As always, the Crown Prince rode at the very head of the procession atop a golden Nornek mountain horse.
Edrick cautiously studied his face.
Gareth, his face flushed red from the heat, was openly complaining to Sir Siorcan about something. From what Edrick could catch, he seemed to be demanding to know when they would finally stop to rest.
‘This is going to be a difficult journey.’
For the next several days, they would be traveling through rough fields and mountainous terrain that were little better than wasteland. Could such a pampered Crown Prince truly endure such hardship?
Shaking his head, Edrick approached Varkas.
His superior listened to the Crown Prince’s complaints with apparent indifference while calmly surveying the road ahead with cautious eyes. He looked entirely unaffected by the future ruler of the Empire barking irritably beside him.
Once again impressed by his composure, Edrick cautiously spoke.
“Sir Siorcan, the soldiers seem greatly exhausted from the heat. Though it may be somewhat early, perhaps we should begin searching for a suitable place to rest.”
Varkas, who had been riding forward silently, turned his gaze toward him.
Without meaning to, Edrick immediately stiffened.
Not once had he ever seen this man become emotional or raise his voice.
And yet, every time he stood before Varkas, Edrick felt an inexplicable pressure bearing down on him.
Swallowing dryly, he hurriedly continued.
“If my suggestion was presumptuous, then please forgive me. The rear formations seem to be falling behind......”
“There’s a lake about half a watch from here. We’ll rest there.”
Varkas cut him off.
Edrick stared blankly at him for ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) a moment before quickly bowing his head. Watching the exchange with visible displeasure, the Crown Prince loudly grumbled.
“So when I speak, you pretend not to hear me, but you listen to some brat like him?”
“I remained silent because it seemed Your Highness did not require an answer. Nevertheless, I listened carefully to every word you said.”
“Who decided I didn’t need an answer?!”
The Crown Prince exploded in a shout.
The booming voice suited his large frame so well that Edrick’s ears rang painfully.
Suppressing the urge to click his tongue, Edrick retreated toward the rear once more.
It was strangely fascinating how the Crown Prince — infamous for his explosive temper — became little more than an immature child whenever he stood before Sir Siorcan.
‘......I’m worried about what’ll happen after Sir Siorcan leaves the Imperial Knights.’
Once Varkas Laedgo Siorcan departed for the East, not a single person capable of restraining Gareth’s rampages would remain.
The First Imperial Princess would accompany Varkas eastward as well, which meant only Gareth and Talia Roem Gwirta would remain within the Imperial Palace.
Just imagining the future the Imperial Knights would face while enduring those two disastrous royals made Edrick’s vision darken.
With a heavy sigh, he rode back toward Talia’s carriage.
Not long afterward, a whistle signaling rest echoed from the front.
Edrick pulled his horse to a halt and ordered his subordinates to set up tents in a suitable area. The knights quickly erected simple field tents upon a flat stretch of ground, creating patches of shade.
Stopping the carriage nearby, Edrick lightly knocked on the window.
“It’s time to rest. You should come out now.”
“.......”
“How long do you intend to keep up this pointless stubbornness? You’ve been locked inside there all day. If you keep this up, you’re going to collapse.”
He had deliberately spoken harshly, thinking he might need to drag her out even if she struck him for it.
But no response came from inside.
Edrick frowned.
Had she really collapsed?
A foreboding feeling seized him, and he yanked the carriage door open more roughly than intended.
At once, scalding air poured out like steam from a furnace, accompanied by a cloying scent that strangely resembled honey mixed with milk.
Frowning, Edrick peered into the dim carriage interior.
Then he froze.
The Imperial Princess was sprawled limply across the floor.