This love is like a curse (15)
She stared at Senevier with suspicion in her eyes.
Why on earth would she want to send Talia with them? All this girl can do is annoy her with stupid antics.
But Seneviere was not one of those who would start an empty adventure, much less involve the emperor himself in it. There's clearly something more here.
Ayla spoke in a restrained but cold voice:
“Women of imperial blood usually go on pilgrimage before marriage. Why send it now?
“Perhaps Thalia will also get married soon,” Senevier answered easily.
Ayla frowned. She hadn't heard of anyone wooing Talia. Despite her half-sister's origins, her name was listed in the imperial pedigree, and it would be impossible to hide the engagement. They clearly made up this story to include on the trip.
While the first princess was staring intently at the empress’s face, Longboat’s cold voice rang out:
- What an amazing coincidence.
Even in the face of outright sarcasm, Senevier did not lose her composure:
— Two joyful events in the imperial family - isn’t it wonderful? The proposal was received recently, there is no official engagement yet, but both I and His Majesty are supportive of this union.
A contemptuous grin played on Barkas’s lips:
- Could you please share who this lucky guy is?
“You must have heard his name.” The head of the Serian Count House is Verdein Serian. The official proposal arrived a few days ago,” Senevier replied with a soft smile. “Talia has long since passed the rite of coming of age. I think it's time for her to get married. And the party is quite worthy.
Ayla had a hard time holding back a bitter laugh. Verdein Serian is one of the empress's most loyal supporters. He was rumored to be Lady Talen's lover and had the longest relationship with her. And now she wants to marry her daughter to him?
The image of Thalia standing next to Count Serian at the ball came to mind. Ayla shuddered. A mother who wants to marry her daughter to her ex-lover, and a daughter who is ready to follow her mother's decision... Both were crazy.
“Since everything has been decided, quickly prepare this child for the journey,” sounded the firm voice of the emperor, who, apparently, considered the conversation completed, and waved his hand, signaling to leave.
Longboat stood up, looking at his sovereign with an impassive face, and slowly walked out of the hall. Ayla, following Senevier with a wary glance, looked after him in confusion. She didn't expect Longboat to give in so easily.
Having bowed to the emperor, she hastily rushed after him.
“Are you really going to take Thalia with you?” This marriage is just an excuse. Senevier is clearly planning something terrible!
“Perhaps,” he answered coldly, going down the steps.
Ayla, looking after him with an astonished face, gathered the hem of her dress and quickly caught up with him. Grabbing my hand, she exclaimed with a trembling voice:
- That's all? You calmly take her with you, despite the fact that you don’t know what the empress is trying to achieve?!
-What do you want me to do?
He stopped and looked at her with an icy expression. Ayla shuddered. Only now did she realize that he was on the verge.
Just an hour ago he was smiling at her. And now - a stranger again, he looked at her with an icy gaze.
Longboat said in a mocking tone:
- Do you want me to rebel against the will of His Majesty?
- I just...
“His Majesty is the ruler of this empire, and I swore allegiance to the imperial family.” I never had any choice but to obey. Isn’t this what your imperial family has always demanded from people like me?
She was petrified by the unexpected harshness. He, with an indifferent look, turned again and walked away.
Looking at his confident retreating figure, Ayla was overcome by a wave of fear. As once in childhood, she ran up to him and hugged his strong waist.
- Sorry! I just got scared and snapped at you. Please don't turn away from me so coldly...
The body of the motionless man gradually became limp. He sighed quietly and turned around, hugging her. Then, as in childhood, he gently stroked his head and said:
- You have nothing to worry about. No matter what the Empress plans, nothing will happen to you.
She raised her head and looked into his face. The stranger who had just turned his back on her became a devoted knight again. Ayla felt all her unhinged emotions quickly fall into place.
This man... He could easily unsettle her and then calm her down with a few emotionless words. Even her pride, dignity and power as a princess were worth nothing in front of this man.
She, having been with him side by side for more than ten years, still clung to these cold embraces that never truly became warm.
Her gaze was drawn to his pale blue eyes.
What does he see in front of him? Bottomless, empty eyes seemed to always wander somewhere far away.
“I swore to the late empress to protect you both in every way possible,” he said, brushing a few strands of hair from her cheek behind her ear. “And I will keep this promise, no matter what happens.” So you have nothing to worry about.
Ayla studied his face for a long time, then finally nodded.
Yes. As long as he is on their side, there is nothing to fear. Absolutely nothing.
* * *
As she filed off her broken nail, she felt an annoying feeling of emptiness.
How many more weeks do we have to wait until it grows long enough to pierce the flesh? Thalia stared impatiently at the soft pink rim of the new nail, barely visible on the tip of her finger.
The satisfaction of injuring the Crown Prince's body did not last long. Her precious brother undoubtedly immediately ran to the priests to heal his hand. But here she is... she ingloriously lost her secret weapon, which she had been growing for several weeks.
“I wish I had left this for Isla...”
How many times had she imagined digging her nails into those emerald eyes every time she looked at Longboat?
Talia tore off the damaged skin from the wound from the broken nail. The newly formed crust came off and droplets of blood appeared. The irritation increased. She silently watched the blood stain her nail, then raised her finger to her lips and easily sucked in the blood. After that, she slowly rose from her seat by the window.
Today it was especially difficult to see Longboat. There was no longer any point in huddling against the glass, enduring the scorching sun.
She shuffled across the room, poured cold water into a basin and washed her sweaty face. At that moment there was a knock on the door. The nanny must have brought another snack.
Talia wiped her face with a clean linen towel and shouted indifferently:
- Come in.
But instead of a short woman with chubby arms and legs, a little boy with thick dark red curls and bright green eyes entered the room.