ICM Chapter 143

“The Emperor won’t be able to rashly announce that fact. You made it so. Thank you.”

If she had simply wanted revenge, she would have seen it through to the end somehow long ago. However, what Iben desired was to reclaim the Grand Duchy rather than mere revenge. That’s why she had been preparing for these long years, but she lacked justification and the power to support it.

It was Ashika and Drushia who delivered that final decisive blow.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t deliver a complete result.”

“It’s land that has been barren for 40 years. Even if all authority had been restored, it would have been difficult to manage with the nobles having lost their power.”

That was the best Ashika could obtain in her negotiations with the Emperor. If Iben had stepped forward directly, the situation might have worsened instead.

What Iben was concerned about was a different matter.

“Speaking of which, have you had any other hallucinations since then?”

“What I saw at the Grand Duke’s castle was the last.”

“I see, good.”

Iben’s expression grew coldly somber.

‘This can’t be the end.’

Why was it so quiet? Like a hunter waiting for the right moment. Still, she didn’t want to add to Ashika’s anxiety.

“Oh, I should return the necklace to you. It wasn’t mine to begin with.”

She had habitually continued carrying it around. When Ashika began to unfasten her collar, Iben waved her hand.

“No. You keep that.”

She had a feeling it wasn’t over yet. The shadow of power that had tormented Iben her entire life couldn’t be shed so easily.

What was certain was that the presence in the divine chamber had wanted something, and now that direction had changed.

“Ashika. Once the Grand Duke’s castle is settled, won’t you come visit? I’ll tell you the story properly then. About the things you must know as a descendant of Arkpella.”

Why was she postponing the story? A chill ran down Ashika’s spine.

“…Yes, grandmother.”

Iben was affectionate but strangely difficult to approach. The atmosphere she gave off was like that, and her inexplicable current state was the same. Though many questions arose, they weren’t easy to voice, so Ashika readily agreed.

“Also, for the time being, about Igraine in the Grand Duchy…”

Ashika, who was about to bring up the matter of managing the Grand Duchy, suddenly looked up. She thought she heard urgent footsteps approaching from outside the door, then heard the sound of arguing.

“Please stay here.”

Ashika immediately rose from her seat and headed for the door. Before she could even reach the door, the reception room door burst open.

“You can’t do this!”

“Shut up with that ‘can’t’ nonsense! I can’t wait any longer!”

The butler who had tried to block the door was pushed by a man of sturdy build and ended up hitting the wall.

“What kind of rudeness is this!”

At Ashika’s rebuke, both men fell silent for a moment.

The butler rubbed his shoulder where he had hit it, and the man who had barged in roughly caught his breath while glaring at Ashika. Despite being close to old age, he had a sturdy build no less than any young man.

Despite his fierce demeanor, Ashika’s expression showed no change. Perhaps surprised by this, the man silently studied Ashika. Though she had a pretty face, her cold and firm attitude showed not a crack where even a needle could enter.

‘This won’t be easy.’

When he had seen her with Drushia on the wedding day, she had looked like a delicate noble lady. He had thought she was a lucky woman who had secured the position of young duchess due to her birth, but that seemed to have been a mistake.

The man barely managed to control his emotions and showed proper courtesy.

“Alec of Sirios pays his respects to the Duchess.”

“Viscount Sirios?”

Ashika recognized the man’s name. It was one of the knightly houses that had served Talion loyally for generations. Though he was showing courtesy, Viscount Sirios’s demeanor remained fierce.

“I have come to see the Duchess several times but have been refused each time. What is the reason for refusing all meetings with your vassals?”

“What is all this about, butler?”

“Well, that is…”

The butler looked troubled. Ashika had heard nothing of this, so it was like a bolt from the blue.

It hadn’t been long since Drushia returned, so they hadn’t yet arranged meetings with the vassals. They were preparing for the spring banquet, but in the meantime, there were vassals who wanted to meet her. These were people who had lost family in the dam collapse and hadn’t even been able to find the bodies.

The feelings they harbored toward Igraine were similar to Aegonite’s. Resentment and anger over not finding their families even after more than ten years.

Knowing it wasn’t a friendly request, Drushia had continued to refuse without informing Ashika.

Viscount Sirios had heard in advance that Ashika had a guest today. Since the Duchess’s office was still being prepared, the only place to receive guests would be the reception room. He had submitted a request for an audience to meet Drushia, and as soon as he entered the main castle, he had rushed here.

The butler couldn’t hide his apologetic expression as he explained the reason.

“His Grace issued an official notice that meetings with vassals would begin after the spring banquet.”

“It’s been over a month since the Duchess arrived. How can she avoid even the vassals of the territory she inhabits? Is this the courtesy with which Igraine treats Talion?”

“Then, are your actions the courtesy with which a vassal treats Talion? Ignoring orders given by the Duke—is this what people here call courtesy? Is everyone here originally this rude?”

“That’s!”

“It’s barely been a month. You can’t wait that one month and resort to insubordination?”

Viscount Sirios’s face flushed red. To be scolded by a duchess much younger than himself! He hadn’t expected Ashika to come at him so forcefully.

Ashika, who had been glaring coldly, let out a long sigh.

‘Why is everyone so simple-minded?’

Aegonite was the same, and what should she do with people who start by pouring out anger? They were different from Igraine’s vassals who had tried to handle Ashika delicately while reading the situation.

“So what is your reason for wanting to meet me?”

