Chapter 222
C222
He felt revulsion at his own reaction, so he straightened his posture just as someone stepped in front of him.
“Your Excellency, you must be exhausted from the long journey. How about you go to rest first to relieve the fatigue of the trip?”
He looked coldly at the man who had astutely blocked the path between him and her. Edric Robon wore impeccable civilian clothes and held a hand over his chest, observing the Duke’s reaction with a tense expression.
Varkas experienced a strange sensation, as if that man were trying to protect her from him, but he contained his burning irritation and turned around. Then, he passed right by the woman, who remained rigid as an ice statue, and crossed the hall.
As soon as he entered the bedroom through the hallway, the head butler, who had followed to attend to him, approached and asked cautiously:
“Do you need anything?”
“Prepare water for me to wash up and clothes to change into.”
As soon as the order was issued, the man bowed politely and left the place in silence.
When the echo of the heavy door closing resonated, he took off his coat, threw it carelessly over the back of the chair, and walked toward the window. As he drew back the curtains, the view of the back garden opened up before him, where the remaining snow had not yet melted.
He distinguished that familiar back in the midst of that desolate landscape, and leaned his temple against the window glass. She was walking slowly along the narrow path, followed closely by two maids and Edric Robon. It seemed they were there to hold her if she stumbled, due to the problem with her leg.
The cautious gaze of that man did not sway from her for a single instant. The man, who looked worried, stepped close to her side and said something; then, a faint smile appeared on the lips of the woman, who had previously been frowning as if she were annoyed.
As Varkas contemplated that delicate profile without blinking, he raised his head upon hearing the sound of something tearing. The curtain had ripped in his hand without him realizing it.
He rubbed his hair roughly and moved away from the window.
At that moment, the servants entered the room carrying a bathtub filled with hot water. With the help of his assistant, Varkas divested himself of his weapon, took off his clothes stained with sweat and dust, and submerged himself in the hot water.
Even though it was a luxury he was enjoying for the first time in half a month, his feelings of annoyance did not dissipate easily. He rested his head on the edge of the tub and looked up at the ceiling, where the shadows concentrated.
Why did he feel that bitter taste in his throat? He should feel relieved because the woman who used to hurt herself due to being unable to contain her anger finally seemed stable. Was this not an encouraging change, considering the time when she remained confined in a dark room unleashing chaos while consuming herself to the bones?
Furthermore, it seemed that intense resentment toward him had calmed down, so he would no longer have to waste his energy on useless arguments. Varkas repeated that to himself, and then washed his face roughly with the water.
When he finished bathing and stepped out of the tub, the servant waiting behind the folding screen approached with a towel to dry his back. He brushed the annoying hand away with a gesture, dressed carelessly in a linen shirt and cotton trousers, and sank his body into a velvet armchair.
At that instant, he heard a raspy voice mixed with a sharp tone behind the door.
“Brother, may I come in for a moment?”
Varkas replied without raising his head:
“Come in.”
As soon as he obtained permission, Lucas opened the door and entered. Varkas examined his brother with a serene gaze. It seemed Lucas had completely recovered his energy during the last two seasons, for his skin overflowed with a healthy, bronzed vitality.
However, in contrast to his strong body full of energy, his face showed a tint of melancholy. Varkas observed that somber expression in silence and then asked in a dry tone:
“What is the matter?”
“I have come to ask you a favor,” Lucas said in a nervous tone.
Varkas nodded with the tip of his chin indifferently.
“Speak.”
Despite receiving permission, Lucas could not continue speaking for a moment. He moistened his lips with a tense expression, lingering for a long time, until he finally opened his mouth.
“I beg you to entrust me with the administration of the eastern border region.”
The movement of Varkas, who was lifting the wine bottle to fill his glass, stopped at this sudden request. He asked, narrowing his eyes:
“Why?”
“Didn’t you tell me… that I should develop my administrative skills? Since there is a shortage of nobles to administer the northern border regions, I felt it was a good opportunity,” Lucas said calmly, fixing his gaze on the floor.
Varkas looked at him intently, then placed the bottle on the table and asked:
“Have you recovered your memory completely?”
At that moment, dark shadows crossed his brother’s face. Lucas moistened his dry lips and shook his head slowly.
“Not completely, just fragmented memories that cross my mind at random.”
While Varkas observed his brother in silence with the glass at his lips, he said in a dry tone:
“I have already appointed a new lord to administer Tarlin, I cannot back down now.”
“It does not have to be Tarlin, it does not matter if you entrust me with another region in those parts…”
“Are you asking me to place the second son of the Duke’s family in an administrative position in a small, remote village?”
His brother pressed his lips together tightly. Lucas remained in silence for a time looking at the floor with an expression deep in thought, and then raised his head again.
“Then send me to the northeast region. If you grant me command of the outer reconnaissance units, I will take care of the unresolved problem of the Zaram…”
“That you are thinking of doing something is good, but the timing is not right,” Varkas continued calmly after wetting his throat with the strong wine. “You must have heard the news of my injury. The retinue is very worried about the possibility of me dying in the war without leaving an heir, so stay quietly in Raidgo Castle at least until the war ends.”
“But you have returned safely in this manner, brother, and the war will end soon…”
“It is not completely over yet, and there is no guarantee that emergencies like last time will not occur,” Varkas let out a long sigh as he rested his arms on his knees and continued: “Wait until next year. I will grant you suitable lands as soon as the civil war stabilizes. And as I told you before, if you and I go to the battlefield at the same time without a legitimate heir, the retinue will rebel en masse.”
“……”
“If you understand, you may withdraw.”
His brother did not move despite the order to withdraw. Varkas raised his sharp gaze toward him.
“What else?”
“I understand your point perfectly, but I no longer wish to stay in Kalmore. If you are worried that my leadership in the suppression division will increase the retinue’s anxiety… allow me to stay in the southern border region for a while.”
Deep wrinkles appeared between Varkas’s brows. He asked him as if he were interrogating him:
“Why do you want to leave this place?”
“That…”
Lucas lingered for a long time as if hesitating to say something, and finally opened his mouth.
“As long as I stay in Kalmore, I will never rid myself of the image of the immature and reckless youth. I am sick of everyone treating me like a sick person who needs care.” Lucas’s tone, which showed a complaint due to accumulated resentment, suddenly became cautious. “And I believe my departure from here will also be better for her… I mean my sister-in-law. I do not like leaving her exposed to constant criticism because of an incident that I myself do not even remember well…”
“Who criticizes her?” Varkas asked in a low voice while placing the glass on the table, causing a loud sound.
Bewilderment appeared on his brother’s face, but he quickly tried to evade it with a light tone.
“Just some rumors and murmurs that are repeated in secret.”
“I am asking who dares to untie their tongue with such insolence.”
Lucas lowered his gaze, avoiding his eyes. His uncomfortable appearance was answer enough; it must be Lina and her personal maids who were untying their tongues with effrontery.
Varkas ran his hand roughly through his hair, which had not yet dried, and leaned his back against the chair.
“I understand what you mean. I will look for a suitable position for you to assume soon.”
Despite the affirmative answer to his request, Lucas did not seem very happy. He looked with a somber expression at his own shadow reflected on the floor, then bowed his head and left the room.
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