As soon as Rubik, who followed the stable keeper outside, saw his master whom he hadn’t seen for a month, he neighed.

When Ludmila approached Rubik with a smile, he retreated slowly instead of welcoming her.

Then he shook his head or turned away as if pretending not to notice.

The perplexed stable keeper scratched his head and said, “This is a sight I’ve never seen before,” marveling.

“It seems he’s trying to show that he’s sulking. I knew this fellow was smart, but I never imagined it would be to this extent.”

Ludmila, who took the reins handed by the stable keeper who burst into laughter, approached with black sugar.

The huge grape-like eyes glanced at her and then quickly turned away.

Ludmila, who let out a small laugh, placed her hand on Rubik’s mane and quietly stroked it.

“I’m sorry, Rubik. For disappearing without a word.”

As if understanding her words, Rubik neighed and turned his head to look at Ludmila.

His bright black eyes were filled with resentment.

It was a look as if he thought he would never see Ludmila again.

Ludmila too couldn’t say goodbye to Rubik because the events that happened to her were sudden and unexpected.

There was nothing to be blamed for, but still feeling like she had hurt Rubik, she kept apologizing and held out the black sugar in her hand.

After throwing a few more tantrums, Rubik, after repeated apologies and mane brushing, stared at Ludmila intently and approached with a rough snort to eat the black sugar.

“Does this mean you’ve forgiven me? Thank you, Rubik.”

Ludmila burst into laughter at the sight of him tilting his head as if saying it was okay to touch him comfortably now.

Rubik, who had finished eating the black sugar, raised his head and stared at Ludmila.

Ludmila, who had been silently watching Rubik lowering his posture as if asking if she wanted to ride, eventually nodded and took her place in the saddle.

As soon as Ludmila mounted, Rubik raised his body.

The suddenly elevated view was unfamiliar yet familiar at the same time.

Stroking Rubik’s mane, Ludmila smiled and grasped the reins.

“Let’s go, Rubik.”

Without whipping or stamping her feet, Rubik moved slowly as if understanding her words.

The giant horse carrying Ludmila quickly increased its speed and left the castle.

At dawn, as the day was breaking. The giant horse galloped across the plateau with the sound of heavy hooves.

Ludmila returned just before breakfast began.

After dismounting, greeting Rubik, and feeding him black sugar once more, Ludmila handed the reins to the stable keeper.

Rubik, who seemed reluctant to part with Ludmila, threw a few tantrums but nodded as if understanding her greeting and promise to see him again tomorrow, then followed the stable keeper.

Ludmila, who had been silently watching Rubik’s retreating backside, turned at the sound of approaching footsteps behind her.

It was Salom, looking tired as if he hadn’t slept properly.

“You’ve returned.”

“Yes. But, Salom. You don’t look well.”

“Well, you know…”

Salom, who would have usually denied it, readily admitted it today.

He must have a lot on his mind, having to summon each clan leader and vassal, prepare rooms and meals for them, and take care of things needed for the meeting.

Suddenly reminded of her past self, Ludmila felt sorry for Salom.

She wanted to help somehow, but quickly suppressed the thought.

This was his job. More precisely, the Khanates’ job.

In the past, she would have offered to help, but… she once again realized how much her position had changed.

Even enjoying horseback riding would have been given up if it weren’t for Rubik.

Feeling bitter about how much things had changed since she left a month ago, Ludmila nodded with a wry smile.

“Ah, the master woke up a little while ago. He said he would wait to have breakfast with you, Ludmila.”

“May I wash up before going?”

“I’ll relay that message.”

Salom nodded and turned around with a bow.

Ludmila, who had been silently watching his retreating back, swallowed a small sigh and quietly moved her feet.

“Whoa—!”

It was then that the sound of horses was heard from afar.

Salom, who was entering the castle, also stopped at the sound, and Ludmila turned her head to look at the procession of horses and carriages entering the castle entrance.

The flag bearer on horseback stopped at the front, and the carriages took their places behind.

One of the riders dismounted and approached a carriage, slowly opening the door.

The first thing to emerge from the rather luxurious carriage was a long staff. Next was an old man with white hair.

The face of the old man, stepping on the stairs with a haughty and arrogant expression, was very familiar to Ludmila.

No, it would be strange if it weren’t familiar.

Kurto Benar.

“It’s been a while.”

After all, he was that old man who had tried to flirt with her and do obscene things.

Kurto, who arrived earlier than others, headed straight to Aden’s office instead of the conference room.

Aden, who had been waiting to have breakfast with Ludmila, had to greet him without even being able to go to the dining room due to the visit much earlier than scheduled.

Kurto, taking off the fedora he was wearing and handing his ill-fitting coat to his attendant, took a seat in the chair.

Aden, who let out a hollow laugh at the ridiculous sight of him even crossing his legs leisurely, narrowed his eyebrows slightly.

Although he had always been an arrogant old man in the past, Kurto, whom Aden saw again after three months, was even worse than before.

