The Ice Eagle
* * *
“The traditional method…?”
Hellion repeated my words with a puzzled expression. The Northern vassals exchanged glances, their faces equally confused.
“Ah, are you perhaps referring to the practice of sparing only one bird from the flock?”
The quick-witted Aron understood my meaning and asked. When I gave a short nod, the Northern vassals’ expressions turned to dismay.
“Um… Duchess, I don’t know where you heard such a thing, but that is a distorted rumor. It’s something people who dislike Northerners often bring up to find fault with us.”
Aron began speaking with a serious face.
“There was indeed a time when Ice Eagles were tamed that way. But that was over a hundred years ago. And it only happened during the very early stages of breeding. Now all of them are raised by human hands, so there is no need for such cruel methods.”
“I see. So that’s how it was.”
“Yes. Moreover, our ancestors had no choice but to use that method because the Ice Eagles, which have no natural predators, had multiplied so greatly that they were causing damage to homes and livestock. Unfortunately, only the most sensational parts of the story spread, so people from other regions often misunderstand us as cruel.”
It seemed I had touched on a sensitive subject for the Northerners. I quickly apologized to the vassals.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know the full background, so I spoke thoughtlessly.”
“Not at all. Many people think that way, so we’re actually grateful for this chance to clear up the misunderstanding.”
Aron smiled lightly as if to say it was fine. When I set the baby bird down on a soft velvet cloth, Shuri and Labi offered it small insects to eat.
“By the way, Ishtel, who told you about the Ice Eagles?”
When I turned my head, I saw Hellion wearing a grave expression. He seemed deeply bothered by whoever had passed on words that insulted Northerners to me.
“Oh, that. I’m not really sure. I heard it in passing a long time ago, so I don’t remember clearly.”
I couldn’t possibly say it was Illid, so I lied. Hellion frowned and spoke in a low voice.
“Whoever it was, don’t get close to them. The central nobles might not know because they don’t care about other regions, but outside the capital, no one speaks of Ice Eagles that way anymore. Those words are only used by people trying to pick a fight with Northerners or drive a wedge between someone and the North.”
“…Right. I understand.”
Drive a wedge… Could Illid really have said it with that intention? The words lingered in my mind, and as I fell into thought, Labi approached and handed the bird back to me.
“Please raise it with care, Duchess. They were once common, but even in the North they are no longer so easily found. Duke Bladin once sent a letter asking for one, but he was refused.”
“Pardon? Duke Bladin?”
“Yes. Back when Duke Bladin was still Lady Ebony, she stayed in the North for a time. She resided briefly at our house and became quite taken with the Ice Eagles after seeing them.”
“I see.”
I took a sip of water from my cup and asked casually.
“Do you still correspond frequently with Duke Bladin these days?”
“……”
Labi pressed his lips together and didn’t answer. It seemed he had roughly grasped the intent behind my question. The one who answered was Aron, sitting beside him.
“Only when necessary.”
It was a short, clear answer. There was no room to add any further questions.
Recently, the Marchioness of Lilche had been exchanging frequent letters with Count Silanda, who had been escorted under guard to the Western Marches. Among them, the Marchioness had passed several important letters on to me.
Count Silanda was paying close attention to Ebony Bladin, who had joined hands with Karina. The Bladin family would not have moved merely to avenge a single maid with whom they had no connection. Destroying the Silanda family was only the beginning of a much larger goal.
Then what was that goal? Count Silanda believed that one of the two Archducal families—North or South—had allied with the Bladin house. He claimed they were plotting to bring down Lilche and Regentera after starting with Silanda.
For now, it was impossible to tell how accurate the Count’s predictions were. It could simply be the emotional judgment of a man who had lost everything in an instant. But I thought there was some truth to his words.
“They kill every bird in the flock except the strongest leader. One by one. Right in front of the leader.”
Illid’s words rose in my mind once again.
“Outside the capital, no one speaks of Ice Eagles that way anymore. Those words are only used by people trying to pick a fight with Northerners or drive a wedge between someone and the North.”
And Hellion’s words as well.
One of the two Archdukes had joined hands with the Bladin family. Then whose words were correct?
“Ishtel, the night is growing late. Shall we return to the palace? We should take the baby bird to the aviary keeper before he falls asleep.”
“Huh? Oh, yes. Let’s do that.”
Hellion’s words pulled me out of my thoughts.
When I rose from my seat, the servants handed me the baby bird wrapped in plain cloth and placed inside a small cage.
All the Northern vassals stood to see Hellion and me off. Just before I climbed into the carriage, Labi Telia placed a farewell kiss on the back of my hand.
“I look forward to seeing you again soon, Duchess.”
* * *
The seasons were moving from spring toward summer. Because of the temperature swings between day and night, the Imperial Palace staff were racking their brains over how to decorate the palace to match the changing rhythm.
