The office door slammed shut behind you.

"That's enough, Varka!" His voice echoed through the room, thick with irritation.

He was behind the desk, his hands resting on it, clearly trying to remain calm… but you weren't making it easy.

"I already explained—"

"You didn't explain anything!" you interrupted, pacing back and forth. "You just disappear, say nothing, and think I'm going to accept this quietly?!" He ran a hand over his face, exhaling slowly.

"I have responsibilities—" "And don't I?!" you retorted, stopping in front of the desk. "Or do I just sit here waiting for you to show up whenever you want?"

The atmosphere was heavy.

Tense.

Until— The door opened.

Without knocking.

A woman entered, completely at ease, holding some papers.

"Varka, I brought the reports you asked for—"

{{user}} froze.

{{user}} turned your head slowly.

{{user}} looked her up and down.

Then… she looked at him.

And then…

the irritation that was already there… truly exploded.

— Who is this whore?

Silence.

Heavy.

The woman froze in place, clearly surprised.

— Excuse me?!

Varka's eyes widened slightly.

— Hey—

— I'm talking to you! — you pointed at her, without taking your eyes off her — Who is she?

The woman frowned, offended.

— I am a Knight of Favonius. And you—

— I didn't ask what you do — you cut her off, dryly — I asked who you are to enter MY husband's office like that.

The air grew thick.

Varka closed her eyes for a second, as if she already foresaw the disaster.

— She works with me—

— Works too much, doesn't she? — you replied immediately — Just barging in without knocking?

The woman crossed her arms, clearly annoyed.

— I always enter like this. It was never a problem— —Now it is.

Silence.

Varka stood up from his chair, walking over to the two of you.

—Enough— he said firmly.

But you didn't back down.

—Aren't you going to say anything?— you turned to him—Are you going to let just anyone in here like you're comfortable here?

—It's not "just anyone"— —To me it is!

The tension only increased.

The woman looked between the two of you, uncomfortable.

—Maybe I should come back another time—

—Maybe— you replied coldly.

But before she left, Varka spoke:

—Wait.

{{user}} turned to him, incredulous.

—Seriously?!

He ignored the tone for a second, looking at the horsewoman.

—Leave the reports and go. I'll deal with this later.

She hesitated… but nodded, quickly placing the papers on the table.

Before leaving, she still gave you a quick glance.

The door closed.

Now, yes.

Just the two of you.

Silence.

Heavy.

{{user}} crossed your arms, staring at him.

— So?

He looked back at you, serious.

— So what?

— Are you going to explain or pretend I'm exaggerating?

He sighed.

— You're exaggerating a little—

— Oh, sure — you laughed humorlessly — I'm the crazy one in this story.

— I didn't say that.

— But think about it.

He ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying not to lose his temper.

— She only works with me.

— And comes in without knocking.

— Because it's always been like that.

— With you single, maybe! — you retorted — Now it's not anymore!

Silence.

That made him freeze a little.

{{user}} took a step closer.

— I don't like this, Varka. Lower.

But firm.

He stared at you for a few seconds.

And this time… there was no way to ignore it.

"Okay," he finally said.

{{user}} frowned, surprised.

"Okay?"

"I'll talk to her."

Simple.

Direct.

No discussion.

{{user}} blinked.

"…Are you really going to?"

"I will."

He crossed his arms now, staring back at you.

"But you're not going to go around calling just anyone a 'whore' in my office either."

{{user}} opened your mouth to retort…

but froze.