ICM Chapter 100

“Rushia?”

As Shafri stepped aside from the door, Drushia entered and closed it behind her. Or rather, tried to close it, but a hand suddenly intervened to block it. This time it was Nile.

“It seems a private conversation is out of the question. Let’s do this together.”

Nile had been keeping watch near the private room the entire time. He had only stepped away out of consideration for Shafri.

With four people crammed into the small private room, the space felt suffocatingly cramped. Ashika was flustered by Drushia’s sudden appearance.

‘Why is Rushia here with Shafri?’

Questions and unpleasant emotions crossed her mind. Whether he knew it or not, Drushia’s gaze wouldn’t leave Ashika. He might even have been angry.

So when Drushia approached from behind the sofa and grasped her shoulders with both hands, when he looked around at Shafri and Nile as if that spot belonged to him, she couldn’t push him away.

Drushia seemed displeased that Nile had interfered, but he didn’t bother to mention it. Having traveled to the Grand Duke’s Castle together, he apparently thought there was no point in making petty complaints.

Drushia opened his mouth, addressing Shafri rather than Ashika.

“Shafri, I think it’s time you explained why you wanted to meet with both of us.”

“Before that, who is that man?”

Shafri pointed to Nile, who had quietly positioned himself in a corner. It was Ashika who answered that question.

“A witness to this incident. So it would be difficult to discuss this without Nile.”

Shafri studied Nile’s face intently and tilted her head.

“What? Is there something on my face? Or am I just too handsome?”

Shafri frowned at Nile’s cheekiness.

“You have a face that looks familiar. Never mind. I suppose it’s just a common face.”

At her cold response, Nile shut his mouth. Shafri withdrew her gaze from Nile and looked at Ashika.

“My condition is this: I want not only Lady Igraine but also Dru to be involved in this matter.”

Ashika looked up at Drushia with a troubled expression. It was difficult to read his thoughts from his firmly set face.

“I’m the one who will help Lady Maiheller. Why do you need Rushia here?”

At the pet name “Rushia,” Shafri’s eyes flickered.

“My life depends on this matter. But what do I know about Lady Igraine? I can’t trust you based solely on your ducal position.”

Whatever she was plotting, she needed solid assurance, and the assurance Shafri had in mind was Drushia. However, he wouldn’t comply with Shafri’s half-hearted request.

What if Ashika could move such a Drushia? Based on that single assumption, she had summoned him as soon as she received the letter. As expected, Drushia had dropped everything and rushed over upon hearing she would meet with Ashika.

When accompanying him to this meeting, Shafri had presented Drushia with two conditions: that she would speak with Ashika first, and that Drushia must help her.

Drushia, who had been watching the conversation between Ashika and Shafri, finally spoke.

“So, what do you want from me?”

“I said someone needs to be extracted, right? Dru, I want you to handle it. I’ll only communicate with you.”

“Is that all you want?”

“For now, yes.”

Drushia seemed to understand what Shafri wanted. She wanted to grasp again the ties that had already been severed. And for Shafri’s own needs.

“Before that, Shafri, don’t you have something to explain to me?”

“What do you mean?”

Shafri widened her eyes and asked back. Her attitude was so natural that if one didn’t know the circumstances, one might have been fooled. Drushia was both astounded and, on the other hand, bitter.

“Rushia.”

It was Ashika who called for attention. Right now, receiving Shafri’s help was more urgent than interrogating her. Drushia also realized this fact and stepped back.

“Fine. Whatever it is, I’ll cooperate. Is that settled then?”

At the end of his words, Drushia’s gaze turned to Ashika.

‘So readily?’

Feelings of guilt and doubt about whether this was acceptable. Ashika’s confused eyes met deeply sunken blue ones.

The eyes that had been filled with anger now even seemed willing. This was because he realized that Ashika, who had coldly turned her back and left, would have no choice but to return on her own feet.

“Ashika, you know, don’t you? I’m better at using people.”

