Chapter 56
Tatastui, who had only been opening and closing his mouth, protested hesitantly.
“B-but I am a person too, am I not? What if my heart wavers and I… I end up succumbing to a bribe?”
A bright smile spread across Argana’s face. That alone sent chills running down Tatastui’s spine.
“In that case, just picture my face once. If Tureggen ever dangles something tempting before you… I assure you, the effect will be quite good.”
—She means she’ll kill me!
Tatastui fell into the greatest dilemma of his life. Compared to this problem, all the troubles he had ever faced felt like a child’s play.
“…What do you want me to do?”
Admitting that survival was more important than his reluctance, Tatastui asked weakly. Argana smiled again, this time with genuine warmth.
“It’s nothing difficult.”
The next day.
Before breakfast, Argana attended the morning assembly for the first time in quite a while. The moment she appeared, the officials began whispering.
There were usually only two reasons for Argana to show up at assembly: either a disturbance somewhere was about to escalate into war, or she was about to make an accusation.
And anyone accused by her could forget about living past that day.
So, the gazes cast her way were filled with fear—except for one. Ishuder.
His eyes burned with hatred as he glared at Argana. Unlike his usual calm and indifferent demeanor, he was visibly furious, and everyone wondered if her presence today had anything to do with it.
“The Khan takes his meal—!”
At the attendant’s call, everyone placed their right hand over their left chest and bowed their heads.
Argana felt relieved when she saw her father didn’t look particularly sickly. It seemed the attendants had carefully concealed his frailty with clever use of cosmetics and powders.
Father’s illness must be kept hidden until the very end. Otherwise, all sorts of scavengers will rise up in chaos.
“Was your night peaceful, all of you?”
“Yes, Great Khan. We are grateful for your grace.”
The answer was unanimous, as if rehearsed.
Astrahan Khan nodded, satisfied, and sat upon his golden, fur-lined throne, glancing over those gathered.
“I will hear today’s first matter.”
At that moment, Ishuder stepped forward.
With a firm demeanor, he gave the imperial salute once more and looked directly at the Khan.
“Father, I have something to report.”
“What is it?”
“My close retainer, General Hojak, has been gravely injured and is unable to move.”
“How did he come to be injured?”
“It was because of Princess Argana.”
As Ishuder glared at her, murmurs spread among the officials.
The Khan raised his hand to silence them, then frowned slightly as he looked down at Ishuder.
“How could the princess have injured such a lowly general?”
“That is…”
Ishuder began explaining from the beginning—how Hojak and Kartak had sparred. But when it came to the part where Hojak deliberately kicked up sand into Kartak’s eyes, he glossed over it vaguely.
“…But when the princess saw that her friend had been hurt, even slightly, she could not endure it. She personally sought out Hojak and beat him savagely. Father, those who excel in martial arts must take responsibility for their blades. Please, make the princess reflect upon her actions.”
A heavy silence followed. Focused on staring heatedly at the Khan, Ishuder failed to notice Argana biting back a laugh behind him.
Finally, the Khan let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“How pathetic.”
Ishuder froze. At first, he thought the words were directed at Argana, but on second thought… perhaps not.
And indeed, he was wrong.
“Ishuder, how can you treasure your retainer so much yet give no thought to your sister’s honor? How dare you openly accuse the princess in such a setting!”
“Father! I only wished…”
“Enough. I will hear no more.”
The Khan cut him off sternly and turned to Argana.
“Argana, is what your brother says true?”
Argana stepped forward, standing side by side with Ishuder.
“It is true, but his account is incomplete. That man, Hojak, acted disgracefully, unworthy of a warrior, and injured Prince Kartak. I merely showed him what a fair duel should be. I had no other intentions.”
“Father, that is not so! Hojak never intended—”
“Argana, apologize to your brother.”
Ishuder’s mouth fell open in shock. An apology? That was all?
“I apologize for injuring your subordinate, brother. I will send a skilled physician to tend to him.”
Argana’s apology was smooth, almost shameless—like she had expected this outcome all along.
The Khan spoke.
“Ishuder, you are a prince. Do not act rashly. You are confined for today—reflect upon yourself.”
“Father…”
“This matter ends here.”
Ishuder had no choice but to step back, biting his lip. His slightly bowed face flushed red with a mix of anger and humiliation.
Seeing it, Argana sneered inwardly.
“Is there anyone else with a matter to raise?”
This time, Argana herself stepped forward.
“Father, I have a proposal concerning the western provinces.”
“Speak.”
“It would be wise to dispatch a royal inspector there to investigate the canal project thoroughly. I beg you, Father, to exercise your wisdom and ensure that no difficulties befall this grand undertaking.”
This was something Argana and the Khan had already discussed privately over a meal.
But since it was forbidden to make such private discussions official, they had to act out a little play as if speaking of it for the first time.
“I heard the canal project in the west was progressing well. Is an inspector truly necessary?”
“I report that since the main river calmed, the soldiers’ discipline has slackened. Moreover, I have heard the taxes have risen sharply, causing great unrest among the people. It is clear that the project is consuming excessive funds. Someone must investigate its sources and expenditures in detail.”
The Khan considered this for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well. Then, princess, do you have a candidate in mind?”
Perfect. Argana’s golden eyes—so like her father’s—gleamed as she smiled inwardly.
“Tatastui, an 8th-rank officer of the Western Secretariat.”
At once, the assembly broke into murmurs.
An 8th-rank officer was so low that few would know his name—but Tatastui, hailing from Tahijin and infamous for his stubborn, bull-headed nature, was surprisingly well-known.
The Khan himself knew of him. If appointed inspector, Tatastui was not one to be swayed by bribes or persuasion.
Just as the Khan was about to approve, someone stepped forward from the far left among the officials. In a calm voice, he spoke:
“Great Khan, this must not be allowed.”
Argana whipped her head to the left in surprise at the unexpected challenger. When she saw who it was, she bit her lip.
The Young King…
It was Tagur, the Young King, cousin to the Khan on his mother’s side. He had once been rewarded with a kingship for defeating the Bongang invasion.
Like Ishuder, he was a man whose true thoughts were hard to read. In her past life as well, he had often opposed her, hounding her at every turn. He was, unmistakably, a hidden enemy.
