Chapter 103: The Headache of Fame
Silas looked defeated, and Antoine couldn’t help smiling.
"Mr. Ashard. Our purpose today isn’t merely business. We’re here to rebuild a relationship that should never have ended."
He looked toward Vida, and she immediately slid a thin black folder across the polished table. It stopped neatly before Silas.
"We are not asking you to sign anything today."
Silas looked at the folder but didn’t touch it. Vida nodded approvingly.
"Please, take your time. What you’re holding is only a proposal. It contains the outline of the partnership we wish to establish. You may read it today, tomorrow, or a month from now. If you have questions, we’ll answer every single one. If you dislike something, we negotiate. If you reject it, we respectfully accept your decision."
Silas blinked. "That’s... surprisingly reasonable."
Antoine laughed.
"Good contracts are built on trust. Bad contracts are built on pressure. We have no intention of pressuring you."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Our hope is simple. We’d like Aureline to become your official apparel partner. We would provide your everyday clothing, formal attire, combat attire designed by our Hunter division, public appearance outfits, and custom-tailored clothing built specifically around your physique and future needs.
You would represent Aureline whenever you choose to wear our products. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Silas finally picked up the folder. It felt... surprisingly light. He flipped open the first page, and the very first sentence caught his attention.
Contract Proposal for Mr. Silas Ashard
In honor of the partnership once shared between the Ashard Family and Aureline Apparel Group, we respectfully present this proposal.
He paused there, his fingers resting on the paper. His parents, once again... They had left behind another piece of themselves that he knew nothing about. Silas slowly closed the folder again.
"I’ll read everything first."
Antoine smiled.
"That’s exactly what I hoped you’d say. No one should sign a contract they haven’t fully understood."
For the first time since entering the Administration Office, Silas felt that this meeting wasn’t another trap. It was simply an opportunity. Whether he accepted it or not, that decision would be entirely his.
Silas rested the folder on the table instead of signing it immediately.
"There is one thing I don’t understand."
Antoine gestured for him to continue.
"You’ve already confirmed Chloe’s evaluation. She’s an S-Rank too." Silas glanced toward Anna before looking back at Antoine. "Then why wasn’t she invited? If this is about talent, shouldn’t she be sitting here with me?"
The room grew quiet. Vida looked toward Antoine, silently asking whether she should answer. He shook his head.
"I’ll explain."
Silas nodded.
Antoine folded his hands together.
"The reason is actually quite simple. It isn’t because Miss Chloe Montreal lacks value."
"Quite the opposite." He tapped his tablet, bringing up another file. "Our analysts already have a complete profile prepared for Miss Montreal."
Silas blinked. "Already?"
"We’re a business." Antoine smiled. "We prepare before we move."
He continued.
"Miss Chloe is indeed an S-Rank. A newly awakened S-Rank. She is an extremely valuable public figure. If she wished, she could receive offers from dozens of companies tomorrow."
Silas nodded.
"Then?"
"Then..." Antoine leaned back. "She’s closely associated with you."
Silas frowned. "Meaning?"
"We know you’re together."
That answer came so naturally that Silas couldn’t even deny it.
"The entire country knows after the media incident."
Anna covered her mouth, trying not to laugh. Vida continued instead.
"Our marketing department reached a unanimous conclusion. If we approached both of you separately, it could easily be interpreted as trying to divide your interests. Or worse, trying to use one against the other during negotiations."
Silas’s brows relaxed.
"I didn’t think of that."
"Most people don’t."
Antoine nodded.
"Your situation is different." He looked directly into Silas’s eyes. "You are not only an S-Rank. You are also the son of two people who helped Aureline become what it is today. Your parents already had a history with us. There is trust, familiarity, and goodwill. That changes everything."
He pointed toward the folder.
"This proposal isn’t merely for Silas Ashard, the awakened. It is also for Silas Ashard... the heir to a family we owe a great deal."
Silas unconsciously lowered his eyes. His parents, again, had left footprints everywhere. He just never knew.
Antoine continued.
"As for Miss Montreal, we fully intend to offer her a contract, but only after discussing it with you."
Silas looked up.
"With me?"
"Yes."
"We’re well aware that the two of you are partners. If you believed joining Aureline would inconvenience her, we wouldn’t even approach her."
Silas rubbed the back of his neck.
"I don’t own Chloe."
"No." Antoine agreed immediately. "But respecting someone’s relationship before making business proposals isn’t a bad thing."
Silas couldn’t really argue with that. It actually sounded... respectful, something rare in this world.
"What about Gromda?" he asked. "The public thinks she’s my tamed monster."
Vida answered this time.
"Legally..." She opened another document. "...that is exactly how she’s currently classified."
"Figures." Silas sighed.
"The government has yet to establish legal rights for intelligent monsters residing in human territory. So until then..." She looked apologetic. "Your contract automatically extends to her."
"If Aureline designs clothing, armor, accessories, or custom equipment for you, those services will naturally include Gromda."
"We would, of course, create everything specifically for her physique."
Silas imagined Gromda trying to squeeze into normal human clothing.
"Please do. I don’t think shopping is easy for someone over seven feet tall."
That earned a small laugh around the room. Even Miss Elena smiled. Silas looked down at the folder again.
"So, I’m basically signing for myself, and opening the door for Chloe and Gromda too."
"In a sense." Antoine nodded. "But only if Miss Montreal herself agrees. We don’t make decisions on behalf of adults."
Silas appreciated hearing that. Too many people had already tried deciding things for Chloe. He wasn’t about to become one of them.
The room became quiet once more. He slowly turned toward the only person there, whom he trusted completely in matters like this. Anna.
She had remained silent throughout the meeting. She noticed his gaze and smiled softly.
"What?"
"You’ve been quiet."
Anna shrugged. "Because there’s nothing suspicious here."
Silas blinked. "Really?"
She nodded. "I read the draft before you arrived. I also had our legal department compare it with standard Hunter endorsement contracts."
"And?"
"They’re actually underselling themselves."
Everyone except Antoine and Vida looked surprised. Anna crossed one leg over the other.
"The royalty percentages are generous, the exclusivity clauses are reasonable, and the cancellation terms protect you more than they protect Aureline."
She smiled.
"If anything, I’d be wondering whether they’re making enough profit."
Antoine laughed.
"We intend to. Just over a much longer period."
Anna looked back at Silas.
"I trust them, and if you’re asking for my opinion..." She smiled reassuringly. "I think your parents would’ve approved."
Silas stared at the contract for several more seconds and picked up the pen.
"Well." He let out a slow breath. "I guess this is one of the headaches that comes with fame."
He signed. The moment the pen left the paper, Antoine stood and extended his hand once more.
"Welcome to the Aureline family."
Silas shook it and said, "I’ll try not to bankrupt you."
Antoine chuckled.
"Our shareholders are hoping you do the exact opposite."
Vida carefully collected the signed contract before placing it into a secure case.
"Congratulations, Mr. Ashard. We’ll begin preparations immediately."
"Your personal wardrobe consultation, formal measurements, Hunter combat apparel fitting, and media styling sessions can all be scheduled around your academy timetable."
Silas froze.
"Wait."
"Media what?"
"Styling sessions. Public appearances. Brand photography. Magazine interviews."
Silas slowly turned toward Anna.
"Can I still back out?"
Anna burst into laughter.
"No. Welcome to being famous."
Silas slumped back into his chair with a groan.
"I miss fighting orcs already."
Even Antoine couldn’t suppress his laughter. For someone who had stared down an Exalted Orc King without flinching, the schedule of a celebrity ambassador seemed to terrify him far more.