Aila carefully studied his reaction.
It lasted only a brief instant, but she distinctly saw a trace of caution rise and vanish within those pale violet eyes.
The priest asked carefully,
“You wish to hold a benediction ceremony for the Second Imperial Princess?”
“Who else would there ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) be?”
A faint smile curved Aila’s lips as she added softly,
“We are remaining another day anyway. Wouldn’t it be best for that child to undergo the ceremony while we are here?”
“I had no idea Your Highness cared so deeply for the Second Imperial Princess.”
At the sudden voice, Aila turned her head.
Varkas, who had silently crossed the rain-soaked garden, pushed back his dripping hood and looked at her with dry, cold eyes.
A welcoming smile rose instinctively to Aila’s lips, only to fade almost immediately.
His rain-soaked face looked colder than usual.
The sight of that rigid, indifferent expression sharpened her nerves.
She knew very well that Varkas reacted sensitively whenever Talia was involved because of the negative emotions that had accumulated over many years.
Even this emotionally numb man could not help but recoil from the Second Imperial Princess’s atrocious behavior.
For seven whole years, he had endured her chaos at close range. It was hardly strange that he had grown sick of her.
Aila understood all of that rationally.
And yet, sometimes she found it unbearably irritating that this indifferent man only ever displayed sharp emotion when it came to that girl.
Forgetting entirely that she had intended to test the abbot, Aila responded emotionally.
“I am not worried about her. I am worried about you. His Majesty personally entrusted that child to your care, did he not? If he learns that the ceremony was held without Talia, you may end up receiving unnecessary criticism.”
“It is not as though we can drag someone before the altar against their will.”
At the mocking edge in his voice, Aila’s face stiffened.
She was accustomed to the way he occasionally became cold enough to send chills down her spine.
But she could not tolerate him acting disrespectfully toward her because of Talia Roem Gwirta.
Aila lifted her chin proudly.
“We should at least confirm Talia’s wishes first. She is a fickle child. By tomorrow, she may very well change her mind again.”
“Tomorrow, we will depart at dawn. I have no intention of altering the schedule according to the whims of the Second Imperial Princess.”
Varkas cut her off cleanly.
Aila, who had never experienced having her opinion dismissed so bluntly, flushed with anger.
She wanted to rebuke his insolence immediately, but she had no desire to damage his authority in front of everyone watching.
Aila carefully concealed her displeasure.
“If that is your decision, Sir Varkas, then there is nothing to be done.”
The moment she relented, Varkas turned his gaze toward the abbot.
The priest, who had been watching the confrontation between the two with interest, quickly lowered his eyes.
Looking down at him coldly, Varkas spoke in a low warning voice.
“I would prefer tonight to remain as quiet as possible. If we are to depart at dawn, then surely His Highness the Crown Prince must also rest well.”
It was a clear warning not to hold any banquets or evening gatherings tonight.
The abbot nodded stiffly.
As though there was nothing further to discuss, Varkas turned away and extended one hand toward Aila.
“We should return now. I will escort you to your residence.”
Swallowing a sigh, Aila placed her hand in his.