Chapter 5
Khan laughed heartily at his daughter’s playful grumbling, as if he had never been weary at all.
“You’re the only one who can soothe your father’s heart, Wi-hui.”
“Don’t say that. There are plenty of loyal subjects who’d jump into fire for Your Majesty. My other siblings too, I’m sure.”
Argana spoke in a composed tone, but Khan shook his head with a sigh escaping between his teeth.
“I’ve lost many children, but many have survived too. People say I’m blessed. Still, the fact that I lack truly capable ones brings great sorrow to me as a father.”
“But they’re all outstanding. It’s just that your standards are too high, Father.”
Argana finished buttoning up his top and took a step back. Khan raised his calloused fingers—scarred from old battles—and lightly tapped his daughter on the nose.
“And yet you, my daughter, meet even those high standards.”
“Oh, Father. You flatter me too much.”
The two sat facing each other naturally, as they always did.
Argana had already guessed that something unpleasant must have come up during today’s court meeting—ever since Khan snapped at a eunuch for being too rough with his touch.
“Father, should I attend the court with you tomorrow?”
“You? Why all of a sudden?”
“You always smile when you see me. And when I’m not around, you tend to grow annoyed more easily. So, as a dutiful daughter, shouldn’t I be by your side?”
“Stop it. What, will the Princess of Dar play the role of a court jester?”
His tone was stern, but the affection in his eyes toward his daughter was obvious.
When the eunuch brought tea, Khan finally let out a sigh and got to the point.
“Tatulai of the Kingdom of Jindan has raided the eastern plains and is causing our people great suffering. We’ve fought several wars to punish him, but unless we sever his head, his foolish arrogance will never end.”
Argana nodded slowly. She already knew the details well.
She also knew how this war would end—because in her previous life, Emperor Khan had also sent troops to strike Jindan.
And she had been the supreme commander leading that campaign.
She had swept through the battlefield like an unleashed beast, annihilating the Jindan soldiers and beheading their leader, Tatulai.
Khan had praised her bravery, spirit, and martial skill generously.
But a year later, Tatulai’s secret son—raised in hiding—had attacked the eastern plains in a vengeful assault, slaughtering innocent civilians.
That son also died by the hands of the Dar army… but I can’t let innocent people suffer the same fate again.
While Argana was lost in thought, Khan continued.
“Ishuder has requested the position of supreme commander.”
Argana’s ears perked up at that.
“…Brother Ishuder?”
“Yes.”
“But he’s never volunteered for anything like this before.”
“Indeed. So why now? You should know the answer.”
Argana thought to herself.
Because the principle of firstborn succession was abolished. That’s why he’s anxious.
Before that change, the imperial court had been divided into two major factions—one supporting Ishuder, the eldest son, and the other backing Ayur.
Argana herself, though clearly more capable than any of her siblings combined, was never considered a viable heir. She was too young and, more importantly, a woman.
But once Khan declared that the throne would go not to the eldest but to the most competent, everything changed.
“Brother Ishuder is well past twenty and still hasn’t been on a campaign. I suppose he wants to earn merit for Your Majesty’s sake.”
“You truly think that’s the reason?”
Argana met her father’s gaze, which seemed to see straight through her, and shrugged.
“…For his own sake, too.”
Khan leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
“It’s not just Ishuder. All of them are anxious and don’t know what to do with themselves. Fools. Instead of using their strengths to serve the Empire, they’re busy building factions and using petty schemes to win my favor.”
“If that’s the case, then I must be the most foolish of all your children.”
“What?”
“Think about it. Why do you think I visit you every morning, dine with you, help you change, and have these little chats?”
It was a bold question.
But Khan merely smiled in amusement, as if watching the antics of a child.
“Why don’t you tell me?”
“Of course it’s partly out of filial piety, but mostly… it’s because I want Your Majesty to find joy in your daughter’s company.”
Argana tilted her head and gave him an impish smile, and Khan could no longer pretend to be stern. He burst out laughing.
“I can’t win against you.”
Argana smiled back and sat beside him.
Father will probably send me to war against Jindan again.
Tatulai himself wouldn’t be a problem. But unless Jindan was thoroughly crushed, lingering threats would remain.
“Father, though Tatulai deserves punishment, I believe it may be wiser not to kill him.”
Khan’s thick brows twitched at the unexpected suggestion.
“Not kill him?”
“Yes. He’s greedy but cunning and sharp. Why do you think someone like him would risk his life to lead every raid?”
“To boost morale, of course. What other reason would there be for a leader to take the front lines?”
“Father, how does a wolf raise its cubs? When they’re big enough to stand on their own, the parents bring back half-dead prey and teach them to hunt.”
“A wolf’s hunt, you say.”
“Though they call themselves a kingdom, Jindan’s people are nomads who’ve always lived by plunder. Even if Tatulai didn’t personally lead, they’d still risk their lives to fill their bellies.”
Emperor Khan sat back and stroked his beard, digesting his daughter’s words. Then he slapped his knee.
He finally understood what she was getting at.
“You’re saying he joins every raid… to train his heir?”
Argana simply smiled and nodded.
“But I heard Tatulai has no children.”
“Father, people who move from place to place, pillaging as they go, can’t afford secure homes. What do you think would happen if it became known he had a child?”
Realization dawned on Khan, and he nodded solemnly.
“His weakness would be exposed.”
“Exactly. Jindan currently targets the eastern part of the Empire, but before that, they invaded smaller neighboring nations and made many enemies. They were attacked multiple times while on the move.”
“So to protect his child, he kept it a secret… That makes sense.”
“Therefore, rather than kill Tatulai, it would be better to capture him alive. And bring his child to the Empire.”
In the Empire of Dar, all vassal states were required to send their crown princes to the capital when they turned seven or eight.
These princes received the finest education and treatment—until they returned home as adults.
The Empire called it protection, but it was effectively taking hostages to prevent rebellion.
Argana’s suggestion to bring Tatulai’s child to the Empire was rooted in the same idea.
Emperor Khan stroked his beard in contemplation, then gave a firm nod.
