Chapter 22
The sight of his sturdy physique, gleaming pale in the lamplight, anchored me to the spot. My tongue felt glued to the roof of my mouth, rendered useless. I swallowed hard, dragging my gaze slowly over him. Perhaps he had just washed away the dust of the march, for his light blond hair—a shade deeper than usual—was dripping with water, and white beads of moisture clung to his sculpted shoulders and broad back. As I watched the droplets slide down the taut, protruding ridges of his muscles, a flush crept up my throat, and I hurriedly yanked my gaze upward.
His damp trousers clung to his long, powerful legs. The last time I had seen him in such a vulnerable state was when I was fourteen, the day I had spitefully commanded him to walk into the lake. I moistened my parched lips, struggling to piece together the shattered fragments of my composure.
Just then, a dry, mocking laugh echoed from nearby.
“To hear the word ‘hierarchy’ pass your lips—it’s enough to make a dog laugh.”
As the sneer sliced through the air, my bewilderment vanished, replaced by a searing surge of irritation. I glared at him and let out a sharp scoff.
“Hierarchy exists precisely so those in power can remind their subordinates of their place. And you knights are in a position where you must obey me, an Imperial Princess. See that you firmly impress upon your men whose orders take priority. Unless, of course, you’d like to be flogged for treason.”
Varkas, who was shoving his arms into the sleeves of his shirt, cast an icy look my way. I tensed, my body going rigid. I knew from long, bitter experience how merciless this man could be with his tongue once he decided to let it loose. I watched his mouth intently, as if guarding against a viper, but Varkas merely snatched up the robe hanging on the wall. Without sparing me another glance, he walked straight out of the tent.
I stared blankly at his receding back before rushing after him. Had he showered me with cruel words or vented his rage, I would not have been this infuriated. But I could not bear to be ignored—to be treated like a pebble kicked aside on the road.
Catching up to him in an instant, I raised my voice.
“You’re only satisfied when you can turn a deaf ear to everything I say, aren’t you?”
The ringing sound of my voice made the soldiers, busy moving supplies, stop and turn toward us. Varkas, however, did not even pretend to acknowledge me. The sight of him continuing to walk in silence, as if I were not worth his time, made the blood rush to my head.
I grabbed his sleeve roughly. Perhaps not wanting the indignity of having his clothes torn in front of his men, Varkas finally halted. I looked up at that arrogant face and spat out each word with deliberate venom.
“You must have been waiting for this for so long. You’re thrilled to death that you don’t have to follow the orders of a tiresome little girl, aren’t you? That’s why you don’t even bother to listen to me!”
“I would at least pretend to listen if you were saying something that sounded like human speech.”
He replied coldly, ruthlessly brushing my fingers from his sleeve. I gritted my teeth. The way he smoothed the fabric, as if something filthy had touched it, filled me with humiliation.
Perhaps it would be better if this man simply vanished. Then I would never have to feel this wretched again. Shooting him a hostile glare, I let out a jagged, humorless laugh.
“My words don’t sound like speech to you? Then should I speak in the language of beasts, just as your barbarian ancestors did? Would that make it easier for you to understand?”
Shocked by the transgression, the servants who had been watching with bated breath turned pale. But Varkas simply looked down at me in silence. Facing that icy expression, I continued to spiral.
“I can mimic the whinny of a horse if you’d like. Surely you’d understand that better. You love horses more than people, don’t you?”
“It is certainly better to talk to a horse than to deal with you,” Varkas sneered. “My stallion is more capable of conversation than you. At least he doesn’t whine day in and day out until everyone is sick of him.”
I trembled with indignation. Seeing this, Varkas curled his lips as if he found my reaction absurd.
“You turn red at even this small counter-attack, yet you don’t hesitate to dig into others’ vital spots. Do you act out like this because you believe no one else is capable of being as vile as you?”
I shot him a venomous look. My throat swelled as I longed to retort. *What do you know about me? Where else in this world is there someone who knows the vile nature of humans as well as I do? I am cruel because I know exactly how merciless others are. If I don’t trample them first, they will trample me.*
But articulating such thoughts would only reveal my weakness. I stepped back, forcing a detached expression as if I hadn’t been screaming moments ago.
“I didn’t come here to engage in useless bickering. As I said before, I want to move my campsite elsewhere. Give the order for the knights to pack up immediately.”
Varkas let out a long breath, as if gathering his remaining patience.
“I have no intention of dancing to your whims. Stop chasing pipe dreams and go back to get some rest.”
“It’s not like I’m asking to move the entire camp! Why is it impossible?”
“I am under no obligation to explain my decisions.”
“I am the Emperor’s daughter! You are obligated to obey when I make a demand…!”
“That’s enough.”
Suddenly, a deep shadow fell over me. I flinched, shrinking back. Varkas, having cast aside even customary etiquette, whispered coldly into my face.
“I’ve already used up my daily quota of patience for you. You ought to know how to save some for tomorrow.”
Contradicting his rough tone, the face looking down at me was incredibly noble. He was a man who did not lose his grace even when consumed by rage. That quality made me feel even more wretched.
“Escort the Imperial Princess back to her quarters.”
He stood upright and gave the command to the knights standing nearby. They, who had been watching the standoff in silence, immediately moved to obey.
“This way, Your Imperial Highness.”
I cast a sharp glare at the knights blocking my path before turning back to Varkas. He was already walking into the distance. I stared obsessively at his back as he strode away with elegant, unwavering steps, and ground my teeth.
That man doesn’t even ask why I want to move the camp. He isn’t even the slightest bit curious about my thoughts.
*I really wish he would just die.*
I felt foolish for having caused such a scene, for having worried that something might happen to him. In any case, he was a man who would belong to another woman once this journey ended. A man who would never be mine. What would it matter if I saw his corpse tomorrow morning?
I turned my body away with a violent motion.