The Forgotten Field - Chapter 58

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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 58
Talia’s spine snapped rigid as though struck by lightning.
The woman turned with elegant grace and continued speaking.
“Her Majesty the Empress has commanded that you be prepared impeccably, befitting an audience with the Empire’s supreme authority. I trust you will cooperate.”
With that, she gestured lightly to the handmaidens. Four handmaidens standing in the front row approached the bed carrying garments.
Talia jerked her body backward sharply.
“All of you, leave. I have no intention of meeting that person.”
“Please refrain from such disrespectful language.”
The woman’s previously gentle voice turned suddenly sharp as frost.
“No matter your station as Princess, I cannot tolerate such reckless speech regarding His Majesty the Emperor. I shall overlook it this once, but take care to mind yourself henceforth.”
Though her shoulders had tensed momentarily, Talia’s eyes now blazed with defiance.
“And what will you do if you don’t overlook it? Will you run tattling to the great Emperor?”
“There is nothing preventing me from doing so.”
The woman responded coldly.
Talia released a hollow laugh.
“Is that so? Then go running to the Main Palace right now and tell him this: the ill-mannered Second Princess says she has no desire to lay eyes on that handsome face of his!”
In that instant, a sharp sting erupted across the back of her hand.
Talia looked up at the woman with an expression of utter bewilderment.
The woman who had struck her with a thin riding crop held her gaze with eyes cold as ice.
“The authority you enjoy as Princess derives from His Majesty the Emperor. Such reckless words cannot be overlooked.”
“How dare you… how dare you to me….”
Talia could not finish her words, trembling violently.
The woman, regarding her with indifferent eyes, moved toward the door.
“Her Majesty the Empress has instructed us most firmly to bring you to His Majesty the Emperor by any means necessary. Is it your wish that we employ more forceful measures?”
The woman, speaking as though in threat, flung the chamber door wide open with one hand.
Talia’s breath caught as she saw soldiers of the Empress’s Household lined up in the corridor.
The woman, quietly observing her ashen face as though admiring a work of art, continued gently.
“There is no need for us to lose our composure with one another. If you cooperate, this will be finished shortly.”
The implication was clear: if she did not cooperate, force would be used regardless.
Talia clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white. Humiliation burned at her eyes.
Had Senevir been before her in this moment, I might have driven a dagger through her heart.
Must I allow even my final shred of dignity to be trampled so mercilessly?
I knew I could never forgive that person—not in a lifetime, not ever.
“Now then, wash the Princess thoroughly.”
At the Senior Handmaiden’s command, two handmaidens bent over the bed.
Talia brushed their hands away roughly.
“Do not touch my body!”
Startled by her sharp cry, the handmaidens retreated hastily as though dodging sparks, clearly fearful of retaliation later.
Recognizing their hesitation, Talia adopted an even more imperious tone.
“I shall have my Nursemaid attend to my bath. So all of you, leave my chamber.”
The woman who had been gazing down at her with a contemplative expression soon released a sigh of resignation.
“Very well. However, you must entrust your grooming to me. I cannot compromise on this matter.”
The Senior Handmaiden promptly led the Handmaidens out of the chamber.
Moments later, the Nursemaid burst into the bedroom.
She was the one who had always wounded me with her thoughtless words. Yet the moment I saw her face, tears nearly spilled from my eyes in relief.
Talia buried her face against the Nursemaid’s shoulder as she approached to support her.
Unaware of my crumbling composure, the Nursemaid simply beamed with delight.
“Did the Senior Handmaiden tell you? His Majesty has been searching for you! Surely, upon hearing that you were injured, his heart grew heavy with concern.”
Talia let the Nursemaid’s chatter flow through one ear as she struggled to her feet. A tingling pain shot through her bones.
Suddenly, fury surged within me.
What nonsense about walking without difficulty? My damaged leg could not even properly support my own weight.
Talia gritted her teeth and dragged her aching leg behind the partition screen.
As she stumbled into the marble bath, the Nursemaid poured warm water over her body.
Submerged in the lukewarm water, Talia gazed down at her legs. The purplish scars looked exactly like swollen earthworms.
The moment she touched them with her fingertips, the Nursemaid struck her back sharply.
For a moment, sorrow washed over Talia, but she withdrew her hand without complaint. She feared the Nursemaid might grow angry and leave the chamber altogether.
