40.
Edrick retrieved the surcoat he had set aside, brushed away the dust, and draped it over his golden, glistening orichalcum armor. The garment, handcrafted by elves, was embroidered with a crest of a golden chalice overflowing with ancient, fiery runes. While enchanted to repel physical damage, it seemed even magic could not smooth the stubborn wrinkles.
He patted and straightened the crumpled hem, wiped the lingering grit from his sabatons, and rose.
Stepping out of the barracks, he was met with a sky the color of a bruised lung. The wind had been howling since the afternoon, and the heavy air promised a sudden downpour.
Frowning, Edrick grabbed his raincoat and headed toward the barracks of Talia Roem Gwirta. Just then, the holy bell signaled the start of the ceremony, its rhythmic tolling echoing behind him.
Glancing back, he caught sight of the Crown Prince and the First Imperial Princess, resplendent in their ceremonial garb, leading their attendants into the temple.
Edrick hurried across the camp. As he passed between the massive, stone-hewn pillars and through the arched doorway, the interior of the sanctuary opened before him, bathed in an ethereal, bluish light.
He paused, scanning the attendants filling the nave and the knights standing like statues along the walls.
The Crown Prince and the First Imperial Princess stood before the altar, receiving a preliminary prayer from the head priest. Edrick, tapping his foot in agitation, spotted Lord Siorcan waiting at the crossing and moved across the colonnade in a single breath.
“Commander, the Second Imperial Princess will be ready shortly. Could you please wait a moment?”
As he approached and spoke with caution, a pair of calm eyes locked onto his.
Edrick felt the air leave his lungs.
Varkas wore no formal knight’s uniform; instead, he was clad in a black doublet with a breastplate engraved with the Siorcan crest, a uniquely shaped mantle draped over one shoulder. The sight was chillingly magnificent. Suddenly, the Imperial Princess’s offhand remark about the commander’s supposed ugliness came to mind. If she had been raised in the shadow of such a man, it was no wonder every other soul looked meager by comparison.
While Edrick was lost in this absurd thought, his superior, who had been watching him with quiet detachment, let out a soft sigh and began walking slowly toward the altar.
“It seems we must delay. The Second Imperial Princess intends to attend the blessing as well.”
The priest, who had been mid-prayer, looked between Varkas and the flustered Edrick.
Talia had every right to participate as a member of the imperial family. If she chose to attend, it was only proper to accommodate her, yet the head priest could not bring himself to deviate from protocol without Gareth’s approval.
“Are you asking me to wait for that illegitimate child?”
The Crown Prince glared at Varkas, spitting the words out as if they were bile.
“Proceed with the ceremony at once! I have no intention of wasting a second on that woman!”
Edrick’s face hardened. He had witnessed the Crown Prince’s blistering hostility toward his sister; he had expected resistance, but to hear it voiced so openly in the sacred space was unthinkable. Wasn’t her participation the Emperor’s will?
Edrick hesitated, then steeled himself. “She is a member of the imperial family, recognized by His Majesty. Does she not have the right to receive the blessing of the saints?”
The Crown Prince, who had been pinning Varkas with burning eyes, snapped his gaze toward the knight.
Edrick swallowed, his throat dry. The Crown Prince, his sharp features twisted into a sneer, approached like a prowling tiger.
“Do you know who you are speaking to?”
“I apologize, Your Highness. I only meant—”
As Edrick bowed, scrambling for an excuse, his breath hitched. Gareth had seized him by the collar, pulling him taut.
Edrick forced himself to meet that savage gaze, refusing to flinch. Annoyed by the defiance, the Crown Prince flared his deep green eyes and growled like a beast.
“How dare a mere knight lecture me?”
“I… I apologize…”
Edrick clenched his fists, fighting the urge to shake off the hand choking him, and spoke through gritted teeth.
Just then, Varkas placed a steadying hand on the Crown Prince’s shoulder.
“Your Highness.”
At the low, ringing voice, Gareth’s shoulders stiffened. Edrick caught the flicker of genuine tension on the Crown Prince’s arrogant face.
Varkas spoke softly. “There are many eyes watching.”
A flush of heat rose to Gareth’s cheeks—the shame of being intimidated, if only for an instant, was evident.
The Crown Prince released Edrick and glared at Varkas.
“I warned you not to touch me as you please. Do you think I will go easy on you forever?”
Gareth shook off the hand, breathing heavily, his face dangerously close to Varkas’. As he seemed ready to strike, the First Imperial Princess hurried over to restrain him, the knights tense and ready.
Then, a cold, crystal-clear voice rang through the sanctuary.
“If I had known such an interesting spectacle was underway, I would have arrived sooner.”
Edrick turned, his breath catching as he saw Talia walking slowly across the colonnade, flanked by a handful of maids.
The woman who seemed perpetually bent on chaos moved toward the altar, dressed in perfect, formal attire. The pale light spilling through the windows caught her face—a striking mirror of the Empress—and the platinum-colored bliaut that draped her delicate frame.
Edrick blinked, dazed by the sight. The entire nave had gone silent, everyone staring at her in a trance. He checked the others: the Crown Prince was glaring at his younger sister with the eyes of a demon, while the First Imperial Princess stood with her knuckles turned white from the force of her grip.
Sensing the thick, dangerous current between the three royals, Edrick quietly retreated to stand beside the Second Imperial Princess. No one noticed him; even Talia only flicked a glance in his direction.
Her attention was firmly anchored to Varkas and Gareth.
“Why are you all just standing there? I thought you were about to have a brawl.”
The Crown Prince ground his teeth, his jaw tight, before finally stepping away from Lord Siorcan. He scanned his younger sister from head to toe, his lips curling in a sneer.
“I don’t know who you dressed up for, but you don’t truly believe that will cover your dirty origins, do you?”
“Didn’t you scold me just days ago for my improper attire? I put in a special effort today because you nagged so much; it is hurtful to hear you speak that way.”
The Imperial Princess stiffened for a heartbeat, then approached him with a smile that carried a razor-sharp meaning.
Edrick looked on in terror. Having seen her punished so severely only yesterday, he was stunned by her brazen desire to provoke the Crown Prince again.
But indifferent to his panic, the Second Imperial Princess leaned in close to the Crown Prince and whispered softly.
“I tried so hard to dress exactly to your tastes, Brother…”