Chapter 17
Argana answered with a gentle smile.
“Whenever I look at Tirsalan, I’m reminded of my own childhood. I, too, was a child who loved being praised.”
“That’s impossible. How could that boy’s talent and intelligence ever compare to the Princess’s?”
“Don’t say that. Tirsalan is wise and brave enough already. Praise him more, and he’ll grow into an even finer child.”
Sorkate still couldn’t hide the blush on her cheeks and lowered her head shyly.
Though Argana was her elder, in this moment Sorkate seemed more like a bashful younger sister.
People of the South really are soft and fluttering like this. Well, I suppose that’s the charm of Mother Sorkate.
The Fourth Empress, Sorkate, smiled faintly, pursing her lips as she nodded.
“Thank you for the advice, Princess. I’ll try to be a better mother to him as well.”
“Oh, you already do more than enough, Mother.”
Taking a sip of tea, Argana glanced sideways at Sorkate’s smiling face and, after a brief pause, spoke again.
“About tonight’s dinner.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Father has been so busy that it’s been a long time since he dined together with his children. I imagine he’ll be curious about how everyone has been.”
“Ah… ah, yes. You’re right.”
From her response, it was clear Sorkate hadn’t thought much of tonight’s dinner gathering.
Good thing I brought it up.
She was the type of person who worried a lot, but who, because of her innocence, often seemed far too relaxed. Argana studied her for a moment, then spoke in a deliberately calm and cheerful tone.
“Tirsalan is the youngest, and Father pays him special attention. If he asks about his studies, please help prepare him so he won’t be caught off guard.”
“I want to help him, but I don’t know how…”
“Father values military strategy and history above all else. If Tirsalan reviews what he’s recently learned, he’ll have nothing to worry about.”
“I see. Thank you, Princess.”
“Not at all. But don’t tell him I said anything—I don’t want to be thought of as a nagging sister.”
Covering her lips with her fingertips, Sorkate let out a soft laugh. For someone who usually offered no more than a faint smile, this was the fullest expression of joy she ever showed.
“Understood. You needn’t worry, Princess.”
By midday, Argana called Kartak to discuss visiting Lady Turegen’s residence.
“You should come later. Act as though you’re waiting for me, strike up some casual talk with people, and when the time is right, send me a signal.”
“Are you sure about this? Turegen may be dull, but she’s more suspicious than most.”
“It’s fine. I’ll avoid saying anything that might provoke her. A leopard may bare its claws, but if you scratch the right spot, it will roll over like a cat.”
“That’s… a strange comparison. But fine, I’ll do as you say.”
Just then, Argana looked him over from head to toe and nodded approvingly.
“What is it?”
“You’re dressed perfectly today.”
“Perfectly?”
“Don’t you realize? The palace maids are all dying to exchange a word with you. You think Turegen’s household will be any different? You won’t even have to pry—just walk up to them and ask, ‘Who’s funding Yoshimut’s wagers?’ and they’ll spill it all.”
She chuckled at her own joke. Kartak realized he was being teased and turned a little red.
And yet, her words weren’t entirely untrue. Wherever he went, Kartak drew eyes—men and women alike.
His snow-white hair alone was proof of the purest royal bloodline of the Tahijin Kingdom. When he wore it loosely, not tied back, the contrast with his dark skin gave him an almost otherworldly air.
Today, he wore deep violet silk robes. Around his firm waist was a belt of leather and gold, and from his sleeves hung long tassels that carried a faint fragrance of musk, ginger, and wood—altogether dangerously alluring.
“And you’re tall, strong, and well-built. When you were little you were so small and cute—when did you grow this much?”
“Unbelievable. You were small once too.”
“But I was taller than you until I was twelve.”
Bantering playfully, Argana suddenly regarded him with fresh eyes.
At that moment—when her breath had stopped, when the world had gone dark—hadn’t Kartak’s face flashed faintly in her mind?
“What are you staring at so intently now?”
“Thank you for helping me. And I’m not joking this time.”
Kartak gave a rare, pleased laugh.
“If I don’t help you, then who else would I help?”
Argana felt deeply reassured.
This time, she wouldn’t fail. She wouldn’t foolishly expose her back to an enemy she couldn’t even see.
Just Kartak’s presence alone was enough to make her feel as though she already held half the world in her hands.
“You truly are a good friend, Kartak. Maybe in another life, we were friends then too.”
“Just go already.”
“Fine, fine.”
With a grin, she turned and strode swiftly toward Lady Turegen’s palace. She walked so fast that Kartak’s sigh never reached her ears.
“…Friend, she says.”
Kartak muttered, rubbing his face with one dry hand, his earlobes burning red.
“If we were friends in a past life, shouldn’t we be something closer in this one, you fool?”
Lady Turegen greeted Argana with feigned indifference.
“For the Princess to come visit me—what an unusual day this is.”
Her words trembled slightly as she set aside the mirror in her hand. Inside, she was dying of curiosity, desperate to know why Argana had appeared so suddenly, but she struggled to maintain a mask of nonchalance.
Knowing her voice had wavered, irritation flared within her, but she forced herself to suppress it with nothing more than a twitch of her lips.
Argana smiled like a painting and inclined her head.
“Indeed. I realized it had been too long since I last paid my respects. When I mentioned it, Father scolded me, asking how I could neglect my mother so. So here I am, reflecting on my fault. Please forgive me if I’ve upset you.”
“That’s enough.”
Though she spoke coldly, Turegen’s lips couldn’t quite hide the smug curve of satisfaction.
Had she ever been so glad for someone’s simple-mindedness before? Argana had to stifle her laughter with a discreet cough.
“Well, if my scolding has brought you here, then as your mother I must naturally welcome you.”
“Argana thanks Mother with all her heart.”
Of course, Lady Turegen had no intention of welcoming Argana sincerely. If anything, the girl was a thorn in her eye—what beauty, what treasure was there to embrace?
But she could never dismiss her either. So long as Astrahan Khan lived, the heavens themselves would have to fall before Argana lost his favor.
“From now on, visit me more often. Perhaps it’s my age, but I grow lonely. My misfortune is not having a daughter as attentive as you.”
“Don’t say that. I’ll come more often.”
At that moment, Homuja entered with an elegant tray of refreshments.
“As soon as Her Majesty heard of the Princess’s visit, she hurried to prepare your favorite treats. That is how much she treasures you, Your Highness.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
Argana watched Turegen’s deliberately magnanimous expression as her gaze drifted naturally to Homuja’s hand setting down the plate.
Hm?
Later, when Kartak asked if she had known from the start, she swore it had been pure coincidence.
How could she have known what was hidden up a maid’s sleeve?
“Now I understand why Mother favors Homuja so. What discerning taste this maid has!”
Both Turegen and Homuja blinked in confusion at the sudden remark.
Argana, smiling brightly, seized Homuja’s wrist.
“My, what a lovely bracelet you’re wearing. May I have a closer look?”
