“The external activities of Biflten are crucial,” emphasized Aegis. “Until now, it was possible to keep the doors of the winter territories closed, but if Your Majesty reveals your presence,” he explained. However, before he could finish, Aden interrupted him with a question.
“Should we just sit idle?” Aden chuckled. His cold demeanor, reminiscent of a Winter Duke, filled the room with an icy chill.
Aegis, also a Delrose, was not one to suffer in silence. “If you give me some time, I can devise a way to approach the matter more cautiously,” he suggested, meaning that he could come up with a surefire plan to strike the enemy. Aden did not object, simply nodding his approval.
A few days later, Aegis rushed to Aden with a pensive expression. Thanks to the displeased Winter Duke, the temperature of winter had noticeably plummeted. Unable to shake off the snow clinging to his shoulders, Aegis had to personally deliver the unpleasant news that had come from the sun as a penalty for his failure.
“Duke Leon has invited the Northern Distribution Manager of Acid to a banquet,” he reported.
The Northern Distribution Manager was ‘El,’ in other words, Ilyin. Aden’s icy stare fixed on him.
***
Ilyin wore a concerned expression as she listened to Aden’s account. Her biggest worry was whether it was truly safe to reveal the identity of the Duke of Biflten. Aden had halted all communication between the winter and warm regions. People from the latter region had only heard hearsay and unfounded tales about the current Duke of Biflten, and nobody knew his face for certain. However, revealing their identity was essential to halt Duke Leon’s machinations. The immediate issue at hand was Aden’s workload; he had to attend to the matters of the warm region as well.
Naturally, revealing the relationship between Acid and Biflten would have been inevitable. Dealing with nobles with an interest in the winter region was Delrose’s job, and ultimately, Aden’s responsibility.
Moreover, Viscount Arlen was another thorny issue. If he realized that the daughter he believed had married a merchant was now wedded to the Duke of the winter region, she could imagine the expression on the viscount’s face. He would likely be infuriated. While she had no intention of acquiescing to his demands, the fact that he could go out into society and boast, “I am the father-in-law of the Duke of Winter,” was unpleasant.
“Despite being a high-ranking executive, it would be difficult to decline an invitation from a Duke on a hierarchical level,” stated Aden. This was a fact, and if they did not utilize the Duke of Biflten’s status, Ilyin would have to attend Duke Leon’s party as the top executive in charge of northern distribution. Despite how well-known a merchant may be, they were still considered commoners, and nobles often held a sense of superiority over them. It was a perilous situation.
“I agree,” Ilyin said, her expression awkward. If things continued as they were, Milo could be at risk not just in the warm region, but in other aspects as well. Ilyin did not want anything terrible to befall Biflten.
“I don’t understand what Duke Leon aims to achieve by attacking Acid,” Iliyn muttered to herself. To be considered a fight, blood needed to be shed; otherwise, it would be seen as an attack that interfered with Acid’s buying and selling. Arlen and Leon had no connection, and Ilyin knew well that there was nothing of interest to the nobles in the central social circle about Arlen. So, what did Leon want? Ilyin narrowed her eyes, suspecting there was some sort of deal in place. It was not a one-time transaction, but a rather long-term one that would involve Leon lending his power. They could sever their ties anytime using their second son, a scoundrel, but the fact remained that their name would not change. What value did Arlen possess that warranted the Duke’s prestigious name?
Ilyin recalled the story of a maid from Arlen’s workshop who had married a nobleman connected to Leon. It dawned on her that the secret about her foresight had leaked to the outside world. If that maid was affiliated with Leon, then they must have been after her ability.
“Den,” Ilyin seized Aden’s hand, “could they be after my precognition ability?”
“Given the circumstances, it is highly probable,” Aden replied cautiously, choosing his words carefully.
Ilyin clung to his hand tightly. While others regarded her prophetic dreams as a curse, there were those who coveted her gift. They had no idea how terrifying it was to know the future.
“May I accompany you outside?” Aden asked.
“Of course. Did you think I wouldn’t allow it?” Ilyin replied.
Instead of responding, Aden tenderly kissed the back of her hand. Ilyin realized that his words carried a different meaning. He was allowed to accompany her as the Duke of Biflten. She held his hand and muttered, “I’m always anxious when Den leaves the mansion.” Even with her precognition, she still felt anxious until he returned safely.
Aden took her hand silently, feeling the same uneasiness when Ilyin was out of his sight. He wished for her to stay by his side, whether his eyes were open or closed, and in a world that he could protect her in. He concealed his true emotions.
If Ilyin’s thoughts were like a slightly murky drop of water, then Aden’s deepest feelings were like a dark, deep puddle, and Ilyin was aware of that. He kissed her hand again.
“Aegis,” Aden called out to the officer behind the door. “Make arrangements to reveal Biflten in the sun.”
“I will make the necessary arrangements,” Aegis replied promptly.
Aden was determined to ensure that Ilyin was not left unguarded at the party.
