TRETTHD 24

#24. The Uncomfortable Ally

Khalid scanned the man up and down, as if analyzing an opponent.

He was fairly good-looking.

Annoyingly so.

“Greetings, Prince Khalid. I am Rain, the branch director of the Ronica Kingdom’s division of the information guild, Lunes.”

“A false name, isn’t it?”

He knew exactly who he was, yet the man introduced himself with an alias. How absurd.

“Haha, it’s a habit,” Derek replied with a relaxed smile.

Even that smile annoyed him. The sound of his laugh grated on Khalid’s nerves. He didn’t like anything about Derek. Maybe if the man were a grizzled middle-aged fellow, it wouldn’t have been so bad.

But the fact that a handsome man his own age had been speaking with Belia alone was enough to churn his insides.

He himself had been utterly captivated by Belia after a private meeting. A man like him, who never paid attention to others, had fallen—there was no guarantee the man standing before him wouldn’t too.

After all, Belia was simply too attractive to resist.

…Khalid was willing to admit he was already deeply infatuated.

“I received your message from Princess Belia. She said you would already be informed about me.”

Khalid nodded silently.

No doubt Belia’s beauty was what attracted lowlife men like this.

The slight uptick in Derek’s voice when he mentioned her, the barely noticeable curve of his lips—Khalid’s suspicions hardened into certainty.

‘Hmm. He doesn’t seem to like me much.’

Khalid’s expression hardly changed, but Derek—who had spent years dealing with all kinds of people—sensed it instinctively. He knew the prince disliked him.

Still, as someone used to working with difficult clients in his profession, this wasn’t anything new.

“She couldn’t join us today due to unavoidable circumstances, but I think it’d be good for the three of us to meet next time.”

Derek smiled even more brightly than before and nodded. It was clearly just the formal pleasantries of a guild master, treating a picky client with courtesy—but Khalid took it differently.

He’s smiling that wide at the thought of meeting Belia?

Feeling unnecessarily wary, Khalid added:

“…She’s busy with preparations for our upcoming engagement ceremony.”

A subtle warning: We’re engaged, so don’t even think about making a move.

But Derek only gave a gentle smile, seemingly unaware.

“Is that so?”

Khalid knew he was acting childishly—something not even a child might do.

‘This is serious.’

Belia had assured him this guild master could be trusted. That he was someone they desperately needed.

Though he didn’t like him, they had to work together. So Khalid forced aside his personal feelings and focused on the matter at hand.

“Let’s hear your plans moving forward.”

Khalid folded his arms.

“The princess requested that I spread rumors throughout the Empire—rumors about you, Your Highness.”

“I heard.”

“Our agents are already dispatched across the Empire. When I give the signal, they’ll begin spreading word of the gold mine and Your Highness.”

It was the same plan Belia had already told him.

Surely, this wasn’t the only reason he’d insisted on meeting Khalid in person.

Khalid gave Derek a long look, as if silently telling him to get to the point.

“The truth is, I asked to meet Your Highness because I have a question.”

Even under Khalid’s piercing gaze, Derek continued without flinching.

“A newly discovered gold mine is extremely valuable information. It’s not something you just spread lightly.”

Khalid agreed.

It would make far more sense to keep it secret and negotiate directly with King Ronica, claiming it as his own asset. There was no reason to hand the First Prince an excuse to act against them.

“Especially since it wasn’t even the Empire that found it, but a private individual. To spread such a rumor seems excessive. I’ll pay the full price for the information—so why not keep this a secret?”

“And then sell it off elsewhere for profit, no doubt?”

Derek didn’t answer, but Khalid already knew.

As a businessman, Derek wouldn’t pass up such a lucrative opportunity.

If Raul were in the same position, he’d hide the gold mine too—use it as his own stepping stone.

But Khalid shook his head.

“This was Belia’s decision.”

His voice was firm.

Seeing the slight curve of his lips, Derek asked again, a bit puzzled.

“I was asking you, Your Highness. You’re the one who discovered the mine, aren’t you?”

Khalid wanted to say it was Belia who found it.

But he figured she had a reason for putting him out front, so he kept quiet.

‘Belia always thinks things through.’

