The morning sun had barely climbed over the palace walls when Ruhan found himself walking along the corridor outside the Khan's private quarters.
It was supposed to be a quiet morning. He was finally enjoying the peace he'd gotten after days of nonstop palace work… but that peace lasted about five minutes.
He was standing at the edge of the Khan's garden when he saw the Khatun Dowager gliding down the path, her entourage of attendants trailing behind her.
Ruhan's heart skipped a beat. The Dowager almost never came to this part of the palace.
What is she doing here?
As she approached, he straightened quickly and bowed low."Your Highness, Khatun Dowager," he greeted in the perfect tone of a humble servant.
The Dowager stopped before him, her sharp gaze sweeping over his face."Where is the Khan?" she asked.
Ruhan forced a polite smile."His Majesty is resting, Your Highness. He… stayed awake most of the night handling court documents."
The Dowager's brows arched."Resting? At this hour?" She glanced up at the bright morning sun, then back at him. "Does the Khan of Tughril sleep while the empire moves without him?"
Inside, Ruhan winced. I'm actually awake. I'm just tired of wearing that heavy Khan robe, he thought wryly.
But he kept his head bowed. "His Majesty worked tirelessly last night. He will rise soon."
The Dowager made a soft sound, somewhere between amusement and irritation."Then I shall wake him myself."
Ruhan's eyes widened in panic. The Dowager had grown far too bold lately. Was his fearsome Khan persona losing its effect?
Before he could stop her, she swept past him toward the Khan's chamber.
Ruhan's blood ran cold. No, no, no—!
He darted after her, whispering urgently, "Your Highness, please, the Khan dislikes being disturbed when resting—"
But she ignored him completely.
Just as her hand reached for the carved door handle, a quiet shuffle sounded from within. Ruhan froze.
A moment later, the door creaked open.
There on the bed lay "the Khan," wrapped in heavy robes, half-turned away, pretending to be asleep. The silk bed curtains obscured his face just enough—but Ruhan exhaled in relief.
That was Arkan. Thank the heavens. Arkan must have heard the commotion and acted quickly.
The Dowager stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Your Majesty."
Arkan made a low, irritated sound, the kind only someone pretending to sleep would make. He shifted slightly and turned just enough that the curtain hid his features.
"Mother," he said, perfectly groggy, voice deep and annoyed, an uncanny imitation of the Khan. "Is there something so urgent it cannot wait until the sun reaches its peak? How dare you disrupt my sleep?"
The Dowager blinked, momentarily thrown off. Ruhan, standing behind her, allowed the tiniest relieved smile.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty," she said quickly, regaining composure. "But I bring good news. Something that concerns Tughril's future."
"The Khan" sighed dramatically and sat up, rubbing his temple. "Then we will discuss it outside. I have no wish to handle royal matters from my bed."
Ruhan stepped forward smoothly. "Your Highness, please wait at the gazebo." He gestured for her to leave the room.
The Dowager nodded and swept out of the room.
Moments later, Ruhan—now dressed as the Khan—emerged and joined her at the gazebo. Arkan took his usual place beside him.
The Dowager adjusted her robes elegantly, hands folded. Her attendants stood at a respectful distance.
"Where is your servant?" she asked, noting that Ruhan's eunuch persona hadn't followed him.
"I sent him on another duty," Ruhan replied coolly. "Why are you so concerned about my servant?"
"I was merely curious. After all, he is your loyal servant and is always by your side… like him." She nodded at Arkan.
Ruhan dismissed the comment with ease. "I have many loyal attendants. He is not the only one."
The Dowager didn't press further.
A maid poured tea for the two royals. Ruhan waited until the cups were set before speaking. "So, Mother, what business brought you here so early, waking me from my sleep?"
"It is about the marriage. Your marriage."
She took out a scroll of paper that contained a list. "I have prepared several high-profile candidates."
Ruhan stared. "This is what you barged into my room for?"
"This matter is very important."
"Yes—to you."
"To Tughril," she corrected firmly.
Ruhan leaned back slightly, setting the cup in front of him. "And I suppose you have your own candidates in mind."
"I do." She unrolled the scroll. "Three noble daughters have been shortlisted. All are of good birth, educated, and politically favorable. But I have a personal recommendation."
Ruhan stayed silent, expression unreadable.
"The daughter of the Minister of Treasury," she said. "She is intelligent, modest, and properly raised. Her family is loyal to Tughril."
Ruhan didn't react outwardly, but inwardly, he pieced everything together. Minister of Treasury… loyal to Tughril, or loyal to the Chancellor who placed him there?
He reached for the scroll, studying the notes on lineage, dowry, and alliances.
"So," he said softly, "you believe the Minister's daughter would make a fitting Khatun?"
"I do."
"Because she is virtuous… or because she is useful?"
The Dowager's smile stiffened. "Both, I would hope. A queen must be more than decoration."
Ruhan hummed. "Indeed. But Mother, decorations have their purpose. Sometimes even a hidden one. Don't you think?"
Her eyes tightened, she understood the implication."Are you implying something, my Khan?"
He smiled faintly. "Only that I prefer to know what lies behind a door before walking through it."
For a moment, they simply stared at each other. The old lioness versus the masked heir she once underestimated.
Then Ruhan sighed and set the scroll down. "Very well. If this is Your Highness's wish, I will consider the Minister of Treasury's daughter."
She blinked, briefly surprised. "You agree?"
"I said I will consider," Ruhan corrected smoothly. "Not commit."
He didn't care at all, but boundaries had to be maintained. He couldn't show her that he would give in easily.
Her smile returned. "Good. The court will be pleased. The formal announcement will come after Prince Kabil's wedding, of course. But it would calm the ministers if you announce your engagement beforehand."
Ruhan raised an eyebrow. "Announce an engagement before the ceremony?"
"It is symbolic. A gesture of reassurance. The people need stability and the ministers need certainty."
Ruhan nodded politely. "I will think on it." He said as he took another sip of tea.
The Dowager rose gracefully. "I trust you will choose wisely. Tughril's future depends on it."
With that, she glided out of the garden.
The moment the gates shut behind her, Ruhan released a long breath.
Arkan finally spoke. "That was close."
Ruhan smirked. "Your performance earlier was impressive."
Arkan grinned. "I think I deserve a promotion."
Ruhan ignored his sworn brother's smug remarks. His expression hardened. "The Minister of Treasury's daughter… the Chancellor's pawn. Just as I suspected."
Arkan nodded grimly. "You think the Dowager is in on it?"
"She's too clever not to be," Ruhan murmured. "But she believes she is the one pulling the strings. That is her weakness."
He leaned back. "Let her plan my engagement. Let the Chancellor prepare his trap. I'll play along."
Arkan frowned. "Then what?"
Ruhan's gaze sharpened. "Then we will see."
Arkan didn't fully understand. Ruhan was always calm, unbothered, even when threats closed in from every direction. As if he knew none of it could harm him.
Ruhan always seemed like a master strategist. Everything he planned fell perfectly into place. Even when complications arose, they somehow curved back toward the outcome he wanted. Almost as if it was already written in fate.