Chapter 46
Kartak, who had rushed over at Barta’s message, had dark-stained sleeves as if he had been writing.
“What were you doing?”
“I was transcribing Master Rashid’s Improvement.”
Argana had also studied Improvement during her time under the masters of imperial palace studies. It was one of the most fundamental books on morality and ethics—simple in content but profoundly deep.
“That book, all of a sudden? Why?”
“There’s a lot to learn from it. Isn’t that right?”
“You’re right that there’s much to learn, but even if there is, letting your clothes get into this state isn’t very moral, according to that book.”
Argana teased him, pointing at the pale gray sleeves that were streaked and stained, then called for Barta.
“Barta, go prepare some clothes so Kartak can change.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Do the sleeves look that bad?”
“It’s not that, but you can’t go around the palace dressed like that.”
Kartak realized that Argana had somewhere to go with him. If that was the case, he couldn’t stay in his dirty clothes for the sake of her dignity.
As Kartak went inside to change and removed his upper garment, Argana silently walked in. She quietly sent the startled servant away and unfolded a freshly prepared set of clothes.
Standing behind a checkered screen, Kartak silently spread his arms.
Just as the thin, soft underwear was about to be put on him, Argana noticed the distinct bruise marks on his shoulders and grabbed his arm in shock.
“You! What’s this? Where did this happen?”
“Ah! Why are you here!”
Startled, Kartak tried to cover himself and run, but Argana’s grip on his wrist was faster.
Unable to move, Kartak blushed as he tried to pull his hand away.
“Wihi! Let go! I’m asking why you’re here!”
“Is that the problem right now? What’s with these bruises? These are from the wooden sword, aren’t they?”
Argana, who had trained against stronger opponents since she was very young, knew all about injuries from sparring.
The marks stretched almost a ja (about 1 meter) in width, with clusters of congestion. The image of the wooden sword hitting his shoulders was clear in her mind.
“Who did this?”
Argana asked sharply.
“It’s not that bad. I just got hit wrong by accident…”
“I’m asking who did this, Kartak.”
Her voice dropped, and Kartak, frowning, grabbed her shoulder.
“I can’t say. Wihi, getting hurt while sparring is common. You know that better than anyone. Why are you making a fuss?”
“Who would even dare hit you?”
“Well, that day happens! Haven’t you ever seen my body after sparring with you? I’m covered in bruises.”
Argana’s large eyes blinked. Looking at Kartak with the bold gaze of a mischievous cat, she smacked his bare chest.
“Ouch!”
“Of course it hurts! Who else would hit you? And that hard!”
“I went in to attack, but wind blew sand into my eyes. I staggered, and the opponent panicked—that’s all. Enough, right? Don’t pry anymore. It’s embarrassing enough that you saw the bruises…”
Squinting, Argana smacked Kartak’s chest once more.
“Wihi, you!”
“Change your clothes yourself.”
“What? Are you seriously going to do this?”
Kartak could say whatever he wanted, but Argana walked out regardless. The servant, anxious, slipped in while she pretended not to notice.
“Call Otah.”
Otah was Argana’s shadow (Yingzi), handling secret tasks that even Barta couldn’t manage. Astrahan Khan personally assigned him to her side when she was eight, and he had served her for nearly ten years.
“My lord, have you called me?”
He had always called Argana “my lord” since the day they met, following the Khan’s instruction that Argana was his mistress.
“Otah, I need you to investigate something.”
“Just say the word.”
“Find out who Kartak recently sparred with. General or soldier, and also see who he’s close to.”
“Yes.”
“And check the weather and wind direction on that day. I want to relive that sparring as if I were watching it happen. Thoroughly, understand?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Soon after Otah left, Kartak emerged in fresh clothes. The deep purple color accentuated his intellectual and ethereal appearance.
“Who came?”
Although not as keen as Argana, Kartak noticed the change in atmosphere. His natural sensitivity, honed over years, allowed him to sense even the nearly invisible presence of someone like Otah.
Argana, without a hint of hesitation, covered up the truth.
“The chief commander came. My glass zoetrope broke.”
Fortunately, Kartak easily believed her. Argana never hid anything from him before.
“The one the Marquis gave you back in the day? You still have it?”
“Of course. Now, come sit here.”
As Kartak and Argana faced each other, the maids busied themselves replacing the incense and braziers with fresh ones. Sipping fragrant tea, Argana went straight to the point.
“It seems General Orchai is associating with Turegen Utuho.”
Kartak almost spit out his tea. Who with whom?
“Are you sure?”
“I want to believe it’s wrong, but I don’t think it is.”
“Given Orchai’s personality, I don’t see him dealing with someone like Turegen Utuho.”
“They were apparently together at a tavern yesterday for three or four shijin (time units). Unless they were plotting something, there’s no way Orchai would spend that long drinking with Utuho, right?”
It was unbelievable. Three or four shijin—either someone had misseen the other.
“Turegen, who even openly ignores the Empress, spent three or four shijin with Utuho…”
“Strange, right? What could be going on? Besides, Utuho should be guarding the western border. Why did he come to the palace now?”
Kartak said:
“As far as I know, the western region is relatively calm now. Maybe that’s why.”
“I know that too, but Utuho comes to the palace too often. I heard he came to collect money from Turegen Bi… well, that’s a family matter. But contact with Orchai is suspicious.”
“Hmm, wouldn’t it be better to go see for ourselves?”
Argana frowned.
“Who? Turegen Utuho?”
“No. Orchai would be easier to approach than Turegen. Let’s visit Orchai and feel it out. Now that he’s promoted to general, it’s a good excuse to pay a visit.”
Kartak’s suggestion was reasonable. Although they didn’t interact privately often, Orchai was the top military officer and trusted by the Khan, giving Argana frequent opportunities to meet him. A visit under the pretext of congratulating his promotion wasn’t bad.
Inviting him to the princess’ residence directly could attract attention, and since Turegen could get involved, they had to act carefully.
“Alright, let’s go. I heard there’s a magnificent rock in Orchai’s mansion garden. I’ve been wanting to see it anyway.”
“Good idea.”
