Chapter 14

----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Diva Chapter: 14 Chapter Title: The Handkerchief -----------------------------------------------------------------

"Aren't you going to go talk to him?"

The maids standing beside her urged her on, frustrated by the sight of her just watching from afar. They all seemed desperate to get a close look at Barkas. Some even sent him glances filled with longing that went beyond simple admiration.

Aila pretended not to notice their overstepping thoughts. It was a luxury she could afford, knowing Barkas wouldn't spare a glance at any other woman.

'Of course, he's never once looked at me with heated eyes either...'

She gave a wry smile.

Barkas had been lacking the ability to feel such emotions from the start.

He had entered the imperial palace at a young age and received an education bordering on brainwashing from fanatical, dogmatic priests to mold him into the empire's ultimate loyalist. In the process, he had lost nearly all his emotions.

When his mother learned how harshly the priests were disciplining the son of Grand Duke Sheerkhan, she fought desperately to protect him. But by then, the young boy had already lost not only joy, sorrow, love, and hate, but even most of the basic human desires.

Aila's expression darkened as she recalled the first time she met him. How terrifying that boy with eyes as empty as a shed insect husk had been.

Barkas had looked like a doll molded from hardened wax. He spoke so little that it was rare for him to utter more than two words a day, and unless someone beside him gave instructions, he wouldn't eat or sleep. Having had all his urges strictly controlled for so long, he seemed unable even to feel hunger or the need for rest.

Compared to back then, the current Barkas seemed far more human.

'Maybe... he might get even better from now on...'

She sent a hopeful gaze toward her fiancé. She had promised herself countless times not to expect too much, but every time she saw him, a corner of her heart stirred uncontrollably.

The beautiful boy who had steadfastly stayed by our poor mother's side... How could she not yearn for the man who had grown into the most perfect one in all the Roem Empire?

She knew countless women who harbored him in their hearts had suffered the bitter pain of unrequited love. But Aila believed she held a far more advantageous position than they did.

Even if it was a marriage formed to strengthen political alliances, she would soon become his wife and eventually bear his heirs.

If she poured her affection into him patiently over the long years they would spend together, wouldn't his frozen heart eventually thaw someday?

Clutching that wish to her chest, Aila cautiously approached him. Sensing her presence, Barkas, who had been standing with his back to the light, turned his head toward her.

For a moment, Aila felt a chill run down her spine. His face was cool, as if mocking all her dreams and hopes.

The man, who had regarded her with indifferent eyes, straightened his head again and spoke in a flat, emotionless voice.

"What is it?"

She gathered her rattled composure and consciously curved her lips into a bright smile.

"I came out to see how the travel preparations were going."

"They're almost done."

He lightly stroked the horse's thick neck and replied in a matter-of-fact tone.

"I'm worried the preparations are taking longer than expected. With the weather getting hotter, it'll be a tough journey."

"No helping it. The schedule got pushed back because Gares is throwing a tantrum."

Aila said carefully, stealing a glance at her fiancé's face. Thinking of her brother's immature behavior made her cheeks burn with embarrassment, and she couldn't lift her head.

Not content with just tagging along on the trip uninvited, Gares was acting like he intended to pack up the entire Crown Prince Palace. He insisted on bringing dozens of servants to attend him, along with jesters and a personal chef to alleviate boredom on the road, and even a tailor.

She was newly impressed by Barkas's patience in silently enduring all that stubbornness and whining without raising his voice once.

She wore a guilty expression.

"I'm just sorry for causing you trouble."

"There's no need for Your Highness to apologize. It was something that had to happen eventually anyway."

He handed the reins to the stablehand and added indifferently.

"Compared to what I expected, he's actually behaving rather mildly. For sending off his precious sister, this level of sulking is on the better side."

Aila's expression darkened. His words had summoned the worries she had been trying so hard to ignore.

Gazing up at the grand, gleaming white fortress, Aila clenched the hem of her dress. The thought of leaving her brother alone in this imperial palace filled with painful memories tore at her heart.

Moreover, a wicked demon who coveted Gares's position lurked here. Could her hot-tempered brother stand against that cunning woman with his own strength?

"If it won't burden you, I'd like to visit the imperial palace periodically even after we're married. Would that be all right?"

Barkas, who had been inspecting another horse, turned to look at her. Seeing the faint furrow between his straight brows, Aila realized her request was childish and blushed.

As the future Grand Duchess, managing the vast eastern territories and commanding hundreds of vassals was no easy task. Once married, she would have to prioritize the Sheerkhan family's affairs above all else.

Yet Barkas, gazing at her with thoughtful eyes, nodded as if it were no big deal.

"You may come and go freely anytime, as long as the long trips don't strain Your Highness. This marriage was arranged to bolster Crown Prince Highness's position in the first place."

Aila's expression darkened again. To him, it might be purely a political union, but not to her. For a fleeting moment, she felt a pang of disappointment, but she forced a pleased smile.

"Thank you for understanding."

Barkas merely dipped his head slightly in acknowledgment before resuming his inspection of the horse's teeth.

Aila swallowed a sigh and placed her hand on her fiancé's thick forearm, forcing him to look at her.

"I know you're busy, but could you spare a moment for me? There's something I want to give you before the trip."

The man regarded her with puzzled eyes before turning fully toward her. He then instructed the attendant knight beside him to move all the checked horses back into the stables and escorted her to a relatively quiet spot.

Thanks to the maids tactfully falling back, Aila could enjoy a walk alone with him.

She kept her hand on his firm forearm as they strolled along the well-groomed path. Entering the broad garden, a gentle breeze softly tickled their faces.

The Main Palace garden was in full, splendid bloom. The flowerbeds, meticulously tended by the servants, burst with vibrant summer flowers, and the perfectly manicured shrubs were lush with emerald leaves.

Aila took it all in with a wistful expression. This scenery always left a scar on her heart. But as time passed, the imperial palace—brimming with Senevia's traces—had become part of her daily life, and her mother's garden was fading from memory. That fact hurt more than anything.

"What is it you wish to give me?"

Aila, lost in melancholy, turned and looked up at Barkas.

In his childhood, he had spent quite a bit of time in the garden Bernadette had tended. Aila knew it had helped heal his barren heart, if only a little.

Suddenly, she wondered. Did this man miss her mother's garden too?

Staring up at his utterly expressionless face, devoid of any emotion, Aila soon let out a resigned sigh and pulled a handkerchief from the inner pocket of her coat.

"I embroidered the Sheerkhan family crest on it."

His gaze fell upon the neatly folded cloth. Her mouth suddenly went dry.

Aila began chattering in an exaggerated tone, as if to shake off her tension.

"It's a tradition to give your fiancé a handmade handkerchief before a trip, right? Of course, we're traveling together, but..."

"It's a most gracious gift."

The man cut off her rambling and took the handkerchief. A faint smile ghosted over his dry lips.

Aila felt her chest swell with emotion. It bruised her pride a bit to be so anxious over this man's every move, but more than that, she was delighted that the emotionally stingy Barkas had smiled for her.

"I'll treasure it."

He said as he tied the handkerchief to his sword hilt. She smiled shyly.

At that moment, urgent footsteps echoed from not far away.