Invitation of the Crescent Moon - Chapter 11-20

11

‘My goodness, Coral was right. How can such a woman exist?’

But she couldn’t back down after coming this far. She was the one who possessed him. Reminding herself of this fact, Glenoa spoke with even more confidence.

“Coral loves me. He promised me that he has no intention of breaking up with me.”

“Pfft.”

For the first time, there was a reaction from Ashika. It was laughter that seemed both incredulous and perplexed about how to handle the situation.

Ashika had been tense from the moment Glenoa appeared. She wondered if this woman would cause problems. How to avoid scandal in a public place. Whether her behavior might bring shame to her family.

But her tension was short-lived, and now the situation felt like a comedy.

‘I heard she was brazen, but all she comes here to talk about is love.’

Ashika couldn’t hold back her laughter. Glenoa, claiming love with an unfaithful man, seemed like the protagonist of a comedy.

Under that blatant gaze, Glenoa’s face crumpled.

“Is it funny that a woman with nothing is asserting her love? Or does Coral’s promise seem like a lie to you?”

Glenoa emphasized Coral’s name, wanting to stress how intimate they were. But despite her confident tone, her hands gripped her dress tightly. A fierce light shone in Glenoa’s eyes.

Though from a fallen noble family, Glenoa was accustomed to receiving attention. Numerous men had been enchanted by her, whispering love and proposing marriage. After weighing the wealthy and noble sons of the capital, she had chosen Coral.

But when the woman before her burst into laughter, Glenoa felt utterly worthless. It felt as though her desperate clinging was nothing but a joke.

“Is that all you have to say?”

Ashika’s tone remained consistent throughout. She wasn’t looking down on her opponent, nor was she mocking her. But that unwavering, upright attitude felt like an insurmountable wall.

Anger surged up. Glenoa twisted her lips into a smile and took another step closer to Ashika.

“Did you know that Lady Igraine is rumored to be barren?”

For the first time, there was a flicker of emotion in Ashika’s eyes. Satisfied by this, Glenoa continued without hesitation.

“How unbearably repulsive must you be for him to have left you alone during two years of engagement.”

Her whispering voice was still beautiful yet venomous. Ashika blinked slowly and met Glenoa’s gaze.

“Surely you don’t think Lady Schwern is the only woman Lord Oclein has met?”

Although she couldn’t find definitive evidence, it was closer to certainty than mere suspicion.

“I refused him because his lips were filthy from kissing one woman after another. When Lord Oclein touched me, it felt like my flesh was rotting. I wonder how Lady Schwern managed to endure it.”

Vitriol poured from her small lips with an expressionless face.

“That’s…”

Glenoa’s face crumpled miserably. She gritted her teeth, then gripped her dress tightly before releasing it. Her grotesquely distorted face smoothed out as if by magic.

Glenoa took a light breath, then bent toward the seated Ashika and whispered in a much lower voice.

“Fine. You keep your pride. Thanks to that, the child in my womb will be his heir.”

Ashika momentarily lost her words. Even Ashika, who had maintained her composure throughout, couldn’t hide her shock.

Seemingly satisfied with her reaction, Glenoa straightened up and looked down at Ashika triumphantly. The way she gently cradled her lower abdomen seemed like a boast.

Nobles had always valued bloodlines, and this was no exception even for illegitimate children. The higher the nobility, the more obsessed they were with their bloodline. However, nobles were extremely careful about preventing pregnancy with their mistresses because of the dishonor and scandal that would follow.

But the arrogant Coral was inexperienced in such matters. He let his guard down because he had provided the mansion where Glenoa stayed and all the servants.

Coral had spared no expense for Glenoa, and with the jewels she received as gifts, she first won over the maids to her side. It wasn’t difficult to switch out the medicinal tea that she was supposed to drink after their intimate encounters.

Although fallen, Glenoa was still of noble blood. Coral was expected to receive a Count’s title at the very least, so what law said she couldn’t become a Countess?

Moreover, Coral’s whispers in bed had fueled Glenoa’s confidence.

“He says he doesn’t want to touch you with even the tip of his finger. If you want an heir after marriage, you’ll have to find a lover. He said the Igraine family will become a lineage passing from one bastard to another.”

The blood in Ashika’s body turned ice cold. Unlike her shocked face just moments ago, Ashika’s face became rigidly cold.

It was a fact that everyone knew but dared not mention. This statement insulted both Ashika and her deceased father.

Suddenly, Glenoa felt that her words had gone too far. But she quickly dismissed the thought.

‘I have an Oclein child in my womb—what can she do?’

Silence fell between them. Even Jeanne, who had heard everything from close by, didn’t move.

After a while, Ashika slowly rose from her seat. The woman who had seemed small revealed a distinct presence as she stood.

‘What’s with this woman?’

Glenoa hesitated and took a step back.

Ashika remained completely composed, just as when they began their conversation. Her gaze toward Glenoa was strangely cold and calm.

For a very brief moment, a clear emotion flashed in Ashika’s eyes. An excited feeling, like that of a hunter swiftly catching their prey.

“Jeanne.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Subdue this woman.”

A firm command fell from Ashika’s lips.

Before she could understand what was happening, Jeanne approached Glenoa.

“What is this… mph!”

Jeanne covered Glenoa’s mouth and twisted her arm in one motion, forcing her to kneel on the ground. There was not a moment of hesitation in her movements as she subdued her opponent. It was Glenoa’s mistake not to be wary of Jeanne just because she was a woman.

“Mmph, mmph!”

Glenoa struggled to break free from Jeanne’s grip. But at Jeanne’s signal, other guards who had been waiting from a distance rushed over.

Ashika took a step forward and instructed Jeanne.

“Remove your hand.”

“This is illegal! …mmph!”

When Jeanne removed her hand from Glenoa’s mouth, Ashika unhesitatingly stuffed her own handkerchief into Glenoa’s mouth to gag her again.

To Glenoa, who was terrified and unable to even scream, Ashika coldly pronounced:

“You are charged with defamation of a high noble.”

Even as she uttered those words, Ashika’s tone remained even.

“Mmph… mph!”

The daughter of a fallen noble family, little different from a commoner, versus the sole heir of a ducal family. The difference in status was as vast as heaven and earth.

If Glenoa had been properly educated as a noble, she would have known about this overwhelming difference in power. If she had been born a commoner, she wouldn’t have even dreamed of aspiring to such heights.

But her ambiguous noble status and the ambiguous backing of the son of a marquis… the sweet fantasy they encouraged must have been quite tempting.

Ashika looked down at Glenoa and calmly whispered:

“The child in your womb won’t protect you. As a noble, how could you not understand the nature of nobility? If you had just known your place, both you and your child would have been better off.”

Regrettably, Glenoa had rejected even the sympathy she could have received as a woman. It was all her own doing.

Palace knights on patrol belatedly noticed the situation and rushed over. Despite the approach of these large knights, Ashika showed no sign of shrinking back.

“What’s happening, Lady…?”

“The House of Igraine will charge Lady Schwern with defamation of a high noble. However, Lady Schwern is currently pregnant, so we can’t just place her anywhere. We will take her to the Igraine mansion for protection, so please direct any procedural matters to the Duke’s residence.”

“Young Duchess Igraine?”

The knight recognized Ashika’s identity with surprise, and was shocked again to hear that the captured woman was pregnant. A dispute between the Young Duchess Igraine, who was to be married in just two months, and a pregnant lady.

However, in the face of Ashika’s chilling tone, none of the knights dared to say it wasn’t allowed. Confirming that no one was stopping her, Ashika directed her family’s knights.

“Take her to the mansion. Be careful, as she’s pregnant.”

“Mmph! Mph!”

Glenoa desperately resisted being taken away. But a noble lady could not withstand the strength of robust knights.

Ashika, who had already reverted to her usual self, slowly walked toward her carriage.

‘It’s fortunate this isn’t the imperial palace.’

If it had been, she wouldn’t have been able to take someone away like this, almost as if kidnapping them.

The palace knights watched helplessly as Glenoa was essentially carried away. Igraine’s entourage quickly disappeared from view with their prepared carriages.

That day, the fact that the Young Duchess Igraine’s fiancé had a mistress leaked from someone’s lips. And to make matters worse, it was followed with the shocking news that the mistress was pregnant. The rumor spread like wildfire.

It was the first time the Young Duchess Igraine, who had maintained a presence so inconspicuous it was nearly absent, became the talk of the nobility.

 

12

Everything happened so quickly that Glenoa couldn’t gather her thoughts. When the gag that had been forcibly placed in her mouth was removed and the knights released her, she had already been dragged into an unfamiliar room.

A group of women came in, restrained her, examined her, and then hurriedly left. Afterward, a maid brought food, but Glenoa didn’t touch it. It was only when she examined the black liquid that was handed to her as “medicine” that she finally came to her senses.

“What are you doing to me!”

Glenoa threw the cup held out before her in one swift motion.

Clang.

The cup fell to the floor with a loud noise, spilling the black liquid. Marilyn, who had brought the medicine, frowned.

“My goodness, this was made with medicinal herbs managed by the estate. Do you know how expensive this medicine is?”

“Stop lying! You’re trying to harm the child in my womb!”

“What are you saying? This is a stabilizer with tonic ingredients that the Duke’s personal physician prescribed specifically for pregnant women!”

“I don’t believe you! I know that Igraine or the Young Duchess is planning something against me and my baby!”

“Oh, really.”

Marilyn held back the curses that were about to escape her lips as she picked up the cup and wiped the floor with a cloth. Though angry at Glenoa’s fierce behavior, she could understand her situation.

Even Marilyn, the closest maid, couldn’t comprehend why Ashika had brought this woman here.

‘The mistress is pregnant with her fiancé’s child, and she brings her here and even gives her tonic medicine? At the very least, she should be driving her away. Sigh.’

Her master had always been difficult to understand, but this time was especially perplexing.

“Quite noisy, isn’t it?”

Hearing a voice suddenly from behind, Marilyn’s face brightened with relief.

“Miss, I apologize. It wasn’t me who spilled the medicine….”

“I heard. No need to explain.”

“Um, what should I do about the medicine? Should I bring more?”

Ashika looked down at the cup in Marilyn’s hand. The expensive silver cup was dented at the edges from hitting the floor, and beyond it was a woman with claws raised like an angry wildcat.

‘Being this sensitive won’t be good for her.’

It wasn’t concern for Glenoa. Ashika was more worried about the child in her womb.

‘How could I have gotten such an opportunity.’

There was a need to soothe the angry woman. Ashika concluded it would be better not to provoke Glenoa.

“Bring the medicine again tomorrow. For now, I’d appreciate if you’d leave us.”

Ashika politely issued the order of dismissal to the maid who was wearing a troubled expression.

After Marilyn left the room, Glenoa stepped back in anticipation of trouble. Behind her was an elegant bed. The entire room was filled with more expensive decorations than any space she had ever stayed in during her life.

“This is a guest room. It was designed more to showcase the Duke’s authority than for comfort. You probably feel oppressed just by being here.”

“What… what are you trying to say?”

“Know your place.”

The cold remark flew like a dagger. Glenoa’s face crumpled miserably.

Ashika’s expression remained consistently calm. Except when she first heard the news of the pregnancy, her composure had never broken.

“This can’t be happening. Nobles can’t be punished by individuals on a whim.”

“Not an individual, but the Igraine Duchy. Didn’t you boldly throw yourself into this situation?”

“I, I didn’t do anything! What did I do wrong….”

Glenoa pleaded her innocence with an anxious face. As if expecting denial, Ashika merely stared back.

“Who would dare deny that I’ve been insulted? Who would dare challenge the claims of an Igraine? Isn’t that right?”

“T-that’s….”

Glenoa had underestimated her. The woman with the smaller frame had appeared to be just a delicate noble lady rather than someone of Young Duchess rank.

But now she understood how powerful the position of being the only heir to the Duchy was.

