed.
—Hierarchy exists for those at the top to impose it on those at the bottom. And you, the knights, are in a position to obey royalty like me. Make sure your men understand which orders take priority. Unless they want to be flogged for disrespect.
Varkas, slipping his arm into the sleeve of his shirt, shot her a frigid look.
Talia tensed. She knew from experience how ruthless this man could be with words when he set his mind to it. She watched him like one watches a venomous snake, ready for the moment it might strike.
But Varkas said nothing. He picked up the tunic hanging from the wall and, without directing a single glance at her, left the tent.
Talia, who had been staring at him in dismay, immediately ran after him. If he had snapped cruel words or frowned with rage, perhaps she wouldn’t have become so enraged. But to be treated as if she were a pebble on the road and ignored… that she could not bear.
She caught up to him quickly and snapped loudly:
—You always have to turn a deaf ear to my words to be at peace, don’t you?
Her resounding voice made the soldiers who were busy moving supplies stop and look.
But Varkas didn’t even pretend to listen. He simply kept walking, his gaze fixed ahead, as if she were worth nothing. Seeing that made Talia’s head spin with rage.
Talia grabbed him roughly by the sleeve. Perhaps he did not want her to tear his clothes in front of the men; the fact was that he stopped.
Facing that expressionless face, she spat out each word as if chewing and expelling it.
—You must have been rejoicing inside: finally you don’t have to follow the orders of that detestable girl. It must feel great, right? That’s why you pretend not to hear me!
—If your words made sense —he replied coldly, brushing her fingers off his sleeve—, at least I could pretend to listen to them.
She clenched her teeth. The way he shook his shirt, as if to clean himself of filth, hurt her.
Perhaps it would be better if this man simply disappeared from the world. That way she would never have to feel this humiliating way.
She shot him a hostile look and, suddenly, let out a harsh laugh.
—Do my words not seem like words to you? Then should I speak as beasts do, like your barbarian ancestors? Will you understand it that way?
The servants watching them paled at such an excess. However, Varkas merely looked down at her in silence. Talia kept speaking, not caring about anything.
—If you want, I can even imitate the neighing of a horse. I think you would understand that more easily. You always liked horses more than people, didn’t you?
—Talking to a horse is easier than talking to you —Varkas mocked.
Talia trembled with indignation. Seeing this, Varkas twisted his mouth as if it seemed ridiculous to him.
—You blush at a small counterattack, but you do not hesitate to poke at the wounds of others… Do you think others cannot lower themselves as much as you, so you behave as if you have the right to humiliate them?
She threw a fierce look at him, wishing to retort with violence, her throat swollen with unspoken truths.
Who do you think you are to know me?
No one knew human meanness better than she did; precisely because she had learned how cruel people could be, she had decided to become cruel first. If she didn’t crush them, they would crush her. Saying that out loud would only reveal her weakness.
She took a step back, recovering a cold and serene expression.
—I did not come for a meaningless give-and-take. As I have already said: I want my camp moved. Order your knights to pack up right now.
Varkas took a deep breath, as if gathering the patience he had left.
—I am not going to keep up with your whims. Stop wasting time and go rest.
—It’s not as if I am asking you to move the entire army! Why can’t you fulfill it?
—I am under no obligation to explain every decision I make.
—I am the emperor’s daughter! When I order, you obey…
—Enough.
A deep shadow fell over her head. Talia startled and shrugged her shoulders. Varkas had abandoned even formals; he leaned over her and said in a voice as cold as frost:
—I have already spent the day’s quota of patience on you. Know when to stop.
Despite the harsh tone, the face with which he looked down at her possessed an almost noble quality. Even when his anger sharpened, he did not lose his composure. That only made her feel more miserable.
—Escort Her Highness back to her quarters.
He straightened up and gave an order to the nearby knights. Those who had been witnessing the confrontation obeyed immediately.
—Please, Her Highness —the knights intoned.
Talia glared with fury at the men blocking her path, and then directed her gaze back toward Varkas. He was already some distance away, walking without the slightest hesitation, with elegant steps. She watched his figure recede with clenched teeth.
Not once had he asked her why she wanted to move the camp. He had no interest in her thoughts.
As expected… it would be best if he were dead.
She felt ridiculous for ever having worried about his safety.
After all, when this journey ended, he would belong to another woman. He would never be hers. Even if she woke up tomorrow and found his corpse, what would it matter?
With a sharp movement, she turned on her heels.
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