Chapter 175
## CHAPTER 175: THE FORGOTTEN FIELDS (NOVEL)
—”Something like that will never happen.”
She said it firmly.
However, Varkas realized that she was not certain of the truth of her own words; he could catch a glimpse in her confident smile of that very distinctive expression she showed when she was feigning courage.
The thought struck him that perhaps she, too, felt uneasy about the aggressiveness possessed by the “giant wolf.”
*…It would be best to prepare magical containment artifacts, anticipating the moment that beast might attack.*
In principle, any monster that attacked humans had to be eliminated on the spot, but he feared that Talia would suffer trauma if she witnessed such a scene.
It seemed he would have to give strict orders to his men so that the priority would be to capture it alive, even if the moment came when he was forced to use strength against the “giant wolf.”
He exhaled a weary sigh and stepped away from the window.
—”Then, I will go inform the vassals of my decision.”
—”Are you leaving right now?”
Varkas, who was about to head toward the door, stopped and looked at her.
Talia murmured shyly while twirling the strands of her long, damp hair:
—”You have just returned. I thought you should take a rest first…”
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
She was a woman who experienced pain simply by being in the same space as him. For the past two years, he had come to the castle constantly, but she had avoided him diligently. Why was she suddenly changing her attitude?
He addressed her cautiously, examining her intentions with a piercing gaze:
—”…Just as Your Highness has said, I have just returned and there are many matters that require attention. Unfortunately, rest will have to be postponed for a bit.”
He saw a flash of disappointment cross her face.
The woman twisted the corner of her lips to hide it and said abruptly:
—”Ah, really? Then leave quickly.”
He hesitated for a moment and then gripped the doorknob. At that moment, his field of vision was flooded by the presence of a huge grey wolf that stood before the door like a guardian.
The beast seemed infuriated at having been separated from its mistress; it pinned him with its bright blue eyes and entered the room abruptly through the open door.
Varkas furrowed his brow upon being pushed by the animal’s heavy body and stared at it fixedly.
The “giant wolf” crossed the Grand Duke’s bedroom with complete naturalness, as if entering its own home, and sat down next to Talia. Her eyes gleamed with joy as she looked at the wolf.
The woman wrapped her arms around the beast, which pressed against her side while wagging its tail, and buried her face in its fluffy neck.
Varkas remained watching that scene in silence and then closed the door.
—
—”Your Excellency, you are far too permissive with Her Highness the Duchess.”
Varkas raised his eyes from the petitions he was examining while seated at the front of the hall and looked at the elderly council member sitting to his left.
The man, in his fifties with severe features, held the position of judge responsible for resolving the various legal disputes in Kalmore.
He cleaned his monocle, manufactured by dwarves, with his handkerchief and let out a deep sigh:
—”We have turned a blind eye to what has happened until now out of consideration for the many misfortunes Her Highness the Grand Duchess has suffered, but we cannot accept her reckless actions forever. Many within the castle feel uneasy because of that wolf, in addition to the unnecessary friction with the church.”
—”I intend to meet with the high priest soon. I will resolve the conflict with the church on my own, so do not bring up this topic again.”
—”But…”
—”Since when did the men of the Shirkan family become so cowardly? Such a fuss over a simple wolf.”
He threw the bundle of petitions onto the meeting table and spoke with annoyance, causing the faces of the family’s high-ranking officials filling the hall to tense.
One of them expressed his discontent, saying:
—”Your Excellency, everyone present here is a devotee of the Empire’s church who has received baptism twice. According to the doctrines, are beasts not creatures created by the demon to inflict harm upon humans? That Her Highness the Grand Duchess, who should be a role model for all the people of the East, wanders around with such a malignant creature damages the prestige of the Duke’s family…”
—”As far as I know, you have had three illegitimate children with three different women.”
The man’s face flushed with shame upon hearing his observation.
