115. Confrontation Between Two Men

Today was the day Roselia was supposed to discuss trade matters with Marquis Bellog at Valtazar Hotel.

She stood absentmindedly at the entrance, still thinking about her last encounter with Klaus.

Just then, a familiar voice called out from behind.

“Antonio.”

Roselia’s shoulders tensed instinctively at the sound of her name, momentarily fearing it was Klaus. But when she turned and saw Asif, she exhaled in relief.

“Why do you look so startled?”

Asif tilted his head, puzzled. Ignoring him, Roselia turned away and walked into the hotel.

“I wasn’t startled.”

Like a persistent puppy, Asif trailed behind her.

“Did you come to see me in person instead of replying to my letter?”

At his sudden question, Roselia’s eyes widened in surprise.

She recalled what he had said the last time they met—he had asked “Roselia” to pass on a message, requesting a reply to his letters.

Now that she thought about it, Asif, like Bellog, was also staying at Valtazar Hotel.

Realizing the situation, Roselia let out a small “Ah,” and Asif smirked.

“So, your sister delivered my message properly.”

Roselia shot him a brief glance before continuing on.

“Apologies, but I didn’t come here to see you, Your Highness.”

Unfazed, Asif easily kept pace beside her, his expression relaxed.

“Then what brings you here? Since you’re already here, why not spend some time with me?”

“Do you take me for your babysitter?”

“Oh, come on. No need to be so cold with me.”

“And why should I not be? What exactly is our relationship?”

Roselia abruptly stopped and turned to face him, prompting Asif to blink in surprise.

For a moment, he seemed to struggle to define their dynamic. Then, a mischievous smirk curved his lips.

“If I had to put it into words, I’d say we’re… close friends.”

Friends, fine. But why add ‘close’ to that?

Roselia scoffed but remembered that Bellog was waiting for her, so she turned back and resumed walking.

“I don’t have time to humor you, Your Highness. I came to meet Marquis Bellog for a business discussion.”

At that, Asif’s eyes gleamed with interest, and he quickly followed her.

“In that case, I should come along. This business involves Benuve’s trade as well, doesn’t it?”

Technically, the trade project did involve both Benuve and Mule, but the discussions with Benuve’s representatives, including Asif, had already been concluded.

Today’s meeting was meant to finalize details specifically between Roselia and Bellog—there was no need for Asif to be involved.

“The matters we’re discussing today have nothing to do with Benuve.”

Despite her cold response, Asif clasped his hands behind his head and smiled leisurely.

“It’s a trade deal between Benuve and Mule—how could Benuve not be involved?”

That was a fair point.

Roselia opened her mouth to protest but hesitated, unable to counter his logic directly.

Sensing her moment of indecision, Asif casually slung an arm around her shoulder and grinned.

“Where’s Marquis Bellog? Last time I spoke with him, he seemed like he had a good eye for business. I should have a more in-depth conversation with him today—I’m curious about Mule’s perspective on things, too.”

Being nearly as large as Klaus, Asif easily pulled her in with one arm.

While Roselia stiffened at the unexpected proximity, Asif remained completely unfazed, walking beside her as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“L-Let go…!”

The close physical contact, combined with Asif’s half-open Benuve-style clothing, made her uncomfortably aware of his bare chest pressing against her shoulder.

Roselia’s entire body went rigid.

Asif tilted his head, watching Roselia’s stiff reaction with curiosity.

“More importantly, Antonio, you need to start working out with me. A man shouldn’t have so little muscle…”

His eyes scanned Roselia’s shoulder, still resting his arm on it, making her expression turn awkward.

Then—

“Take your hand off and say that again.”

A low, chilling voice cut through the air, making Roselia freeze even more than before.

Asif turned his head, still casually keeping his arm around Roselia, and spotted Klaus, standing nearby with his usual impassive expression.

A smirk played on Asif’s lips.

“What, are you jealous because the Viscount is closer to me than to you?”

Then, as if deliberately provoking him, Asif leaned in and whispered near Roselia’s ear,

“He’s a possessive one, isn’t he?”

Klaus’s frown deepened as he slowly stepped toward them.

Roselia couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze—it was clear he was upset.

“Antonio looks uncomfortable. You should be more mindful of your size when you act.”

Only then did Asif realize he had been gripping Roselia’s shoulder a little too tightly. He loosened his grip slightly—but still didn’t let go.

“My bad, I didn’t realize we were so different. That just means you really should start training with me.”

Klaus’s expression darkened further at Asif’s deliberately dismissive tone.

Watching the tension rise between them, Roselia quickly attempted to excuse herself.

“Marquis Bellog is waiting for me, so I should—”

“Right, right. We can’t keep the marquis waiting. Let’s go.”

No, I meant I’m going alone…

Before she could protest, Asif effortlessly kept his arm around her and began walking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

At that moment, Klaus walked past them and stopped in front of the elevator made of magic stone. He opened the doors and stood there, waiting.

Roselia and Asif both looked at him in confusion as he nonchalantly spoke.

“Marquis Bellog’s room is on the fifth floor.”

Asif scoffed but nudged Roselia forward into the elevator before stepping in himself.

Then, to their surprise, Klaus also entered.

Roselia and Asif exchanged puzzled looks before Asif turned toward Klaus with a frown.

“Hey, Duke. We’re going to meet Bellog about the trading business. You’re not seriously planning to follow us, are you?”

Klaus remained silent, staring straight ahead.

Taking his silence as confirmation, Asif’s frown deepened.

“This is a major trade deal between Benuve and Mule. You, as an outsider, should know when to step back.”

At that, Klaus finally turned his gaze toward Asif, his sharp, unreadable eyes meeting Asif’s irritated ones.

After observing him for a moment, Klaus responded in a calm, indifferent tone.

