The Forgotten Field
“An autumn festival?”
Catching the flicker of interest across her face, Tiuran went on carefully.
“Yes, Your Highness. In the East, the Season of Rest arrives earlier than in the Central Region, so they hold an autumn festival near the end of summer. If you go into the streets now, you will find all sorts of things to see.”
“What could there possibly be to enjoy at a gathering for commoners?”
Talia let out a soft snort.
Tiuran parted her lips as though to persuade her further, but then looked away, her face falling.
“If you have no wish to go, I will not press you.”
Turning toward the shelf, she began straightening the rows of medicine jars.
Glancing at her profile, Talia rose quietly from the bed and crossed to her side.
“Are you upset?”
Seeing Talia lean around to study her face, Tiuran felt the corners of her mouth twitch upward. She smothered the smile behind a cough and feigned a wounded pout.
“No, of course not. I am only sorry that I cannot show Your Highness the autumn festival in Kalmor.”
“…You grow craftier by the day.”
Frowning at the transparent act, Talia at last gave in with a resigned sigh.
“Fine. Let us go.”
“A wise choice. Seeing the sights is sure to lift your spirits.”
Wearing a satisfied smile, Tiuran summoned the attendants at once.
The maids, hesitant at word of the Grand Duchess’s sudden outing, were grudgingly helping her dress when the guard captain appeared in the doorway, his tone stiff.
“I am told you intend to leave the castle. Is this true?”
Talia, seated before the mirror as she touched up her hair, arched a brow and glared back.
“Is there an issue?”
“If you wish to leave the grounds, you must first obtain permission from His Grace the Grand Duke.”
The man’s overbearing manner twisted her expression with rage.
“I only mean to look at the festival. Must I ask his leave for every step I take into the town?”
“Your Highness slipped away from the castle once before. We cannot allow you to court such danger a second time.”
A surge of fury and humiliation flushed Talia’s cheeks crimson.
She sprang to her feet, strode straight up to the man, and struck him hard across the face.
“Who do you think you are speaking to so insolently? I am an Imperial Princess and the Grand Duchess of the East. Does a mere nobody like you truly believe he has the authority to question where I go?”
The man’s eyes narrowed into a venomous glare.
The instant he leaned forward by reflex, Khan shoved his way between them, the hackles along the nape of his neck bristling as a low growl tore from his throat.
Startled by the murderous presence rolling off the beast, the captain flinched back a step. Over the past few months Khan had grown to the size of a hunting hound; his bared fangs were no longer something a man could easily dismiss.
Eyeing the direwolf’s teeth, the guard captain let his hand drift toward the hilt of his sword. Talia’s voice turned shrill.
“Step back! If you lay a single finger on Khan, I will see you pay for it!”
“My duty is to ensure the safety of Her Highness the Grand Duchess. If Your Highness would only give your word to remain quietly inside the castle—”
“What is all this racket?”
The sudden voice cut the captain short.
Talia turned sharply, scowling when she saw Lucas strolling down the corridor.
As if an insolent guard were not enough, now she had to deal with this rogue as well?
As she glared in irritation, Lucas crossed the threshold and arched a brow, looking between the two of them.
“A lovers’ quarrel, was it?”
“What kind of ridiculous nonsense is—!”
The guard captain’s voice rose in outrage. Lucas tossed an arm around the man’s shoulder, tapped his fingers against the reddened cheek, and asked with a grin:
“Then how did your face end up like that?”
“I was merely attempting to prevent Her Highness from leaving the castle. His Grace gave strict orders to see to her safety.”
“Good grief. All this fuss over a simple stroll?”
Lucas clicked his tongue.
“What harm is there in a walk through the town? Raina wanders out all the time, and nothing ever happens to her.”
“Yet the instructions from His Grace—”
“Show a little flexibility, friend. My brother isn’t even here. So long as everyone keeps quiet, where is the harm?”
Cutting the man off, Lucas flashed a wide grin.
“If you’re truly that worried, I’ll escort my sister-in-law myself. If any trouble comes of it, you can lay the blame on me.”
Talia’s face soured. She had no desire to take this scoundrel along, but backing down now would sting her pride.
After a brief hesitation, she decided to make use of his meddling and spoke coolly.
“I have no intention of causing trouble. I mean only to see the festival with Tiuran and return to the castle before sunset.”
The guard captain searched her face for a long moment, then let out a heavy sigh.
“Very well. I will have a carriage brought round.”
Giving a curt bow, he turned and left the chamber.
Talia turned back to the vanity. Lucas leaned in near her, amusement gleaming in his eyes.
“Nothing to say to me?”
Fixing a pearl pin into her hair, Talia cast him a cold glance.
“No. So wipe that smirk off your face.”
“Aren’t you being a bit ungrateful? I took your side, Sister-in-law.”
“And? Am I supposed to bow and offer my gratitude?”
Lucas shook his head with a faint frown at the venom in her voice, then gave a light sigh.
“I don’t know why I expected anything else.”
Turning toward the door, he added lazily:
“I’ll wait outside, so take your time. Since I’ve poked my nose in, I might as well see it through.”
She gave a quiet snort and took up her summer mantle.
As the maids helped drape it over her shoulders, she noticed Tiuran fidgeting with an uneasy look.
“What is the matter?”
“Forgive me. Because of my careless suggestion, Your Highness was subjected to such unpleasantness…”
“Enough of that nonsense, and finish getting ready,” Talia cut her off crisply.
“The guard captain overstepped, making a mountain out of a molehill. There is nothing for you to feel sorry about.”
Only then did the tension leave the healer’s face.
Pretending not to see the relief in her eyes, Talia smoothed her garments and stood. Right away, Khan, who had stayed glued to her side, tugged at the hem of her skirt. He seemed anxious that she might leave him behind.
To calm him, she scratched gently behind his ears and murmured:
“Don’t worry, you are coming with me. We will go and enjoy ourselves right under their noses.”
As though he understood every word, the wolf wagged his tail briskly. Talia offered him a soft smile, then led the way out of the room.
Talia looked through the window of the rattling carriage at the town spreading before them.
Vibrant pavilions lined both sides of the broad, well-kept thoroughfare. From every corner rose the lilt of pipes, the beat of drums, and the rough strum of folk tunes. The bustling cheer in the air chipped away at the gloom hanging over her.
“I hear a traveling troupe is staging a play in the main square. There are competitions in the southern district as well, so it should be delightful to see them one after another.”
Tiuran spoke with a warm smile. Talia gave a distracted nod, her eyes drifting across the sights beyond the glass.
As the carriage turned onto the main avenue, the holiday spirit pressed in from every direction. Merchants called out in booming voices, beckoning customers toward stalls laden with ripe apples, clusters of grapes, smoked meats, and wheels of cheese. Blacksmiths hammered glowing iron, scattering showers of sparks. The rich fragrance of fresh bread and spiced wine drifted on the breeze, filling the carriage.
“Here we are.”
The carriage drew to a halt along the edge of the square. The door swung open, and Lucas, clad in traditional Eastern dress, gave an exaggerated bow.
“Step right down, if you please.”
END
