Chapter 106
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 106
It seemed she didn’t even have the strength left to be prickly.
Maybe I shouldn’t have brought her after all.
Barkas looked down at her haggard face with worried eyes before stepping out of the carriage.
Brilliant sunlight beat down on them like a torrential downpour. Perhaps the light was too piercing, as a faint frown creased her pale brow. He used the edge of his cloak to shield her eyes from the glare and headed straight through the castle gates.
Hundreds of curious eyes turned toward them. Suddenly, tension stiffened his spine. He was used to being the center of attention, having spent his life surrounded by the gaze of others. Nevertheless, he found it difficult to remain calm while so many eyes were stealing glances at the woman in his arms.
"The Grand Duchess appears to be unwell."
The Guard Captain, who had hurried over to lead the way, glanced at her and murmured with a look of pity. His eyes remained fixed on her disheveled hair and pale cheeks.
Barkas spoke curtly. "I would appreciate it if you would lead us to the bedroom first."
"Of course, we must see to her comfort. This way, please. Lord Temuran gave strict instructions to treat Your Excellency with the utmost care."
The man quickly averted his eyes and began to lead the way. Following him up the stairs revealed a quiet hall and dark corridors reminiscent of a monastery.
"You may use this room," the man said, throwing open a door reinforced with iron bands after they had crossed a spacious drawing room.
Barkas stepped inside and carefully surveyed the tidy interior. It was a bedroom—simple, but not meager. Deciding it was sufficient for a stay of a few days, he laid her down on the bed.
In the meantime, Thalia had fallen back asleep. Perhaps the effects of the sedative the healer had given her had not yet worn off. He was watching the woman, who seemed unable to regain consciousness, when he noticed the Guard Captain lingering by the doorway.
He threw out a sharp question. "What is it?"
"My apologies, but Lord Temuran has requested to see Your Excellency immediately. Could you come to the audience chamber right away?"
Barkas furrowed his brow. It was customary to allow a guest who had traveled a long distance to rest. This meant that either this man Temuran was a boor who lacked basic manners, or he had business so urgent that etiquette was a luxury he couldn’t afford.
After a brief, searching look, Barkas gave a short nod. "Fine. I’ll go now."
The man’s face, which had been stiff with tension, brightened with relief. Barkas gave instructions to a subordinate waiting in the hallway to fetch a healer, then followed the captain without delay.
Before long, they reached an elegant space brightly lit by hearth fires. He walked across an intricately patterned carpet and approached a heavy solid wood table. An elderly man sitting on the far side stood up abruptly to greet him.
"Thank you for coming, Your Excellency."
The old knight’s complexion was sallow, suggesting that the reports of his illness were no lie. Barkas sat down silently, observing him closely. The old man settled back into his seat and spoke urgently.
"Please, forgive my rudeness. As you can see, my health is poor, and I do not know when I might collapse. I dared to hasten Your Excellency’s steps in the hope of seeing you while my mind is still clear. Even a hundred apologies would not be enough—"
"Skip the preamble and tell me why you called for me," Barkas cut through the rambling explanation with a single, sharp word.
Wiping cold sweat from his forehead, the old knight glanced at him and finally spoke with difficulty. "Actually... I requested this meeting because there is something I wish to ask."
When the man held out a hand toward the attendant standing behind him, a young man who had been as still as a shadow handed over a parchment. The old knight unfurled it and continued in a strained voice.
"Not long ago, I received word that House Heimdall is summoning the warriors of the North. Is it true that His Highness the Crown Prince is behind this?"
Barkas took the parchment and began to read it carefully. It seemed the information had been passed on by one of the merchants traveling between the North and the East. The document, transcribed to hide the author’s identity, contained details on the movements of Northern nobles and testimonies that numerous knights belonging to the Imperial Household had been spotted in Amasek.
As Barkas tapped the wooden table while reading the final section of the report, the old knight spoke up impatiently.
"Recently, there have even been rumors of marriage talks between Her Imperial Highness the First Imperial Princess and the heir of House Heimdall. I wonder if Your Excellency was aware of these facts..."
"What exactly is it that you want to know?" Barkas asked point-blank, taking his eyes off the parchment.
The old knight moistened his lips nervously before finally getting to the point. "I want to hear Your Excellency’s exact position. Whose side are we on?"
Instead of answering, Barkas simply stared at the man. Unable to endure the brief silence, the old knight poured out his words in a rush.
"Rumors are spreading that because of Your Excellency’s marriage, the East might turn neutral or even lean toward the Empress’s side. And His Highness the Crown Prince has recently begun to establish close ties with the North. Some fear the Empire might be headed for a schism."
Barkas let out a short, mocking laugh. It had only been a few months since his broken engagement and subsequent marriage. Everyone had certainly been busy in the meantime.
Leaning back in his chair, Barkas picked up the parchment and held it over the candle on the table. The yellowed document curled and blackened instantly, dissolving into smoke. He watched it for a moment before turning his gaze back to the old knight.
"Nothing has changed," Barkas said firmly. "The East supports Gareth Roem Guirta."
"Then why is His Highness the Crown Prince in the North...?"
"He is trying to restore his sister’s dignity, which was dragged through the dirt by a disloyal subject, by any means necessary. How many families in this Empire can truly rival the Sieorkan name?"
Despite his assurance, the doubt clouding the knight’s face did not vanish. Barkas let out a sigh tinged with fatigue.
"I understand your anxiety, given that you manage a region bordering the North, but you seem excessively sensitive. These are merely rumors at best."
"Are you saying that Your Excellency still stands on the side of His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"Yes. House Sieorkan will not stand in opposition to the Crown Prince."
Only then did a look of relief appear on the old knight’s face. "Thank you for answering so readily. Thanks to Your Excellency’s consideration, I think I can finally set my worries aside."
"I am glad to have been of help," Barkas gave a formal reply and rose from his seat with disciplined movements.
The old knight rose after him, but Barkas stopped him with a light gesture and strode out of the audience chamber.
Dusk was already settling in the corridors. He moved through the deep shadows, quickly organizing his thoughts. Gareth’s hasty actions were not particularly surprising. Given his suspicious nature, he wouldn’t have been at ease even with Barkas’s assurances. Reaching out to the North to build an independent power base was a move within the realm of expectation. However, the fact that the rumors were spreading so quickly was cause for vigilance.
...It seems the Empress’s influence has begun to reach as far as the East.
Otherwise, news of the Crown Prince’s movements wouldn’t have spread so widely in such a short time. That woman had not given up on her plan to drive a wedge between him and Gareth.
Barkas rubbed his chin and turned his eyes toward the window. The sky was filled with gray clouds as if it were about to rain, and twilight was settling over the weed-choked flowerbeds and paths.
As Barkas indifferently scanned the bleak landscape, he suddenly froze.
The woman he had personally laid down on the bed was wandering the garden alone, without even an attendant to accompany her.