Chapter 15
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Diva Chapter: 15 Chapter Title: An Unexpected Addition -----------------------------------------------------------------
Irritated at having their alone time interrupted, Aila furrowed her brow.
Turning her head, she saw a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard hurrying across the rear garden. He was a knight named Rowan, who had taken over her father's protection in place of Barkas, the overall commander of this trip.
The knight who had bowed before them offered Aila a light salute before speaking urgently to his superior.
"His Majesty has ordered that the Commander be brought to him at once."
Aila instinctively realized that it was Senevia who had summoned Barkas. She could tell from the knight's grim expression alone that something bad was afoot.
She bit her lip. This pilgrimage was proceeding under the council's approval. Her betrothal to Barkas had long been pushed by the conservative nobles who supported the Crown Prince. No scheme that woman cooked up now could overturn it.
Yet Aila couldn't shake the ominous premonition. Hadn't that woman spent years trying every trick to drive a wedge between Gares and Barkas?
She had even defied Grand Duke Sheerkhan's fierce opposition to keep the newly appointed Barkas tied to Talia's side for a full seven years. She was surely scheming to sweet-talk the Emperor into sabotaging things again this time.
Knowing it went against etiquette, she still inserted herself between the two men.
"I'll come with you."
"But His Majesty..."
"I am a princess of this empire. I have the right to an audience with His Imperial Majesty whenever I wish. And right now, I've decided to visit my father with my fiancé."
At her firm attitude, the knight looked flustered and glanced at Barkas.
Though slightly annoyed by his attitude that prioritized his superior's will over her own, she knew full well how the knights practically worshipped Barkas, so she didn't show it.
Barkas finally nodded.
"Do as Your Highness wishes."
With his permission granted, the knight fell in step to her left like a bodyguard.
Aila left the garden with her back ramrod straight and headed for the Main Palace.
Passing through the entrance of the Great Hall, the scene inside the building—swirling with intense summer sunlight—came into view. She crossed the gleaming white marble hall and ascended the stairs carpeted in deep red.
The grand doors leading to the Emperor's audience chamber were engraved with images of the founding Emperor Darian of the Roem Empire and the knights who had followed him.
Glancing indifferently at the familiar sculptures of those heroes, she passed through the imposing entrance. A vast hall carpeted in ornate patterns stretched out, ending with the golden throne at its far end.
Aila straightened her spine as she looked up at the man who held all the world's power and the woman standing steadfast at his side. Her father wore his usual solemn expression, and Senevia...
Her train of thought snapped abruptly. The moment she saw the Empress surrounded by a golden halo, a sense of helplessness bordering on despair washed over her.
For some unfathomable reason, Senevia grew more beautiful with the passing years. It was downright horrifying.
'The golden devil...'
Every time she faced her, Aila recalled a fairy tale from her childhood.
In a certain village lived two brothers who cherished each other more than anyone. But a devil that hated all things good in the world resolved to tear them apart and dropped a massive gold nugget in their path. Dazzled by its brilliant shine, the brothers quarreled over it and ultimately ended up killing each other.
The first time she saw Senevia, Aila thought the devil had taken human form as gold to destroy them.
Her radiance had blinded the eyes and heart of a once-honorable sovereign, stained one woman's life with tragedy, and forced their family to live in bitter sorrow and humiliation.
Unsatisfied with that, the devil had even borne the Emperor's son, threatening Gares's position.
Aila's gaze naturally drifted down to the little boy standing beside the Empress. The 2nd Prince, Asros Roem Guirta, was looking down at Barkas and her with curious green eyes.
Every time she saw the intelligent-eyed boy, Aila was seized by a fierce sense of crisis. She couldn't understand why Gares sharpened his blades so fiercely at Talia—a mere scandal-monger—while his own brother, next in line to the throne, posed a real threat.
Thinking of the years of humiliation her mother had endured because of Talia made Aila's own rage boil. But Talia was an insignificant presence who could never affect them.
All that child had done since entering the palace was torment innocent servants and stir up scandals that made everyone click their tongues. How could such a foolish brat be any threat?
To Aila, Talia was merely distasteful, even a bit pitiable. A painful remnant of the past that had to be endured silently. Nothing more. That's why she could generously overlook the malicious pranks that insignificant girl directed at her.
But Asros was different. She knew full well that many in the palace took a liking to the boy with his innocent eyes. And that those uneasy about Gares's rough temperament were beginning to harbor subtle expectations for the young prince...
"What are you doing without paying your respects?"
Aila snapped out of her reverie at the deep, resonant voice. The Emperor was giving her a puzzled look.
Aila approached her fiancé and lightly bowed.
"I came with Sir Sheerkhan because I wished to see Your Majesty's face. Please forgive my unannounced visit."
"Raise your head. You may come see me whenever you wish."
The gentle voice of the Emperor of the empire, Viruus Roem Guirta, rang out above her. Whenever he saw her, he seemed to recall the wife who had betrayed him and feel guilt, so he always treated her with particular leniency.
Aila swallowed a sneer and bowed her head politely.
"I thank you for your benevolence."
"It's all for the best. The 1st Princess would have found out anyway. We might as well explain it to everyone here."
Senevia, who had been stroking her son's auburn hair, leaned toward the Emperor and whispered.
Asros watched the adults' exchange with evident fascination, his face full of curiosity. Aila eyed her half-brother warily before shooting a sharp glance at the Empress.
"Explain what?"
"His Majesty will tell you the details."
Senevia replied in a soft, lilting whisper, gently caressing the back of the Emperor's hand. Aila pretended not to notice.
After an awkward silence, her father—who had been silent for a long moment, choosing his words—finally spoke.
"I summoned you today to inform you of a change in plans for this pilgrimage."
"Speak, Your Majesty. I am listening."
Even at the sudden announcement, Barkas showed no sign of agitation. Irked by his subordinate's composure, the Emperor's expression soured briefly before he continued curtly.
"Talia will be joining this pilgrimage as well. Assign additional guards for the child and prepare the necessary travel gear."
Aila froze at the unexpected order.