TFM 99

Chapter 99

***

The castle lord, who was watching him with a stern expression, gave an awkward smile and scratched the back of his head.

“I acted rashly. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

Varkas, who had been staring at him with cold eyes, crossed the courtyard.

In front of the city gate, a cavalry unit that had already finished preparing for departure stood in formation.

As Varkas scanned them, he spotted Talia walking along the dirt road and stopped in his tracks.

Her neatly braided light brown hair glistened like pure gold in the autumn sunlight.

Studying her pale, weary face intently, Varkas left his horse with the stablehand and approached her from behind. The woman, who had been gripping the door handle to board the carriage, glared at him warily.

“Wh-what is it……………….”

Varkas, who was about to help her into the carriage, slowly withdrew his hand.

His wife looked exactly like a prey facing its natural enemy. As he met her terrified blue eyes, a faint spasm rippled through a vague, indefinable part deep within his stomach.

He quietly studied her face through narrowed eyes, then took a step back.

Only then, as he saw the tension drain from her body as if she were finally at ease, did a bitter taste fill his mouth.

Ignoring the strange physical reaction he was experiencing, he spoke calmly.

“I plan to travel on horseback starting today. I’ll have a bodyguard assigned to ride alongside the carriage, so please call for help if anything happens.”

A faint sense of relief flashed across her face. As if to hide it, the woman lowered her long, thick eyelashes and replied curtly.

“Do as you please.”

Then, as if fleeing, she shoved herself into the carriage.

Standing by the doorway, Varkas watched her silently for a moment before letting out a small sigh and turning away. It seemed all his efforts to get her used to his touch had been in vain.

Looking back on his hasty actions from the night before, her reaction wasn’t all that surprising.

‘……I’d better not touch her for a while.’

She was as sensitive and timid as a young wild horse.

To ease her wariness, it would be best not to approach her rashly for some time.

With that thought, feeling the bitter taste in his mouth grow even stronger, he hopped up onto the saddle.

“Once again, thank you for accepting our invitation, Your Highness.”

The castle lord, who had been waiting a short distance away, approached him once more. Varkas turned his horse toward the front of the long line of cavalry and gave a slight nod.

“We’ll resolve the issue of the raiders as soon as possible.”

“Thank you. In that case, I’ll pay you a visit in Kalmore before long.”

The man shouted in a booming voice.

Varkas immediately spurred his horse forward.

As they passed through the city gates, the mounted warriors followed in formation. Having apparently partied quite hard the night before, the scent of strong wine clung to their bodies.

Varkas, who had been carefully scanning the faces of the cavalrymen, spoke dryly to Tyron, who was riding right beside him.

“Bring Lucas to the front. I’ll train him myself until we return to Kalmore.”

The man shot him a worried glance.

Was he worried he might harm that greenhorn?

Varkas let out a faint sneer and added coldly.

“Do I have to say it twice?”

“……I’ll bring him right away.”

The man turned his horse and moved to the rear of the column.

A short while later, Lucas, his face set in a grim expression, rode up.

Varkas scanned his younger brother with a cold gaze, then gave a slight nod.

“From now on, you’ll serve as our guide. Take the lead.”

A clear look of tension flashed across his youthful face, still covered in baby hair. It was as if he sensed the trials that lay ahead.

He nodded once more.

“What are you waiting for? Get out in front.”

After a moment’s hesitation, the boy swung the reins and moved to the front.

He added harshly, his voice cutting through the boy’s stiff, rigid back.

“From now on, I will not tolerate you breaking ranks or leaving my sight. If you fail to fulfill your role, you will bear the consequences.”

“Your Highness, the young master still lacks experience...”

“Tyron El Drakan.”

The man who had presumptuously interrupted immediately fell silent.

Varkas issued his first and final warning.

“If you interrupt me one more time, you will pay the price.”

A chilling silence swept through the cavalry. It seemed they realized his warning was directed at everyone present.

Varkas scanned the cavalry with a sharp gaze before turning his eyes back to Lucas.

“Let’s set out now.”

Lucas, who had been glancing at him over his shoulder, spurred his horse on. Varkas immediately followed his younger brother.

They planned to make a wide detour around the northeastern region and head south.

After reaching the former border of the Kingdom of Arex, they would turn west again to inspect the southeastern region. Finally, after surveying the northwestern area, their tour of the domain would conclude upon arriving in Kalmore.

At a conservative estimate, it would take about fifteen days.

That was more than enough time to discipline his reckless younger brother.

He kept a close watch on his surroundings as he followed closely behind Lucas. Unless there was a major danger, he intended not to interfere with his younger brother’s guidance.

Fortunately, Lucas found his way skillfully without straying far from the set route.

However, perhaps due to a lack of experience leading a group, he would thoughtlessly venture down secluded paths without considering those following behind him.

Eventually, forced to retrace his steps, Lucas became noticeably dejected.

“Make sure you study the map properly. We need to reach the area near Brinak by tomorrow.”

Varkas, who had only reached the campsite as the sun was setting, spoke sternly to his younger brother.

“If we’re delayed, it’s all your fault. Pull yourself together and do your part.”

"………………Why is that my fault?"

Varkas, who had dismounted and was leading his horse toward the water’s edge, paused and turned to look at his younger brother.

Lucas glared at him with a defiant look. The boy shouted.

“The delay is your fault, Brother! You’re just taking out your frustration on me over yesterday’s childish tantrum!”

The sound of heavy breathing could be heard from all around.

Tension was etched on Lucas’s face as well. Yet, perhaps believing his brother couldn’t possibly do anything to him, his bronze-colored neck was stiff with tension.

Varkas let out a long sigh and slowly approached his younger brother.

Lucas raised his chin high and dared to glare fiercely with both eyes.

With a dry chuckle, Varkas reached out and brushed back Lucas’s disheveled dark brown hair. Startled by the sudden touch, Lucas’s shoulders stiffened. Varkas then gripped the back of his younger brother’s head and leaned in close to his pensive face.

“If I’d intended to take my anger out on you for yesterday, I would have put you in the sparring ring instead of going through all this trouble.”

The color drained from the boy’s wheat-colored, sun-kissed face. Varkas added gently, addressing that carefree face that had never known the weight of responsibility.

“Be grateful that you’re not yet an adult and that you’re my younger brother, Lucas. If that weren’t the case, instead of standing you in my way, I would have placed you in the same position as Alec Gutvan.”

“…”

“If you understand what I’m saying, you should apologize to your elder brother politely.”

“………………I’m sorry, Brother.”

“Good. I forgive your rudeness.”

He continued softly.

“Soon, you’ll have to apologize to my wife for your insolent remarks as well. For now, since she says she doesn’t even want to see your face, I’m simply leaving you be.”

Lucas bit his lip.

Varkas, who had been staring down at his face flushed red with humiliation, let go of his hand as if shaking him off.

“Now go do your job.”

***

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