Lucas stared intently at him before adding with a mocking smile,
"Isn't that right? You weren't forced into marrying my sister-in-law because of His Majesty's orders. You wanted to, so you threw aside your fiancée and eagerly accepted the Emperor's proposal."
Casting a cold glance over his shoulder, Varkas resumed walking without saying a word.
Irritated at being ignored, Lucas hurried after him.
"I hit the mark, didn't I?"
"..."
"Don't you think it's unfair? You married a woman who brings absolutely no benefit to the family, yet you're demanding that only Raina and I make sacrifices."
"Sacrifices?"
As he silently crossed the training grounds, Varkas turned a chilling gaze upon him.
Lucas instinctively took a step back.
It felt as though an icy gust of wind had suddenly swept past him.
The Grand Duke approached, carrying a coldness sharp enough to dispel the warmth of early summer, and curved his lips into a faint smile.
"Remarkable. Just how comfortably have you lived all this time, if you can call nothing more than a political marriage a sacrifice?"
The unnervingly gentle voice made Lucas's back stiffen.
Leaning his inhumanly perfect face toward him, Varkas continued slowly,
"Answer me one thing. If you refuse to shoulder even the responsibilities every noble is expected to bear... then how exactly do you intend to repay the privileges you've enjoyed all your life?"
Lucas bit down on his lower lip, unable to answer.
Quietly studying his younger brother's flushed face, Varkas let out a long breath before softening his tone.
"There's no need to resist so fiercely already. I intend to present the best possible choices for all of you. You and Raina simply have to choose the person you like best from among numerous candidates."
"...What if I don't like any of them?"
"Then choose the one you dislike the least."
Varkas's voice became stern once more.
"The time for childish whims ended long ago. Both of you have reached the point where it's time to contribute something to this family."
Clenching his fists tightly, Lucas spoke in a subdued voice.
"I understand exactly what you're saying."
"Good."
Replying flatly, Varkas squeezed his brother's shoulder once before walking away again.
Lucas watched his retreating figure with dark, conflicted eyes before eventually turning in the opposite direction.
After leaving the castle, Varkas attended a council meeting at the Kalmor Assembly Hall, where he reviewed the proposed legal revisions that had been under discussion.
Once the tedious administrative procedures were finished, he stopped by the garrison headquarters on the outskirts of the city to examine detailed reports regarding the frequency of the raiders' attacks and the areas that had suffered damage.
By the time all of his official duties were complete and he returned to the castle, the sunset had swallowed the entire world.
Looking up at the purple-stained sky, Varkas tossed the reins to the startled stablemaster who came running out before heading straight toward the main keep.
"Welcome back, Your Grace."
As he entered the spacious hall, the servants lighting the chandeliers all bowed simultaneously.
Acknowledging them with a slight nod, Varkas climbed the stairs without stopping.
He was about to continue toward the bedroom adjoining his study on the third floor when a cautious voice called out behind him.
"Y-Your Grace."
Turning around, he saw the head butler standing there with a tense expression.
Raising one eyebrow, Varkas asked,
"What is it?"
"Her Grace the Grand Duchess is currently in the second-floor bedroom. She asked me to inform you when you returned..."
Frowning slightly, Varkas immediately changed direction.
Descending one flight of stairs, he found the guards standing watch outside his bedroom.
After signaling for them to withdraw, he knocked on the door.
Only after a long pause did a somewhat hoarse voice answer.
"Come in."
Opening the door, Varkas immediately caught the heavy scent of medicinal herbs and frowned.
The air had become hazy from the sheer number of incense burners that had been lit.
He strode across the room, opened the windows wide, then extinguished the incense that was still smoldering before turning a disapproving gaze toward the bed.
"Are you trying to suffocate yourself? Just how long have you been—"