Guidelines for the Perfect Goodbye - Chapter 272

“…I was just playing a little joke, overjoyed to see my younger brother’s face after so long. Aren’t you taking it too seriously? Now I don’t even know where to cut it off—it’s making things awkward for me too.”

As Christian stepped back, Logan offered a polite apology.

“It seems I lack social grace.”

Christian clapped him on the shoulder, making sure others could see.

“I heard you’ve been busy at sea. You must finally have some free time if you’ve come all the way to the capital?”

“I’m still busy. I just returned from the royal palace, in fact.”

“The palace? What business did you have there?”

“I can’t disclose that.”

“Come on, it’s just us.”

Christian feigned camaraderie, but Logan maintained a polite smile.

“It’s not exactly a secret, but discussing military meetings outside is against protocol.”

“You do know I’m affiliated with the military, right? I’m a senior knight in the Royal Guard.”

“…Is that so?”

Logan’s eyes widened slightly, as if hearing it for the first time.

“That’s right. My position isn’t so low in the hierarchy, you know. Is this about merchant vessels? If so, considering our strong bond, I’d appreciate it if you shared some details.”

“Young Duke— No, Sir Christian. My apologies, but that’s not possible.”

“Why not?”

“Anyone without clearance to attend a military meeting is considered an outsider. If you were knighted under the Royal Guard, you must have taken the exam, so I’m sure you already know this.”

“…Ah, right. I made a brief lapse in judgment.”

“Indeed. And also…”

Logan lowered his voice, his tone almost conspiratorial.

“The Marine Corps is separate from the Royal Guard. So even if you’ve been knighted, your rank doesn’t apply to us.”

At the end of his words, a faint smile played on his lips.

“Of course, as a senior knight, you already knew that.”

“……”

Christian forced his lips into a stiff grin, speaking through clenched teeth like a ventriloquist.

“Why don’t you stop lurking around Mannheim and return to the sea? That filthy, reeking place suits you perfectly.”

“I would if I could.”

“I truly hope you can return to your rightful place as soon as possible.”

Christian smiled with narrowed eyes, his voice laced with venomous kindness.

Logan let a quiet chuckle escape and then lifted his head.

“How is His Grace the Duke?”

Just as Christian was indifferent to Logan, Logan treated his own father as a stranger.

It was clearly a question asked purely out of courtesy.

“Father’s doing well. I’ll be sure to tell him I ran into you today.”

“There’s no need for that.”

Logan dismissed the idea outright before asking,

“And you, Sir Christian?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you doing well?”

It was another polite question, yet given the current situation, it felt strangely intrusive.

Christian felt an odd heaviness settle at the nape of his neck.

“…Of course. My life has always been smooth sailing. Not even a single breeze disturbs me—it’s so peaceful it’s almost dull.”

Logan gave a small nod.

“I see. I’m glad to hear that. I hope you continue to enjoy your peace.”

With that customary farewell, he stepped aside and moved past Christian.

* * *

For a sailor, a windless day is the most dangerous of all.

Isn’t that why people call it the calm before the storm?

But that man wasn’t the type to worry about the future.

“From the way he acts, he still hasn’t changed.”

Logan scoffed to himself, regretting that he had left the palace so early—only to run into Christian of all people.

Of course, he had recognized Christian immediately.

But he had pretended otherwise, deliberately provoking him.

It was petty, and Logan knew it.

Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to speak gently.

Because Cecilia despised that man.

Knowing it would irritate Christian, he had still asked after his well-being and refused to engage with his provocations.

But in truth, there was something else he wanted to ask.

‘What did you do to her?’

Lately, he had been having the same dream every night.

A dream where he and Cecilia were married.

At first, he had thought it was simply his unconscious desires manifesting.

But every time he woke, he felt wretched.

He should have felt happy.

And yet, every time he opened his eyes, his throat felt dry, his head ached…

Like someone who had wept uncontrollably over a loss they could not bear.