The Forgotten Field - Chapter 79

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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 79
“I-I’m honored to meet you for the first time, Your Highness. I shall serve you with utmost devotion going forward.”
Talia scrutinized the girl with an unreliable impression, her sharp gaze piercing. At first glance, the Handmaiden appeared clumsy and inexperienced.
Had they assigned a novice to stir up territorial disputes? She shot back with a cold tone.
“My Nursemaid will handle all my personal attendance. So call her instead.”
“The Nursemaid? You mean that dwarf-blooded woman?”
The woman who had introduced herself as Areta frowned.
“Forgive me, Your Highness, but you will soon become the mistress of these Eastern Territories. You ought to employ attendants befitting your station.”
Talia caught the disdain woven through her words and her eyes narrowed sharply.
“My Nursemaid once attended even the Empress herself. Surely you don’t believe the Grand Duke’s wife outranks the Empress?”
The woman’s face hardened visibly.
Talia pressed forward with severity.
“Did you not hear me? Summon my Nursemaid at once.”
The woman, who had been stubbornly silent with her lips sealed, finally bowed her head.
“Understood. I shall leave your grooming to the attendant you brought with you. Once you are ready, please summon us, and we shall guide you through the Castle.”
“I have no need for a guide.”
At the cold refusal, the woman’s face visibly stiffened.
Talia continued without concern, her tone glacial.
“Have you forgotten I’ve just completed a long journey? I intend to rest in my Chamber for several days, so do not disturb me.”
The head Handmaiden, whose lips had trembled as if to speak, promptly took the young Handmaiden and swept out of the room.
Though her insolent manner kindled indignation within me, I had no wish to earn the reputation of gripping servants like vermin on my very first day.
Talia collapsed onto the bed.
Shortly after, the Nursemaid entered the Chamber with tousled hair and sleep still clinging to her eyes, stifling a yawn.
Her undignified appearance irritated me. No wonder people showed her open contempt when she carried herself like that.
Talia cried out in a sharp voice.
“What is this slovenly state? Wash your face at once.”
“Goodness, why must you be so temperamental this early in the morning?”
The Nursemaid pouted her lips, then poured water into the basin set by the window and washed her face.
Afterward, with her plump hands, she combed her hair roughly and began stoking the fireplace.
Meanwhile, two sturdy workers brought a large Bath brimming with water. Once they set it down behind the screen and departed, Talia locked the door firmly and stepped into the Bath.
The Nursemaid immediately brought soft towels and soap, scrubbing her thoroughly from head to toe.
My skin flushed red under her rough, perfunctory touch, but I bore it in silence. Better to be handled roughly than to reveal my scars to strangers.
I tried not to dwell on the Nursemaid’s noticeably colder demeanor since my body had been damaged, and I dried myself with a towel.
“None of your clothes fit properly. It seems you’ve lost far too much weight.”
The Nursemaid sighed heavily as she dressed me in an ornate silk gown.
Talia finally could not hold back and let out a word.
“Stop sighing. I hate hearing it.”
“Can’t I even breathe as I please?”
“Don’t sigh while looking at me! You do it because you find my appearance repulsive.”
The Nursemaid offered no response. Talia, who had secretly hoped for a denial, glared at her with sorrowful eyes.
The Nursemaid had been the one to fill the role of mother in Senevir’s absence. She had cared for me since I was a speechless newborn, had she not?
The fact that even the Nursemaid found my appearance repulsive twisted something deep within my chest.
Talia swallowed the sorrow that had risen to her throat and pushed her toward the door.
“That’s enough. Leave now.”
“I understand. I’m going, so please don’t push.”
The Nursemaid brushed off her hand somewhat roughly and left without hesitation.
The moment I was alone, the roiling anger transformed instantly into anxiety.
In this foreign land, the Nursemaid was the only person I could trust and rely upon. If she turned her back on me as well, I would be completely isolated.
I regretted my sudden irritability. I should have exercised more patience.
“Your Highness, I have come under the orders of the Grand Duke. May I impose upon you for a moment?”
As I nervously bit my lip, an unfamiliar voice came from beyond the door.
Talia hesitated briefly before speaking.
“Come in.”
Before the words had even finished, a young woman with deep honey-toned skin entered through the open door.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I am Tiuran. The Grand Duke has instructed me to carefully monitor your health.”
Talia scrutinized her with cautious eyes.
She was a pretty woman with long, powerful-looking limbs, taut skin that suggested she was around thirty, and intelligent dark amber eyes.
“Are you the Healer of the Grand Duke’s House?”
“I am.”
The woman replied calmly.
Talia’s expression grew suspicious. She seemed far too young to be the Healer of the most powerful House in the Eastern Territories.
The woman’s smile dimmed slightly, as if she had sensed my distrust.
The Healer asked carefully.
“I understand you suffer from chronic pain due to a serious leg injury. Would it be acceptable for me to examine the injured area briefly?”
Talia instinctively stepped backward.
I had not the slightest intention of showing my scars to someone I was meeting for the first time.
“I already have a personal Healer. So you attend to other matters.”
“However, the Grand Duke has—”
“I will speak to Barcas myself. Now, withdraw.”
The woman, who seemed to be contemplating something, gently bit her lower lip before carefully speaking.
“If showing your leg is uncomfortable, would you be willing to extend your hand for a moment?”
“Your hand? Why?”
“I will channel my mana through your hand to examine your body’s interior. Once I have assessed your condition, I will prepare medicine suited to your constitution.”
Talia furrowed her brow. I had never heard of such an unusual examination method.
“Can you truly do such a thing?”
“I have been trained since I was seven years old to become a Healer of my clan. If you will grant me just one opportunity, I will do my utmost to help you, Your Highness.”
The woman seemed sincere. As I studied her face carefully, I decided to take a chance and extended my hand.
The woman grasped my palm with her calloused, sturdy hand.
Startled by the rough, bark-like texture, I flinched, but soon felt a warm current spreading across my palm like flowing water. Trembling at the strange sensation, I felt the tepid heat spread into my belly, and I jerked my hand away.
The woman furrowed her brow as if in thought, staring intently at my face.
“Before we begin rehabilitation for your legs, we must first restore your vitality. Your body is in a severely weakened state.”
“…What am I supposed to do about that?”
“First, you must eat well and sleep well. I will prepare a medicinal tonic for you—please take it faithfully every day.”
Talia’s face fell with disappointment. She had hoped for some extraordinary treatment method.
“I didn’t make time for this pointless drivel.”
“….”
“That’s enough. Leave now. As you said, my vitality is depleted, so I need rest.”
As I lay back upon the bed, the woman left the chamber with an air of resignation.
Talia pulled the blanket up to her shoulders and sought the sleep she desperately needed. Yet before long, the dull ache that had subsided began to creep upward through her bones once more.
Unable to bear the discomfort any longer as she tossed and turned, Talia rang the bell.
Shortly after, the young Handmaiden who had been introduced earlier rushed in. I couldn’t recall her name. Talia gestured imperiously toward her.
“Bring me the Healer I brought from the Imperial Palace at once.”
* * *
A biting wind swept harshly across the vast Plains.
Barcas, gripping the reins tightly as he passed through the grasslands, turned his head to survey his homeland with measured deliberation.
The last time he had set foot on this soil was ten years ago, when he learned of the death of Tesalin, the mother of Lucas and Raina.
Even then, this land had been shrouded entirely in gray.
Since he had not visited Kalmor since that time, his homeland in memory remained forever colorless.

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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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