This love is like a curse (31)
* * *
By noon a real downpour began.
The soldiers, hastily packing their belongings, panicked and pulled oiled linens over the carts and drove the horses back into the stables.
Ayla, who had been watching this scene from inside the carriage, raised her head and stared at the darkened sky. Lightning flashed from time to time between the lead clouds, pouring out large drops of rain, and soon dull thunder was heard.
At first glance it was clear that the rain would not stop soon.
“It seems we will have to stay at the monastery for another day.”
In the end, it was decided to postpone the departure. The guardsman, who had not previously left the barracks, approached the carriage and stuck a cape soaked in waterproof impregnation through the crack in the door.
Ayla took it and sighed quietly. She was annoyed that the schedule was being pushed back again. It was already a difficult journey.
Throwing on her cloak, she glanced out the window every now and then.
“Where is His Highness the Crown Prince now?”
“His Highness has left for the abbot’s chambers.”
Ayla, who was pulling her hood over her head, frowned and turned to her interlocutor.
— Did he decide to stay there today?
- It seems so.
The knight lowered his gaze and fell silent vaguely.
Ayla looked with displeasure at the monks gathered in one place.
The abbot, standing under the roof of the monastery, strictly ordered something to them, and they quickly dispersed, acting in harmony.
She watched this closely.
In contrast to how he had acted with Gareth, the abbot now seemed cold and stern. Here it is, his true appearance.
Ayla narrowed her eyes.
The pilgrimage of members of the imperial family was traditionally a ceremony designed to gain support from local residents and nobles. From this point of view, Gareth's rapprochement with the local elite was a reasonable step. But she was worried about the origins of these people.
“If he managed to become abbot, despite the fact that he belongs to a different race, then either he has outstanding political instincts, or he has powerful patrons.”
Although their conversation was brief, Ayla quickly realized that this was a difficult person in front of her.
Outwardly respectful, but in his gaze, when he watched Gareth, there was a cold calculation. The thought even occurred to her that he could be the empress's man.
Since the time of fragmentation, the Talen clan has worked closely with other races. The fact that a half-elf took the place of abbot of such a large monastery as Mordavin was hardly an accident. Perhaps a faction supporting the second prince has already begun to form within the order...
- Your Highness?
Lost in thought, Ayla raised her head sharply. Her knight stood in the pouring rain, looking at her with concern.
She smiled shyly and stood up.
“I kept you in the rain for too long.” Let's go, let's go back to our chambers.
The knight helped her out of the carriage.
Ayla carefully stepped onto the rain-soaked ground.
Heavy drops hit the top of my head and shoulders painfully - the rain seemed to only intensify.
Pulling her hood tightly, she quickly crossed the courtyard covered in a white veil of rain and disappeared under the arches of the monastery. Then, as if by chance, she approached the priests.
- Your Highness.
The half-breed priest, who was talking with the vicar [1], noticing her, hastily bowed.
Ayla, putting on her usual smile, answered softly:
“Apparently, fate wanted us to disturb you for one more day.”
“It is an honor for us to receive such distinguished guests,” the priest answered respectfully, without even straightening his bent back. - If you need anything, just tell me. Everything that the monastery is able to provide will be prepared immediately.
- Thank you for your concern.
After a short silence, Ayla spoke again, this time more carefully:
“Then can I ask you a favor?”
- Of course, anything.
“Tomorrow I would like to perform a separate ceremony for Thalia.” Could you please bless this child before we leave?
Apparently, her request was unexpected - the abbot’s eyes widened a little.
Ayla watched his reaction carefully. It lasted only a moment, but she managed to notice how a shadow of wariness flashed in his light purple eyes and then disappeared.
The priest asked in a cautious tone:
— Do you want to perform a blessing ceremony for the second princess?
-Who else? — Isla clarified softly with a slight smile on her lips. “Since we’re late, why not have a ceremony for her too?”
“I didn’t even know that you cared so much about the second princess, your highness,” an unexpected voice rang out.
Ayla turned around.
The longboat, silently passing through the rain-drenched garden, threw back his hood, from which water was dripping, and cast a cold glance in her direction. The smile that had already begun to appear on her face immediately faded. Longboat's face, wet from the rain, seemed unusually cold. The sight of his petrified expression made her nerves tense.
She knew very well that his harsh reaction to everything that concerned Talia was explained by years of accumulated negative emotions. Even this seemingly insensitive man could not help but hate the one who committed outrages with such constantness.
For seven long years he endured her whims, being nearby. It was understandable why he shuddered at the very mention of it.
She understood everything with her mind. But the way this indifferent person changed dramatically when it came to that girl made her angry at times.
Ayla even forgot that she was going to probe the abbot, and answered sharply, succumbing to emotions:
“I’m not worried about her, but about you.” Didn't the Emperor personally entrust it to you? If we hold the ceremony without Thalia, you may be reproached.
“But we can’t forcefully drag someone to the altar who doesn’t want to,” his tone was sarcastic.
Ayla immediately turned pale. She had become accustomed to his coldness, which at times was chilling to the soul. But his rudeness when it came to Talia Roem Girtha was unbearable.
She raised her head high:
- First, you should find out her opinion. She is capricious. Who knows, maybe tomorrow he will change his mind.
— Tomorrow we leave at first rays of sun. “I don’t intend to change plans because of the whims of the second princess,” Barkas snapped.
Ayla flushed with anger. She had never before experienced her opinion being ignored so categorically.
She wanted to immediately reproach him for his rudeness, but she did not want to undermine his authority in front of everyone. Restraining herself, she smiled tightly:
- If this is your decision, I won’t argue.
When she relented, Barkas turned to the abbot.
The priest, who had been watching the altercation with interest, hastily lowered his gaze. Longboat looked at him coldly and said quietly:
“I would like this evening to pass as quietly as possible.” If we want to leave at dawn, His Highness must rest well.
This was an unambiguous hint that no dinners or receptions should be held.
The abbot nodded with a gloomy face.
Longboat, without saying another word, turned around and extended his hand to Ayla:
- Let's go. I'll take you to your chambers.
Ayla took a deep breath and accepted his hand.
Note:
1. A vicar (from the Latin vicarius - “deputy, viceroy”) is an official who performs the duties of a superior clergyman in his absence or assists him in management.