The frail body in his arms weighed almost nothing.
His throat tightened, and his mouth went dry.
Looking down at her flushed face with obvious disapproval, his gaze lingered on the faint blush staining her neck and earlobes.
His body reacted in a way he found unwelcome.
Ignoring it, he carefully steadied her.
"Please be more careful."
"I usually am. You were the one who appeared out of nowhere."
She grumbled quietly with her eyes lowered.
Her tone was as prickly as ever, yet somehow lacked its usual energy.
Straightening her rumpled collar, he lightly pressed the back of his hand against her reddened cheek.
"Your fever hasn't completely subsided yet. Why have you come outside instead of resting in your room?"
"I'm tired of staying inside the bedroom. The smell of burning firewood makes my throat sting..."
His brows drew together.
It was true that she had been coughing more often ever since they had begun heating the rooms.
He would have to arrange a mana-stone heater before long.
"Even so, don't stay outside for too long. The air is cold."
"Then when am I ever supposed to wear this cloak?"
She shot him an incredulous look.
After a brief silence, Varkas answered matter-of-factly.
"You can wear it whenever you go out with me."
Apparently she hadn't expected that answer.
Eyes the color of an autumn sky widened slightly.
Lowering her long lashes to hide the disturbance in her expression, she replied in a deliberately indifferent voice,
"You're busy every waking moment. How am I supposed to know when you'll have time?"
"Soon..."
He was about to promise that he would make time.
Then he remembered the message from Valto and closed his mouth.
Feeling irritation rise within him, he rubbed between his brows.
Watching his expression, Talia quietly took a step backward.
"Forget it. You don't have to worry about me. Just go take care of your work."
She turned toward the entrance of the keep.
Almost reflexively, he caught hold of her.
His reflection appeared once again in her widened eyes.
"I'll escort you back to your room."
"No. I can walk there myse—"
Ignoring her protest, he effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
She glared at him for a moment.
Then, as though resigning herself to the inevitable, she rested her head against his shoulder.
Supporting her securely with one arm, he nodded toward the quarter-dwarf waiting awkwardly a short distance away.
"Go to the military administration office and tell them I'll arrive in about one shijin. Have them wait."
"Y-Yes, Your Grace."
Passing the woman, who bowed repeatedly in confusion, he entered the hall.
The servants bustling about immediately turned to stare.
Ignoring the looks of astonishment—as though they were witnessing something extraordinarily rare—he climbed the stairs with long strides.
Near the entrance to his bedchamber stood a young maid, pacing anxiously.
"What are you doing?"
Approaching her, he spoke.
Startled, the young maid standing outside the door immediately bowed deeply.
"Your Grace. This morning Her Grace the Grand Duchess said she wanted some fresh fruit, so I hurried to the market to procure some. However, it seems she stepped out for a while, so I've been waiting here."
Varkas lowered his eyes to the tray she was carrying.