How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 100

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

How to Survive in a Small Guild
Chapter 100
“So I had a spirited discussion with His Highness about labor,” I said.
Watching Princess Lucia flash me a radiant smile, I couldn’t help but smile back—the absurdity of the situation was simply too much.
‘No, it’s just taken a different path than the original. The romance will still develop.’
Nobles interested in the Labor Law—their priorities aligned perfectly with mine.
Even if the catalyst differed from the source material, there was no telling if things might still develop romantically anyway.
Just then, Princess Lucia seemed to remember something and opened her mouth.
“Oh, and His Highness the Crown Prince went out to the Garden a moment ago, looking for you—”
“He did?”
It seemed we’d just missed each other.
I thought it best to report what I’d learned in the Garden, so I turned to head there—if only Prince Dominic hadn’t grabbed my arm.
“Wait, it’s dangerous to go to the Garden alone. There’s no one around.”
“That’s exactly why it’s fine.”
“L-look, normally a young lady going alone to a deserted place might give rise to rumors, you understand?”
“But I’m not a noblewoman.”
“You’re remarkably bold, I’ll grant you that, but it’s dangerous anyway. Let me escort you.”
“All right, then.”
Since Prince Dominic showed no sign of backing down, I decided to comply with his request.
We stepped into the Garden together. I could feel the whispers of the noble ladies in our wake, but I chose to ignore them.
“What if rumors start circulating about you, my lord? People saw a commoner woman leaving with you—”
“I’ll say I was asking you about investments, since I’m interested in the subject.”
“Ah…”
It lacked a certain elegance, but it was practical. If he mentioned investments, no one would think twice about our time together.
I nodded at his words and searched the Garden for Sedrian. It seemed he’d been looking for me too, for his voice reached me moments later.
“Odret!”
I turned and spotted the Crown Prince tucked away in a corner. I bowed respectfully to Prince Dominic.
“Thank you for bringing me. I’ll take my leave now—”
“What’s he doing here?”
The Crown Prince’s eyes narrowed at Prince Dominic with obvious suspicion, so I quickly explained.
“He was kind enough to escort me, saying it would be dangerous to come to the Garden alone.”
“That’s true, it would be. But…”
The Crown Prince studied Prince Dominic with an unreadable expression, then gestured for him to go.
“I have something to discuss with her.”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Prince Dominic turned to the Crown Prince with a knowing smile.
“This has been quite entertaining. There’s something amusing about watching this unfold.”
“Don’t talk nonsense. Go.”
Could he really speak to the Crown Prince that way? Still, Prince Dominic was probably just being protective of the man who’d danced with his sister.
“Actually, Sedrian. I’ve discovered something.”
I was about to report my findings about the Temple conspiracy when he pressed a finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet.
“Wait. Someone’s coming.”
He gestured for me to come closer.
Feeling awkward, I slipped with him into the narrow gap between the shrubs. Pressed close together, I held my breath.
“Hehe, there’s no one here, is there?”
“No one at all.”
A young couple soon appeared, arm in arm, strolling through the Garden. We waited awkwardly for them to pass.
Holding our breath in silence, the music drifting from the Ballroom filled the void—soft and somehow sweet.
…
When I turned my head, my eyes met Sedrian’s. His grey gaze was fixed intently on me.
I didn’t look away. He had something to tell me—wait, was I even allowed to meet a Crown Prince’s eyes directly like this? Was I violating protocol?
While confusion muddled my thoughts, Sedrian’s voice came softly.
“I’ve imagined this before. Just the two of us, lingering in the Garden behind the Ballroom…”
“Sir?”
“I’m saying this moment feels rather perfect. As if I’d been waiting all day for this ball to unfold just this way.”
“Was it meeting Princess Lucia that made you feel that way?”
…
“Ah, I was too blunt. My apologies.”
“…Never mind that. But you did say you’d discovered something.”
“Oh, yes!”
I relayed to the Crown Prince everything I’d just discovered.
“So it seems the Arclight Guild won’t be able to approach directly. I think it would be better if you, Sedrian, summoned John Cerdic to the Imperial Palace. If you tell him you’ll help him marry the Countess of Jansen, he’ll become the Imperial Palace’s ally.”
“That’s genuinely useful information. I’ll do as you suggest. And….”
Sedrian glanced at me sideways.
“Becoming a High Priest at the Temple—is that really all right?”
“Yes, it is.”
I hadn’t told Sedrian that I’d undergone experiments at the Temple. If I did, I’d have to explain my possession as well.
“It’s fine. In fact, it will make it easier for you to access the information you want….”
“…Still, it’s best to stay cautious. If things get truly dangerous, just flee the Temple and come straight to me.”
“Oh, won’t they chase after me and attack?”
“If you hide in the Guild Building, I’ll come help.”
“Ha, thank you for saying that. Of course, I won’t put my guild members in danger!”
“No, you’ll be fine. The Guild Building has a limited number of entrances, and defending from inside gives you the advantage. Your guild members won’t be in any danger.”
“Oh, you haven’t visited the Guild Building since construction was finished, have you?”
“Guild buildings are all similar….”
Then Sedrian said offhandedly,
“Your guild has quite a strong person, doesn’t it?”
“Who? Oh, you mean Sedrick the supervisor—I heard he has some martial ability. He apparently did physical training at a sweatshop he worked at before.”
“Yes, that’s the one. If needed, he’ll help.”
“By the way, I heard that Sedrick’s distant cousin works as an attendant at the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“I’m not sure about that. There are so many attendants at the Crown Prince’s Palace.”
“I see. Should I head out now?”
Since I’d finished my business, it seemed fine to go home.
As I stood up thinking this, Sedrian’s expression shifted to one of alarm.
“Wait—surely you’re not leaving already?”
“Yes.”
“Without even dancing once?”
“I, well….”
What was this unexpected demand?
“Your Highness, I’m a commoner who’s never learned to dance, have no one to dance with, and see no reason to dance….”
…….
As I spilled out my words in a rush, Sedrian fell silent. Shortly after, he spoke again.
“Still, it would be a pity to leave without enjoying the ball.”
“Thanks to your invitation, I did enjoy wonderful food in the first part.”
“Even so, I….”
The couple from earlier had vanished, and now the courtyard seemed to belong only to us.
As music drifted from the ballroom into the courtyard, Sedrian extended his hand to me.
“I’d like you to dance one song with me.”
It was such an unexpected gesture that I hesitated for a moment.
“I really don’t know how to dance….”
“It’ll work out. Just follow my steps.”
It didn’t seem right to refuse the Crown Prince’s invitation. After a moment’s hesitation, I took his hand. He then lifted my left hand onto his shoulder, and his arm naturally wrapped around my waist.
As he moved, I slowly followed his feet. Honestly, I couldn’t tell if I was dancing or playing a rhythm game at an arcade. Was this even dancing?
“…When you dance, you can just look at your partner.”
“Ah.”
I lifted my head, which had been staring at the ground. I felt Sedrian’s gaze, which hadn’t left me once.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————