Chapter 4
Karthak knew very well how much Ayur cared for Argana like a true younger sister and always looked after her.
Because of his closeness with Argana, Ayur had always been polite and kind to Karthak, even though he was merely a crown prince of a vassal kingdom.
“Other people…”
Karthak turned to Argana as he spoke but trailed off.
At some point, she had slipped into deep thought, her fingers lightly supporting her chin as if she had forgotten his presence entirely.
Once Argana became absorbed in something, it was rare for her to lose focus.
“Karthak, I hope you’ll stay in Dar and help me. You’re the only one I can fully trust now.”
Karthak bit his lower lip as her words resurfaced in his mind.
She said that… but if I told her I was going back for my father, she wouldn’t even try to stop me. She’d just give up.
No one knew Argana better than Karthak did.
Of course, the idea of his father taking to his sickbed in the future was deeply worrying. But if he didn’t stay to support Argana—who would?
What if she was murdered again by someone lurking in the shadows?
He couldn’t allow that. It was unthinkable.
The idea of a world without Argana Kirzis was something he simply could not imagine.
“Argana.”
At the sound of his voice, Argana, lost in thought, quickly looked up.
Her golden eyes, the color of rich honey, shimmered like a miniature sun.
“What’s wrong, Karthak?”
“I’ll stay in Dar.”
Argana’s eyes widened slightly. She sprang to her feet and grabbed Karthak’s hands tightly.
“Really?”
“Really. I’ve never lied to you.”
“Thank you… Karthak, thank you so much.”
At last, a glow returned to Argana’s long-darkened face.
As she wrapped her arms around Karthak’s shoulders, he patted her back in reassurance, savoring the bittersweet joy in secret.
Smiling, Argana gave a light tap to his sturdy arm and said,
“Don’t worry too much, Karthak. Nothing will happen to your father this time either. If he is unwell, I’ll send the best medicine and the most skilled physician. He’ll recover quickly.”
“I believe in you.”
“That’s my line!”
Argana burst out laughing, her tension easing slightly now that Karthak had agreed to stay.
The amber beads hanging by her ears and cheeks swayed like waves, accentuating her beauty even more.
“With your help, I won’t be afraid of anything. I’ll definitely catch them. Definitely.”
✦✦✦
Just as Argana had sensed, Astrakhan Khan was ill.
However, thanks to the strong medicine prescribed by the royal physician and the devotion of his close eunuch Yi Soon, he was still able to maintain his dignity without revealing the truth.
The officials assembled in the stone-walled audience chamber wore tense expressions, glancing around uneasily.
“His Majesty enters!”
At Yi Soon’s cry, all the officials thumped their left chests once and bowed deeply.
Astrakhan Khan scanned the room with his fierce, lion-like eyes—eyes so golden they were said to have stolen the light of the gods.
“Those with matters to report, speak.”
At his command, Orchai, the commander of the First Army and head of the Bureau of Military Affairs, stepped forward.
“Oh Great Khan. I, Orchai, speak on behalf of the Empire’s officials and warriors.”
“You are the official I trust most. Speak freely.”
Orchai raised his rugged, red-tinged face and looked the Khan in the eye.
“I ask that you reconsider your decision to abolish the principle of primogeniture.”
The Khan’s brow twitched at this bold statement. The other officials exchanged uneasy glances.
Most of them silently agreed with Orchai, but to openly challenge a decision made by the Khan was rarely wise.
“I am the Khan who rules the Great Dar. If I go back on something I have declared myself only days ago, how would the imperial authority be maintained?”
“Khan, the principle of primogeniture is a tradition passed down from our ancestors. It was meant to prevent quarrels among sons and brothers for the throne—”
“Has that wish ever been fulfilled?”
The Khan’s tone seemed calm, but it was cold enough to make even the towering Orchai flinch.
“For the empire to flourish with strength, it needs not the oldest, but the most capable leader. I will not withdraw my abolition—never speak of it again.”
His voice left no room for debate. Orchai stepped back in silence.
He had served Astrakhan Khan for many years and knew well the nature of his lord.
“Any other matters?”
As the Khan asked again, a young man stepped forward into Orchai’s vacant place.
The Khan’s gaze softened ever so slightly.
The man was Ishuder, Astrakhan Khan’s son and the eldest among the surviving children.
Though not born of the queen, Ishuder was cautious and meticulous—traits the Khan valued.
“What is it?”
“Father, the Kingdom of Jindan under Tatulai has attacked the eastern plains again. This time, we must send a full army and wipe them out completely.”
“Tatulai is greedy and cunning. He stops at raiding the eastern plains because it is the safest and most reliable method of looting.”
“……”
“Even if it’s a border area, I cannot ignore the suffering of my people any longer. Despite repeated warnings, they remain arrogant and greedy. I shall send troops myself to take his head.”
“Your words are wise.”
A short discussion followed about who would lead the attack on Jindan.
Astrakhan appointed Orchai to command the cavalry, but named no one as the supreme commander, ending the meeting there.
✦✦✦
“Father!”
As the Khan was leaving the audience chamber, he stopped at the sound of Ishuder calling out.
“What is it, Ishuder?”
“Please appoint me as supreme commander. I will bring you Tatulai’s head.”
“Ishuder, you are better at strategy than handling weapons. Perhaps as an advisor, yes—but the commander leads troops at the front lines. As your father, I cannot risk your life.”
“But Father…”
“As the Khan of the empire, I say the same. To give a heavy task to one lacking ability is like loading a golden chest onto a lame horse.”
Ishuder’s face turned red, and he clamped his lips shut.
Astrakhan looked at him with unreadable eyes, then patted his son’s shoulder with a large hand.
“There is a task only you can do. Go take your place where your abilities can shine.”
“…Yes.”
“Yi Soon.”
His close eunuch bowed deeply.
“Your Majesty, command me.”
“Bring Argana to me. I have something urgent to discuss with her.”
“I will go at once.”
At the mention of Argana’s name, Ishuder’s brows furrowed slightly.
Astrakhan did not notice, as he wasn’t looking at his son’s face.
“You may go now.”
“…Yes, Father.”
Wearing a carefully neutral expression, Ishuder withdrew quietly.
✦✦✦
Summoned, Argana immediately went to her father’s quarters.
When she arrived, the Khan was in the middle of changing out of his heavy ceremonial robe from the morning meeting.
Seeing the attendants fumbling nervously, Argana gave them a glance and silently dismissed them.
Then, while the Khan had his eyes closed, she quietly stepped in and began helping him change.
“You rascal, why are your hands so rough?”
At his grumble, Argana couldn’t help but burst into a laugh.
Astrakhan finally opened his eyes, saw her face, and chuckled with confusion.
“What is this? Where’s the attendant? Why are you doing this?”
“I sent him out. I might be a bit rougher than a meek little eunuch, but still—Father, is that something worth scolding over?”
