ICM Chapter 109
“How… Ashika, did you know about this too?”
“Grandfather.”
“Yes, it must have been last time. When you went to the Grand Duchy. You didn’t go to the Grand Duchy, but to the Grand Duke’s Castle, didn’t you? Really?”
Ashika’s silence was tantamount to confirmation.
“You’ve gone mad. How could you go to such a place!”
“Because you wouldn’t tell me anything, Grandfather. I needed to confirm it myself.”
Weive was about to ask what exactly she had tried to confirm, but closed his mouth. Continued avoidance. Faced with the truth he had been hiding all along, he chose to turn away once again.
Weive avoided Ashika’s gaze and spoke the truth he had buried for so long.
“No one in the Empire wants the union of Igraine and Talion. It would be better if they continued to hate each other and point fingers at one another as they have been doing.”
“So that was why? The reason you’ve been watching the disputes between both families from the sidelines all this time?”
“Duke Talion, don’t break the peace with rash youthful impulses. You will never be able to handle this matter.”
“That’s exactly why we need to join hands. So that no one in the Empire would dare to challenge us.”
“Do you think we’ve come to this point because we didn’t know that!”
Weive burst out in anger and rubbed his frustrated chest. Drushia, who had been quietly watching him, let out a sigh.
“Duke Igraine and Grandfather are very much alike.”
Weive frowned as if asking what he meant.
“Both of you carry old secrets in your hearts and are under the delusion that silence and inaction are the best course.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“If you want to protect Ashika, you must take the hand I’m extending.”
Weive’s face hardened instantly. Even Ashika was startled, her shoulders flinching.
“Ashika, you…”
His bewildered gaze alternated between Ashika and Drushia. Though he tried to maintain composure, Weive’s black eyes were wavering. However, even Ashika didn’t understand the meaning behind Drushia’s words.
As if sensing her agitation, the hand on her shoulder gently tightened with strength. That small movement brought Ashika’s mind sharply into focus. There was a more urgent matter at hand.
“Please help me, Grandfather. Give me access to all materials about the Grand Duchy. And the authority to mobilize the knights as well.”
Ashika’s bold demand was no longer surprising. The complicated and confused expression revealed Weive’s complex state of mind.
Silence fell over the reception room.
Ashika waited tensely for Weive’s answer, while Drushia looked down at her. His gaze was full of affection, as if Ashika’s judgment took priority over his own demands.
Weive quietly observed the two of them.
Human relationships truly are unknowable things, he thought. Even knowing this, he found himself surprised anew.
Weive, who had kept his mouth tightly shut, finally spoke.
“Get the key to the secret archive from the butler.”
“Ah…”
Ashika, who hadn’t expected permission to be granted, opened her eyes wide in surprise.
“However, I’ll only acknowledge partial command authority over the knights. I’ll speak to Pelburn about it.”
It would be unreasonable for Ashika, who was neither the family head nor a knight, to command the knights in the first place. This was a decision made with some truly urgent situation in mind.
So this was enough. Ashika nodded with wide eyes.
After giving his brief answer, Weive stood up from his seat. In the meantime, he looked visibly tired.
“Um, there’s something I need to tell you…”
“Later. Let’s talk about it later.”
“Grandfather.”
Weive opened the reception room door and left, as if he didn’t want to hear any more. Ashika started to get up to follow him, but Drushia stopped her.
“Let’s stop here for today. It seems he’s already made enough concessions.”
Ashika looked back at Drushia with a questioning expression.
In fact, Drushia had gained nothing from Weive. He hadn’t secured any promises or guarantees, only supported Ashika.
“Didn’t you come to meet Grandfather?”
“Hardly. If I come to Igraine, there’s only one reason.”
“Drushia, this isn’t the time for such talk.”
“Why not? If not that, is there something else we need to discuss?”
Ashika was left speechless. If Drushia started firing questions right now, she would be the one in trouble. Knowing this, he smiled with a slight upturn of his lips.
‘What on earth is he thinking?’
She was confused. All this time, she had been preparing answers for the countless questions he would surely ask. But Drushia didn’t seem to have any intention of asking any of the questions she had anticipated.
Instead, he put his hand into his coat pocket and pulled out something wrapped in white cloth.
“Actually, I came to give you this.”
“Ah.”
It was Ashika’s necklace.
“But the jewel broke again. Of course, I didn’t break it.”
“I know. It’s not the kind of jewel that breaks that easily.”
When Ashika tried to pick up the necklace, Drushia pulled back the hand holding it. At her puzzled look, he smiled again. That smile kept shaking the heart she was trying to wall off.
