The Forgotten Field Novel - Chapter 113
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVELA) – Chapter 113
“Prepare the funeral according to the procedures.”
With serenity, Varkas remained standing by the bed guarding the place, while dictating his instructions in a calm and firm voice.
Lina, who was holding her father’s cold hand while sobbing, raised her head to look at him with eyes full of indignation. She seemed to blame her older brother for not showing even a single shred of sadness.
On the contrary, Lucas seemed quite calm. Despite having red eyes from crying, he gave the impression of being prepared for this situation, so he comforted his sister in a soft tone:
“Stop crying now. Our father has gone to a better place.”
However, Lina’s sobs were not easily appeased. In the end, Lucas took her by the shoulders and guided her outside. It was then that the waiting priests began to draw the curtains around the bed and started washing the body of the deceased with water boiled with herbs.
Talia observed that ritual scene with fixed eyes; then, she gently took Varkas’s arm and pulled him to one side.
“Let’s go. There is no need to stay here any longer.”
Some of those present cast disapproving glances at them, but Talia did not care. Varkas contemplated the gathering for a moment and then nodded briefly.
“Let’s go.”
He wrapped his large hand around her back and guided her directly toward the hallway. Seeing them pass, the servants removed their hats as a sign of mourning. Talia examined the expressions of the servants while frowning slightly. Most showed grief-stricken faces, which suggested that the eccentric old man had apparently been a good lord to the castle. Perhaps he had also been a decent father to Lucas and Lina.
But for Varkas, the situation was probably very different. Talia cast a sideways glance at him and then opened her mouth cautiously:
“What did you mean… by that?”
He looked at her with an inquisitive expression. Talia continued with hesitation:
“Your father said something strange a moment ago.”
Varkas’s elegant eyes narrowed slightly.
“They were just the delusions of a dying old man, nothing more,” he replied firmly; then, he suddenly lifted her up in his arms and walked up the stairs.
Talia observed him with incredulity.
“Why would he say such a delusion then?”
Varkas sighed without stopping his pace.
“Your Highness must have heard the rumors about our family.”
“The rumors saying that the ancient Shirkhan clan used demonic powers?”
The corners of his lips curved into an ironic smile upon hearing her direct words.
“In reality, people possessing strange powers were born into the Shirkhan clan. My father firmly believed that I was one of them.”
Talia opened her eyes wide.
“Really?”
He replied with a mocking smile:
“What do you think?”
She seemed a bit bewildered. Noticing her expression, Varkas’s smile faded.
“Unfortunately, I do not possess any ability.”
Meanwhile, they crossed the hallway and Varkas opened the door to the bridal chamber. Talia’s shoulders shrunk against the cold air. Varkas entered the room, placed her on the bed, and wrapped her in the blanket.
Shortly after, three or four servants hastily entered the room, lit the fire in the fireplace, and placed a tray with food and drink. Once everyone withdrew at the same time, Talia formulated her question again:
“Do you really not have any power?”
Varkas, who was removing his coat to hang it on the wall, looked at her and frowned slightly. After observing his features for an instant, Talia insisted:
“It is said that Empress Bernadette was capable of reading people’s thoughts…”
“Those are all groundless rumors,” his tone became more severe. “My lady was only more sensitive to the emotions of others than the rest.”
Talia shuddered under his cold gaze, but continued inquiring:
“Then, do you really not see anything?”
Suddenly, he fixed a piercing gaze on her. At that precise moment, Talia understood why that old man believed his son saw something special. His blue eyes, flecked with silver flashes, resembled the sharp blades of two living daggers.
While swallowing hard, captivated by that gaze as sharp as a knife, Varkas suddenly let out a dry laugh.
“Are you perhaps afraid that I can see what is inside you?”
Talia lowered her gaze, overcome with guilt. Varkas approached the bed, held her chin, and forced her to look him in the face.
“What are you hiding in that head of yours to tremble like this? I am getting a bit curious.”
“Who says I am trembling?!” Talia exclaimed while pushing his hand away.
