Chapter 267

“Are you tired? We walked more than usual today.”

Talia suddenly set down her quill and gently scratched his drooping ears. She seemed to have assumed that his lack of energy was due to exhaustion.

“Shall we go to bed?”

Talia pushed her diary into the drawer and rose from her seat.

At that moment, his tail began wagging wildly of its own accord. He was embarrassed by the bodily reaction he simply could not control, but only for a moment. He followed her toward the bed. Just then, there was a knock at the door.

“Your Highness, may I come in for a moment?”

It was Marisen’s voice.

Talia frowned as she answered.

“What is it?”

“I’ve come to deliver the newly prepared medicine.”

Talia hesitated for a moment, then draped a shawl over her shoulders.

“Fine. Come in.”

A moment later, the middle-aged healer strode into the room, impeccably dressed in a dark gray woolen gown. Without even looking at her, Talia gestured toward the shelf with her chin.

“Leave it there and go.”

“Since I’m already here, I’ll check your condition as well.”

“No need. Tiuran cast recovery magic on me earlier.”

Talia answered dismissively, picked up a book, and waved one hand as though telling her to leave. The woman’s expression stiffened almost imperceptibly. She spoke in a rigid tone.

“I’m concerned that Your Highness seems to be relying too heavily on that woman.”

The woman shut the shelf drawer with a sharp click, then turned to face Talia.

“I have no objection to the fact that Tiuran is a fairly accomplished healer. However, that woman ultimately belongs to House Siorcan. She has no choice but to place the interests of the Grand Ducal House above Your Highness’s well-being.”

In an instant, the atmosphere in the room turned frigid. Talia snapped the book in her hands shut and glared sharply at Marisen.

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

“Some of the vassals have begun arguing that a new Grand Duchess should be brought in. It seems they have concluded that, given Your Highness’s naturally frail constitution, it will be difficult for you to produce an heir. I heard that they subtly pressured His Grace about the matter when he returned as well.”

Talia’s face went white.

He glared viciously at the healer for spouting such unnecessary nonsense. Perhaps sensing the murderous hostility radiating from him, the woman faltered for a moment before regaining her composure and continuing calmly.

“Fortunately, His Grace rejected the suggestion outright. But if Your Highness fails to produce an heir, such demands will continue to arise.”

Marisen paused briefly before adding in a subdued voice,

“In the worst case, they may even attempt to harm Your Highness.”

“Are you saying Tiuran might take orders from the vassals and poison me?”

Talia shot back coldly.

The woman lowered her eyes and replied calmly.

“There is no harm in being cautious. That woman has already harmed Your Highness’s health once before. She is hardly someone you can trust unconditionally.”

“Didn’t you tell me yourself that what happened then appeared to be nothing more than a simple mistake?”

Talia retorted sharply.

“Why are you suddenly changing your story?”

“I am merely offering counsel because I hope Your Highness will not let down your guard.”

The woman spoke with a sigh.

“Whether it was deliberate or accidental, Tiuran is in a position where she could endanger Your Highness’s life. You need to maintain a certain degree of distance from her.”

Wariness, distrust, and anxiety flickered through Talia’s eyes. As though trying to conceal them, she forcibly pulled up the corners of her mouth and gave a brittle laugh.

“And I’m supposed to trust you?”

“What reason would I have to harm Your Highness?”

The woman answered confidently.

“I am Her Majesty the Empress’s person. And Her Majesty wishes for her eldest daughter to firmly establish her position as Grand Duchess of Siorcan. I intend to serve Your Highness in accordance with her wishes.”

Then she bowed respectfully and added,

“Please allow me to fulfill that duty.”

Talia stared down at her for a long moment before finally speaking.

“What exactly are you asking me to do?”

“Allow me to examine you regularly as well. Recently, you have entrusted the management of your health entirely to Tiuran. From now on, you should allow us to take turns monitoring your condition.”

“And?”

“You must also allow me to inspect the medicines she uses. That is the only way to prevent any unfortunate incidents before they occur.”

Talia pressed her lips tightly together. She seemed displeased by the insinuation that Tiuran might harm her. Yet perhaps deciding that there was no particular reason to refuse Marisen’s request, she gave a somewhat curt nod.

“Fine. Do as you please.”

Then she added firmly,

“But I won’t tolerate you treating Tiuran disrespectfully like you did before. Remember that she is also my personal healer.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

The healer replied evenly, bowed her head, and left the room.

He watched her retreating back with displeasure, then walked over to the shelf and knocked the medicine bottle off the stand with his forepaw.

The glass bottle rolled across the floor with a clatter. He kicked it, shattering it, and a bitter fragrance immediately assaulted his nose.

He lowered his nose toward the broken bottle and cautiously licked a little of the spilled liquid.

Fortunately, there was none of the intense bitterness characteristic of poppy. All he could smell was willow bark and cloves. There was a slight acrid taste that suggested it contained mandrago, but since it was an herb commonly used for patients suffering from chronic pain, it did not seem particularly problematic.

“What are you doing!”

Talia, who had frozen in shock at his sudden behavior, scrambled down from the bed and grabbed his muzzle.

“You idiot! Do you think I take this stuff because it tastes good? What were you thinking? What if it makes you sick!”

Talia worriedly pried open his mouth and inspected the inside before lightly rapping him on the head with her fist.

It was the first scolding he had received since becoming a wolf.

“Making that pitiful face won’t help you. If you cause trouble, you’re going to get scolded.”

Talia firmly admonished him as his ears drooped, then summoned the maids and ordered them to clean up the broken glass.

In the meantime, he was dragged over to the bathtub and forced to rinse out his mouth. Apparently, she did not know that most magical beasts possessed resistance to poison.

He felt a subtle sense of satisfaction welling up inside him under her worried gaze and wagged his tail vigorously.

Talia stared at him in disbelief before finally bursting into laughter. Seeing her bright expression, as though the shadows had been swept away, sent a profound sense of relief spreading through his chest.

If it could make her happy, he did not care how ridiculous he looked. He only wanted this woman to feel a little less sad and a little less lonely because of him.

“You little troublemaker.”

Talia wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his fluffy fur. As her sweet scent filled his lungs, he languidly closed his eyes.

How wonderful it would be if this moment could last forever.

But he knew that was nothing more than a futile wish.

There were only a little over two years left before the Zram invaded Kalmor. Once everything was over, he would have to hand her over to him.

If he was lucky, perhaps he could remain by her side as her wolf. But he would never stand beside her as her husband.

He had already lost that chance.

There was only one thing he wanted now.

For her to be happy.

Simply being able to remain by her side and watch her happiness was the one wish he had left.

* * *

The seasons flowed swiftly by like a river.

In the meantime, Khan had nearly doubled in size.

Only a few months ago, his body had been no larger than that of a somewhat oversized hunting dog, but now he had grown nearly as large as a pony, while his once supple, soft belly and legs had become powerfully built with taut, bulging muscle.