The old man's complexion darkened as he lifted his teacup.
Varkas immediately got to the point.
"I'll be direct."
He looked the High Priest squarely in the eye.
"Stop your unjust attacks against my wife."
"And what makes you so certain they're unjust?"
the High Priest replied stiffly.
"Your Grace does not know the full story. The Eastern Church has exercised extraordinary restraint. Had I not intervened personally, the Grand Duchess would already have been tried for heresy."
Varkas straightened from where he had been leaning against the chair.
That statement was no different from a direct threat against her safety.
Suppressing the urge to slam the priest's stubborn face into the table, he instead smiled as though he had heard an absurd joke.
"You're exaggerating the matter far beyond reason. My wife merely keeps a single wolf. If that alone were grounds for a heresy trial, not a single mage on the Roviden Continent would remain."
"Mages merely use monsters as experimental subjects."
The High Priest's tone remained rigid.
"But the Grand Duchess treats that direwolf as though it were her own child."
He sighed heavily.
"The only reason I have overlooked her behavior until now is because I sympathized with her circumstances. I witnessed firsthand the agony she suffered after losing her child. That is why I pretended not to notice her growing attachment to such a dangerous creature."
"Then continue pretending not to notice."
Varkas's voice sharpened.
"I will take every precaution necessary to ensure that wolf never causes trouble. So I would appreciate it if you stopped tormenting my wife."
"It isn't only because of that hideous beast."
Setting down his teacup, the High Priest let out another weary sigh.
"Surely Your Grace has received reports that the Grand Duchess has been leaving the castle more frequently since last spring. She often wandered the outskirts beyond the city walls accompanied by that wolf."
"And what's wrong with going outside for a change of scenery?"
"There are eyewitness accounts placing the Grand Duchess at a gathering of heretics on the outskirts of Kalmor."
An icy silence filled the room.
Varkas stared motionlessly at the priest for a long moment.
Then he laughed quietly.
"That's quite the joke."
"I am hardly in the habit of joking about such matters in front of the Grand Duke."
The High Priest remained perfectly solemn.
"This is not idle gossip. It comes directly from reports submitted by our inquisitors."
Varkas answered without hesitation.
"My wife is under constant protection from House Siorkan's warriors. Whenever she leaves the castle, over a dozen soldiers accompany her. Are you seriously suggesting she slipped away from every one of them to attend a heretical gathering?"
"According to the investigators, those gatherings took place before dawn."
The High Priest folded his hands.
"Could the Grand Duchess not have slipped out of the castle while everyone else was asleep?"
"A ridiculous slander."
Varkas practically growled.
"You know perfectly well that my wife's leg was {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} injured. You also know she's only recently recovered enough to walk properly. Yet you expect me to believe she somehow evaded scouts and guards alike before sneaking out of the castle?"
He let out an openly mocking chuckle.
"I've read stage plays written by third-rate poets that were more believable."
"I have no intention of determining the truth here and now."
The priest leaned back with visible fatigue.
"I simply wish for the Grand Duchess to refrain from behavior that invites suspicion before this matter grows beyond anyone's control."
He paused.
"Furthermore, we require the Grand Ducal House's cooperation in eliminating the heretics who have become increasingly active these past several years."
Varkas gave a dry laugh.
"So you accuse my wife of heresy..."
"...and then ask for House Siorkan's assistance?"
"If Your Grace eradicates the eastern heretics, naturally the suspicion directed toward the Grand Duchess will also disappear."
The High Priest spoke in a calm, persuasive tone.
"Our latest reports indicate that these heretics have even begun collaborating with the Zram people. For the safety of our citizens, the Grand Ducal House's cooperation is urgently needed."
The stream of troublesome news made Varkas press a hand to his forehead.
He couldn't completely trust the crafty old priest.
Still...
Allowing inquisitors dispatched from the capital to roam freely throughout his territory would likely create even greater problems.
It would be better if he handled the matter himself.
Having organized his thoughts in an instant, Varkas answered evenly,
"Very well."
"But I have one condition."
"Please, name it."
"Destroy the report submitted by your inquisitors."
His gaze suddenly turned icy.
"If even a single word of what has been discussed in this room finds its way outside..."
He paused.
"...the next time we meet, it will be under far less amicable circumstances."
The High Priest's lips stiffened.
After a long silence, he gave a single nod.
"...I shall remember that."