His tone was as casual as though he were merely going out for an evening stroll.
Talia raised the corners of her eyes.
“A minor suppression campaign?”
Varkas, who had been handing a leather pouch filled with gold coins to the man who appeared to be the steward, looked down at her. Sensing that her mood had soured, he let out a faint sigh through his tightly closed lips.
“There have been reports that raiders have established a camp in this area. The stronghold isn't particularly large, so we should be able to return around sunrise.”
Do you really have to go yourself?
The words rose to her lips, but as she noticed dozens of eyes watching them, Talia tightly sealed her mouth.
Her stomach churned with anxiety, but she refused to let anyone see how unsettled she was because of this infuriatingly indifferent man.
Brushing away the hand resting on her shoulder, she snapped coldly.
“What does it matter to me when you come back? I'm tired, so just show me to the lodgings.”
Across from them, the steward sucked in a sharp breath as he watched their exchange.
Varkas, however, showed no reaction whatsoever. Turning back to the steward, he asked,
“Where are the quarters?”
“Ah... this way, please.”
The man hurriedly led the way.
Following him, they arrived at a modest stone building.
Stepping inside, the steward awkwardly explained,
“It was originally used as official housing, but when we heard that Your Grace would be visiting, we had it completely cleaned out. Here, you may use this room.”
He carefully opened the large door at the innermost end.
Talia swept her indifferent gaze over the dim bedroom.
Despite the shabby exterior, the inside was quite cozy. It appeared they had gone out of their way to prepare it for guests.
Watching her cautiously, the steward added,
“If anything is lacking, please tell us immediately. We'll correct it at once.”
“No, this is sufficient. You may leave.”
Examining the bed covered with thick sheets, Talia arrogantly lifted her chin.
After glancing nervously at Varkas, the steward promptly withdrew.
Talia threw off her cumbersome robe carelessly and flopped onto the bed.
Varkas silently watched her before approaching.
Deliberately ignoring his presence, Talia turned to face the opposite direction. Looking at his face would probably make her say something unpleasant again.
Pulling the blanket over herself, she spoke bluntly.
“I'm just going to sleep today, so tell the nurse I don't need dinner.”
“Talia.”
Feeling a dark shadow fall over her head, Talia startled and looked up.
Varkas was leaning over her, one hand resting beside her pillow.
The sunset streaming through the window dyed one side of his face red.
She found herself momentarily entranced by that inscrutable face when cool fingers settled on her forehead.
“Even if you're tired, don't skip your meals.”
“What does it matter to you whether I starve or not?”
Turning her head, Talia harshly brushed away his hand.
“Hurry up and go kill your raiders.”
A shallow crease formed between his brows. He looked utterly incapable of understanding why she was upset.
Talia pulled the blanket over her head.
Soon, she heard him rise from the bed.
The sound of his retreating footsteps suddenly filled her with unease.
He was a man who could effortlessly defeat brutes twice his size. She had seen him bring down a wyvern with chains.
A band of raiders would be nothing to him.
But nothing in this world was absolute.
She abruptly sat up and grabbed the edge of his cloak.
He paused and turned back to her.
In a tiny voice, she muttered,