The only saving grace was that there were still three years left until the Zram invasion. They had to come up with a plan somehow within that time.
'...Is there no way to warn her of what will happen in the future?'
He walked out from behind the screen again and slowly looked around at the furniture that looked unnecessarily huge.
He saw three or four books and writing instruments lying on the desk. A beast couldn't hold a pen with its forepaws, but he wondered if it might be possible to leave a message using ink. However, would that really be a wise method?
He turned his gaze back to the bed. She was asleep, oblivious to the world. As he saw her pale face, still showing signs of illness, his heart tightened painfully.
Even if he were to manage to leave a message, would she really believe it? He was in a situation where he could not fully accept this. If a mere monster were to leave an ominous message under the pretext of a warning, he would likely be branded an evil spirit and driven away.
Even if, by some miracle, a miracle occurred and she believed his words, it was still a problem. She, too, could easily be branded a witch.
Just the fact that she commands monsters is enough to make her suspected of being a heretic, but if anyone were to see her communicating with them, she would be considered possessed by an evil spirit.
In the end, there was only one realistic course of action he could take. It was to steadfastly stand by her side until the day in question arrived three years later.
He used his hind legs, which had become longer and stronger than when he first woke up in this body, to leap onto the bed and sit at her head.
Although it currently had a humble appearance, the monster's growth rate was astonishingly fast. And he knew well how massive this wolf would grow in the future. If he could only avoid being driven out of this castle before the Zram invasion, he would be able to prevent the tragedy that would befall her.
'... To do that, you have to act as harmless as possible.'
He quietly gazed at his wife's face, half-buried in the pillow. He had to show a gentle and submissive attitude to those around her, if only to protect this woman.
Above all, the most important thing was to never show aggression. It was obvious that if he were to harm anyone, just as Khan had attacked Lucas, he would be immediately disposed of.
That must absolutely never happen. No matter what happens, he must stay by her side. If he can just stay in this castle for three years, he will be able to change the future.
And after that...
He stopped thinking at that point. He didn't want to think about things that were so far in the future right now. For the time being, he had to focus only on protecting her.
He curled up beside her. He was afraid that if he closed his eyes, all of this might fade away like a mirage, but he needed to get enough sleep, if only to promote physical growth.
He pressed himself close beside her and rested his chin on his neatly gathered front paws. Just then, the sound of heavy breathing brushed past his ears.
He suddenly lifted his head at the sound of someone struggling to breathe air, and saw her clutching her neck with both hands.
He sprang to his feet in surprise. Even in the darkness, he could clearly see her face turning blue, like someone on the verge of drowning. Without a moment to think, he let out a desperate cry.
A chilling fear swept over him at the sight of her, looking as if she were about to suffocate at any moment. Praying for someone to rush over, he let out a louder cry when Thalia, who had been gasping for breath in agony, lifted her sweat-soaked eyelids to look at him. Immediately, a frantic hand yanked his body closer.
"Barcas..."
At the sound of a choked-up voice, his spine stiffened for a moment.
His hopeful expectation that she might recognize him swelled for a moment, but as he met her unfocused eyes, his heart deflated in an instant. She hugged him tightly enough to hurt and muttered like someone who had lost their mind.
"I knew you would come. I... knew you would come to save me."
He felt the blood in his body freeze. As he realized the true nature of the nightmare tormenting her, it felt as if a cold blade was piercing his body.
He pressed his face close to her cold, bloodless neck and gasped for breath. The image of himself running toward Ayla Roem Guirta, leaving this woman behind, and the image of her being attacked by monsters flashed vividly through his mind.
He had never once been able to properly protect this woman. But this time, it would be different. He would protect her at all costs, even if it meant sacrificing his life. It did not matter if he could never hold her in his arms or kiss her again.
As long as she stays alive and breathing in this world, he doesn't care about anything else anymore.
He listened to her breathing gradually calming down, then carefully lifted her tear-soaked cheek.
Soon, peace came over her face.
He gazed at the figure endlessly again and again until the dim light of dawn broke.
***
"That medicine seems to work really well."
Thalia spoke in a cheerful voice upon seeing Marisen, who had come to check on her condition.
"Even though I took Khan for two laps around the garden, there is almost no pain in my legs, and I seem to toss and turn less at night."
The wizard, who was rummaging through the shelf to change the bandage on her leg, turned to look at her with a polite smile on her lips.
"That is truly fortunate."
"So, please prepare some extra reagents. I need to take them every day."
"Your Highness, that reagent is quite toxic. You must consume it over a period of at least three or four days to avoid putting a strain on your body."
"I didn't realize it was that strong."
She pouted dissatisfiedly.
"It wasn't very bitter, and I didn't experience any side effects like stomach pain after eating it."
"It only tastes like that, but the medicinal effect itself is quite strong..."
"What kind of medicine is it that makes you act like this?"
Tiuran, who had been silently scraping ash from the incense burner, cautiously opened her mouth.
Marisen looked back at her with a displeased expression.
"I merely gave you a slightly stronger painkiller because I heard that Your Highness's leg pain flares up every night."
"May I ask what kind of herbs you used?"
"It was prepared by mixing poppy, saripul, and wild boar bile into the extract."
A faint wrinkle formed between Tiuran's eyebrows at Marisen's explanation.
"Since all the ingredients produce a strong bitter taste, I wonder how you prepared it..."
"Why do I have to explain that to you?"
Marisen's voice grew even colder.
"You are nothing but an assistant sorcerer. It is unpleasant that you try to interrogate me as if you were Her Highness's personal healer."
"I did not mean it that way. I simply wanted to learn a thing or two from you, Marisen, but if I have offended you, I sincerely apologize."
Tiuran immediately bowed her head. Just as Marisen, who had been watching this with a displeased look, was about to say something, Thalia spoke irritably.
"Stop it. What kind of safety are you to be playing this childish war of nerves right now?"
"...I apologize. I didn't show a good side of myself."
Marisen replied in a calm tone and took out a clean, new bandage and ointment from her bag. Then, she began the examination as usual.
Thalia felt uncomfortable while she lifted her skirt to remove the bandage from her leg and apply ointment.
She looked out the window with a blank expression. Then, feeling a warm body temperature, she lowered her gaze again. Before she knew it, it was in bed.
The young wolf that had climbed up was carefully examining the scar on her leg with a worried look.
She held the wolf in her arms and slowly stroked its small head.
"You don't have to worry so much. This scar is from a few years ago, so it doesn't hurt that much now."
As it quietly looked up at her face, the wolf turned his gaze back to the rough scar. Deep sadness seemed to well up in his eyes, which were as bright as jewels.
Thalia hugged the wolf tightly, feeling a lump in her throat for some reason, when she sensed a presence just outside.
"Your Highness the Grand Duchess, I have come on an urgent matter. May I come inside?"
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