He firmly drove home the point, worried she might refuse. Someone had to be brought out of the marquis’s estate. And quietly, without a sound. Ashika acknowledged that she needed Drushia.

“The knight order won’t work.”

“I know that too. I’m not planning to start a war right now.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

“It would be troublesome if you think all I have is the knight order.”

So you should have come to me from the beginning. His heavy gaze conveyed that meaning as it reproached her.

As the atmosphere between the two became strange, Nile stepped in.

“This isn’t the time to waste like this, is it? Lady Maiheller, first identify the location of the person inside the estate.”

“There isn’t just one or two buildings. As Dru can see, it encompasses an entire mountain on the outskirts of the capital.”

If they went around searching every corner of the marquis’s estate, they would obviously arouse suspicion.

“I saw them enter through the back gate connected to the forest. There were many guards protecting that area too. Wouldn’t this narrow down the area to check?”

Shafri nodded. Several annexes adjacent to the back gate passed through her mind in sequence.

“Also find out whether the guys involved in this are knights or where they’re from. Even small information would be good.”

“You’d better not think of using me as a spy, Dru.”

At Drushia’s demand, Shafri drew a line. It was a clear indication that she intended only to lend a hand temporarily, not to be manipulated.

“You’re the one who wanted me to get involved in this, Shafri. If you plan to pick and choose what to do according to your preferences, quit. Ashika requested your help, but I don’t need you if you’re not willing. You must know that, right?”

At his cold reprimand, Shafri bit her lip hard. It was Ashika who could be reasoned and negotiated with, not Drushia. She had forgotten that.

Feeling strange, Ashika studied Drushia’s face.

The merciless expression he showed when dealing with an enemy, not a former friend. Despite their long-standing conflict, this was an attitude he had never shown her.

‘He really didn’t hate me, did he?’

Even the actions she had thought were hatred were exceptions when it came to Ashika. That’s why she became afraid. If this man truly came to hate her, wouldn’t she suffer unbearable wounds?

Unable to bear Drushia’s cold stare, Shafri rose from her seat.

“I came out under the pretext of wedding preparations, so I don’t have much time. Are we done talking now?”

The wedding was scheduled for next month. It was a humiliating marriage where Shafri was practically being sold off, with almost all procedures omitted.

As Shafri prepared to leave, Ashika reminded her once more.

“Don’t forget. Helping Lady Maiheller means only when she has safely left that place.”

“I know. And.”

She looked at Drushia, who was still clinging close to Ashika. Throughout their conversation, Drushia’s hands had never left Ashika, flaunting their intimacy. Shafri felt jealous that Ashika had so easily crossed the line that she herself had never been able to cross.

“Make sure no one knows that Igraine was involved in my marriage matter.”

At what could be a natural request, Ashika suddenly felt puzzled.

“Why?”

Not expecting the question to be turned back on her, Shafri flinched.

“Well… because it’s Igraine.”

“So why? Has Igraine ever had a bad relationship with Maiheller? I don’t remember there ever being one. I would be the one in a difficult position because of this matter. So why is Lady Maiheller worried about that?”

An ‘oh no’ expression flashed across Shafri’s face. Not missing the subtle change in tone, Ashika struck at her weak spot. It was a minor gap that even Drushia had almost missed.

Maiheller was dangerous to both Igraine and Talion. It was a fact that Ashika and Drushia knew but Shafri did not. Or rather, should not have known.

“What do you know?”

As Ashika rose from her seat, Shafri stepped backward. Even her aristocratic mask didn’t work at this moment. The jet-black eyes interrogating Shafri deepened like a swamp that would swallow her whole, and she was suddenly afraid.

“Lady Maiheller.”

“The conversation is over. I’ll send word soon.”

Ignoring the voice calling her, Shafri hurriedly opened the door. The corridor didn’t have many people passing by. After pausing to compose her expression, she left with elegant steps.

After Shafri disappeared, Drushia looked at Nile. Nile had a thoughtful expression on his face.

