Lucas snorted.
"When did the eastern people start caring about things like peace?"
"It's time to pay attention."
There was a faint hint of warning on Tyron's face. The mounted warrior, who was staring at him with his slender eyes, continued seriously.
"While His Excellency is in bed, the cohesion of the East has noticeably weakened. On the other hand, the Zram people have been steadily gaining power. If they decide to attack, the East will be a sea of fire in an Instant. This is not the time to quarrel over unworthy things."
Lucas erased the pouty smile on his lips.
"Aren't you exaggerating? Although the Zram are troubled, we have the most powerful mounted army in the Empire. Let's try to make a name for ourselves by the savages who have been pushed to the periphery."
"That cavalry army is nothing more than a ragtag group without a strong leader."
Tyron sighed frustratedly.
"While the Grand Duke was withdrawing from the front line, the lords of the East had each increased their power. Their warriors are loyal to their lord, not the Sheerkhan family. If even one of the lords unites to rebel, the East will be divided in an instant."
In the face of successive pessimism, Lucas solidified his bet.
He knew that some vassals were making unsettling moves. But he had never thought of a situation as serious as Tyron said.
Lucas responded in a firm tone.
"If the vassals plot rebellion, they will not stand still in the imperial palace. The Sheerkan family is also a vassal of the Emperor. To go against the Grand Duke is to rebel against the Roem Empire."
"You don't understand it."
Tyron clicked his tongue roughly.
"It means that we must prevent rebellion from occurring in the first place. If the imperial palace had to intervene, the East would already be in chaos. We need to set the discipline right before that happens."
Lucas couldn't find anything to refute and kept his mouth shut. Tyron, who was looking at him with stern eyes, firmly nailed him.
"The inauguration of the new Grand Duke will be an opportunity to unite the East again. As a member of the Sheerkan family, you must cooperate."
"...In the end, I mean to obey his will."
"Isn't it inevitable that you will be born as the second son?"
Tyron threw out a bone-chilling word.
Lucas, who was quietly glaring at him, swung the reins and shook off the annoying nagger.
He was only fifteen years old. He didn't want to worry about the complicated situation in the East or his duties as the second son.
He spurred his words as if he were greedy.
As he ran out of the meadow, he saw a vast pasture under the westward sun.
Lucas stopped his horse at the top of the hill and looked around at the hundreds of horses grazing leisurely, then turned his horse to a large camp nearby.
As he approached the large barracks, which seemed to be a meeting place, a tall man wearing a colorful coat ran out to greet him.
"Welcome! I've been waiting for you to come whenever you come and get throated."
He was also a vassal of the Sheerkan family, with whom he was familiar. Lucas jumped out of the saddle and shouted energetically to the man.
"Kun Badera! It's been a long time."
"It's been a long time, Lucas. You're so tall."
"I've gained more weight than you've ever seen."
The man chuckled and scattered his hair roughly.
That bad habit of speaking is still there."
The man, who had a bushy face and a relaxed smile, suddenly looked around.
"By the way, where are the others? I have heard that the newly appointed Grand Duke will bring horseback warriors..."
"He'll be there soon."
Lucas pointed to the top of the hill and spat out sourly.
"He nags me too, and I got ahead of him."
Before he could finish speaking, hundreds of cavalrymen appeared on the ridge.
Kun Badera immediately instructed his servants to prepare to welcome the guests. Lucas also went to the hill to fulfill his duty.
Just in time, Barcas got off in the traveling wagon that arrived in front of the meeting hall.
Lucas, who was running to attend to him, suddenly stopped. The Second Princess was in his brother's arms.
Barcas, who was holding the limp woman in one arm as if he were completely exhausted, looked around and asked.
"Where should we stay?"
Kun Badera, who had been staring blankly at the two of them, rushed over and shook his head.
"Madam, nice to meet you. Your Excellency. My name is Kun Badera, who manage your horses."
The man, who was stuttering with a very nervous face, turned around and added.
"Follow me. I will guide you to where you will stay."
Barcas, who had weakly lowered the woman's head over his shoulder, followed the man. Lucas, who hesitated for a moment, followed suit.
The place where the man took them was a large barracks located in the center of the camp. Inside the conical tent covered with bitumen, there were large beds and luxurious furniture.
Barcas, who was looking around the room, laid the woman down on the wide bed and gave instructions to Lucas.
"You go and call the attendants. Among Her Highness's maids must be a quarter dwarf."
"...I know my job is to serve my brother."
Barcas, who was lowering the awning on the bed, let out a dry laugh as if he were ridiculous.
"So, didn't I just give you instructions?"
"What you asked me to do was a miserrand that even servants could do. My job is to manage your words and weapons..."
"Your job is to follow my instructions without hesitation."
Barcas got up from his seat and strode in front of him. Lucas took a step back without realizing it.
Holding his shoulder with one hand, Barcas swept his messy hair and continued slowly.
"Lucas, you will learn to obey me in the future. It's a virtue you should have learned from the time you started riding a horse."
Lucas stiffened like a mouse in front of a snake. Barcas, who looked into his face with cold eyes, added calmly.
"If you spit on my words in the future, you will be punished accordingly. Do you understand?"
Lucas swallowed his dry saliva and nodded slowly. Barcas immediately made a chin gesture.
"Then hurry up and call the maid."
Lucas immediately ran out of the barracks.
Apparently, this tour was not going to be a pleasant outing.
He stumbled forward, his hair disheveled.
***
The pain that was aching in my knees crawled up to my pelvis.
As I tossed and turned on the thick seat, I struggled to lift my tight eyelids.
The unfamiliar ceiling with flickering lights filled the view.
Blinking, I slowly raised my upper body. Then, suddenly, I realized that I was wearing only a thin linen dress, and I was upset.
I hurriedly groped my leg and felt the bandage I had wrapped around it in the morning. Fortunately, it seemed that only the jacket was taken off. Just as I let out a small sigh of relief, I heard a faint sound of water from afar.
I turned my head and froze, finding Barcas washing his face with his shirt off.
He scooped up the water with his palm and ran it across the nape of his neck. A stream of transparent water slowly flowed down the tightly curved muscles. I, who had been staring blankly at the scene, managed to squeeze my voice.
"Hey, what are you doing now?"
Barcas, who was rubbing his face with his wet hands, turned his head to me. The pale body, soaked with water, filled the retina.
My face turned bright red, and I hurriedly pulled the blanket to my chest.
"Why, why are you taking it off! You pervert!"
Barcas, who looked down at me silently, let out a heavy sigh.
"I can't wet my clothes, can I?"
"That's why you're washing here...!"
I, who was bursting into a new voice, stopped breathing the next moment. Barcas bent over the bed and covered my mouth with one hand.
"Keep your voice down."
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