"You seem restless, Sir Valoric. I think you should consider working on it in the Glacier."
Valoric's head dropped the moment she finished her words. The arena fell to a pin-drop silence.
The winner of the tournament, Sir Valoric, was told to consider training in Glacier. If he needed more training, then the other knights were hardly worth a blink of an eye.
Meanwhile, Eric almost winced at the cold tone of Nashia. His hands tighten around the armrest.
"What is Glacier?" Eric looked toward Sauveur, who had returned to his side.
"Glacier, as its name implies, is a cave situated in the north of the empire. Nestled in the snowy mountains. It's a training cave for imperial knights who are training to be commanders."
"So, it's like a very tough place to train in?" He asked again.
"The cave contains a deep, spacious area with hidden dangers. While training, many ran away or died."
"If it's that dangerous, then why do they train there?" He furrowed his brows slightly.
"This cave helps gain control over one's mind and discipline. The position of the commander of the imperial divisions isn't something for beginners."
Eric flinched for a mere second, quick enough to hide it behind his stance. He didn't notice when the Duchess joined them.
I keep forgetting…they are not human. Humanity doesn't apply here. As Eric fell into his thoughts, Sauveur and Yura murmured between themselves about the incident earlier.
"Valoric trained there and came back after finishing his training a long time ago. Taking the spot of the commander of the first division of the imperial knights." Sauveur murmured.
"Yet he was told to go back there. No one knows how fate works." The duchess replied to his murmur, her tone low, meant only for Sauveur.
Nashia swayed her hand, and the sword in her hand dissipated into thin air. She turned back to walk out of the battleground.
Eric hoped that Nashia would offer a word of consolation or worry, or maybe an insult? But she passed him without a glance at him, back to her throne.
Though he was thankful for her intervention in the duel, he couldn't help but feel a bit self-conscious at her coldness.
The only thing he could do now was just walk back to his throne and pretend to smile like a handsome fool.
Every step back to his throne was painful for him physically. His chest was aching uncontrollably. Yet he walked back up to the throne with a regal face, hiding his pain behind it.
As he returned to his throne, Nashia glared at Eric but didn't utter a word to him. Instead, she looked forward and spoke,
"Let the festival resume." The crowds cheered at her command.
Eric tried his best to ignore Nashia's glare and pretend to be okay. It was hard for him to keep up with the charade any longer as he felt the pain increasing.
He noticed that Nashia was keeping a distance from him ever since she stepped out of the arena.
It's not like she used to give him attention, but at least she keeps the facade of a normal couple in public. He couldn't understand her behavior now.
While many noble ladies were blushing at his handsome appearance on the throne. Although the other nobles were still hostile, Duke Deluah didn't seem pleased by the way the match ended.
It wasn't my complete defeat. But it wasn't a win either. If I wish to survive, I need to go a long way. I would be lucky enough if I could survive that long.
As the first part of the festival ended, they went inside the palace to rest in their rooms to get changed for the second part.
As they strode through the hallway, Eric's chamber came into view. He slowed to a stop, his eyes fixed on the threshold. He turned to Nashia, his face set in a courteous smile.
"We've reached my chamber, then I'll bid farewell first," his voice low and smooth. He ended his words with a polite bow.
Nashia's gaze bored into his gaze for a moment before she spoke up. "Hold on," her voice laced with mystery.
A dismissive wave to everyone else present. Maids and guards scrambled to empty the hallway.
Eric halted in his heels. He turned back to her and just stood there with a curious yet wary expression.
"I have something to talk about." She added as her cold gaze made eye contact with him. She took slow and steady but heavy steps toward him.
The atmosphere was getting heavy with the cold aura of her. His feet retreated in sync. Until his back hit the nearest wall, and there was nowhere left to back off.
He slowly looked down at her eyes as she stood before him with a cold expression.
His breath faltered when her hand rose toward him. Was it going to be a slap for shaming her empire? But to his surprise.
Instead, her fingers clutched over his coat, sliding upward until they pressed over his heart. Her touch was tight enough to make him hiss in surprise.
"You got hurt during the match, didn't you?"
Eric's eyes searched for an escape, but his body refused to move. Because he didn't want to face her rage. A normal human can never match a vampire's power.
He tried to keep his calm, but couldn't. He decided to speak up in a careful tone.
"Just a minor injury. But you don't need to worry, I'm fine. I don't want to annoy you with such a trivial matter," he blurted.
His words tumbling out in desperation to reassure her of his well-being, to keep his secret hidden.
Eric's little act to stay composed and stern was harder than he thought it was. His secret is just a piece of cloth away from getting exposed.
Each heartbeat throbbed sharper beneath her touch. He clenched his jaw, trying to banish the awareness of her hand so close to his heart.
He… couldn't let her discover it like this.