The Forgotten Field - Chapter 59

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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 59
“It seems the Court Mages have acquired another magical creature.”
The Senior Handmaiden, who had been quietly following her, sighed in response.
Talia found herself drawn forward as if by an invisible force. The creature, which had been wrapping itself in dark wings, lifted its head.
Talia flinched, her shoulders tensing.
Atop the massive body of a grotesque bird covered in deep brown feathers sat the head of a human woman. Yet it bore the appearance of a corpse stitched together rather than a living face.
As I stared blankly at the pallid visage traced with blue veins, a putrid, fish-like stench reached my ears.
“Do you feel a kinship with it?”
I whirled around.
Gareth, dressed in a crimson doublet, stood directly behind me.
A sneer played at his lips as he spoke with deliberate slowness.
“A woman’s face attached to a monster’s body… doesn’t that remind you of someone?”
His narrowed eyes traced down my form, lingering on my legs hidden beneath the hem of my dress.
My half-brother’s smile deepened.
“I hear you acquired quite a horrific scar… but at least, unlike that creature, you can cover your body. How fortunate.”
In that moment, bile rose bitterly in my throat.
I spun around and struck the Crown Prince’s cheek with all my might.
A strangled, pig-like squeal erupted from beside me—the Senior Handmaiden, who shadowed me like a jailer, foaming at the mouth. From the corner of my vision, I caught a glimpse of her stumbling backward.
Regardless, I raked my nails—still stained with dried blood—across my brother’s bronzed face.
Four crimson lines appeared from his eyes to his jaw. Yet the wound was not as satisfying as I had hoped.
I reached out again. Guards rushed forward and seized me from both sides.
I thrashed like a beast caught in a snare, but I could not break free.
Tears burst forth from my helplessness. I glared at my half-brother with eyes bloodshot and burning.
A powerfully built, flawless physique.
No. It was no longer flawless.
Seeing blood stream down his face, I laughed.
“Say it again. Just once more, and I’ll carve a face that will never smile again. I have nothing left to lose. And so, I have nothing left to fear.”
Gareth, clutching his cheek with a vacant stare, twisted his face into something sinister.
Immediately, a brutal hand seized my hair.
He gripped the locks he had spent hours braiding and yanked with savage force, as if to snap my neck.
“How dare you… how dare a wretch like you lay hands on my face?”
His blood-smeared face flushed an absurd crimson.
I laughed louder.
I watched reason drain from my brother’s eyes.
He seized my face with his other hand and squeezed with crushing force. Even as my skull threatened to shatter, I did not stop laughing.
Then a powerful hand suddenly intervened, tearing Gareth away from me.
I collapsed to the ground. As the crushing pressure vanished, my blurred vision cleared, and a familiar silhouette penetrated my retinas.
I blinked dazedly, then abruptly pushed myself upright. My heart thundered so violently it seemed to split my eardrums.
With trembling hands, I frantically pulled my skirts down to my feet, when a suppressed voice reached me from above.
“Well, it’s about time you showed up.”
Gareth shook off the hand gripping his wrist with a violent jerk, his teeth grinding audibly. His deep green eyes blazed like hellfire, dark and consuming.
“So you’re going to betray us because of that woman?”
“Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor commanded me to bring the Second Princess to him.”
“You always hide behind such excuses…!”
“I shall provide an answer to His Majesty’s question only after I have presented myself before him.”
At Barcas’s cryptic words, Gareth’s blood-stained face contorted into a grotesque grimace.
A chilling, grinding sound escaped from between his clenched teeth.
Gareth, grinding his teeth as if to shatter his own jaw, seized the future Grand Duke’s shoulders and growled.
“Fine. I’m looking forward to seeing what answer you’ll give.”
With that, he pushed through the gathered crowd and departed.
Barcas watched his retreating figure for a moment before lowering his gaze toward her.
Talia felt the fine hairs across her entire body stand on end.
Her pathetic reflection appeared in those abyssal eyes that always made her feel infinitesimally small. It felt as though those eyes would shatter her into pieces.
With trembling hands, Talia braced herself against the floor. Struggling to rise on unsteady legs, she felt a firm hand supporting her back.
She flinched and pushed his approaching body away.
“D-don’t…!”
But her feeble resistance was easily ignored.
Barcas slipped his arm beneath her knees and lifted her effortlessly.
Stifling a cry, Talia pulled her skirts downward, fearful her legs might be exposed. Even after confirming that the long hem covered her to her feet, her anxiety did not fade.
Clutching the edge of her skirt tightly, she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
“I-I can walk on my own. Please put me down.”
Barcas made no response.
Talia swallowed hard. His silence felt suffocating.
“I said put me down!”
As she raised her voice slightly, she felt a faint tension in the arms encircling her.
Lifting her head, Talia realized he was restraining something and fell silent.
With his gaze fixed forward, Barcas spoke in a low voice.
“You would not wish to draw further attention. If you can endure my presence for a moment longer, you may spare yourself the humiliation of stumbling under their scrutiny.”
Talia stared blankly at his face, then rolled her eyes to survey her surroundings.
Dozens of pairs of eyes, wide with shock and astonishment, met her gaze.
She bowed her head deeply to hide from those stares. A faint sigh escaped above her crown. Tears threatened to spill again, so Talia clenched her teeth.
“Just a moment longer, Your Highness.”
He whispered softly and quickened his pace.
Soon, the massive doors leading to the Emperor’s Audience Chamber came into view.
The Chief Attendant standing guard before them gaped in astonishment at the sight of Barcas carrying the Second Princess.
Ignoring his reaction, Barcas gave a slight nod.
“His Majesty has summoned me. Open the doors.”
As the Chief Attendant hastily pulled the doors open, a vast, brilliantly illuminated hall and a golden throne came into view.
Talia lifted her head and gazed toward the seat of power.
A man of imposing build, as if sculpted from authority itself, sat upon it, regarding a parchment document with an expression of utter indifference.
Senevir, who had been whispering beside her, tilted her head and fixed her gaze upon Talia. An elegant smile graced her beautiful face, luminous as a pearl.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
Only then did the Emperor’s gaze settle upon her.
Talia moistened her parched lips. She felt his dark eyes methodically sweep across her form. Unable to bear the shame any longer, she thrashed against his hold.
“Put me down now.”
Barcas ignored her cry and strode purposefully toward the throne.
She looked up at him with bewildered eyes. She couldn’t fathom why he was doing this.
How could Aila’s betrothed conduct himself this way before the Emperor?
Her anxious gaze swept back to the throne, when a reproachful voice pierced her ears.
“I heard you had no difficulty walking….”
Talia stiffened and found herself stammering an excuse without thinking.
“I fell on the way here, and Grand Duke Sierkan merely helped me.”
Then, pushing forcefully against his chest, Barcas—who had been standing rigid as stone—finally set her down.

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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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