“You think I brought you here to harm you, don’t you?”

“Isn’t that the case?”

Her voice was sharp even in her frightened state.

What a foolish woman she was. That’s why she would have committed such an outrageous act.

Ashika wanted to leave Glenoa trembling in fear until she realized her situation. However, the child in the womb was important not only to Glenoa but also to Ashika.

‘It would be problematic if something happened to the child because she’s frightened.’

Even if it was only for a few days.

“I’ve wanted to break off the engagement for a long time. But without a significant issue, it’s not easy to break an alliance between families.”

Glenoa’s eyes widened in surprise. Despite everything, the engagement had lasted two years. While half-doubting, expectation began to bloom on her frightened face.

“Lady Schwern. Do you think the situation is turning in your favor?”

“What?”

Glenoa asked like a fool.

Despite Ashika’s explanation, she didn’t seem to understand. Ashika’s mood sank dismally. Having to speak these words herself left a bitter taste in her mouth.

‘Well, one needs a worthy enemy to hate or harbor resentment against.’

The other party was merely a foolish woman blinded by greed who couldn’t take care of herself.

“Don’t you think that the danger to you now isn’t from me, who wants to break off the engagement, but from someone else?”

“Lies! I know how important nobles consider their own bloodline.”

Ashika now wore a pitying expression, wondering what to do with this naive woman.

“You know one thing but not the other. That only applies when it’s the heir’s child. What use is an unmarried noble who already has an illegitimate child? They become useless even in the marriage market. Or did you perhaps believe you would become his mistress?”

Glenoa flinched and avoided Ashika’s gaze.

“You must have expected the title that would be bestowed upon Lord Oclein.”

A count’s title would be quite impressive. She could understand what calculations led Glenoa to become Coral’s mistress.

Ashika sighed with a somewhat tired expression.

“The Marquisate of Oclein has publicly declared they will give their second son nothing but a title without any territory. Do you know what that means? It’s a title worse than that of a baron with territory in the borderlands.”

That’s why Coral had agreed to pledge loyalty to Igraine in exchange for territory. Of course, even that was merely as a proxy; ultimately, it would belong to the Igraine Duchy.

“Even that might have seemed like a good marriage partner to you. But how would Lord Oclein see it? Coralrod Oclein, who could have sought an expensive marriage with even just the name of a count’s title, lost his value in the marriage market overnight. Because of you alone.”

The man Glenoa had tried to steal was just an attractive shell. Only when backed by Igraine did he have value.

“That’s the kind of man you claim to love. Holding the Igraine Duchy in one hand and having his romance on the side. A truly greedy piece of trash. Now, what do you think he’ll do if this marriage falls apart?”

The color drained from Glenoa’s face. Ashika continued without hesitation.

“What you should be worried about now is yourself and the child in your womb.”

A cold pronouncement awakening her to reality. Finally understanding what was being said, Glenoa froze completely.

The face of the man who had sweetly catered to her wishes and his cold expression as he made her take medicine after their intimacy flashed through her mind.

“Now you understand? I need you and your child to proceed with breaking off the engagement. I’ll protect you until then, one way or another.”

“Trying to persuade me like this….”

Glenoa tried to deny Ashika’s words until the end. Ashika emphasized once more.

“Don’t think about going on a hunger strike or causing trouble. Your only card is the child in your womb. If something happens to the child, you’re like a kite with a broken string, understand? Eat well and rest well.”

Glenoa’s face was filled with confusion as she tried to gauge her misjudgment and the future ahead.

That was a responsibility Glenoa had to bear entirely on her own. Ashika didn’t want to exchange any more words.

‘Even this much kindness is more than she deserves.’

Considering the nonsense Glenoa had spouted, stripping her naked and chasing her out wouldn’t have been enough. Though she wasn’t worth sympathizing with, no matter how trashy the parents were, the child in the womb was innocent.

With that thought, Ashika left the room.

****

Outside the Duke’s office, Ashika took several deep breaths. Despite trying not to be nervous, sweat seeped from her clenched hands.

It was the first time. The first time she had so directly gone against her grandfather’s wishes.

‘Surely, even in this situation, he wouldn’t insist on the marriage.’

This was why Ashika, who always prioritized family honor, had made the issue public. It was to eliminate any possibility of quietly resolving the matter.

‘No. This time, I cannot.’

She was so tense that she couldn’t hear the sound of her own knocking.

“Come in.”

Despite her tension, her grandfather Weive’s voice was distinctly imprinted in her ears.

The office door opened, and the bright interior light stung Ashika’s eyes. In front of the window where darkness had settled, stood an elderly gentleman with noticeable silver-gray hair.

Despite his slender build, the elderly gentleman looked as solid as a pillar. He was Ashika’s grandfather and the master of Igraine, one of only four duchies in the empire.

Weive did not speak when he saw Ashika. As always. His method of handling people was to pressure them with silence, compelling them to speak first.

“Grandfather, I have something to tell you.”

“You came all the way here because you have something to say.”

He never made conversation easy. Ashika tensed her body to avoid showing emotion.

“I believe you have already received the report.”

Hah, Weive let out a hollow laugh. For someone who rarely showed emotional changes, even that was quite a significant reaction.

“Even without a report, I couldn’t help but know. The capital’s nobles are in an uproar.”

Weive’s voice was as calm and cold as the anger he displayed.

“Proceeding with this marriage would bring dishonor to our family, Grandfather.”

“To prevent family dishonor, you created such a great scandal?”

It was a rebuke for making the issue public at the Empress Dowager’s Palace. Ashika’s gaze fell to the floor.

 

13

‘It’s the reaction I expected. At least this much.’

Though she tried to steel herself, she couldn’t ignore the disappointment rising from a corner of her heart.

Her fiancé, chosen by her grandfather, had an affair and even produced an illegitimate child. Before being a dishonor to the family, it was her dishonor, and more than that, it was a shock that gave her an indescribable sense of betrayal.

She had hoped for a different reaction this time, something other than reproof, but Weive remained consistent.

Her gaze, which had been wandering around the floor, slowly rose. Ashika directly met those black eyes that resembled her own. Her gaze was tense but not intimidated.

“I apologize for bringing shame to the family. But, Grandfather, I cannot go through with this marriage. I am breaking off the engagement.”

Each word she uttered in her calm voice carried weight. Weive’s brow furrowed deeply at his granddaughter’s resolute tone.

She appeared unyielding to outsiders, but to him, she had been an obedient granddaughter. She was a child who understood her position as the sole heir to the duke’s family and never neglected her conduct.

Yet this Ashika had turned the capital’s social circles upside down. They say that when an obedient child snaps, it’s frightening—Ashika was exactly that case.

“And I would like Lady Schwern to stay at the mansion until the engagement is officially broken.”

“Are you protecting her?”

“She is a perfect witness and evidence.”

Weive looked at his cautiously speaking granddaughter with fresh eyes. He knew she was intelligent and had a strong personality, but she was still a nobly raised aristocratic lady. He was quite surprised by her radical actions and drive that even men wouldn’t have thought of.

‘Confining the mistress pregnant with her fiancé’s child and demanding to break the engagement.’

It was a resolute action, bordering on recklessness, that an ordinary noble wouldn’t dare attempt for fear of social scandal. They say it happened so quickly that no one had time to intervene.

It was either reckless or bold, depending on how you looked at it.

The issue had already grown too large to reverse. Weive made a brief conclusion, not hiding his displeasure.

“Stay out of the matter of negotiating the broken engagement with Marquis Oclein. And.”

His gaze on Ashika became heavy. His lips, hesitating momentarily, continued.

“Return half of your allocated budget for this year. Also, refrain from attending balls and gatherings for the time being.”

Ashika hardly participated in social activities anyway, as she was preoccupied with the duties of the ducal family. So this punishment was essentially just a formality. This was the extent of consideration Weive could show his granddaughter.

“…Yes, Grandfather.”

Her voice, devoid of emotion, sounded somewhat subdued.

Weive quickly changed the subject, shuffling through documents on his desk.

“How is the budget implementation for the grand duchy proceeding?”

“It’s still before the consultation.”

Weive’s eyebrows rose. This was something that should have been finalized long ago.

Realizing her mistake, Ashika quickly responded.

“It just needs a reply. I’ll finalize it within this week.”

A large part of the delay was because she didn’t want to face Drushia. On top of that, with Coral’s issue erupting, she hadn’t had time to focus on it.

Weive’s gaze lingered on Ashika briefly before falling away.

The grand duchy affairs that were previously delegated to an assistant were now Ashika’s responsibility. Even his indifference remained consistent, so Weive had nothing more to say.

“You may go.”

“Yes.”

The conversation ended plainly. Ashika left the office with the same stride she had when entering. The moment she confirmed she was out of Weive’s sight and the door closed, her strength drained.

Despite receiving a lighter punishment than expected, her heart felt heavy.

‘This must be the best outcome.’

Though he was her only remaining family, he was always a difficult person. He was someone who prioritized his position as duke controlling her life rather than being family.

[Was it hard for you? Everything will be alright.] He was someone from whom she couldn’t expect even a single word of warm comfort. That was Weive.

Ashika stroked her tired eyes and headed to her room.

****

The day after sending a letter regarding the grand duchy matter, a reply came from the Talion ducal residence. It was a markedly different attitude from previous years when responses were delayed, putting Ashika in a difficult position.

The meeting place was a modest mansion surrounded by forest, away from the central area. Along the tall walls, roses bloomed inside, while lush undergrowth flourished with flowers outside.

Ashika’s gaze, after stepping out of the carriage, swept the base of the wall and stopped at the main gate. In front of it stood knights, divided on both sides, fiercely facing each other.

“Jeanne, wait here.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Jeanne readily agreed to the instruction to stay behind. Normally, she would have insisted on accompanying her, but not today. Only Ashika’s aide could pass through the main gate from here.

As the Igraine knight approached the main gate, Talion’s knights came forward from the opposite side. The Igraine knight’s face crumpled.

“The Lady has arrived. Please step aside.”

“Verification is required.”

Talion’s knight responded with a stiff attitude. His tense face showed neither goodwill nor hostility. Instead, a glimpse of stubborn determination to adhere to procedure was visible.

“What verification? Are you so dim-witted that you forget faces you see every year?”

“I will inform the Duke.”

“What nonsense….”

As the Igraine knight bristled, Ashika stepped forward.

“You seem to have forgotten who owns this villa. Shouldn’t we be the ones verifying, not you?”

The Talion knight who had been needlessly confrontational turned his head with a look of realization.

This place, fiercely occupied by knights from both families, belonged to the Igraines. However, there was a sensitive issue making it difficult to fully claim ownership.

It was a villa that Vanne Talion, Weive’s wife, had brought as dowry. It was a place Vanne cherished, staying here more often than at the main house. However, this political marriage ended with Vanne’s suicide, becoming the starting point for the deterioration of relations between the two families.

Talion demanded an investigation into Vanne’s death, but Weive ignored it. When they asked for the return of the villa filled with precious memories, he refused this too.

Consistent silence. Weive neither fought back nor responded. That was probably why Talion strongly insisted on this place for the meeting.

Weive had forgotten about the villa’s existence, and Ashika deliberately avoided touching on the issue. After all, Vanne was Weive’s second wife, a stranger to Ashika with not a drop of shared blood.

Ashika didn’t want to make those who remembered her uncomfortable. This is why she turned a blind eye to Talion’s people coming and going as if it were their home. Hence, they had reached this ambiguous situation.

After entering the building, Ashika took a deep breath in front of the reception room door.

“Hah….”

Drushia was waiting inside. He was a man who had never left her mind even amid the chaos with Coral’s issue.

“Lady Igraine.”

“Ah.”

Startled by the voice behind her, Ashika was quite shocked. Before her stood a man of robust build.

“Rushi…..Duke Talion.”

