TFM 25

Chapter 25

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"I am always mindful of Her Highness."

Varkas spoke in a tone so courteous it was difficult to find fault with.

"I meant to say that Her Highness the Princess is resting comfortably, so there is no need for concern. Please do not take offense."

Gareth shot Varkas a vexed glance before striding into the vast hall. Getting worked up over this stone-faced man would only make him look ridiculous.

He clicked his tongue lightly and crossed the hall, which was decorated as splendidly as any noble banquet.

"Thank you for attending, Your Royal Highness."

As he approached the long table covered in a snow-white tablecloth, the abbot jumped to his feet to greet him.

"Now, please take a seat."

Gareth sat down in the seat the abbot vacated and scanned the table. The abbot seemed to have not the slightest intention of mimicking a life of poverty. The wide table was laden with silverware, golden goblets, and sumptuous dishes flavored with all manner of spices.

Gareth scanned it all with a satisfied look before gesturing to the dozen or so priests seated around the table.

"Thank you for such a warm welcome. Now, take your seats."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the priests simultaneously pulled out chairs and sat down. Only Varkas, who had attended as his escort, stood silently behind him like a shadow.

Curious glances flew toward him. They seemed startled by the unusual appearance of the Royal Knight Commander.

Gareth narrowed his eyes slightly.

Varkas always drew more attention than necessary, so it wasn't particularly unusual. Nevertheless, Gareth felt a slight irritation that people paid more attention to Varkas than to him.

It was a tiresome occurrence whenever he was in this man's company, yet the unpleasant feeling rarely faded.

He forced himself not to show his displeasure and raised his goblet high.

"Let us express our gratitude to the abbot for arranging such a delightful gathering."

The priests' gazes turned back to him. Gareth paused for a moment, savoring the attention, then continued slowly.

"May this time hold profound meaning for us all…”

Just as he was about to conclude his speech with a fitting remark, a golden phantom suddenly invaded his field of vision. Gareth froze, staring blankly at the hall entrance.

For a moment, he thought it was that nightmare woman, Senevere.

He gripped his goblet roughly, scanning his half-sister from head to toe. Ignorant of the basic rule that simple attire was required at the monastery, Talia Roem Guirta wore an outfit so extravagant it instantly stood out even in the royal banquet hall. And it was utterly vulgar and tasteless.

He gritted his teeth in contempt. Talia, her immature curves still fully exposed beneath the thin dress fabric, sauntered slowly toward the table. 

The knights looked as if they might faint at any moment. Some of them stood with their mouths agape, utterly transfixed. Gareth couldn't contain his anger and leapt to his feet. 

"How dare you... Who do you think you are, showing up looking like that!"

 The wine spilled over from the glass he slammed down. Without bothering to wipe his damp hands, he pointed an accusing finger. 

"Didn't you hear my warning to stay out of my sight?"

 "Ah, of course I heard it." 

As if it were the most natural thing, the woman who had pulled out the chair next to him and sat down offered a coquettish smile. 

"How could I possibly stay away when my dear brother longs to see me? I couldn't resist His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's earnest request, so I dressed up so carefully." 

Then, as if to show off, she swept her sleeve down with one hand. He glared at this younger sister with utter disbelief. 

"What nonsense..."

 "Surely you know my stubborn temperament, Brother... Sending the Imperial Guard Division Commander himself to deliver that message—wasn't that a sign you were dying to see your little sister?" 

Her pure cobalt eyes, untainted by any impurity, narrowed mischievously.

 "His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince made such an earnest request. As his sister, I ought to meet his expectations."

Gareth had to summon every ounce of his self-control to refrain from striking the woman before him. As if to provoke him, Talia continued slowly.

"Ah, it's so nice to see your face like this, brother. Are you enjoying yourself too?"

"...I was, until you showed up."

He spat out the words, grinding his teeth. Talia burst into laughter.

"Then it was worth the trouble of dragging my weary body here."

Gareth clenched his jaw so hard his teeth nearly shattered. Every time this woman laughed like that, he struggled to resist the urge to smash that grotesquely beautiful face to pieces. His shoulders trembled as he clenched his fists brutally, speaking each word as if chewing it out.

"How much longer do you plan to keep this up? Are you trying to test how far you go until I punish you?"

"Why such harsh words...?"

The woman leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. The chandelier's light spilled over her pitifully thin shoulders and protruding shoulder blades. The monks' gazes, too, poured over her exquisitely carved, ivory-like body.

Snake-like bitch. Gareth gasped roughly through clenched teeth, overcome by intense loathing. As if sensing his rage reaching its peak, Talia's lips curled sharply upward.

"I merely accepted an invitation. I don't understand why you're so worked up over what I did. To such an adorable little sister... Don't you think it's too much?"

The woman turned her head toward the abbot seated opposite her, as if seeking his approval. The monk's face froze in sudden bewilderment at the unexpected question. Amused by his innocent reaction, the woman arched her eyebrows suggestively. Her coquettish display, like a courtesan's, made his blood boil. Gareth grabbed her arm roughly.

"Looks like you're in heat. If you need a bedmate, pick one from your own attendants. Don't even think about playing games with the monks... If you tarnish the royal name with filthy scandal, I'll make sure you can't hold up that pretty face for the rest of your life."

Her eyes flashed at the deadly threat.

"What are you going to do about it?"

Talia tilted her head defiantly, as if ready for a fight, and spat out fiercely.

"Since my brother put it that way, I'm dying to live up to your expectations."

He couldn't hold back any longer. He reached out to twist her slender neck, barely a handful.

At that moment, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

"Your Highness."

Gareth flinched, jerking his head up. Varkas Raedgo Shiokan stared down at him with an empty expression.

It was the same expressionless face he'd seen countless times before, devoid of any trace of emotion. Yet, for a moment, Gareth felt threatened. Even though it was impossible.

"Everyone awaits Your Highness's blessing."

He pressed down hard on his shoulder, as if warning him not to fall for Talia's provocation.

Gareth roughly shook off the hand. His fingertips trembled with an unresolved urge for violence.

Clutching his fists tightly as if to hide it, he glared at the woman's smug face.

Talia Roem Guirta was deliberately trying to provoke him. He mustn't get swept up in it. Repeating this to himself to quell his boiling rage, Gareth released her arm as if flinging it away. Then, picking up his goblet again, he declared in an exaggerated tone, as if performing a play.

"We've wasted time on pointless squabbling. Now, let us eat. Once again, I express my gratitude to the abbot for providing such a splendid venue... I hope today proves a meaningful day for everyone."

The monks, their faces frozen, glanced nervously between the Crown Prince, the illegitimate princess, and the Royal Knight Commander standing behind her, then tentatively picked up their cups. Only Talia Roem Guirta sat with her arms crossed, watching the scene with a sneer.

Just as her temper threatened to flare again at her defiant attitude, Varkas leaned over Talia.

"Please observe basic courtesy as a guest, Your Highness."

He then gently unfolded her hand and placed the silver goblet in it. Startled by the sudden contact, Talia stiffened, then shot him a fierce glare.

Gareth expected her to hurl the goblet at him immediately. Perhaps because they had clashed constantly since childhood, Talia was particularly unable to stand Varkas.

But contrary to his expectations, Talia, who had been glaring like a poisoned cat, straightened her body. Gareth narrowed his eyes. Backing down from a warning like this was uncharacteristic of Talia Roem Guirta. Wasn't she always the girl who rampaged without restraint? It would have been more like her to foam at the mouth and charge forward rather than meekly submit to Varkas’s pressure.

'What's she scheming?'