The Forgotten Field Novel - Chapter 185

## THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL) – Chapter 185

He took a quill and a roll of parchment from the secretary’s hands and began to draft an urgent letter.

—Choose two of the highest-ranking knights, the fastest ones, to deliver these letters to His Highness the Crown Prince and to the lord of the castle of ‘Dulacán’. It will do us no harm to reinforce the guard in anticipation of any surprise attack.

He rolled up the parchment and sealed it with red wax; then, the subordinate standing behind him handed it to ‘Edgar’, the commander of the ‘Wolfram’ knight squadron, who was sitting at the far end of the long table.

The man tucked the letter into his chest and asked in a cautious tone:

—Would it not be better if we also initiate independent investigations?

—And what energy do we have left to do that?

Before Varkas could reply, a middle-aged knight sitting in the middle, toward the left side, interrupted him, smacking his lips in objection:

—Security in the east is already disrupted, and we cannot withdraw any more soldiers over rumors that have not yet been confirmed.

—I agree with you.

Varkas nodded calmly and continued:

—We already have six thousand of our elite knights stationed in the north. Sending more is unnecessary, and the task of tracking down the traitors falls to the imperial army.

—Since the war has quieted down a bit, the time has come to put our own house in order.

As soon as he finished speaking, the honorary knight ‘Modrian’ suddenly opened his mouth from the right side.

He was the commander of the knights appointed by the previous Grand Duke himself, but now he dedicated himself to working as a military advisor.

With a strange smile on his tense face, whose age was difficult to guess, the man began to speak in a warm tone:

—Therefore, I would like to ask: what is your plan regarding the matter of the heir?

Varkas frowned at this sudden change of topic.

Bewilderment was also reflected on the faces of the knights sitting with solemnity; this conversation did not fit the nature of the meeting.

However, the old knight did not care and continued coldly:

—When speaking of the stability of the territory, is there perhaps any matter more important than the question of the heir?

—Sir Modrian.

Lukas, who had been in silence, interrupted him with a harsh voice laden with strangeness:

—We are in a situation that is no different from a state of war. The whereabouts of the traitor are unknown and the east seethes with unrest, is this the right time to bring up such personal matters?

—Personal?

Modrian shook his head in disagreement:

—Preserving the lineage is the foundation upon which the order of this land rests. God forbid, if something were to happen to the Grand Duke, who would succeed him in the government of the east? I do not think you want to see the territory torn apart by power struggles among relatives.

—My heir is ‘Lukas Raidego Shirkán’.

Varkas said firmly, and continued:

—I confirmed this fact before leaving for the campaign, did I not?

—That was only a temporary measure to face the possibility of your death on the battlefield.

Modrian toyed with the tip of his quill and continued in a soft but sharp tone:

—The essence of the family’s legitimacy is that the government is passed down through the direct lineage. Since you have returned safely by the grace of God, you must now fulfill your duty to father an heir.

Then, the old knight’s indiscreet gaze shifted toward the rigid Lukas:

—Likewise, I hope that the matter of the marriage between Lord Lukas and Lady Lina is resolved soon. Both are of marrying age and have not yet become engaged…

—That is enough!

Lukas rose from his seat, his face flushed:

—You are a military advisor, not a matchmaker! What is this nonsense you are suddenly saying in a military meeting room?

—Certainly, the topic is not suitable for the venue.

The old knight admitted it with simplicity and leaned his back against the chair, sighing:

—But the other vassals do not dare to utter a word before the Grand Duke, so I, an old man, had to speak. Given that the three direct heirs have no children, it is natural for everyone to worry about the future of the east.

—Perhaps if we look, we might find children of Lord Lukas here or there.

‘Baridón’, sitting at the far end of the table, interrupted him, as if his tongue itched and he could not remain silent:

—Lord Lukas has led a dissipated life since the age of fifteen. Perhaps he has an illegitimate child hidden somewhere…

—You damned bastard, that tongue of yours is going to…

—Enough.

Varkas murmured coldly while bringing a hand to his forehead. Immediately, a tense silence reigned in the room.

