I Proposed to My Childhood Friend After Regressing - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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After Returning, I Proposed to My Childhood Friend
Chapter 79
The receptionist’s casual remark—tossed out as lightly as if listing tonight’s menu—carried surprisingly significant weight.
The first thing to consider was the true identity of the Gerbin Network.
What he’d mentioned as the “Gerbin Network” was a kind of code name for unregistered, unofficial mercenary groups.
Where the Official Mercenary Guild would refuse contracts, the Gerbin Network accepted jobs too difficult to record officially or resolve through legitimate channels.
‘It simply requires about triple the fee the formal guild would charge.’
Conversely, if one had enough coin, the Gerbin Network would also accept contracts that could’ve been requested from the official guild.
So when Clyde hesitated and rose from his seat, the receptionist had read his next destination.
‘What matters more is that comment—that they’re busy right now too.’
The implication was that someone had set both the formal mercenary guild and unofficial mercenaries in motion simultaneously.
‘The Imperial Princess’s wedding is an event that moves the entire Empire.’
Accordingly, the personnel needed for noble escorts, supply transport, security maintenance, and so forth was considerable.
‘But even so, do we really need this many mercenaries?’
Just this suspicion made his chest feel tight, but what troubled him most was the receptionist’s initial refusal of his request.
‘Would it be difficult to push the schedule back to mid-next month? At that time… well, even with a Rotating Contract, I believe we could arrange two teams of intermediate rank or above.’
That remark, precisely.
‘Rotating Contracts are mainly used for long-term engagements.’
Though mercenaries outnumbered commissioned knights, their numbers were still finite.
If one client kept skilled personnel occupied for an extended period, naturally other contracts would either go unfulfilled or fall behind.
This harmed the guild, and mercenaries themselves preferred not to miss out on bonus allocation from other commissions.
Thus came the Rotating Contract—a system of maintaining the commission while cycling personnel through at set intervals.
‘In other words, only the contract terms, personnel, and conditions change; the employment itself continues unbroken.’
And now the receptionist was saying that after mid-next month, the contract would shift to a Rotating Contract. That big spender who’d contracted large mercenary forces was also a long-term client.
Clyde’s eyes dimmed as he reached his conclusion.
When all the jewelers, bookshops, and toy stores he’d visited with Beatrice were tallied together, there was only one possible conclusion.
‘Rebellion preparations.’
The mere fact that Elodie was plotting rebellion wasn’t surprising at all. After all, everything that had happened before he returned stemmed from her treachery.
But the meaning behind holding the wedding had shifted completely from the past.
Previously, her reason for holding the wedding was to expand her influence through marriage to House Dalton, but now it was rather to hide her tracks.
‘First, by becoming part of the Duke’s Household, she can plant the idea that she’s stepping down from the line of succession.’
And while people’s attention is turned away, she smuggles out the funds and supplies needed for rebellion under the guise of wedding necessities.
It was a clever approach, in its way.
If she remained within the Imperial Family, the Emperor could confiscate or inspect her assets and materials at any time. But as a member of House Dalton?
‘Then it’s a different story.’
Even the Imperial Family couldn’t simply ransack the interior of a ducal household.
‘Having failed the hunt, she’s mixing with the pack to at least break even and try again next time—that seems to be her thinking.’
Moreover, if he went by Valois’s—no, Beatrice’s—account, Elodie was still moving to eliminate those who might threaten her.
‘If all three succeed, the marriage itself profits even without gaining the Duke’s Household’s influence.’
With that thought, Clyde quickly returned to the carriage and stepped inside.
He intended to relay what he’d discovered to Beatrice, and also to hear the rest of what she’d begun saying earlier.
But the moment he found himself facing Beatrice inside the carriage, he set aside all the plans he’d just been considering.
“……Mm…….”
The person he needed to talk to had already drifted into dreamland with her face buried in a cushion.
It made sense that she was drowsy after walking through town all this time, but…….
‘Why on earth is she sleeping in such an awkward, strange position?’
If her breathing got cut off like that, what would he do?
He carefully removed the cushion from beside Beatrice and tossed it aside, barely catching her falling head with his hand.
Sitting beside her, Clyde gently removed her disheveled wig and quietly laid her head against his shoulder.
He felt her ragged breathing close at his ear and slowly tilted his own head as well.
Resting his head atop her fluffy hair, Clyde closed his eyes lightly and murmured.
“Fool.”
Not even knowing what he felt.
He was most at ease when she was near.
Whether she chattered endlessly, snapped irritably as she had just now, or breathed deeply in sleep like this—he loved it all.
Clyde could only breathe easy when she was beside him.
‘……This makes me no better than a dog with separation anxiety.’
But it was unavoidable. Perhaps it was because the time to confront the source of it all drew ever closer? It seemed even worse than right after his return.
At least then, he hadn’t wished to keep drinking in the sight of Beatrice the way he did now, nor craved her touch as he did.
Today, serving Beatrice as ‘Ben’ had even brought unexpected satisfaction.
Beyond her reactions, the very act of looking after her across everything had been a joy.
‘If that earlier version of me heard this, he’d ask if I’d been hit by something and gone mad.’
As if by habit, Clyde rubbed the ring Beatrice had given him with his finger.
From handling it so often, the surface had already begun to wear smooth.
‘If I’m being honest, these symptoms seem to have intensified since I laid bare all my past to Beatrice…….’
It was as Clyde traced his memory and contemplated his own changes that it happened.
A light knock sounded from the driver’s seat, and a small window opened.
“Young Master, the Duchess has sent word.”
“Mother?”
“Yes. It appears the Grand Duke sent someone to the Duke’s Household. He intended to invite you for a leisurely meal, but upon learning of Miss Crofford’s conduct, he wishes to hurry matters. So he’d like a reply today if possible—the Grand Duke’s messenger is currently waiting.”
“And?”
“If possible, he hopes for your answer before day’s end. What would you like to do?”
A meal invitation…….
The subject that had gnawed at Clyde’s nerves several times recently had finally surfaced.
‘Valois being a Possession user haunted by a spirit…….’
Clyde naturally reached out and linked his fingers with Beatrice’s hand, then opened his mouth as if his resolve had settled.
“Tell him I accept the invitation. And we’ll go to the Hartwell Earl’s Residence first. I need to see Beatrice home.”
“Ah, you’re not going straight to the Duke’s Household together?”
“The Grand Duke’s messenger is here. I don’t want to wake Beatrice unnecessarily. She’s pushed herself quite hard today just to match my pace.”
“Ah, yes! I’ll arrange it at once!”
Clyde closed his eyes again as the window shut with light laughter.
Since Beatrice had made clear her wishes, he had no intention of stopping her.
Just as she trusted his judgment, he trusted her instincts.
‘Though I should confirm with my own eyes first that Valois Crofford truly poses no threat to Beatrice.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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