Baroness Turen was no exception. As the person in charge of the palace’s interior decoration, she was responsible for giving the interior a refreshing change with each shift in season.
Then, a few days ago, a rather strange letter had been delivered to Baroness Turen’s mansion. It was from Viscountess Karina Linton, saying she wished to discuss interior decoration with her.
Baroness Turen did not like Viscountess Linton. She disliked how the woman had stirred up discord in the Silanda family, and she disliked even more that it had given her niece Ishtel additional worries.
Above all, she found it extremely distasteful that a mere maid had received a viscountess title. This sentiment was shared not only by the Baroness but by all the nobles in the capital.
Nevertheless, there was a reason the Baroness could not ignore the maid’s letter. The outside of the envelope bore the Emperor’s seal.
“Just how did she manage to coax His Majesty…?”
The Baroness sighed as she looked at the golden eagle seal.
A maid guided Baroness Turen to the inner waiting room. There, Rose and Molly were already seated, each holding an identical envelope.
“Huh? Baroness Turen, what brings you here?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing, Rose.”
“Molly and I came after receiving this letter?”
“Oh, same here.”
Baroness Turen, Rose, and Molly looked at the letters in each other’s hands. Meanwhile, Shuri, who was perched on the end of the sofa, was empty-handed.
“Shuri, you don’t even have a letter. Why did you come?”
“Ah, I was with Rose and just tagged along.”
Shuri answered sheepishly. Molly stared intently at the letter clutched in her plump hands and tilted her head.
“Isn’t it strange? The person who wrote the letter is Viscountess Linton, so why is the Emperor’s seal on it?”
“It’s obvious. She figured we wouldn’t come if she called us herself, so she stamped His Majesty’s seal on it with a bang. That way we have no choice but to show up.”
Rose, sprawled on the sofa in a sloppy posture, waved the envelope around.
“What a ridiculous woman. Who does she think she is, ordering us around?”
Rose, a central noble lady to the bone, found the situation extremely unpleasant.
Even though they were both viscountesses, the Liseri family and Karina were on completely different levels.
The Liseri family was powerful enough to provide attendants for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, but Karina Linton would only hold her viscountess title while the Emperor was alive. Having to answer the summons of such a temporary noble left Rose in a very foul mood.
“Baroness Turen, Viscountess Linton has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
At the maid’s report, the Baroness answered with her arms crossed. Soon Karina entered the drawing room. Dressed in a lavish gown and adorned with expensive jewels, she looked quite beautiful.
“Have you all been well, everyone?”
“Yeah. We’re here.”
Rose answered curtly, still in her sloppy posture.
“So why did you want to see us?”
Even in the face of Rose’s sharp reaction, Karina did not lose her smile as she took a seat. The maid who had followed her in set out teacups and poured fragrant tea.
“Why are you in such a hurry, Lady Liseri? Let’s have a cup of tea first and talk comfortably.”
“Wow. Look at that outfit. It’s nothing like the maid uniform she used to wear. Ha, if I’d known this would happen, I should have quit painting ages ago and learned how to serve tea instead.”
Rose glared with displeasure at the diamond earrings dangling from Karina’s ears. Baroness Turen sat with perfect posture and sipped her tea. However, her gaze was also fixed on the jewels adorning Karina’s body.
“Look, we aren’t exactly people with a lot of free time. So if you could just tell us why you called us here today.”
“Ah, of course. I’ll get straight to the point.”
Karina set her empty teacup down on the table.
“Starting today, I will be in charge of managing the Imperial Palace’s household affairs. Therefore, Baroness Turen, you may bring all your work to me for approval.”
“My ears aren’t failing me yet, am I? Did I hear that wrong? Approval from whom?”
“Exactly, Rose. I heard the same thing.”
The Baroness’s elegant voice joined Rose’s scathing reaction. At that bizarre discord, Molly and Shuri froze in place, their eyes darting around. On the other hand, Karina continued to wear a smile as if nothing was wrong.
“No, you heard correctly. From now on, everything concerning the palace’s internal affairs must be discussed with me.”
Karina turned her head toward Rose.
“Lady Rose Liseri, I understand you select and manage the artworks displayed throughout the palace? That task will also fall to me from now on.”
“Hey!!!”
Rose shot up from her seat and screamed at the top of her lungs. Baroness Turen, Molly, and Shuri beside her jumped in fright and simultaneously covered their ears.
“Have you lost your mind?! Hey, who the hell are you to take my job? Is there something wrong with your head? Just because a maid received a title, now you can’t even tell who’s above and who’s below?”
“Watch your tongue, Liseri. This is something His Majesty the Emperor has personally permitted.”
Karina’s voice suddenly turned icy cold. Everyone gathered in the drawing room looked at her. The smile she had shown until now had vanished without a trace, leaving only her coldly gleaming golden eyes.
“And why would I be beneath you? I am a viscountess, while you are merely a noble who cannot even inherit a title because you are not the eldest grandchild.”