It was a matter of knightly honor.
Edrick spoke urgently.
“If you authorize a search party, I will personally look for the Second Imperial Princess. Therefore—”
“You insolent little bastard! Who gave you permission to speak over me?”
The Crown Prince exploded.
He grabbed Edrick by the collar.
Edrick met his gaze calmly.
He was long accustomed to the prince's violent temper.
Maintaining the utmost respect, he replied,
“My apologies. However, we cannot simply abandon Her Highness—”
“Her Highness?”
A dry laugh escaped the Crown Prince.
Staring directly into Edrick's face, he emphasized every word.
“Listen carefully, boy. There is only one Imperial Princess in this Empire, and that's Aila Roem Gwirta. That bitch Talia should never have been born in the first place. Becoming monster food is exactly the kind of ending that suits a bastard like—”
“Enough.”
The low voice cut through the air.
Edrick flinched and looked toward his commander.
No matter how arrogant Gareth behaved, Varkas had always addressed him with proper formality.
Yet not only had he interrupted the Crown Prince, he had addressed him without honorifics.
For a moment, Edrick could only stare.
Apparently he was not the only one shocked.
The Crown Prince also turned toward Varkas with wide eyes.
But Varkas himself looked perfectly calm.
“Your Highness should return to your quarters and rest.”
His tone remained even.
Varkas nodded toward the knights standing behind the prince.
“Bring me a mage immediately. Select ten men with quick feet. I will organize a search party.”
The knights scattered at once to carry out the order.
The Crown Prince stared after them in disbelief.
Then he released Edrick's collar as though throwing him aside and stepped directly in front of Varkas.
“Are you seriously going to defy me over that woman?”
“I was ordered by His Majesty to protect all three of his children.”
Varkas's voice remained utterly devoid of emotion.
“Surely Your Highness does not believe your orders supersede those of His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Don't give me excuses!”
The Crown Prince blocked his path.
“Do you think I haven't noticed the way you've always gone easy on that bitch Talia? Tell me honestly. You and that woman—!”
“Gareth!”
A sharp, clear voice sliced through the tension.
Edrick, who had been anxiously watching the confrontation, turned his head.
The First Imperial Princess was approaching between the knights with two attendants following behind her.
Since the battle ended, she had personally directed the maids in caring for the wounded.
Though obvious exhaustion still clung to her and traces of blood remained unshed from the day's horrors, she carried herself with flawless grace.
She stopped before her brother and fixed him with a firm look.
“Lord Siorcan is right. We cannot leave Talia behind. Whatever else she may be, she is still our blood.”
“Have you lost your mind?”
The Crown Prince glared at his sister in disbelief.
“After what that woman did to our mother, you're actually saying that?”
“Please be reasonable.”
The Princess interrupted him with dignified authority.
Though only minutes separated their births, she seemed vastly more mature than her brother.
Meeting his gaze directly, she continued calmly,
“If we return to the Imperial Palace while leaving Talia behind, both Lord Siorcan and you will become subjects of unnecessary rumors and criticism. Why should we take such a risk?”
The cold practicality of the words stunned Edrick into silence.
The First Imperial Princess was famous throughout the Empire for her kindness and compassion.
Yet the words coming from her mouth were chillingly detached.
As she soothed her fuming brother, her voice softened.
“At the very least, let us recover the child's body and provide her with a proper funeral.”