Ch#174
174
Barkas, who had been instinctively tidying his clothes, gave a self-mocking smirk at his own behavior before walking toward the seat opposite her.
As he settled onto the velvet seat, Talia, handing him a goblet brimming with wine, brought up a formal topic of conversation.
“I heard the news that the war will be ending soon. Is it true a peace treaty is being signed?”
“Nothing is certain yet.”
Quenching his throat with wine so sweet his tongue felt tingly, Barkas continued cautiously.
“The talks have only just begun, so we must watch how things progress.”
“……If the talks don’t go well, will you have to head back to the battlefield?”
He held the goblet to his lips, staring intently at her expression.
Was it just his imagination that her complexion seemed to darken for a fleeting moment? Barkas swallowed another mouthful of the wine, which felt like it was burning his throat, and replied calmly.
“Unless a full-scale war breaks out, there will be no reason for me to depart for the front again. I cannot leave the Grand Duchy vacant forever, after all.”
“……I see.”
Talia murmured softly, fiddling with the pearl ornaments on her skirt. He glanced at her nervous hand movements before setting his glass down and leaning back against the chair.
He was exhausted to the bone from the grueling journey. He didn’t want to expend what little mental energy he had left trying to gauge exactly how she felt about his return.
She looked fine now. If so, it was time to put an end to her life of seclusion.
He ran a hand through his still-damp hair and let out a long breath. Then, he turned the conversation toward the issue she was pointedly ignoring.
“I believe it is time we discuss that wolf…… Khan.”
“I told you, there’s nothing wrong with Khan,” she snapped immediately.
“I’ve looked after Khan since he was a tiny pup. I have never once seen him harm or attack an innocent person! Everyone is just looking for an excuse to pick on him because he’s a monster.”
Barkas narrowed his eyes, catching the subtle nuance in her words.
“And what about people who aren’t innocent?”
For a moment, a flicker of agitation appeared in her eyes.
As if to hide it, she lowered her thick, long lashes and let a cold smile play on her lips.
“He just acted a bit threateningly toward someone who was hostile to me. Otherwise, he always behaves himself. If you’re that suspicious, go ask my personal maids.”
Watching her with narrowed eyes, Barkas slowly leaned forward.
“Who was hostile to Your Grace?”
The woman stiffened momentarily, then shrugged with a nonchalant expression.
“Who else? Your brothers and the vassals of the Sheikan family. Oh, and then there’s the old Grand Priest of Kalmor. That old man seems to think I’m some irredeemable, corrupt being.”
A chilling sneer hung on the corners of her lips.
“Well, I suppose it’s to be expected. Not only was I born impure, but I also drag a creature of the devil around with me…… It must be hard for the Church to even tolerate my existence.”
“……Have they ever committed a direct discourtesy toward Your Grace?”
“They’ve never openly criticized or insulted me,” she said, swirling the wine in her glass.
“They just attack me indirectly during every sermon, preaching about the impurity of monsters or how great a sin it is not to follow the doctrines.”
“Is that why you drastically reduced the annual donations to the Great Cathedral?”
“I was told I had that much decision-making authority,” she shot back defensively.
Barkas let out a dry chuckle.
It was just like her—instead of being cowed by the priests’ petty attacks, she had retaliated immediately. Seeing her exercise her power with a confidence that bordered on arrogance was almost a welcome sight.
“You may continue to decide the use of the allocated budget as you see fit.”
Even if it meant he would be bombarded with persistent meeting requests and constant letters of protest from the Great Cathedral, he was more than willing to endure it.
However, he remained skeptical about the matter of keeping that wolf by her side.
Resting his chin on one hand, Barkas carefully chose his words before speaking.
“However, we need to think more seriously about letting Khan stay within the castle. Are you not being subjected to unnecessary attacks simply for keeping a monster?”
“I don’t care what anyone says.”
She tilted her chin up.
“At most, they just whisper behind my back. I can handle that much.”
“A significant number of beast-type monsters inhabit this region. Every time they cause trouble, many will use Your Grace’s wolf as a scapegoat. This time as well…….”
Barkas paused for a moment, watching her reaction closely before adding cautiously, “I heard he fell under needless suspicion.”
“If you mean the business with Marisen…… that misunderstanding has already been cleared up.”
Having calmed her excitement, Talia responded with a composed demeanor.
“During the time Marisen was missing, Khan was with me at Tiuran’s hut. If you don’t believe me, go check with Tiuran. She will prove Khan’s innocence.”
He knit his brows. He couldn’t immediately recall who this ‘Tiuran’ she was speaking of was.
Only after a few seconds did he remember it was the name of the healing sorceress belonging to the Grand Ducal house.
“Why were you at the healing sorceress’s residence?”
“Khan and I often spend time there. Tiuran’s hut is quiet and peaceful.”
Suddenly, a soft smile graced her lips. It was a gentle, warm smile unlike any he had seen before.
In an instant, a complex surge of emotion—he couldn’t tell if it was relief or displeasure—washed over him.
He didn’t know why he felt so strange. Shouldn’t he be happy that she had found a place where she felt at ease?
He consciously focused his mind on the conversation, trying to shake off the inexplicable agitation.
“Regardless of the truth, many believe that wolf is dangerous.”
“There are plenty of people who like Khan, too,” she countered.
“When I took him to the walled village, everyone cheered.”
“Was he the same size back then as he is now?”
When the unfavorable question flew at her, she avoided his gaze.
“Everyone is just on edge because Khan suddenly grew so much in a few months. Their minds will change naturally over time.”
Barkas furrowed his brows at her stance, which was firmer than he had anticipated.
He knew she cherished that monster. But he hadn’t realized her attachment was strong enough to stubbornly dismiss concerns about her own safety and political standing.
He pressed firmly against his throbbing temples.
If the wolf was as harmless as she claimed, then the people’s complaints could simply be ignored. However, if by some chance the beast failed to suppress its aggression and harmed someone, all the blame would fall on her.
Could he really allow her to take such a risk?
Perhaps sensing his hesitation, she leaned forward and sent him a pleading look.
“That promise to grant me whatever I want…… is it no longer valid?”
He stiffened like a man who had been bitten on the neck without warning. As her sweet scent brushed past his nose, an unwanted sensation traveled up his spine.
Barkas stood up abruptly, walked to the window, and inhaled the humid air.
Beyond the garden drenched in white sunlight, the chapel building was visible. Recalling the grave that would be there, his churning gut quickly settled.
Having composed his emotions in an instant, Barkas turned back to her with a calm face.
“It is still valid.”
“Then let me stay with Khan. If you give your permission, no one else will be able to complain anymore.”
At that moment, a bitter taste rose in his throat.
This woman had never allowed him to stay by her side. And yet, she was clinging to him just to be with a mere beast.
Feeling a strange sense of futility at that fact, he spoke in a heavy, low tone.
“Very well.”
A bright smile broke across her face.
Turning away from it, he added somewhat stiffly.
“But if that wolf harms a human, there will be nothing more I can do.”