Aden, who had been staring intently at him as he blatantly disrespected him as if trying to settle the grudge from being driven out in the past, stood up from his seat.

“You’re here early.”

“Given the nature of the matter, shouldn’t I hurry?”

Kurto leisurely put his hand in his pocket.

The old man, who took out a neatly cut cigar from a cigar case and put it in his mouth, rolled his eyes.

“Ah, do you happen to have a light? I forgot to ask my attendant for matches.”

At this rudeness, as if daring him to give it, even tilting his chin, Aden willingly approached and reached out his hand.

Then, instead of giving him fire, he snatched the cigar from Kurto’s mouth and threw it into the fireplace.

Kurto, who had been staring blankly at this scene, raised his eyes diagonally with a sneer.

“Viscount Benar. What do you think you’re doing?”

“I was just trying to have a smoke.”

“Do I look like your friend right now?”

No matter how much Aden didn’t show an authoritarian side, he was still the leader of the Khanates.

He tended to tolerate moderate disrespect, but Kurto had gone far beyond that line.

Even if it had been Benjamin, there might have been room for consideration, but the opponent was Kurto Benar, with whom he didn’t maintain a particularly good relationship.

He had no intention of forgiving even a small bit of arrogance.

“How could that be? You are the great leader of the Khanates and the successor who inherited legitimacy.”

“If you know that well, should I understand your showing such disrespect in front of me as a death wish?”

Aden reached out his arm and grabbed the back of the chair Kurto was sitting in.

Aden, who leaned forward to close the distance between them, flashed his golden eyes, cold like a beast.

“Just say the word. I’ll give you the opportunity to feed the wolves of Send Plateau abundantly.”

“I appreciate the honor of being able to fill the stomachs of the descendants of noble ancestors, but why don’t we postpone that for later?”

The old man, who smiled with arrogance disguised as nobility, twisted the corners of his mouth.

“To prepare for the impending war, wouldn’t we need every single person we can get?”

Old rat.

Kurto knew exactly what his advantage was.

Kurto’s influence on the Khanates was by no means small.

No matter how much the Khanates rally around their leader, 50 years have already passed.

Those who had tasted capital after being subjugated to the Empire thought that following the leader was behind the times.

Such people gathered around Kurto. Their numbers were not small, and the clans following them were also quite numerous.

“The era when people gathered without the right of refusal at a single summons from the leader, as they did 50 years ago, is over. If you want to mobilize an army, you’ll need the consent of the elders. You need to obtain the consent of a majority of the 12 elders.”

“Are you trying to threaten me now by putting forward your status as an elder?”

“Threaten? I’m merely offering advice.”

Kurto, who stood up from his seat as if trying to escape from Aden, took a step back to create distance and then patted his collar as if dusting it off.

Aden, who had been staring intently at this sight, corrected his posture, and Kurto put his hands behind his back with a polite face.

“Fifty years have passed since the last war. Since being subjugated to the Empire, the unity of the clans has weakened. Most of the warriors who would take up swords and mount horses at the clan leader’s command have disappeared, and now only ordinary people remain.”

Kurto’s lips curved smoothly as he walked slowly around Aden, who was standing still, as if voyeuristically observing him.

“These days, no one wants war. In the midst of this, how many do you think will follow the leader’s orders as if it were their life?”

“Then, are you saying we should give up and surrender as we are?”

“That’s right. However, if you don’t like that, you need to get the consent of the elders, clan leaders, and vassals to gather a larger army. That is, if you don’t intend to lose the war.”

Aden’s shoulders slowly dropped with a deep breath.

He kept beating around the bush, so I wondered what he was going to say. But all he’s saying is to watch and cater to him and the clan.

The corner of Aden’s mouth tilted askew, as if reflecting his mood.

“Don’t you want to protect that woman?”

It was when Aden, frowning, was about to open his mouth to cut off his nonsense.

Kurto, who had stopped walking behind Aden, brought out the core point that pierced the lungs along with laughter.

“It’s always difficult to get what you want. Because sometimes you have to give up not only your pride but also yourself.”

The gentle voice crept into Aden’s ear over his shoulder like the whisper of a devil.

Kurto, who put his hand on Aden standing stubbornly like a rooted tree, let out a raspy laugh.

“If you want to protect that woman, you’ll have to give up everything. Both the pride of being the leader of the clan and the pride of being a mere man. I wonder if you’re prepared to do so.”

Kurto, who stood in front of Aden with eyes narrowed like a snake, raised his chin high.

He pushed up his thread-thin lips and smiled cunningly.

“Well then, I’ll see you at the meeting time. Rest.”

With those words, Kurto turned and left the office.

Aden, who had been silently watching the door open and close, let his gaze pass over the bookshelf to the couch, where he noticed neatly folded blankets and pillows.

Reflexively running his hand through his hair, bitterness settled on Aden’s lips.

It was the beginning of a day that promised to be an ordeal.