In the end, he swallowed the question.
He didn't want to ruin her mood by repeating such absurd suspicions aloud.
"Yes."
He offered a faint smile.
"He won't be delivering any more sermons directed at Your Highness."
"Did he say anything else?"
She asked while scratching behind the wolf's ear.
There was something probing in her cautious tone.
Varkas narrowed his eyes.
What exactly was she worried about?
As he studied her suspiciously, a low growl sounded nearby.
Turning instinctively, he frowned.
The beast was practically buried beneath flowers.
"Don't do that."
Talia scolded the wolf before glancing at Varkas as though gauging his reaction.
"I left him alone all morning, so I think he's upset. He's only sulking. He doesn't mean to threaten you."
Without replying, Varkas looked down at the direwolf.
The creature wore a flower crown woven from roses and cornflowers.
A garland of marigolds hung around its neck.
Its vivid blue eyes radiated unmistakable humiliation.
Apparently oblivious, Talia stroked its neck proudly.
"Isn't he adorable?"
Varkas didn't miss the wolf's ears twitching ever so slightly.
Whenever it was beside its mistress, its tail never stopped wagging.
Now it hung limply against the ground.
Its ears drooped.
It looked exactly like a sulking house pet.
After silently watching the scene for a long moment, Varkas nodded.
"I suppose he is."
As though it had understood him, the wolf's eyes suddenly gleamed.
Pretending not to notice, he added,
"If he keeps looking like this, people will probably be much less afraid of him."
"Right?"
Talia smiled brightly.
"I'm going to keep dressing him up like this from now on."
The wolf's ears drooped even farther.
Meanwhile, relief blossomed across her face.
Apparently...
She had dressed him up like this specifically to show Varkas.
The realization left an indescribably complicated feeling twisting inside his chest.
She truly feared...
...that he would try to take the beast away from her.
A bitter taste spread across his tongue.
He deliberately changed the subject.
"More importantly..."
"I have a favor to ask of Your Highness."
"What is it?"
The smile faded from her face.
Choosing his words carefully, he replied,
"I've received reports that barbarian raiders have begun appearing around Kalmor."