TGW Chapter 15 Part 2

 

Martin knocked on the office door. After a brief wait, he entered. Kuhn, who had been sitting at the desk, looked up and then lowered his gaze back to the documents he was reading.

"Where is Levan?"

"He hasn't come in yet."

"When he does, tell him I want to see him."

"Yes. I have something to report. It's simple, so you can just listen."

"Hmm."

"We've replaced the guards at the Black House. Please convey this to the Iron King."

"Understood."

Martin was about to leave but paused with his hand on the doorknob. He turned his head back, watching Kuhn with a puzzled expression. Kuhn, flipping through his papers, was humming a tune. It was unusual since he wasn't the type to openly show his likes and dislikes, at least not to the extent that those around him could notice.

As dusk fell, Levan arrived.

"You called for me?"

"There is something I need you to handle."

Kuhn sat across from Levan on the sofa. Levan accepted the document Kuhn handed to him. As he read, Levan's expression changed continuously.

"We need to make this a big deal. Stir things up."

The document contained background information on Joseph that Evita had uncovered. Although Joseph was known as a gentleman, he was hiding a very violent side.

He had never openly quarreled with anyone. Instead, he handled matters quietly. Anyone who irritated him would be dragged away by his underlings and severely beaten. Most of these people were of low status and couldn't resist the violence of the Duke's son. They kept their mouths shut in exchange for some medical expenses.

It wasn't uncommon for a scion of a prestigious family to cause trouble due to a twisted nature. In a society where even murder could be covered up, a simple assault was nothing.

But Kuhn had discovered a more decisive weakness that brought a smile of satisfaction to his face. Joseph had often made advances on a maid working in the Duke's household. One of these maids had become pregnant and secretly given birth.

The maid believed that if Joseph found out, both she and her son would be killed. So, she fled to the back alleys of the slums. Evita had even secured the mother and child.

"Make sure the news about the illegitimate child spreads widely in society. It's okay to embellish the story to make it more sensational. It needs to become the hottest topic, something people talk about whenever two or more of them gather. And the person to leak this information should be Levi Morton."

"You want Levi Morton to be the source of the rumor?"

"Yes. And Joseph Rouk needs to find out about it."

Even if Joseph were to be ousted by a broken engagement, there would be another candidate waiting. Levi Morton was far more cunning than Joseph.

Unlike Joseph, who had created weaknesses everywhere, Levi managed his image well. If he became the fiancé of the Silver King, it would be much harder to deal with him. Therefore, Kuhn planned to get rid of both of them in one blow.

"If Joseph learns that Levi was the one who caused the broken engagement, he'll go mad."

Joseph would not stand idly by as Levi, who took over his position as fiancé, sat there. He would use any underhanded means to drag Levi down. If the two most prominent candidates were to disgracefully disappear, the Red King would be more cautious in selecting a new candidate, buying them more time.

"Levi Morton is very cautious. You'll have to proceed step by step."

"Yes."

Levan replied confidently.

"When should it be done by?"

"By the end of the year. No later than early next year."

"Understood."

As Levan was getting up, someone banged loudly on the door from outside. The door burst open, and Russ entered.

"Kuhn."

"No matter how many times I tell you...!"

Kuhn sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"What is it?"

"A visitor."

"Who?"

"Fatima wants to see you."

Kuhn glared at Russ in silence.

"Don’t you remember? Fatima, the daughter of Chief Tuisa. She's been in the capital for quite some time."

"Why is she here?"

"I don't know. I met her in front of the mansion. She insisted she had something to discuss with you, so I brought her in. She's waiting in the first-floor reception room."

"I told you to be careful about your actions. Who told you to bring guests in at will!"

Kuhn shouted, and Russ, his eyes wide, flinched and hunched his shoulders.

"I’ll deal with you later."

Kuhn gritted his teeth, growling ferociously as he left.

Levan clicked his tongue. The corners of Russ's eyes, which had been drooping, rose.

"Just in time. You, who gave you permission to use Castle Kali?"

"I’m not using it."

Russ, who had been about to bark like a mad dog, flinched.

"From what I hear!"

"Your brother has already thrown a fit about it. So, I'm not using it."

"I'm the elder brother!"

As always, Levan ignored the argument about seniority between the Martin-Russ brothers.

"I'm going to use my mother's name."

"What is it?"

"Glynn. But why did you bring a guest? That’s not like you."

"It’s someone I know..."

Russ scratched the back of his head. While Russ might have seemed simple, he wasn't the type to be easily manipulated. He was subtly difficult, with a clear preference for people. If he didn't like someone, he wouldn't let them into his space.

"What kind of woman is she?"

"I met her in the desert. She's really strong. I've never seen a woman like her before."

"Strong, how?"

"Not physically... I don't know how to explain it. She just seems strong."

Levan thought of Princess Sienna. No matter how strong this woman was, she couldn't be stronger than the princess.

"So, do you like her?"

Had this guy fallen in love? Levan gave Russ a curious look.

"She's a good woman."

"Interesting."

"She would suit Kuhn well."

"What?"

"Fatima likes Kuhn."

Levan cleared his throat, caught off guard.

"Are you playing matchmaker now?"

"Why not?"

Kuhn was currently distracted by another woman. The proof was in Levan’s hands now, with the task he had just been given to break off the princess's engagement.

"Just stay out of it. There’s already someone lined up to be the lady of the house."

Levan felt uneasy about what spontaneous Russ might do. He hinted without giving away everything. While it was likely that Russ would spread the rumor far and wide, it was better than having an unforeseen accident.

Russ's eyes widened.

"There's a woman? Who is it?"

"That’s all you need to know."

"Does Martin know?"

Levan flinched. He realized his mistake too late, but Russ was already fuming.

"Why am I the only one who doesn’t know!"