She almost bit her tongue due to the slip in addressing him. Drushia’s eyes narrowed at the sight of her round, wide eyes and flustered face.

“I don’t think I’m that surprising, am I?”

“I thought you were already inside.”

Ashika quickly composed herself. It was their first meeting since encountering each other on the balcony during the banquet.

‘I didn’t even get to thank him.’

But she couldn’t bring it up first, so she would rather he pretended not to know.

Whether aware of Ashika’s discomfort or not, Drushia’s expression remained unchanged. As always, he had that arrogant gaze and somewhat indifferent attitude.

Only his different attire caught her attention. A dark jacket with a lustrous finish, a waistcoat with gold patterns, and pants without a single wrinkle—he was dressed with proper formality.

‘What’s…this? He’s all shiny.’

He looked good in anything, but today he was particularly radiant.

‘Did he use pomade too?’

Didn’t he dislike it, saying it felt too thick?

Ashika hastily dismissed the thought that suddenly occurred to her, realizing she had never had such intimate conversations with him.

Drushia opened the reception room door without asking for permission and strode in. It was an attitude showing he didn’t care much for etiquette. Instead, Drushia’s aide Kalf waited for Ashika to enter first.

“They say a thief feels guilty. Perhaps you have many things to feel guilty about?”

“Surely not. Igraine has nothing to be ashamed of before heaven.”

Regardless of her inner thoughts, her calm, measured voice flowed as usual. Finding this quite fortunate, Ashika entered the reception room with graceful steps.

“You seem to have forgotten about taking away knights without an agreement?”

“If you demand compensation for the knight’s injury, I’d be happy to provide it.”

Drushia’s eye corners shot up sharply.

“As expected from a wealthy family. Are you going to smear money over the knights’ honor too?”

“Since both sides started the fight, all that remains is the result after adding and subtracting, isn’t it? Since our side has no injured people, I’m saying I’ll consider the injured person.”

The answer flowed smoothly as if prepared in advance.

Ashika sat down in her chair with a more relaxed demeanor. She had always thought he was an irritating man, but his usual attitude actually put her at ease.

One corner of Drushia’s mouth lifted slightly. Despite his seemingly indifferent expression, his deep blue eyes were particularly vivid. They were eyes that shone almost overwhelmingly.

‘What is it?’

A mysterious feeling flashed momentarily. Before she could identify what it was, Drushia’s voice was heard.

 

14

I assume you’ve received the budget calculation documents?”

As soon as they sat down, Drushia pushed the documents Kalf handed over to Ashika.

“You’ve made the budget quite tight. Our investigators’ figures are different.”

Ashika replied without even looking at the documents.

“Your side is spending too much money. We’re trying to reduce costs.”

“You mean you’ve budgeted an absurdly low amount and expect us to bear all the burden?”

“Isn’t that amount just pocket change for Igraine?”

Ashika’s brow furrowed slightly.

“Last year, we bore the cost of the temporary garrison’s foundation work. You haven’t forgotten that already, have you?”

“Did I get anything for free? Have you forgotten that we had to dispatch additional troops because there weren’t enough knights employed on Igraine’s side?”

Yes, that had happened. But due to severe conflicts between both sides, they had returned without even completing half the promised period.

“This is a building we’ll be using jointly in turns. We can’t bear all the expansion costs.”

“But you’re getting the building ownership in return.”

“Duke Talion.”

Ashika’s voice turned cold at Drushia’s brazen reply.

The building was meant for garrison residence anyway. With the land ownership frozen by imperial decree, it was a useless right.

“Then let’s do this.”

When Drushia showed signs of reluctantly backing down, Ashika tensed. The real negotiation always started after this.

‘What is he trying to get this time.’

Drushia kept his gaze fixed on Ashika, who sat rigidly. Though she appeared coldly composed, her tense black eyes looked incredibly docile.

Dark ink-black hair and eyes black as living jewels. The vivid contrast with her white skin suddenly captured Drushia’s attention.

“Your Grace?”

The woman who rarely rushed others suddenly prompted him to speak. Drushia tugged at his collar. It was an unconscious gesture due to an inexplicable tightness in his chest.

“Have both sides’ investigators meet to adjust the cost calculations and submit a new report. We’ll split the construction costs equally as you suggested. But in return.”

At Drushia’s gesture, Kalf took out documents from his bag and handed them over.

“Igraine will be responsible for this winter’s supplies. What do you think?”

Ashika looked down at the documents presented before her.

The cost of maintaining soldiers was enormous. While buildings at least left something behind after construction, the cost of feeding and clothing soldiers was money that simply disappeared. And these weren’t even her own soldiers, but Talion’s.

However, what Igraine had in abundance was wealth, and what Talion had in abundance was soldiers. Negotiations always struck a balance between these two sides.

“Fine.”

Ashika didn’t bother checking the documents. She already knew the supply quantities, and there hadn’t been any special changes.

‘Better to compromise than deal with constant harassment.’

More than that, she didn’t want to sit here any longer. The blue eyes that persistently clung to her throughout their conversation felt more intense than usual.

Ashika gripped the thin gloves she had removed and placed beside the table. Her impatience to conclude the negotiation showed unconsciously.

“Please prepare the agreement document with these terms.”

“You’re not going to check the documents?”

“It’s not like the garrison forces would suddenly increase. We verify this content every year.”

Watching Ashika agree so readily, Drushia tapped the table with his finger.

‘Even though she’s always checked every single word and number for hours in the past.’

Until now, hadn’t she made him wait for hours, insisting on personally verifying every word and number?

“What if there are changes needed later? Are you planning to make me go back and forth?”

“What’s the point of having an aide if not for this? Don’t worry, I won’t call you out for minor matters.”

“Minor matters….you say.”

Something about the way he drawled those words felt unsettling. Ashika let out a small sigh.

“Then we’ll wait. Julma, did you record everything?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Julma, who had been standing by almost invisibly, finally spoke up.

“Add the content we just agreed upon to the prepared documents and draft the agreement.”

At Ashika’s instruction, the negotiation table was quickly cleared. As both sides’ aides moved to the adjacent room, Ashika stood up.

“I’ll take a short walk while the paperwork is being done.”

It was a notification, not a request for permission. Drushia thought for a moment and seemed somewhat displeased.

“The walking path isn’t in very good condition.”

“I saw that the path has been maintained. Didn’t Talion send gardeners?”

“Well, I wouldn’t know since I didn’t order it.”

It was people sent by his grandfather Neoren, not Drushia. Because the deceased Vanne had been Neoren’s only sister.

Understanding the meaning, Ashika fell silent. She gave a slight nod to the man still sitting arrogantly and rose from her seat.

Ironically, this villa was the only place where Ashika could be alone. Because neither side’s knights were allowed inside the villa.

Whenever they met, they would growl at each other and end up fighting, so at some point, they stopped bringing them to negotiations. Instead, they guarded different areas around the villa.

It was just past noon. The moment Ashika entered the garden, she realized Drushia had been right.

Only the front of the building was maintained. The back garden had turned into a jungle with randomly grown shrubs entangled with the garden trees. Ashika hesitated briefly before hurrying her steps.

‘I don’t want to go back to the reception room.’

She kept worrying about how she might appear.

“He must have…heard the rumors.”

The entire capital had been in an uproar over Ashika’s actions to break off her engagement. There were accusations of her being a ruthless woman who forcibly detained a pregnant woman, and sympathetic opinions suggesting she must have had her reasons.

Ashika didn’t welcome either side. She especially didn’t want sympathy or criticism from Drushia. She was rather grateful that he pretended not to know, like now.

‘Wait a minute?’

Something suddenly occurred to her. One fact she had completely forgotten while rushing to push through the broken engagement.

‘Wasn’t it Talion’s aide who brought Lady Schwern to the party?’

Baron Kalf Crowny, Drushia’s aide. At the time, she had been so shocked that she’d overlooked the fact that the man accompanying Glenoa was Kalf.

‘Are they involved somehow? No, that’s impossible.’

He was an aide famous for being so devoid of humanity that rumors called him a tin doll.

‘What is going on here?’

But she couldn’t demand answers. She didn’t want to hear anything about her broken engagement from either Drushia or his aide.

Lost in thought, Ashika failed to notice the shadow falling beside her. When she suddenly felt an eerie sensation, her vision flipped.

“Ack!”

She instinctively struck away the large hand approaching her. Simultaneously, she was thrown backward as if pushed.

A dull pain shot through her shoulder as it hit the ground. But there was no time to feel the pain. Sensing a shadow looming over her head, she sprang up from her position.

However, her opponent wouldn’t let her go so easily. A strong force grabbed her dress hem, dragging her body backward.

“Ack! Let go!”

Ashika tried to remove the opponent’s hands but couldn’t match their strength. Her body spun around and hit a tree pillar.

With her arms firmly gripped, she faced her opponent, and fear and anger surged together.

“Lord Oclein!”

“Yes, it’s me, Lady Igraine.”

A hoarse, threatening voice flowed out.

“Do you know how many letters I sent? Do you know how many times I begged the Duke to let me meet you?”

“This matter is already out of my hands. You know better than anyone why things turned out this way.”

“Who decided that!”

His bloodshot eyes looked more menacing than ever.

Coral’s hair was wet with dew, and his usually neat attire was disheveled with leaves and grass stuck to it. This meant he had been here for no short time.

“Breaking the engagement? How can you break it off without a single word of discussion with me, the person involved?”

“Are we really in a position to face each other and say goodbye? After all, both the political marriage and its dissolution are relationships that begin and end with contracts. I heard the agreement between both families is almost complete.”

“You’re going to pull out after toying with someone for two years?”

Coral sneered, revealing his menacing hostility.

This was ridiculous beyond ridiculous. Ashika felt anger rather than fear at his unreasonable attitude.

“You’re the one who toyed with me, Lord Oclein. Not only did you take a mistress while having a fiancée, but you also said I would need to get my own lover to have an heir?”

A look of confusion flashed across Coral’s face. For a moment, the hands gripping her shoulders weakened. Ashika grabbed Coral’s arm and bit down with all her might.

“Argh!”

Ashika pushed Coral away with her whole body and they both tumbled to the ground. Her vision flipped and she had no idea which way was which. She got up before she could fully regain her senses.

Fear flooded in after the anger she had unconsciously spilled out. The man charging at her with bloodshot eyes was not the noble lord she had known.

Her mind went blank. Only the instinct to flee in terror remained.

‘What should I do. What…’

Before she could take three steps, a rough hand caught her arm.

“Let go!”

Just as she was being dragged by Coral, a large shadow tackled him.

“Guhk!”

Along with a violent collision sound, Coral screamed. The force holding her disappeared and she was thrown to the ground again. Even fallen, Ashika flailed her limbs trying to escape.

Thwack, thwack.

Suddenly, dull noises from behind reached her ears.

“What….”

When she turned around, Coral, who had been charging at her like a predator moments ago, was being mercilessly beaten while pinned to the ground. The man crushing Coral was swinging his bare fists without mercy.

Ashika couldn’t close her mouth, gaping in shock.

“Duke….Talion?”

 

15

Coral had already lost consciousness, his eyes rolled back until only the whites showed. Blood sprayed from his face, which was smashed almost beyond recognition.

But Drushia didn’t stop. His killing intent was overflowing, as if he would end Coral’s life right there.

He truly meant to kill him. With eyes dropping blue sparks. With merciless force that seemed ready to tear him apart alive.

At least that’s how it appeared to Ashika.

“No! Rushia!”

Ashika ran forward in one breath and wrapped her arms around Drushia’s waist.

Coral was the legitimate son of a marquis family. No matter how angry one got, he wasn’t someone who could be harmed at will. If he were to die by Drushia’s hands now, there would be tremendous consequences.

Only when Drushia noticed Ashika clinging to him did he stop his punches.

“Huu.”

