The Forgotten Field - Chapter 211

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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 211
With my chin resting in my palm, a cold smile played at the corners of my lips as I gazed down at Aria.
The memory of my wife’s ultimatum—that she would leave with me if I sent Aria back to the Imperial Palace—left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“B-but surely the Grand Duchess no longer has need of me, does she? So….”
As the silence stretched, Aria began to fidget nervously.
I rose from my seat, cutting off her words. She flinched, pressing her lips together as she studied my expression.
Turning away from her irritating demeanor, I issued instructions to the Handmaidens.
“Take this woman to the kitchens at once.”
“Y-your Grace, my request….”
“Once she can feed herself, I’ll send you back to the Imperial Palace.”
Color flooded back into Aria’s ashen face. I doused her newfound hope like cold water.
“However, if she refuses even the food you prepare, you’ll be cast out of this castle with nothing but the clothes on your back.”
Her ruddy complexion drained to a ghastly pallor in an instant.
Without waiting for her protests, I passed by and exited the Reception Room, then crossed the Hall toward the Staircase. As I began to ascend, an urgent voice called from behind me.
“Your Grace!”
I turned to see Rogen entering the Annex Building, and my brow furrowed.
The man crossed the Hall in quick strides and inquired about my wife’s condition.
“How fares the Grand Duchess? Is she still….”
“What brings you here?”
I cut him off with a weary tone.
The Knight glanced upward along the Staircase before proceeding to his main business.
“The assembly has concluded. Here is the list of candidates for the new lords to be appointed to Tarlin and the Northeastern Region. Once you approve, we shall proceed with their installation immediately.”
Rogen extended the bundle of parchment he’d been carrying at his side. As I unfolded and scanned through it quickly, he added carefully.
“Additionally, Count Daren has sent a messenger inquiring when you might be able to return and resume your duties.”
I lifted my gaze from the documents to regard him.
He swallowed dryly before asking.
“What shall I tell the messenger, your Grace?”
“Tell him I shall return after the season of rest has passed.”
I folded the parchment and tucked it into my tunic, my tone matter-of-fact.
Rogen’s expression shifted to surprise. He clearly hadn’t anticipated such a prolonged stay in Kalmor.
I offered him no chance to question further, simply turning on my heel and ascending the Staircase.
Upon entering the Bedroom, I found my wife deeply asleep, intoxicated by the medicine’s potency, her long lashes lowered as she breathed softly. After observing her for some time, I walked to the table and pulled out a chair to sit.
Beyond the window, a hazy sky stretched before me. I wondered if snow might fall tonight.
Talia finally stirred as dusk descended. She immediately summoned a Handmaiden to bring food.
Shortly after, the table was laden with egg soup, cake studded with preserved fruits, and quail steamed in various preparations. I examined them carefully, then gestured to the Handmaidens.
“You may leave now that service is complete.”
“Of course. Please call if you need anything at all.”
Once the two young women had departed, I portioned some food onto a plate and approached the bed.
“Please eat.”
As I set the plate on the bed, Aria, who had been gazing blankly out the window, finally turned her head toward me.
Her eyes were filled with deep contempt. Ignoring that gaze, I forced a spoon into her hand, and a weary voice reached my ears.
“How much longer do you intend to repeat this meaningless farce?”
“That’s precisely what I’d like to ask you.”
Barcas, perched on the edge of the bed, replied with indifference.
“How long do you plan to drag out this tedious quarrel?”
Eyes as deep and dark as the ocean depths shot daggers at him.
Barcas paid no heed and offered her a bowl of egg porridge.
As Talia glanced down at it absently, a flicker of something unusual crossed her gaze. She seemed to notice the food was different from what usually arrived.
The woman, examining the contents of the bowl with narrowed eyes, shifted her gaze back to him and asked.
“Who made this?”
“The Nursemaid prepared it, Your Highness.”
Barcas answered calmly.
“I thought you might eat it if it were made by her.”
Before his words had even finished, Talia hurled the bowl away.
With the sharp sound of glass shattering, the thick liquid scattered messily across the carpet.
“You had her make it by force anyway. Did you really think I’d accept such a thing and be pleased?”
The woman’s gaunt shoulders trembled as her mouth twisted. She seemed to be trying to mock him, but the moisture gathering at her eyes made her appear only pitiful.
She continued her bitter remarks in a hoarse voice.
“That woman means nothing to me anymore. I’ve been sick of her for ages, just like I’m sick of you! So please, just disappear!”
“If Your Highness refuses to eat that food, at least that woman will vanish from your life forever.”
The woman, who had been fuming, stiffened abruptly.
“What do you mean by that?”
“That woman belongs to the Empress, does she not? If she proves useless to you, there’s no reason to keep her in my castle.”
“Are you saying you’ll send the Nursemaid back to the Capital?”
Barcas’s lips twisted coldly.
“Why would I go to such trouble? If the Empress herself sends someone to retrieve her, I won’t stop them, but I have no intention of wasting my soldiers on that woman.”
A faint shadow of fear flickered across that strangely beautiful face—the first emotional disturbance she’d shown since losing that wolf beast.
The woman, who usually appeared hollow and empty except when her anger erupted, now squirmed with anxiety. For reasons I couldn’t explain, my insides twisted. Suppressing any outward display of that emotion, I added flatly.
“If she’s fortunate, she might find menial work somewhere in Kalmor. Of course, the odds of her dying on the streets are far higher.”
“Are you… threatening me right now?”
“Threatening? How could it be a threat?”
Barcas tilted his head toward her, his lips curling into a smile.
“You said that woman means nothing to you. So how could my mention of casting her out be considered a threat?”
She bit her cracked lips.
Barcas, regarding her with cold eyes, soon rose from his seat and walked toward the door.
Just as he was about to step outside, a trembling voice reached him from behind.
“I’ll eat it.”
Turning back while gripping the doorknob, I saw a pale face marred by defeat.
She spat out the words through gritted teeth.
“I’ll eat it, so just leave me alone.”
Barcas stood motionless for a long moment before walking back toward the table.
He portioned some of the prepared food into an extra bowl and set it beside the bed. His Wife picked up the porridge bowl with trembling hands, struggling to contain her fury, then began forcing the food down her throat as though swallowing poison.
Once every morsel had vanished, she lifted her pallid face, drenched in cold sweat, and glared at him with seething eyes.
“Are you satisfied now?”
He silently cleared away the empty bowl.
Talia, watching him through eyes that quivered with barely restrained rage, hissed between her teeth.
“I did everything you wanted! Now get out of this room.”
“You may force it back up, so I’ll remain here a few hours longer.”
His answer seemed to snap the final thread of her composure. She began hurling everything within reach on the bedside toward him.
“Leave! I said leave! I did everything you demanded! So why do you keep lingering here!”
Barcas tilted his head back slightly to avoid an incoming goblet, then swiftly moved to the bedside and seized her wrist. He was afraid that if she thrashed about any harder, she might lose consciousness from the exertion.
He settled into a chair while firmly restraining the convulsing woman in both arms.
Talia began struggling and wailing with even greater desperation.
“I hate this! Don’t touch me! Just having you near me makes my skin crawl!”

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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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