Russ didn't care if he was the only one left out of the loop, but if Martin knew, then he had to know too.

"Where are you going!"

Russ shouted at Levan, who was slowly slipping away to escape.

 

***

 

Kuhn opened the door to the reception room and walked in. Fatima, who was sitting on the sofa, looked up.

Kuhn greeted Fatima with a silent nod when their eyes met. As Fatima tried to stand, Kun waved his hand dismissively.

“You don’t need to get up.”

Fatima’s eyes wavered. His polite demeanor felt distant, creating a sense of separation. This wasn’t the reaction she had hoped for. She sat back down, halfway rising before. Kuhn took a seat across from her.

“It’s been a while... Ah, we met just yesterday. How silly of me.”

Fatima murmured shyly.

“I couldn’t greet you properly yesterday since it wasn’t the right setting. Have you been well?”

“Yes. Lady Fatima, how are you finding life in the Empire?”

“I’m learning a lot. I think it was a good decision to insist on coming with the delegation.”

For an unmarried woman to leave her home and embark on a long journey was nearly impossible under the laws of the desert. But Fatima was special. She was the only child favored by the King.

Chief Tuisa, who became the King of the allied nations, had more than twenty children. Among them, he doted on Fatima the most. It was a regret that Fatima had not been born a son.

But because she was a woman, she grew up safely, receiving her father’s love. If Fatima had been a man, she would have faced death multiple times, being constantly checked by her brothers. She might even have been dead by now.

“The Count and Countess Merses are good people. Thank you, Kuhn, for introducing me to them.”

“I’m not the one you should thank. The Iron King was the one who made the introduction.”

Count Merses was very interested in expanding his network. Dian had connected the Count to people from the allied nations as a gesture of goodwill.

The Merses family was an old, traditional family. They weren’t particularly wealthy or powerful, but the family name itself carried influence. Having a close relationship with them would undoubtedly be beneficial.

In fact, Count Merses often took on unofficial diplomatic missions. He had connections in places one would never expect.

“I thought you might come to see me at least once. After all, you’re the only person I know in the Empire.”

“The Empire is different from the desert. One must always be cautious of others’ eyes. Even trivial matters can become the source of rumors.”

She tried to lighten the mood with a little complaint, but things were not going as she intended. Flustered, Fatima forced a smile.

“Oh... Yes. It’s certainly different from the desert.”

Kuhn was aware that Fatima had developed special feelings for him. Personally, he thought she was a fine person. She was a woman who valued personal achievements over the privileges that came with being the daughter of a chieftain.

During the wars between the tribes, Fatima had been an excellent commander. While she didn’t lead the battles herself, she organized the battlefield, took care of the dead, and tended to the wounded. While her brothers took all the glory for their visible achievements, Fatima’s contributions were also significant.

Initially, Kuhn thought she was a strange woman. He and Fatima clashed frequently. She was highly suspicious of the Kaligo mercenaries, who were outsiders. Fatima caused him a lot of trouble, picking fights at every turn.

When the dramatic agreement was reached for the three tribes to unite as one nation—

“That was around the time,” Kuhn recalled Fatima’s feelings.

“I’m not exactly sure when it started.”

Life in the desert was so grueling and blood-curdling that there was no time to think about anyone else. During that time, the chieftains’ negotiations were dragging on, and he had thought several times a day about giving up and returning to the Empire. He had been anxious, fearing that the princess might marry.

Knowing about Fatima’s feelings wouldn’t change anything. Kuhn simply pretended not to know. He treated her no differently from anyone else, fearing that things would become awkward if he were to acknowledge her feelings. He returned to the Empire after witnessing the birth of the United Nations.

“I must have surprised you by coming to see you unexpectedly today. I’m still not familiar with the Empire’s etiquette. Please be lenient with me.”

Fatima had intended to confess to him today. If an emotional appeal didn’t work, she planned to strike a deal.

She wanted to tell him: “Win me over and become the King of the United Nations. If it’s you, you can rule the desert. I want to dominate the desert with you.”

“Perhaps I’m being too hasty?”

Today just didn’t seem like the right day. She quickly adjusted her plan.

“I came to make a difficult request today. Even if you think I’m a shameless woman, I can’t help it.”

Fatima’s face flushed. She hesitated, embarrassed. Even a hardened rogue wouldn’t be able to speak harshly in such a situation.

“Go ahead.”

“I heard from the Countess about the upcoming palace party.”

A grand farewell party was being planned to send off the delegation from the allied nations, also serving as an end-of-year celebration.

“I would like to ask you to escort me, Kuhn. I hear it’s improper for a lady to enter the banquet hall alone in the Empire.”

“...Yes. It would be my duty to escort you.”

He couldn’t refuse. Kuhn was the representative of the allied nation. He had a duty to look after the delegation staying in the Empire.

Fatima smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Kuhn.”

“I should have mentioned it first. I’m sorry to make you ask.”

“No, not at all. In fact, I hesitated for quite a while outside the mansion. If I hadn’t run into Us, I might have been scolded for loitering suspiciously.”

“Lady Fatima, in the future, please send a messenger to make an appointment in advance. That’s the proper etiquette in the Empire.”

“Oh... Yes, Kuhn. You seem different here than in the desert. Please just call me Fatima like you used to.”

“As I said, the Empire is different from the desert. I would appreciate it if you used the appropriate titles when addressing me.”

Fatima’s expression stiffened momentarily.

“...Yes, Marquis.”

“I will have the Count’s carriage take you back.”

“Please, Marquis, I’d prefer if you took me back yourself.”

Fatima quickly regained her smile.

“Let’s stop by the Count’s estate briefly and greet my brother. He’s not out today.”

Kuhn let out a small sigh as he stood up.

“Very well. I will take you back.”

 

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