Nile appeared somewhat thin in front of Julma, who had the build of an ordinary adult man. He had an appearance that seemed even more suited to administrative work than Julma, who was a typical civilian official.
“Brenile Nedrov.”
Julma quietly looked down at the hand Nile extended.
“If you’re a Nedrov, aren’t you from a viscount family in the northern border region of the Rosha River?”
When his exact place of origin was mentioned, Nile’s eyes widened. Ashika, who was sitting at the desk in the office, was equally surprised.
“You even remember such a small family?”
“As an aide of the ducal family, it’s only natural that I’m familiar with all the noble families of the Empire.”
“That’s…a lot, isn’t it?”
“Even if it’s many, it’s my job.”
Ashika closed her mouth as she watched Julma, who was on high alert.
‘I knew my aide was capable, but he’s smarter than I thought.’
“I don’t remember the family tree, so I don’t know if you’re from the direct line or a branch family, but did you say you’re my assistant?”
“That’s just an official title. I hired him because I personally needed him. I’d like you to support him, Julma, so he can move freely by my side.”
“I’ll verify his identity first.”
At Julma’s cool response, Ashika’s gaze shifted to Nile. He hadn’t mentioned his place of origin when they talked yesterday. Ashika only realized this fact after sending him away.
‘I must be losing my mind these days. How could I think of trusting someone whose identity is unclear?’
She felt as if she had been unwittingly drawn in by Nile. He was a man with an exceptional talent for breaking down others’ defenses and gaining their trust.
Sensing Ashika’s gaze, Nile quickly responded.
“You can verify my identity as much as you want, but I’d appreciate it if you could do it quietly.”
Confusion crossed the faces of Julma and Ashika.
“I… I’ve been away from home for a while.”
In his hesitant words, embarrassment and a desire to avoid the topic were evident. Though she had only known him for a few days, Ashika felt she understood that expression.
“Don’t tell me you’ve run away from home?”
Nile shut his mouth tight. Averting his gaze and pretending indifference, he looked like a mischievous child who had caused trouble and was about to flee.
Curiosity grew vigorously in Ashika’s mind, but she couldn’t bring it up in front of Julma. She could only laugh in amazement.
“I’ll assign quarters in the mansion first, as per the lady’s instructions.”
Julma settled the situation, barely concealing his displeasure. Nile exhaled in relief, trying not to show it, while Ashika’s gaze grew sharper.
****
It was late, and shops on the street were starting to close one by one. Ashika got off at the store she had previously located, using a carriage from the rental place Nile had found.
The interior visible through the glass appeared small compared to the building’s size. The lights weren’t out yet, but due to the dim indoor lighting, the inside wasn’t clearly visible.
“What kind of place is this?”
“I don’t know either.”
Nile, who had been quietly following all along, expressed his doubt for the first time. It was puzzling that they had arrived at an art shop after sneaking out through the back door without even guards.
Ignoring Nile’s question, Ashika pulled the gloomy glass door handle. A clear, bright sound rang from the bell attached to the door.
“Ah!”
The first thing that entered her field of vision as she stepped inside was the yellow eyes of a predator. Unlike Ashika, who was startled, Nile calmly remarked.
“It’s taxidermy.”
A black panther taxidermy was at eye level in the display case directly inside the door. It was much larger than a human figure, showing its fierce teeth with its nose bridge wrinkled, looking vivid.
Nile surveyed the interior with his eyes before Ashika.
“Well, I’m not sure if it’s inviting people in or telling them to leave. Are you alright?”
“Oh, I’m fine. It’s not like I’ve never seen predators before.”
Ashika calmed her startled heart, stroking her chest.
“Have you seen them before?”
“When I was in my territory, hunters would occasionally catch predators and present them. Dead ones, of course. Some nobles also keep predators as pets.”
Still, isn’t this a bit much? She felt a threat that made her want to turn around and leave immediately.
“The door is open, but there seems to be no owner.”
Ashika’s gaze methodically scanned the dim interior. Unlike what she had seen from outside, the interior was quite spacious.
