Free Web NovelLucas let out a derisive snort for everyone to hear.
“Since when have easterners cared about things like peace?”
“Perhaps it's time we started.”
A faint warning appeared on Tyron's face. The mounted warrior, staring at him through narrowed eyes as though piercing straight through him, continued seriously.
“While His Grace has been confined to his sickbed, the unity of the East has visibly weakened. Meanwhile, the Zram people have steadily increased their strength. If they decide to launch a full invasion, the East will become a sea of flames in an instant. This is no time to quarrel over trivial matters.”
The crooked smile vanished from Lucas's lips.
“Isn't that a bit exaggerated? The Zram people are troublesome, sure, but we possess the strongest cavalry in the Empire. Even if those barbarians driven to the frontier increase their numbers, what of it?” freёwebnovel.com
“Even that cavalry is nothing but a disorganized mob without a strong leader.”
Tyron sighed in frustration.
“While the Grand Duke has withdrawn from the front lines, the lords throughout the East have all been expanding their own power. The warriors under them are loyal not to House Siorcan, but to their individual lords. If, by some chance, those lords join forces and raise the banner of rebellion, the East will split apart in the blink of an eye.”
Faced with one grim statement after another, Lucas's expression hardened.
He knew that some of the vassals had been displaying suspicious movements. But he had never imagined the situation was as serious as Tyron claimed.
Lucas answered stiffly.
“If the vassals attempt rebellion, the Imperial Palace won't sit still. House Siorcan is also a vassal of the Emperor. Defying the Grand Ducal House is practically the same as raising a banner against the Roem Empire itself.”
“You still don't understand what I'm saying.”
Tyron clicked his tongue roughly.
“We must prevent rebellion from occurring in the first place. If matters reach the point where the Imperial Palace has to intervene, then the East will already have become a complete disaster. Discipline must be restored before that happens.”
Lucas fell silent, unable to find an answer.
Tyron, looking at him sternly, declared firmly,
“The inauguration of the new Grand Duke will become the opportunity to unite the East once more. As a member of House Siorcan, you must cooperate as well, young master.”
“...In the end, you're telling me to obediently follow my brother's will.”
“As the second son, is that not inevitable?”
Tyron's words carried a sharp edge.
Lucas glared at him quietly, then jerked his reins and left the bothersome lecturer behind.
He was only fifteen years old. He had no desire to concern himself with the complicated affairs of the East or the obligations of being a second son already.
Deliberately, he spurred his horse forward.
As he galloped across the grasslands like an arrow, the vast pasture spread out beneath the western sun.
Stopping his horse atop a hill, Lucas looked over the hundreds of horses peacefully grazing before turning toward the large encampment nearby.
As he approached a massive tent that seemed to serve as a meeting hall, a broad-shouldered man in an ornate coat came running out to greet him.
“Welcome! I've been waiting so long my neck nearly stretched out!”
He was a vassal of House Siorcan whom Lucas knew well. Leaping down from the saddle, Lucas called out cheerfully,
“Kun Badera! Long time no see.”
“It has indeed been a while, Young Master Lucas. You've grown so much.”
“And you've grown fatter.”
The man burst out laughing and roughly ruffled his hair.
“Your foul mouth hasn't changed at all.”
The bearded man smiled lazily, then suddenly glanced around.
“By the way, where is everyone else? I was told that His Grace, the newly appointed Grand Duke, would arrive with the mounted warriors...”
“They'll be here soon.”
Lucas pointed toward the hill and replied indifferently.
“He kept nagging me so much that I rode ahead.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than hundreds of horsemen appeared over the ridge.
Kun Badera immediately ordered the servants to prepare to welcome the guests. Lucas also headed up the hill to fulfill his own duties.
At that moment, Varkas stepped down from the traveling carriage that had just arrived before the meeting hall. freeωebnovēl.c૦m
Lucas hurried forward to attend to him, but suddenly stopped.
The Second Imperial Princess was in his brother's arms.
Supporting the limp woman with one arm as though she weighed nothing, Varkas slowly surveyed the surroundings and asked,
“Where are we staying?”
Kun Badera, who had been staring blankly at the two of them, hurried over and bowed his head.
“I-It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace. I am Kun Badera, the one responsible for Your Grace's horses.”
The nervous man stammered before turning around.
“Please follow me. I shall guide the two of you to your accommodations.”
Varkas pressed the head of the weakly drooping woman against his shoulder and followed the man. After hesitating briefly, Lucas followed behind them.
The place Kun Badera brought them to was a large tent located in the center of the encampment. Inside the cone-shaped tent, covered with tarred cloth, stood a large bed and luxurious furnishings.
After slowly inspecting the interior, Varkas laid the woman down upon the wide bed and instructed Lucas,
“Go and fetch an attendant. There should be a quarter-dwarf among Her Highness's maids.”
“...I was under the impression that my duty was to attend to you, Brother.”
Varkas, lowering the canopy over the bed, let out a dry laugh.
“Did I not just give you an order?”
“But what you ordered me to do is the sort of errand servants handle. My duty is to take care of your horses and weapons—”
“Your duty is to obey my orders without complaint.”
Varkas rose and strode toward him.
Lucas unconsciously stepped back.
Grasping his shoulder with one hand, Varkas brushed aside his disheveled hair and continued slowly,
“Lucas, from now on, you'll learn how to obey me. In truth, it is a virtue you should have learned from the day you first mounted a horse.”
Lucas stiffened like a mouse placed before a snake.
Varkas examined his face with cold eyes and added calmly,
“If you argue with me again, you will receive punishment accordingly. Understood?”
Lucas swallowed hard and slowly nodded.
Varkas tilted his chin.
“Then go fetch the maid.”
Lucas immediately ran out of the tent.
It seemed this tour was doomed not to become a pleasant outing after all.
Messing up his hair with both hands, he trudged away.
* * *
The pain that had been stabbing at her knees slowly crawled up to her hips.
Tossing upon the thick sheets, Talia laboriously opened her heavy eyelids.
An unfamiliar ceiling illuminated by flickering light filled her vision.
Blinking, Talia slowly sat up.
Then suddenly, realizing she was wearing nothing but a thin linen dress, she jumped in fright.
Hurriedly feeling her legs, she found the bandages that had been wrapped around them that morning.
Fortunately, it seemed only her outer garments had been removed.
She had just let out a small sigh of relief when she heard the faint sound of water nearby.
Whipping her head around, Talia froze.
Varkas was washing himself with his upper body bare.
He scooped up water with his hand and ran it along the back of his neck. Transparent streams slowly flowed down the taut lines of his lean muscles.
Staring blankly at the sight, Talia finally managed to force out her voice.
“W-What are you doing right now?”
Varkas, rubbing his face with wet hands, turned his head toward her.
His pale body, damp with water, filled her vision.
Talia's face turned bright red, and she hurriedly pulled the blanket up to her chest.
“W-Why are you stripping like that, you pervert!”
Varkas silently looked down at her before releasing a heavy sigh.
“One cannot wash while wearing clothes.”
“T-Then why are you washing here—!”
Talia's shrill voice suddenly died.
Varkas had bent over the bed and covered her mouth with one hand.
“Lower your voice.”
