The Forgotten Field - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 15
Aila’s brow furrowed with displeasure at having their private moment interrupted.
As she turned her head, she spotted a man in the uniform of the Imperial Guard crossing the Garden with hurried strides. It was Rowen, a knight who had taken over her father’s escort duties in place of Barcas, who commanded the entire expedition.
The knight bowed his head before them, offering Aila a light salute before turning urgently to his superior.
“His Majesty has ordered that you bring the Commander to him at once.”
Aila instinctively recognized that it was Senevir who had summoned Barcas. The knight’s dark expression alone was enough to suggest that something unfortunate was about to unfold.
She bit her lip. This pilgrimage journey was proceeding with the Council’s permission. Her betrothal to Barcas had long been promoted by conservative nobles who supported the Crown Prince. At this point, whatever schemes that woman devised could not be overturned.
Yet Aila could not shake an ominous premonition. That woman had employed every conceivable stratagem to drive a wedge between Gareth and Barcas for years.
She had even overcome the fierce opposition of Grand Duke Sierkan and bound the newly appointed Barcas to Talia’s side for a full seven years. This time, she was undoubtedly manipulating the Emperor to orchestrate further interference.
Knowing it was improper, she inserted herself between the two men.
“I will go with you.”
“But Your Highness, His Majesty has——”
“I am the Princess of this Empire. I have the right to petition my father whenever I wish. And I have decided that I will see him now, accompanied by my betrothed.”
The knight, taken aback by her firm stance, glanced sideways at Barcas.
She felt a slight irritation at his deferential attitude, as though his decision mattered more than her own wishes, but she knew well that the knights revered Barcas almost religiously, so she kept her displeasure hidden.
Barcas soon nodded his head.
“As Your Highness wishes.”
With his permission granted, the knight fell into step beside her as an escort.
Aila exited the Garden with her back held rigidly straight and made her way toward the Main Palace.
As she passed through the entrance of the Great Hall, the brilliant summer sunlight flooding the interior came into view. She crossed the dazzling marble hall and ascended the staircase carpeted in russet red.
The massive doors leading to the Emperor’s Audience Chamber were carved with the likeness of Darian, the founding Emperor of the Roem Empire, and the knights who followed him.
She passed through the grand entrance, glancing indifferently over the statues of heroes whose faces she knew well, and the vast hall with its ornate patterned carpet came into view, with the golden throne gleaming at its far end.
Aila held her spine rigid as she gazed up at the man who wielded all the world’s power and the woman standing at his side. Her father, as always, wore a solemn expression, and Senevir——
Her train of thought suddenly snapped. The moment she beheld the Empress surrounded by a golden aura, a despair bordering on helplessness washed over her.
For some inexplicable reason, Senevir grew more beautiful with each passing year. It was appalling.
‘The golden demon…’
Each time she faced her, Aila recalled a fable she had read in childhood.
In a certain village lived two brothers who cherished each other above all others. But a demon who despised all goodness in the world resolved to drive them apart, and placed a great nugget of gold in their path. Blinded by its brilliant radiance, the brothers quarreled over the gold and ultimately came to harm each other.
When Aila first saw Senevir, she believed the gold the demon had prepared to destroy them had taken human form.
Her radiance had dimmed the eyes and hearts of a once-honored sovereign, stained one woman’s entire life with sorrow, and condemned her brothers to a life of bitter anguish and humiliation.
As if that were not enough, the demon had borne the Emperor’s son, threatening even Gareth’s position.
Aila’s gaze naturally descended to the small boy standing beside the Empress. Second Prince Astros Roem Gurta gazed down at Barcas and herself with curious emerald eyes.
Whenever she beheld that bright-eyed young boy, Aila was seized by an intense sense of crisis. She could not fathom why Gareth directed such venom at Talia, a mere scandal, rather than at his younger brother who held the second-highest claim to the throne.
When she thought of the years of humiliation her mother had endured because of Talia, Aila’s own indignation surged. But Talia was too insignificant to wield any influence over them.
All that child had done since entering the Imperial Palace was torment innocent servants and stir up scandals that made everyone shake their heads in disapproval. How could such a foolish brat pose any real threat?
To Aila, Talia was merely an unpleasant and somewhat pitiable existence. A bitter remnant of the past that must be endured in silence. Nothing more. That was why she could generously overlook the malicious pranks that insignificant child hurled at her.
But Astros was different. She was well aware that many in the Imperial Palace harbored affection for that innocent-eyed boy. And she knew too that those who were uneasy about Gareth’s rough temperament had begun to harbor quiet expectations for the young prince.
“Why do you stand without proper courtesy?”
At the Emperor’s deep voice, Aila snapped from her reverie. Her father was regarding her with a puzzled gaze.
Aila approached her betrothed’s side and offered a light bow.
“I wished to see your face, Father, and so I followed Grand Duke Sierkan here. Please forgive my arrival without prior notice.”
“Lift your head. You may come to see me whenever you wish.”
The Emperor of the Roem Empire, Virus Roem Guerta, spoke in a gentle voice from above my head. Perhaps he felt guilt whenever he saw me, remembering the wife he had betrayed, for he always treated me with particular kindness.
Aila swallowed her cynicism and bowed respectfully.
“I am grateful for your generous words.”
“Actually, this works out well. The First Princess will learn of it anyway, so we might as well explain everything here and now.”
Senevir, stroking her son’s reddish-brown hair, leaned toward the Emperor and spoke in a hushed tone.
Astros watched the exchange between the adults with curious eyes, clearly fascinated. Aila, observing her half-brother with a wary gaze, cast a sharp look toward the Empress.
“Explain what, exactly?”
“His Majesty will provide the details.”
Senevir replied in a honeyed tone, her voice soft, and gently caressed the back of the Emperor’s hand. Aila deliberately pretended not to notice.
After a stretch of awkward silence, my father, who had been choosing his words carefully, finally spoke.
“I summoned you today to inform you that there has been a change regarding the upcoming pilgrimage journey.”
“Please speak. I am listening.”
Despite the unexpected announcement, Barcas showed no sign of disturbance. The Emperor, seeming uncomfortable with his servant’s composed demeanor, continued curtly.
“Talia will also be joining this pilgrimage journey. Assign additional guards for her protection and prepare the necessary travel equipment.”
At this unforeseen directive, Aila froze.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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