Chapter 18

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Perhaps because the core agenda of the meeting revolved around determining which merchant guild would be granted the highly lucrative exclusive trade monopoly with the Opros Kingdom, the atmosphere in the conference room was a bizarre, suffocating blend of razor-sharp tension and eerie calm.

“That particular logistical issue can be flawlessly resolved utilizing the newly introduced clipper ships from our Della Guild,” Julian declared smoothly.

Despite being the youngest among the assembled Guild Masters, Julian effortlessly dominated the proceedings, a feat undoubtedly aided by his former career as a Navy Lieutenant. However, one incredibly irritating detail gnawed at Aiden: Julian was aggressively hijacking and answering every single strategic question that Aiden would normally address.

For instance.

“But aren’t clipper ships too fast for standard naval warships to escort effectively?”

“Ah, regarding that—”

“It is entirely possible. During my tenure as a Lieutenant, I personally commanded an escort mission for clipper ships,” Julian interjected, cutting Aiden off completely.

Just like that.

Aiden scowled slightly, staring at Julian. Then, feeling a light tapping against the back of his hand, he rolled his eyes to check. It was Clyde.

‘Is it an impossible operation?’ Clyde mouthed silently.

Aiden shook his head. With high-speed clipper ships, you simply send vanguard warships ahead to secure the route and attach rear-guard escorts. It was a standard, relatively simple tactic.

Julian stealing his speaking time wasn’t a massive issue for Aiden. If Julian provided false tactical information, Aiden could simply correct him on the spot.

‘Then, is there another problem?’

At the follow-up question, Aiden let out a soft, internal groan.

Why was a man who usually sent proxies to these meetings suddenly attending in person? Why was a man who had literally just urged him to defect from the Empire actively participating in its trade negotiations? Or was it simply that, as a Guild Master, he was genuinely failing to read Aiden’s irritated expressions?

The first and second questions could easily be explained away as business pragmatism. Julian was a merchant who prioritized profit above all else; even if he despised the Empire, he would do whatever it took to make money.

The defection comment was certainly bothersome, but since it had been a private conversation, Julian could simply feign ignorance and deny it ever happened. Given the sheer volume of useless drivel Julian normally spouted, the asylum offer might have just been an impulsive, thoughtless remark.

As for the third question… considering how massively successful the Della Guild had become under Julian’s leadership, Aiden’s judgment might simply be wrong. After all, Aiden was a soldier, not a merchant.

Aiden casually brushed off Clyde’s concern, silently indicating it was nothing, and began rubbing his right shoulder. Perhaps it was going to rain, because the ten-year-old gunshot wound was throbbing with a dull, burning ache.

As the meeting drew to a close, the Guild Masters eagerly rose from their seats, aggressively pitching their respective strengths to Clyde. After several presentations, it was finally Julian’s turn.

As he pulled the corners of his mouth up into a bright smile, deep dimples formed in his cheeks. His slightly plump cheeks made his cheekbones look exceptionally round. While the vast majority of their Academy classmates had found that smile adorable, Aiden personally found it incredibly off-putting.

“While the ultimate decision naturally rests in the hands of His Majesty and Your Grace, I firmly believe that the Della Guild’s extensive maritime experience, combined with my own background as a Navy Lieutenant, makes us the absolute best and most optimal choice.”

“‘The absolute best and most optimal choice,’ you say…”

Mulling over Julian’s bold claim, Clyde officially concluded the meeting, stating that the final results would be announced at a later date. The exact second the proceedings ended, Julian vanished from the room without so much as a goodbye. Staring at the empty seat, the unsettling, nagging suspicion that had plagued Aiden throughout the entire meeting only seemed to thicken.

‘…Should I run a background check on him, just in case?’

Whether the investigation yielded positive or negative results, it would undoubtedly clear the frustrating fog of suspicion surrounding Julian. However, even if he wanted to investigate, he had absolutely no idea where to begin.

As a Guild Master, Julian rarely stayed in one place, constantly traveling across the globe. Merely gathering the preliminary intelligence would consume an unimaginable amount of time. As Aiden’s thoughts deepened into a tangled web, Clyde’s voice drifted into his ears.

“Let us go, Admiral Rosley.”

“Ah, yes, Your Grace.”

Shoving his suspicions aside for the moment, Aiden followed Clyde. Their destination was the Emperor’s private office. Still buried under a mountain of paperwork, the Emperor greeted the two men with a sickeningly benevolent smile.

“I summoned you both here today because I wish to know where you would like to go for your honeymoon.”

Do we really have to go on one at all? The furious question burned on Aiden’s tongue, but he desperately choked it down. These were the exact same stubborn old geezers who had forced him into an arranged marriage; forcefully shipping him off on a honeymoon would be effortless for them.