The blue eyes that had seemed ready to spark turned skyward. As if trying to swallow down anger that hadn’t fully dissipated. The murderous intent that had been raging suddenly subsided. However, his face hardened with an icy coldness.

Drushia turned to look at Ashika while shaking off his blood-covered hands.

“A man who loses his reason is not human but a beast, Lady Igraine.”

And so he must be treated not as a person but as a beast. His face, which had already regained its composure, seemed to be saying that.

Ashika’s open mouth couldn’t close. She knew he was a knight, but this was the first time she had seen such an aggressive side of him.

“This was my mistake. I didn’t think this place would pose a threat to the Lady.”

“No, that’s not…”

“My Lady!”

Jeanne, who had belatedly heard the commotion and came running, was shocked to discover Coral sprawled on the ground and Drushia covered in blood spatters.

Seeing the knights who came running after her, sparks flew from Drushia’s eyes.

“What kind of guard duty are you doing! How did no one notice a rat sneaking in!”

Ashika startled at his thunderous shout and stepped away from Drushia.

“But how… there’s only a wall on this side…”

“Didn’t I tell you to do thorough preliminary checks!”

“We checked inside and outside the villa yesterday afternoon… We’re sorry.”

It seemed Coral had sneaked in after that. Having observed the negotiation process over the years, he had found his opportunity.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

Ashika came to her senses only when she saw the Igraine knights standing there in dismay.

“Jeanne, take….take Lord Oclein away.”

“No, I’ll take him. Since it started by my hand, shouldn’t I finish it?”

Ashika’s heart raced at Drushia’s suggestion. The implications of what he meant by “finish” sent chills down her spine.

“No. Lord Oclein…”

Though her startled voice trembled faintly, each word she spoke was clear.

“He trespassed into an Igraine villa without permission and attacked me. This happened when my knights tried to stop him. It’s right that we handle the aftermath on our side.”

This was a matter between Ashika and Coral, between the House of Igraine and the House of Oclein. Talion should not get involved.

Drushia understood what she meant. But his expression showed he didn’t want to accept it. His coldly hardened face clearly displayed his displeasure.

“What will you do after taking him? Report him to the Noble Council?”

Ashika’s gaze moved to the unconscious Coral. The man who had been threatening her just moments ago now lay collapsed in a pitiful state.

‘Report him…’

All strength drained from her body. What had she done wrong for things to turn out this way?

“I just…I don’t know. No. Thank you.”

Ashika rose from her spot, hiding her trembling voice. For a moment, her vision spun.

“My Lady!”

Drushia reflexively moved toward Ashika. But before his outstretched hand could reach her, Jeanne caught her.

For a brief moment, Drushia’s face went blank. Then, looking at his hand stopped in mid-air, he realized.

That this was as far as he could help Ashika.

Entering the garden had been an impulsive decision. Not that he had intended to interrupt Ashika’s walk. They weren’t close enough to take walks together anyway.

But when he heard Ashika’s scream, his mind went completely blank.

When he discovered her slender body thrown to the ground and pinned down by another man, he experienced what felt like his vision turning red with rage.

By the time he came to his senses, he was already pounding Coral into the ground. He truly wanted to kill him. Nothing remained in his mind except the intent to kill.

If Ashika hadn’t stopped him, he would certainly have ended Coral’s life. The thought that he wouldn’t have regretted it afterward wasn’t mere speculation but near certainty.

Drushia’s blood-covered hands fell to his sides.

This was Ashika’s problem and Igraine’s affair. He was just a Talion who desperately hated that same Igraine.

‘Damn it.’

This obvious fact clawed at his insides especially badly today. It pained him to see a woman who couldn’t shed a single tear even after such a shock. Even in that moment of trauma, she thought ahead to the problems that would arise and stopped Drushia.

Fury welled up inside him. Looking at Ashika’s pale face, at the fact that it wasn’t him supporting her.

His heart constricted until he could barely breathe at the reality that he couldn’t stop the woman walking away with her back turned.

****

How she made it back to the mansion was hazy. She was so out of it she couldn’t even remember what kind of eyes Drushia had been watching her with.

Only when the magnificent mansion that filled her vision came into view did Ashika have the carriage stop. There was still some distance left to the main building.

“My Lady?”

“Send a physician to Coral and explain the situation to Grandfather. Also tell him that I have no intention to report this.”

Since they couldn’t bring Coral into the mansion, they sent him elsewhere with knights to guard him. Though there would likely be an uproar when he woke up, he wouldn’t be able to act rashly given what he had done.

“I’ll come in a bit later.”

“My Lady should see a physician as well.”

Concern filled Jeanne’s gaze. Throughout the journey, Ashika had sat rigidly in place. With a face so pale it seemed she might faint while sitting.

“No. Go on ahead. I’ll come in just a little later.”

Ashika’s hair and clothes were completely disheveled. She didn’t want to face the servants and reveal her vulnerable state like this.

But Jeanne couldn’t leave Ashika alone. She gave instructions to the knights who had followed.

“You all escort the Lady back.”

However, Ashika shook her head and refused even that. Right now, even the watchful eyes of her protective knights felt burdensome.

“My Lady, even so…”

“I will stay.”

Everyone’s attention turned to the deep voice that came from somewhere. Standing at a distance in shabby work clothes and a hat was the mansion’s gardener.

He took off his hat and held it in his hands as he bowed politely.

“I am Buzri, my Lady.”

Buzri, the elderly gardener, was one of the longest-serving staff at the mansion. From what she’d heard, he had been there even before Ashika was born.

“Will that be alright?”

At Jeanne’s question, Ashika quietly nodded.

Jeanne could say nothing to Ashika, who found an elderly gardener more comfortable than guard knights. Reluctantly nodding her head, she led the rest of the knights away.

Ashika’s face went blank as she watched the knights leave.

Though they had been distant, he had been her fiancé and would have become her husband if things had gone as planned. Though it was a marriage she had wanted to avoid, she never imagined it would end like this.

If Coral had understood Ashika’s careful attitude and waited patiently, the two would have become husband and wife without incident. But Coral had recklessly pulled another woman into his bed, insulting Ashika and tarnishing her family’s honor.

No, dishonor wasn’t the issue. It was an indescribable sense of betrayal. Though they hadn’t shared their hearts, she thought they at least had minimal trust in each other, but even that had been an illusion.

Even though she hadn’t loved him, her heart ached and her insides burned.

“Um… My Lady.”

A careful voice broke through Ashika’s thoughts.

“There’s something I’d like to ask, would it be alright to speak now?”

Buzri’s voice was polite yet familiar. Not disliking that feeling, Ashika nodded.

“Then, this way for a moment. While tidying up some thick bush that had grown in a corner of the garden, I encountered an issue.”

Ashika followed behind Buzri with a dazed expression.

As they left the walking path and went deeper inside, untrimmed vines caught on their clothes making it difficult to walk. After a short while, they heard small chirping sounds and Buzri stopped.

“Please look here.”

The gardener parted the thicket tangled around a chest-high tree and gestured to Ashika.

In the space so cramped she could barely take a step, Ashika bent forward awkwardly to see where Buzri was pointing.

“A bird’s nest?”

Ashika’s eyes grew wide. The loud chirping sounds were coming from baby birds huddled in the nest.

“I was planning to clear all the bush in this area, but while working I found birds had made their nest. So I couldn’t decide whether to move the nest or stop the work. What should we do?”

It was the first bird’s nest she had ever seen. The tiny, fragile creatures no bigger than a finger were making such loud cries. When she suddenly looked up, she saw a bird circling around crying sharply.

“Is that the mother bird?”

“It appears so. She’s afraid we might harm her babies.”

“Ah… I see…”

There was something deflated about Ashika’s response.

They were delicate and fragile birds, like living crafts. Even these tiny creatures cried out loudly asserting their existence.

Something welled up in Ashika’s throat. Both the mother bird crying piercingly overhead and the baby birds struggling in the nest became blurry in her vision.

Drip, drop.

Dark stains spread across the bush leaves. The tears that burst forth now poured endlessly as if finally finding their moment.

Buzri quietly stepped back and began cutting away the bush. Snap, rustle. The natural everyday sounds gently soothed her tensed heart.

In a place where no one would find her, without being discovered by others, Ashika cried to her heart’s content.

After some time passed like that, she felt the surroundings had become quite clear.

Buzri was steadily clearing away the bush as usual. Ashika wiped her tear-stained face and cleared her throat.

“Ahem, um. Buzri.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Here.”

Even after composing herself, her voice was hoarse from just finishing crying. Ashika lifted the bush she had disturbed slightly and covered the nest.

“Leave it be. How shocked would the mother bird be if someone took away her home and babies.”

“Then I’ll clear everything except this tree.”

“It would be even better if you could put up something like a thorn fence to keep cats from getting in.”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Buzri answered with a gentle smile.

“Well then, thank you for your work.”

“Please go in.”

Ashika hurried her steps, hiding her embarrassed face. She walked along the path with light steps as if she had never wavered.

Buzri quietly watched Ashika’s retreating figure.

Someone with shoulders that looked small but strong, yet pitiful. The eight-year-old girl who used to act spoiled in her father’s arms suddenly became alone one day.

After losing her father, Ashika had no time to grieve before taking on the weighty position of ducal heir. And she had to become someone who ruled over vassals while being constantly pushed and pressured.

He remembered the girl who stood beside her grandfather, led the vassals, and left the mansion. The girl who walked more upright than any noble lady with a face so pale she looked about to faint at any moment.

“When will you ever be able to cry comfortably?”

Buzri muttered bitterly. It was his wish that the girl who had grown up too straight and true, making him feel only pity, would finally find some peace now.

****

The engagement cancellation procedures proceeded swiftly.

They settled by clearing most of the business arrangements between the two families, and instead of receiving compensation, transferred the losses from broken business contracts to the Marquis Oclein family. This was what Ashika had demanded from her grandfather, and Weive had agreed.

It took ten days to complete all procedures.

On the day she finally left the mansion after being released from confinement, Glenoa didn’t express any words of gratitude or apology.

No matter how carefully they had looked after her, Glenoa had been held against her will. Though she thought no greetings were necessary because of this, she still felt uncomfortable.

As she left the mansion, that discomfort turned to anxiety. She had clearly heard that they had informed Coral she would be leaving today. Yet no one had come to meet her, and no carriage had been sent.

Glenoa felt a chill once again.

She tried to calm herself thinking it couldn’t be, that that wicked woman must not have passed on any message to Coral. She left the mansion in a carriage borrowed from the ducal residence.

Ashika felt complicated emotions watching Glenoa leave.

Considering everything that had happened, she should have felt nothing but revulsion. However, thinking about how Glenoa’s life would not be easy from now on made even hatred feel pointless.

Some time later, word came that the marquis family had provided Glenoa with a house and maid. Though it was away from the central district, it was quite a decent mansion.

However, there were no rumors of Coral visiting that house. Indeed, he was exactly the kind of man she had expected. The marquis family too seemed to have reluctantly provided a place to stay while cleaning up after their son’s mess.

Less than a month later, Glenoa Schwern left the capital of her own accord. Using the excuse that she was recovering after losing her child.

Coral too left the capital almost like he was being chased out and moved to the Oclein territory.

 

16

In the reception room covered with white cloth. On the dusty shelf that hadn’t been used for a long time, there was an out-of-place object. A portrait faded beyond recognition of its original colors, and a strange jewel embedded at the top of a round frame.

It caught the eye immediately. Despite its alien beauty, the deep purple-blue transparent jewel looked so fragile it might crumble at any moment.

She remembered the cold sensation when her hand, reaching out as if entranced, touched the jewel. A temperature lower than the already cool room. The moment she felt the chill like a frozen lake in midwinter, her vision went dark.

And countless memories flashed by.

There was a man who held her blood-soaked body and wailed. A man who, even in dire straits surrounded by enemies, refused to let her go and desperately tried to survive.

