#152. Wind (2)
Sasha calmly watched Naina’s face gradually stiffen, then spoke again.
“And from what I’ve heard, the future you told Pavel wasn’t all that accurate either.”
Sasha recalled what Pavel had told her.
Knowing how much Pavel valued Sasha’s safety, he surely hadn’t stayed idle.
He had persistently pressed Naina, trying to extract detailed information about the danger.
But Naina repeatedly evaded him, claiming she hadn’t yet seen that future clearly.
As a result:
“The future I got from her was simply that someone would collapse and die, vomiting blood, surrounded by countless people. Such a short, simplistic explanation.”
That was all the information about the future Naina had provided.
“Hmm… But anyone could say something like that, right? It doesn’t feel much different from saying that all people die eventually.”
Sasha spoke of her own death lightly, as if it were nothing, showing no fear or discomfort.
It was in stark contrast to Pavel, who had frowned in frustration while hearing the same thing.
“This kind of vague statement could be made by a wandering fortune-teller. It’s useless as information; there’s nothing to prepare for. Knowing the future offers no advantage at all.”
Sasha shrugged, then covered her mouth with her hand as she looked at Naina’s rigid expression.
“Oh, I remember. I said not to underestimate your ability, right? That wasn’t my intention, but I can see how what I just said might have sounded that way. Sorry.”
Sasha offered a kind of apology that didn’t quite sound like one, tilting her head as she asked:
“Still, what you’ve told me so far isn’t enough. Could you try to see the future in more detail, even now?”
“….”
Naina bit her lip.
‘Of all times, she asks this now!’
In truth, the future Sasha’s death represented was one Naina hadn’t seen.
Still, it wasn’t a complete lie that Naina could see the future. She had discovered an “artifact” that allowed her to do so.
Though that future differed from the current reality, some aspects had proven accurate.
Using the artifact, Naina had gradually built her influence.
But nowhere in that future had “Alexandra Volkov” existed, so she couldn’t say anything now.
The only reason she had even mentioned Sasha’s death to Pavel was to catch his attention—nothing more!
She wanted to say something to shut Sasha up, but continuing with lies as before risked leaving gaps for Sasha to exploit.
And all of this had to be said in person, to Sasha herself.
“….”
While Naina remained silent, pondering how to handle the situation, Sasha leisurely observed the complex expression flickering across Naina’s face as she sipped her tea.
The silence lingered.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Sasha suddenly widened her eyes, as if she’d realized something.
“Ah.”
Setting her teacup down, Sasha gently furrowed her brow.
“I’m sorry. That was a bit of an unreasonable request.”
“Unreasonable? Not at all.”
“Then will you tell me?”
“….”
“I understand. It’s difficult right now, you said. Then, when there’s another chance to see the future, please let me know.”
Naina’s pride was hurt, and her fists trembled, but Sasha noticed it and ignored it.
“By the way, is everything going well for the preparations for this afternoon’s event? I told the housekeeper to send skilled people, but if there’s anything else you need, just say so.”
“….”
Already fuming, Naina left without even saying thanks.
‘Should I be glad that she’s easy to read, or should I be wary that this too might be an act?’
Sasha knew there would be more chances to observe her. Even today, she could gauge Naina’s true intentions somewhat, but thinking about the days ahead gave her a headache.
Sighing, Sasha recalled the full schedule awaiting her.
The day was long.
“I want to see Pavel.”
But there was no time to rest. In just a few hours, a memorial ceremony would take place, and preparations were needed.
“Ahhh!”
Fuming, Naina returned to her assigned room, screaming in frustration.
Until now, the easiest way to seize the north was to avoid assassinating Pavel and Sasha, in order to prevent outside interference.
Specifically, it was to prevent a direct, force-on-force confrontation.
The special abilities she had gained through the artifact made her powerful. She could control monsters, revive the dead under certain conditions, and wield potent dark magic.
But she was still no match for the entire empire.
After reviving Gregory and killing him again, she had lost much of the accumulated power, making an all-out war even more difficult.