Although she did not believe it was possible, the mere thought that he could see what she harbored in her heart made a cold sweat break out on her. Varkas observed her with icy eyes and then said dryly:
“Your mind is safe, so there is no need to worry excessively.” He turned around, as if he did not wish to continue with the topic. “Eat dinner first. If you plan to attend the funeral ceremony tomorrow, you must regain your strength today.”
Varkas left the food tray by the bed with indifference and offered his advice in a harsh voice. Talia silently contemplated the steaming soup and the pieces of bread; then, she shifted her gaze toward him. Varkas had already headed to the fireplace and was stoking the firewood.
‘Is he not going to feed me himself today?’
As that thought crossed her mind, she let out a bitter laugh. A love that had become an old habit was not easily erased, like the soot stuck to the bottom of a pot. She felt relieved that Varkas could not see what was in her mind. If he knew that, even in the face of a miserable man’s death, she thought of nothing but him, he would undoubtedly feel revulsion…
Just as he had foreseen, the day the funeral began, a rain as cold as ice fell from the sky. However, from the following day onward, sunny days ensued. Thanks to this, the former grand duke of Shirkhan was able to be buried in the mausoleum of the eastern cathedral of Kalmor under a radiant sun.
After concluding the family burial ceremonies in an atmosphere of deep devotion, visitors began to arrive in droves to offer their condolences. The envoys coming from remote places remained at the Castle of Leidgho for approximately a week after attending the solemn funeral mass, and then departed.
The funeral honors of a grand duke lasted for at least a month, and sometimes up to three; during that period, the castle was transformed into a gathering point for emissaries to converse and exchange opinions. For this reason, Talia was forced to go through an extremely difficult time.
Dressed in the traditional attire of the East, Talia leaned on the railing while observing the crowded hall with a look of boredom. She had avoided attending the banquets and funeral masses under the pretext of her health, but she could not evade having to show herself before the guests.
She went down the stairs reluctantly. She took care to hide her limp upon entering the hall, and instantly hundreds of eyes turned toward her. Talia moistened her dry lips. She no longer felt the panic of the past, but the gaze of the people still caused her discomfort. Even after understanding that most did not even notice the scars on her body, the feeling persisted.
She sketched a slight smile on her rigid face.
“I thank you all for traveling from so far away. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“We thank you for your hospitality, Your Highness the Duchess,” replied a young man who contemplated her with dazzled eyes and an enthusiastic tone.
Talia tried to disguise her discomfort while turning around slowly. At that moment, someone stepped in front of her with great skill.
“The guests have prepared a special gift for Your Highness the Duchess.”
It was Daren Dro Shirkhan. The man, dressed in an elegant official uniform, led her toward the reception hall with total fluidity. He gave the impression of being determined to integrate her into the circle of the eastern nobility, even though she intended to limit herself to a quick greeting and retire.
Talia restrained the desire to pull her hand away from his, which was brushing her arm, and walked slowly among the visitors. Upon entering the luxuriously decorated reception hall, she saw Lucas and Lina wearing mourning clothes. Seeing their somber faces, she finally remembered that all this bustle was part of the funeral ceremonies.
Talia suppressed her sarcasm and took a seat in the place of honor, at the head of the long table. She noticed that Lina, seated at a certain distance, was transfixing her with a sharp gaze. Talia ignored her and addressed Daren in an indifferent tone:
“Did you not say they had prepared a gift? Bring it then.”
The man sketched a bitter smile at her arrogant attitude and then made a sign to the servants. A servant stepped forward carrying a large box.
“This is a gift from Baron Bacilar.”
Inside the box was a fabric of strange colors, undoubtedly crafted by fairies. Exclamations of admiration resonated here and there before such a rare gift, whose value was equivalent to that of an entire castle. The man presenting the gift looked extremely boastful.
However, Talia was not moved in the least. Following the appearance of the scars on her body, she had lost all interest in ornaments. She replied with an apathetic expression, pronouncing words of thanks that were merely formal:
“Thank you. I will keep it with appreciation.”
The baron’s face tensed a bit, as if he were surprised by her cold response. Talia ignored the fact and tried to rise from her seat, but the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. It seemed that another guest of great relevance had just arrived from somewhere.
Talia sighed with boredom. At that instant, the voice of the head of servants resonated:
“Your Highness the Duchess, a delegation from the Imperial Palace has arrived.”
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