The Forgotten Field - Chapter 90

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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 90
Talia turned to face him, her expression hardened.
“What do you mean by that?”
“It means we must spend time together going forward.”
He replied with measured calm.
“During the tour, there will be occasions when I must ride, but I intend to use the Carriage with you as much as possible.”
She swallowed dryly.
“Then, the Residence….”
“We will share the Residence as well.”
My heart sank with a heavy thud. I couldn’t tell if it was fear, or the emotion that had tormented me for so many years.
Talia twisted the jade ornament wound around her wrist, her words tumbling out anxiously.
“Is it really necessary?”
Barcas said nothing in response. Talia soon began to pour out her words aggressively.
“You knew perfectly well what people would say if I married you. When the entire world knows the truth behind our marriage, wouldn’t it look even more ridiculous to pretend we’re a loving couple?”
“We don’t need to appear affectionate.”
Barcas exhaled slowly.
“It’s sufficient if we appear to be a couple capable of a marital relationship.”
Talia’s bewildered expression suddenly shifted to shock, her eyes widening.
Did “marital relationship” mean what she thought it meant?
As I stared blankly at his ascetic face, devoid of even a trace of human desire, he continued speaking with composure.
“Regardless of the truth, we are now husband and wife, and His Majesty surely understands what obligations follow a noble’s marriage. If we merely appear as a normal couple, it will benefit both your position and mine.”
Talia’s face flushed crimson. The “marital relationship” he spoke of seemed indeed to be what she had imagined.
Foolish words spilled from between her trembling lips.
“So what you’re saying is that we need to appear as though we share a bed?”
Fine lines appeared at the corners of his eyes—an expression that was both a smile and a grimace at once.
“To put it bluntly.”
Talia bit her lip hard and slowly examined him from head to toe.
Beneath the lustrous thin silk, a muscular physique without a trace of excess was starkly visible.
Broad shoulders and finely sculpted chest packed tightly with sinew, a slender waist and long, firm legs like those of a horse….
Suddenly aware that my breath was quickening, I hastily lowered my gaze. Beneath the thin hem of my skirt, my own gaunt legs were faintly visible.
My stomach twisted. The scars that even the Empress had frowned upon with disgust. Even the Nursemaid who had raised me since infancy could not hide her discomfort each time she bathed me.
The mere thought of revealing something so hideous to him made cold sweat break across my skin.
I tore at my garments with a sharp voice.
“I refuse. Let them all say whatever they want. People will gossip regardless—that’s what mouths are for. Why should I perform such a ridiculous farce just to appease the servants’ eyes….”
“Talia.”
A large hand covered her rigid hand. Talia flinched and looked up at him.
Barcas gripped her cold hand firmly and spoke with resolve.
“I’m not asking you to perform any act.”
“….”
“Simply allow it to appear outwardly that we spend time together—that’s all.”
Barcas’s words sounded less like a command and more like a plea. That fact alone sealed shut the refusals lodged in my throat.
Talia examined his face—eyes trembling faintly, weariness etched into every feature. Judging by Grand Duke Sierkan’s demeanor, Barcas’s own position might be equally precarious. While she had remained cloistered in her chamber, he must have driven himself relentlessly, without respite, to solidify his standing.
My mouth suddenly went dry. Had Aila been here, she would have rolled up her sleeves for him. With her natural grace and commanding presence, she would have helped him fortify his position.
He would never have needed to make such a request. The two of them would have shared a proper wedding night and naturally continued their marital relations thereafter.
Talia bit her lower lip. Self-recriminating thoughts cascaded endlessly. How had Barcas treated Aila? He showed such gentleness even toward her, who had snarled at him like an enemy—he would have been far more tender with Aila, never less.
Just as he reached for me whenever opportunity arose, he would have touched her without hesitation. I could picture him caressing her cheeks and ears, wrapping his arm around her waist. In my imagination, the two of them did far more. With each thought, my heart burned as though seared by flame.
