"That..."
The man, who had been stammering as if speechless, soon managed to speak with difficulty.
"As you are likely aware... the majority of the retainers of the House of Sheerkhan do not think highly of you, Sister-in-law. And now, that dissatisfaction is spreading even to the Eastern Noble Alliance. With the political situation unstable due to the civil war and my brother frequently away, you..."
As he hesitated, unable to finish his sentence, Thalia twisted the corners of her mouth in a mocking smile.
"It looks like they've started making a fuss behind my back, saying that the useless illegitimate Princess must be dragged down from the position of Grand Duchess, hasn't it?"
A look of bewilderment crossed Lucas's face. Thalia let out a chuckle, strode forward, and yanked the loose outer hem.
"So what?"
"No. I mean... if you start engaging in public activities, wouldn't such gossip die down?"
"What do you have to do with anything they say about me?"
As she stared intently into his yellowish-brown eyes as if searching, his large, dilated pupils trembled slightly. At that suspicious reaction, Thalia, who had been narrowing her eyes, asked as if testing the waters.
"Wouldn't it be better for you to oust me from the position of Grand Duchess and welcome a proper new Grand Duchess?"
Lucas, who had been stiffening in a look of panic, roughly shook off her hand and took a step back. Then, fumbling to straighten his disheveled clothes, he spat out a curt remark.
"With the political situation already in turmoil, wouldn't it be my brother who ends up in trouble if internal affairs become chaotic as well? You must solidify your position as Grand Duchess for the unity of the Eastern Region to become firm."
Despite the rather plausible explanation, Thalia could not completely shake off her doubts and narrowed her eyes. Lucas, letting out a heavy sigh as if somewhat fed up with her attitude, added stiffly.
"In the midst of fighting for his life on the battlefield, do my brother really have to get into an argument with those who left his wife behind?"
At the pointed remark that struck a vital spot, the color drained from Thalia's face instantly. Sensing her emotions keenly, Khan immediately bristled and bared his teeth. Noticing several merchants staring at them with terrified eyes, Thalia quickly bent down and calmed the direwolf. Then, she asked in a firm voice.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
"I'm not asking for anything extraordinary."
Lucas spoke in a much softer tone.
"I do not ask for anything more than the minimum duties required of a Grand Duchess externally."
"Tell me a little more specifically."
"Making an appearance at official events, cultivating friendships with nobles or influential figures in Kalmor, inspecting the territory... you know, things like that."
Thalia looked down at the stone floor at her feet with a pensive expression. As Lucas had said, she could not be a burden to Barcas forever.
After hesitating for a long time with her arms wrapped around Khan's neck, Thalia finally nodded.
"Okay. I don't think that will be too difficult."
A faint sense of relief flashed across Lucas's face. With a much softer expression, he parted his lips.
"That's a good idea. Now, let me introduce you to a few people I know."
As if worried that she might have a whim and change her mind, he quickly walked toward the tent where the nobles were gathered. Thalia reluctantly took Khan and followed after him.
The murmur of excitement over the appearance of the huge wolf was short-lived, as those who recognized her rose from their seats in unison to pay their respects.
As Thalia, having casually brushed off their greetings, took a seat at the innermost part of the tent, Kalmor's city councilor and influential merchants came to greet her.
In addition, influential figures from various cities approached the Khan, suppressing even their fear of him.
Thalia reluctantly respond with a confrontational expression, concealing her weariness. Although she could pour out sarcasm or criticism with ease, she had not the slightest talent for social etiquette, making empty conversations quite a struggle.
She stalled for time by pretending to drink the beverages offered by the servants, then hurriedly stood up from her seat as the auction was nearing its end.
"I'm going to go outside now. It's so noisy my head hurts."
As she spoke with the guild leader of the merchants' association, Lucas carefully observed her complexion and nodded obediently.
"Alright, let's head back now."
She stepped toward the tent entrance without delay.
As she stepped outside, the sight of the much quieter street caught her eye. The crowds that used to fill the road—wide enough for three or four carriages to pass—had dwindled to about half, and the stalls that had been densely lined up on both sides of the road were being taken down one by one.
She looked around at the merchants loading unsold goods onto carts and the workers hired by them, then turned toward the city gate. Since the roads were crowded with returning wagons and carts at this time of day, it was faster to detour around the outside of the fortress walls.
They immediately left the city center and passed through the arched gate located to the west. Then, as they stopped at a nearby rental shop to rent a carriage, a familiar figure came into view below the gently sloping hill.
Thalia carefully watched the back of the woman walking down the dirt road. Tiuran, wearing a fine brown robe over a light-colored tunic and carrying a medical bag on one shoulder, was walking slowly.
'Are you going for a medical checkup?'
She wore a displeased expression. Tender-hearted and meddlesome, Tiuran often went outside the fortress walls on house calls, unable to refuse requests from those around her. She must have been unable to turn down someone's request this time as well.
Thalia hurriedly chased after her with Khan. Then, the guards who had been waiting a short distance away stood in front of her with bewildered expressions.
"Where are you going?"
"There's my healer over there. I need to take her to the castle."
A man with a grim appearance frowned and looked around the street. As if he hadn't spotted Tiuran right away, he shrugged his shoulders and spoke indifferently.
"Aren't you seeing things wrong?"
"Really! She's right there!"
The man, glancing half-heartedly in the direction she was pointing, replied indifferently.
"Even so, she must have come out with business of her own. There was no need to go so far as to take her to the castle, was there?"
"You idiot! The sun is going to set soon. What if Tiuran gets into trouble wandering around alone!"
At the fierce shout, a look of astonishment appeared on the guard's face. It seemed he was recalling the incident of her running away from home.
Thalia shouted, grinding her teeth.
"Anyway, I'm going to take her to the castle myself, so stop complaining and follow me."
Then, before the soldiers could stop her, she pushed her way through the crowd. Thanks to the people scattering to the left and right in surprise at the appearance of the giant wolf, she was able to catch up with Tiuran in an instant.
Thalia, limping down the bumpy dirt road, quickly grabbed the hem of Tiuran's clothes.
"Where are you going at this hour?"
Tiuran, who had been hunching his shoulders as if startled by the sudden attack, checked her face and opened her eyes wide.
"Your Highness, what brings you to a place like this..."
"I'm on my way back to the castle after visiting the fabric market."
Thalia, who had gestured with her chin toward the soldiers standing behind her, turned her head back toward her and asked again.
“And you?”
"I was just about to make a quick visit because I heard that the elderly mother of a traveling merchant who frequently stops by the castle was in poor health."
“At a time like this?”
"Since I have business at the castle during the day..."
Tiuran trailed off with a troubled expression. Thalia, who had been looking at her with disapproval, spat out a somewhat stiff remark.
"But how can you wander around outside the fortress alone at this hour?"
"It's fine. I carry a self-defense weapon, and if it looks like I'll be late, I can just rent a room in an inn."
"No! Just come back with me for today. I'll give you a separate day off, so you can visit then."
"I appreciate your intention, but the patient's condition is serious, so I was asked to make sure to stop by today. I cannot just go back as is."
Tiuran spoke firmly. Thalia, who had looked momentarily surprised by her uncharacteristically stubborn attitude, immediately gripped the hem of her dress tightly and declared.
"Okay. Then I'll go with you. I'll wait for you until the appointment is over."
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