Ch#185
He took the parchment and quill from the scribe and drafted an urgent missive.
“Select two of the fastest high-ranking knights. Have them deliver these to His Highness the Crown Prince and the Lord of Dolakan Castle, respectively. It wouldn’t hurt to heighten security in case of a surprise raid.”
Once he rolled the parchment and sealed it with wax, the squire waiting behind him passed it to Edgar, a squad leader of the Wolfram Cavalry sitting at the end of the long dining table.
The man tucked the letter into his breast pocket and asked in a cautious tone.
“Would it not be better for us to conduct our own investigation as well?”
“Where would we find the manpower for that?”
Before he could even answer, a middle-aged knight seated in the middle of the left side clicked his tongue and interjected.
“With the security of the Eastern Region already unstable, we cannot afford to conscript more soldiers based on unconfirmed rumors.”
“I agree.”
Barkas nodded calmly.
“Six thousand elite mounted warriors are already stationed in the North. Any further deployment is unnecessary. Tracking down traitors is the responsibility of the Imperial Army.”
“Well, now that the war has wound down, it is indeed time to focus on internal affairs.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the Honor Knight Modrian, seated on the right, spoke up abruptly.
He was a former cavalry commander appointed by the previous Grand Duke, currently serving as a military advisor after retiring from active duty.
Wearing a peculiar smile on his taut face, which made it difficult to guess his age, the man began in a gentle voice.
“On that note, what do you intend to do about the matter of succession?”
Barkas frowned at the sudden change of subject.
The knights, who had been sitting with solemn expressions, also looked bewildered by a remark so far removed from the nature of the meeting. However, the old knight continued nonchalantly, unbothered.
“In discussing the stability of the territory, what matter could be more significant than that of an heir?”
“Sir Modrian.”
Lucas, who had been silent, cut in with a harsh, incredulous voice.
“The current situation is no different from wartime. A traitor’s whereabouts are unknown and public sentiment in the East is turbulent, yet you bring up such personal matters now?”
“Personal?”
Modrian shook his head, refuting him.
“Preserving the bloodline is the very foundation that supports the order of this land. If, by some chance, a misfortune were to befall the Grand Duke, who would inherit the lordship of the East? Surely you do not wish to see the territory torn to shreds by a feud among kin.”
“My successor is Lucas Raedgo Sheikan.”
Barkas spoke firmly.
“Did I not make that fact clear before we departed for the campaign?”
“That was merely a temporary measure in case Your Grace perished on the battlefield.”
Modrian toyed with the tip of his quill, continuing in a tone that was soft yet sharp.
“By principle, the legitimate line of a family must be carried through direct descendants. Since Your Grace has returned safely by the grace of God, you must now fulfill your duty to produce an heir.”
The old knight’s meddlesome gaze then shifted toward the stiffened Lucas.
“Furthermore, I hope you will soon decide on the marriage prospects for Young Master Lucas and Lady Laina. Both have reached marriageable age, yet they do not even have fiancés…”
“I’ve heard quite enough of this!”
Lucas stood up abruptly, his face flushed.
“You are a military advisor, not a matchmaker! What kind of bizarre nonsense are you spouting in the middle of a military council?!”
“Indeed, it is not a topic suited for this setting.”
Admitting it readily, the old knight leaned back against his chair and let out a long sigh.
“However, since the other vassals are too busy walking on eggshells around the Grand Duke to even open their mouths, I have no choice but to step forward. Since none of the three direct blood relatives of the Grand Duke have children, is it not natural for the vassals to worry for the future of the East with one heart and mind?”
“If you look hard enough, Young Master Lucas might already have children.”
Baredon, who had been sitting quietly at the foot of the long table, exposed him as if his mouth were itching to speak.
“The Young Master has been enjoying his debauchery since he was fifteen. There might be a hidden illegitimate child somewhere…”
“You son of a—with that mouth of yours…”
“Enough.”
Barkas murmured coldly, pressing a hand to his forehead. Immediately, a tense silence descended upon the rowdy hall.
Barkas took a slow look around the room at everyone watching him before speaking calmly to the old knight.
“I understand your heart in worrying for the future of the Grand Ducal house, but you go too far. You are acting as if I am an old man with not much time left to live.”
