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IGF 8
“......The cure.”
“They say they can’t guarantee anything yet.”
Aiden touched the corners of his tightened mouth. As if understanding that Aiden didn't know what to say, Deimos tried to keep his tone as light as possible.
“I can’t place such a burden on someone who is to become my wife, so I intend to keep postponing the marriage. The problem is, I think Wijena has noticed my condition. My knight witnessed the Imperial Physician visiting her palace.”
“What?”
Unable to hold back any longer, Aiden ran a hand through his hair irritably. The silver-gray strands shifted softly beneath his large palm.
“Are you sure?”
“Shortly after the physician visited, His Majesty ordered your return. And he mentioned that he would suggest a marriage proposal to Marquis Russell.”
Aiden didn't need Deimos to explain what that meant. Letting out a short, hollow laugh, Aiden's golden eyes shimmered with a faint anger.
“It’s Wijena’s doing. Isn't it about time she stopped using me?”
He had known for a long time that Wijena had been pushing him around, hoping he would be the one to bow first. But it seemed her patience was finally running thin.
If Deimos could not produce an heir, the next throne would naturally fall to Aiden and his child. Unlike Deimos, who calmly looked ahead and always chose the path of minimum sacrifice, Aiden was the opposite; thus, her plan was to place the unborn child under her influence rather than trying to tame Aiden himself.
Aiden recalled Violet Russell, whom he had encountered a few times at Imperial banquets. Her face was a blur, but he remembered that she shared many similarities with his aunt, Wijena.
“Once the marriage talks proceed in earnest, your opinion won't matter much, Aiden.”
Deimos looked exhausted for some reason, but he continued with a face more serious than ever.
“It’s better to be prepared for any eventuality, and I would actually like you to get married during this opportunity.”
He meant for Aiden to make a preemptive move before the marriage talks officially began. Aiden understood the intention, but the suggestion was so sudden that he swept his hair back once more.
“Suddenly? It’s not like I have a hidden lover.”
“And I truly want you to marry someone you love.”
Because he knew the shadow hidden beneath Aiden's boredom and composure, he wished for it all the more. A father who hated him, swayed by the words of a mistress; a mother who went mad and was confined to a detached palace; and himself, the older brother who couldn't fully protect the young boy. He couldn't fathom how exhausted and miserable young Aiden must have been in the midst of it all.
“What nonsense.”
However, Aiden's reaction was cold, as if he had just heard the most ridiculous thing imaginable. He was being told to marry first—to manufacture a love that didn't exist—simply because he was afraid of the marriage talks that were already underway. Moreover,
“Have you thought about what will happen to Brother if I marry?”
It was obvious that if he married in this situation, the Crown Prince's position would be diminished. Aiden found it foolish and frustrating that Deimos, who surely knew this, kept speaking such flowery words, wishing only for his happiness.
“If you marry and have a child, I intend to announce that child as the successor. If you wish, I am willing to hand over this position to you right now. I'm glad if I can at least do that for you.”
“I told you I hate troublesome things.”
Speaking irritably, Aiden stood up and looked at Deimos. It bothered him most when those eyes, so similar to his own, wavered with emotions like soft guilt. As if he had done nothing for him. Aiden knew that Deimos had done his best to shield and protect him when he was young.
That was simply Deimos's nature. A man of character who cared even for a single plucked blade of grass, someone who knew how to look after those at the very bottom. That was why—despite being surrounded by enemies—he had spent his strength caring for their mother, the people ground down by Wijena, and even his young brother, leading his already frail body to its current state.
“I’ll handle the marriage matter myself, so don't worry about it. Just focus on recovering and figuring out how to keep your position, Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Even if you say you don't want to, I'll make it happen. With those final words, Aiden left the Crown Prince's palace.
“What? Please tell me I heard that wrong.”
Late at night, Jeffrey, who had visited Aiden's office, scratched his ear and cried out in despair. It was one disaster after another. Truly. He was already miserable enough having worked until this hour, and to find an even bigger problem waiting for him the moment he came to report on the guild...
Aiden's expression remained unchanged despite his aide's attempt to tear his hair out. He spoke while indifferently tapping a cigarette between his fingers. Smoke, carrying a distinct scent from the calming herbs mixed in, drifted from his lips.
“I heard marriage talks are underway with Violet Russell. I heard correctly.”
“Aaaagh!”
Jeffrey let out a small scream and covered his cheeks with both hands. The sight of the aide stomping his feet and shuddering was so desperate that even Aiden let out a small chuckle.
“Surely, you aren't actually going to do it?”
“Am I insane?”
As if the mere thought was unpleasant, Aiden brought the cigarette to his lips. His golden eyes, which had been sharply honed, softened slightly due to the effect of the calming herb. Jeffrey carefully placed the stack of documents he had brought to one side and stepped closer to Aiden's desk.
“It’s not as if you can easily avoid it just because you don't want to. Do you know how hard we worked to make sure the Russells didn't notice what we're doing...!”
If an engagement happened, Violet Russell would visit this mansion as if it were her own home, and it would only be a matter of time before the Marquis and Wijena noticed the existence of the Adamant Merchant Guild. Since they hadn't yet fully found a way to strike them, being discovered now would be premature.
Jeffrey was frantic, but Aiden, thinking of something, lit another cigarette and leaned back languidly. Even in this situation, he looked so decadently handsome that Jeffrey felt a slight hatred for this unfair world.
“We have to do something before you're trapped in an engagement!”
“Maybe I should just leave it be. They say it's better to keep your enemies closer than your friends.”
“Stop talking nonsense. If you get entangled with the Russells, your room for maneuver narrows. And you might not know this, Your Highness, but Lady Russell's personality isn't as delicate as a violet. You'll find her very troublesome. What if she decides to manage the ledgers from the start?”
“Just make a double-entry book.”
“It's not that simple a matter... Sigh. Anyway, I wouldn't want to serve that inscrutable little fox as my mistress for a single second. Looking at her, she's just like a young Wijena.”
Jeffrey shuddered as if the mere thought gave him goosebumps. He beat his chest in frustration at Aiden, who remained utterly composed even in this situation.
“Jeffrey. It wasn't because of me, but because you personally dislike her.”
“Once the engagement is made, it'll be a pain to undo. I'm in no mood for jokes.”
Aiden grinned, crushed the lit cigarette, and straightened his posture.
“Do you have a good idea?”
He asked without much expectation, but Jeffrey nodded instantly. While Aiden raised an eyebrow in suspicion, Jeffrey began to diligently sift through the stack of documents he had brought.
“Of course I do. Why overthink it? As they say, a preemptive strike is the key to victory. We strike first.”
He's saying the same thing as Brother, Aiden muttered. Ignoring him, Jeffrey quickly lined up documents on the desk.
“These are the materials on the ladies I've researched. I've carefully selected them based on families friendly to the Crown Prince and their reputations in society. Why don't you choose a suitable lady from among these?”
Aiden's other eyebrow rose at the sheer volume of documents. He picked up a random sheet and flipped through it half-heartedly, frowning.
“When did you prepare all this? It's not like you knew marriage talks were happening in advance.”
“I didn't know for sure, but I've been preparing just in case. Since you have absolutely no interest in such things, I thought I should take care of it.”
Because I am, after all, your aide. Jeffrey puffed out his chest proudly, but the response he received was cold.
“I hope you haven't been neglecting other duties by doing useless things I didn't even ask for.”
“Of course not! I've simply been gathering these little by little out of loyalty!”
Jeffrey clenched both fists and brought them to his chest as if appealing his unfair treatment. He pleaded with sincerity in his dark eyes.
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