## Chapter 139
—Ah… alright.
Tyron found nothing more to add.
The man led his horse with indifference, as if he did not notice that those who had lined up were gazing at him with bewildered eyes.
—I am sorry for having delayed you on the road.
Then he continued moving forward with his horse as if nothing had happened.
Tyron felt the tension diminish and sheathed his sword. Darren spoke as if trying to smooth over the awkward atmosphere:
—Surely you too have heard the happy news that Her Highness the Duchess is pregnant, right? It seems the Duke is extremely worried, given that it is her first pregnancy. By nature, Her Highness the Duchess has a small appetite and is very picky with food. That is why he pays very special attention to her meals.
"It doesn’t seem to have changed much from before…"
Tyron suppressed the irony rising in his throat while looking askance at his lord's back. That was the man who had pierced a body as huge as a mountain with his spear for the simple fact of having laid a hand on his wife. And what about when the Duchess fainted? He was not satisfied with bringing all kinds of food ingredients from the central region, but attended to her personally as if he were a servant. Now that she carried a child in her womb, it was evident to what extremes of exaggeration he would go.
—I too have heard the happy news about the heir to the family. I sincerely congratulate you, Your Highness the Duke.
The merchant who followed him silently at a short distance suddenly intervened in the conversation. He was fully aware that his fate was in the hands of the young Duke. The man, who had not hidden his discontent during the entire journey in which he was almost dragged from the north, showed a flexible smile on his lips and began to flatter him with care:
—Despite our modesty, our guild has also prepared a congratulatory gift. We heard that Her Highness the Duchess likes fresh fruit, so we used all our distribution networks to bring newly harvested fruit… but I do not know if they will be to Her Highness's liking.
The Duke, who was climbing the hill after just coming out of the forest, looked at the merchant over his shoulder. For the first time, a hint of interest appeared in his eyes, which before had gazed at him as if looking at an inanimate object.
—Listen to me, I understand that you reside in the north, but you are very well informed about the affairs of this place.
—The ears and mouths of merchants are faster than the wind. A rumor runs among the merchants that Your Highness is looking for exotic fruits for Her Highness the Duchess.
—…I must hope that this information is not used inappropriately.
A slight chill ran through the merchant's face, which shone as if smeared with oil, due to the implicit threat in Varkas's words. He seemed to have realized at that moment that this person was not the type to be deceived with insignificant bribes or flattery. The man swallowed hard, let out an awkward laugh, and lowered his gaze.
Varkas contemplated the scene with a cold face and then spurred his horse again. Tyron increased his speed to follow him. Shortly after, the huge walls surrounding Kalmor appeared behind the hill.
Darren, who arrived in front of the wall, stepped forward and dictated his instructions loudly:
—Men of Zaram have appeared in the forest of Argand! Send an exploration team immediately and reinforce the guard on all roads in the northwestern region!
At the same time that his powerful voice resonated, the soldiers stationed on the wall scattered quickly. It seemed they were going to share the news with the border guards immediately.
Varkas passed right by that bustling scene and crossed the gate toward the center of the city. Finally, the majestic walls surrounding the castle of Radgo filled his field of vision.
Tyron went inside and meticulously examined the castle to which he was returning after almost a month. The weariness of which he had been unaware invaded him upon being surrounded by the familiar environment. He dismounted from his horse and rubbed his numb shoulder.
When he set off for the north by order of Varkas, the atmosphere of war had reached critical levels, but now it had calmed down. That was due to the restriction of some supply routes heading north with the start of the rest season. In addition, Varkas's political pressure on the conservative nobles played a fundamental role. Some northern nobles began to be cautious after realizing that the situation had turned dangerous. If he managed to seize the northern distribution network in the interim, the Heimdall family would not dare to start the war, no matter how strong they were.
"Now everything depends on how an understanding is reached with this man."
Tyron looked at the guild leader while the latter whispered with his men in the castle courtyard, and then turned his gaze back toward Varkas. Varkas was handing over the game pieces hanging from his saddle to the servants. That scene devoid of tension made him feel exhausted again. It seemed that his lord was more interested in the food that would be served on his wife's table than in the matter of whether or not a rebellion would break out.
The man took off his dirty gloves and threw them aside, then gave detailed instructions to the servants:
—Select the most tender meat and roast it. Clean the rest well and prepare a soup, and use spices with moderation.
—We will do so.
Those who received the five pheasants immediately headed toward the kitchen. Considering their coordinated movement without signs of surprise, it seemed that this was not the first time Varkas had brought the ingredients himself.
"Could the main purpose of this exploration have been hunting?"
While contemplating him with eyes full of suspicion, the man, who was preparing to enter the castle, suddenly stopped his pace. Tyron turned his head unconsciously to follow his gaze and held his breath.
Near the entrance of the castle, in front of a small fountain, sat a blonde woman dressed in silver fur. The instant he saw her face enveloped by the pale winter light, his mind went blank. She was the woman who gave off a terrifying aura when he met her for the first time. The woman who before caused anguish, as if she were going to break at any moment, was now imbued with a serene vitality and glowed with a pearlescent brilliance.
While Tyron stood absorbed by that unreal scene, the ruler of the East hurried toward her.
—Why are you outside?
The woman's large eyes, which were contemplating the sky as if daydreaming, turned toward her husband. A slight smile appeared on her face, which always used to be tense and cold.
—I came out to see the snow fall.
—It is not yet time for the snow to fall.
—No. A little fell a moment ago. Perhaps more will fall if I wait.
—You can also see it from inside the room.
—I feel suffocated if I stay in the bedroom all the time. Besides, Marysine said it was better for me to move a little.
The woman's brow furrowed slightly, as if she did not like hearing reproaches.
—If you are going to scold me every time I come out, why did you give me this fur?
—I did not give it to you so you could stroll around the castle in this unprotected manner.
—What is wrong with my appearance?
She arched her eyebrows as her annoyance increased. Due to the redness around her eyes, as if she suffered from a mild fever, her appearance was somewhat peculiar. The man, who looked as if sculpted in plaster, perceived the same impression, and a strange tension ran across his face.
The woman continued to argue, as if she did not realize it:
—Speak. Is there something wrong with my appearance?
The man pressed his lips together, then let out a long sigh, took off his coat, and threw it to the subordinate waiting behind him. Immediately after, he carried his wife cautiously.
—Please, bear the bad smell for a moment.
Then he headed toward the castle entrance with long strides before she could put up any resistance. Those gathered in the courtyard contemplated the scene with expressions of astonishment. They had reason to. The two of them, with their bright golden hair, their blue eyes, and their ivory skin, looked like beings set apart from the real world.
—…They really are an identical couple —the northern merchant murmured with admiration.
Tyron felt discomfort at those words. They certainly corresponded to each other like a pair of thoroughbred horses. It was surprising that the two of them had been bitter enemies for so many years.