ICM Chapter 6

Ashika’s gaze was half-dazed.

The sunlight flooding through the glass windows and the rose garden full of buds beyond didn’t catch her eye. The whispering conversations of the noble ladies sounded distant.

“I must have scheduled the salon too early, Lady Igraine.”

“Ah.”

Ashika quickly focused her eyes and came to her senses. Having been unable to sleep all night, she had made such a mistake.

“Not at all, Baroness. It’s only once a month after all. I’d be disappointed if it were delayed further.”

This was the only salon that Ashika, who rarely appeared in social circles, attended regularly. The cheerful and eccentric Baroness Isna was like a welcome rain in her mundane daily life.

“I see your escort knight isn’t with you today.”

“You mean Jeanne?”

The Baroness nodded lightly at Ashika’s response.

“She’s quite noticeable, after all. Female knights are rare. I heard she has children?”

“Yes. Two little ones, three and six years old.”

Ashika’s lips naturally curved up at the mention of Jeanne’s children. Though she couldn’t see them often, the children who looked just like her escort were quite lovable.

The small talk was interrupted when the salon doors opened. The servant’s voice announcing a guest’s arrival was drowned out by a woman’s voice.

“Oh my, I seem to be quite late. I’m sorry, Baroness Isna.”

It was a rich, resonant voice. Though not loud, the clear voice that commanded attention drew everyone’s gaze.

“Ah, Lady Schwern?”

The Baroness quickly composed her furrowed expression.

The unexpected visitor was a Lady who had sent word just today that she would attend the salon. Despite being late for her first attendance, the woman confidently walked to her designated seat.

“Yes. I’m Glenoa Schwern. The carriage that was perfectly fine until yesterday chose today of all days to act up.”

“Oh dear, was anyone hurt?”

“It just took some time for repairs. I humbly ask for your understanding.”

Glenoa’s arrival made the salon’s atmosphere peculiar. It wasn’t just because she was late to the meeting.

The attendees’ gazes shifted between Ashika and Glenoa. An elderly noblewoman carefully broke the silence first.

“Come to think of it, both of you have quite unusual appearances.”

Glenoa’s eyes widened as if she had just noticed Ashika.

Jet-black hair and dark eyes. The two women with appearances rarely seen in the Empire faced each other.

“You must be Young Duchess Igraine. Pleased to meet you.”

Glenoa smiled brightly and gave a slight bow in greeting.

Feeling something strange, Ashika couldn’t take her eyes off the other woman either.

‘She seems familiar somehow. Schwern…’

She remembered most noble family names in the capital. Since this was an unfamiliar name, she must be from the provinces.

Her wavy black hair was decorated with yellow satin, and her dress mixed yellow and deep blue in a striking contrast of complementary colors. Glenoa was a gorgeously beautiful woman, like a flower in full bloom.

In contrast, Ashika was understated to a degree unbefitting her status. Her light beige dress with minimal decorations had almost no volume.

Her attire was light, as if she had just stepped out for a walk. Perhaps that’s why the contrast between the two women felt even more stark.

The Baroness stepped in to dispel the strange atmosphere.

“I heard you’re an opera singer. Is that right, Lady Schwern?”

“Oh my, the person who introduced me must have already mentioned it.”

Glenoa confirmed with a bright smile. A noblewoman sitting directly opposite opened her mouth with a tilted head.

“I frequently attend the opera, but I don’t recall seeing…”

“She often performs at the Opera House on Palmred Street.”

“Ah.”

At the Baroness’s answer, the attendees finally nodded in understanding.

Palmred was a commoners’ district. It was natural they didn’t recognize her face, as most nobles didn’t visit such places.

Ashika listened to the conversation while bringing her teacup to her lips.

‘A noble lady earning money by showing her face in public? And in a place mostly frequented by commoners at that.’

It wasn’t common. Unless the family had completely fallen from grace.

But the dress and jewels Glenoa wore were all of the highest quality.

‘So she has a patron.’

It wasn’t hard to guess. The reason this person who would normally be of no interest particularly bothered her might be because of their similar appearances.

‘Who could be her patron? Since it’s Palmred, perhaps a wealthy merchant?’

But if she still had pride as a noble, it was more likely to be another noble rather than a wealthy commoner.

“By the way, I heard there’s going to be a party at the Empress Dowager’s Palace?”

“Ah, yes. It’s been so long since they held a banquet there. I heard they’ve already sent out invitations.”

“Was that why the palace banquet ended early last time?”

At the young lady’s words, the attendees subtly glanced at Ashika.

However, as always, Ashika didn’t interrupt the participants’ conversation. The noble ladies who had been watching her carefully lowered their voices as they spoke.

“That’s right. The Empress Dowager didn’t attend, did she?”