“The external activities of Biflten are crucial,” emphasized Aegis. “Until now, it was possible to keep the doors of the winter territories closed, but if Your Majesty reveals your presence,” he explained. However, before he could finish, Aden interrupted him with a question.
“Should we just sit idle?” Aden chuckled. His cold demeanor, reminiscent of a Winter Duke, filled the room with an icy chill.
Aegis, also a Delrose, was not one to suffer in silence. “If you give me some time, I can devise a way to approach the matter more cautiously,” he suggested, meaning that he could come up with a surefire plan to strike the enemy. Aden did not object, simply nodding his approval.
A few days later, Aegis rushed to Aden with a pensive expression. Thanks to the displeased Winter Duke, the temperature of winter had noticeably plummeted. Unable to shake off the snow clinging to his shoulders, Aegis had to personally deliver the unpleasant news that had come from the sun as a penalty for his failure.
“Duke Leon has invited the Northern Distribution Manager of Acid to a banquet,” he reported.
The Northern Distribution Manager was ‘El,’ in other words, Ilyin. Aden’s icy stare fixed on him.
***
Ilyin wore a concerned expression as she listened to Aden’s account. Her biggest worry was whether it was truly safe to reveal the identity of the Duke of Biflten. Aden had halted all communication between the winter and warm regions. People from the latter region had only heard hearsay and unfounded tales about the current Duke of Biflten, and nobody knew his face for certain. However, revealing their identity was essential to halt Duke Leon’s machinations. The immediate issue at hand was Aden’s workload; he had to attend to the matters of the warm region as well.
Naturally, revealing the relationship between Acid and Biflten would have been inevitable. Dealing with nobles with an interest in the winter region was Delrose’s job, and ultimately, Aden’s responsibility.
Moreover, Viscount Arlen was another thorny issue. If he realized that the daughter he believed had married a merchant was now wedded to the Duke of the winter region, she could imagine the expression on the viscount’s face. He would likely be infuriated. While she had no intention of acquiescing to his demands, the fact that he could go out into society and boast, “I am the father-in-law of the Duke of Winter,” was unpleasant.
“Despite being a high-ranking executive, it would be difficult to decline an invitation from a Duke on a hierarchical level,” stated Aden. This was a fact, and if they did not utilize the Duke of Biflten’s status, Ilyin would have to attend Duke Leon’s party as the top executive in charge of northern distribution. Despite how well-known a merchant may be, they were still considered commoners, and nobles often held a sense of superiority over them. It was a perilous situation.
“I agree,” Ilyin said, her expression awkward. If things continued as they were, Milo could be at risk not just in the warm region, but in other aspects as well. Ilyin did not want anything terrible to befall Biflten.
“I don’t understand what Duke Leon aims to achieve by attacking Acid,” Iliyn muttered to herself. To be considered a fight, blood needed to be shed; otherwise, it would be seen as an attack that interfered with Acid’s buying and selling. Arlen and Leon had no connection, and Ilyin knew well that there was nothing of interest to the nobles in the central social circle about Arlen. So, what did Leon want? Ilyin narrowed her eyes, suspecting there was some sort of deal in place. It was not a one-time transaction, but a rather long-term one that would involve Leon lending his power. They could sever their ties anytime using their second son, a scoundrel, but the fact remained that their name would not change. What value did Arlen possess that warranted the Duke’s prestigious name?
Ilyin recalled the story of a maid from Arlen’s workshop who had married a nobleman connected to Leon. It dawned on her that the secret about her foresight had leaked to the outside world. If that maid was affiliated with Leon, then they must have been after her ability.
“Den,” Ilyin seized Aden’s hand, “could they be after my precognition ability?”
“Given the circumstances, it is highly probable,” Aden replied cautiously, choosing his words carefully.
Ilyin clung to his hand tightly. While others regarded her prophetic dreams as a curse, there were those who coveted her gift. They had no idea how terrifying it was to know the future.
“May I accompany you outside?” Aden asked.
“Of course. Did you think I wouldn’t allow it?” Ilyin replied.
Instead of responding, Aden tenderly kissed the back of her hand. Ilyin realized that his words carried a different meaning. He was allowed to accompany her as the Duke of Biflten. She held his hand and muttered, “I’m always anxious when Den leaves the mansion.” Even with her precognition, she still felt anxious until he returned safely.
Aden took her hand silently, feeling the same uneasiness when Ilyin was out of his sight. He wished for her to stay by his side, whether his eyes were open or closed, and in a world that he could protect her in. He concealed his true emotions.
If Ilyin’s thoughts were like a slightly murky drop of water, then Aden’s deepest feelings were like a dark, deep puddle, and Ilyin was aware of that. He kissed her hand again.
“Aegis,” Aden called out to the officer behind the door. “Make arrangements to reveal Biflten in the sun.”
“I will make the necessary arrangements,” Aegis replied promptly.
Aden was determined to ensure that Ilyin was not left unguarded at the party.