It was a luxury even to question why this had happened. Survival was the only priority during those times.

Their escape didn’t take them very far. After barely receiving treatment, they hid in a border town adjacent to the Tridelia Empire. From there, they went deep into the forest where no human footsteps reached, and that became their shelter.

In these passing memories, there was a vivid daily life she had never experienced before.

For a brief moment, she felt happy. Having lost everything, Ashika smiled because this last remaining happiness was precious. Seeing her like that, that man smiled too. Despite carrying unresolved worries, his face was quite happy.

But even that didn’t last long.

The intense pain that pierced through her entire body in the final moment. The heavy smell of blood as life drained from her body. The desperate terror of knowing this was the end.

But beyond all these sensations, the most painful was those eyes looking at her. Those deep blue eyes left behind more despair than pain, more love than despair, and thus an unshakeable lingering attachment.

Eyes that held unspoken words.

What did he want to say? Those gentle gazing eyes, those loving glances, those blue eyes that sometimes lowered in guilt when looking at her who could barely walk, yet still overflowed with love despite it all.

“…Rushia….”

She couldn’t do anything except breathe. No attempt to escape, no struggle to break free.

“Hng….”

The darkness faded from her vision and dim light entered.

Though her eyes were open, nothing registered in her sight. She could only feel that she was alive from the thump, thump of her heartbeat.

After some time like that, she recognized the familiar ceiling decorations and the trembling in her body subsided. She closed her eyes tightly, steadied her breathing, then opened them again. This was to confirm her present reality.

Ashika gripped the bed with her weak hand and raised herself up. She was even careful in raising her body, as if the dream world was her present reality.

“Haah….”

A tired sigh escaped. Her hand wiping her forehead came away drenched in sweat. Her whole body felt heavy, soaked in sweat as if drenched in water.

“That dream again.”

Since returning from the imperial palace banquet, this recurring dream had been tormenting Ashika at all hours. As if it were something that must never be forgotten. When she tried to push it away, it came back as an even more terrible nightmare, visiting her every night.

“It’s just a dream. Just a terrible nightmare.”

Even as she comforted herself like this, the nightmare remained deeply rooted in her mind, refusing to fade.

Ashika threw off her blanket and got up. It was too early to call for a maid. She moved mechanically, with no particular plan in mind.

As she reached for her shawl, something caught on its hem and fell to the floor with a thud.

“Hm?”

What fell at her feet was a necklace. One with a blue sapphire set in high-purity platinum craftsmanship.

Suddenly, her attention was drawn to the small beads encircling the central jewel. Looking at the familiar necklace, an entirely different image came to mind, one that bore no resemblance to this one.

“Ah!”

The nightmare had been so intense that she had overlooked it. The jewel she saw just before fainting at the imperial palace. She had seen something similar to the broken jewel in the frame.

“To think I only remembered it now.”

Ashika hurriedly left the room.

It was still early dawn, with everyone asleep. Though wall lamps were lit, the corridor was dark. Taking careful steps so as not to wake anyone, she arrived at her study.

“It wasn’t in the safe.”

A place more secret than the safe. A place that no one could find unless they knew the secret.

Without hesitation, Ashika lay down on the floor. As she lifted the edge of the plush carpet, densely laid marble flooring was revealed. It was a floor that showed no difference to the naked eye.

She knocked on the floor one section at a time, checking each area the size of a document page. After several dull impact sounds, a subtle resonance was felt at one point.

“Found it.”

After confirming the location, she searched the drawer again and found a paper knife. It took considerable effort to scrape away at the edge of the interlocked marble slab and lift it up.

Finally, beneath the marble slab, a small space large enough to fit two fists was revealed. Inside was a black velvet pouch.

She hadn’t taken it out for the past 14 years. No, she had even forgotten that it existed here.

In the deep night when everyone was asleep, instead of singing her a lullaby, her father had held her and brought her here.

[This is my mother’s keepsake. When she gave this to me, she said never to show it to anyone. Not even to tell father about it.]

For some premonition or another, her father had shown such an item to Ashika. It was supposedly a keepsake from her grandmother who had passed away long before Ashika was born.

Weive’s lover who could never enter the family due to opposition from the previous Duke and Duchess. A woman who couldn’t even leave her name behind. Because of this, Ashika’s father had to live his entire life bearing the dishonor of being an illegitimate child.

Thump, thump. Her heart beat rapidly as she untied the tightly bound string and opened the velvet pouch. With a clink, an icy coldness poured into her palm.

“Ah….”

It was exactly the necklace she remembered. A diamond-shaped pendant connected to a platinum chain, with somewhat crude craftsmanship as if it were an old item.

An inverted teardrop-shaped jewel was set in the center of the pendant, and on both sides of the diamond-shaped platinum setting were two small jewels each, making a total of five.

All five were the same jewel – a distinct purple-blue that didn’t lose its color even in darkness.

“It’s the same kind.”

That day, the same jewel had been set in the frame she found at the imperial palace. Though smaller, it was an intact jewel that wasn’t broken.

“What kind of jewel could this be?”

Too purple to be sapphire, too blue to be amethyst. The subtle metallic shine was transparent yet piercing to the eye. It seemed ordinary at first glance, but raised questions because she had never seen anything like it before.

Why was it? The chillingly cold touch calmed her anxious heart. Was it just her imagination that it felt like a charm her father had left her?

Somehow, she didn’t want to let go of it. Without hesitation, Ashika put the necklace around her neck.

The long chain hung down so that the pendant was hidden between her deep cleavage.

“I’ll wear it just for a while.”

Until this anxiety subsides.

Ashika released a calm breath and rose from the floor.

****

The next afternoon, as Ashika was about to leave the mansion, she drew in a sharp breath at the sight of a tray piled high with letters.

“What is all this?”

“These are letters inquiring after your well-being.”

“How could you bring all of these?”

At Ashika’s criticism, Julma’s face became troubled.

“I’ve already filtered them once at my level. I’ve only gathered those from high nobles in the capital and families with high shares in the United Trading Company.”

It had only been ten days since the engagement was broken off. Since the news of the broken engagement reached the capital, Julma had been getting headaches from the flood of incoming letters.

Ashika’s forehead wrinkled slightly before smoothing out. It was a resigned displeasure of “here we go again.”

“I feel like a product put on display. Right now they’re courtesy letters, but soon enough they’ll all turn into invitations.”

Given the timing, they would be too embarrassed to show their true colors right away. But that would only last for a moment. With the capital’s finest unmarried woman entering the marriage market, how could they just stand by and watch?

She had forgotten. The flood of meeting requests, marriage proposals, ball and tea party invitations. The thought of having to go through the chaos she experienced two years ago again made her head spin.

Ashika waved her hand and turned away from the letters.

“Just handle it yourself, Julma.”

“What? You won’t look at any of them?”

“Send appropriate responses while leaving some room for possibility. There’s no need to even tell me unless it’s something really exceptional.”

A surprised expression appeared on Julma’s face.

Ashika had always maintained noble relationships while minimizing direct encounters. At the very least, she would read the letters to see what kind of attitude different people showed.

However, all of these matters now felt trivial to Ashika.

“I have business to attend to, so please take care of this, Julma.”

Leaving just that simple instruction, she called for Jeanne. When Ashika took the lead, saying she would go out right away, Jeanne was taken aback.

“We don’t have enough guards. I should bring at least two more.”

“No, Jeanne alone is enough.”

Ashika blurted out without much thought. The sole heir to the House of Igraine going out with just one guard knight.

“Or at least let’s take Libron.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll just go alone.”

“My lady!”

Jeanne became even more troubled by this unprecedented stern attitude.

Ashika wasn’t someone who made things difficult for her subordinates. She was always an easy mistress to serve, never stepping outside established boundaries. But this Ashika had changed.

After a moment of silence, Jeanne reluctantly agreed.

“I’ll prepare the carriage. Where are we going?”

“Let’s go to Bairid Street.”

Bairid Street was an area where shops dealing in expensive luxury goods were concentrated. However, high nobles like those from ducal houses had merchants visit their mansions, so there was no reason for Ashika to go there directly.

After a brief questioning look, Jeanne silently followed behind Ashika.

****

In the late afternoon, Ashika entered the largest jewelry store in the capital. The entire three-story building consisted of jewelry showrooms and craftsmen’s workshops.

Ashika told Jeanne to wait and followed a clerk inside.

“Is there something specific you’re looking for?”

“I’m looking for a rather unique jewel. Would you have anything cut from a purple-blue raw stone?”

Though Ashika’s attire was modest, her natural dignity and familiarity with being served were evident. The clerk assessed her status before bowing their head.

“Of course. We have several varieties.”

The clerk guided Ashika to the showroom and brought out various jewels.

It wasn’t difficult to find raw stones with a purple-blue color. They came in various materials with various names, but nowhere was there anything similar to what she possessed.

Ashika, who had come with inner expectations, couldn’t hide her disappointment.

“Is this all the varieties of raw stones?”

“Among stones used as jewels, there are none that our store doesn’t carry. If it’s not among these, it would just be a rare stone, nothing more than a pebble. Are there any other characteristics besides the color you mentioned?”

“Well, it’s transparent but has a metallic shine.”

“A metallic shine?”

“It has a silvery feel, but it’s not mixed in.”

The clerk wore a face that seemed to say ‘what does that mean?’

“Where did you see it? If you have a sample, I might be able to look into it.”

Ashika kept her mouth shut. She couldn’t just show around something her father had so earnestly warned her about. When Ashika held her tongue, the clerk’s expression grew frustrated.

Judging there was no more information to be gained, Ashika left the store. After that, she went around to all the jewelry stores in the street, checking if there was anything similar to hers.

When she couldn’t find what she wanted in Bairid Street, she took the carriage to Palmred Street. Though quite some time had passed since sunset, Ashika tirelessly searched throughout the streets.

Jeanne, who had been silently following, finally couldn’t hold back anymore and spoke up.

“It’s gotten quite late. Wouldn’t it be better to return for today?”

Following Jeanne’s gaze, Ashika also looked at the darkened sky.

Between the heavily hanging clouds, a crescent moon curved beautifully as if painted with a brush. The gray clouds slowly drifted, surrounding the moon as if about to swallow its faint light.

In the dim darkness, she felt a cool chill. The sensation enveloping her entire body made her head fuzzy, enough to make her spine tingle. The scent touching her nose seemed familiar, as if she had smelled it somewhere before.

Ashika clutched her cloak with a start. Not even knowing what had startled her.

“Jeanne?”

Ashika checked behind her and opened her eyes wide in confusion.

 

17″Jeanne, where did you go?”

It was only the blink of an eye. There was no way her knight guard would disappear without a word. Fear suddenly crept in.

“Jeanne!”

Ashika looked around while hastening her steps. Could something have happened to Jeanne? Or had she mentioned she would briefly step away, but Ashika hadn’t heard?

The thought of maintaining proper etiquette vanished from her mind. Her heart raced with anxiety, and her steps quickened.

Before she knew it, Ashika had blended into the crowd. Thanks to her inconspicuous attire, no one paid her much attention.

The dim street lamps and people walking by. The sound of rattling carriages passing.

‘Something feels off.’

She couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong, but a chill ran down her spine creating an inexplicable sense of discomfort. However, since Palmred Street wasn’t a place she usually frequented, she couldn’t identify the difference.

Cold sweat formed despite the cool air. As she wandered aimlessly, Ashika was gradually moving away from the bustling district. When she finally stopped her directionless walking, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“Ashika!”

Her first thought was ‘impossible.’ A voice that shouldn’t be calling her name was doing just that.

Ashika stiffly turned her body toward the direction of the voice.

“Good heavens, what are you doing here alone?”

Without waiting for an answer, the person strode over and took her hand. That small gesture felt so natural that she didn’t even think to refuse.

Ashika froze completely. Seeing her pale face, the other person’s expression also hardened.

