They exchanged uneasy glances before awkwardly steering the discussion toward the next agenda item.
Apparently, none of them wished to risk having all of their own secrets dragged into the open over a single wolf.
After placing his seal upon several proposed legal revisions, Varkas rose from his seat.
As he left the council chamber, Lucas hurried after him and spoke in a stiff voice.
“Do you truly intend to leave that beast as it is?”
“Do not make me repeat myself.”
“Brother, I'm only worried about my sister-in-law...”
Varkas stopped walking and turned toward him.
Realizing his mistake, Lucas hastily corrected himself.
“I mean... I'm worried about Sister-in-law. I don't know what she said to convince you, but... that beast is dangerous. One day, it's going to cause a serious incident.”
“When that day comes, I'll take responsibility for cleaning up the aftermath myself. Stop pursuing the matter. That is an order.”
At the cold rebuke, Lucas shut his mouth.
Varkas turned away and continued down the long corridor.
Then—
Faint laughter drifted in through the window.
Turning his head almost unconsciously, Varkas stopped.
Talia was sitting upon a long marble bench.
As always, that enormous beast sat firmly at her side.
Apparently it had just finished tearing through the gardens, for the dire wolf's thick fur was covered in blades of grass and flower petals.
It lowered something it had been carrying onto her lap.
Recognizing it as a large bouquet of flowers, Varkas frowned.
The stems had been crushed beneath its teeth, and the blossoms were hopelessly mangled.
Yet Talia happily gathered the ruined bouquet into her arms.
As he silently watched the scene below, Lucas stepped beside him and muttered in disbelief,
“That crafty thing only pretends to be gentle in front of its master. In truth, it's an incredibly vicious—”
“Lucas.”
Varkas cut him off firmly.
“I've heard that wolf only bares its fangs to protect my wife. Has it ever threatened her?”
His younger brother hurriedly waved both hands.
“Never! Well... we do argue from time to time, but that's only because I'm worried about Sister-in-law...”
“Then it would be best if you stopped lingering around her.”
His voice was icy.
“If you do that, that wolf will have no reason to show hostility toward you.”
Lucas's cheeks reddened as he pressed his lips tightly together.
Watching him with a frigid gaze, Varkas turned and continued on his way.
* * *
After spending the entire afternoon inspecting Kalmor, Varkas returned and shut himself inside his study to write a letter to Daren.
Since the conservative nobles had agreed to take the lead during the negotiations, there were unlikely to be any major surprises.
Even so, he intended to leave nothing to chance.
After writing instructions ordering Daren not to lower his guard against the Duke of Heimdall until the negotiations concluded, he poured wax over the document and pressed his seal into it.
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
“What is it?”
“Excuse me, Your Grace. I've come under Her Grace the Grand Duchess's instructions.”
Looking slightly surprised, Varkas gave permission for the visitor to enter.
A healer clad in flowing robes cautiously stepped inside.
“It has been a long time, Your Grace. I sincerely congratulate you on your safe return—”
“That will do. Tell me why you've come.”
The woman moistened her lips nervously before placing a small glass vial upon the desk.
“Her Grace the Grand Duchess asked me to deliver this to you. It is a special tonic made from mandragora extract.”
Varkas narrowed his eyes as he looked at the vial.
“She told you to give this to me?”
“Yes, Your Grace. She heard that ever since returning to the castle, you have scarcely had a moment's rest because of official duties... She seemed deeply concerned.”