“Valtazar is responsible for opening the trade route. I believe that qualifies me to be part of this discussion.”

Trade route…?

Asif’s expression briefly went blank as realization dawned on him.

At that moment, the elevator doors opened onto the fifth floor. Klaus stepped out without hesitation.

Asif, still processing the information, stood frozen.

Ah… so he doesn’t know.

Roselia sighed internally.

Asif wasn’t aware that Klaus had personally taken charge of developing a trade route through the Fjord Mountains, which surrounded Mule.

While Asif stood there, momentarily stunned, Roselia subtly pushed his arm off her shoulder and followed after Klaus toward Marquis Bellog’s room.

That snapped Asif out of his thoughts, and he quickly rushed after her, not wanting to fall behind.

By the time they reached the marquis’s door, Klaus was already knocking.

The door immediately swung open, as if Marquis Bellog had been eagerly waiting.

“Viscount, you’re later than I expe—”

Expecting Antonio, Bellog trailed off mid-sentence as he took in the towering figure of Klaus standing before him.

His face stiffened.

Why is Duke Valtazar at my room…?

Then, spotting Antonio, awkwardly smiling behind him, Bellog’s eyes widened further.

And just when he thought it couldn’t get more bizarre—his gaze landed on Prince Asif, standing next to her with an irritated scowl.

The marquis blinked.

What in the world…?

It was already overwhelming enough that the notorious Duke of Valtazar had shown up. But now the Prince of Benuve was here too?

As Bellog stood frozen, Roselia let out an awkward chuckle.

“Looks like we have… a few extra people today, haha…”

* * *

“The Barzef Trading Company would be a more suitable representative for exchanges with the Bellog Trading Company than the Keltion Trading Company.”

At Klaus’s indifferent remark, Asif flared up.

“You think I, a prince of Benuve, don’t know the trading companies of my own kingdom? Keltion is much larger in Benuve than Barzef!”

“The scale within Benuve isn’t what matters. What’s important is the influence and business reach to deal with other nations, including the Kingdom of Mule. In that regard, Barzef is more familiar with foreign markets.”

As the two clashed, Bellog could only look back and forth between them with a troubled expression.

This back-and-forth kept repeating.

For some reason, they found fault with each other at every turn.

I really shouldn’t have brought them along…

With a heavy sigh, Roselia let out a deep breath. Seeing this, Bellog, who had been gauging her reaction, finally stood up.

“Haha… Alright, let’s take a break and have some tea before we continue.”

With Bellog’s intervention, the two finally shut their mouths.

Bellog, looking exhausted, excused himself, saying he needed some fresh air.

Asif slumped against the plush sofa, spreading his arms out with a dissatisfied look, while Klaus sat upright, calmly sipping his tea.

Watching Klaus with an exasperated gaze, Asif sighed deeply and turned to Roselia.

“What is the Empress thinking? Including the Duke of Valtazar in this business…?”

Even with Klaus right in front of him, Asif spoke without hesitation.

Roselia gave a wry smile at his bluntness.

“There’s no place on the continent as influential and well-funded as House Valtazar.”

“Benuve has plenty of money, too.”

At Asif’s disgruntled tone, Klaus, still sipping his tea, responded flatly.

“Then try breaking through the Fjord Mountains yourself.”

It was practically impossible for Benuve, located on the opposite side, to break through the Fjord Mountains of Mule.

No matter how much wealth Benuve had, it lacked the construction expertise of House Valtazar, which dominated the architectural industry.

Unable to refute, Asif pressed his lips together in frustration before suddenly shifting the topic, turning to Roselia.

“By the way, earlier, when I put my arm around you, I thought I felt something…”

Roselia and Klaus both stiffened at once.

Asif, puzzled by their reaction, continued.

“Did you hurt your arm?”

He must have noticed the bandages wrapped around her arm when he had draped his arm over her shoulder.

“Oh… it’s nothing serious. Just a small scratch from a fall…”

Hearing that, Asif frowned slightly.

“You’re so frail, no wonder you keep falling over. Let me take a look at your arm.”

Saying that, Asif casually reached out and grabbed Roselia’s arm.

Klaus’s expression immediately twisted in displeasure.

Asif’s action had been instinctive, treating Roselia as just another companion, but Klaus’s gaze turned sharp, as if he was about to sever Asif’s wrist on the spot.

“I-I’m fine. Really, it’s just a small wound.”

Roselia tried to pull her arm away from Asif’s grip, but his large hands, which completely engulfed her forearm, held firm.

“Antonio, how are you even holding a sword properly with this? That’s it—starting tomorrow, you’re training with me…”

Just as Roselia was debating whether to seriously protest, a large hand suddenly seized Asif’s wrist.

“Enough.”

Asif’s grip loosened as if by magic, and Roselia’s gaze shifted to Klaus, who was now clutching Asif’s wrist.

A suffocating tension crackled between them, ready to explode at any moment.

TL/N:

Hey everyone,
I’m really sorry, but I have to stop the giveaway here. Right now, I just can’t keep up with it because my health isn’t in the best shape—

I’m anemic again and have been going through daily blood transfusions. I thought it was fine but apparently not I had gone to laskic doc and he said that I can undergo it but just before the procedure he asked to run a few blood tests and he said I’m running low on iron and red blood cells lol. So I’m close to get thalassemia or whatever he told mom lol

I hate that I keep going on these hiatuses, and I can’t tell you how disappointed I am in myself for not being able to follow through on what I promised. This isn’t what I wanted, and I feel terrible about it. I didn’t want to tell yall this but it seems Im gonna die soon? haha so I guess I should write my will

Im gonna continue with x2 a month release schedule. I appreciate you all for understanding and being patient with me. Thank you for your support—it really means a lot. I posted exact same notice on discord as well so please forgive me

 

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