Ch#224
224
Laina, who had been fidgeting as if to retort, clenched her fists and bit her lip. She seemed afraid that if she pushed any further, her tyrannical brother might overturn her marriage match entirely.
The girl glared at him with bloodshot eyes before spinning around and storming out of the room.
He picked up the parchment document again and scribbled his signature as if nothing had happened.
“I intend to keep Laina’s engagement ceremony as simple as possible. Invite only the nobles of influential families who will serve as witnesses.”
“Your Excellency, is Lady Laina not the only princess of the Grand Ducal house? If the ceremony is too meager, the reputation of the Shekan family may be tarnished…”
“The war is not over yet. It is premature to hold a lavish event.”
Varkas cut off the head butler’s advice bluntly and added as he handed over the signed document, “Instead, I plan to hold the wedding grandly. If any of the vassals express dissatisfaction, tell them that.”
The butler held his tongue, unable to say more.
After checking the remaining official documents, Varkas threw on his coat and headed outside.
She was nowhere to be seen, perhaps having finished her walk and moved elsewhere.
Varkas stood in the middle of the garden, staring at the flowers she had been looking at, before turning his steps toward the stables. He intended to tour the fief for the first time in a while.
He coaxed Toruk, who was enjoying a rare rest, and led him out of the castle.
As he crossed the moat and descended toward the plaza, the scenery of a prosperous city filled his vision. The city, which had suffered for a while under the aftermath of Zramite looting and heresy hunts, was now soaked in a peaceful atmosphere as if nothing had happened.
After looking around the streets crowded with merchants, Varkas spurred his horse toward the North Gate. Passing through the arched gateway, the vast meadows rushed toward him like a flood.
Varkas crossed the sprawling pastures in a single breath and brought his horse to a halt at the top of a hill.
The endless sky, the wind-swept fields, and the pale, shimmering birch forest filled his retinas.
Varkas surveyed the landscape along the ridge of the hill before turning his horse toward the ranch.
Just then, a violent gust of wind swept across the land.
Hearing the cry of a beast amidst the screaming of the trees, Varkas looked back with a start.
The white-barked trees were tangled and wailing. Feeling a strange sense of dissonance, as if something were glaring at him from within, Varkas gripped the hilt of his sword.
However, the presence that had chilled the back of his neck vanished in an instant.
Varkas stood atop the hill, watching the shifting forest, before finally spurring his horse forward.
A few weeks later, Laina’s engagement ceremony was held in the chapel of Raedgo Castle.
High-ranking nobles, including Count Scart’s family, filled the pews to witness the ceremony. In the seats of honor at the hall sat lawyers representing the interests of both families, the priests who would officiate the rite, and the vassals of the Grand Ducal house.
The ceremony proceeded in an exceedingly solemn atmosphere.
As a sullen-faced Laina and the prospective groom, standing stiff with tension, faced each other across the altar, the representatives of both families came forward to exchange the marriage contracts and press their family seals. After handing them to the lawyers, the exchange of gifts began.
While luxurious boxes wrapped in velvet moved back and forth incessantly, scribes recorded the list of exchanged gifts on parchment. Among them was a ring crafted by a dwarven artisan.
When the groom-to-be picked up the ring first and slid it onto the bride-to-be’s hand, Laina likewise placed a ring on the hand of the man she had chosen.
Watching this, the High Priest walked to the front of the altar and declared in a solemn voice that the engagement between the two families was established.
When all the procedures were finally over, the guests filed out of the chapel and headed to the banquet hall.
Inside the magnificently decorated hall, long tables were lined with an array of delicacies. As the servants waiting at the door guided the guests to their assigned seats, Varkas raised his glass high and announced the start of the feast. At that moment, the suppressed chatter of the guests burst forth like a tide.
Varkas brought the wine glass to his lips and slowly surveyed the banquet hall.
He caught sight of Laina, looking grumpy, stomping her feet as she went up the stairs. On the other hand, the groom-to-be looked preoccupied, grinning from ear to ear while receiving congratulations from the guests.
A brief, cold sneer flickered at the corners of Varkas’s mouth as he looked down at that gushing display.
It seemed the man didn’t care at all about the feelings of the woman who would become his wife. Then again, it was understandable. Having secured vast wealth and territory through this marriage, would a prickly bride-to-be even enter his eyes?
Letting out a low sigh, Varkas settled into a seat at the end of a long table. Seeing this, Count Scart struck up a conversation as if he had been waiting.
The topic, which began with light small talk, led to a discussion about the future political situation.
Varkas, who had been responding half-heartedly to the conversation while tipping his glass, felt his body growing heavy and stood up.
“Forgive me, but I shall retire first. I am not feeling well.”
“Ah, I heard the news that you were injured. It seems you haven’t fully recovered yet.”
Count Scart, who had been talking vigorously, said with a worried look.
Varkas maintained a formal smile.
“It is nothing to worry about. However, my stamina is not what it used to be.”
“Then you must go and rest at once,” the man said in an exaggerated tone, as if trying to curry favor. “I am simply grateful that you personally presided over the engagement ceremony despite your injuries not being fully healed.”
“Save your thanks. It is only natural to personally attend to matters regarding my only sister’s marriage.”
Varkas spat out the platitude without batting an eye and left the hall.
As he climbed the stairs, he saw the slanted sunlight through the window dyeing the castle walls red. He stared at it for a moment before turning his gaze toward the annex located on one side of the rear garden.
She had been absent from the engagement ceremony on the pretext of being unwell. It was an action that could have been problematic for a Grand Duchess, but he had not forced her to attend.
The rumors surrounding her had not yet fully subsided. He did not want to expose the woman, who had finally regained her stability, to the scrutiny of the nobles. Above all, he was concerned that Laina might cause a scene.
Varkas took a long breath and soon entered his room. He then slumped down on the edge of the bed. Perhaps because he hadn’t slept properly for the past few days, his limbs felt weary and his head felt heavy.
He pressed down on his eyelids, which felt blurry as if covered in frost, and then picked up a glass from the shelf.
It would be truly dangerous if he didn’t get some sleep soon.
After gulping down the strong distilled liquor, Varkas opened a drawer and took out an incense candle he had received in advance from a healer. He placed it in the brazier and lit it; gradually, his eyelids grew heavy, and his mind, which had felt as if it were being pricked by something sharp, became hazy as if shrouded in fog.
He leaned his head against the pillow and closed his eyes.
How long had he been like that? As his consciousness returned after being severed for a moment, the scene inside the bedroom, surrounded by faint light, was captured by his retinas.
Varkas frowned for a moment, then discovered a small shadow lingering in front of the fireplace and bolted upright.
Talia, her thick, lush hair braided into a single strand draped over her shoulder, was staring at him with a quiet gaze.
He froze at the vision-like sight for a brief moment before lowering his legs from the bed.
“What brings you here?”
His voice sounded excessively aggressive, even to his own ears.
It seemed to sound even colder to her, as a faint tension appeared on her calm face.
“I’m sorry for barging in. There was something I wanted to ask of you…”
