Without another word, Varkas turned around.
Practically dragged along by him, Talia left the room while anxiously glancing around. Only now did it occur to her that someone might take issue with the succession ceremony having ended in complete chaos.
However, most of the retainers looked relieved, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted.
“With this, order in the East will finally be restored.”
A man had somehow appeared beside them. His face seemed vaguely familiar. She thought he was probably someone she had seen on the day of Varkas's duel.
Dressed impeccably in luxurious formal attire, the man inclined his head lightly toward her before turning his gaze back to Varkas.
“Do you intend to begin touring your territories immediately?”
“If no special problems arise.”
Answering in his usual curt tone, Varkas looked down at Talia.
“Will Your Highness be able to depart at once?”
“...Depart where?”
“One of the major procedures of the succession ceremony,” the man interrupted. “It is a ceremonial journey through the eastern territories to introduce the new ruler to the people and inspect the state of each region.”
Talia looked up at him in bewilderment.
“Do I have to go too?”
“Normally, the Grand Duchess accompanies him as well, but...”
He trailed off ambiguously and glanced sideways at Varkas.
Walking quietly down the corridor, Varkas suddenly stopped.
Feeling a hand against her cheek, Talia instinctively drew her neck in. Raising her face, Varkas spoke calmly.
“Your Highness must come as well.”
Talia's eyes widened.
Ever since she had injured her leg, this was the first time he had forced anything upon her like this.
“Didn't you tell me not to try to hide you?”
His cool gaze settled on her as he added firmly,
“I intend to do exactly as you said. From now on, there will not be a single person in this land who does not know that you are the Grand Duchess of Siorcan.”
Her mouth fell open.
She had expected nothing more than showing herself to a few retainers. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would be introducing herself to the entirety of the East.
Talia swallowed dryly.
“I-I can't leave right now. I have to pack, and my nanny and my healing mage—”
“I informed Your Highness's attendants in advance. By now, all preparations should be complete.”
He cut off her escape route before she could continue.
Talia's eyes darted around. But before she could think of another excuse, Varkas bent down and effortlessly swept her up with one arm.
Suppressing a scream, Talia wrapped her arms around his neck.
Ignoring her flustered struggle, Varkas strode down the stairs and crossed the magnificent hall, issuing orders to his retainers.
“Prepare the Lancer Order. We head for the Norden Plains.”
He passed through the arched doorway flooded with sunlight.
Talia narrowed her eyes against the brightness.
As her eyes adjusted, she saw countless attendants filling the courtyard.
The stares fixed upon her made her stiffen.
Suddenly, she remembered the monstrous bird she had once seen in the Imperial Palace.
She remembered the fascinated eyes of those who had gathered around the cage to watch the creature.
As the nausea intensified, Talia buried her face against his shoulder.
“Tell them all to stop looking at me. I hate it.”
“...I'm not sure they would obey such an order.”
Varkas answered in a flat voice.
Talia stared at him in disbelief.
“You're the Grand Duke now. Just tell them anyone who disobeys your orders will be executed. Or impaled on a spear like before.”
For a moment, a faint mocking smile touched his lips.
“Do you wish for me to slaughter every Easterner?”
Talia frowned.
Had this man just made a joke?
As she examined his unreadable expression, Varkas calmly added,
“If I executed everyone who looked at you, the Kan people would soon become extinct.”
“Don't be ridiculous. I just meant you should threaten them.”
“The people of the East do not make empty threats. Once words leave our mouths, they must be fulfilled.”
Talia found herself mildly confused.
She couldn't believe she was having such a ridiculous conversation with Varkas.
She hadn't even burned sleeping herbs, yet her mind felt strangely numb.
Moistening her dry lips, she muttered irritably,
“You sure took a long time just to tell me to put up with it.”
“I'm glad you understand.”
Twisting his lips into a cynical smile, Varkas gently turned her head forward.
Talia shrank her shoulders.
His smooth low voice brushed her ear.
“Lift your head.”
Adjusting his hold so her head rested higher against him, Varkas whispered softly,
“Didn't you say that even if you hide yourself, I must never hide you?”
At that moment, a gust of wind swept over them.
As though drawn by something, Talia slowly raised her head.
Cool air carrying the scent of dry grass billowed through their clothes.
The unpleasant sensation crawling across her skin gradually subsided.
Talia blinked slowly.
Soft silk brushed gently against her skin.
After staring at the bright sky for a moment, she lowered her gaze to the open grounds again.
Everyone was still staring at her without blinking.
But now, Talia could discern something different in their eyes.
Something that might well be called reverence.
A strange shiver ran down her spine.
They were looking at her the same way they looked at Senevier.
Realizing this, Talia turned her eyes back toward Varkas.
Was it because this man stood beside her?
She could hardly believe that no one had noticed how broken she truly was.
“We greet Your Grace.”
As Varkas crossed the wide courtyard and reached the castle gates, one of the knights standing in orderly ranks stepped forward and saluted.
It was the mounted warrior named Tyron.
Stopping in front of a massive traveling carriage, Varkas answered indifferently.
“For now, I am merely acting in his stead.”
“But you already possess all the real authority, don't you?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Tyron grinned playfully.
“Everyone is thrilled by the appearance of a young and powerful new leader. Don't pour cold water over their excitement.”
Varkas silently ignored him and opened the carriage door as though his words weren't worth answering.
Looking around the luxuriously furnished interior, Talia narrowed her eyes.
She finally understood why he had not shown his face once during the past week.
Winning the loyalty of the retainers, pressuring the Grand Duke into proceeding with the succession ceremony, and preparing everything for the journey—one body would hardly have been enough.
Climbing into the carriage, Varkas placed her carefully upon the wide seat.
He reached for the handle to close the door when a mounted warrior waiting outside grabbed it.
“There is one matter I would like to suggest. Please permit Young Master Lucas to accompany this journey.”
“Did you not hear that I placed that boy under house arrest?”
The man sighed softly.
“I did. But Young Master Lucas is Your Grace's younger brother. In a few years, he is meant to become your aide. Rather than keeping him behind a desk like a ten-year-old child, wouldn't it be better for him to learn by experiencing things firsthand?”
A slight crease formed between Varkas's brows.
He studied the man's dark face thoughtfully before finally exhaling.
“Very well. Assign that boy as my squire.”
The man stepped back with a satisfied expression.
Varkas immediately shut the door and sat opposite her.
Talia glanced awkwardly at him.
Whenever he traveled, Varkas always rode Tork.
After a long while, he showed no signs of leaving the carriage.
Carefully, Talia spoke.
“You aren't riding your horse?”
Varkas, who had been removing the elaborate ornaments wrapped around his wrists, cast a cool look at her.
“Do you wish me to leave the carriage?”
“Who said that? I was just curious.”
His mood seemed sharper than usual.
Lowering her eyes, Talia mumbled quietly.
Considering what she had done, she could not be as aggressive with him as she usually was.
Pressing herself against the wall of the carriage, she pretended ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) to look out the window.
Leaning back against the seat, Varkas brushed his disheveled hair back.
“As Your Highness can imagine, all kinds of rumors are circulating because of our marriage. To silence the controversy, we need to appear as a normal married couple for the time being.”
