Chapter 26
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Diva Chapter: 26 Chapter Title: Suspicious Glances -----------------------------------------------------------------
Gares eyed his half-sister's profile with suspicion, but suddenly he grew irritated with himself for paying such excessive attention to her every little movement. He turned his head away.
What did it matter what was inside that head of hers? The day he ascended the throne, she would be erased from the world forever. He just had to endure until then.
As if to wipe away the irritating presence of his sister, he gulped down the strong wine.
* * *
Pretending to look bored, Talia brought her wineglass to her lips. But when she noticed her fingertips trembling faintly, she quickly set the glass down. Hiding her hand under the table to make it look as natural as possible, she moistened her parched lips.
The spot where she had touched Barkas burned like fire. Even though it hadn't been skin-to-skin. The feel of his firm knuckles through the cold leather glove seemed to have seeped right into her skin.
She forced her shoulders, which kept wanting to hunch up, to relax and rubbed her sweat-slick palms on her skirt. She could feel the damp fabric clinging to her skin.
For a moment, a wave of dismay washed over her. The dress she had chosen to provoke Gares now felt like it was strangling her.
Feeling the sting on her exposed shoulders and back, she clenched her fists tight. She knew that man wasn't looking at her, but her nerves were on edge to the point of pain.
Talia desperately suppressed the urge to glance over her shoulder and see where he was looking. Years of acting allowed her to maintain a composed expression, but she couldn't do anything about the sweat beading on her skin.
Feeling the thin fabric sticking to her like sticky liquid, Talia bit her lower lip. Choosing this dress had been a truly stupid mistake.
"Is the food not to your liking?"
The sudden voice made Talia flinch. The young monk seated across from her was staring at her intently.
The abbot, wasn't it? Talia shrugged nonchalantly.
"It's rather plain compared to the food at the imperial palace."
Her indifferent remark made the monk's face twist faintly.
Meaning for him to mind his own business, she whipped her head away and picked up a small piece of cake. If she pretended to eat something, he wouldn't bother her with more talk. With that thought, she shoved the crumbly bite into her mouth and chewed mechanically. It was like swallowing a sponge.
Swallowing down her nausea, she took a sip of wine. Then she noticed several monks staring at her obsessively and frowned. Their sticky gazes felt more revolting than greasy food.
She shot to her feet.
"What a disappointing banquet. I think I'll head back and get some sleep."
Gares shot her an annoyed look. Normally, she would have tossed a few more barbs to rile up her brother, but she felt like she might vomit any second and couldn't stay seated.
She hurried out of the hall. Leaving behind the space thick with the smells of oil, alcohol, and burning candles, her churning stomach finally began to settle a bit.
Taking a deep breath, Talia brushed the cold sweat from her forehead and walked steadily down the corridor.
She felt the chill night air brushing down her back. Hugging her arms where goosebumps had risen, she quickened her pace a little.
Sometimes she wondered why she even bothered with all this. What was the point of putting herself on display in people's gazes and stirring up trouble?
"The Crown Prince seems utterly unable to tolerate your existence. At times, it feels like he can't stand you even more than me."
Senevia's pleased murmur echoed faintly in her ears from some distant memory.
It had probably been the day of the late Empress Bernadette's memorial service.
Seeing her led into the hall by her mother's hand, Gares had completely lost his reason.
The nobles who witnessed him roaring and strangling the young princess's neck in horror tried to intervene, but the Crown Prince wouldn't budge. It took two knights rushing in to finally pry him off.
Finally freed from those vicious hands, Talia crawled to her mother's feet and curled up. Senevia then wrapped her body around her protectively.
The relief that made her want to cry was short-lived; Talia caught a glimpse of satisfaction flickering across Senevia's face.
That must have been when it started. From then on, she began provoking Gares whenever the opportunity arose.
Her already rock-bottom reputation had plummeted to the worst, but it didn't matter. The Crown Prince's reputation would take a hit too, and that would make her mother happy.
Suddenly, a hollow laugh burst from her chest. She found herself pathetic, still flailing desperately for a scrap of her affection even now.
Even if she dragged the Crown Prince's honor through the mud, Senevia would never love her.
Her mother loved no one. Not the Emperor, not even Asros, whom she doted on so much.
To her, everything was just a tool, a means to an end. Maybe that's why she kept doing this—she knew it too well. If she couldn't prove her usefulness, she would truly mean nothing to her...
"Princess Highness."
The sudden voice snapped Talia out of her thoughts.
Turning her head, she saw a dark figure standing in one shadowy corner of the corridor. Realizing it was the monk who had been staring at her obsessively at the banquet, her body went rigid.
'Did he follow me?'
She cautiously scanned her surroundings. The long corridor leading to the garden was empty, not even a mouse in sight. The thought that he had quietly trailed her until they reached this secluded spot sent chills down her spine.
"What do you want?"
Talia tried not to show her fear, forcing a dignified tone.
Fortunately, her bravado seemed to work; she felt him hesitate. Hoping he would turn and flee, she shot him a fierce glare.
"I asked what you want."
"I-It's because of what you said just now..."
The monk stammered.
She furrowed her brow.
"What did I say?"
"W-Well... back at the banquet..."
The man squirmed uncomfortably, his freckled face flushing red as he darted lecherous glances at her.
Talia tensed her legs to keep from stepping back. Showing weakness would only embolden him. She haughtily lifted her chin.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. If there's no particular business, I'll be going."
"You... You said you wanted to live up to Crown Prince Highness's expectations..."
The man blurted out desperately.
Talia, who had turned toward the garden, paused and looked back at him. Could he have followed her after hearing her defiant words thrown at Gares's threat not to toy with the priests?
Suddenly, it felt like a bucket of cold water had been dumped over her. A chill ran down her spine.