Short blonde hair and deep blue eyes shadowed with concern. There was somehow a nostalgic feeling in those eyes looking down at her worriedly.

“What’s wrong? Are you sick? Did something happen?”

“…Rushia…”

At the name that barely escaped her lips, Drushia let out a long sigh.

“I thought you’d fainted standing up. Why are you so cold? And why are you dressed so lightly?”

Drushia stroked her chilled, slender arm before suddenly pulling her into his embrace. Ashika found herself buried against his broad chest before she could resist.

His scent filled her lungs as she breathed deeply. A comfortable blend of heavy wood and light herb fragrances. The broad shoulders blocking her view and the vivid sound of his heartbeat stirred her heart.

“If you needed to go out, you should have told me beforehand. I would have come to get you.”

Drushia expressed his regret while holding her and gently stroking her back.

His low voice seemed to reverberate through Ashika’s entire body like a drum. His touch didn’t feel uncomfortable against her body. Rather, the firm chest holding her felt tearfully warm.

“Rushia…”

“Yes, I’m here.”

Sensing something was off, Drushia continued to hold and comfort her until she calmed down.

After a while, Ashika suddenly realized this situation was wrong. The moment she became aware, her body stiffened automatically.

“Ashika, look at me.”

Noticing the change, Drushia stroked her face and lifted it. Ashika couldn’t avoid meeting those deep blue eyes directly.

“You’ve been busy lately with wedding preparations, haven’t you? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to look after you.”

“…Wed…ding?”

“Yes, our wedding. There’s so much to prepare – you should have asked the Duke to reduce your workload.”

Ashika couldn’t say anything.

She couldn’t understand how her wedding with Coral had transformed into a wedding with Duke Talion, or why this man who used to look at her with barely contained hostility was now gazing at her with such overflowing affection.

‘What is this? This isn’t a dream.’

Unless she had fainted standing in the middle of the street, this couldn’t be a dream.

“What’s wrong? Are you surprised because it’s been so long? Well, a week is quite long.”

His touch on her cheek was tender. He showed such gentleness that it seemed impossible this could be the same man, his blue eyes was full of affection as he looked at her. The feeling was so pleasant that she wanted to stay in his embrace.

“…Rushia, why are you here…?”

“The Rantal branch office is here. I came to check the list of knights joining the dispatch forces.”

Rantal, known as the Five Pillars. The country of knights that had neither king nor nobles, Rantal managed dangerous regions across the continent and received dispatch forces through agreements. Rantal branch offices were established in various countries to manage these dispatch forces.

The Tridelia Empire sent dispatch forces twice a year according to Rantal’s request, and the higher nobility often had knights from their vassal houses join. This was a particularly sensitive matter for the House of Talion, being a house of knights.

“You manage that… personally?”

Ashika felt something off about her own way of speaking. However, Drushia didn’t notice this subtle discrepancy.

“I try my best to avoid sending them to dangerous regions. Those fellows won’t take bribes or favors, but we can’t just do nothing.”

Drushia was personally handling matters that could have been delegated to an aide. That’s how special his affection for the knights was.

“But what were you doing here? I told you not to go out alone. What business could you have in Palmred Street?”

“Ah…”

Ashika suddenly pushed him away in surprise. Drushia’s eyes widened at her unexpected withdrawal.

“Ashika?”

His expression showed more than surprise–he looked shocked at being rejected. However, Ashika couldn’t understand his reaction.

‘What am I doing with this man?’

Acting like real lovers, sharing intimate touches and talking about everyday matters. How could this be possible?

‘This makes no sense.’

She recalled Weive’s face, grinding his teeth at the mention of Talion. The voices of knights demanding revenge for their lost families and vassals calling for compensation rang in her ears.

“…Later, Rushia…”

Something was wrong, terribly wrong. The man’s face smiling sweetly at her, her heart pounding wildly in response, her own desire to stay longer in his warm, broad embrace – it was all wrong.

“Why are you suddenly like this? Ashika!”

Ignoring his urgent cry, Ashika turned and started running. She ran without knowing where she was going.

‘What’s going on? Why is this happening?’

She ran frantically, bumping shoulders with people on the street and nearly falling. As she ran blindly, her foot caught on a stone and twisted.

“Ack!”

As her body lost balance and fell forward, screams hit her ears.

“Miss, stop!”

“Aagh!”

The sound of a horse’s cry and a dull impact. The carriage, having swerved sharply, crashed into a street tree.

“Miss, are you crazy?! Are you trying to die by jumping in front of carriages!”

The coachman, who had barely managed to stop the carriage, was raging furiously.

Ashika, sitting on the ground, stared at him with a blank expression.

The man sitting in the driver’s seat stood up and pointed at her. However, his angry voice and contorted face didn’t feel real.

“Are you mad, miss? Look what happened to the carriage because of you!”

When there was no response, he became even more enraged. As he showed no signs of calming down, the carriage door opened.

“What is all this about?”

“Oh my, passenger. I’m so sorry. Some crazy woman jumped in front of the carriage, and…”

The coachman belatedly remembered the passenger inside and quickly descended from his seat.

A black dress and a hat with a black veil. The person who emerged from the carriage was a woman dressed entirely in black.

“My, why would a young lady do such a thing?”

The woman with a slightly hoarse voice approached Ashika with slow steps.

“Are you hurt, or just shocked?”

“Hurt? That woman ran out on her own and fell by herself! The horses didn’t even graze the lady’s clothes!”

The coachman beside them was still fuming with anger. The woman paid more attention to Ashika than to the angry coachman.

“Miss?”

At the voice calling her, Ashika’s gaze shifted from the coachman to the woman in black.

Her pitch-black eyes gleamed coldly in the street lamplight. The moment Ashika’s eyes met the woman’s through the veil, she saw the other person flinch in surprise.

“You…”

The surprise soon transformed into an even greater shock.

“How strange. You…”

The woman’s bewildered gaze seemed to be seeing something beyond Ashika. A chill ran down Ashika’s spine.

The woman’s voice, having composed her shock, grew even lower.

“You don’t belong here. Why are you in this place?”

 

18

“Huh!”

Ashika jumped up in surprise. Her vision blurred from standing up so suddenly.

“Calm down. I’m not trying to threaten you.”

“Don’t come any closer.”

Ashika backed away as she watched the woman approach. She was confused. Nothing happening made any sense.

“I’m not a strange person. I just want to talk.”

Ashika shook her head vigorously. She didn’t want to listen. She didn’t want to mix with this strange place and these strange people.

“Miss, just a moment.”

The woman’s voice became more urgent as Ashika tried to escape.

“Just answer one thing. Was there a fire at the poorhouse? On Palmred Street?”

“Wh-what are you saying…?”

“Please just listen to me for a moment….”

She saw a hand reaching out to grab her. The hand in a black glove seemed as hideous as death’s own.

“Ahh!”

Ashika screamed and turned to run. The woman, unable to catch her, called out sharply.

“Come find me! At the oldest art shop on Saint Reed Street. You must come!”

The urgent voice faded behind her. The street noise and the sound of her own desperate footsteps seemed distant.

The lights leaking from all around the street felt unnaturally bright. The pale light pouring down blocked her vision as intensely as the pitch-black darkness.

Even though she couldn’t see ahead, Ashika ran blindly. Like running through emptiness, into the midst of overwhelming fear.

“My Lady!”

“Ahh!”

Someone’s hand firmly grabbed Ashika’s arm. As she screamed and tried to break free, the other person spoke urgently.

“It’s me. It’s Jeanne! Please calm down!”

“Huk….”

A familiar face was right in front of her. Ashika’s face was as pale as if she’d seen a ghost.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

Her body, held by Jeanne, convulsed slightly. Her eyes were wide open, and her breathing was shallow.

Ashika pushed Jeanne away with trembling hands and wrapped her arms around her own shoulders. Her shoulders hunched up, and her frightened eyes wandered aimlessly.

“Huk….”

Ashika hunched her shoulders and gasped for breath. Even while trembling, one thing seemed clear.

‘I’ve returned to my place.’

The distinct feeling that this was where she belonged. Realizing that fact, her fear gradually subsided.

Jeanne, who had been waiting quietly, spoke.

“You startled me when you suddenly ran off.”

She had followed right behind, but almost lost track when Ashika disappeared into the crowd. Thinking about what had just happened, cold sweat ran down Jeanne’s spine.

“You…could see me?”

“You were running so fast that I lost sight of you for a moment. But it was really just for a moment.”

Jeanne spoke guiltily, feeling she had neglected her duty. But that wasn’t what Ashika meant to ask.

‘I couldn’t see Jeanne.’

She had met Drushia, had a conversation, almost got hit by a carriage, and met a woman dressed all in black. It wasn’t a short time at all. Yet Jeanne spoke as if it had been just a fleeting moment.

‘Did I see a hallucination?’

But the sensations felt throughout her body had been too vivid. The scent of the man who held her in his arms, his warm body temperature, even the sound of his heartbeat that resonated in her chest. It was as vivid as reality but an impossible situation.

It wasn’t real. At least, not if she wasn’t insane.

“I’m sorry, my lady.”

“No, Jeanne didn’t do anything wrong. I….”

Ashika regained her composure and straightened her shoulders.

“I saw something… frightening.”

Yes, she really had seen something frightening. Something more terrifying than the monsters under the bed she had feared as a child.

After coming to her senses, the first thing that bothered her was her disheveled clothes. As she straightened her attire, she suddenly raised her hand.

White and clean hands without a single scratch. She examined her cloak and dress hem, but there was no dirt anywhere.

‘I definitely fell down.’

She remembered the pain of hitting her shoulder and the sharp sensation of scraping her palm. But her appearance was as neat as when she had left the mansion. A chilling sensation made her body shiver.

‘No, it’s nothing. This is just….’

No matter what excuse she made, she couldn’t deny the vivid sensations she had felt. Something she couldn’t explain or understand.

‘Let’s not think about it now.’

Better to put it aside – she decided this and closed her eyes tightly before opening them again. Only then did the street scene come into Ashika’s view.

Street lamps giving off occasional light and people passing between them. Buildings of various sizes lined up along the street.

“Let’s go back now. Where’s the carriage…?”

As Ashika was about to move, she noticed the entrance to a building nearby.

A wooden door with distinct carved reliefs and statue-like pillars on either side caught her attention.

[The Rantal branch office is here. I came to check the list of knights joining the expeditionary force.]

The voice she had heard earlier echoed vividly in her ears. An unbelievable thought. It was something like expectation or strange excitement.

‘Maybe, just maybe.’

Ashika’s feet unconsciously moved toward the building entrance.

“My Lady, do you have business at the Rantal branch office?”

A voice from behind suddenly stopped her in her tracks. Ashika was startled.

“Ah, no. That’s not it.”

“I heard Sir Coltern visited this place two days ago.”

Jeanne added an explanation, looking puzzled.

Knight matters were under Duke Igraine’s jurisdiction, and Igraine’s knight commander, Pelburn Coltern, had visited the Grand Duchy on this matter.

“I’ve never been here before, so I was just curious.”

The cream-colored single-story building stood out in the middle of a street filled with two or three-story buildings. She might have passed by it briefly before, but she had never actually set foot in the Rantal branch office.

“Let’s go back now. Where is the carriage?”

“We’ve come quite far. Should I call for a rental carriage?”

Ashika shook her head at Jeanne’s response.

“No, we can walk.”

Jeanne seemed like she wanted to say something more but kept quiet. As she walked ahead, she kept looking back at the thoughtful Ashika, afraid of losing sight of her.

The night deepened, and the street shops closed one by one. As each light disappeared, the street grew darker.

The street noise also gradually diminished. From a distance, a disorderly commotion could be felt. It was the sound of people screaming.

“Fire!”

The sound of hurried footsteps was heard, and people who were about to close their shop doors came out into the street in surprise.

Ashika’s footsteps stopped abruptly.