Khalid turned the question back to Derek.

“Then tell me—do you think there’s any other story capable of shaking the entire Empire to this extent?”

Derek rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

It was a question filled with hidden meaning.

Finally, Derek’s face lit up with a sly smile.

“You’re planning to shake the Empire to its core.”

Khalid saw through the deeper meaning immediately. Of course—Derek wasn’t the guild master for nothing.

Quick-witted and sharp.

He had already grasped what they were trying to do. Khalid didn’t like him, but he couldn’t deny his usefulness.

“That level of impact is necessary to be worthy of meeting the master.”

“Hahaha. That’s flattering. But please refer to me as Branch Director Rain. My identity must remain secret.”

Even within the guild, few knew who he really was. He couldn’t risk the title of “master” being tossed around. Khalid understood right away.

“Fine. Then since you’ve asked me a question, may I ask one of my own?”

“Of course.”

Khalid spoke, amusement gleaming in his eyes.

“Recently, Belia told me the Marquess of Sellon has an illegitimate child.”

Derek’s expression froze.

“Was it half a year ago? I heard the marquess’s only legitimate son had died. People were worried that the family line would end. No one imagined he had another son. He’s known to be quite the devoted husband.”

Then, carefully watching Derek, Khalid asked what he truly wanted to know.

“Do you really have no intention of entering the Sellon family?”

“Is that Your Highness’s question?”

“It is.”

Derek hesitated, then replied.

“No. I have no such intention.”

“Why not? If you did, you’d become the next marquess without contest.”

It was a coveted position—why refuse?

Even if the marquess’s house crumbled without an heir, that would only benefit Khalid politically. But regardless of that, Derek stood to gain.

“The Sellon family is one of the Empire’s most prestigious. You’d have power in your grasp. Why walk away?”

Surely someone running an information guild would know this.

Derek sighed softly.

“I grew up believing my father was dead. Now he seeks me out for his own gain. I want nothing to do with the Marquess of Sellon.”

So that’s how it was.

“No ambitions, then?”

“Your Highness should be glad the family is fading away.”

The marquess was a supporter of the First Prince.

This was the perfect chance to chip away at Raul’s power.

As Derek looked at him with a knowing smile, Khalid feigned ignorance.

“What’s that got to do with me?”

“You’re aiming for the throne, aren’t you?”

Oh?

Khalid’s interest was piqued.

“And what makes you say that?”

“Because I met Princess Belia.”

Intriguing answer.

“There was a lot of buzz about her choosing Your Highness over Prince Raul.”

Khalid couldn’t help but puff up slightly.

“I wondered why—but after meeting her, I understood immediately.”

Derek recalled his memory of Belia—her commanding and noble expression stayed with him. Based on his long experience as an information dealer, he was certain.

“Princess Belia is not someone who would settle for merely being a consort.”

Khalid felt a mix of pride and irritation—Derek talked as if he knew her well. But he kept his expression neutral.

“And the rumors themselves seem like an effort to change Your Highness’s image. Why else would she do that, unless she intends to make you Emperor?”

The look in her eyes when she proposed the deal—so full of ambition—made it clear. She had decided to make Khalid Emperor.

“At first, I thought she just wanted to improve your reputation. But I quickly realized there was a much bigger goal.”

To sway the people first—that was not a plan most royals would even consider.

“Frankly, I have no desire to be involved in the imperial succession war.”

Derek lowered his eyes for a moment.

Then, lifting his gaze, he met Khalid’s directly.

“Are you testing me because you think I could be your secret weapon?”

He suspected Khalid wanted to keep him hidden—ready to use against the First Prince’s faction.

Khalid gave a short, dry laugh.

This man was sharp—Derek grasped the heart of the matter and took the lead. He truly was worthy of leading Lunes.

But Khalid wasn’t so easily outplayed either.

“I merely asked out of curiosity. But you—you had the nerve to test me. Calculating whether to side with me or the First Prince.”

Khalid clasped his hands together on the table.

“So? Now that you’ve seen me—what’s your verdict? Have you figured out which side you should bet on?”

He leaned back, waiting patiently.

After a long pause, Derek finally opened his mouth to answer.