“I heard His Majesty the Emperor restricted access to the Empress Dowager’s Palace.”

“That must have made her angry. She didn’t attend the palace banquet out of anger, then caused a scene and made the banquet end early.”

“Tsk. She should have just done one or the other.”

“I guess she wasn’t satisfied even with the new palace they built for her.”

“Well, even if it’s newly built, it’s not the Imperial Palace.”

“Sigh, to think there’s such fighting between mother and son.”

The attendees had forgotten Ashika’s presence and were now discussing palace secrets.

Most of those attending were from minor houses far removed from central power. Perhaps that’s why they spoke freely about the rumors.

The place called the Empress Dowager’s Palace was a half day’s carriage ride from the Imperial Palace. The Empire’s Emperor had taken the drastic measure of building a new palace to send his mother away.

A fight between a mother who wouldn’t let go of power and a son trying to establish his imperial authority – the central nobility were caught between both sides.

‘If Grandfather had told me to get involved in politics too, what would I have done? Dealing with Talion is better than that.’

In that regard, Talion’s movements were somewhat suspicious.

The previous Duke, Neoren, had passed his title to Drushia early and sent him to the capital. Meanwhile, Neoren himself was traveling between his domain and the grand duchy, leading the knights.

“Well, now that everyone’s here, shall we go to the exhibition room?”

“What have you prepared for us today?”

The topic naturally shifted to the salon’s theme.

“My husband imported some rare gemstones this time. You won’t believe how many different colors there are. Some even shine like stars in their raw form.”

“Pfft.”

A young lady couldn’t help but laugh. As if expecting this reaction, the Baroness and other attendees joined in the laughter.

The atmosphere became bustling as more than ten people stood up at once.

Amid the casual chatter, someone bumped Ashika’s shoulder.

“Oh my, I’m so sorry.”

Glenoa jumped back startled the moment she touched Ashika. Along with her somewhat exaggerated movement came a small tinkling sound.

Ashika’s gaze moved to the floor. Something shiny had fallen at Glenoa’s feet. One of the party naturally picked it up.

“Did Lady Schwern drop this?”

It was a decoration the size of a fingernail with a jewel set in the center and intricate patterns engraved around it. Oddly, it had a chain attached like a necklace despite not being a pendant.

“Isn’t this a cuff link?”

A cuff link, primarily used by men. And just one, not a pair. Even the attendees who had gone ahead stopped and turned to look at Glenoa.

The woman who picked it up dangled the chain, making the cuff link swing in the air. Though Glenoa looked flustered, she didn’t readily reach out to take it.

“It does look like one.”

“Whose is it? Perhaps a lover’s?”

While the owner didn’t stop them, the small jewel was clearly imprinted in everyone’s eyes.

“Well, that…”

Glenoa’s face turned red as she failed to answer.

Her embarrassed attitude was an even stronger answer than confirmation. A cuff link that wouldn’t be removed unless taking off clothes. An opera singer preciously keeping such an item.

At Glenoa’s bashful attitude, the noble ladies fluttered their fans saying “Oh my.”

“The center stone is a diamond, and this engraving looks like some kind of crest. It seems familiar.”

The women whispered, wondering ‘Could it be a family crest? Which family?’

Ashika silently watched Glenoa. How a meaningless small commotion had turned into a scene from a play.

‘Now I remember.’

Where she had seen this woman.

It was at the gallery she visited with Coral a few months ago. When Coral briefly left her side, she felt a piercing gaze and turned to find an unfamiliar woman.

‘Back then her hair wasn’t black but dark brown.’

Since black hair was rare, Glenoa had likely dyed it. Though why she would go so far as to dye her hair remained a question.

People didn’t notice Ashika’s cold expression and showed obvious curiosity.

“Well, such a beautiful opera singer couldn’t possibly be without a lover.”

Though everyone was curious, they couldn’t quite bring themselves to ask who it was. Glenoa received the cuff link with flushed cheeks.

“He’s someone who doesn’t like to draw attention to himself.”

An answer confirming their suspicions. As she spoke, she subtly checked Ashika’s expression. Though she tried to be careful, her furtive glances were clearly noticeable.

However, when Ashika continued to show no reaction, Glenoa’s face visibly frowned. Even her hand clenched tightly as if suppressing anger.

The black eyes briefly rested on Glenoa before moving away. Noticing the strange atmosphere, the Baroness clapped her hands to draw attention.

“Come now, I have so much to show you all before sunset. Don’t you want to hear my husband’s adventures?”

As the Baroness led the way, the attendees followed.

Ashika declined the Baroness’s guidance and quietly moved at the back. Her voice showing no trace of emotion as she instructed a maid to bring her cape.