Varkas finished flatly.
Lucas nodded.
"Not just the priests. Most of Kalmor's devout followers of the Orthodox Church believe Sister-in-law is leading ignorant peasants astray. Then, not long ago, a corpse torn apart by a beast was discovered north of Laedgo Castle, and rumors began spreading that the monster serving the Grand Duchess was responsible. Public opinion has become worse than ever."
After silently listening to everything, Varkas suddenly let out a faint, mocking laugh.
"How many people have wandered carelessly beyond the walls and been killed by wild animals over the years? What evidence are they using to spread such rumors?"
"There... isn't absolutely no basis for them."
Lucas abruptly fell silent and looked around.
The avenue was crowded with citizens who had gathered to catch a glimpse of their great lord returning after half a year.
Although everyone remained a respectful distance away and the surrounding noise made it nearly impossible for anyone to overhear, Lucas still lowered his voice.
"The body they found belonged to Sister-in-law's healing mage. You know... the woman who came from the Imperial Palace."
Varkas's expression hardened instantly.
He immediately pictured the composed middle-aged woman who was always attending at his wife's side.
Lucas continued gravely,
"The healing mage was found with her throat torn open by a beast. Naturally, everyone suspects Sister-in-law's wolf. But Sister-in-law defended it so fiercely that no proper investigation was ever carried out."
"Did anyone actually witness what happened to the healing mage?"
Lucas shook his head.
"It seems she left the castle alone before dawn and met with disaster. Everyone agrees no one saw her for several days before her body was discovered."
Falling silent, Varkas looked toward Laedgo Castle towering above the northern edge of the city.
If Lucas's report was accurate, every piece of evidence pointed against his wife.
"We'll return to the castle first. I need to see that monster with my own eyes."
He immediately led his men across the enormous square.
After following the gentle road leading north for some time, the moat surrounding Laedgo Castle came into view.
The gatekeeper, who had spotted them approaching from afar, hurriedly lowered the drawbridge.
"Welcome home, Your Grace!"
As they passed through the gates into the courtyard connected to the training grounds, hundreds of retainers rushed out to greet them.
Without sparing them a glance, Varkas strode directly toward the keep.
Soon, the enormous sand-colored fortress stood directly before him.
"You've returned safely after a long journey, Your Grace. You arrived sooner than expected."
Just as he handed Tork's reins to a servant and stepped toward the entrance hall, the white-haired chief steward hurried over with a group of servants.
Skipping even the customary greetings, Varkas asked immediately,
"Where is the Grand Duchess?"
The steward swallowed nervously before replying in a trembling voice,
"Y-Your Grace went to the spring around noon."
As Varkas stepped toward the entrance, he suddenly stopped and looked down at him.
"The spring?"
"The wolf Your Grace keeps doesn't tolerate the heat well... Since summer began, Her Grace has gone there every day. She should return in about an hour."
Varkas turned his gaze toward the path leading behind the castle.
"How many attendants accompanied her?"
"W-Well... Her Grace dislikes having maids following her around..."
"How many?"
"Only the guards you assigned to her have been following discreetly."
Lucas answered in place of the flustered steward.
Varkas frowned.
Which meant that the woman was caring for the beast—now apparently as large as a bull—almost entirely by herself.
Running a rough hand through his hair, Varkas immediately headed toward the rear gardens.
"There's no need to follow."
Firmly stopping Lucas and his subordinates, who naturally intended to accompany him, he strode down the garden path.
Beyond the small formal garden behind the castle lay a woodland thick with lush trees and dense undergrowth.
Spotting the guards leaning casually against the trees, Varkas's eyes turned razor-sharp.
He had repeatedly ordered them never to take their eyes off her for even a moment.
Yet here they were, standing with their backs turned to the very person they were supposed to be protecting.
It was the exact opposite of his orders.
Grinding his teeth, he walked toward them.
At that very moment, a clear peal of laughter drifted through the wind.
Varkas froze as though every muscle in his body had been paralyzed.
Slowly, he turned his head.
Early summer sunlight poured brilliantly through the thick canopy of leaves.
Amid those dazzling fragments of light...
She was smiling.