“Now, let me rinse your hair. Tilt your head back, please.”
As Talia leaned her head against the tub as instructed, the Nursemaid tilted a large pitcher and poured lukewarm water over her.
Finally, as the soap rinsed cleanly from her body, Talia staggered out of the bath.
The Nursemaid, who had brought a large towel, dried the water from her body and then dressed her in fresh undergarments and a petticoat.
“Now, the rest will be handled by the Senior Handmaiden.”
As the Nursemaid departed with a light heart, the Senior Handmaiden returned, leading the Handmaidens.
Talia silently endured the scrutinizing gaze that swept over her from head to toe as though assigning a score.
The woman who had been circling around her soon clapped her hands at the Handmaidens.
“Braid her hair up, dress her in the prepared gown, and I shall personally select the ornaments.”
Immediately, dozens of fingers began moving busily around her.
Talia silently endured being handled like a doll, as though undergoing torture.
Several Handmaidens repeatedly dressed and undressed her, while the others set about braiding her hair, which fell to her waist, into multiple plaits and pinning them up.
The Senior Handmaiden, who had been watching the entire process with a meticulous expression, finally nodded her head.
“This will suffice.”
The Handmaidens who had been adjusting her clothing immediately stepped back.
Talia looked up at the Senior Handmaiden with weary eyes. She draped a deep crimson silk cape over her shoulders and turned toward the entrance.
“It is time for you to depart.”
After a moment of hesitation, Talia left the chamber. She wished to walk as naturally as possible, but her dulled legs refused to obey her will.
With each discordant step, she felt the soldiers’ gazes pour down upon her. She wanted to crush every single one of those eyes.
As I suppressed my humiliation and emerged from the Separate Palace, I saw a Carriage waiting in front of the Garden. Beside it stood an unfamiliar man in armor.
Had the previous Knight been dismissed?
The face of the man who had troubled me throughout the journey flashed through my mind.
But soon I thought it mattered little. He was a Royal Guard Knight who was rotated out with each season anyway. It was about time for a change.
Talia boarded the Carriage with an indifferent expression. The Senior Handmaiden, who followed her inside, parted her firmly sealed lips and spoke in a stern voice.
“Today, His Majesty the Emperor will discuss a matter of great importance. I implore you to refrain from any conduct that might breach propriety.”
“What sort of important matter?”
“I myself do not know.”
“Then how do you know whether it’s important or trivial?”
The woman pressed her lips firmly shut. Her patience was clearly wearing thin.
Talia turned her gaze from the woman rubbing her temples and looked out the window.
The Carriage had already departed the Separate Palace Garden and was now traversing the vast grounds of the Imperial Palace with steady momentum.
Watching the landscape blur past with growing anxiety, Talia gently massaged her knees, which had begun to throb.
Despite the thick cushioning beneath her, the Carriage’s subtle vibrations seemed to pierce through her bones. Wiping away beads of perspiration that formed on her brow, she desperately swallowed down the pain.
After some time had passed, the jolting Carriage finally came to a halt.
Stumbling out, Talia squinted as brilliant sunlight poured down upon the expansive Plaza before her.
An unusually large crowd milled about in front of the Main Palace. As she regarded them with a grim expression, the Senior Handmaiden who had approached urged her forward.
“His Majesty awaits. Let us proceed at once.”
Talia bit her lip and began to walk.
Those who recognized her flinched and whispered among themselves—a sight that invaded her vision. Attempting to ignore it, she moved to pass through those blocking the entrance when someone stopped her.
“You cannot pass through here, I’m afraid. My apologies, but please use the side entrance….”
The Soldier who had hastily blocked her path suddenly caught sight of her face and drew a sharp breath.
Talia fixed him with a cold stare.
“How dare you obstruct my path?”
“I-I beg your pardon, Your Highness the Princess.”
The Soldier quickly stepped aside.
Talia passed those who awkwardly bowed before her and entered the building.
Her entire body was drenched in perspiration as she struggled to conceal her unnatural gait. Yet despite such effort, it seemed beyond her control.
She observed the reactions around her from the corner of her eye. Then, a massive birdcage positioned in one corner of the Hall caught her attention. Upon seeing what lay within, Talia’s eyes widened.
“…What is that?”

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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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