Talia wrenched her hand from his grasp roughly. Then she turned her gaze toward the window, struggling to suppress the roiling emotions within.
“Do as you wish.”
A heavy silence descended. I wanted to see his expression, but somehow I was afraid.
Talia rested her elbows on the windowsill, pretending to observe the cavalry.
Soon, a resonant horn blast sounded, and the carriage began to move forward.
Talia leaned slightly out the window. As the carriage passed through the Castle Gate, vast grasslands unfurled before her eyes. Fierce gusts swept across the plains that stretched to meet the sky.
As Talia gazed upon the steppe tinged in ochre, she stole glances at him from the corner of her eye.
Barcas too was looking out over the fields. Brilliant sunlight cast a dazzling backlit glow across his face.
A strange emotion tightened my chest.
On this unfamiliar yet beautiful land, I must spend time with him.
Can I protect the walls I’ve barely managed to build?
* * *
Lucas wielded the reins without restraint.
It was his first ride in nearly a week. Turgan, left idle for days and wild with pent-up energy, snorted fiercely and charged across the steppe with powerful strides.
Beneath his thighs, the stallion’s taut muscles rippled and surged.
He stood in the stirrups and let out a boisterous whoop. Dry wind scraped harshly across his body. It was terribly exhilarating.
“Do not break formation!”
Tyron, who had kept pace beside him, shouted. Lucas turned to him with a disgruntled expression.
“What’s the fuss about this?”
“I barely managed to secure permission for you to accompany us under the guise of teaching you proper conduct as a retainer to the Young Master! If you act so recklessly, what becomes of me!”
Lucas clicked his tongue harshly and pulled the reins. Once he had barely calmed the excited horse, Tyron too slowed his pace and closed the distance.
“As I said before, you will serve as the Grand Duke’s attendant knight for some time. Do not stray far from the carriage.”
“You don’t understand. I’m doing all this for my brother’s sake.”
Lucas spoke with a mocking tone.
“My brother hates it when I linger about. That woman feels the same way.”
He spoke with a barbed edge, then gazed back at the carriage slowly crossing a distant hill.
His face itched where that woman had struck him. His cheek, swollen red for so long, had only subsided two days ago.
He pouted his lips.
“You saw what that woman did to me that day.”
“I also saw you bring your nose to her nape, Young Master.”
He flushed, stung by the remark.
“Don’t say it like that—it makes me sound like a pervert! I just smelled something strange and wanted to take a whiff!”
“…No matter how you explain it, you sound like a pervert.”
Tyron shook his head in disapproval.
“As the Grand Duke said, both of you need to learn proper etiquette befitting nobility. Using the previous Grand Duke’s illness as an excuse, you’ve been far too undisciplined.”
Lucas glared at him with resentful eyes. Tyron’s subtle support for Barcas ignited his fury.
“You’ve completely fallen under my brother’s spell.”
Tyron made no denial. It was clear he had already accepted Barcas as his lord.
This was not a matter confined to Tyron alone. The rigid old elders had expressed concern over Barcas’s aggressive actions, but the hot-blooded warriors showed enthusiastic support. They were all starving for strong leadership.
To be honest, Lucas himself was half-captivated by the overwhelming military prowess Barcas had demonstrated. Yet he refused to admit this fact willingly.
“Fine. I’ll concede that I was somewhat disrespectful. But that woman wasn’t exactly innocent either! Why should only we be punished?”
“She is of the Imperial Family.”
Tyron spoke in a flat tone.
“Moreover, she is now the Grand Duchess. So it would be wise to watch your words from now on. Did you hear what Darian said earlier?”
He made a gesture across his throat with his fingertip.
“Even before the great Grand Duke Sierkan, she doesn’t bat an eye while spewing venom. Someone of your station would be flayed to the bone by that three-inch tongue of hers. So for the sake of peace in the Eastern Territories, don’t provoke her needlessly.”

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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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