Chapter 40
----------------------------------------------------------------- Translator: Diva Chapter: 40 Chapter Title: Forgotten Field -----------------------------------------------------------------
He pulled out the knight order coat he had set aside, dusted it off, and draped it over his gleaming golden orichalcum armor. The tabard, crafted by the elves themselves, was embroidered with the crest of a golden chalice bearing ancient script and flames. Special enchantments had been woven into it to prevent damage even from powerful impacts. However, it seemed even magic couldn't smooth out the wrinkles.
He patted down the crumpled edges of the long, trailing hem, wiped the dirt clean from his sabatons, and rose to his feet.
After finishing his rough grooming, he stepped out of the tent to find a hazy gray sky filling his vision. The wind had been unusually fierce since midday, and it looked like a shower was brewing.
Frowning, Edric grabbed a rain cape and headed toward Talia's tent. At that moment, the toll of the holy bell signaling the start of the ceremony rang out from behind him.
He whipped his head over his shoulder and caught sight of the Crown Prince and the 1st Princess, already fully prepared, leading their retinues through the temple entrance.
He hurried across the camp. Passing between massive pillars carved as if from stone, he entered through the arched doorway, and the temple interior—bathed in a bluish glow—came into full view at once.
Pausing for a moment, Edric scanned the packed pews filled with attendants and the knights lined up along the walls.
The Crown Prince and 1st Princess stood before the altar. It seemed they were receiving the head priest's consecration prayer before the rite began.
Edric, tapping his foot impatiently, spotted Sir Sheerkhan waiting at the crossing and dashed across the nave in one go.
"Commander, the 2nd Princess Highness will be ready soon. Couldn't you wait just a moment?"
As he approached and cautiously spoke up, a calm gaze turned his way.
Edric unconsciously held his breath.
Barkas had traded his knight order uniform for a black doublet with the Sheerkhan crest engraved on the breastplate, a distinctive cloak draped over one shoulder. Even to Edric, a man, the sight was chillingly impressive. Suddenly, he recalled the princess calling him ugly. Growing up around a man like this, it was no wonder she'd find most others unattractive.
Lost in that random thought, Edric realized his superior, who had been quietly looking down at him, let out a faint sigh and slowly walked toward the altar.
"We should halt the ceremony. The 2nd Princess Highness wishes to attend the consecration as well."
The priest reciting the prayer looked flustered, glancing back and forth between Barkas and Edric, who stood awkwardly nearby.
As a member of the imperial family, Talia had a duty to participate in the rite. If she had refused, that would be one thing, but since she had expressed her intent to join, they ought to accommodate her. Yet the head priest hesitated to agree outright and kept stealing glances at Gares.
"Are you telling me right now to wait for that bastard child?"
The Crown Prince glared at Barkas with a ferocious look, spitting out each word like it was chewed tobacco.
"Start the ceremony now! I have no intention of wasting even a second on that wench!"
Edric's face hardened. He had witnessed firsthand just how intense the Crown Prince's hostility toward the 2nd Princess was. He had anticipated reluctance, but not a public refusal in front of everyone. After all, her participation in the pilgrimage was the Emperor's will.
Edric hesitated before speaking up.
"She is also imperial royalty, officially recognized by His Majesty the Emperor. By custom, doesn't she have the right to receive the saints' blessings as well?"
The Crown Prince, who had been glaring at Barkas with blazing eyes, turned his gaze on Edric.
Edric swallowed dryly. The Crown Prince's rugged features twisted in displeasure as he stalked forward like a prowling tiger.
"Do you even know who you're talking to like that?"
"My apologies, Crown Prince Highness. I merely..."
As Edric bowed his head hastily and tried to make excuses, a choking grip tightened around his throat, forcing a ragged breath from him. Gares had seized his collar and yanked him close.
Edric strained to keep from grimacing as he met the man's savage face head-on. Irritated by that, perhaps, the Crown Prince's deep green eyes flashed as he growled like a enraged beast.
"How dare a mere knight try to lecture me?"
"S-sor... ry..."
Edric clenched his fists to keep from prying the hand away, forcing the words out with difficulty.
At that moment, Barkas placed a hand on the Crown Prince's shoulder.
"Your Highness."
Gares's shoulders stiffened at the low, resonant voice. Edric caught a faint flicker of tension cross the Crown Prince's arrogant face.
Barkas spoke in a gentle tone.
"There are many eyes watching."
A faint flush of heat rose to Gares's cheeks. He seemed humiliated at having been cowed, even for an instant.
The Crown Prince released Edric's clothes and shot Barkas a furious glare.
"I warned you never to touch me without permission. Do you think I'll put up with you forever?"
Shrugging off the hand on his shoulder, Gares thrust his face aggressively close, snarling. The knights rushed to intervene, and even the 1st Princess hurried over to restrain him, sensing he might lunge at any moment.
At that instant, a voice like an icy crystal rang through the nave.
"If I'd known there'd be such an entertaining spectacle, I would've joined the last ceremony too."
Edric startled and turned, his breath catching at the sight of Talia slowly crossing the nave, trailed by three or four maids.
The woman who seized every chance to stir up trouble was approaching the altar in perfectly proper attire.
Faint sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted her face—so like the Empress's—and the delicate form wrapped in platinum blonde veils.
Edric blinked dazedly at the surreal sight, then realized not just him, but everyone in the pews was staring, entranced. He glanced at the Crown Prince and 1st Princess.
The Crown Prince glowered at his sister like a demon, while the 1st Princess kept a calm face—but the knuckles of her clenched hands were bone-white.
Sensing the taut tension between the three royals, Edric quietly took up position beside the 2nd Princess. But no one there paid him any mind. Only Talia Roem Guirta flicked her eyes toward him briefly.
However, even her attention soon shifted back to Barkas and Gares.
"What are you standing around for? Were you about to throw punches or something?"
The Crown Prince ground his teeth so hard his jaw might shatter, then slowly pulled away from Sir Sheerkhan. He raked his sister from head to toe with a sneer, lips curling derisively.
"I don't know who you're trying to impress with that getup, but you don't seriously think it hides your filthy bloodline, do you?"
"Just a few days ago, you were complaining my outfit wasn't modest enough. You nagged so much that I put extra care into it today. Don't tell me you're disappointed."
The princess stiffened briefly before stepping forward with a meaningful smile playing on her lips.
Edric stared at her in horror. After taking such a harsh beating just yesterday, she was provoking the Crown Prince again? His shock bordered on bewilderment.
But the 2nd Princess ignored his dismay, pressing her face close to her brother's and adding softly,
"You have no idea how much effort I put into dressing exactly to your tastes, big brother..."