“I-it is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. I will serve you with all my heart and soul from now on.”
Talia scrutinized the girl with a sharp, distrustful gaze. Even at a glance, the maid looked clumsy and inexperienced.
‘Are they giving me a novice to put me in my place?’ She spoke in a cold, aloof tone.
“My Nanny will handle all my personal needs. Go and fetch her for me.”
“If you mean your nanny… do you refer to that dwarf-blooded woman?”
The woman who had introduced herself as Aretha furrowed her brow.
“I beg your pardon, Your Highness, but you are to be the mistress of the East. You must be attended by servants befitting your station.”
Catching the trace of contempt in the woman’s voice, Talia’s eyes flared.
“My Nanny served the Empress herself. Surely you don’t think a Grand Duchess outranks Her Majesty?”
The head maid’s face stiffened.
Talia pressed her fiercely.
“Did you not hear me tell you to bring my Nanny at once?”
The woman, who had held her ground with tight lips, eventually bowed her head.
“Understood. I shall leave your grooming to the servant you brought with you. Please call for us once you are dressed. I will give you a tour of the castle interior.”
“A tour won’t be necessary.”
The woman’s face froze at the blunt rejection.
Unconcerned, Talia continued coldly.
“Have you forgotten I just traveled a great distance? I intend to rest in my chambers for a few days, so do not disturb me.”
The head maid’s lips twitched as if she meant to speak, but she soon turned and swept out of the room with the young maid in tow.
Talia felt a surge of anger at the woman’s insolent attitude, but she had no wish to gain a reputation for bullying the servants from her very first day.
She sank down onto the bed.
A short while later, her Nanny entered the room yawning, hair disheveled and crust still in the corners of her eyes.
Talia felt a prick of irritation at the undignified sight. It was because the woman went around looking like that that people thought they could openly disregard her.
Talia snapped at her.
“Look at your face—utterly slovenly! Go wash up this instant!”
“Oh dear, why are you losing your temper so early in the morning again?”
Nanny pouted, then poured water into the basin by the window and washed her face.
After roughly smoothing down her hair with her plump hands, she set to work lighting the hearth.
In the meantime, two sturdy workers arrived hauling a large tub filled with water. Once they set it behind the screen and left, Talia bolted the door securely and stepped into the bath.
Nanny took up a soft cloth and soap, washing her briskly from head to toe.
Talia’s skin flushed red under the rough rubbing, which felt as if Nanny were merely trying to rush through a chore, but she endured it. It was a hundred times better to be handled roughly than to show her scars to strangers.
She dried herself, trying to ignore Nanny’s manner, which had grown noticeably colder ever since her body had been ruined.
“None of your clothes fit. You’ve lost far too much weight.”
Nanny let out heavy sighs as she helped her into a lavish silk gown.
Unable to bear it any longer, Talia finally snapped.
“Stop sighing. I don’t want to hear it.”
“Am I not even allowed to breathe now?”
“I mean don’t sigh while looking at me! You only do it because you hate the sight of me.”
Nanny offered no denial. Talia, who had secretly hoped for one, glared at her with hurt in her eyes.
Nanny was the one who had played the mother in Senevier’s stead. Had she not raised her from the time she was a babe who couldn’t even speak?
It tore at her insides to know that even her Nanny found her repulsive.
Swallowing the lump rising in her throat, Talia shoved her toward the door.
“Enough. Get out.”
“Fine. I’m going, so stop pushing.”
Nanny shook off her hand roughly and left without looking back.
Left alone, Talia felt her boiling anger turn instantly into dread.
In this foreign land, Nanny was the only person she could trust and rely upon. If even she turned her back, Talia would be left entirely alone.
She regretted her short temper. She should have held her tongue just a little longer…
“Your Highness, I have come at the Young Family Head’s command. May I enter?”
While she stood anxiously chewing her lip, an unfamiliar voice came from outside the door.
Talia hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“Come in.”
The moment she answered, a young woman with deep wheat-colored skin opened the door and entered.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. My name is Tiuran. I was instructed by the Young Family Head to examine your health.”
Talia looked her over with wary eyes.
She was handsome, with long, sturdy limbs, skin so taut she looked scarcely thirty, and sharp, dark brown eyes.
“Are you the healer of the Grand Ducal house?”
“I am,” the woman replied calmly.
Talia looked skeptical. She seemed far too young to serve as the healer for the most powerful family in the East.
The woman’s smile faded slightly, as though reading her doubt.
The healer asked carefully,
“I understand you suffer chronic pain from an old leg injury. May I examine the afflicted area?”
Talia shrank back on instinct.
She had not the slightest intention of showing her scars to someone she had met only moments ago.
“I already have a personal healer. Go tend to other business.”
“But the Young Family Head said—”
“I will speak with Varkas myself. You may leave.”
The woman bit her lower lip as if in thought, then spoke delicately.
“If you are uncomfortable showing me your leg, would you permit me to take your hand for a moment?”
“Why my hand?”
“I will examine your internal condition by channeling mana through it. Once I understand Your Highness’s constitution, I can prepare medicine suited to you.”
Talia knit her brows. She had never heard of such an odd method.
“Can you truly tell anything from that?”
“I have trained since the age of seven to serve as a healer for my tribe. If you grant me this chance, I will do my utmost to help Your Highness.”
The woman seemed sincere. Watching her closely, Talia relented and offered her hand.
The woman cupped it within a firm, calloused palm.
Startled by the rough, bark-like skin, Talia flinched, but a gentle warmth soon flowed through her hand like a current. Shuddering at the strange sensation, Talia felt the lukewarm heat reach her abdomen and abruptly snatched her hand back.
The woman furrowed her brow in thought, studying her face.
“Before we begin treating the leg, we must restore your vitality. Your body is terribly depleted.”
“…And what should I do about that?”
“First, you must eat well and rest well. I will prepare medicine to assist you, so please take it without fail each day.”
Talia, who had hoped for some remarkable treatment, looked disappointed.
“I did not make time for you only to hear such obvious advice.”
· · ·
“Enough, leave. As you said, I am depleted and need my rest.”
As Talia lay back down on the bed, the woman withdrew, having little choice.
Talia pulled the blanket over her shoulders and tried to sleep. Before long, however, the ache that had slumbered began to crawl deep within her bones.
Tossing and turning, unable to endure it, she finally rang the bell.
A short while later, the young maid introduced earlier came hurrying into the room. Unable to recall the girl’s name, Talia gave her an aloof nod.
“Bring the healer I brought from the Imperial Palace at once.”
A cold wind swept over the vast plains.
Varkas, riding across the grassland with a firm grip on the reins, turned his head to survey his homeland.
The last time he had set foot on this soil was ten years ago, upon receiving word of the death of Tesalin, the mother of Lucas and Raina.
Back then, this land had been buried entirely under shades of gray.
Because he had not returned to Kalmor since, the home preserved in his memory had remained forever monochrome.
END