“My Lady, what’s wrong?”

“There seems to be… a fire?”

Ashika looked at the street where people were running with a dazed expression.

“Indeed. We should probably take a detour.”

There could be problems if they got caught up in it. Jeanne changed direction to avoid the fire scene.

“No, not that way….”

“My Lady?”

“Let’s go see. Where the fire broke out.”

“What? You want to go see the fire?”

Jeanne’s face showed disbelief. It was behavior unlike Ashika.

“From the commotion, it seems like a big fire. It’s dangerous for you to go there, my lady.”

Ashika didn’t listen to Jeanne. She turned and moved in the direction people were heading.

[Just answer one thing. Was there a fire at the poorhouse? On Palmred Street?]

The woman dressed all in black had asked that. As if it were an extremely important matter.

‘Why did she ask that? What was the significance?’

An intuition like instinct that she shouldn’t just pass by this. Perhaps this was evidence that the incredible thing she experienced wasn’t a hallucination but reality. Or at least, she needed confirmation that it was somehow related to reality.

“My Lady.”

Jeanne followed Ashika with a bewildered face. Ashika, who had been the epitome of a noble lady, was acting like a completely different person.

Now almost running ahead, her long black hair swayed in the wind. Her unfaltering steps were urgent yet still maintained their dignity.

After brief consideration, Jeanne resigned herself. Thinking that the shock of the broken engagement must have been this severe. She could only quietly follow her changed mistress’s lead.

 

19

The night sky brightened with light rising from the ground. The flames were large enough to be visible from a distance, piercing through the darkness.

“Anyone who can help, come out!”

“Water, we need more water!”

Security officers had rushed to the scene and were directing the firefighting efforts. Startled passersby, people who had run out of buildings, and those forming a line to carry water from the well—the fire scene was chaotic.

“Don’t let the flames reach the main building!”

It was a place with four buildings in a row beyond a low wall that reached about waist-height. The innermost building was completely engulfed in flames, beyond salvaging.

The security force was working to extinguish the fire while spreading sand and soil to prevent it from spreading to surrounding areas.

Ashika pushed through the crowd of onlookers. As she broke through the human barrier to the front, a wave of hot air hit her.

The red flames leaped up toward the sky like a giant monster, cutting through the darkness. The partially visible fire site behind the main building heated her vision just by looking at it.

“Where is this place?”

“It’s the poorhouse, my lady.”

At Jeanne’s answer, Ashika drew in a sharp breath.

‘The poorhouse really caught fire.’

The woman in black clothes knew about it. How was that possible?

‘Did she foresee the future? Or perhaps…’

A similar but different place, a different situation. Could that woman have already experienced this fire?

‘The art shop on Saint Reed Street.’

Would that woman be there if she went? No, she was sure she would be. It was a certainty closer to instinct than reason.

Ashika spoke to the woman standing right next to her.

“Do you know why the fire started here?”

The middle-aged woman who had turned around casually looked Ashika and Jeanne up and down before bluntly answering.

“Well, putting out the fire is urgent right now. There’s talk it might be arson.”

Another person standing nearby chimed in.

“Talk sense. Why would anyone set fire to a place full of critically ill patients?”

“Then why else would it catch fire? It’s not like they’d be lighting fires in this weather. And the kitchen building is on the opposite side.”

“A place where patients gather?”

Another man nearby answered Ashika’s question.

“That’s where the treatment center is. Why would anyone set fire to a place full of people who would die anyway if left alone?”

The poorhouse’s treatment center was mainly visited by people who couldn’t afford to call a doctor. Being supported by the nobility, it was quite large.

Among them, patients with serious illnesses or those near death were separately isolated and housed—and that building was the one completely engulfed in flames.

“They say no one got out before the fire grew?”

“What a terrible end. That’s a shame.”

The back-and-forth exchanges didn’t really register with Ashika. She felt dazed, as if the vision she had seen earlier was still continuing. Leaving behind the people who were stamping their feet in frustration, Ashika turned to leave.

“My Lady, is something bothering you?”

Jeanne followed and spoke to her. Ashika’s face had hardened and looked somewhat tired.

“Send someone to the security force tomorrow to find out what happened.”

“Yes. I’ll give the order as soon as we return to the mansion. But… huh?”

“What is it?”

Seeing Jeanne stop, Ashika also halted. In the direction of Jeanne’s gaze, knights were running alongside security officers.

“Aren’t those Talion’s knights?”

Knights wore different types of formal attire depending on the family they belonged to. That alone was enough to recognize them.

“They seem to be helping the security force.”

“Why would Talion be involved here?”

“Perhaps…”

Ashika tilted her head and then murmured.

“What if…”

Though she thought it was unlikely, the coincidence seemed too perfect to be mere chance.

“If Duke Talion happened to be in the area, he might have provided knights to help the short-handed security force, don’t you think?”

“Would Duke Talion have reason to come to Palmred Street?”

Rantal’s branch office naturally came to Ashika’s mind. Could Drushia really have been there?

“There’s a Rantal branch office nearby, right?”

“Ah. That’s true.”

Jeanne nodded, though looking slightly puzzled.

Ashika had heard that Duke Talion normally paid close attention to the knights’ affairs. Perhaps, like Sir Coltern, he had come in person because of the dispatched forces issue.

“It seems this wasn’t an accident.”

Jeanne nodded at those words. Even though there weren’t enough people to put out the fire, search teams were running in all directions as if looking for someone.

The capital’s largest poorhouse was burning. Those who perished there would be people without connections or backing. Somehow, she had an uneasy premonition.

The two walked quite a distance to return to where the carriage was waiting.

“Padro, what are you doing there?”

“Oh my, you’re back, my lady?”

The coachman quickly got up from his spot upon hearing Jeanne’s voice.

Having been away for so long, the coachman had spread out a mat under a nearby tree to rest. He hurriedly extinguished the pipe he was holding by tapping it on the ground.

“Are we returning to the mansion?”

“Yes.”

Ashika replied absently as she grabbed the carriage door handle.

“My Lady, let me…”

Jeanne reached out her hand in surprise, but Ashika was already opening the carriage door. Ashika turned around at the sound of Jeanne’s voice.

“What is it?”

“I was surprised because you’re doing something you don’t usually do.”

“Ah.”

A lady from a noble family is accustomed to being served. But for some time now, Ashika had been stepping ahead on her own. As if being alone was familiar to her.

“You’re right, I was just lost in thought.”

It was just as Jeanne was reaching her hand toward the half-open door. Something from the dark inside suddenly pulled Ashika in.

“Gasp.”

“My Lady!”

Ashika was pulled inside, almost visibly. It happened so quickly that by the time Jeanne tried to grab her, it was already too late. As Jeanne quickly grasped her sword, a voice flowed from the darkness.

“My sword will move faster than you can draw yours.”

“Hmmph.”

A firm hand covered Ashika’s mouth from behind, and a cool blade approached her face. The man’s face wasn’t visible, but Jeanne’s pale face was clearly seen.

“Don’t make a commotion and get in, Sir Berth.”

When Jeanne showed no intention of moving, the blade moved closer to Ashika’s neck.

“I’m not a bad person, Young Duchess Igraine. I’m just a citizen who needs help.”

The man already knew Ashika and Jeanne’s identities. This meant he had hidden in this carriage intentionally.

The man spoke calmly, but couldn’t hide the trembling in his breath. Suddenly, Ashika noticed the acrid smell and the scent of blood vibrating inside the carriage.

“Sir Berth, are you planning to make this a bigger issue?”

“I won’t move without the Lady’s orders.”

“Ah, I see. Young Duchess, I’ll remove my hand. But please don’t scream—that would be troublesome.”

Ashika nodded weakly. After confirming her response, the hand covering her mouth was withdrawn.

“Ha, what is this…”

“Can we talk after getting the carriage moving first?”

Despite his aggressive actions, the man’s tone remained consistently respectful. Even in the midst of her surprise, Ashika quietly gave instructions.

“Jeanne, do as he says.”

The smell of blood spreading in the carriage was concerning. At this rate, the man might collapse on his own before they even reached the mansion.

“Understood.”

Jeanne answered obediently, perhaps thinking along the same lines.

Jeanne signaled to the coachman who had been stamping his feet anxiously nearby. Seeing him glance around as if seeking help, Jeanne shook her head.

As the carriage began to move, the strength seemed to drain from the man’s body. Even the dagger he had been pointing at Ashika lost its force and kept slipping downward.

Ashika gently pushed the blade away with her fingertips.

“You said you’re not a bad person. Could you put this knife away?”

She doubted he would listen, but surprisingly, the man lowered his dagger at Ashika’s words.

“You’re braver than I expected, Young Duchess.”

Ashika slightly narrowed her brow. Her heart was pounding so loudly her whole body felt like it was vibrating, but the man didn’t seem to notice. It was probably due to his injuries.

As soon as the man released Ashika, Jeanne pulled her away and sat her on the opposite seat. Now Jeanne stood between Ashika and the man.

“You know who the Lady is, yet you dare to point a blade at her?”

“I was desperate. Otherwise, you would have handed me over to the security force immediately.”

“There’s nothing stopping us from doing that now.”

Jeanne spat out the words, barely containing her anger. A moment’s carelessness had nearly caused a serious incident. It was terrible to think what might have happened if the man had malicious intentions.

“I told you I need help.”

“Why should the Lady help you? Someone who pulls a knife without warning?”

“Sir Berth, please be quiet. I want to have a conversation with the Young Duchess.”

“You’re dripping blood and still want to argue stubbornly?”

“Exactly. Shouldn’t I at least have a proper conversation before I pass out?”

“Hmph.”

The man knew he wouldn’t last long. Yet he had the audacity to jump into a ducal family’s carriage. As her shock subsided, Ashika’s face was filled with questions.

“I apologize for startling you, Young Duchess. But please listen to my… ugh.”

As the carriage jolted, the man leaned his face against the wall and curled up.

The man’s injury appeared deep. Blood flowed from a long cut across his shoulder, soaking the carriage floor, and parts of his elbow and side were singed, with clothes stuck to them from burns.

The exposed red flesh looked painful just to look at. Far from being threatening, he looked like he might die if left alone.

“It seems they’re looking for an arsonist at the fire scene.”

Ashika spoke to the man while examining his wounds with her eyes.

“Ha, an arsonist? You don’t think it’s me, do you?”

“With your appearance, it’s not very convincing to claim otherwise, is it?”

“It wasn’t me. Don’t blame an innocent person.”

“Then why are you hiding here in this condition?”

“That’s…”

The man hesitated, breathing heavily. His eyes were flickering as if he might lose consciousness at any moment.

“If you don’t answer properly, this carriage will head straight to the security force.”

“Ah, Young Duchess.”

Despite Ashika’s urging, the man couldn’t readily open his mouth. He seemed anxious and also appeared to be checking her reaction. As Jeanne impatiently started to rise, the man finally blurted out something he thought the other party absolutely couldn’t ignore.

“I… I’m from the Grand Duchy.”

A moment of silence fell inside the carriage. Both Ashika and Jeanne needed time to understand those words.

“…You’re from the Grand Duchy?”

Ashika’s voice had lowered significantly. The man swallowed dryly and continued.

“No. Not the Grand Duchy but… the Grand Duke’s Castle.”

“You bastard, who do you think you’re trying to con!”

Jeanne shouted angrily as she rose from her seat.

“A con? Ha…”

“How long has it been since that place was sealed off? Are you confessing to violating an imperial order right now?”

She looked ready to lunge at him if Ashika hadn’t held her back. But the man, in his faltering voice, managed to say what he needed to until the end.

“That’s why… you must… hide me…”

The man’s upper body slowly collapsed, sliding against the wall, until he finally toppled over. Jeanne quickly grabbed his shoulder to lift him up, but he had already lost consciousness.

“What is wrong with this bastard? Spouting nonsense and then just passing out!”

