Ch#222
Feeling disgusted by his own reaction, he straightened his back, only for someone to step into his path.
“Your Excellency, you must be exhausted after your long journey. Why don’t you rest and recover from your travels first?”
Varkas looked down with a chilling gaze at the man who had subtly cut him off from her.
Dressed in neat civilian clothes, Edric Luvon had one hand over his chest, watching Varkas’s reaction with a tense expression.
For a moment, Varkas felt a surge of absurdity at the man’s protective stance over her, but he suppressed his boiling irritation and turned away. He strode across the hall, passing the woman who stood as stiff and still as an ice sculpture.
As he walked through the corridor and into his bedroom, the head butler, who had hurried after him to attend to his needs, spoke up cautiously.
“Is there anything you require?”
“Prepare water for a bath and clothes to change into.”
The moment the command was given, the man bowed politely and quietly withdrew.
As the heavy thud of the closing door echoed, Varkas took off his coat, tossed it carelessly over the back of a chair, and walked toward the window.
He pulled back the curtain to reveal the garden, where patches of lingering snow had yet to melt. Amidst the desolate landscape, Varkas spotted a familiar back and leaned his temple against the glass.
Following slowly along the path, the woman was being closely trailed by two maids and Edric Luvon. It seemed they were there to support her in case she faltered, given her difficulty walking.
The man watched her with a worried gaze and said something; the woman, who had been knitting her brows as if annoyed, let a faint smile flicker across her lips.
Varkas stared down at that softened profile without blinking, only to be startled by the sound of something tearing. He looked up to find he had ripped the curtain.
He brushed his hair back and stepped away from the window. Just then, servants entered the room carrying a bathtub filled with steaming water.
With the help of his squire, Varkas disarmed. He promptly stripped off his sweat-and-dust-stained clothes and submerged himself in the hot water. Though it was a luxury he hadn’t enjoyed in a fortnight, the unpleasant sensation refused to fade.
He leaned his head against the edge of the tub and stared up at the ceiling, which was cast in deep shadows.
Why on earth did he feel so bitter?
The woman who had once been driven by uncontrollable rage to the point of self-harm had finally regained her stability; he should have felt relieved.
Considering the days when she had been shut away in a dark room, gaunt and prone to outbursts, this was an encouraging change. It seemed her vicious resentment toward him had softened as well, meaning they would no longer waste energy on exhausting conflicts.
Repeating these thoughts to himself, Varkas cupped water in his hands and roughly washed his face.
Once he finished his bath and stepped out of the tub, a servant waiting behind the screen approached with a towel to dry his back. Brushing off the bothersome touch, Varkas pulled on a linen shirt and cotton trousers before sinking deep into a velvet chair. At that moment, a rough, rasping voice came from outside the door.
“Brother, may I have a moment?”
Without lifting his head, he answered.
“Come in.”
A moment later, Lucas opened the door and entered the room.
Varkas scanned his younger brother with a calm gaze.
Over the course of two seasons, Lucas seemed to have fully recovered his strength; his skin glowed with a healthy, bronzed vitality. However, in contrast to his vigorous and sturdy body, his face bore a heavy air of gloom.
Watching that dark expression, Varkas asked in a blunt tone.
“What is it?”
“I’ve come to ask a favor of you, Brother,” he said, his voice tense. Varkas gave a dismissive flick of his chin.
“Go on.”
Despite the permission, Lucas remained silent for a while.
Moistening his lips with a nervous expression, the younger brother finally spoke.
“Please put me in charge of managing the eastern border region.”
The unexpected request caused Varkas to stop mid-motion as he reached for a bottle to fill his glass.
He narrowed his eyes and asked back.
“Why?”
“You told me yourself… that I needed to develop my administrative skills. Since there’s currently a shortage of nobles to manage the northern borderlands… I thought it would be a good opportunity.”
Lucas spoke calmly, his eyes fixed on the floor.
Varkas scrutinized him before setting the bottle down on the table.
“Has your memory fully returned?”
For a split second, a dark shadow flickered across his brother’s face.
Lucas licked his dry lips and slowly shook his head.
“Not all of it. Just fragmented memories that flash by sporadically.”
Varkas held his glass to his lips, observing his brother thoughtfully before speaking in a dry tone.
“I have already appointed a new lord to manage Tarlin. I cannot rescind that now.”
“It doesn’t have to be Tarlin. I don’t mind if you give me another estate in that region…”
“Are you suggesting I place the second son of the Grand Ducal house in an administrative post in some tiny border village?”
His brother’s lips pressed into a firm line.
Lucas remained silent, looking down at the floor in deep thought, before raising his head again.
“Then send me to the Northeast. If you give me command of the external patrol units, I can handle the Zram problem that hasn’t been resolved yet…”
“Your desire to do something is commendable, but the timing is poor.”
Varkas took a sip of the strong wine and continued calmly.
“You’ve likely heard the news of my injury. The vassals are greatly concerned that I might fall in battle without leaving an heir. So, until the war is over, you at least must stay quietly here at Raedgo Castle.”
“But you’ve returned safely like this, Brother. And the war will be over soon…”
“It’s not completely over yet. There’s no guarantee that another sudden crisis won’t occur like last time.”
Varkas leaned back against the armrest and let out a long sigh.
“Wait until next year. As soon as the civil war is settled, I will grant you suitable land. As I’ve said before, if both you and I are moving back and forth from the battlefield while there is no proper heir, the vassals will revolt en masse.”
“…”
“If you understand, then leave.”
Despite the dismissal, his brother didn’t budge.
Varkas sharpened his gaze as he looked up at him.
“What else?”
“I fully understand your intentions, Brother. However, I no longer wish to stay in Kalmor. If you’re worried that my leading a subjugation force will fuel the vassals’ anxiety… then please allow me to stay in the southern border region for the time being.”
A deep furrow appeared between Varkas’s brows.
He asked demandingly.
“Why are you so desperate to leave this place?”
“That’s…”
Lucas hesitated for a long time, as if debating whether to speak, before finally opening his mouth.
“As long as I stay in Kalmor, I’ll never be anything more than a spoiled young master. I’m starting to get sick of being treated like a patient everyone has to work together to look after.”
Mumbling discontentedly, Lucas suddenly added in a cautious tone.
“And I believe it would be better for her—I mean, for my sister-in-law—if I were to leave. It doesn’t sit well with me to let her keep being criticized because of an incident I can barely even remember…”
“Who is criticizing her?”
Varkas set his wine glass down with a sharp clack and asked in a low voice.
His brother looked flustered for a moment before brushing it off with a light tone.
“It’s not that anyone is openly criticizing her. It’s just… a bit of whispering behind her back.”
“I am asking you who is being so careless with their tongue.”
Lucas lowered his eyes, avoiding his gaze.
The awkwardness in his expression was answer enough. It was undoubtedly Laina and the girl’s personal maids who were gossiping.
Varkas ran a hand through his damp hair and let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the chair.
“I understand what you’re saying. I’ll look into a suitable position for you soon.”
Despite the answer that his request would be granted, Lucas didn’t look particularly happy.
With a somber expression, Lucas stared at the floor for a moment, gave a short bow, and left the room.
