Chapter 268

It wasn’t only his build that had changed. The fine down that had once covered his entire body had transformed into sleek, glossy guard hairs, and thick, luxuriant fur like a mane had grown around the nape of his neck. Thanks to that, no one mistook Khan for an oversized hunting dog or sheepdog anymore.

Anyone could see that Khan was a dire wolf. And an extraordinarily beautiful and majestic one at that.

“How long are you planning to keep that beast inside the castle?”

Talia, who had been sitting on a bench in the garden reading a book, turned her head toward the voice. Apparently on her way back from riding, Raina stood there clutching the reins in one hand, glaring with disgust at Khan sprawled at Talia’s feet.

After soothing her mount, which was snorting roughly, Raina snapped irritably.

“The horses are getting nervous because you keep dragging that beast all over the place! Isn’t it about time you stopped this insane business of keeping a magical beast at your side?”

“I heard you started receiving proper etiquette lessons last year. Apparently, you’ve only been wasting your time.”

Talia let out a faint scoff and languidly turned a page before adding,

“Judging by how you still run your mouth without even knowing your place.”

“Look who’s talking.”

Raina sneered with a venomous smile.

“Word of all the horrible things you’ve done has spread even this far east, and you dare lecture anyone about manners? Worry about yourself!”

At that moment, Khan sprang to his feet and bared his teeth. Raina flinched and stepped backward at the sight.

Stroking Khan’s growling back, Talia deliberately gave her a leisurely smile.

“Stop picking pointless fights and be on your way. If you make my wolf any angrier, even I can’t guarantee what’ll happen to that stallion you treasure so dearly.”

“Are you... threatening me?”

“Take it however you like.”

Talia lowered her eyes coldly and added in a quiet voice,

“I’m the mistress of Kalmor. Whether I keep a wolf or a wolf’s grandfather in this castle is none of your concern.”

“Don’t make me laugh! I’m a Princess of Siorcan. This is the home I’ve lived in my entire life! Who do you think someone like you—”

“It seems I need to remind you that I’m an Imperial Princess of the Roem Empire.”

Talia swept a languid gaze over Raina and gave her a threatening smile.

“Everything on this continent is under my father’s rule. The Grand Duchy of Siorcan is no exception.”

Her hand slowly stroked Khan’s luxuriant mane.

“So you’d be wise not to make the foolish mistake of stirring up a hornet’s nest by irritating someone who was minding her own business. If you keep getting on my nerves, I might chop every one of those horses you cherish into pieces and throw them to Khan as feed.”

Raina’s slender, tawny face flushed a dark red with rage. She clenched her fists, her shoulders trembling, then roughly yanked on the reins and headed toward the stables behind the main castle.

Talia glared after her before lowering her gaze back to the book she had been reading, only to hear Lucas’s frivolous voice this time.

“You really are merciless.”

Talia cast an irritated glance over her shoulder. Lucas was perched on the terrace railing connected to the Great Hall, a red Tunka draped loosely over his shoulders.

He hopped down from the railing and approached her.

“Try to go a little easier on her. She’s just as much of a hornet’s nest as you are, Sister-in-law. If you provoke her more than necessary, there’s no telling what she might do....”

“Did the two of you pick today to take turns lecturing me?”

Talia snapped the book shut and glared at him with an icy gaze.

“Stop picking fights for no reason and get lost. I can’t stand the reek of horses coming off you.”

“Don’t lie. What smell? I just washed.”

Lucas scowled as he protested, but apparently not entirely convinced himself, he pulled open his collar and sniffed at himself.

The movement caused his robe-like coat, worn diagonally across his body, to fall open, exposing his muscular, bronze-tanned chest completely before her eyes. Talia whipped her head away as though she had seen something she shouldn’t have.

Over the past few years, Lucas had shot up in height and now unmistakably had the bearing of a young man.

The traces of boyishness that had remained in his face had given way to the strong lines and sharply defined features of a man, while his formerly dark brown hair had deepened until it looked almost black. His eyes, on the other hand, had grown lighter, to the point that they appeared almost golden. Every one of those changes made her profoundly uncomfortable.

Talia abruptly rose to her feet.

“If you won’t leave, I will.”

She was about to walk away with Khan, who was glaring warily at Lucas, when Lucas quickly stepped in front of her.

“Wait! I came because I have something to ask you.”

“Something to ask?”

Talia repeated suspiciously.

Lucas stalled for a moment, rubbing the sun-browned nape of his neck, before cautiously beginning.

“There’s a large textile market being held in the city. They say artisans from all over the East have gathered to display all kinds of goods, so I thought perhaps you should go and have a look as well.”

Talia’s brows drew together at the unexpected proposal.

“Are you asking me to go out with you?”

“I’m only asking you to make a brief appearance at an event being held at the auction house. Don’t misunderstand.”

He hurriedly raised both hands.

“Wealthy merchants from the East will be there, as well as ladies from noble families looking to purchase goods. House Siorcan needs to maintain appearances to some extent, which is why I’m asking for your help.”

“Why do I specifically need to attend something like that? Just go and buy whatever you want yourself.”

“I have a terrible eye for things. And Raina’s taste isn’t exactly something worth praising either.”

Lucas confessed with a deep sigh.

Talia frowned and looked him up and down.

Indeed, dressed in loose-fitting eastern cotton trousers with his sleeves carelessly rolled up, he looked more like a wild man or a hunter than a nobleman.

Come to think of it, Raina also usually wore clothes that made riding easier.

“I’m asking you, please.”

He placed a hand over his chest and made the request politely.

Talia watched him with wary eyes before giving a merciless snort.

“No. Don’t bother me with trivial nonsense like that.”

She tried to walk past him, but Lucas grabbed her arm and began whining.

“Come on, help me just this once, Sister-in-law. While you’re at it, wouldn’t it be good to make a proper impression on the influential people of the East as the Grand Duchess?”

“I’m the Grand Duchess of the East whether I make an impression on them or not.”

Talia violently shook off his hand as she spoke.

“I have no intention of struggling for other people’s approval over something that has already been decided. So take your sister instead.”

At her adamant refusal, the man’s mouth stiffened faintly. He looked down at her through narrowed eyes, then suddenly raised the corners of his lips.

“Then how about this? If you accompany me, I’ll tell you everything I know about the situation in the North.”

Talia, who had been about to turn away, stopped and looked up at him.

The man folded his arms across his chest, bent his upper body toward her, and added quietly,

“Aren’t you curious about how my brother is doing? I can tell you more than anyone else about the state of the war in the North and how he’s been lately.”

Heat flared through her ears as though they had caught fire. As if to conceal it, Talia sharpened her gaze and cried out in a shrill voice,

“Who said I wanted to know anything about that? Don’t make assumptions on your own!”

The man stared down at her face for a moment, then shrugged.

“All right. If you hate the idea that much, I suppose there’s nothing I can do.”

With that, he started walking toward the garden.

Talia watched him with anxious eyes before finally grabbing the hem of his coat.

It had already been several months since she had last received news of Varkas. She didn’t want to fall for such an obvious trick, but she simply couldn’t suppress the desperate yearning in her heart.

“I’ll go. I’ll go with you, so tell me how Varkas is doing.”

At the words she practically mumbled under her breath, an inscrutable expression crossed the man’s face. Did he find it ridiculous that she was worrying about the husband she had pushed away so mercilessly?

Talia awkwardly lowered her eyes and added brusquely,

“Don’t get any strange ideas. My position is only secure as long as Varkas is safe... That’s the only reason I’m curious.”