Chapter 22
As the sturdy male body, pale and gleaming under the lamplight, filled her vision, her tongue seemed glued to the roof of her mouth, refusing to move.
Swallowing nervously, she slowly looked him over.
Perhaps he had just washed off the dust from the march; his faint blond hair, darker than usual from being soaked, dripped steadily with water. Moisture still clung to his sculpted shoulders and broad back.
Thalia’s eyes unconsciously followed the droplets sliding along the contours of his taut muscles. Realizing what she was doing, she flushed and hurriedly raised her gaze.
Even the loose trousers he wore were drenched, clinging tightly to his long, powerful legs.
The last time she had seen him in such an unguarded state was when she was fourteen and, out of childish spite, had ordered him into a lake.
Moistening her dry lips, Thalia desperately tried to gather the words that had shattered somewhere inside her throat.
Just then, a dry chuckle sounded nearby.
“The word ‘hierarchy’ coming out of your mouth? That’s enough to make a dog laugh.”
The mocking voice swept away her embarrassment like a receding tide, replacing it with irritation. She shot him a sharp glare and scoffed.
“Hierarchy exists so that those above can remind those below of their place. And you knights are obligated to obey me, a member of the imperial family. So make sure your subordinates understand whose orders take priority—unless they want to be whipped for treason.”
As he slipped his arms into the sleeves of his shirt, Barkas cast her an icy look.
Thalia immediately tensed.
Through long experience, she knew all too well how mercilessly this usually silent man could lash out with words once he set his mind to it.
Watching his mouth as cautiously as one might watch a venomous snake, wondering when it would strike, she saw him pick up the robe hanging on the wall.
Without giving her so much as a glance, he walked out of the tent.
Staring blankly after his retreating figure, Thalia immediately followed him.
Had he insulted her outright or glared at her in anger, she would not have been nearly this furious. But being ignored as though she were nothing more than a stone lying on the roadside was something she simply could not tolerate.
Catching up to him in moments, she raised her voice.
“Do you only feel satisfied when you ignore everything I say?”
Her ringing voice caused the soldiers busily moving supplies to stop and turn toward them.
But Barkas paid her no mind.
He walked forward silently, as though she wasn’t even worth responding to.
The sight made her blood boil.
Thalia roughly grabbed the hem of his clothing and yanked.
Apparently unwilling to have his clothes torn in front of his men, Barkas finally stopped.
Staring directly at his impassive face, she spoke through clenched teeth.
“You must have been looking forward to this all along. Finally free from obeying the orders of that annoying girl. You’re thrilled, aren’t you? That’s why you don’t even pretend to listen when I speak!”
“I’d have to hear something worth listening to before I’d bother pretending.”
He coldly peeled her fingers off his clothes.
Thalia ground her teeth.
The way he brushed off his shirt as though something filthy had touched him filled her with humiliation.
Perhaps it would be better if this man simply disappeared from the world.
Then she would never have to feel this miserable again.
After glaring at him with open hostility, Thalia suddenly let out a harsh laugh.
“My words don’t sound like words to you? Then should I speak in the language of beasts, like your barbarian ancestors did? Would that make it easier for you to understand?”
The servants watching anxiously turned pale at the outrageous insult.
Yet Barkas merely looked down at her in silence.
Faced with that cool expression, Thalia continued.
“If you’d like, I can imitate a horse’s whinny. You’d probably understand that better. You like horses more than people anyway.”
“I’d rather talk to a horse than deal with you.”
Barkas sneered.
“My stallion is far more reasonable than you are. It doesn’t spend every day whining until people get sick of it, either.”
Humiliation made Thalia’s shoulders tremble.
Seeing her reaction, Barkas twisted his lips in disbelief.
“You blush over the slightest retaliation, yet you have no hesitation digging into other people’s deepest wounds. Do you act this way because you believe nobody else can be as vicious as you are?”
She shot him a venomous glare.
Her throat tightened with the urge to argue back.
What do you know about me?
Who in this world understood human cruelty better than she did?
She knew better than anyone how merciless people could become.
That was why she had chosen to become cruel herself.
If she didn’t trample others first, they would trample her.
But explaining all that would only expose her weaknesses.
Taking a step back, she composed herself and spoke as though she hadn’t just been shouting moments ago.
“I didn’t come here to trade pointless insults. As I said before, I want to move my campsite. Order the knights to pack up immediately.”
Barkas drew in a long breath, as though gathering the last of his patience.
“I have no intention of indulging your whims. Stop wasting your efforts and go back to your quarters and rest.”
“I’m not asking you to move the entire camp! Why can’t it be done?”
“I have no obligation to explain every one of my decisions.”
“I’m the Emperor’s daughter! If I make a demand, you are obligated to obey—”
“Enough.”
A dark shadow suddenly fell over her.
Thalia flinched and instinctively shrank back.
Casting aside even the formalities he usually maintained, Barkas spoke coldly right in front of her face.
“I’ve already used up today’s supply of patience on you. At this point, you should have the sense to save the rest for tomorrow.”
Despite his rough words, the face looking down at her remained impossibly elegant.
Even when consumed by anger, he never lost his dignity.
That only made her feel more miserable.
“Escort Her Highness the Princess back to her quarters.”
Straightening up, he gave the order to the nearby knights.
The men, who had silently watched the confrontation, immediately obeyed.
“This way, Your Highness.”
Thalia glared sharply at the knights blocking her path before turning back toward Barkas.
He had already gone some distance away.
As she stared stubbornly at his retreating figure—walking with flawless elegance, without the slightest disorder—she ground her teeth.
That man didn’t even ask why I wanted to move the campsite.
He wasn’t interested in her thoughts at all.
I wish he’d just die.
The realization made her feel ridiculous for having panicked earlier, worried something might happen to him.
Once this journey ended, he would belong to another woman anyway.
A man who would never belong to her.
Even if she woke tomorrow morning and found his corpse, what would it matter?
Thalia turned away sharply.
