As the future Grand Duchess, managing the vast eastern territories and commanding hundreds of retainers would not be an easy responsibility. Once married, she would have to prioritize the affairs of House Siorcan above all else.
Yet Varkas merely looked at her thoughtfully for a moment before nodding as though it were insignificant.
“If the long journey does not overtax Your Highness, you may come and go whenever you wish. This marriage was arranged to strengthen the Crown Prince’s position from the beginning, was it not?”
Aila’s expression darkened slightly.
To him, it was purely a political marriage.
To her, it was not.
For a brief moment disappointment welled inside her, but Aila forced herself to smile.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Varkas gave only the slightest nod before returning his attention to inspecting the horse’s teeth.
Swallowing a sigh, Aila placed a hand upon his arm, forcing him to look at her again.
“I know you’re busy, but could you spare a little time for me? There’s something I wanted to give you before we leave.”
The man regarded her with mild curiosity before finally turning toward her fully. He instructed the squire standing nearby to return the inspected horses to the stables, then escorted her toward a quieter area.
Thanks to the maids tactfully falling back, Aila was able to enjoy a walk alone with him.
Resting her hand on his firm arm, she followed the neatly maintained path beside him. As they entered the vast flower garden, a soft breeze gently brushed against their faces.
The garden of the main palace was in full bloom.
Summer flowers in vivid colors blossomed within carefully tended flowerbeds, while emerald leaves flourished upon perfectly manicured hedges.
Aila took in the scenery with melancholy eyes.
This landscape always left wounds upon her heart.
Yet as time passed, the imperial palace overflowing with traces of Senevier had gradually become part of everyday life, while her mother’s garden faded more and more within her memories.
That was what she found unbearable above all else.
“What was it that Your Highness wished to give me?”
Lost in thought, Aila turned to look up at Varkas.
When they were children, he had spent quite a lot of time in the garden Bernadette cultivated. Aila knew that, at least there, his devastated heart had found a small measure of healing.
Suddenly, she became curious.
Did this man miss her mother’s garden as well?
Aila stared at his expressionless face, where not the slightest trace of emotion could be found. Soon, she let out a resigned sigh and pulled a handkerchief from inside her cloak.
“I embroidered the crest of House Siorcan onto it.”
His gaze lowered to the neatly folded cloth.
Suddenly, her mouth went dry.
As though trying to shake off her nervousness, Aila began speaking in an exaggeratedly cheerful tone.
“It’s tradition to give a handkerchief personally embroidered for one’s fiancé before departing on a journey. Though, of course, this is technically a journey we’re taking together...”
“It is an honor to receive such a gift.”
Interrupting her rambling explanation, the man accepted the handkerchief. A faint smile touched his dry lips.
Aila felt her chest swell.
It bruised her pride slightly that she had become someone whose heart trembled ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) over every small gesture this man made, but more than that, she was simply happy that Varkas—who was normally so miserly with emotional expression—had smiled for her.
“I will treasure it.”
He tied the handkerchief to the hilt of his sword as he spoke.
She smiled shyly.
At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed from somewhere nearby.