Perhaps reading the rebellious yet violently suppressed glare in Aiden’s eyes, the Emperor’s smirk deepened as he asked his question.

“The Grand Duke has graciously stated that he is perfectly fine with wherever you wish to go. Therefore, the final decision rests entirely in your hands, Admiral Rosley.”

“Ah. Is that so?”

Aiden shot a narrow, searing glare at Clyde, but the Grand Duke merely offered an innocent shrug.

“So, Admiral Rosley, where do you wish to spend your honeymoon?”

Aiden fell silent, genuinely pondering the question. Having never once spared a single thought toward marriage in his entire life, an answer did not immediately present itself.

“For reference, I took my honeymoon in the Condere Kingdom. It is exceptionally famous as a luxury resort destination. The Zeriana Duchy is also quite an excellent choice, though the political climate there has been somewhat noisy lately.”

At the Emperor’s casual suggestion, a dramatic shift overtook Aiden’s expression. The lingering suspicion that had clouded his face throughout the guild meeting completely vanished, instantly replaced by a deep, highly calculating smile.

‘Oh my. It seems our dear Admiral has just discovered the perfect solution to his problem.’

If that’s the case, I suppose I should actively assist him. Being the absolute only person in the room capable of deciphering Aiden’s subtle shift, Clyde muttered the thought internally.

“Your Majesty.”

Breaking the heavy silence, Aiden finally spoke.

“Yes. Where do you wish to go?”

“As a honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, I would prefer not to make a hasty, impulsive decision. I would like to carefully gather various opinions and consider my options thoroughly before finalizing the destination.”

Nodding in understanding, the Emperor granted his permission, though he firmly requested that the decision be made as swiftly as possible.

“Then, I shall return to inform you of my choice at a later date.”

“Very well. Have a safe journey back.”

Delivering a crisp, flawless salute, Aiden exited the office. Clyde, who had stood silently by his side the entire time, followed him out into the grand corridor.

“Admiral Rosley.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Deep blue eyes and vivid crimson eyes met in the empty space between them. A brief, pregnant silence stretched until the blue eyes beautifully curved into warm crescents.

“Whatever choice you make, I will follow your decision unconditionally. So please, choose exactly what you desire.”

His voice was as soft and warmly enveloping as the afternoon sun. Feeling the heavy, undeniable weight of that absolute trust, Aiden mirrored Clyde’s expression, his own eyes curving into a genuine smile.

“I will handle researching the potential destinations. When it is time to make the final decision, will you assist me, Your Grace?”

“Of course. I suppose I had better start exercising diligently in the meantime, then.”

What kind of absolute nonsense is that out of nowhere? At Aiden’s wildly confused glare, the corners of Clyde’s mouth curled upward into a blindingly bright smile. It was undeniably gorgeous, yet there was something incredibly, terrifyingly wicked lurking behind it.

Struck by a sudden, violent wave of anxiety, Aiden frantically reached out to cover Clyde’s mouth, but Clyde was infinitely faster.

“Well, I have to ensure that your first—”

“Aaaargh!” Desperately trying to drown out the horrifyingly suggestive word, Aiden shrieked at the top of his lungs.

The sudden scream instantly drew the startled gazes of the nobles and servants traversing the corridor. Flashing an incredibly awkward, strained smile to silently assure them that everything was fine, Aiden shot a lethal, narrow-eyed glare at Clyde.

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

Chuckling softly, his eyes still shaped like smiling crescents, Clyde gently captured Aiden’s hand. The moment that unnaturally hot, burning temperature seeped into his skin, Aiden felt as if he had touched an open flame.

“Whatever could our dear Admiral have been imagining to make him scream like that?”

“You know exactly what, so why are you pretending to be innocent…?!”

“Hmm? I honestly have no idea what you mean.”

Playing the fool with flawless precision, Clyde slowly drew Aiden’s trapped hand up to press against his own cheek.

“The only thing I know for certain is that my beloved husband is completely, hopelessly obsessed with my face.”

The flawless, breathtakingly perfect face filling Aiden’s vision was so stunning it was practically a religious experience. Is having a specific physical type really this terrifyingly dangerous? A wave of profound, soul-crushing self-loathing washed over him.

“Aiden. I genuinely don’t know. Won’t you teach me?”

Right, ‘Grand Duke’ my ass. From now on, I’m just going to call him a lunatic. A completely crazy bastard. And no matter what it takes, I absolutely refuse to be bewitched by this face. I will escape this lunatic.

Grinding his teeth, Aiden carved the desperate vow into his soul.

***