“It is also effective against monster venom, so I decided to keep it.”
Even after hearing his explanation, Talia remained unconvinced.
“That healer gave it to you, didn't she?”
“Can you really trust that woman? What if she prescribes the wrong medicine again...”
“I received it from Daren.”
Varkas interrupted.
“But if you're still worried, you don't have to put it in your mouth.”
He reached for the bottle in her hand.
Without thinking, Talia hid it behind her back.
“Who said I wasn't going to?”
“I was only worried...”
The words escaped before she could stop them.
She cautiously watched his expression.
Fortunately, he didn't seem to realize she was worried about him.
Furrowing his brow, Varkas spoke seriously.
“You needn't worry.”
“From now on, no medicine prepared by that healer will ever touch Your Highness's lips.”
“After that incident, she was already removed from her principal duties.”
“You should be the one being careful!”
“She may have been dismissed from her position, but she's still acting as the Grand Duke's physician!”
Talia scoffed sharply.
Varkas let out a quiet sigh.
“I summoned her only as an exception.”
“They say no one in the East knows more about medicine than she does.”
“She has successfully treated wounds that even magic could not heal.”
“So until the poison has completely left my body, I decided to entrust my treatment to her.”
His calm explanation only made the knot in her stomach tighten.
Talia pictured the healer again.
A young woman with enormous, clear eyes like a gentle ox.
She knew perfectly well that Varkas, who had never spared even a glance for the famed beauties of the Imperial Palace, would never become interested in a woman of such humble standing.
Yet her unease refused to disappear.
Even though she also knew that, to him, nearly everyone was little more than living objects.
Ever since she was very young, Talia had been unable to tolerate other women lingering around him.
She had even driven away every maid who dared cast longing glances in his direction.
Once again...
She surrendered to that revolting jealousy.
“I don't trust her.”
“One mistake always becomes two. Two mistakes become three.”
“What exactly makes you willing to entrust your life to her?”
After silently studying her face for a long while, Varkas slowly nodded.
“If that's how you truly feel...”
“I'll have her leave the castle before long.”
His ready agreement caught Talia completely off guard.
She hurriedly protested,
“Who said to go that far?”
“Then I'll be the only one who looks like the villain.”
“They'll say I heartlessly drove away one of the Grand Ducal House's most loyal retainers.”
He looked at her strangely, his brows drawing together.
Since when did you ever care about your reputation?
That was probably what he was thinking.