“Are you asking because you don’t know that now?”

“The person who came running should speak. How am I supposed to know what’s in your minds?”

Viscount Sirios suppressed his anger and glared at Ashika. With his poor eloquence, if he spoke carelessly, he would likely receive another harsh response.

“How long must I wait?”

“The Duchess must know as well.”

When pressed again, Viscount Sirios opened his mouth.

“It’s been 14, no, 15 years. I asked just once more to open the territory for search, but since then, not once have you given an answer. Just how long must we wait?”

“Regarding the search, Grandfather and Talion’s former duke reached an agreement and ended it then.”

“What could be accomplished in just one week!”

Searching the Igraine territory downstream of the Rosha River. To search that vast area would require mobilizing large-scale forces. It meant Talion’s large-scale forces would have to set foot in Igraine’s territory. And for quite a long time at that.

That was why Weive had been able to ignore the complaints that had continued for over ten years.

“No lord can allow another territory’s army in his own territory for so long. If it had been possible to do so…”

Ashika stopped what she was about to say. That it was a hopeless matter. That they couldn’t search the entire Rosha River area, and no one knew how far the bodies that had already been swept away might have gone.

However, she didn’t want to tear apart the desperate hope in her opponent’s gaze with harsh reality.

‘He probably knows anyway.’

He must be grasping at straws.

Regarding this matter, Ashika had nothing to say. At the time, Ashika had been too young, and even now, all authority belonged to Weive.

“I’ll consider it.”

“Consider? That’s all you have to say after 15 years!”

“My father never came back either!”

Ashika raised her voice for the first time.

At her sharp shout, the viscount flinched and fell silent, and momentary silence descended. The butler who had been trying to intervene somehow and the knight who had been running from afar upon seeing the situation also stopped in their tracks.

Ashika closed her eyes briefly with a coldly hardened face. When she opened them again, a much calmer voice flowed out.

“You’re not the only ones who couldn’t find family. Don’t think Talion is the only one who has suffered for 15 years. I also lost my father, and my grandfather couldn’t find his son either.”

The missing person from Igraine’s side was only Lanche, Ashika’s father. Everyone had forgotten because Weive didn’t step forward despite losing the most important heir. It hadn’t made sense then, and it was the same now.

The strength left Viscount Sirios’s shoulders. He knew he had directed his anger at the wrong person.

“What’s all this about?”

“Your Grace!”

From beyond the corridor, Drushia was approaching with quick steps. Viscount Sirios, who had been blocking Ashika, hurriedly stepped back.

“I asked what this is about. Why is someone who requested an audience with me causing a disturbance in my wife’s reception room instead of the audience chamber!”

A resounding voice echoed through the corridor. Viscount Sirios immediately knelt where he stood. The butler turned his gaze away with a troubled face, and Ashika’s expression grew heavily somber.

“I apologize, Your Grace.”

“I didn’t expect the viscount to disappoint me like this. Ignoring my orders, summoning me to mock me, and now being rude even to Talion’s lady of the house?”

These people were knights before they were nobles. Knights who swore loyalty to their lord and devoted their lives, sharing hardships together.

Drushia’s eyes gleamed with a fierce light. Even Ashika was startled and shrank back at this menacing aura she had never felt before.

Viscount Sirios prostrated himself so low his face nearly touched the ground. At that earnest gesture, even Ashika turned her gaze away.

“…Please find my son, Your Grace.”

What he wanted was one thing. To properly recover his lost family and give them a proper funeral.

Perhaps having heard the news, Aegonite and other knights came running frantically from the end of the corridor.

“Oh, why is the viscount here… I’m sorry, Your Grace.”

Aegonite looked around the reception room entrance with a flustered face. Just from a glance, he could understand the situation.

“Take Viscount Sirios away. We’ll postpone disciplinary action for later.”

Drushia’s expression was bitter. At his gesture, Aegonite helped the viscount to his feet. As he was led away by the knights, the viscount said nothing more. He only glanced desperately at Ashika with his eyes.

After the knights left, Drushia roughly rubbed his face.

“I’m sorry about this.”

He had let his guard down thinking it was within his own walls. Thinking he could watch closely, he had shown weakness. Drushia carefully approached and took Ashika’s hand.

“I should have anticipated this.”

“I should have hurried the meetings with the vassals.”

Drushia had used the banquet as an excuse to postpone meetings because he knew Ashika found them burdensome. He had hoped to give her time to adapt and gradually close the distance with people.

“Your face is pale. Should I call a physician…”

“No, no. I’m just a bit tense.”

At Drushia’s words, the butler looked ready to run and fetch a physician immediately. Ashika backed away in alarm.

“More than that, I’m sorry, grandmother. The internal arrangements aren’t complete yet, so I’ve caused you discomfort.”

Throughout the commotion, Iben had remained seated on the reception room sofa.

Approaching with an apologetic heart, Ashika noticed that Iben’s knuckles gripping her dress hem had turned white.

“Grandmother? Are you feeling unwell?”

Iben’s already pale face seemed to have drained of all color. Iben, who had been staring blankly in a daze, turned to look at Ashika.

“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”

“Why… what’s wrong?”

Iben’s expression was deeply troubling. With an anxious heart, Ashika’s heart began to beat rapidly.

“I know where your father is.”

Iben’s face contorted as if she might cry. Ashika and Drushia froze in place.

“My son, Lanche… I know where he is.”