The Forgotten Field - Chapter 3

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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 3
My brothers had yet to arrive. Gareth, the Crown Prince and my half-brother, typically commanded the center of the Banquet Hall or stood regally upon the second-floor seat overlooking the entire space.
And Aila had always graced his side with impeccable elegance and refinement.
‘But tonight, I may not see Aila Roem Guerta at all.’
I lifted the silver goblet from the small circular table before me and let out a soft, mirthless laugh.
The memory of Aila collapsing in the center of the Banquet Hall not long ago, her face drained of all color, sent a cruel satisfaction blooming through my chest. The sight of her retching wine onto the marble floor—it had seemed as though she were expelling her very heart.
How I wished I could have made it so.
I dragged my meticulously sharpened nails across the goblet’s surface, producing a sharp, grating screech.
I cannot count how many times I had prayed while watching my half-sister convulse on the floor.
Die, Aila. Please, never open your eyes again.
“Your Highness.”
I turned my head at the voice that broke through my dark reverie.
A man stood before me in a deep green formal coat, one hand placed formally over his chest. His face was familiar.
It took me a moment to recall that he was someone who frequently appeared at the banquets my mother hosted.
I could not remember his name. I could only vaguely recall my mother addressing him as Count Serian.
“It has been quite some time. Your Highness grows more beautiful with each passing day.”
The man gazed down at me with admiration in his eyes, then bowed and brought his lips to the back of my hand. The sensation was repulsive—like a damp caterpillar crawling across my skin. Yet I managed to summon a smile.
“Did my mother ask you to keep me company?”
“Her Majesty the Empress is always concerned for Your Highness.”
The man gave an indirect affirmation.
“But even without Her Majesty’s request, I could not have refrained from approaching you. Look around you.”
He leaned close to my ear as though sharing some grand secret.
“Every man in this hall is watching you. Like me, they wish to approach you, to kiss this beautiful hand, and to shower you with passionate praise—yet they suppress these desires, for they dare not fall out of favor with the Crown Prince.”
“And you are different?”
“I have long since earned his displeasure, you see.”
He offered a brazen smile.
“Thanks to that, I have been entrusted with the honor of attending to you this evening—a blessing born from misfortune.”
I despised men who clung to me with unwarranted interest. Despised them, truly.
Yet enduring the piercing gazes of hundreds alone seemed far worse than having a suitable shield.
I accepted his escort with the air of one performing an act of charity.
“Did my mother say something about rescuing her pitiful eldest daughter, the black sheep standing apart from the rest?”
“Her Majesty commanded that I ensure Your Highness enjoys the banquet fully.”
I suppressed the urge to scoff.
The man led me toward the stage erected before the balcony as he spoke.
“And she instructed me to ensure you shine brighter than anyone else in this hall.”
Those who had been dancing to the melodies of the lyre, lute, and organ stepped back awkwardly, their eyes sharp with resentment. But the Count paid them no mind and bowed before me with deliberate flourish.
“Would you grant me the honor of dancing with Your Highness?”
I looked down at his soft, uncallused hand with distaste.
I had no desire whatsoever to make contact with a man I scarcely knew. Yet the sharp eyes and whispered murmurs of the crowd stirred something defiant within me.
They all wish for me to vanish from this place. Or perhaps to remain in some corner, silent and invisible.
But that wouldn’t do.
Talia grasped the man’s hand, and as if he’d been waiting for it, he wrapped an arm around her waist and began to navigate the stage with practiced ease.
Even Talia, who despised physical contact with others, couldn’t help but admire the man’s exceptional dancing prowess. Count Serian knew how to execute perfect movements in time with the melody, and he possessed the subtle skill of making his partner shine.
Though Talia had always enjoyed dancing, never before had her own movements felt so graceful. And it seemed she wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
She surveyed her surroundings over the Count’s shoulder as he spun her with practiced precision. Hundreds of pairs of eyes tracked her movements in perfect unison. All of them were unable to tear their gaze from the Imperial bastard they had so thoroughly despised.
Talia felt a surge of triumph. Whenever I appeared at official gatherings before, people would pretend not to notice while stealing glances at my every move. But that was merely an expression of contempt and wariness.
This time was different. They were looking at me the way they looked at my mother. I felt their gazes—tangled threads of fear and fascination—clinging to my body.
It was as if I had become Senevir. The most powerful, dangerous, and beautiful being in the world.
But the sweet taste of victory was fleeting. Suddenly the music ceased, and the true stars of this banquet made their entrance.
“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince, Gareth Roem Guerta, and Her Imperial Highness the First Princess, Aila Roem Guerta, are entering!”
With the Master of Ceremonies’ booming announcement, two members of the Imperial Family descended the marble staircase through the Banquet Hall entrance with commanding strides. And in an instant, Talia was thrust out of everyone’s attention.
Count Serian smiled bitterly and led her toward the Terrace where wine and refreshments were laid out.
“What a shame to have your pleasant time interrupted.”
The Count attempted to lighten my rigid expression with his banter, but none of his words properly reached my ears.
Talia stared at Aila, who was dressed in a pristine white gown, with burning eyes. She seemed to have completely forgotten about the disgrace she’d displayed before everyone weeks ago.
Seeing my sister’s pretty face smiling elegantly beside her brother, my insides burned with rage.
With relentless intensity, I scrutinized their deep black hair, emerald eyes, and faces carved as if from ivory.
They radiated the dignity and confidence befitting the Imperial Family—something that neither Senevir nor I could ever possess, no matter how hard we tried.
Senevir had been a viper who dragged the young Emperor, once praised as the Holy Emperor, into the murky depths of shameful infidelity, and I was the filth that emerged from that viper’s belly. Even if Senevir were to bear dozens of the Emperor’s sons in the future, that fact would never change.
Talia quietly glared at my half-siblings surrounded by everyone’s fervent attention, then turned my body toward the table where wine glasses sat. There, I caught sight of those who had been gazing at the Princess and Crown Prince with longing eyes now exchanging subtle glances as they cast sidelong looks at me.
Every nerve in my body went rigid. I wanted to gouge out all of their eyes.
Don’t compare me to them.
Suppressing the urge to scream this, I desperately maintained an indifferent expression, when the man beside me, oblivious, leaned close to my ear and whispered.
“It seems Their Highnesses intend to ignore your existence. What will you do? Shall we go greet them first?”
She shot the man a venomous glare.
He smiled with amusement, his lips curling upward.
“Isn’t that why you came here?”
Talia bit her lip.
He was right. I had appeared at this gathering to ruin my siblings’ mood. To create a terrible discord at the moment they were being congratulated by everyone. And Senevir would want that too.
Finally steeling myself, Talia gripped the wine glass tightly and turned toward my half-siblings. Then I took confident steps through the crowd.
At that moment, Barcas Laedgo Sierkan appeared at the entrance of the Banquet Hall.
Talia froze. My heart pounded as if I’d been ambushed without warning.

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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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