Varkas exhaled a sigh of boredom:
—”Do I really have to mention this sort of matter? I assure you there is no one in this place who has lived strictly according to the doctrines. So stop looking for the faults of others.”
A heavy silence took over the hall.
Varkas examined the faces of the vassals surrounding the long table with deliberation, and added in a slightly calmer tone:
—”If you overlook my wife’s minor eccentricities, I will also cover up your minor faults. Is it not the duty of the family to protect the flaws of its own?”
The vassals perceived the implicit threat in his words, so the tension was reflected on their faces.
They exchanged glances for a brief instant and then proceeded to discuss the next topic evasively. It seemed they did not want to risk having everyone’s weaknesses revealed for the sake of a simple wolf.
Varkas sealed some legal reforms and then stood up from his seat.
As he was about to leave the hall, Lucas, who was following closely behind, approached him and spoke in a serious tone:
—”Are you really planning to leave that wild beast just as it is?”
—”Do not make me repeat my words.”
—”Brother, it is just that I am worried about my sister-in-law…”
Varkas stopped and turned toward him, so the man quickly corrected the title:
—”I do it out of concern for Her Highness the Grand Duchess. I do not know how she might have convinced you, but… that beast is dangerous. It will undoubtedly become a major problem one day.”
—”When that day comes, I will assume responsibility and take care of the matter, so do not meddle any further. That is an order.”
The man fell completely silent at his cold words.
Varkas turned around and began to walk down the long hallway.
At that exact moment, he heard the sound of light laughter coming from the window.
He turned his head unconsciously and stopped upon catching sight of his wife sitting on a long marble bench. And by her side, that huge beast remained steadfast as usual.
The “giant wolf,” whose coat was covered in grass and flower petals as if it had been up to no good in the garden, deposited something it carried in its snout onto her lap.
Varkas furrowed his brow upon realizing that it was a bouquet of flowers.
The bouquet was mangled by fangs, with the stems crushed and the petals scattered chaotically, but the woman held it close with happiness.
While he observed the scene in silence, Lucas, who had approached, murmured dumbfounded:
—”That sly creature only pretends to be docile in front of its mistress. In reality, it is extremely fierce…”
—”Lucas,” his brother interrupted him firmly. “I have been told that wolf only shows its fangs to protect my wife. Have you perhaps threatened her in some way?”
His brother waved his hands in bewilderment:
—”I have never done that! Of course, sometimes we argue… but that stems from my concern for Her Highness in my own way…”
—”It will be best if you do not approach her in the future,” he sentenced coldly. “That way, that wolf will have no reason to show its fangs to you.”
His brother’s cheeks flushed red and he pressed his lips together.
Varkas threw him a look as cold as lead, then turned around and continued on his way.
—
After spending the entire afternoon on a tour of Kalmore, Varkas returned and secluded himself in his office to draft a letter addressed to Darin.
It was unlikely that problems would arise because the conservative nobles would lead the negotiations, but it was better to be cautious.
He wrote instructions so they would not stop watching Duke Heimdall until the negotiations concluded, in order to guarantee that no mishap occurred, then poured the wax and sealed the missive.
At that moment, there was a knock at the door.
—”What is it?”
—”Excuse me, Your Excellency. I have come on instructions from Her Highness the Duchess.”
Surprise was reflected in his features, but then he granted permission to enter.
After a moment, the healer, dressed in a long robe, entered with cautious steps.
—”It is a pleasure to see you after so long, Your Excellency. Sincerely, that you have returned safely is…”
—”Drop the formalities. Tell me the reason for your visit.”
The woman, looking nervous, moistened her lips, approached the desk, and placed a small vial down.
—”Her Highness the Duchess asked me to deliver this to you. It is a special tonic made with mandrake extract.”
Varkas narrowed his eyes as he looked at the vial, then shifted his gaze to the healer’s face.
—”She asked you to deliver this to me?”
—”Yes, after learning that Your Excellency has been working on public affairs without rest since your return to the castle… she seemed to be extremely worried.”
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