Watching her movements through the window, Varkas left the corridor and descended the stairs. Stepping outside through the rear entrance, he found his view blocked by dense shrubs whose branches were tangled together.
Making his way between them with hurried steps, Varkas suddenly stopped upon discovering Talia seated beneath a red barberry bush.
The moment he saw her sitting directly on the ground in nothing but a thin robe, his throat stung as though he had swallowed shards of glass.
Suppressing the harsh words rising within him, he strode over to her.
“What are you doing in a place like this?”
The woman who had been silently staring at the flowerbed raised her head. Her unfocused eyes wandered through empty air. Varkas frowned.
“Did you burn sleep herb?”
“...No. I didn't. I'm just a little tired.”
Answering in a languid voice, Talia lowered her gaze back toward the flowerbed.
Following her eyes, Varkas discovered a bird lying limply among the overgrown grass and his expression hardened.
It had apparently been mauled by a stray cat. Between the torn skin of its belly, ants and maggots crawled over the exposed entrails.
She had once shuddered at the mere sight of insects. A woman who hated filth to the point of obsession and loved beautiful things enough to be criticized for extravagance had, at some point, begun turning her eyes toward ugly things.
That strange change unsettled him.
With somewhat rough hands, he pulled her to her feet.
“If you're tired, you should be resting inside. Why are you sitting here?”
“...I felt suffocated, so I came out for some air. The room felt strangely hot.”
Talia muttered as though making excuses.
Frowning, Varkas placed the back of his hand against her forehead.
There was no fever. If anything, her skin felt cool, likely because she had come outside dressed so lightly.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Varkas removed his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
“Come inside now. Your body is cold.”
“Say...”
With one arm wrapped around her, he was about to lead her back toward the rear entrance when her tightly restrained voice caught his steps.
He lowered his gaze again.
Shadowed blue eyes filled his vision.
Biting her lips as though struggling with hesitation, Talia spoke with difficulty.
“A long time ago...”
“So this is where you were!”
At that moment, a booming voice cut off the rest of her words.
Varkas turned his head toward the sound.
Daren Dru Siorcan, followed by five or six subordinates, was crossing the garden while trampling the wildflowers along the narrow path.
“I have something urgent to report. I stopped by the inn and met informants from the capital. They said the movements in the Imperial Palace are unusual. It seems the Empress has finally begun expanding her influence in earnest—”
The man, who had been speaking rapidly, discovered Talia and abruptly closed his mouth.
Varkas glanced at her.
The face that had looked as defenseless as a lost child moments ago had frozen over.
Taking a step backward, she muttered in a low voice,
“I'll return to my room, so take care of your own business.”
“I shall escort Your Highness to your chamber.”
“I can go alone.”
“Haven't I repeatedly told you that you must not wander around without an escort?”
At his reproachful tone, faint dissatisfaction appeared upon her beautiful face.
After looking over the knights behind Daren, she pointed at the smallest one.
“Then assign that man as my escort.”
The soldier who had been singled out shrank his shoulders awkwardly.
Ever since his wife had rushed at Lucas threatening to tear out his tongue, [N O V E L I G H T] the warriors of the house had begun treating her as a person requiring caution. The man she had pointed at was no different, hesitating uneasily while looking toward Varkas.
Varkas snapped coldly.
“What are you standing there for? Escort her immediately.”
At his command, the soldier hurried over.
Varkas reluctantly withdrew the arm wrapped around her. Talia moved away from him without the slightest hesitation.
He watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning back toward Daren.