“Forgive me, Your Grace, but these are chaotic times. We must prepare for any eventuality…”
“As you said, I have only just returned from the battlefield.”
Barkas cut him off smoothly.
“To stand before a lord who has returned safely and prattle on about the line being cut off is quite ill-mannered.”
The old knight finally shut his mouth.
Barkas added, as if driving in a stake.
“I intend to settle the matter of succession in due time, so do not pester me further.”
“May I take that to mean you intend to produce an heir through Her Grace the Grand Duchess?”
Barkas glared at him with an icy gaze.
“Must I report the affairs of my bedroom to you as well?”
“…”
“I will ensure I do not suddenly drop dead one day and plunge the East into chaos, so let this be the end of your overstepping.”
The face of the respected elder vassal of the East stiffened slightly.
Barkas, staring blankly at that rigid face, twisted the corner of his mouth and added.
“Or perhaps, are you planning my assassination?”
“Your Grace! How could you say such a thing…!”
“It was a joke.”
Barkas spoke in a light tone, a gentle smile gracing his lips.
“I only said it because you seemed so concerned about my death.”
The man, who had been talking as slickly as a snake, finally sealed his lips completely.
Barkas gauged the length of the candle used for timing the meeting and stood up.
“It seems we have covered all the agendas that require immediate discussion. Let us adjourn.”
The knights stood up one by one.
Barkas moved through them and caught up with Modrian, who was just heading out into the hallway. The old knight’s face was slightly stiff, as if his feelings had been hurt by the earlier spat.
Feigning ignorance, Barkas spoke to him in a quiet voice.
“There is one thing I wish to ask you.”
“…Please speak.”
“Have you ever pressured my wife regarding the matter of an heir, as you did to me today?”
Modrian furrowed his brow in disbelief.
“Have you forgotten that you surrounded the Grand Duchess with guards before you left for the campaign? It was obvious everything would reach your ears; who would dare commit such an impertinence?”
The old knight replied sarcastically, shaking his head as he added.
“Besides, there is that terrifying wolf. No one in this castle would be bold enough to approach the Grand Duchess recklessly.”
Barkas stared intently at the old knight’s face as if weighing the truth, then gripped his shoulder with one hand and spoke in a much softer tone.
“If my joke earlier offended you, I apologize. I intend to look into marriage prospects for Lucas and Laina soon, so please wait a little longer.”
Modrian, looking flustered by the unexpected apology, gave a small dry cough.
“…Since Your Grace says so, this old servant has nothing more to add. Very well. I shall trust the Grand Duke and wait.”
The old knight gave a short nod and walked down the hallway.
Barkas watched him for a moment before turning to leave the outer castle, but Lucas, who had been dazed while listening to their conversation a step behind, rushed to follow.
“What you just said to that old man… were you serious? Are you really going to find marriage partners for me and Laina…?”
“Why do you look so surprised?”
Barkas said bluntly, walking through the corridor with steady strides.
“Both you and Laina have long since passed your coming-of-age ceremonies. It is actually strange for the children of a prestigious house to have no fiancé by now.”
“I’m only nineteen! Laina won’t even be seventeen for another two months!”
“I am not telling you to marry immediately. You can get engaged first, and the marriage can proceed a year or two later.”
“Stop saying such disgusting things.”
Lucas raised his voice, nearly having a fit.
“I intend to enjoy the bachelor life for the next twenty years!”
“Do I look so easygoing that I would indulge such childish talk?”
Stopping in his tracks, Barkas looked down at him with a sharp gaze. Facing that determined face, a groan escaped Lucas’s lips.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
“As Modrian said, is it not time to strengthen the family’s foundation? I will send you a list of suitable candidates soon, so choose a lady you like from among them and propose.”
“By ‘suitable candidates,’ I assume you mean daughters of families that would be beneficial to the Sheikan house?”
Lucas sneered. Barkas looked at his half-brother with an annoyed gaze, as the boy was rebelling against such an obvious fact.
“You are a member of the Grand Ducal house. It is only natural that your marriage should benefit the family. That is the proper price for the privileges you have enjoyed.”
“But Brother, didn’t you marry the woman you wanted?”
Barkas, who was about to turn toward the stables, stopped moving.
