Chapter 53
Argana stifled a small laugh. Right, that’s the kind of rumor that’s been circulating.
They said that the imprisoned Turegen Bee didn’t plead or cry, and everyone whispered about it—so that must be the reason.
“Do you feel the same way, Madam?”
Lady Huiju’s face paled for a moment before softening into a warm, gentle flush, similar to the color of candlelight.
Furrowing her brows, she fiddled with the ring on her hand and spoke.
“Even if the Khan is angry, a conflict between parent and child is like trying to cut water with a sword—it’s pointless.”
Lady Huiju was not someone who would wish for Yoshmut’s reinstatement.
If he were reinstated as a prince, Turegen Bee would grow bold, and the Western territories would become even more unbearable under the Turegen family’s tyranny, making officials increasingly reluctant to manage the region.
‘But Yoshmut is not water—he’s a lump of filth. He’ll never rise back to his original position. The Turegen family will never recover either.’
At this point, Argana decided to test the waters regarding the canal issue. She didn’t know how much Lady Huiju knew, but…
“By the way, Western officials groveling under the Turegen family’s gaze is something I cannot overlook.”
“And what do you plan to do?”
Argana smiled faintly and stepped back a little.
“What can I do? I can only hope that His Majesty will send wise and competent officials.”
At that moment, Lady Huiju’s eyes narrowed.
“Your Highness, you’ve become quite cunning since the last time I saw you.”
“That’s unfair. Why would you say that?”
“Your Highness, when have you ever relied on the Khan for matters that troubled you? You always resolved them with your own hands. Yet this time, you seem to be expressing weakness.”
When the lady teased her playfully, Argana couldn’t help but giggle. Then, her golden eyes sparkling, she leaned slightly toward Lady Huiju.
“Since you’ve seen through me, why not help me a bit?”
“Of course. How may I assist you?”
“You know about the Western canal project, don’t you?”
Lady Huiju nodded.
“Yes. Because of that, taxes have risen, and the people are unhappy.”
“Perhaps your uncle has invested in it as well?”
“Of course not. That stodgy old man?”
The lady replied with a laugh but suddenly looked concerned.
“Why do you ask? Is there a problem with the project?”
“There will be a problem. So I’d like your uncle to find out who is behind this project.”
“You mean the project owner? That shouldn’t be difficult.”
“No, I mean the one hiding behind the owner.”
Lady Huiju now looked truly frightened.
A sense that she could not take Argana’s words lightly enveloped her completely. She had thought it was merely a canal improvement project, but now she felt there might be a conspiracy lurking behind it.
“Your Highness, why do you ask this? Is the matter really that serious?”
“Perhaps. Could you investigate it?”
“I will send word immediately.”
Argana smiled faintly.
“Thank you, Madam. And when the news comes, don’t come to me directly—use Bogatena. Soya can’t know either. It’s most natural for Bogatena to visit my chambers frequently.”
Already worrying about someone noticing—how many steps ahead must she be thinking to consider this ordinary project so dangerous?
“I understand.”
Lady Huiju took Argana’s hand and responded firmly.
The next day, the moment Argana finished breakfast, Kartak stormed in as if he had barged in, looking unusually angry.
“What’s wrong, Kartak? Why are you like this?”
“Argana, tell me honestly. I heard that you broke the collarbone of the one you sparred with. Is that true?”
Argana took a sip of tea, brushed aside the curtain that fell beside her face, and replied.
“It’s true. Why?”
“You idiot!”
Kartak shouted, and Argana’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit.
Barta, equally shocked, didn’t know what to do and just stared at them. When Argana motioned for him to leave, he quickly stepped outside behind the curtain.
Once alone, Argana calmly gestured toward an empty seat.
“Why are you acting like this? Sit down and talk.”
But Kartak didn’t sit. Clenching his fists, he grew even angrier.
“Why did you do such a foolish thing? Did I ask you to take revenge for me?”
Argana let out a short laugh.
“Do you think I act at the request of others? It was my decision. I couldn’t forgive the one who left you like that, so I beat him.”
“How can you be so self-centered?”
“Don’t act like you’ve just realized it now.”
Realizing he couldn’t win in words, Kartak sat down heavily, holding his forehead.
Today, his hair, usually worn loose, was braided in the Southern style, and seeing him up close felt unfamiliar.
The neatly swept-back hair made his profile stand out even more—the long, straight nose and the slightly sharp curve of his lips…
“Wihwi, are you listening to me?”
Ah. Argana tensed and cleared her throat.
“…Sorry, I was thinking. What did you say?”
Kartak let out a breathy laugh, as if incredulous, turned toward her, and lightly banged the table.
“I’m asking why you did that! I lost fair and square in our sparring. But if you go and beat up that person, what happens to my position? It makes me look like a coward hiding behind you!”
“What? Fair sparring? You couldn’t even open your eyes because of the dust that day. Meanwhile, that bastard…”
Argana paused and corrected herself.
“…That damn kid is the one who did this to you.”
“Even sparring is a kind of battle. Anything can happen during a fight.”
“I think differently. Sparring isn’t the same as battle. A battle… a battle is…”
Her breathing grew rough with excitement. The battlefield she had witnessed, the blood-soaked plains she had seen at a young age, came vividly to mind.
“Battles have no rules. It’s a wild world. The strong survive; the weak die. That’s it. But sparring isn’t meant to kill your opponent, right? So you have to choose your means wisely. At the very least, you shouldn’t use underhanded tricks.”
“Wihwi…”
“And you think you were hiding behind me, doing something despicable? Was your pride really only that small, Kartak? If I listed the ones I beat up for you as a child, half of them would still be standing even after one tour around the capital.”
“That was when we were kids!”
“It’s no different. Kartak, you’re my friend. I hate it most when someone messes with my people. You know that.”
Kartak was left speechless, sighing deeply. Argana hadn’t said anything wrong, which made it even more frustrating. Was this why he came here just to whine?
“…Aside from that, do you have any other worries?”
“Geez, I feel like I’ll count my white hairs worrying about this. What other worry? What’s the problem? Are you worried that his collarbone won’t heal properly?”
“No, it’s not that… it’s that Prince Ishuder and you now have a grudge because of this. Aren’t you worried about that?”
