Contents
CHAPTER 20: Complications
Overview
Shae and Maro deepen their relationship as Maro reveals his hidden Shotarian parentage, while Shae grapples with her role’s brutality and expectations. Woon tenders his resignation over unrequited feelings, but Shae persuades him to stay for a year. News breaks that Espenia invades Oortoko; Son Tomarho hedges and Ayt Mada seizes public sentiment with a fiery nationalist statement. With Hilo overseas, Shae rushes to coordinate No Peak’s response.
Summary
At Maro’s apartment after the Autumn Festival, Shae voices worry about expectations tied to her jade and family. She admits she could not bring herself to kill a man she knew and fears she lost crucial support, underscoring the hard edge expected of a Weather Man. Maro responds by revealing his secret: he is half-Shotarian, long hidden by his family, and he has since contacted his father and embraced his half-sisters despite relatives’ disapproval. Encouraged by his openness, Shae invites Maro to dinner at her new home.
Arriving late to work, Shae finds Woon Papidonwa waiting with his resignation. Woon, distressed, confesses he cannot continue as her Shadow because of his feelings for her. Knowing her position depends on him, Shae refuses the resignation and appeals to duty and Lan’s legacy. After tense deliberation, Woon agrees to stay for one more year.
Hami interrupts with breaking news: Espenian ground forces have invaded Oortoko. Staff gather around the television as Chancellor Son Tomarho delivers a cautious statement supporting alliance ties while urging diplomacy, signaling Kekon was not forewarned.
Shortly after, Ayt Mada gives an impromptu on-camera address, condemning foreign entanglements and proclaiming the Mountain’s defense of Kekon above all. Her rhetoric resonates even among No Peak staff before they check themselves, and Shae recognizes that Ayt has captured public sentiment.
With Hilo unreachable abroad, Shae orders immediate contact with his hotel, moving to align No Peak’s response amid the sudden international crisis and Ayt’s assertive narrative.
Who Appears
- Kaul Shaelinsan (Shae)No Peak Weather Man; struggles with leadership hardness, advances relationship with Maro, refuses Woon’s resignation, manages response to Espenian invasion.
- Maro NikonyoAcademic and jade-wearer; reveals secret Shotarian parentage and half-sisters; deepens intimacy with Shae and accepts dinner invitation.
- Woon PapidonwaWeather Man’s Shadow; tenders resignation due to feelings for Shae, then agrees to remain for one year.
- Hami TumashonMaster Luckbringer; brings breaking news of Espenian invasion, underscoring urgency in No Peak’s response.
- Ayt Madashi (Ayt Mada)Mountain Pillar; publicly denounces Espenia and claims to defend Kekon, capturing nationalist sentiment.
- Chancellor Son TomarhoIssues cautious statement aligning with Espenia while stressing diplomacy, revealing Kekon’s delicate political stance.