Barcas, absentmindedly adjusting his clothes, scoffed at himself and walked to the seat opposite her.
As she sat down on the velvet seat, Thalia handed her a goblet full of wine and brought up the usual topic.
"I heard that the war will end soon. A peace treaty will be signed, right?"
"It's not certain yet."
Barcas, who had choked on a wine so sweet it was almost unacceptable, continued speaking carefully.
"The talks have just begun, so we'll have to wait and see how things go."
"...If the talks don't go well, will you have to go back to the battlefield?"
He held the goblet to his lips and studied her expression intently.
Was it his imagination that her complexion darkened for a moment? Barcas, taking another sip of wine as his throat burned, answered calmly.
"Unless an all-out war breaks out, I won't be going on another expedition. I can't keep the Grand Duchy empty forever."
"...I see."
Thalia muttered softly, fiddling with the pearls on her skirt. Barcas glanced at her nervous hand movements, then set down his glass and leaned back against the back of his chair.
He was exhausted from the arduous journey. He didn't want to waste all his remaining strength trying to figure out how she would feel about his return.
She seemed fine. So, it was time to end his time abroad.
He took a deep breath, scratching his still-damp hair. Then he brought up the subject she was ignoring.
"Now, I think it would be better to discuss the issue of the wolf."
"I told you there was nothing wrong with Khan."
She immediately stood up for him.
"I've been taking care of Khan since he was a little cub. But I've never once seen him hurt or attack an innocent person! Everyone just picks on him because he's a simple monster."
Barcas narrowed his eyes as he read the subtle nuances in her words.
"Who is not innocent?"
For a moment, a look of agitation appeared in her eyes.
The woman lowered her thick, long eyelashes as if to hide them, and a cold smile appeared on her lips.
"He was only a little threatening to those who were hostile to me. Other than that, he always behaves well. If you're really in doubt, ask my maids."
Barcas, who had been watching her with narrowed eyes, slowly leaned forward.
"Who has shown hostility to Your Highness?"
The woman who had been trembling and stiffening her body soon shrugged her shoulders with a calm expression.
"Who would they be? Your brothers and the vassals of the same house. Oh, and the old high priest of Kalmor. He seems to think I'm some corrupt being beyond redemption."
A cold sneer hung on the corner of her lips.
"Well, that's understandable. Not only was I born with an unclean nature, but I also have a demonic creation with me, so the sect will have a hard time tolerating my very existence."
"...Have they ever been directly rude to you?"
"They're never openly criticized or insult me."
She said, swirling her glass of wine.
"They just attack indirectly by preaching about the uncleanness of beasts and how great a sin it is not to follow the doctrines during every sermon.”
"So you've drastically reduced the amount of donations you make to the Great Temple every year?"
"I heard I have that much decision-making authority."
She shot back defensively.
Barcas let out a dry laugh.
Far from being intimidated by the priests' petty attacks, she immediately retaliated, which was typical of her. The way she wielded her power with such a brazen, almost arrogant, almost gratifying sight.
"Your Highness, you may continue to decide how to use the allocated budget."
Although it would result in persistent interview requests and constant protests from the Great Temple, Barcas was willing to take that risk.
But he was still skeptical about keeping that wolf by her side.
Barcas, who was carefully choosing his words with one hand on his chin, spoke cautiously.
"However, we need to give further consideration to the issue of keeping Kgan within the castle. Isn't Your Highness being subjected to unnecessary attacks simply because you're accompanied by a beast?"
"I don't care what anyone says."
She lifted the book.
"At best, everyone's just whispering behind my back. I can tolerate that."
"This area is inhabited by a significant number of beast-like creatures. Whenever they cause trouble, many will cling to Your Highness's wolves. This time too..."
Barcas paused for a moment, carefully observing her reaction, and added thoughtfully.
"I heard that the performance was met with suspicion."
"If it's Marisen's business... the misunderstanding about her has already been cleared up."
Thalia, who had calmed down, responded calmly.
"During the time Marisen was missing, Khan spent time with me at Tiuran's residence. If you don't believe me, check with Tauran. She will prove Khan's innocence."
He narrowed his eyes. He couldn't immediately recall who Tiuran she was talking about.
It was only after a few seconds that he remembered that it was the name of a healer belonging to the Grand Duke's family.
"...Why did you go to the healer's residence?"
"Khan and I often spend time there. Tiuran's cabin is quiet and peaceful."
Suddenly, a soft smile appeared on her lips. It was a gentle, warm smile unlike anything he ever seen before.
At that moment, a complex emotion washed over him, one that he couldn't tell if it was relief or discomfort.
Barcas couldn't figure out why he had such a strange feeling. Shouldn't he be glad that she had a place to put her heart?
He tried to shake off his inexplicable nervousness and consciously focused his mind on the conversation.
"Whether true or not, many people believe that the wolf is dangerous."
"There are many people who like Khan."
She retorted.
"When I took him out to the castle, everyone cheered."
“Was it the same size then as it is now?”
She avoided his gaze as the question flew at her.
"Everyone is just wary because Khan has grown so much in the past few months. They'll naturally change their mind over time."
Barcas furrowed his brows at the more forceful attitude than he had expected.
He knew she cherished that creature. But he didn't realize that attachment would so stubbornly override her concerns for her own safety and political standing.
He pressed his throbbing temples.
If, as she says, the wolf is harmless, then the human annoyances can be ignored. But if, by any chance, the beast loses control of its aggression and harms someone, all blame will fall on her.
Is it okay to let hwr take that risk?
She seemed to notice his distress as she leaned forward and gave him a pleading look.
"Whatever I want... Does that mean it's no longer valid?"
He froze, as if his neck had been bitten suddenly. As the sweet scent of someone's body tickled his nose, an unwanted sensation ran up his spine.
Barcas jumped up from his seat and walked to the window, breathing in the humid air.
Beyond the garden, bathed in white sunlight, he saw the chapel building. His turbulent stomach quickly calmed as he thought of the graves that lay there.
Barcas, who had quickly collected his emotions, looked back at her with a calm face.
“Valid.”
"Then let me stay with Khan. If you allow me, the others will have no more complaints."
At that moment, bitter water welled up inside him.
This woman never allowed him to stay by her side, yet one day she clung to him, insisting on being with the beast.
He said it in a heavy, sank tone, feeling a strange sense of emptiness at that fact.
"Great."
A bright smile appeared on her face.
He ignored it and added it somewhat stiffly.
"But if the wolf harms people, I can't do anything about it then."
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