The Forgotten Field - Chapter 222

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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 222
Disgusted by his own reaction, I straightened my bent frame when someone suddenly blocked my path.
“Your Excellency, you must be weary from such a long journey. Perhaps you should rest and recover first?”
I looked down at the man who had subtly positioned himself between her and me, my gaze turning glacial.
Edrick Lubon, dressed in neat civilian clothes, stood with one hand pressed to his chest, his expression tense as he gauged my reaction.
For a moment, an exasperating emotion flared within me at his protective stance toward her, but I suppressed the roiling displeasure and turned away. I crossed the hall, passing by the woman who stood rigid as an ice sculpture.
As I entered the bedroom through the corridor, the Steward who had followed to attend me spoke cautiously.
“Is there anything you require, sir?”
“Prepare hot water for washing and fresh clothes.”
The man bowed respectfully at my command and quietly withdrew.
As the door closed with a dull sound, I removed my coat and draped it carelessly over the chair’s backrest, then walked toward the window.
When I drew back the curtain, the desolate garden landscape, where patches of snow still lingered unmelted, spread before my eyes. Spotting a familiar silhouette within that barren scene, I rested my temple against the glass pane.
She walked slowly along the narrow path, with two handmaidens and Edrick Lubon following closely behind her. It seemed they were prepared to support her should her injured leg falter.
When the man gazed at her with concerned eyes and spoke to her, a faint smile briefly crossed her lips, though her brow had furrowed in annoyance.
I watched her soft profile without blinking when I heard something tear. The curtain had been ripped away.
I ran my fingers through my hair and stepped back from the window. Just then, servants entered the room carrying a bath filled with steaming water.
With the attendant’s assistance, I removed my armor, then immediately shed my sweat and dust-stained clothes and sank into the hot water. Despite this luxury I hadn’t enjoyed in half a month, the unpleasant sensation refused to dissipate.
I rested my head against the bath’s edge and gazed up at the ceiling, where shadows lay thick.
Why did I feel this bitter ache?
I should have felt relief that the woman who had once inflicted self-harm in her inability to control her rage had finally found stability.
Considering how she had been confined in a dark room, emaciated and raging, wasn’t this a positive change? Her bitter resentment toward me seemed to have softened as well, so there would be no need to waste my strength on futile conflicts anymore.
Even as I repeated these thoughts to myself, I scooped water in both hands and washed my face roughly.
After finishing my bath and stepping out, the Elderly Attendant who had been waiting behind the partition approached with a towel and dried the water from my back. I brushed away his bothersome touch, hastily dressed in a linen shirt and cotton trousers, then sank deeply into the velvet chair. Just then, a rough voice mixed with the sound of metal came from beyond the door.
“Brother, may I intrude for a moment?”
I answered without lifting my head.
“Come in.”
Lucas immediately opened the door and entered the room.
I examined my younger brother with a composed gaze.
Over the past two seasons, he appeared to have fully recovered his strength—his skin bore a healthy, sun-bronzed vitality. Yet in stark contrast to his vigorous and powerful physique, his face was shadowed by a deep gloom.
Observing that dark expression carefully, I asked in a blunt tone.
“What is it?”
“I’ve come to ask you for a favor, brother.”
He spoke with tension in his voice. I gave a slight nod of my chin.
“Go ahead.”
Even after receiving permission, Lucas fell silent for a while.
My brother, his expression tense as he moistened his lips, slowly opened his mouth.
“Please entrust the administration of the Eastern Border Region to me.”
At this unexpected request, my hand, which had been reaching for a bottle to fill my glass, stopped abruptly.
I narrowed my eyes and asked back.
“Why?”
“You told me I needed to develop my administrative abilities. The Northern Border is short on nobles to manage it, so I thought this would be a good opportunity.”
Lucas spoke in a measured tone, his gaze fixed downward.
Barcas, who had been watching him intently, set down the wine bottle on the table and asked.
“Have all your memories returned?”
A dark shadow seemed to flicker across his younger brother’s face for a moment.
Lucas, his lips parched, slowly shook his head.
“Not all of them. Only fragmented memories surface sporadically.”
Barcas, who had been observing his brother while holding a wine glass to his lips, spoke in a dry tone.
“I’ve already appointed a new lord to manage Tarlin. I can’t take that back now.”
“It doesn’t have to be Tarlin. You could entrust me with another territory in that region instead.”
“You’re asking me to place the Grand Duke’s House second son in a minor village administrative post?”
His brother’s lips pressed firmly shut.
Lucas, who had been silent while gazing downward in contemplation, lifted his head once more.
“Then send me to the Northeastern Region. If you grant me command of the external patrol forces, I can finally address the Zrami problem that remains unresolved.”
“Your eagerness to accomplish something is commendable, but the timing is poor.”
Barcas, moistening his lips with strong wine, continued calmly.
“You’ve heard about my injury, I’m sure. My retainers are greatly concerned that I might fall in battle without leaving an heir. So until the war ends, I need you to remain quietly at Laedgo Castle.”
“But you’ve returned safely, brother. The war will end soon anyway.”
“It’s not completely over yet. There’s no guarantee another sudden crisis won’t occur like last time.”
Barcas, leaning back against the armrest, exhaled slowly and continued.
“Wait until next year. Once the civil war settles, I’ll grant you suitable lands. As I’ve mentioned before, if both you and I are constantly moving between battlefields without a proper heir in place, my retainers will rebel en masse.”
“….”
“If you understand, then withdraw.”
Even at the order to leave, his brother didn’t budge.
Barcas narrowed his eyes and looked up at him.
“What else?”
“I understand your position fully, brother. But I no longer wish to remain in Kalmor. If you’re concerned that my leading the suppression forces might fuel the retainers’ anxiety, then please allow me to stay in the Southern Border Region for the time being.”
Deep furrows formed between Barcas’s brows.
He pressed the question as if interrogating him.
“Why are you so desperate to leave this place?”
“That’s….”
After hesitating for a long moment, Lucas finally opened his mouth.
“As long as I remain in Kalmor, I’ll never escape being treated as an irresponsible young master. Everyone caring for me as though I’m an invalid—I’m growing weary of it.”
Lucas, who had been grumbling with dissatisfaction, suddenly added in a careful tone.
“And I believe my leaving would be better for her as well—the Duchess Sierkan, I mean. I’m uncomfortable with her continuing to face criticism because of an incident I can barely remember.”
“Who’s criticizing her?”
Barcas set down his wine glass with a sharp sound and asked in a low voice.
His brother, showing signs of alarm, quickly glossed over it with a lighter tone.
“It’s not that anyone is openly criticizing her. It’s just… some whispers behind closed doors.”
“So who exactly is wagging their tongue carelessly?”
Lucas averted his gaze, lowering his eyes in discomfort.
That alone was answer enough. Raina and the child’s personal handmaidens must have been wagging their tongues without restraint.
Barcas swept back his still-damp hair and leaned against the chair’s backrest, exhaling a heavy sigh.
“I understand what you’re saying. I’ll look into finding you a suitable position soon.”
Despite Barcas’s agreement to grant his request, Lucas hardly appeared pleased.
With a dejected expression fixed upon the floor, Lucas gave a single bow before departing the chamber.

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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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