This love is like a curse (24)
“I always take care of her highness,” Barkas said with impeccable politeness, giving no reason to reproach him for rudeness. “I just wanted to tell you not to worry, because the princess is now resting calmly.” Please do not take my words as insolence.
Gareth glared irritably at Longkas, but without saying another word, he resolutely entered the spacious hall. There was no point in arguing with this stone-cold man - you would only humiliate yourself.
Clicking his tongue, he crossed the hall, the decoration of which was not inferior to the ballrooms of the nobility.
- Thank you for your visit, Your Highness.
As soon as he approached the long table, covered with a dazzling white tablecloth, the abbot jumped up and bowed to him.
- Please take a seat.
Gareth took the offered seat and glanced at the table setting. The abbot, apparently, did not have the slightest desire to adhere to the ascetic monastic life. The table was laden with exquisite dishes, seasoned with rare spices, silver dishes and golden goblets.
Gareth looked around at it all with visible satisfaction, then nodded to the dozen clergy gathered around the table.
— Thank you for the warm welcome. Please sit down.
He had barely finished his sentence when the monks sank down into their chairs. Only Longboat, who accompanied him as a guard, remained standing behind, like a shadow.
Curious glances rushed at him - apparently, everyone was struck by the unusual appearance of the head of the imperial guard.
Gareth frowned. The longboat always attracted more attention than was necessary, and this had long ceased to be news to him. And yet, irritation from the fact that people were looking not at him, but at Longkas, once again flared up in his chest.
He suppressed his dissatisfaction with difficulty and raised his cup.
— Let me express my gratitude to the abbot for such a warm welcome.
All eyes turned to him again. Gareth paused, enjoying the attention, and then continued slowly:
“I hope this evening will be memorable for all of us...
He was about to conclude his speech with suitable words, when suddenly a golden shadow burst into his field of vision. Gareth froze, staring in shock at the entrance to the hall.
For a moment it seemed to him that in front of him was that same nightmare woman, Senevier.
Clutching the goblet until his knuckles turned white, he looked his stepsister up and down. It seems that Thalia Roem Girta had not even heard of modesty, which is mandatory in the monastery - her outfit was as flashy as at palace balls. And just as vulgar.
Gritting his teeth, he watched as Thalia slowly approached the table, her thin dress openly outlining her not yet fully formed curves.
The monks' faces became chalk white. Some even opened their mouths. Gareth, unable to contain his rage, jumped up.
- How dare you... Do you even know where you came in this form?!
He threw the goblet on the table - the wine splashed on the tablecloth. Ignoring his wet fingers, he pointed in her direction.
“Didn’t you hear that I forbade you to appear in front of me?!”
“Oh, of course, I received your message,” she said with a charming smile and, as if it had been planned, sat down right next to him. “But how could I disobey if my beloved brother so passionately wanted to see me?” I could not refuse such an important person as you, and therefore I dressed up properly, especially for you.
With these words, she demonstratively ran her hand over the fabric of her dress. Gareth looked at her with silent indignation.
- What kind of nonsense are you talking about...
“Doesn’t my brother know my stubborn character?.. If you even sent the guard commander to me to convey your words, doesn’t that mean that you are simply dying of desire to see your sister?” — the eyes, the color of the purest cobalt, narrowed slyly. “If the Crown Prince insists so much... As a younger sister, I simply have to live up to expectations.”
Gareth had to muster all his will not to punch her right in the face. As if teasing him, Thalia continued slowly:
- Oh, how nice it is to see your face again, brother. I hope you are no less happy?
“...Before you appeared, it was,” he muttered through clenched teeth.
“So, despite the fatigue, my visit is not in vain,” she laughed, her eyes sparkling.
Gareth clenched his fists with such fury that his shoulders shook. Every time this woman laughed like that, he was overcome by an uncontrollable desire to smash her unimaginably beautiful face into pieces.
Trembling with rage, he spoke, squeezing out each word with icy precision:
- How much longer are you going to continue this farce? — his voice sounded like a blade sliding along the neck. - Are you testing how long I will endure this?
- Why do you say such offensive words...
The girl, leaning her elbows on the table, leaned forward slightly. Rays of light from the chandelier flooded her painfully thin shoulders and protruding shoulder blades. The exquisite body, as if carved from ivory, attracted the gaze of the monks.
Serpent spawn. He shuddered with disgust and began to breathe heavily through clenched teeth. The corners of Thalia's lips turned up, catching the fury that flared to the limit.
“I just accepted the invitation.” Did I do anything to deserve such a reaction? Can't you be a little kinder to your adorable little sister?
She turned to the abbot of the monastery, as if seeking his support. He, taken by surprise, froze with a puzzled face. Seeing this, the girl narrowed her eyes slyly. This lewd behavior, like that of a street wench, almost turned Gareth inside out. He roughly grabbed her hand.
- If you go into whoredom, find yourself a partner among your retinue. Don't even think about flirting with the monks... If you tarnish the name of the imperial family with your dirty tricks, I will make sure that you can no longer appear in public with your pretty face.
At these ominous words, her pupils sharply constricted.
- What will you do to me? “Talia hissed angrily, leaning forward sharply as if challenging him. “When my brother says that, I’m dying to live up to his expectations.”
Patience ran out. He had already reached out his hand to grab her thin neck...
But at that moment a heavy hand fell on his shoulder.
- Your Highness.
Gareth shuddered and raised his head. The longboat Raedgo Siekan looked at him with his usual, impassive gaze. A face he had seen a thousand times—cold, devoid of emotion. But at that moment it seemed to Gareth as if a sword was pointed at him.
- Everyone is waiting for the continuation of your speech.
As if to say: don’t give in to her provocations,” Barkas gently but firmly pressed on his shoulder.
Gareth jerked his hand away. His fingers trembled with the desire to throw out his pent-up rage. To hide it, he clenched his fist and glared at his stepsister.
Talia Roem Girta was deliberately pissing him off. He shouldn't have given in. Repeating this to himself, he barely curbed his anger and let go of her hand, as if throwing away something vile. Then he took the cup again and said loudly:
“We've wasted too much time on empty bickering.” It's time to enjoy your meal. I thank the rector for such a magnificent welcome... I hope today will leave warm memories for everyone present.
The monks, looking at each other with frightened faces, slowly reached for their goblets. Only Talia Roem Girta, crossing her arms over her chest, watched what was happening with a grin.
As Gareth felt his rage welling up again, Longboat leaned toward Thalia.
“I ask you to show the respect due a guest, Your Highness.”
He gently unclenched her fingers and placed a silver goblet in her palm. The girl flinched from the unexpected touch and gave him an angry look.
Gareth was sure that now she would throw the cup in his face. Since childhood, she could not stand Longboat, as if he irritated her on some animal level.
But contrary to his expectations, Thalia only narrowed her eyes, like a cat ready to pounce, and slowly straightened up. Gareth narrowed his eyes. Retreating was not her style. The one who always went ahead suddenly retreated under pressure from Longboat? It wasn't like her.
What are you planning, Talia Roem Girta?..