“Lord Nedrov, I’d like you to step out for a moment.”

“My lady, will you be all right?”

Nile asked Ashika instead of Drushia, who was issuing the dismissal. It was as if he was saying, ‘I won’t take orders from you.’

Honestly, Ashika didn’t want to be alone with Drushia. The burden felt too great for that. Perhaps sensing her inner thoughts, Drushia’s expression darkened.

“Didn’t you need my cooperation?” Need. Yes, she needed him. But seeing Drushia urging conversation by asserting his necessity somehow looked pitiful.

“Nile, go out first.”

“If anything happens, just scream.”

“Hah.”

Drushia’s and Nile’s gazes clashed in midair, sparks flying.

For some reason, the two men couldn’t get along. Rather, they seemed to bristle at each other over every little thing, like males competing for territory.

Territorial competition? That was absurd. Especially against Drushia. Ashika shook her head.

“I’ll be out soon.”

If she let this continue, there would be another confrontation. So hurry up and leave. At Ashika’s urging, Nile reluctantly left the private room.

When the door closed and only the two remained, a strange silence settled over them. Drushia still hadn’t removed his hands from Ashika’s shoulders. Having held them there the entire time, she could feel his body heat through her coat.

Not wanting to lose that small contact, Ashika found it difficult to speak readily.

His large hand slid from her shoulder and traveled up along her neckline. The moment his hand touched the white skin buried beneath her lowered coat collar, her shoulders flinched and hunched up.

“Rushia.”

A quiet sigh and a small voice. Once upon a time, she had called out so desperately. What a heartless woman she was.

“Yes, I’m here.”

Ashika’s hand grasped Drushia’s hand. It was meant to tell him to stop, but his large hand gripped hers.

“What should I do with you? No, what should I do to make things right?”

“I’m sorry.”

“Do you know what you’re sorry for?”

At his weary reproach, Ashika pulled her captured hand. Instead of releasing it, Drushia walked around the small sofa to stand in front of her.

His large frame made the small private room seem even smaller. He was a man who could pressure others just by standing quietly.

As Drushia was about to speak, Ashika spoke first.

“This situation needs an explanation.”

“I’m the one who wants to hear an explanation. Why didn’t you ask me for help?”

“This is…”

There was no explanation that could make Drushia fully understand without revealing the truth. Ashika sighed.

“It’s my problem. I didn’t want to trouble you.”

“Maiheller is involved. Even so, you think it has nothing to do with me?”

“What do you mean?”

Ashika looked uncomprehending. Drushia closed his mouth and quietly looked down at her.

“Rushia, surely… Ah.”

Suddenly, facing each other, both realized the same fact. That the information each possessed was different and had never been shared. So they were bound to keep missing each other.

“Shafri is connected to what happened at the Grand Duke’s Castle. It’s only circumstantial evidence, but it’s unmistakably certain circumstantial evidence.”

When Drushia met with the unit commander after pursuing the forces that had withdrawn from the Grand Duke’s Castle, he had checked the order document. A real order document, not a forgery.

“They withdrew with a real official document that I had never sent. How could that have been possible?”

While handwriting could be forged, forging a high-ranking noble’s official documents was nearly impossible. Each family used specially made watermarked paper that was different from others, and the seals contained unique components that reacted to create patterns.

Both the seal and the family’s official document paper had to be genuine. That meant someone had used Drushia’s seal. The seal ring that had never left his hand.

There was only one time when Drushia hadn’t properly managed his seal. When he was unconscious from poison.

“Rushia, then the people who invaded the Grand Duke’s Castle were…”

“Maiheller. Behind the guys who attacked us at the Grand Duke’s Castle, Maiheller was definitely involved. I don’t know the reason, but they were certainly targeting something at the Grand Duke’s Castle.”

Ashika seemed to have a vague understanding. Noticing something strange, Drushia’s eyes narrowed.

“Ashika?”

“Rushia, do you remember the founding myth I looked into?”