The Forgotten Field - Chapter 48

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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 48
I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my forehead, dampening the corner of my eye.
It might be a potion that inflicts excruciating pain. It could even be a deadly toxin.
Unable to shake such suspicions, Talia parted her lips.
He tilted the medicine bottle, pouring a bitter liquid into her mouth. When she reflexively turned her head away, coughing, he gripped her jaw and pressed the bottle against her lips again.
Talia swallowed the liquid seeping into her mouth with helpless resignation, gazing up at him.
I could see firelight dancing across his pale eyes, as if shrouded by a veil. Struggling to find some trace of emotion in those mineral-like irises, I eventually let my limbs go limp.
I strained with all my might to keep the thread of consciousness intact, but my mind grew increasingly hazy and my vision blurred rapidly.
My eyelids fluttered slowly before I sank into a silence as profound as death itself.
I could not tell how much time had passed. It felt like mere seconds, yet also like a lifetime.
Staring blankly into the void, I frowned at the rhythmic sound of hoofbeats and the creaking of wheels. As my foggy vision gradually sharpened, the dim interior of the carriage came into focus.
For a moment, I wondered if it had all been a dream. The terrifying monster, Barcas abandoning me to rescue Aila, being caught by the Wyvern and nearly dying—could it all have been a nightmare from last night?
As if to deny such thoughts, a sharp pain radiated from my knees up through my waist.
I bit my lower lip and grasped my burning, tingling knees.
Beneath the thin chemise, I felt the rough texture of cloth. As my fingertips traced it, I realized my entire left leg was wrapped in thick bandages, and my eyes widened.
When I lifted my skirt, I saw scraps of cloth stained with blood and serum clinging haphazardly to my thigh and side.
Trembling, I fumbled with the bandages before pulling my skirt back down and pushing myself upright.
The spacious carriage was lined with thick sheets stuffed with cotton, and cushions and summer quilts lay scattered about in disarray.
I gazed blankly at them before gripping a handle mounted on the wall and struggling to pull myself up. But my legs refused to obey, making it difficult to stand.
As I fought to straighten my leaden legs, a sharp pain shot through my spine, and I collapsed with a thud. A cry of agony escaped my lips as pain pierced my entire body.
“Are you all right?”
Hearing my cry, the carriage suddenly stopped, and the door flew open.
I looked up at the man silhouetted against the light with narrowed eyes. It was a Guard Knight with his usually tousled hair now in complete disarray, gazing down at me with worried eyes.
He climbed into the carriage and rummaged through a small box placed in the corner.
“You’re in considerable pain, aren’t you? The Healing Mage has prepared a painkiller. If you drink this….”
“Why didn’t you cast healing magic on me?”
At my accusatory question, the man hesitated and turned his head.
I pulled the sheet toward me, shooting him a wary glance.
“Did my brother order you not to treat me?”
“No, that’s not it.”
The man hastily waved his hands.
“The Healing Mage did set your bones and partially close your wounds as an emergency measure, but your injuries were so severe that he couldn’t treat them all at once. He said it would be best to entrust your care to a specialist at the Imperial Palace for proper recovery….”
I glared at the stammering man with suspicion before lowering my gaze to my legs.
Vaguely, I recalled a massive boulder crushing my knees and thighs. Certainly, if the wounds had been left to heal as they were, I would have lost the use of my legs permanently. Though I reluctantly acknowledged this fact, I did not cease my complaints.
“So you’re telling me to remain like this until we reach the Imperial Palace?”
“I know it’s painful, but please bear with it a little longer. We plan to travel to Gillian via the fastest route possible.”
I looked at him with narrowed eyes before turning my gaze toward the window.
Across the vast plains bathed in pale sunlight, Knights stretched out in a long line. Unconsciously searching for ash-blonde hair among them, I caught myself and firmly drew the curtains shut. Even that brief movement brought a wave of profound exhaustion.
“It’s surprising that my brother agreed to the proposal to return to the Imperial Palace.”
“The Wyvern’s attack has resulted in considerable casualties. He couldn’t openly oppose the argument that we must return as soon as possible to hold their funerals.”
Startled by the unexpectedly caustic retort, I turned to look, and the Knight, belatedly aware of the sarcasm lacing his tone, hastily redirected the conversation.
“More importantly, you don’t look well. Please take the medicine first.”
The man extended the medicine bottle’s cap toward me. Talia, gazing down at it with obvious reluctance, waved a dismissive hand.
“I don’t need it. Take it and go. I need to rest now.”
“…If you don’t trust me, I can summon Grand Duke Sierkan for you.”
As Talia lay back on the bed, she fixed him with a hardened gaze.
In that instant, my heart plummeted as though struck by an unexpected blow. Concealing this reaction, I curved a cold smile at the corner of my lips and spoke with icy sharpness.
“Do I look like I trust that man?”
“But Your Highness holds him in….”
“I don’t trust anyone.”
Talia cut him off savagely. Then, addressing his frustratingly obstinate face, I articulated each word with deliberate precision.
“Especially not him.”
“….”
“So stop overstepping and get out.”
The man’s lips trembled as though he meant to say more, but he released a quiet sigh and departed.
Moments later, the carriage that had been stationary began moving again.
Talia drew the thin summer blanket up to her shoulders. The pain that had momentarily subsided flared anew, and a sensation like skin crackling with heat washed over me. Tossing restlessly and swallowing groans, I squeezed my eyes shut as though fleeing from the agony.
As dusk fell, the Plump Mage arrived to cast recovery magic.
Talia silently accepted his touch. The sensation of another’s hands was abhorrent, yet I no longer possessed the strength to refuse.
“I will light an incense that dulls sensation. The pain should ease considerably.”
Having apparently learned of my rejection of the medicine, the Plump Mage placed a small incense burner at the entrance and lit it.
Stale air swiftly filled the carriage. Just as I was about to protest this unnecessary gesture, I felt the taut nerves gradually loosening and released the tension from my shoulders.
The bone-piercing ache slowly subsided and consciousness grew hazy. It seemed the mage had burned medicinal herbs with sleep-inducing properties.
I welcomed the encroaching drowsiness. But the sleep did not last long. Before much time had passed, the pain began intensifying again.
Groaning, Talia stirred awake and laboriously lifted her eyelids. It seemed I would need to summon the Plump Mage and order him to light more incense.
Rubbing my throbbing head, I struggled to sit upright, when suddenly my breath caught.
Talia’s pupils dilated as I surveyed the deep darkness surrounding me.
I could not discern what had startled me.

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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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