Watching the scene with disgust, Talia headed deeper into the hall.
Around the long table overflowing with food and alcohol sat Varkas's aides.
They, too, were being served drinks by women dressed little better than naked.
It seemed the lord had brought in a host of prostitutes to entertain his guests.
Looking around with a dark expression, Talia hurried across the great hall.
There was only one thought in her mind.
She had to drag Varkas out of this filthy place immediately.
“Your Highness!”
While dragging her aching legs through the banquet hall, a familiar voice called out nearby.
Turning sharply, Talia narrowed her eyes upon recognizing the face in the crowd.
It was Tyron, the eastern knight.
Approaching her, he scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.
“I heard Your Highness had retired early. What brings you here?”
“It was too noisy, so I came out.”
Searching for Varkas with her eyes, Talia smiled mockingly.
“Looks like I interrupted everyone's good time.”
“Hahaha.”
The man covered his embarrassment with exaggerated laughter.
Shooting him a cold look, Talia glanced around the crowded hall again.
“More importantly, where is Varkas?”
“His Grace is in the office on the third floor. Lord Darken requested a private audience.”
Talia, who had been scanning the hall, abruptly turned her head.
“Just the two of them?”
Only then did Tyron seem to understand why she had been searching the hall so frantically, and amusement appeared around his lips.
“Yes. Even the maids were dismissed, so please don't worry.”
Instantly, her cheeks grew hot as though her thoughts had been laid bare.
Talia raised her voice.
“Who said I was worried?!”
Then she spun around, but Tyron immediately followed.
“You cannot walk around alone. I'll escort you back to your room.”
“I don't need it.”
“You do.”
The man replied firmly.
“If anything were to happen to Her Grace the Grand Duchess, the responsibility would fall upon us all. Come.”
Without giving her a chance to refuse, he grabbed her elbow.
Talia instinctively shook off his hand.
“I said I don't need it.”
Apparently startled by her fierce reaction, deep wrinkles appeared on his forehead.
Leaving him behind, Talia hurried away as though fleeing.
As she climbed the staircase illuminated by dim lights, cramps began to seize her calves and thighs.
She had overworked her legs far too much today.
Though it was late, perhaps she should summon a healer and request restorative magic.
Lightly striking her twitching thigh with her fist, she walked down the long corridor.
Then she froze.
A strange moan reached her ears.
Turning toward the source, she noticed an odd shadow flickering at the far end of the corridor.
Only after several seconds did she realize it was a man and woman pressed together like a single body.
The food she had barely managed to keep down threatened to surge back up.
Swallowing her nausea, she stepped backward.
Then, suddenly, her eyes met those of a boy who had been kissing a voluptuous maid with shameless passion.