From right next to the door, long glass display cases with rosewood finishing extended along one side, and the table crossing the center in front was also made of the highest quality rosewood decorated with gold. The display cases, both inside and out, and even on top, were packed with unidentifiable sculptures and accessories.
One side of the wall was occupied by large mirrors; eight high-quality lacquered mirrors were attached side by side to the wall. The reflection of the interior in the mirrors created an optical illusion that made the space look even larger.
“This is too expensive to be left unattended without an owner.”
The displayed items were hard to distinguish as junk or merchandise, but the display cases and interior decorations looked extremely expensive.
“I’ve never seen such decorations in the Empire.”
Ashika picked up a small jar on the shelf. The translucent green jar had unfamiliar material and patterns. The pottery on the table also had delicate pictures drawn with red and blue dyes, a type she had never seen before.
“Are you looking for something?”
“Ah!”
Ashika was so startled she almost dropped the jar she was holding.
A woman had appeared very close, though neither of them had noticed her approach. The wrinkled woman’s face was expressionless, making her look somewhat like a ghost at first glance.
“Are you the owner?”
The woman just looked at Ashika in response to her question. Her gaze, neither vigilant nor searching, but merely observing, was strange. Even Nile tensed at the unusual atmosphere of the woman.
“Did you make an appointment?”
“No. Do I need an appointment to meet someone?”
Instead of answering, the woman took a step back. Then she disappeared somewhere inside without even telling them to wait, leaving them unsure whether they should stay or leave.
“My Lady, I don’t want to interfere, but did you know what this place is before coming?”
Since Ashika had come without any specific plan, she couldn’t readily answer.
“Should we return with more guards?”
“Having that one person would be better than increasing the guards.”
Nile frowned at her somewhat tense voice.
“Are you serious? You said you weren’t a knight.”
“Ah, knight. Right. I’m not, but…”
A sneer-like expression flashed across Nile’s face. Though he quickly composed himself, his bitter expression hinted at a story he didn’t want to tell.
“I’m not prying. I’m just wondering if you can protect me if a situation arises.”
“Don’t worry about that. My skills won’t be easily outdone.”
“I saved you from a sword wound, so I don’t have much confidence in you.”
“That was because I was burned and had inhaled smoke, so I was careless.”
Nile looked somewhat wronged by Ashika’s distrustful attitude.
‘From the way he speaks, he might actually be useful.’
Suddenly, a thought crossed Ashika’s mind.
“Then, could you face Duke Talion?”
Nile’s eyes widened.
“Duke Talion? The Empire’s greatest swordsman?”
Why had Drushia of all people come to mind at this moment? Ashika awkwardly averted her gaze.
“That’s too absurd, right? I was just saying.”
It was a thought that had occurred unconsciously. Even as she spoke, she felt it was an unreasonable comparison. However, Nile quietly sank into thought.
“I’m curious too. I wonder how good Duke Talion is.”
Ashika’s mouth opened slightly. She thought it was absurd, but he was taking it seriously.
“Why? Do you think it’s impossible?”
“Talk sense. I’ve heard there are few in the Empire who can cross swords with that man.”
A chuckle escaped from Nile’s lips. That single laugh conveyed a clearer meaning than a lengthy explanation.
‘Why is he so confident?’
Unlike his previously natural, easy-going attitude, there was a strange sense of dissonance. She had heard knights could gauge each other’s skills just by sensing their presence, but Ashika, being an ordinary lady, was merely curious.
“She asks you to come in.”
“Ah!”
Ashika was startled once again. The woman had approached like a ghost, without any presence or sound. When Nile tried to take the lead, the woman raised her hand to block him.
“The lady goes first.”
“No…”
Ashika took a step forward, leaving Nile, who was about to object. She silently mouthed for him to stay still. Nile followed behind Ashika with a somewhat anxious face.
Past the display area, they went through a narrow passage beyond exotic boxes piled layer upon layer. It was a strange place with labyrinthine paths that kept branching. Finally, at the end of the passage, there was a small door barely wide enough for one person to pass through.
The woman, who had entered first, held the doorknob and stepped aside.
“Please come in.”
“This is… cough hack.”
