Free Web NovelChapter 84: _Trigger Word: Commitment
Pinnacle Pavilion Restaurant
"Sir, I’m not questioning what you’re doing." Viktor’s assistant, Solomon, whispered across the table. "I’m just pointing out how tedious it is. This Guide was shown being up close with Devon in those pics yesterday."
Viktor held his phone with one hand while taking bites from the caviar in front of him with the other. He barely paid attention to what Solomon was saying.
Because he didn’t need anything ruining the good mood he’s been in since he left the Phoenix Flight HQ.
"Sir?" Solomon huffed. "Are you even listening to me?"
It was at this point that Viktor decided to raise his head a bit. "Mmhm. What?" his mouth was half full, a small smile playing on it.
Solomon rubbed his forehead. "Were you listening to anything I was saying?"
"No, because all you were saying felt useless." Viktor didn’t even try sugarcoating it, taking a sip from a glass of wine. "I’m interested in this Guide. And I’m definitely going to get him one way or the other."
"But Hunter Devon—"
"They aren’t in a relationship, Solomon," When he laughed, his accent slipped through the edges of his words. "Believe me."
"And how do you—?"
"He," Viktor leaned in, glancing lazily around to make sure no one else was listening, "almost kissed me. When I went to drop off those new clothes."
Solomon blinked, his mouth parting with shock. It took a few seconds for him to regain his composure. "He... did?"
"Well, it was mutual," Viktor rested back into his seat, stifling a laugh. "We almost kissed. If it weren’t for that sad interruption and his slipping away at the last minute."
"See?" Solomon snapped his fingers. "That might mean he... he probably realised it was a mistake and—"
"Mistake?" Viktor paused his chewing, arching a brow.
His assistant’s face paled. "N–No... that’s not what I meant. But he—"
"But what?" The Esper’s head tilted. "You don’t think I’m fit enough for the Guide? You’re doubting my ability to capture his attention?"
Solomon’s lips sealed tight, his head lowering like a child being scolded. It was pointless trying to defend himself now.
He genuinely didn’t mean any harm — he was just worried this would bring conflict between the young master and Hunter Devon. A lot of the rivalry the Phoenix Flight and Glacier Talon Guilds have had throughout the years was because of the persistent clashes between these two.
It was so confusing too.
What was so special about that C-Rank Guide to get these two powerful men worked up?
"I’ll ignore what you said," Viktor shrugged, those icy blue eyes glinting like a love-sick puppy again. "Maybe I should send him gifts. But first I’ll need to know everything he likes."
His grin widened. "I thought I got to know everything I needed to about that little bird. But he—"
Whatever he had to say got paused in his chest when his phone buzzed on the table. He frowned, picking it up and staring at the screen.
"Mama?" His eyes lit up with surprise. He answered, placing it on speaker phone. "Mama, you’re... you’re okay. I was just—"
"Darling, there’s not much time for pleasantries," the woman chimed hurriedly. "There’s an emergency meeting being held by the International Hunters Council. At the Aegis Council Chamber."
Viktor’s frown deepened.
Aegis?
That was all the way in Vatican City.
"Yeah, I saw the news broadcast," he twirled his wine glass between his fingers. "Is that Rift really getting that serious? Close to Extinction Level?"
"You’ll find out once you get here." She sighed. "You should get an official invite thanks to your standing any moment now... but I just felt like telling you myself. Get on a jet immediately and take the S-Ranks who accompanied you for the S-Rank dungeon raid. I’ll see you in ten to eleven hours."
With that, she hung up.
Viktor stiffened, the phone lowering as his mind spun. Sure enough, he saw a notification in his message box. From the Federation.
"It was about to be a good night too." He grunted, grabbing a napkin. "Come on, Solomon. We’re heading to Europe."
★★★★★
Phoenix Flight HQ
"Orion, that’s too many clothes—what are you doing with that little tuxedo?"
"What if Cinderella wants to invite me to her castle? I need to look my best!" The kid giggled, folding his stuff into a travelling bag while Ambrose watched helplessly from his doorway.
He was already packed and so was Devon. The latter stood beside him with a small smile.
Ambrose noticed that. "I didn’t even realise I bought so many clothes for him," he whispered. "I mean, I went shopping for him after Norfolk—"
"You’re right." Devon inclined his head to him. "I checked his wardrobe and went shopping with him today. You know... while you were in hell knows where."
That made Ambrose rub his neck. "We’re still on that, huh?"
"Oh, we never left." Devon gave a sarcastic smile. "We’re raising a child together, Rose. One whom you’ve refused to tell me where he’s from, mind you."
"I told you he’s family."
"Yeah, a vague as hell response," the Esper shook his head. "We’re supposed to be partners at the very least. You’re my permanent Guide and I–I know we aren’t dating or anything committed..."
Ambrose’s pulse stuttered.
His trigger word.
Commitment.
He fidgeted, looking away from the S-Rank as he went on:
"... I still expect communication from you. These are dangerous times where things can go south quickly if we don’t stick together. And I don’t like being left in the dark, Ambrose."
Words didn’t get the chance to form in Ambrose’s head before Devon waltzed to Orion’s side.
"That’s enough clothes, buddy. Come on."
The kid surprisingly didn’t protest, seeming satisfied with what he had packed already. He held Devon’s fingers, beaming as they strolled out of the room.
Ambrose stuck at the doorway for a moment too long before shutting the bedroom door behind them, pulling Orion’s bags and his with him.
"Daddy, are we going to see the Kardashians when we fly?" Orion asked all of a sudden.
The Guide’s eyes flicked to Devon before he answered. "I shouldn’t have watched reality shows in front of you."
"Why would you even do that?" Devon cut in. "You know those have a lot of curse words."
"Censored. And he insisted on lingering around while I was in the living room."
"You’ve got to be firmer with the boy."
"Hmph. Says the man who still hasn’t told him Cinderella isn’t real."
Orion’s forehead creased. "Cinderella isn’t real?"
[Low blow, hon.]
Devon hurriedly picked the little rascal off the floor as they stepped out of the suite. "Don’t listen to your daddy. Princesses are very much real."
All Ambrose could do was roll his eyes as they closed the door and walked through the hallway.
Next stop: Vatican City.
