Dangerous Alliance
“Ah, Count Bladin.”
I deliberately put weight on the word count. Ebony Bladin’s lips curved up at one corner as she slipped the apple-peeling knife back into her pocket.
“I seem to have shown you an unintentionally rude side. My apologies. I’ve been away from the capital for so long that I’ve grown rather distant from formalities and etiquette.”
“Yes, that’s perfectly understandable.”
“Still, you really are as beautiful as the rumors say. It’s a shame I can’t think of a better description than ‘angel.’”
“Thank you, Count.”
It was the sort of empty flattery nobles exchanged all the time. The proper response should have been something like You’re as splendid as I’ve heard or The rumors don’t do your beauty justice.
But I couldn’t say any of it. I had heard absolutely nothing about her.
Ebony Bladin had never attended the Imperial Academy in the capital. That was why none of the nobles living here knew anything about her.
She was the youngest daughter, born many years after her notoriously ill-mannered older brothers. Their terrible reputation had kept her relatively unknown in high society.
“I heard you inherited the count title from your father not long ago. Congratulations.”
Once again I emphasized the word count. Ebony simply threw her head back and laughed, as if the nuance meant nothing to her.
“Thank you—haha! When word spread that the youngest daughter would inherit the family, my brothers and sisters threw an absolute fit. Whew. I’ve heard the Duchess enjoys a wonderfully close relationship with her own siblings. I’m truly envious. There’s no greater fortune than that.”
Ebony made a theatrical show of wiping sweat from her brow, her expression sly. Then she leaned forward slightly to peer at Esi standing beside me.
“Sweet girl, this scar over my left eye you keep staring at? It happened that same day. The moment Father announced he was passing the title to me, my eldest brother lost his temper and gave me this little souvenir. Don’t you think that’s rather cruel?”
“I-I’m sorry, Count! I didn’t mean to stare…”
Startled, Esi ducked behind me and hurriedly lowered her eyes. It seemed the child had been staring at the scar just as I had.
“No, no. There’s no need to be so frightened. Even I notice it every time I look in the mirror—how could anyone else not?”
“Still, I’m very sorry, Count.”
“Since we’re on the subject, shall I tell you more? Would you like to hear what I did to my brother?”
Ebony Bladin’s voice sounded not merely casual but positively delighted. Her purple eyes sparkled as she mimed swinging a sword.
“I went like this—and this—swung my blade, and snick! Off went his wrist! The blood sprayed everywhere! It dyed the entire reception room red. It gushed so high it even reached the chandelier on the ceiling—”
“Count.”
I could bear it no longer and spoke in a low voice. Behind me, Esi’s face had gone deathly pale.
“That’s enough.”
“Oh dear, I got carried away. My apologies. Sorry about that, sweet girl.”
Ebony reached out and gave Esi’s shoulder a couple of friendly pats. The gesture was far too casual for a noble.
She’s strange.
Every instinct in my body screamed the same warning: this woman was strange. And dangerous.
I couldn’t explain exactly why. All I knew was that the aura radiating from Ebony Bladin was unlike anything I had ever felt before.
“Then I’ll take my leave, Count. I have a great deal to show our new maid.”
“My, the Duchess herself guiding a maid? How kind you are. I hope you’ll share a little of that kindness with me as well.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve been away from the capital for quite some time, so I’m rather ignorant about social gatherings and noble events. Since it seems we’ll be seeing more of each other, I’d appreciate an invitation now and then.”
“…If the opportunity arises, I shall.”
“Thank you, Duchess.”
“Come along, Esi.”
I took the girl’s hand and walked past Ebony. A cold breeze from the window sent her long black hair fluttering. Suppressing the unease that coiled in my chest, I moved out of her sight.
At a similar hour, Karina was waiting for a visitor in her quarters.
This particular guest had been sent by the Emperor himself—a relative of His Majesty who wished to have a facial scar treated with medicinal herbs.
Knock, knock—
While she arranged the various herbs, a knock sounded at the door. Karina rose quickly and opened it.
“Welcome, Count Bladin. I received word of your visit in advance.”
Karina greeted the unfamiliar woman with a gentle smile. The moment Ebony’s gaze met Karina’s golden eyes, she gave a visible start.
“I’m certainly getting my eyes’ worth today.”
“Pardon…?”
