Chapter 50
Borsia’s manners were far more perfect and elegant than any etiquette taught by tutors, so even seeing her after a long time was astonishing.
“There’s no need to be so formal, sister,” Argana said.
But Soya, Borsia shook her head and lowered her gaze quietly.
“Her Highness the Princess is someone who enjoys the Khan’s immense favor. For us, the Khan’s subjects, to show proper manners toward Her Highness is only natural.”
If there were a “contest for speaking gracefully,” she would undoubtedly take first place.
At that moment, Bogatena linked arms with Argana and pouted her lips.
“You’re really so fussy, sister. We’re sixth cousins—what’s so hard about it?”
“Bogatena!”
Borsia scolded her younger cousin in a quiet but stern voice.
“Do not act carelessly. This isn’t home. You always—”
Seeing that her scolding was about to go on, Argana hurriedly offered her seat and interrupted her.
The mighty Argana, dealing with such a tedious task—Borsia’s etiquette was perfect, but she lacked social awareness.
Bogatena, perhaps bored of being with her elder sister, said she would take a walk in the garden with Barta and left.
The two somewhat uneasy sixth cousins sipped their tea awkwardly, as if meeting for the first time.
Borsia, perhaps adhering to some old rule that she should only speak when an elder initiates conversation, merely sipped her tea without saying a word.
“How have you been? I hope everyone at home is well,” Argana finally asked first.
Only then did Borsia respond.
“I report that under the Khan’s rule, the empire shines like sunlight across all lands. I have lived very comfortably.”
“You must have worked hard to pay your respects as soon as you returned, sister.”
Indeed, she must have had a hard time. Yet Borsia subtly shifted the topic.
“I should have visited Aunt Wiran more often, but after marrying, it hasn’t been easy, and I feel guilty. She loved me so much… I also spent a long time crying earlier, which delayed things.”
“……”
“And only Aunt Wiran would call me Soya. The more I think of it, the sadder I feel.”
At first glance, it seemed she was deeply missing the late Dowager Wiran, but Argana could only smile bitterly inwardly.
Borsia was four years older than Argana, so from a young age, she naturally received the Dowager’s favor.
Perhaps because of that, from the time she matured, she behaved as if she were “Dowager Wiran’s daughter.”
Still, Argana put aside all such thoughts and comforted her with kind words.
“Your devotion will surely make Mother happy, sister.”
“If I could, I would have held Aunt Wiran’s three-year mourning myself.”
Argana’s expression stiffened at that shocking remark.
She knew Soya’s obsession with the Dowager’s favor had caused her to stay excessively close.
But knowing that their mother was loving, Argana had never blamed or resented Soya.
No matter what anyone said, the Dowager’s most beloved daughter was herself, the only one.
“Sister, why would you go through such trouble when you have a daughter?”
Biting words like that made Soya’s face pale.
“Forgive me, Your Highness. I meant no harm. I merely spoke from my sadness… Knowing that Your Highness is so busy with affairs, I thought ten bodies would not suffice for you to manage everything.”
“Anyway, I already performed Mother’s three-year mourning. I am the legitimate firstborn. You needn’t feel guilty about past matters.”
For a moment, Soya’s expression darkened, but just then a maid entered, interrupting the conversation.
She glanced at Soya before whispering to Argana.
“Your Highness, Consul Otah has arrived.”
Otah, one of Argana’s closest aides handling complex matters, had previously been tasked to find out who had hurt Cartack.
“Understood. I’ll come immediately.”
Argana answered quietly and looked at Soya.
“Sister, I must attend to some business. Could you wait a moment?”
“Oh, no problem. Mother and the Khan are drinking tea. It will finish soon. Let’s wait there.”
“Very well, do so.”
Argana called a maid over.
“See the lady out.”
The maid, standing by the doorway, bowed slightly and went to escort Soya outside.
Once their presence was completely gone, the maid who brought news of Otah wrinkled her nose.
“Your Highness, I apologize.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Since I am nearby, I overheard your conversation with the lady. Though one should not speak what is heard within the palace, it seems that while she pretends to be polite, in truth, she does not respect Your Highness at all.”
Argana chuckled.
“Why do you think so?”
“Even if her manners and speech are flawless, would it not be embarrassing for her to call you ‘sister’? Moreover, she dares to mention Dowager Wiran’s three-year mourning…”
“Enough. Go and fetch my ceremonial attire.”
The maid left, muttering “Yes, Your Highness.”
Argana did not scold her unusually, because every word she spoke was valuable.
Soya clearly had contradictions. Her polite demeanor toward Argana was sincere.
Yet, as the maid said, she was also intoxicated by the delusion that she had received more of Dowager Wiran’s love than Argana.
“She looks fine, yet she’s a rather strange person,” Argana thought.
When Argana went to meet Otah, he rose abruptly and bowed before speaking.
“I have investigated, Your Highness. The opponent Prince Cartack faced in the duel was General Hojak.”
“General Hojak? Isn’t he just a minor general with no significant accomplishments? How could Cartack lose to him?”
“I thought the same. However, witnesses said the southern wind was strong that day. Prince Cartack faced it directly and was at a disadvantage, and General Hojak kicked up sand, causing the Prince to lose his balance.”
“……”
“General Hojak said it was unintentional, and the Prince accepted it, but what do you think?”
Bang!
A small side table split in half from Argana’s punch. That was answer enough.
“Whose man is he?”
Otah, staring dumbfounded at the broken table, snapped back to attention.
“Prince Ishuder’s man, Your Highness.”
“I thought so,” Argana said, her lips twisting as she spoke.
“Go now. You’ve done well.”
“Is there nothing more you wish to instruct me?”
“No, nothing more for now. You may leave.”
Otah fled as if chased by an invisible force, unable to contend with Argana’s genuine wrath. Her piercing aura alone was terrifying.
At that moment, Barta and Bogatena returned, having missed each other with Otah.
Bogatena, seeing her elder sister had gone, happily ran inside, but upon sensing Argana’s serious mood, she shrank her shoulders.
“Sister, why are you so angry?”
“I’m not angry because of you, so don’t worry. Did you enjoy your walk?”
