The Forgotten Field - Chapter 109

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 109
The Healer, who had been watching her in silence, carefully opened her mouth.
“His Excellency remained by your side the entire time, but when word came that marauders had appeared beyond the Castle Walls, he departed in haste.”
At this unexpected revelation, Talia’s body went rigid.
She had no time to feel shame at having her thoughts exposed. Talia shot upright and seized the Healer’s robe, her fingers bunching the fabric. The sudden movement sent a sharp pain through her solar plexus, but in that moment, she scarcely noticed it.
“What? Marauders? When exactly?”
“Approximately four hours ago.”
The Healer replied with composure.
Talia pressed urgently.
“How many appeared? Is it a serious situation? How many troops does he have….”
As I fired questions in rapid succession, my vision suddenly flooded white, and I bit my lip.
My body tilted forward before I could even register what was happening. Had it not been for the sun-darkened, calloused hand that caught my shoulder, I would have tumbled straight off the bed.
I gazed at the Healer with cold sweat beading my face. She laid me back down on the bed with firm, decisive hands.
“I’ll cast a recovery spell for you. For now, please rest.”
“What about Barcas….”
“His Excellency will be fine. The marauders number at most a few dozen, and His Excellency commands the finest cavalry warriors of the Eastern Territories.”
At the Healer’s measured response, reason finally returned to me.
Talia steadied her ragged breathing and gazed out at the luminous window panes.
If he had departed two hours ago, he might have already finished suppressing them by now.
Yes. During the last large-scale subjugation, he had returned without incident in half a day. There was no need to worry needlessly.
As I repeated this to myself to quell my anxiety, a weathered, calloused hand descended upon the back of mine. Presently, a lukewarm warmth flowed through my body.
“I’ve also applied a healing spell, but magic works poorly on internal wounds. Please refrain from strenuous movement for some time.”
Talia closed her eyes tightly in response. The Healer, who had been quietly observing her condition, soon slipped quietly from the room.
Shortly after, the Nursemaid returned to the chamber with a tray of food.
Talia, unable to resist the Nursemaid’s insistence, managed to swallow only a few spoonfuls of vegetable porridge. As the food entered her stomach, it felt as though she had swallowed needles. Talia lay in bed, tossing restlessly for some time, before finally falling asleep as the sun began to set.
She regained consciousness around the time deep darkness began to settle over the world.
Awakening from a burning thirst, Talia noticed a large shadow cast before the fireplace and shrank back.
Barcas stood by the window in a thin shirt—she hadn’t noticed when he’d returned.
Fortunately, he appeared to be uninjured.
Talia exhaled a long breath of relief, then suddenly held it.
His eyes, as still and frozen as a silent lake, were fixed upon her with an unwavering gaze.
She couldn’t fathom why her heart sank at a sight that seemed, on the surface, no different from usual.
The man, who had stood motionless for some time, approached with measured steps. Talia swallowed dryly without thinking.
The man, whose gaze was eerily serene, turned toward the shelf. He then picked up a pitcher from the tray and poured a glass of water.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine.”
Talia accepted the cup hesitantly, her tone deliberately casual.
Originally, I had intended to scold him thoroughly. Didn’t I tell you so? I said I didn’t want to take that medicine. You forced it on me, and look what happened. The words I had meant to unleash scattered and dissolved in my mouth.
Talia, watching him as he appeared more subdued than usual, added carefully.
“It’s nothing serious. The Healer said it’s just a slight upset stomach.”
In an instant, something like a flash of lightning crossed Barcas’s face. His eyes darkened with fury as he spoke with cutting precision.
“This wasn’t merely a minor ailment. The situation was severe enough that you coughed up blood.”
Talia’s expression turned bewildered at his sharp response. Barcas gripped her shoulder, pressing further.
“If I had discovered this even a moment later, your airway could have been blocked entirely. You might have suffocated. Why didn’t you tell me sooner that you were unwell?”
“Well… I’m always in some pain, so I didn’t realize the situation was that serious.”
His facial muscles hardened further at her excuse-laden words.
Barcas clenched his jaw as though enduring something, then walked toward the window and drew in the cold air. When his voice emerged moments later, it had grown considerably calmer.
“For the time being, you will remain here at the Castle and recuperate.”
“What about the tour schedule?”
“I’ve already visited all the major cities.”
He rubbed his temple with his index finger, responding flatly.
“Your Highness need only focus on recovering your health.”
Talia nodded reluctantly.
Though irritation flared at his domineering tone, she had no desire to quarrel with someone who looked so exhausted. She muttered in a somewhat deflated voice.
“I understand, so stop being angry. I’m already struggling enough as it is.”
Barcas opened his lips as though to speak, then closed them again.
Flickering firelight greedily licked across his weary face. He settled onto the edge of the bed, cradling the nape of his neck with one hand.
“Don’t just hold it—drink it now. You’ve lost a considerable amount of blood. Even if your stomach feels uncomfortable, you must continue taking in fluids.”
Talia, her tension easing at his gentler tone, emptied the water glass.
The sudden stimulus caused her stomach to clench sharply, sending a piercing pain through her, but she said nothing and buried herself beneath the blankets.
Then she felt warmth against her back. Talia’s body went rigid.
Barcas settled behind her and drew her close naturally. With one hand, he began to gently massage the tightly knotted muscles of her solar plexus.
Her eyes grew hot at his tender touch. Was this born of pity? Talia, habitually searching for hidden meaning in his actions, soon stopped herself.
She no longer wished to torment herself with self-deprecating thoughts. She simply wanted to accept this warmth as it was.
Blinking in the darkness, Talia turned and nestled into his embrace.
Barcas wrapped his arms around her back. Through the thin fabric of his shirt, she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Listening to the constant, powerful pulse, Talia carefully wrapped her arms around his waist.
* * *
The Castle, which had been silent as a tomb, now bustled with activity.
As Lucas stepped into the Hall, he frowned at the sight of the Kitchen teeming with merchants. Among the traders carrying various provisions, a familiar face caught his attention.
He strode decisively into the chaotic space.
“What are you doing in a place like this?”
“Ah, Young Master Lucas.”
Darian, who had been negotiating with the merchants, waved cheerfully toward him.
“Have you completed all the tasks the Commander assigned you?”
“I’ve finished everything.”
Lucas replied curtly.
“I attended morning training without missing a session, tended to the horses, and polished all of my brother’s armor and weapons until they gleamed.”
“Well done.”
Darian patted his head approvingly.
Lucas swatted the hand away roughly, his tone blunt. “So what exactly is this mess?”
“So, what the hell is this mess?”
“These are special provisions for the Duchess. It appears there is little in the Eastern Territories’ cuisine that she can consume. I had no choice but to procure several ingredients separately from merchants in the Central Region.”
Lucas surveyed the burlap sacks that filled the Dining Hall, his brow furrowing.
How much could that small woman possibly eat to warrant acquiring such quantities?
Surely she wasn’t planning to spend an entire season here?
He looked up at Darian with grave concern in his eyes.
“Is her condition truly that severe?”
“According to the Healer, her digestive system appears to be completely compromised.”
Darian spoke with evident distress.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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