This love is like a curse (51)
Seized by a strange feeling that could not be explained verbally, Thalia looked at the approaching gates of the castle.
Very soon she will be free from this unbearable pain.
Not like these charlatans, who did nothing but curry favor with Gareth, the Empress’s court magicians will return her to her former, impeccable appearance.
She licked her dry lips with effort and carefully lowered her gaze to herself.
The body, covered in a thin cream dress, could not be called beautiful even out of politeness.
The rough outlines of thick bandages wrapped from hip to ankle appeared ugly through the thin skirt, although the burns on the palms were healed by magic, the nails still remained black and blue, covered with bloody stains.
Due to the almost complete refusal to eat during the journey, the girl became noticeably thinner - and this only intensified the pitiful impression.
Suddenly she was overcome with anxiety.
Won't everyone laugh at this spectacle?
Remembering how the maids giggled, calling her suffering a well-deserved punishment, she felt a cold sweat run down her back.
Thalia abruptly pulled the curtain on the window. If she now saw someone pointing a finger at her and whispering about “God’s punishment,” it would drive her crazy.
She reached for the tangled linen blanket and covered her head with it.
Soon the sounds of inspection at the gate were heard - the carriage was entering the castle.
Raising her head from under the blanket, Thalia heard the clatter of hooves, the commands of infantrymen and the slow, ominous melody of a funeral march - all mixed with the roar of the crowd.
Once they left the capital with their heads held high, and now they returned, carrying with them dozens of corpses.
The voices of shocked townspeople made their way through the sound of the wheels. Thalia covered her ears.
It is unknown how much time passed, but the carriage, moving slowly over the cobblestones, finally stopped.
It became especially noisy around - it seemed that all the palace servants ran out to meet the procession.
Thalia huddled in the corner of the carriage and hid, waiting for everything to calm down.
Until Gareth and Ayla go through a ceremony to present themselves to the Emperor and she comes out.
She didn't want to show her pitiful appearance to their henchmen.
Rubbing her numb legs, she held her breath.
And suddenly, without warning, the door swung open and a shadow rushed into the carriage, blocking out the light.
Thalia raised her head... and opened her eyes in amazement when she saw a familiar silhouette standing against the background of the sun.
The nanny appeared on a shaky step - she rushed towards her and squeezed her in her chubby arms.
- Oh, my poor baby... How did this happen...
Her large palms gently cupped Thalia's face, and she examined it carefully, and then began to cry tears as large as chicken eggs.
- Why are you so thin... Not only are you wounded, but now your face has become half the size...
Talia still silently looked up at her... and then suddenly squeezed her neck in an embrace.
She clung to her like a little animal clings to its mother. Burying herself in her lush breasts, she felt the nanny stroking her back.
These maternal touches broke the dam - tears flowed naturally.
She clung to her and sobbed uncontrollably.
- Nanny... it hurts me so much. It hurts so much that it seems like I’m dying...
- Everything is fine. Madame Senevier will definitely cure you, dear.
She carefully wiped the tears from her cheeks and nodded towards the exit of the carriage. Thalia flinched when she noticed the stranger there.
A man in white robes that hid his figure and face looked at her with cold gray eyes with a golden border.
There was something disgustingly distant in his gaze, as if he were examining an item on the market. Thalia, without thinking, pressed herself close to the nanny, and she gently patted her on the back:
“As soon as Mrs. Senevier found out that you were wounded, she immediately called the magicians of the Talen house. These people will return you to your previous state.
With these words, she resolutely removed the princess’s hand and stepped back, allowing the magicians to go inside.
Thalia backed away from the approaching shadow - the wariness that had already become a habit took over again.
“I... I’ll go to the Empress’s chambers myself.” Just step away.
- With these legs?
The thin man, already leaning towards her, tilted his head to the side. Thalia blushed from humiliation.
“I’m quite capable of reaching the palace!”
His eyes narrowed over his veil.
Something in this look gave her an unpleasant chill.
He seemed to be thinking... and suddenly, without warning, he reached out his hand and sharply grabbed her leg.
From the pain that flashed like a white light before her eyes, Thalia screamed and twitched, trying to escape.
He squeezed his wounded leg with such force that the bandages were immediately soaked in blood.
“If you try to walk with legs like that, your bones will shatter and we will have to suffer.” Don't be stubborn.
Thalia stared at him in shock. The man who had removed his hand from her leg nodded to the other man standing opposite him:
- Move it.
He immediately bent down, putting his hand under her back. Goosebumps ran through Thalia's body, as if she had been touched by a snake. She jerked sharply, recoiled and waved her hand:
- Don't you dare touch me!
The man, having received a blow to the chin, muttered something in a rough, harsh language. Hearing him, Talia tensed. It was the language of the elves.
Under the hood one could see abnormally long ears, chalky white skin, and silver hair with a bluish tint. Not a half-breed. Pureblood elf.
Knowing how inhuman these creatures were, Thalia felt a chilling horror.
They discussed something among themselves in their own language, and then grabbed her hands on both sides. Thalia opened her mouth to scream, but at that moment someone's cold and wet hand covered her eyes - and her whole body went limp. It was as if the muscles and bones melted and flowed out in an instant.
“You're making me waste my mana,” the man muttered, removing his hand from her face.
Thalia stared at him, eyes wide, pupils trembling. I wanted to scream, to ask what he was doing, but only a hoarse, strangled sound came out of my throat.
The man straightened up and gave an order to the second elf:
— Теперь она не сможет двигаться. Take her to the hospital.
The one she hit immediately obeyed. She was picked up like a sack of rags. Thalia cast a pleading glance at the nanny, but she, as always, remained indifferent to her fear.
- Be patient a little. “Everything will be fine,” she whispered, wiping away a tear with her sleeve and deftly jumping off the carriage.
The man carrying Thalia followed her.
The girl closed her eyes when the harsh sunlight hit her eyes. Blinking, she saw how soldiers from the Empress's palace surrounded the carriage. Talia nervously examined their veiled faces when she suddenly noticed an alarmed knight among the crowd.
He rushed towards her, but the magician blocked the way:
- Your service is over. Now we transfer the princess to the palace. Move away.
“But I’m her guard!” I have to...
“The princess is in this state because of you.” So you can no longer count on status.
The knight pursed his lips and retreated. The magician, clicking his tongue in irritation, pushed him away with one hand and headed through the chaotic courtyard, where the carts with the bodies of the dead stood.
Talia looked around in panic and noticed a detachment of knights at the entrance to the palace. Soon among them she saw familiar ash-colored hair.
She almost called his name - but at the last moment she bit her tongue.
Longboat will never stand up for me.
To be honest, she herself didn’t understand why she was looking for salvation in him. He was neither a friend nor an ally.
But... these magicians arrived on Senevier’s orders. They will do no harm. Is it true?
She tried to calm down the panic, but at that moment the elf holding her in his arms headed straight towards Longboat.
Thalia tensed as she saw his face getting closer.