The Great Wish Volume 1 Chapter 3 part8

Chapter 3: Entwined Destiny
Kuhn's carriage had successfully shaken off the cart following after them and leisurely started heading east. On the eastern part of the capital stood the largest marketplace in the Empire.

The market was always open from dawn to dusk. From wholesale to retail, the marketplace was full of all kinds of businesses. Every major business could be found here.

The marketplace was closed, and all the lights were extinguished. The carriage stopped in front of a large building. On top of the building was a sign reading 'Raad Company'.

Kuhn got off the carriage and entered the building. An old man approached him and lowered his head. He was the general manager of the main store.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Kuhn?"

"Bring me the account books for the Roxan business."

"Should I wait?"

Russ asked. Kuhn shook his head.

"This won't be quick. Go back."

"Yessir. Then I'll leave first. Ah, old man. Last time, I... about my request from last time... How is that going?"

Russ furtively glanced at Kuhn and spoke.

"I've prepared it, so come back for it later."

"Oh! As I thought, you're the best, old man."

"Russ."

Russ flinched as he wiped the grin off his face at Kuhn's call.

"Yes?"

"If you go and make a scene after getting drunk again, you're dead. I won't forgive you this time."

"I didn't make a scene!"

Russ had only asked for a few bottles of the precious specialty liquor. He shouted out with indignation. Afraid that Kuhn would tell him to stop drinking completely, Russ quickly ran out of the building and disappeared.

"I can't keep my eyes off that boy."

"Didn't he dutifully stop drinking for half a year when you ordered it, sir? Please go easy on him."

General Manager Mason grinned.

"It's good the way it is. I know for sure now. That boy needs a tight leash."

Kuhn naturally stepped forward and entered the general manager's office. He walked in as if he was the owner of the office, and the general manager followed behind as if he was the guest.

"Why are you suddenly looking for the Roxan business account books? Did something happen...?"

Mason placed the thick documents that were tied together with a string onto the desk as he asked.

"I met Baron Burock. I think I'll have to see him for a while. He has a lot of interest in the Roxan business. He will definitely be asking a bunch of questions, so I need to familiarize myself with the latest news in order to answer them."

Kuhn quickly flipped through the documents as he studied it.

"There isn't anything worth looking at with that business lately. We're only maintaining it for now. Ah, we recently closed down two of its branches. It should be written there in the summary."

"Send someone to ask for an audience with Baron Barock. I'll go see him in about three or four days."

"Yessir."

As Kuhn continued to study the documents, Mason quietly disappeared. After a little while, he came back with a tray of ice packs.

"If you don't treat it now, it will be even more swollen in the morning."

Embarrassed, Kuhn put his forehead in his hand.

"Don't worry. It doesn't look like Russ noticed. He's quite slow."

"... Thank goodness for that. That boy's mouth is lighter than a feather."

Kuhn grabbed an ice pack and put it against his cheek. His cheek prickled as the cold ice touched it.

"Kuhn."

"Don't say anything."

"Are you going around doing something to make the ladies strike you across the face? I have no recollection of raising you to be that way."

Kuhn sourly replied.

"...I didn't say that I was hit by a woman."

"There's no way you would have taken a hit from a man."

"..."

"And I'm sure you were hit because you deserved it."

Mason smiled as he watched Kuhn rest his chin on his hand as he iced his cheek like a petulant child. Mason's eyes were filled with tenderness as if he was looking at his grandchild.

Master Kuhn was as dependable as a son, as loveable as a grandchild, and sometimes seemed a bit childish. Kuhn was endlessly generous to those inside his circle, but he rarely let anyone inside.

It seemed that it also applied to his romantic relationships as well. When he had first turned into an adult, he had met with many women out of curiosity, but it had never developed into something deeper. When everyone saw Kuhn wasting away the prime of his life looking for more work, they became worried.

Is he finally seeing someone? Mason joyfully thought as he began to fill with hope.

"If you did something wrong, go and ask for forgiveness. Did you apologize?"

"She told me not to appear before her anymore."

"Oh, dear. You must have made a big mistake. Go and beg for forgiveness no matter what. There's nothing else you can do."

"Are you taking the side of a woman you don't even know?"

"Whoever she is, she is welcome. If she was able to slap you, that means she's a powerful woman. Even better. Please bring her in as your wife within the year."

"Stop speaking nonsense and get out. I'm not done looking through these yet."

After kicking Mason out, Kuhn mumbled as he continued to rub the ice pack against his cheek.

"No matter what I say, it's always marriage this, marriage that. Is marriage something I can do by myself?"

It seemed as if they believed he could get married to any woman in the world if he just put his mind to it.

The Empire rules the world? That saying didn't apply to the Raads. As the head of his clan, he was viewed as a savior who would fulfill all the desires of the clan. To them, Kuhn was an idol and a religion. There were thousands of men who would gladly die for his sake.

As reliable as they were, it was a heavy burden. He had to live up to the clan's expectations. He had to be perfect and strong. He had reached this point, constantly pushing himself further. Thankfully, the path that was laid before him was one that he also desired.

You've done well. Coming to this point.

Kuhn clenched his hands before relaxing them. The lingering touch was still there. It was the first time his body had craved for something with this intensity. The gentle touch, the warmth of her mouth... Just the memory of her fragrance brushing against his nose made a heat rise from his lower stomach.

She was a flower on a cliff that was beyond his reach. The Princess was a woman that he would never be able to obtain.

The moment he wound his arms around her hips and swallowed her lips, Kuhn realized his greed and the wavering in his heart that he had tried so hard to overlook.

Give up.

A voice in his heart spoke to him.

The Princess only considers you to be a passing amusement. She won't be dreaming of having a future with you. Even if you both have the same heart, you will have to throw everything away to be with her. Can you do it? You definitely won't be able to.

His cold rationality gave him the right advice. Even though he knew that it was true, Kuhn still wanted to resist. His insides twisted because he couldn't refute it.

Kuhn shuddered as he recalled the poisonous gold eyes glaring at him.

"Haaa..."

He let out a sigh of despair. Even her face, as she glared at him with intent to kill, was incredibly beautiful.

Did he want her more because he couldn't have her?

His throat burned. No matter how much ice water he drank, it wouldn't quench this thirst.

Chapter end