Chapter 201
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL) – CHAPTER 201
The beast remained motionless for a moment, as if fighting an internal battle, and then slowly emerged from the bushes.
He calmly stroked the wolf’s damp fur.
Although the animal wrinkled its snout in annoyance, it accepted his touch calmly.
Perhaps this wolf belonged to a higher species that possessed an intelligence far above that of ordinary individuals.
Was it not well known that alpha specimens of Dire Wolves possessed high sociability and an excellent capacity for communication?
Surely, it must be influenced by Talia’s emotions, since it had been raised under her care since it was a pup.
After reaching a logical conclusion, Varkas withdrew his hand from the wolf’s head and stared into its grayish-blue eyes, which brimmed with emotion.
One thing was certain, and that was that this beast shared a strong bond with her.
And she also professed an immense affection for this wolf.
As Varkas assimilated that truth once more, he shifted his gaze back to the tombstone surrounded by the pile of flowers.
She used to frequent this place very often in the company of the wolf.
The simple act of imagining that scene made the pit of his stomach ache as if he had swallowed a piece of lead.
He held his forehead and closed his eyes tightly.
If this wolf had not been there, she would have had to come here completely alone.
Remembering that fact, he completely stopped caring about the identity of this wolf.
“…… Let’s go now.”
As if understanding those words, the wolf followed him peacefully.
Varkas passed by the church and stopped before the inner wall of the castle.
“I have found the wolf, tell the guard to call off the search.”
The guard, who was trembling upon seeing the Dire Wolf, rushed at full speed toward the training ground.
Varkas crossed the arched gateway and entered the garden.
The wolf following him leapt directly across the flower garden and entered the great hall.
Varkas, who remained in the middle of the garden watching the scene, quickly directed his steps toward the corridor that led to the back garden.
It was not long before the window of her room appeared in his field of vision.
He stood staring for a long time at the small silhouette sitting on the edge of the window.
The woman, who was hugging her knees and resting her forehead against the windowpane, suddenly turned her head over her shoulder.
At the same time, the massive silhouette of the beast was reflected in the window.
The scene ended with her tightly hugging the wolf’s neck, and then Varkas turned around and left the place.
The sky had already been covered by a layer of pale, gray clouds.
Varkas calmly looked up at the firmament, which seemed on the verge of letting down drops of rain, and began to return along the same path he had come.
With the arrival of autumn, the arid atmosphere in Calmore, which had been agitated by the suppression campaigns against the pagans, gradually began to calm down.
As expected, the bad rumors surrounding the Grand Duke’s wife also dissipated.
When she stopped leaving the castle, the inhabitants of Calmore seemed to instantly forget the existence of the Grand Duke’s beautiful wife, akin to the spirit of the earth, and the gray wolf that accompanied her.
However, this was nothing more than a silence derived from the pagan suppression campaigns.
The majority of Calmore’s residents kept the secret for fear of being accused of paganism merely by mentioning her.
Their silence meant, paradoxically, that the suspicions toward the Grand Duke’s wife had not yet vanished.
And the situation inside the castle was not much different.
The courtiers and even the servants treated her as if she were a non-existent person.
They also suspected in their hearts that Talia was the one who had lured the raiders, but they chose to remain silent to avoid arousing the Grand Duke’s wrath.
Despite everything, it seemed that she lived in absolute calm despite this severe isolation.
After her house arrest was lifted, Talia strolled through the back garden in the company of the wolf or moved freely about the castle as if nothing had happened.
It gave the impression that she enjoyed being treated like a ghost by the people.
As he watched his wife gradually recover her vitality after having been so gaunt, Varkas experienced strange feelings in which relief and bitterness were mixed.
His heart grew peaceful because she no longer seemed to be suffering.
At the same time, the fact that she no longer seemed to suffer hurt something deep inside him.
As if trying to rid himself of those contradictory emotions, Varkas immersed himself even further in official matters.
As that turbulent autumn deepened, an urgent message arrived from DarÃn.
The letter reported that the situation in the Balto border region was not peaceful and demanded his immediate return.
Varkas began marching preparations instantly.
Although he would head to the battlefield again less than four months after having returned, his heart felt light.