‘If only I had kept Gregory alive…’
She had grown irritated with him, using him to the last and killing him, and now things weren’t going as planned.
But no, following the original plan was correct. Had she revived him, after taking control of the north, conflicts with Gregory would have been even harder to handle.
Gregory, being a branch member of the Grand Duke family, would have had more legitimacy than Naina and grown stronger after being revived, making him a formidable opponent.
So her choice wasn’t wrong.
‘If I can just sway the Grand Duke and take the Duchess’ position, then finish him off—that should be easy. Why is this so hard!’
Naina scowled, frustrated with the stubborn Grand Duke Pavel.
Then she remembered her greatest obstacle: Sasha, the woman who had humiliated her earlier.
Her very existence annoyed Naina, and losing arguments to her only fueled her anger.
‘How can I completely break that woman?’
It was said that she was quick-witted when it came to tormenting others—her specialty since her noble youth as Laisa Goriki.
Naina quickly headed to her wardrobe, filled with various colors and designs of clothing.
She rummaged through the clothes aggressively until she found the dress she wanted.
“This one is closest.”
Naina, choosing a dress neat and calm—far from her usual taste—put it on, added similar accessories, and styled her hair.
Seeing herself in the mirror, bearing a striking resemblance to Sasha, she curled her lips in satisfaction.
“Good, that’ll do for now…”
Thinking of Sasha’s inevitable shock upon seeing her, Naina felt giddy with delight.
But she wasn’t finished. She needed a more cunning way to torment Sasha.
“Ah! That’s it.”
Exiting the room, her eyes red, she glared around until she caught a passing maid.
“You! Come here!”
“Eh… you mean me?”
The maid approached, confused.
“Go to the Grand Duchess’ room and bring the outfit she likes best.”
“Huh?”
Surprised by the sudden command, the maid didn’t know what to do.
“What are you standing there for?”
Naina’s voice carried magical force.
Whoooosh!
An invisible black energy enveloped the maid.
“Ah…”
The maid’s head spun as Naina issued her harsh order.
“Go! Bring the dress the Duchess loves most!”
The maid’s eyes widened, her mouth opening slowly.
“Yes… understood…”
As she stumbled off, Naina watched with satisfaction.
The memorial ceremony was held in solemn atmosphere.
Family members wept upon hearing the news, and those close to the fallen soldiers wiped away tears.
Sasha’s heart sank as she watched. Pavel felt the same.
After the somber ceremony, the afternoon transitioned to a celebration, awarding merits from the war.
The spacious hall, previously used for a welcome banquet, was transformed appropriately.
The knights, dressed in their formal conquest uniforms, filled the room.
The noise subsided when Pavel stepped onto the stage.
From Igor to the new recruits, each was called forward and commended for their achievements.
“Thanks to heroes like you, everyone remained safe.”
The knights left, visibly moved. Even those who didn’t receive a new title were satisfied with land or monetary rewards.
Finally, only one person remained.
“I’ll formally introduce her. Naina, from Encart.”
Hearing her name, Naina, dressed to impress, walked forward.
She looked completely different from when she had met Sasha in the morning.
Then, she wore a bright, open-colored dress, but now she had switched to a darker, modest gown.
It suited the memorial ceremony and subsequent event. Simply looking at the dress, it wasn’t odd.
But, like Sasha had done earlier, her hair was braided and tied up, with identical makeup, making her strikingly resemble Sasha.
Even Pavel’s eyes frowned at the sight.
Naina, styled to resemble his beloved wife, irritated him.
Murmurs from below claiming she looked just like the Duchess only made him more annoyed.
And the strong scent wafting from Naina added to his discomfort.
‘This scent…’
It was jasmine.
A fragrance Sasha had once favored—just smelling it brought her to mind. Now, unused for a long time, it still stirred memories.
It reminded Pavel of the first moment he had noticed Sasha as a woman.
The complex emotions that had arisen then twisted his stomach—and now, the irritating woman before him had stirred those feelings.