Ashika fell into quiet thought. Only Igraine and Talion knew the meaning of the words the man had uttered. If he had said them knowingly, it was not a matter to be taken lightly.

‘Aside from helping him, I can’t just let him go like this.’

Having made that decision, Ashika opened the window facing the coachman’s seat.

“Padro, don’t go to the mansion. Take us to the nearby villa, no, the villa in Amanoia.”

“What? My Lady, that place…”

“I know. But let’s go there for now.”

The villa on Amanoia Street had been closed for some time and had no staff. Even the coachman, who had worked for the ducal family for many years, hadn’t been there once in the past few years.

“Yes, my lady.”

“And Jeanne.”

Jeanne turned to look at Ashika with a somewhat anxious expression.

“I’ll let you get off here. Find a doctor immediately and bring them to the villa.”

“You want me to leave you alone with that man?”

“Does Jeanne think that person can get up and do anything in his state?”

“Even so, I cannot leave you alone, my lady.”

“Alright then. Jeanne, you drive the carriage and tell Padro to call a doctor. That should be fine, right?”

Faced with Ashika’s quick change in tactics, Jeanne was at a loss for words. Although Jeanne never compromised on safety, she had no choice when faced with such determination.

Shortly after, the coachman got off and Jeanne sat in the driver’s seat. Keeping the window to the driver’s seat open, Jeanne frequently checked inside the carriage.

The man was still unconscious, and Ashika quietly maintained her position. Even in the darkness, his pale face was clearly visible, but Ashika remained consistently upright.

‘The Lady seems like a completely different person.’

Jeanne had an ominous feeling that Ashika’s reckless behavior wouldn’t end here.

 

20

As Shafri entered the mansion, she took off her thin cape and handed it to the butler.

“Where is Dru?”

“The Duke is in his office. I’ll let the Duke know you’re here, so please wait a moment. Tea is prepared in the reception room.”

“That’s fine. I’ll take care of it myself.”

Despite being asked to wait, Shafri walked past the butler and headed to the second floor where the office was located. She knew the layout of the Talion mansion perfectly well, so she didn’t need any guidance.

The knights in the mansion couldn’t help but follow Shafri with their eyes.

Her bright apricot-colored dress, fitting for the season, clung tightly to her upper body, revealing the curves of her breasts and waist. With each step, the outline of her hips became prominent beneath the high-quality fabric, giving off a peculiar sensuality.

“I heard there was bad news.”

The butler muttered to himself as he watched Shafri’s back.

No one stopped Shafri as she strode through the mansion alone. With her status as the master’s fiancée for the past year and having known him for 14 years, she was one of the most familiar faces to the servants in the Talion household, second only to the former Duke Neoren and Drushia.

Before Shafri reached the office, someone came running hurriedly from behind.

“Lady Maiheller. Good day!”

“Lord Orka, it’s been a while.”

The person who had urgently followed her was Mihail Orka, an aide who had just entered his late twenties. Shafri greeted him with a smile full of affection.

“I heard you haven’t been back in the capital long. Where are you rushing off to?”

“Ah, yes. I have some instructions to follow. Are you here to see the Duke?”

“Would you announce me?”

“Ah, yes.”

When the two arrived at the office, Mihail knocked on the door.

“Your Grace, it’s Mihail.”

“Come in.”

As soon as permission was granted, Mihail quickly stepped inside.

“Your Grace, it seems our knights’ reports were correct. That day…”

Recognizing Shafri standing outside the door, Drushia raised his hand to cut off Mihail’s words. Startled, Mihail closed his mouth and stopped.

“Shafri, when did you arrive? Why didn’t you wait in the reception room?”

As soon as she faced Drushia, Shafri’s expression changed. By simply lowering the corners of her eyes slightly, her face became sorrowful as if she might cry.

“Dru. Haven’t you heard the news?”

“Ah, right. I heard that Baroness Hennessy was injured in the fire at the poorhouse.”

Recalling the report he had received belatedly, Drushia furrowed his brow. When she received such a dry response, Shafri bit her lip.

Mihail surreptitiously glanced at Shafri, while Kalf, who had arrived earlier, indifferently averted his gaze to the window.

“They’re still recovering the bodies. They’ve found more than ten corpses so far, and considering how many people were there, they don’t know how many more they’ll find.”

In front of a woman seeking comfort, Drushia recited the situation in a businesslike manner. Shafri’s face grew dejected, as if resigned.

“Two maids who went with Baroness Hennessy are also missing. If any identity tags turn up, let me know.”

“This matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Security Force. They’ll likely visit the Maiheller mansion as soon as they confirm anything.”

“But why were you there, Dru?”

“I happened to be at the Rantal branch office. Because of the deployment issue.”

“I heard it was arson. I was told the Security Force and knights are working together.”

Drushia tapped the table with his hand while looking at Shafri.

“Shafri, what should we do? It seems difficult for me to spare time today. I think it would be better if we set up an appointment to meet next time.”

He particularly emphasized the phrase “set up an appointment.” While Drushia never reprimanded Shafri for acting as she pleased, he occasionally drew a line like this.

“Dru, I have something to ask you.”

Realizing that this was the real purpose of her visit to the Talion mansion, Drushia signaled to his two aides. They bowed lightly and went outside the office to wait.

Before the door was completely closed, Shafri brought up the main point.

“Do you know how long it’s been since we last met?”

“Come to think of it, I’ve been busy continuously since the banquet.”

Drushia muttered as if just realizing it.

She was angry at his indifferent attitude, but she couldn’t throw a tantrum. His attitude had always been the same, both before and after their engagement.

An old friend who could visit without an appointment. A relationship where Drushia never yearned to see her first. Despite being so close, she couldn’t cross that final visible line before her.

“So what did you want to ask me?”

Shafri calmed her troubled mind and recalled the purpose of her visit to the mansion.

“At the banquet that day, was it you who did it?”

“What do you mean?”

“There was a commotion at the banquet. Because Lord Oclein’s mistress attended. And I heard Baron Crowny was the one who brought that woman.”

It couldn’t have been a coincidence. Igraine and Talion had continuously gathered information about each other. Drushia must have known about the mistress for a long time.

“Ah.”

Belatedly understanding what she meant, Drushia responded.

“You mean Kalf bringing Lady Schwern to the banquet.”

Recalling the memory, Drushia’s expression became peculiar. For the first time, emotion appeared on the face of the man who had been dry throughout.

Shafri’s voice involuntarily rose.

“Did you order it? Why on earth?”

“Lady Igraine is…”

Drushia quietly stroked his chin, deep in thought. It looked like he was trying to recall a memory or explore his own vague feelings. Shafri’s anxiety grew even more.

“She’s an adversary. She deserves that much consideration.”

“What? What does that mean?”

“After spending years growling at each other, I didn’t like seeing her ruined by being tied down to such a man.”

Perhaps even hate is a form of attachment. He didn’t mind criticizing and tormenting her himself, but he didn’t like seeing her suffer at someone else’s hands. So he had stepped in to break things up.

Ashika’s fiancé was not only shameless but also insane. Attacking a woman who requested to break off the engagement—what a bastard. Recalling what happened in the council chamber, Drushia’s eyes grew cold.

Shafri’s eyes narrowed sharply at his response.

“You call that an explanation? What do you care if that woman’s fiancé cheats or has illegitimate children? Shouldn’t you be happy if things go wrong? Wouldn’t it be more satisfying if their marriage was bad and they had no children, cutting off Igraine’s lineage?”

“Shafri!”

Drushia’s face crumpled in anger. But Shafri didn’t stop.

“Why are you upset? You and your family’s knights all grind your teeth at the mention of Igraine. Desperate to get at her, and your knights are always itching for a fistfight whenever they cross paths. Acting like mortal enemies, but why? Have you forgotten the people who had to hold funerals with empty coffins because of Duke Igraine, unable to find even their bodies?”

“Shafri, enough!”

There was a loud bang as he slammed his fist on the desk. The inkwell jumped from Drushia’s punch and fell to the floor.

“Never, bring that up again.”

A voice barely suppressing rage. Among the “people who had to hold funerals with empty coffins” that Shafri mentioned was Drushia himself. Drushia had lost his parents at the age of twelve and never found their bodies.

“…I’m sorry.”

Shafri apologized, but she didn’t look particularly sorry.

Thinking back, Drushia’s gaze was often directed at Ashika. At social gatherings, at imperial events when they inevitably encountered each other, Drushia would frown yet somehow end up looking at Ashika.

At that time, she thought it was due to displeasure or anger. But now she had doubts.

Even if it was merely interest, Shafri couldn’t accept it. So occasionally, she needed to remind him—of the relationship between the two families, to prevent Drushia from thinking otherwise.

“Baroness Hennessy’s funeral will be held soon. Since she has no family, we’ll hold a simple ceremony on our side. As your fiancée, I’d like you to attend that day.”

“I’ll send a letter.”

His response was stiff and sharp. Shafri looked at Drushia with a face that seemed about to cry, but no further comfort or kind words came back.

Instead, his eyes, suppressing anger, emitted a terrifying blue light, refusing to allow any further approach. With a wounded heart, Shafri left the office without saying goodbye.

“Take care, Lady Maiheller.”

“Ah, goodbye.”

Kalf and Mihail, who had been waiting outside the door, awkwardly greeted her.

Shafri, who had elegantly visited the mansion, left the Talion estate with a dejected expression.

Kalf and Mihail cautiously reentered the office. They needed to continue the report that had been interrupted by Shafri’s visit.

“Um, Your Grace.”

Mihail was the first to speak to Drushia, who was standing with a stern expression.

“The Baroness Hennessy’s accident must be distressing for her. I heard she stayed at the Maiheller mansion since childhood.”

It was advice aimed at his excessively indifferent master, suggesting he should have offered a warm word of comfort. However, Drushia’s answer was resolute.

“They weren’t close.”

“Pardon?”

“She must have been shocked. But they weren’t close enough for her to mourn the Baroness’s death.”

“Even so…”

Seeing Drushia close his mouth, Mihail also swallowed his words.

Whenever Shafri acted like this, Drushia was perplexed. He knew she had mood swings, but sometimes when she displayed emotions that didn’t make sense and demanded empathy, it was difficult to handle.

‘Still, she is Shafri.’

That’s what he thought each time and let it pass. But even for Shafri, today was too much.

Drushia cursed as he looked at the ink spilled across the floor. His already low mood had been completely ruined by Shafri’s visit.

“So, what was the report you were about to give?”

“Ah, yes. It seems it was indeed arson.”

Mihail answered immediately, startled. Drushia silently waited for the report to continue.

“There were multiple ignition points, not just one, and traces of oil were found. Additionally, a considerable number of bodies couldn’t be retrieved from the intensive care isolation ward. According to a staff member, more than thirty people were there that day.”

“That many? Is that normal?”

“That’s what’s strange. Since it was an intensive care isolation ward, it usually doesn’t accommodate many people. That day was unusually crowded.”

Drushia quietly pondered Mihail’s report. He could have let it go, but something bothered him.

“What did our knights witness?”

“Well…, the knights’ reports about seeing the Igraine family’s carriage were true. And not only that.”

Mihail became cautious when the topic of Igraine came up. Drushia’s expression was difficult to read.

“They saw a woman believed to be the Young Duchess Igraine at the fire scene. A young woman with black hair and black eyes was accompanied by a knight, and the knight was a woman. It’s presumed to have been Sir Berth.”

“Lady Igraine was at the fire scene?”

This time, even Drushia was surprised.

“And this isn’t certain, but…”

Seeing Mihail hesitate, Drushia’s brow furrowed.

“Don’t beat around the bush.”

“Ah, yes. There was a witness who saw a suspicious person boarding the Igraine family’s carriage.”

“The Igraine carriage? Are you saying Lady Igraine is involved?”

Drushia’s face visibly hardened.