Drushia took Ashika’s hand, opened her palm, and placed the necklace wrapped in the handkerchief on top of it.
“The necklace goes back to its original owner, but what I wanted to give you is this.”
“A handkerchief?”
“It’s not just any handkerchief. Look carefully.”
Ashika held the necklace in one hand and unfolded the handkerchief. She immediately looked stunned.
“Drushia, this is…”
“Do you see it? The two names written here.”
A handkerchief with Ashika and Drushia’s full names written side by side.
A handkerchief embroidered with the names of a man and woman was a traditional proposal gift. This represented a pure proposal between a man and woman, regardless of whether they were nobles or commoners, and regardless of family conditions or agreements.
If the proposal was accepted, the handkerchief would be placed on the altar of vows on the wedding day for the ceremony. If rejected, it would be burned.
This was a real proposal. Drushia’s direct proposal to Ashika.
“I just realized the order was wrong. I should have given you this first before sending the proposal letter.”
His voice was gentle as he apologized for being late.
Ashika’s heart pounded loudly. Along with the thundering vibrations, heat rose to her face as well.
But the next moment, her blood ran cold. If she accepted this proposal, how much danger would Drushia shoulder? Her heart, which had been swelling with joy, deflated and plummeted into an abyss.
Drushia quietly watched her expression change moment by moment, without rushing for any answer.
Ashika’s shoulders sagged helplessly. The brief moment of happiness disappeared, leaving only bitter reality.
“This… Drushia, I can’t accept this.”
“Ashika.”
“It’s not because of Grandfather. It’s not that, it’s just… my heart feels that way. I’m sorry.”
Despite the clear rejection, Drushia didn’t waver. He only looked down with a heavy, settled gaze. Instead of showing disappointment or anger, Drushia cupped her face and lifted it up.
Her jet-black eyes shook anxiously, becoming moist and wet. Ashika’s face, looking as if she might cry at any moment, felt like it was slowly tearing at his heart.
“Don’t tell such an impossible lie that you don’t want me, not with those eyes.”
Unable to say yes or no, Ashika bit her lower lip. His blue eyes, slightly deeper now, persistently watched her changes.
“I love you. Would that be an answer?”
Ashika’s mouth opened slightly. Perhaps she had already known this truth. But she hadn’t expected Drushia to reveal all his feelings like this.
“I love you.”
As if worried she might not have understood, Drushia whispered again.
Drushia’s attitude had changed somehow. The confusion and frustration he had shown because of her unpredictable nature had also disappeared.
His blue eyes blazed intensely. His gaze, mixed with all kinds of emotions, glared at Ashika as if to devour her, slowly approaching. Until his hot lips descended upon hers, Ashika couldn’t even think of avoiding him.
Hot and somewhat urgent lips captured hers as his soft tongue pushed inside. The moment sweet saliva and fragrance mingled, Drushia lost his reason.
He wrapped around her stiffened small tongue and sucked it in with strong force, swallowing even the breath she exhaled. He licked up all the saliva flowing from her mouth and stirred every corner with his tongue, missing nothing.
“Mmm….ngh.”
Far from resisting, a dizzying sensation flowed down her spine and Ashika responded to Drushia’s rough kiss. His arm dug into her lower back, pulling her close, and the hand gripping her nape tightened further.
From their tightly interlocked bodies, hot heat could be felt completely. Someone’s heartbeat thundered through their entire bodies, beating fiercely.
The kiss that had started one-sidedly gradually transformed into movements where they craved each other. Ashika wrapped both arms around his neck, pressing their bodies even closer together.
The wet sounds of exploring each other and heated breathing. The sound of them rubbing against each other as if even the coats separating them were unbearable obstacles sounded lewd. Finally, the lips that had been devouring her like a lifeline barely separated.
“Haah…”
As their persistently intertwined lips parted, they descended upon her cheeks, the bridge of her nose, and her eyelids.
Kiss, kiss. He showered her face with gentle kisses so the afterglow of their passionate kiss wouldn’t disappear. As if yearning desperately for his precious beloved.
Drushia pulled Ashika tightly into his embrace, confining her in his arms.
“…Now I feel like I can live.”
Exhaling hot, long breaths, he slowly stroked Ashika’s back with one hand. To calm their intense breathing. Whether he was composing himself or trying to soothe her, he caressed her so gently. That touch was so tender that Ashika found it difficult to speak.
The sense of relief felt from his leaning body. Ashika entrusted herself to his touch and quietly leaned against him. A long sigh settled over the top of her head.
“Ashika, don’t run away from me anymore.”
Because I’ll create a safe world for you. His barely audible whispered voice wrapped around her ears languidly.