Chapter 174
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL) – Chapter 174
Chapter 174
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL)
Varkas adjusted his clothes unconsciously, then mocked himself and headed toward the seat opposite her.
As soon as he settled into the velvet armchair, Talia extended a glass filled with wine to him and opened the conversation with a routine topic:
—I have received news that the war will end soon, and it is even said that a peace treaty will be signed, is it true?
—Nothing is certain yet.
Varkas moistened his throat with the wine, which was so sweet that it stung his tongue, and then continued cautiously:
—The negotiations are just beginning, so we must observe the development of events.
—… And if the negotiations do not go well, will you have to return to the battlefield again?
He held the glass next to his lips and dedicated himself to observing the expression on her face intently.
Was he imagining it or had her features really darkened for an instant? Varkas swallowed another sip of wine down his throat, in which he felt a slight burning, and replied calmly:
—Unless a total war breaks out, I will not have to depart on a second military campaign; I cannot leave the territory of the Grand Duchy vacant forever.
—… I understand.
Talia murmured in a low voice while she toyed with the pearl ornaments on the edge of her dress.
He shifted his gaze toward the movement of her hand, which betrayed nervousness, then set the glass aside and leaned his back against the seat.
He was completely exhausted from the grueling journey and did not wish to deplete what remained of his mental energy trying to guess her feelings regarding his return.
She seemed to be doing well now, and if that was the case, it was time to put an end to her life in reclusion.
He passed a hand through his hair, which still remained damp, and let out a long sigh before directing the conversation toward the topic she was trying to evade:
—Now it would be better for us to discuss the matter of that wolf… Khan.
—I have already told you that Khan does not represent any problem —she replied sharply right away—. I have cared for Khan since he was a small pup and I have never seen him hurt or attack an innocent person! Everyone is just looking for trouble because he is a wild beast.
Varkas narrowed his eyes upon catching a hidden nuance in her words:
—And what about those who are not innocent?
A trace of bewilderment appeared in her eyes for an instant.
The woman lowered her long, thick eyelashes to hide it, and then drew a cold smile on her lips:
—He has only shown himself a bit threatening to those who manifested hostility toward me; other than that, he always behaves in a peaceful manner. If you doubt it, ask my personal maids.
Varkas slowly leaned his body forward while observing her with narrowed eyes:
—Who has shown a hostile attitude toward Your Highness?
Her body tensed for a moment before she shrugged her shoulders with indifference:
—Who else? Your brothers and the vassals of the Shirkan family. Oh, and also the old high priest of Kalmore; it seems that old man considers me a corrupt and unsalvageable entity.
A frigid sneer settled on the corner of her lips.
—Well, it is to be expected; not only is my origin impure, but I also take charge of a demonic creature… For the church, my sole existence is already something difficult to tolerate.
—… Did they perhaps commit any direct insolence against you?
—They did not criticize me or insult me openly —she said while spinning the glass between her hands—. They only attack me in an indirect manner; in every sermon they speak about the impurity of beasts and about how not following the doctrines constitutes a deadly sin.
—An is it for that reason that you drastically reduced the annual donations to the Great Cathedral?
—They told me that I possessed the authority to make that kind of decision —she replied in a defensive tone.
Varkas let out a dry laugh.
It was typical of her character not to shrink before the petty attacks of the priests, but to strike back immediately. In fact, seeing her exercise her authority with such pride produced a certain sense of relief in him.
—You may continue administering the assigned budget as you please.
Even though this would bring him insistent requests for an audience and constant letters of protest from the cathedral, he was willing to deal with it. However, he remained skeptical about the convenience of that wolf remaining by her side.
He brought a hand to his chin and weighed his words carefully before speaking with prudence:
—Even so, the fact that Khan remains inside the castle requires greater reflection. Is Your Highness not exposing yourself to unnecessary attacks by the simple fact of possessing a wild beast?
—I do not care what they are babbling about —she raised her chin defiantly—. The only thing they do is murmur behind my back, and I can endure that.
—In this region live large quantities of monsters similar to animals, and every time those creatures cause a problem, the matter will be linked to your wolf. Even on this occasion…
Varkas kept silent for an instant and observed her reaction attentively before adding with caution:
—I heard that you were the object of unfounded suspicions.
—If you are referring to the matter of Maryseen… that misunderstanding has already been cleared up —Talia replied calmly after placating her emotions—. During the period in which Maryseen disappeared, Khan was spending time with me at Tyuran’s residence. If you do not believe my words, ask Tyuran, she will prove Khan’s innocence.
He knitted his brow, as he failed to recall immediately who that “Tyuran” she was talking about was. After a few seconds, he remembered it was the name of the healer belonging to the Grand Duke’s house.
—And why did you go to the healer’s residence?
—Khan and I spend time there from time to time; Tyuran’s cabin is quiet and peaceful.
Suddenly, a delicate smile appeared on her lips, a warm and affectionate smile that he had never seen on her before.
In that instant, a complex mixture of emotions invaded him, without him being able to distinguish whether it was relief or annoyance. He did not understand the reason for that strange feeling; was he not supposed to be glad that she had found a place that brought peace to her heart?
He tried to shake off the inexplicable uneasiness and concentrated his thoughts on the conversation in a conscious manner:
—Regardless of the truth, many believe that wolf is dangerous.
—There are also many people who love Khan —she objected—. When I took him to the village of the wall, everyone cheered welcoming him.
—Was he this same size back then?
She avoided his gaze when he posed that uncomfortable question:
—Everyone only shows themselves cautious because Khan grew suddenly in a matter of a few months; with the passage of time, they will change their minds naturally.
Varkas brought his eyebrows together before her inflexible posture, which surpassed his expectations. He knew she treasured that wild beast, but he did not imagine her attachment reached the degree of completely ignoring the fears about her own safety and her political position.
He pressed his temples, which were causing him pain.
If that wolf were a harmless creature as she said, it would be enough to overlook the complaints of the people; but if that wild beast lost control of its aggressiveness even just once and hurt someone, all the blame would fall upon her. Was it correct to allow her to face such danger?
She seemed to notice his dilemma, so she leaned her body forward and directed a pleading look at him:
—The promise you made to grant me everything I desired… is it perhaps no longer standing?
Varkas’s body tensed as if he had received a surprise bite to the neck. Just as her intoxicating scent brushed his nose, an undesirable sensation ran down his spine.
Varkas stood up abruptly and headed toward the window to breathe the humid air.
Beyond the garden flooded by the white sunlight, the building of the chapel could be glimpsed. Upon remembering the grave that was located there, the whirlwind of his emotions subsided quickly.
Varkas recovered his composure in an instant and then turned toward her with a serene face:
—It is still standing.
—Then, allow me to keep Khan. If you agree, the others will no longer be able to complain.
At that moment, he felt a bitterness ascend through his throat.
This woman had never allowed him to remain by her side, and yet, now she pleaded with him insistently to keep a simple animal.
Feeling a strange disappointment, he spoke with a heavy tone:
—All right.
A radiant smile illuminated her face.
He overlooked that and added with a somewhat dry accent:
—But if that wolf happens to hurt someone, there will no longer be anything I can do.
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL) – Chapter 174
Chapter 174
THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL)
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