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Varkas, who had instinctively begun smoothing down his clothes, offered a mocking smirk at himself before walking over to the seat opposite her.
As he settled onto the velvet cushions, Talia handed him a goblet filled with wine and opened with a formal tone.
“I heard the war will soon come to an end. Is it true a peace treaty is being signed?”
“Nothing is certain yet.”
Wetting his throat with wine so sweet it made his tongue prickle, Varkas answered cautiously.
“The negotiations have only just begun. We must see how things unfold.”
“…If the talks fail, must you return to the front?”
He held the goblet to his lips, studying her expression closely.
Had he imagined the brief shadow crossing her face? Swallowing another mouthful of the wine, which burned down his throat, Varkas answered in an even tone.
“Unless open war breaks out, there will be no cause for me to ride back out. I cannot leave the Grand Duchy unattended indefinitely.”
“…I see.”
Talia murmured softly, her fingers toying with the pearl trim of her skirt. Glancing at the restless movement of her hands, he set the glass down and leaned back into the chair.
The grueling journey had left him bone-weary. He lacked the energy to pick apart her feelings about his return.
She seemed well enough now. In that case, it was time her seclusion came to an end.
Brushing a hand through his damp hair, he exhaled a long breath. Then he turned the conversation toward the matter she was so deliberately avoiding.
“I believe we must speak of that wolf… Khan.”
“I told you, there is nothing wrong with him,” she shot back at once.
“I have raised Khan since he was a pup. Not once has he harmed or attacked anyone innocent. Everyone simply looks for an excuse to torment him because he is a beast.”
Varkas narrowed his eyes, catching the slight distinction in her words.
“And what of those who are not innocent?”
A brief ripple of disquiet crossed her eyes.
As if to conceal it, she lowered her thick lashes, letting a thin, cold smile touch her lips.
“He merely bared his teeth at those who showed me malice. Otherwise, he is always gentle. If you doubt me, ask my maids.”
Keeping his eyes narrowed, Varkas leaned slowly forward.
“Who showed malice toward Your Grace?”
She stiffened for an instant, then gave a casual shrug.
“Who else? Your brothers, and the vassals of Shearkan. And that old Grand Priest of Kalmor. The old man seems convinced I am an irredeemable, tainted creature.”
A harsh, mocking sneer curled the edge of her mouth.
“Well, I suppose that makes sense. Born impure, and now dragging a devil’s beast behind me… It must try the Church’s patience just to look upon my face.”
“…Have they ever shown open disrespect to Your Grace?”
“They never come out and say it to my face,” she replied, swirling the wine in her glass.
“They merely make indirect remarks during every sermon—preaching on the filth of beasts, or the grave sin of turning from church doctrine.”
“Is that why you slashed the annual tithe to the cathedral?”
“I was told that was within my authority,” she countered coldly.
A dry breath of laughter slipped from Varkas.
It was entirely like her: never shrinking before the priests’ barbs, but striking back on her own terms. Seeing her wield authority with pride bordering on arrogance was almost a relief.
“You may continue to allocate the household budget as you see fit.”
He was willing enough to endure the flood of urgent audiences and letters of protest that would come pouring in from the cathedral.
Yet his doubts over keeping that wolf at her side remained.
Resting his chin on one hand, Varkas weighed his words carefully before speaking.
“Even so, we must give careful thought to keeping Khan within the castle walls. Are you not drawing needless enmity simply by harboring such a creature?”
“I care nothing for what they say.”
She lifted her chin.
“At most, they whisper behind my back. I can endure that much.”
“These lands harbor many beasts. Whenever something occurs, people will look to Your Grace’s wolf as a convenient scapegoat. Just as they did this time…”
Varkas paused, observing her face before adding deliberately, “I heard he fell under pointless suspicion.”
“If you mean Marisen… that matter has already been cleared up.”
Her initial prickliness settled, Talia answered with composure.
“The day Marisen disappeared, Khan was with me at Tiuran’s hut. If you do not believe me, go ask Tiuran yourself. She will attest to his innocence.”
He frowned slightly, the name failing to register at first.
Only after a moment did he recall that Tiuran was the healer attached to the ducal estate.
“Why were you at the healer’s quarters?”
“Khan and I spend time there often. Her place is quiet and peaceful.”
A faint smile touched her lips, soft and warm in a way he had never seen before.
A tangle of contradictory feelings—whether relief or resentment, he could not say—surged through him.
He could not account for the unease. Surely he ought to be glad she had found somewhere she felt safe.
Forcing the strange disturbance from his mind, he pulled his focus back to the matter at hand.
“Regardless of the truth, many will consider that wolf dangerous.”
“There are plenty who are fond of him as well,” she protested.
“When I brought him down to the walled village, everyone was delighted.”
“Was he that size back then?”
Faced with the inconvenient question, she looked away.
“They are only unsettled because he grew so large in a few short months. Given time, they will come around.”
Varkas frowned at her stubbornness, which proved far greater than he had anticipated.
He knew she was fond of the creature, but he had not expected her attachment to run so deep that she would disregard both her safety and her position.
He pressed a hand against his throbbing temple.
If the wolf were truly as harmless as she claimed, the grumbling of the court could simply be ignored. But should that beast fail to hold its instincts and hurt someone, the consequences would fall squarely upon her.
Could he truly permit her to take such a risk?
Perhaps reading his hesitation, she leaned forward, her gaze pleading.
“Your promise to grant me whatever I asked… does it still stand?”
He stiffened as if struck from behind. As her sweet scent reached him, an unwelcome chill swept up his spine.
Varkas rose abruptly from his seat, walked over to the window, and drew in a breath of damp air.
Beyond the sun-drenched garden stood the chapel. The thought of the grave resting there cooled the sudden turmoil in his chest.
Having regained his composure, Varkas turned back toward her, his face impassive once more.
“It still stands.”
“Then let me keep Khan. If you give your word, no one will dare object.”
A bitter taste rose in his mouth.
This woman, who had never once permitted him to remain at her side, was now pleading with him for the sake of a beast.
A hollow weariness settled over him, and his voice dropped low and heavy.
“Very well.”
A bright smile lit up her face.
Looking away from that radiance, he added in a stiff voice,
“However, should that wolf ever harm a person, I will not be able to protect it.”
END