The lord stared at him with a stiff expression before awkwardly scratching the back of his head with a strained laugh.

“I spoke out of turn. My apologies if I offended you.”

After giving him a cool look, Varkas crossed the courtyard.

The cavalry had already formed up before the gate, fully prepared for departure.

Sweeping his gaze over them, Varkas suddenly stopped.

Talia was walking across the dirt road.

Her pale yellow-brown hair, neatly braided, shone like pure gold beneath the autumn sunlight.

Studying her pale face, still marked by fatigue, Varkas left his horse with his attendant and approached her from behind. The woman, who had just grasped the carriage handle to climb inside, immediately glared at him in alarm.

“W-what...?”

Varkas, who had intended to help her into the carriage, slowly withdrew his hand.

His wife resembled prey staring at its natural enemy.

The moment he met those frightened blue eyes, something deep inside him, in some place he could not even identify, twitched faintly.

He quietly studied her face with narrowed eyes before stepping back.

Only then did the tension drain from her body, as though she had finally relaxed, and bitterness spread through his mouth.

Ignoring the strange reaction of his own body, he spoke calmly.

“From today onward, I intend to travel on horseback. I have assigned guards beside your carriage, so if anything happens, please summon them.”

A faint trace of relief crossed her face.

As though trying to hide it, she lowered her long, thick lashes and replied curtly,

“Do whatever you want.”

Then she practically fled into the carriage.

Standing silently by the door, Varkas watched her for a moment before letting out a quiet sigh and turning away.

It seemed all the effort he had spent getting her accustomed to his touch had come to nothing.

Considering his impatient actions the previous night, her reaction was hardly strange.

'...It would be better not to touch her for a while.'

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

If he wished to ease her wariness, he ought not approach her carelessly for some time.

Feeling the bitterness in his mouth deepen, he swung himself into the saddle.

“Once again, thank you for accepting my invitation, Your Grace.”

The lord, who had been waiting nearby, approached him again.

Turning his horse toward the head of the long cavalry column, Varkas gave a slight nod.

“I'll resolve the raider problem as quickly as possible.”

“Thank you. Then I shall pay my respects in Kalmor before long.”

The man called out loudly.

Varkas immediately spurred his horse forward.

Once they passed through the gate, the mounted warriors followed in formation. Judging by the strong scent of wine clinging to them, they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves the previous night.

Slowly studying the cavalrymen's faces, Varkas addressed Tyron, who rode close beside him.

“Bring Lucas to the front. Until we return to Kalmor, I will educate him personally.”

Tyron looked at him with concern.

Was he worried Varkas might harm that green youth?

A faint sneer touched Varkas's lips.

“Must I repeat myself?”

“...I'll bring him immediately.”

Tyron turned his horse and rode toward the rear.

Not long afterward, Lucas appeared with a stiff expression.

Varkas calmly looked him over and gestured with his chin.

“From now on, you'll serve as guide. Move to the front.”

Clear tension appeared on the youthful face that had not yet lost its boyish softness.

It was as though he had sensed the trials awaiting him.

Varkas nodded again.

“What are you waiting for? Get to the front.”

After hesitating briefly, the boy urged his horse forward.

Staring at his rigid back, Varkas added sternly,

“From now on, you are forbidden from leaving formation or disappearing from my sight. And if you fail to fulfill your role, you will bear responsibility for it.”

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

“Tyron El Drakan.”

The man who had presumptuously interrupted immediately shut his mouth.

Varkas delivered his first and last warning.

“If you interrupt me one more time, you'll pay for it.”

A cold silence spread among the cavalry.

They seemed to understand that his warning was directed at all of them.

After sweeping them with a sharp gaze, Varkas looked back at Lucas.

“Move out.”

Lucas glanced over his shoulder and then urged his horse onward.

Varkas followed immediately behind him.

They intended to make a wide circuit through the northeastern territories before heading south.

After reaching the borderlands of the former Kingdom of Arex, they would turn west and inspect the southeastern territories. Finally, after surveying the northwestern region, they would arrive in Kalmor, concluding the inspection of the domain.

At the longest, the journey would take roughly fifteen days.

More than enough time to discipline his immature younger brother.

Keeping a close watch on their surroundings, Varkas followed closely behind Lucas.

Unless some major danger arose, he intended not to interfere with his brother's guidance.

Fortunately, Lucas proved capable of finding the way without straying far from the designated route.

However, lacking experience leading a group, he often wandered into isolated paths without considering the people following behind him.

As a result, they occasionally had to retrace their steps, and Lucas grew visibly discouraged.

“Memorize the map properly. Tomorrow, we must reach the area near Brinak.”

Only around sunset did they arrive at camp, and Varkas addressed his brother sternly.

“If we're delayed, the responsibility will be yours. Keep your wits about you and fulfill your duty.”

“...Why is that my responsibility?”

Having dismounted and led his horse toward the water, Varkas paused and turned around.

Lucas glared at him rebelliously.

“The schedule got delayed because you decided to throw a childish tantrum over what happened yesterday!”

Sharp intakes of breath sounded from all around.

Even Lucas's face showed traces of tension.

Yet perhaps believing his brother wouldn't truly do anything to him, he held his sun-bronzed neck proudly upright.

Varkas let out a long sigh and slowly approached him.

Lucas lifted his chin high and glared fiercely with reckless bravado.

A dry chuckle escaped Varkas.

He reached out and brushed back the disheveled dark brown curls. Startled by the unexpected touch, Lucas's shoulders stiffened.

Then Varkas grabbed the back of his head and leaned close over his deathly pale face.

“If I had intended to vent my anger over yesterday, I would have put you in the training yard instead of going through all this troublesome effort.”

The color drained completely from his wheat-colored face.

Looking at that carefree expression, a face that had never borne responsibility in its life, Varkas continued softly,

“Be grateful that you're still a minor and that you're my brother, Lucas. Otherwise, instead of placing you in front of me, I would have put you beside someone like Alec Gutvan.”

“......”

“Now that you understand, you should apologize properly to your elder brother.”

“...I'm sorry, Brother.”

“Good. I forgive your rudeness.”

He continued gently.

“Soon enough, you'll also apologize for wagging your tongue so carelessly at my wife. For now, I'm leaving you alone because she doesn't even wish to see your face.”

Lucas bit his lip.

Quietly looking down at his reddened face, burning with humiliation, Varkas finally released him with a dismissive motion.

“Now go do your duty.”