Varkas examined the faces surrounding him and then addressed the old knight calmly:

—I understand your concern for the future of the family, but you have gone a bit too far. You act as if I were an old man with not much time left to live.

—Forgive me, my lord, but these are turbulent times and we must prepare for all possibilities…

—As you have said, I have just returned from battle —Varkas interrupted him softly—. It is a lack of respect to stand before a ruler who has just returned safely and speak about the extinction of his lineage.

The old knight closed his mouth with difficulty.

And Varkas added to settle the matter:

—I will take care of resolving the matter of the heir over time, so do not pressure me further.

—Am I to understand by that that you intend to father an heir with Her Highness the Duchess?

Varkas looked at him with an expression as cold as ice:

—Do I have to inform you of what happens in my bedroom as well?

—…

—I am not going to die suddenly and leave the east in chaos, so stop your meddling right here.

The features of the venerable leader of the vassals in the east tightened a bit.

Varkas twisted his lips ironically while fixing his gaze on that rigid face and added:

—Or is it that you plan to assassinate me, for example?

—My lord! How can you say such a thing…!

—It was a joke —Varkas said in a light tone and drew a calm smile on his face—. I said it because you seem very concerned about my life.

The man who had been speaking with evasions closed his mouth completely in the end.

Varkas observed the length of the candle that was burning down to measure the time and then rose from his seat:

—It seems we have discussed all urgent matters. The meeting is adjourned.

The knights began to stand up one after another.

Varkas caught up with ‘Modrian’, who was preparing to leave into the hallway. It seemed that the old knight was upset by the previous dispute; his face was a bit rigid.

Varkas pretended not to notice and asked him in a low voice:

—I would like to ask you something.

—… Proceed, my lord.

—Did you pressure my wife on the matter of the heir just as you did with me today?

Modrian frowned in bewilderment:

—Have you forgotten, my lord, that you surrounded Her Highness the Duchess with guards on all sides before your departure? Who would dare commit such insolence knowing that the news would reach your ears immediately?

The old knight added in a sarcastic tone:

—Furthermore, there is that terrifying wolf. I do not think there is anyone in this castle with the audacity to approach Her Highness the Duchess without permission.

Varkas fixed his gaze on the old knight’s face as if making sure of his sincerity, then placed a hand on his shoulder and said in a softer tone:

—I am sorry if my previous joke upset you. I will look into the matter of Lukas and Lina’s marriage soon, so wait a little.

Bewilderment appeared on Modrian’s face at this unexpected apology, and he coughed slightly:

—… Since you have put it that way, I have nothing further to add. Very well, I will wait, trusting in you.

The old knight bowed his head and then walked away down the hallway.

Varkas watched his departure for a moment and then turned around to leave the castle, being caught up by Lukas, who had been listening to their conversation in astonishment:

—What you said to that old man just now… were you serious? Are you really going to look for a match for me and for Lina?

—Why do you seem so surprised? —Varkas said coldly while walking at a steady pace—. It has been a long time since you and Lina reached the age of majority. It is strange that the children of a noble family of such high standing are not even engaged yet.

—I am only nineteen years old! And Lina will turn seventeen in two months!

—I am not asking you to marry immediately. First the engagement; the marriage can be celebrated in one or two years.

—Stop saying those disgusting things —Lukas raised his voice as if he had suffered an attack—. I intend to enjoy the bachelor life for another twenty years!

—Do I seem so soft to you as to allow you to speak with such childishness?

Varkas stopped and looked at him with a sharp gaze.

Before that implacable face, Lukas let out a desperate groan:

—Are you really serious?

—As Modrian said, it is time to put the family’s affairs in order. I will send you a list of suitable candidates soon, so choose a lady who pleases you from among them to become engaged.

—By “suitable candidates,” you mean the daughters of families that benefit the ‘Shirkán’ family, do you not? —Lukas said ironically.

Varkas looked at his half-brother with annoyance; he was opposing an obvious reality:

—You are a member of the Grand Duke’s family. It is natural that your marriage serves the interests of the family. That is the fair price for the privileges you enjoy.

—But you, brother, married the woman you wanted.

Varkas stopped moving just as he was about to head toward the stables.

Chapter 185

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