“No, it’s only that I happened to meet the Duchess of Winteara on my way here. I was stunned by how beautiful she was—and now I’m stunned again because you’re quite lovely yourself.”
“Haha, you flatter me. How could you possibly compare me to her? Please, come inside. I’ll bring tea at once.”
Karina guided Ebony to a small wooden chair. The countess sat with one leg crossed over the other and accepted the cup. She inhaled the fragrant steam first, then tasted it thoughtfully—an unmistakable sign of a true connoisseur.
“No wonder this tea captured His Majesty’s heart. It’s easily one of the finest I’ve ever tasted.”
“I’m very glad to hear that.”
“What was your name again, dear?”
“Karina Re—. Just Karina is fine.”
“Ah, you don’t have a surname yet. But you’ll be receiving a knighthood soon, won’t you? The day you gain a proper title isn’t far off.”
“It is all thanks to His Majesty’s grace.”
“Then once you have your title, should I call you ‘Lady Karina’?”
“I actually prefer being called ‘dear,’ if that’s all right with you.”
“Really? Then I’ll keep doing so. It’s more comfortable for me, too.”
“Yes, please do.”
Both women burst into bright laughter. A warm, friendly atmosphere filled the small room. After draining her cup, Karina turned to Ebony.
“His Majesty asked me to treat the scar on your face, Count Bladin. May I examine the wound?”
“Of course.”
Ebony tilted her elegant face toward Karina and gently closed her eyes. When she removed her hat, the long scar crossing her closed eyelid was starkly visible. The lingering redness suggested it wasn’t an especially old injury.
“I’m sorry to say this, but I’m afraid it will be impossible to remove the scar completely. The wound was quite deep.”
“I see. It can’t be helped. Still, do your best for me, dear. I don’t mind much, but His Majesty seemed terribly regretful.”
“Yes. At the very least I can reduce the redness enough for makeup to conceal it. Though it may still be noticeable up close.”
“That’s fine. Just make sure it doesn’t look pitiful enough for old men to pity me.”
Karina led Ebony to the bed and had her lie down. She took a handful of the pre-ground dark-red herbs and placed them over the countess’s left eye. The medicine was strong enough to sting fiercely, yet Ebony’s expression remained perfectly serene.
“Doesn’t it hurt, Count?”
“Is it supposed to?”
“Yes. Most people groan in pain.”
“Ah, is that so? It hurt less than being stabbed, so I simply endured it. Next time I’ll scream prettily for your sake.”
At Ebony’s cheeky reply, Karina let out a soft laugh. She leaned down until their eyes met—Ebony’s right eye and her own.
“You really are a fascinating person, Count. I’ve heard that despite your youth you are more than capable of leading your house, and that your learning is considerable. It would be wonderful if someone like you became Prime Minister.”
“Oh, I hate troublesome matters with a passion, but my late father placed far too much expectation on me. Still, I’m the only trustworthy child he left behind, so I suppose I’ll have to make an effort.”
“I understand Count Silanda is also aiming for the position of Prime Minister. How are your preparations proceeding?”
“Ludvi Silanda. That man really is annoyingly upright, isn’t he? Excellent scholarship, fine family, impeccable career. As for me, my nature has never been particularly honorable, so I never intended to compete with him directly. Instead I dug into his past like a little rat. But there was nothing to find?”
“I see. That is unfortunate.”
Karina leaned her arm on the bed and drew closer. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, she breathed into Ebony’s ear.
“If I happened to possess information that could ruin Count Silanda… would you be willing to help me, Count Bladin?”
“As I thought—you’re no ordinary maid, dear.”
Ebony sat up abruptly and brushed the herbs from her eye. The dark-red liquid trickling down the scar looked almost sinister.
“So what exactly are you suggesting?”
“Seeing is believing.”
Karina rose from her chair, retrieved a thick envelope from beneath the bed, and handed it to Ebony.
“Please read it carefully.”
As Ebony turned each page, Karina watched her expression closely. The indifferent face grew steadily more serious, then darker, until the final page brought a faint smile to her lips.
Ebony returned the documents and extended her hand in a gesture that resembled a request for a handshake.
“Deal sealed, miss. I look forward to working with you.”
“Thank you, Count. I look forward to it as well.”
Karina took Ebony’s hand without hesitation. The two women gave their clasped hands a single, light shake.