Bab 21: The main purpose
Not bothering to beat around the bush and having an intimidating aura. It was the first impression that the Duke got from Canillas after encountering him in person, not through a rumor that circulated outside.
No wonder he had been able to become a great general at such a young age, thought the Duke in his mind.
Instead of answering the inquiry of the General, as the Duke, himself, was not sure about the true reason yet, he only smiled and offered Canillas a seat.
Canillas took a seat on the couch which was occupied previously by his wife, across from Duke de Lara, who sat in the same position as before.
The sunlight that penetrated through the large window, which was situated at the back of where Duke de Lara was sitting, made the room bright and warm.
The untouched coffee in the white-colored cup that had just been served by a servant sat on the table and the steam rising from the surface filled the room with the coffee fragrance, creating such a calming ambiance.
Under this particular atmosphere, compared to the von Rodega mansion, Canillas grasped the fact that the de Lara mansion was more comforting as his mansion felt darker and colder.
Suddenly, the thought of his wife came to wave in his mind. Was the lady happy when she stayed in his mansion? Even for Canillas himself, it was hard to give a positive answer, especially after finding out about the place where she had lived before getting married to him.
Then, it made sense if she fell sick when she was in the von Rodega mansion, which seemed to be not suitable to shelter a noble lady like Joanna de Lara. It was also understandable now if she chose to pack all her stuff from his mansion as if she did not want to return to a mansion that was inferior and less comfortable than the de Lara mansion.
With that in his mind, the upset and disappointment that had occupied him since he found out about her empty room in his mansion until the moment he set foot inside her maiden home was washed away.
But he needed to remind her if he happened to see her later that, no matter what she had in her mind, she was his wife now. No matter how inferior his mansion was, it was her living place now, a shelter for her as long as she was married to him.
It was for that reason he took a long, exhausting journey from Archess to Terra, to take the lady who had become his wife back to where he lived, regardless of the excuses she would state.
It took about thirteen days for Canillas to arrive in Barasca, which was shorter by half compared to the length of the journey that was taken by ordinary people.
As a soldier, traveling on horseback for days with a short break in between and finding a route that could shorten the trip were common things to do as he and his troops had frequently implemented this conduct during expeditions or battles.
With only seven men-at-arms to travel with him in defense against a sudden ambush by outlaws, thieves, or tribal groups, he managed to reach the southward where Terra was located.
Lingering his gaze on the rising steam for a moment, he raised his head when he heard his father-in-law talk to him after a moment of silence.
"I actually don't dare to presume the exact reason why Sir Canillas came without prior notice, remembering how my daughter left Archess when you were away on the battlefield. If Sir Canillas was offended by her action, I would like to ask for your understanding as she was rushed back here because she was sick at that time," the Duke reasoned, avoiding mentioning the part when she took all her belongings back with her.
As long as the young man didn't allude to that topic, the Duke would remain silent, trying to keep the water calm.
"I was offended, Your Grace, but not anymore after knowing that she had returned to Terra because of sickness. And I am here solely to visit Lady Joanna and to take her back to Archess as she is my wife now," answered Canillas, making the Duke take a quiet breath of relief, knowing that the General really didn't come to his territory for anger or any ill intention.
He also didn't find any negative expression in his demeanor. It was still the same expression he captured when they faced each other earlier, which was also a relief.
But he knew that it was absolutely not a piece of good news for his daughter.
"Thank you for your understanding, Sir Canillas," the Duke responded with a smile. "I have asked some servants to provide rooms for you and your attendants during your stay in this mansion. I hope you find it suitable," informed the Duke.
"Thank you for your kind attention, Your Grace. I really appreciate it," Canillas replied. He then continued to ask, "As I have explained my reason for being here, would you please let me know where I can see my wife, Your Grace?"
Upon his question, the Duke offered a small smile and calmly answered, "She is having a rest in her room as she is not feeling well at the moment. I will let her know about your arrival once she is awake. Until then, after such a long journey, how if Sir Canillas takes some rest as well? I will ask the butler to escort you to the assigned room," suggested Duke de Lara.
On the other hand, despite the calm tone used by the Duke to reveal the condition of his wife, a deep line appeared between Canillas' brows. Instead of responding to the suggestion given by his father-in-law, he inquired, "Is Lady Joanna falling sick? How long has it been?" He leaned forward as if wanting to hear the answer clearly.
Had she been sick all the time since she left his mansion and not healed yet? But it might not be the case as it had been quite a long ago since she left Archess. But what if it was true? Canillas turned worried at hearing such a possibility. How bad was her condition? Questioned Canillas in his mind.
Noticing the worry portrayed on the young man's countenance, the Duke felt warmth in his heart but he didn't reveal it. "Joanna has been feeling weak since she returned from Archess. It seems that the weather in Archess has impacted her health," the Duke reasoned with a sprinkle of lie.
What he told the General was an improvised story based on what was conveyed by Joanna to him when he asked the reason she returned to Terra. She said the same thing as she wrote in the letter that she sent to him before she arrived in Barasca, saying that she was sick due to the unfriendly weather in Archess.
Although the Duke found his daughter to be fine since she stepped foot inside the de Lara mansion that night, he couldn't help but give such an answer to his son-in-law.
What else he could give to answer such an unexpected event where his daughter suddenly asked him to refrain the General from meeting her for a certain period of time?
He didn't know what she was currently doing in her room, but he sensed that it had something to do with her intention to end her marriage with the General. Otherwise, instead of fleeing in a rush, she would have been here, meeting her husband in this room.
He also couldn't create any other sensible reason to answer the question of the General about why his wife was coincidentally sick when he was here.
He did try to avoid any conduct that offended the General. Not only was he an important person for Archess and Terra, but also the Duke hadn't found any behavior that made him deserve such bad treatment.
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