His sturdy body, pale in the light, filled my vision, and I didn't budge, as if my tongue had clung to the roof of my mouth.
I swallowed dryly and slowly brushed him away.
The dust had just been washed away from the march, and the faint blond hair was dripping with water darker than usual, and his sculpted shoulders and broad back were white and wet.
I, who had been following the water droplets sliding down the curves of his taut muscles, blushed and hurriedly lifted my head.
The loosely cut hem of the trousers was also soaked and clinging to his long, strong legs.
It was the first time I had seen him so defenseless since I was 14 years old, when I was grumpy and ordered him into the lake.
I pursed my lips and struggled to collect the shattered words in my throat.
At that moment, I heard dry laughter nearby.
"The word hierarchy coming out of your mouth is laughing at a dog."
The bewilderment ebbed and flowed away at the sneering voice, and annoyance took its place. I glared at him with pointed eyes and snorted.
"Hierarchy originally exists for the superior to be appreciated by the lower ones. And you knights are obliged to obey me, the royal family. So make sure your men know whose orders to take precedence, unless you want to be whipped for blasphemy."
As he pushed his arm into his shirt sleeve, Barcas gave me an icy look.
I tensed my body. I had learned from my experience how mercilessly this man could play with his tongue once he made up his mind.
As I stare at his mouth as if I'm wary of a poisonous snake that might spew venom at any moment, Barkas picks up the robe from the wall. Then, without giving me a glance, he walked out of the barracks.
I, who was staring blankly at his back as he walked away, immediately followed him. If he had hurled cruel words or looked at me angrily, I wouldn't have been so angry. However, I couldn't stand the way he ignored me as if I were a stone rolling on the side of the road.
I, who caught up with him in an instant, raised my voice.
"You have to listen to everything I say in your ears, right?"
At the sound of the booming voices, the soldiers who were busy carrying their luggage stopped and looked back at us.
But Barcas didn't even pretend to listen. As he walked silently, looking forward as if I was not worth dealing with, the top of my head was heated.
I tugged at the hem of his robe. Perhaps not wanting to be insulted by having his clothes torn in front of the servants, Barcas managed to stop.
Speaking to the sloppy mug, I chewed and spat out one by one.
"How much I was separated in your heart. Not having to obey the tiresome sissy orders will make you feel very sorry, right? That's why you don't even pretend to listen to me!"
"If you say something like a word, I'll pretend to listen."
He coldly responded by tearing my fingers off the hem of his robe.
I gritted my teeth. I felt contempt as he brushed off his shirt as if something dirty had touched him.
Maybe it would be better for this man to disappear from the world. Then I wouldn't have to feel so miserable.
I, who had been shooting hostile eyes, suddenly let out a wild laugh.
"Don't you hear me? And shall we speak in the language of the beast, as your barbarian ancestors did? That's how you can understand it?"
As if shocked by the insult that went beyond the limit, the servants who were watching us with anxious faces turned shy. But Barcas only looked down at me sternly. I continued to whisper against the chilly mug.
"If you want, you can imitate the sound of a horse's cry. I'm sure you'll know him better. You like horses more than humans."
"It's better to talk with a horse than to deal with you."
Barcas said with a sneer.
"My stallion can talk better than you. I don't whine on empty days and make people tired."
I shook my shoulders at the insult. Seeing this, Barcas twisted the corners of his mouth in bewilderment.
"You barely blush at this level of counterattack and do not hesitate to dig into other people's vital points... Do you believe that other people can't be as despicable as you?"
He gave me a venomous look. I wanted to refute his words right away.
What do you know about me?
There is no one else in the world who knows about human meanness as well as I do. I know how ruthless humans can be, so I decided to be cruel too. If I don't trample them down first, they will trample on me.
If I kept saying such things, I would only expose my weaknesses.
I took a step back and gave a detached look on ny face, as if asking when I had written a bad word.
"I didn't come here to get into such a useless argument. As I said before, I want to move my camp to another place. Give instructions to the knights to pack up right away."
Barcas took a long breath as if to gather patience.
"I don't intend to give up your whims. Don't waste it, go back and take a rest."
"You're not going to move the whole camp! Why not?"
"I am not obligated to explain my decision."
"I am the Emperor's daughter! If I ask you, you should obey...!"
"Do it in moderation."
Suddenly, a thick shadow fell overhead.
I shrugged my shoulders. Throwing away even the formality of the ceremony.
Barcas sang coldly in front of my face.
"I've already used up a day's worth of patience for you. If you've done this at this point, you should know how to look forward to tomorrow."
His face looked down at me in a way that did not match his harsh tone. He was a man who never lost his dignity even when he was raging with anger. That made me even more miserable.
"Take Her Highness the Princess to her residence."
He straightened himself up and gave instructions to the knights standing nearby. Those who had been silently watching our confrontation immediately obeyed the order.
"Let's go, Your Highness, the Princess."
I gave a sharp glance to the knights who blocked me, then turned my gaze back to Barcas.
He was far away before I knew it. I, who had been staring relentlessly at the back of him as he walked gracefully without any disturbance, gnashed my teeth.
He doesn't even ask me why I want to move camp. I guess he doesn't even wonder what I think.
"I wish he were dead."
I felt ridiculous that I had made a fuss about what might happen to him.
After all, it was a man who would belong to another woman after this trip. A man who will never be mine... What does it matter if I see his corpse tomorrow morning?
I turned wildly.
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