As soon as she entered, Ashika coughed violently. Even in the pungent smoke, the face of the woman who had guided them showed no emotion.
“gasp What kind of smoke…cough.”
In place of the confused Ashika, Nile covered her mouth with a handkerchief and covered his own mouth with his sleeve.
“Try to endure if possible. It has hallucinogenic properties.”
Nile whispered in her ear. Ashika glared at Nile with squinted eyes. Physiological tears pooled in her eyes.
‘It’s not like I have another hole to breathe through, how am I supposed to endure?’
Her expression conveyed such a rebuke.
Unlike the two confused people, the woman calmly announced the visitors.
“Guests have arrived.”
Through the dim lighting and pungent smoke, the room was filled with a large table and shelves stacked with miscellaneous items. Just as Ashika wondered if anyone was actually there, she noticed a woman moving slowly beside the table. More precisely, it was the hem of a black dress sprawled on the floor.
“Ah, just a moment…”
A hoarse voice that made it difficult to guess the age. At the other’s command to wait, the guide stood still.
Was she looking for something? Even though the dress was sweeping all over the floor, the woman didn’t seem to mind as she stretched out her hand to feel around the corner.
Unable to bear watching the struggling woman, Ashika cautiously opened her mouth.
“Would you….like some help?”
“A box, a small black one.”
She seemed uninterested in who the visiting guests were. Ashika returned the handkerchief to Nile and bent down to the floor. Without having to search, she could see a black box mixed with the miscellaneous items under the table.
“Is this what you’re referring to?”
“Ah, thank you. How kind of you.”
The woman who had been rummaging on the floor stood up as she received the box. Ashika, who had handed over the box casually, opened her eyes wide when she faced the other person.
The woman with dark red-gold hair and deep brown eyes was beautiful and pale. Her skin, so pale it was almost transparent, seemed to emit light, and her features were so delicate they didn’t seem human. It was a chilling beauty, like something taxidermied alive.
As Ashika stood there in a daze, the woman reached out first and grasped the box.
“My eyesight is poor, so I couldn’t see what was right in front of me.”
“Ah.”
Ashika realized her rudeness and handed over the box. However, her gaze inadvertently stopped at the woman’s fingertips.
There were unknown gray spots on each knuckle of her pale fingers. Though they were faint, scattered traces, they were particularly noticeable.
Realizing where Ashika’s gaze was directed, the woman quickly withdrew her hand.
“Oh my. I never expected guests to come.”
The woman checked the herbs in the black box and then closed the lid, setting it aside. They were probably herbs to be burned in the brazier.
Then she rose from the floor and leaned back on a long chair with large cushions that resembled a bed. Her movement seemed so slow that it appeared quite strange.
‘Is she unwell somewhere?’
Only after leaning her body against the cushion did the woman exhale. As if that short movement had been tiring.
‘It’s her.’
Although she hadn’t seen the face at their first meeting, the voice, black dress, and unique atmosphere were definitely that woman’s.
“So, is it the lady who’s looking for me? Or this young lord here?”
The woman looked at Ashika and Nile in turn with a more comfortable gaze.
‘She doesn’t recognize me.’
Any hope that she might was thus feebly extinguished. If she had recognized Ashika, there would have been many things to ask, but now this woman was seeing Ashika for the first time. Realizing this fact, Ashika was at a loss for words.
“I see it’s the lady who’s come to find me.”
The woman suddenly pulled out tea utensils from one side of the table as if she had just remembered. Her movements were natural as she took out teacups, poured water from the kettle on the brazier, and prepared tea.
Only after pouring the tea and pushing the cups towards the two did the woman speak again.
“Why are you hesitating so much to speak? You don’t have to be too hesitant.”
The woman’s tone was gentle, as if she had noticed Ashika’s conflicted feelings.
“Um.. I’m just asking on the off chance.”
Ashika herself wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to bring this up to someone she was meeting for the first time.
“What? Does something seem strange? It’s okay, go ahead and speak.”
Encouraged by the woman, Ashika gathered her courage.
“By any chance, do you have the ability to see things that others cannot see?”
