The Forgotten Field - Chapter 86

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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 86
Talia could no longer contain her seething fury. She seized a pillow and hurled it at him.
“If you have something to say, then say it! Stop driving me mad with your silence!”
The cloth sack stuffed with feathers struck the back of his head with a dull thud. Barcas, who had been methodically examining the contents of medicine bottles arranged on a shelf, cast a glacial glance over his shoulder.
Talia shrank back, pressing herself firmly against the headboard. Braced for whatever retaliation might come, she was startled when Barcas released a soft sigh and knelt beside the bed.
“Your hand, if you please.”
Talia merely blinked at him blankly. He then drew her hand toward the light, examining it closely. The skin of her palm was swollen and flushed crimson.
Barcas clicked his tongue in disapproval and poured a viscous liquid onto her hand. The stinging sensation made Talia instinctively jerk her arm away, but his grip on her wrist remained firm and unyielding.
She glared at him with irritation blazing in her eyes.
“What are you doing?”
“A salve that works well for contusions.”
Barcas replied in his characteristically blunt tone, spreading the medicament evenly across her palm.
The peculiar sensation made Talia curl her toes. Each time his long, elegant fingers caressed her swollen skin, a tingling sensation radiated through her. She felt heat creeping up her ears and twisted her arm away.
“That’s… that’s enough now.”
“Hold still.”
His voice dropped to a lower register than usual, sending a tremor down her spine.
She watched him with an anxious expression before lowering her gaze. His fingers traced the faint lines etched across her palm with deliberate slowness.
Was this truly treatment?
The way he meticulously caressed each line of her palm felt strangely… intimate.
“You have bruising on your wrist.”
His voice suddenly dropped another octave. Talia swallowed hard, her throat constricted.
She couldn’t fathom why her courage had suddenly abandoned her.
Stealing a glance at him, Talia exerted greater force and wrenched her arm free from his grasp.
“That’s enough. Leave my chamber.”
She turned away to lie down, but her body was suddenly pulled back around.
Talia looked up at him in shock. Barcas leaned over her, his tone accusatory.
“Why did you appear at the Banquet Hall today?”
Her face contorted.
So that was the source of his anger. Talia’s eyes gleamed with venom as she asked mockingly.
“Why? Am I forbidden from attending the Banquet Hall?”
“…”
“You said it yourself—that I am the highest-ranking person in this castle. So why do you expect me to be confined like a prisoner?”
“…It was you who wished to avoid appearing before others.”
“Do you truly not understand why I avoided it?”
Suddenly, the resentment she had been suppressing deep within her breast surged forth.
Talia shoved his shoulder roughly, then wrapped her arms around her knees and glared at him accusingly.
“It’s because of this—because of what I’ve become!”
Deep shadows fell across his eyes. She pressed him like a loan shark demanding repayment of a debt.
“But even if I despise myself, you have no right to do the same. Even if I hide myself, you cannot hide me as well!”
The tendons in his neck stood taut. His face bore the expression of someone scraping together the last vestiges of patience. The sight of him forcing himself to endure only cut deeper into her heart.
Talia snatched up the last remaining pillow and swung it at him. Barcas winced slightly at one eye as she rained down blow after blow, her accusations pouring forth.
“Why did I come to the Banquet Hall? I wanted to hear what you all were saying about me! I needed to know what was being said regarding my treatment so I could figure out how to survive! That’s why instead of dressing up in a gown, I wrapped myself in a robe like a rat and snuck in!”
He caught the incoming pillow and shoved her back onto the bed. The fabric tore under his rough grip, and pristine white feathers scattered in all directions.
Talia gazed up at the feathers drifting down like snowflakes, breathing heavily.
Barcas pinned her wrists to the bed, his dark eyes boring into hers. His suppressed voice spilled across the bridge of his nose.
“I understand perfectly what you’re saying.”
Barcas drew a deep breath and continued slowly.
“Within days, I will hold the succession ceremony. At that gathering, I will formally introduce you as the Grand Duchess of the Eastern Territories.”
Talia felt every hair on her body stand on end. She couldn’t tell if it was the fate descending upon her or the man before her that caused it.
He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek and spoke gently.
“So until then, stay quiet and behave.”
She clamped her mouth shut and glared at him with bloodshot eyes. A few feathers settled on his shoulder. He brushed them away with a light touch and slowly rose to his feet.
Shortly after, the sound of the door opening and closing echoed through the chamber. Talia stared blankly at the space where he had been, then pulled the blanket over her head.
* * *
After the brutal welcome ceremony, a heavy tension began to settle over Laedgo Castle.
The Handmaidens, who had been stiff in their demeanor, now moved as though treading on thin ice, and the Guards held their breath and lowered their eyes whenever she stepped out of her chamber.
It seemed rumors had spread that anyone who treated the Second Princess carelessly would incur the wrath of the next Grand Duke.
It was a misunderstanding born from the fact that a retainer who had been disrespectful to her had lost his life. That monstrous man had merely paid the price for challenging the heir of the Grand Ducal House, but Talia made no effort to correct their mistaken beliefs.
It was safer to be feared than to appear weak. If she adopted a fawning attitude to curry favor, she would only end up trampled. This was the philosophy of survival she had learned over long years.
“I don’t need any attendants, so stop bothering me and leave.”
Talia turned a page in her book and waved one hand dismissively.
The Handmaidens exchanged uncertain glances at the doorway. They would normally have withdrawn immediately, but as they stood their ground, Talia sharpened her tone.
“Didn’t you hear me tell you to leave?”
“Your Highness, the succession ceremony is scheduled for this afternoon.”
The Head Handmaiden spoke with a solemn expression. Talia’s eyes widened in shock.
“Already?”
Barcas had mentioned the ceremony would take place within days, but she never expected it to be held before even a week had passed.
She grew pale and swung her legs off the bed.
“Where is Barcas right now?”
“The Young Lord is currently meeting with the High Priest who will preside over the succession ceremony. Once the arrangements for the ritual are finalized, the ceremony will begin immediately.”
Talia’s eyes narrowed sharply.
“Why are you only telling me this now!”
“The Young Lord gave orders that you were not to hear of this until the day itself.”
The Head Handmaiden sighed as she spoke.
Talia’s face twisted. She could guess what he had been thinking when he gave such an order.
He probably thought I would hide or run away. Whenever something unpleasant arose, she had a habit of disappearing. This time would be no exception. Talia was seized with the urge to flee immediately and gazed out the window. The Head Handmaiden spoke to her in a soothing tone.
“There is still time, so there is no need to be so anxious.”
Talia glared at her with irritated eyes, then muttered in a somewhat deflated voice.
“What am I supposed to do?”
“We have prepared the traditional attire of the Eastern Territories for Your Highness to wear.”
The Head Handmaiden exhaled a soft sigh of relief and stepped aside. Immediately after, several burly servants entered the chamber carrying stacks of colorful garments adorned with elaborate embroidery.
“These styles of dress are unfamiliar to the handmaidens of the Central Region, so we humbly request that you entrust your grooming to us this once.”

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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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