Home/The Ice Age Came? And I Just Got Married?!/ch 49

Chapter 49.

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Acorn Village greenhouse.

Marcus and Aiden sat facing each other across the table. Behind them stood their respective aides—Jack Harper and Captain Vincent.

With Charlotte and Brian away, Marcus was handling Aiden alone.

Marcus sipped his tea and glanced at the man across from him.

Crown Prince Aiden—his long red-gold hair loosely tied back—was impeccably dressed.

It was hard to believe he'd traveled through the bitter cold, where temperatures swung between minus thirty and minus sixty degrees.

He wore a snow-white linen shirt with a silver-grey silk cravat tied flawlessly around his neck. Over it, a dark navy waistcoat fitted snugly, its buttons made of polished mother-of-pearl, with delicate silver embroidery along the edges reminiscent of the royal crest.

Before the ice age, he would have looked perfectly at home at a court banquet.

But of course, that alone wouldn't have kept him warm. Over his coat, he wore a thick grey wolf-fur vest, and a military winter cloak draped from his shoulders to below his knees.

A leather ammunition belt and holster were strapped to his waist, and his high winter boots were crusted with dried snow.

At first glance, he looked less like a Crown Prince and more like an officer leading an expedition into frozen territory.

Behind him, Captain Vincent stood at attention like a shadow.

Just the two of them—they'd come all this way alone.

Marcus shook his head with a slightly exasperated look and took another sip of tea.

Logan and Eve had been gone for two days now—who knew when they'd return.

"I never expected to meet Your Highness in such brutal cold."

It was only natural that Marcus recognized the Crown Prince—they'd both seen each other in the newspapers.

Though we're both academy alumni, the grade difference was too large—we'd never crossed paths.

After a moment's thought, Marcus spoke.

"Ah—if you've lost your way, please feel free to say so. It wouldn't be difficult to offer you a house here."

Of course, I'd need Eve's permission.

But for now, keeping his composure was what mattered, so Marcus omitted that and smiled.

Aiden raised an eyebrow at that smile.

Click.

Setting down his teacup, Aiden laced his fingers together and looked up.

"Forgive my late introduction."

He removed his fur gloves and placed them on the table.

"Aiden Leopold Aldrich Grandon. My subordinates still call me Crown Prince, but in a world like this, a name should suffice. Not Crown Prince—feel free to call me Aiden."

"Changing a title doesn't change one's status, does it, Your Highness?"

The tone was calm and gentle—but its meaning was firm and cold.

Behind Aiden, Captain Vincent frowned at Marcus, who simply shrugged as if he had no idea.

"Have I said something rude?"

"..."

"Unfortunately, I can think of too many possible reasons to offer a proper apology."

Aiden watched Marcus quietly. Marcus showed no signs of tension.

Marcus Winston Rutland—the adopted son of the Earl of Rutland, who had founded a railway company at a young age.

He was no ordinary man.

Not only that, despite his commoner origins, Marcus's manners were flawless. From how he held his teacup, to setting it down, to the timing of his gaze—everything was overly precise. It was natural enough that even a noble trained in court etiquette for years would be convincing.

Aiden could see why the Earl of Rutland had adopted him.

Marcus gave a sly smile and spoke.

"I am curious, however, as to why Your Highness would come all this way with only your Captain."

"I received a report that the Duke and Duchess of Cheshwind were spotted here."

Aiden answered calmly.

"I didn't expect to meet the Chairman of Rutland here, though—I must say, I'm rather surprised."

"By chance, I've become connected to the Duke and Duchess."

"Connected."

Aiden muttered.

"From what I recall, you and Logan weren't particularly close."

"Haha—Your Highness truly knows a great deal."

"Only as much as our Chairman Rutland."

A tense silence followed.

Behind Marcus, Jack Harper swallowed dryly.

If things went wrong, Vincent might cut them all down.

And of all times, Logan—who handled the combat—and Eve—who handled the magic—were both absent.

But our Chairman is different.

Looking at the back of Marcus's head, Jack felt reassured and took a calm breath.

As long as the cranky squirrel didn't show up, they'd be fine.

And just then—

Thud— tap.

Something rolled to Aiden's feet.

He looked down—a tiny acorn.

"An acorn...?"

A brown furry blur darted across the floor and snatched it. It was a baby squirrel.

"A squirrel?"

At Aiden's question, the squirrel froze in place.

It must have been hiding and gotten caught because of the acorn.

Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose.

Jack Harper stomped his foot and glared at Chippy—hoping he wouldn't do anything strange in front of the Crown Prince!

The cranky squirrel crept forward, picked up the acorn, and looked up at Aiden with a harmless gaze, tail swishing.

It was radiating pure innocence.

The sight was so infuriating that Marcus's brow furrowed.

Why was the temperamental squirrel behaving so politely only in front of Aiden?

Both Marcus and Jack thought the same thing:

He never acts like this with us!

But that thought didn't last long.

Chomp.

The cranky squirrel bit Aiden's shoe.

Marcus and Jack finally smiled in relief.

From now on, they decided they'd call it Chippy instead of "the cranky squirrel."

Aiden stared at the squirrel biting his shoe, then spoke.

"How is a squirrel alive in this weather?"

At Aiden's muttering, Vincent looked around.

"I don't understand either, Your Highness."

Aiden watched the squirrel for a long moment, then asked Marcus,

"I'm very curious how many Redstones this village has."

It was the question Aiden had wanted to ask ever since he entered the village.

"How many do you have, to keep the entire village so warm?"

It wasn't the Redstones—it was the village itself that was special—but saying that wouldn't convince the Crown Prince.

"I'm afraid you'll have to ask the owner directly."

"Then I'll wait."

Aiden nodded readily and stood up.

"Could you show me around the village?"

"I'm afraid showing you around is also beyond my authority. Until we know whether you're friend or foe, I can't show our full hand."

Marcus was firm. Jack, behind him, looked at his superior with admiration.

Daring to face the Crown Prince like that—that's our Chairman!

"Besides, it would be rude to tour a house when the owner isn't home."

"Rutland."

Vincent scowled again, and Marcus smiled.

"I'm sorry, but even if it's the Crown Prince, rules are rules. I answer to our master."

"Your master?"

Aiden tilted his head.

"If you mean the landlord, Logan?"

"No—this village has a different master."

Aiden asked who it was, but Marcus didn't answer.

Still, Jack wholeheartedly agreed.

Logan might own the land, but the village's master was surely Eve.

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