Because his stay at Castle Raidgo was gradually beginning to exhaust him.
He was sick of seeing her freeze like a pale specter every time she faced him, and sick of his own attempts to ignore her.
This time he intended not to set foot in Castle Raidgo for a long period after his departure.
“How about I go in your place on this campaign?”
While reviewing the military supply transport routes with Perov, Lucas suddenly suggested that after entering the office without preamble.
Varkas raised his gaze, which had been fixed on the map.
His brother, who had led the pursuit of the raiders and assumed command of the security guard during the past summer, had become notably more mature.
Lucas, whose features were serious and whose face was bronzed by the sun, strode toward the desk with large steps.
“The situation inside the castle remains unstable; you staying at your post will have a greater impact on reassuring the hearts of the people.”
Varkas set down his writing quill and looked directly into his brother’s hazel eyes.
He saw a deep restlessness peeking through eyes shadowed by worry.
Following the death of the previous Duke, Lucas had forged a solid track record and experience as a soldier, but his political and administrative skills were still highly deficient.
It seemed that his brother, knowing his own capabilities well, feared that the situation in Calmore would fall into chaos again during the Grand Duke’s absence.
Varkas sighed softly.
“The movements of the lords of the southeastern regions are not peaceful. If the fact that they are communicating with the forces of the North is real, this could escalate from a simple dispute to a civil war. You still lack the experience to handle such delicate situations.”
“Then, let DarÃn be appointed as regent, and I will gain experience by your side…”
“That is enough,” Varkas interrupted him firmly. “What will happen if the eldest and youngest son of the family go to the battlefield at the same time? Your responsibility is to take charge of the affairs of this house in my absence; you must also learn the functions of the Grand Duke from now on.”
Bewilderment appeared on Lucas’s face.
“This exceeds my capabilities.”
“If they are deficient, then develop your capabilities,” Varkas replied coldly. “You are the sole heir to this family. If any mishap occurs to me, you must assume this position, so drop the weak words and assume your responsibility.”
“Why would a mishap occur to someone completely unharmed even after ingesting the lethal poison ‘Agor’? Rumors say the Duke of the East is invincible,” Lucas said in a joking tone, attempting to lighten the heavy atmosphere. “You will live to be a hundred years old with total ease; perhaps I will become a hunched old man before you do.”
“I have no intentions of remaining in this position for so many years,” the smile gradually faded from Lucas’s face upon hearing that dry response.
Varkas continued his speech in a calm tone, “If you truly do not want to succeed me, then get married and have a child. When that child is capable of assuming the responsibility, I will hand over this position to him.”
“…Are you serious?”
“Have you ever known me to speak with empty words?”
“……”
“I intend to officially declare you the heir soon. Develop your skills so that no one opposes it then; I am already tired of arguing with the courtiers.”
Varkas concluded his words calmly, folded the map, and handed it to Perov.
The assistant, who had stood frozen with an expression of absolute shock just like Lucas, took the map and left hurriedly.
When they were left alone, Lucas opened his mouth cautiously:
“Is this because of my sister-in-law?”
Varkas pinned him with a cold glare.
Lucas, whose shoulders trembled for a moment, continued speaking with a determined tone:
“Is it not perhaps because my sister-in-law has difficulty conceiving that you want to make me your shield?”
“Lucas Raidgo Sherkan.”
The mouth of the talkative brother shut upon hearing the voice that resonated with a sinister echo.
Varkas added calmly:
“Do not cross the line. I do not wish to add another rumor saying that the Grand Duke was reprimanding his brothers in turns amidst this tense atmosphere in the house.”
Lucas pressed his lips tightly together.
Varkas took his coat, which he had removed, and placed it over his shoulders.
And as he prepared to leave the office, passing by his brother’s side, Lucas murmured in a choked voice:
“I will never be able to understand you. Why do you try to protect her behind her back while treating her with such coldness in front of her?”
Comments for chapter "Chapter 201"
MANGA DISCUSSION
Madara Info
Madara stands as a beacon for those desiring to craft a captivating online comic and manga reading platform on WordPress
For custom work request, please send email to wpstylish(at)gmail(dot)com