How to Survive in a Good Small Guild - Chapter 95

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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How to Survive in a Small-Scale Guild
Chapter 95
“Wow, there are more noble ladies connected to this than I expected.”
A few days later, I was saying this to Sedrick in the Conference Room.
“As befits the Crown Prince, there are quite a few ladies who were once mentioned as fiancée candidates.”
……
Sedrick seemed unfamiliar with such rumors and proved less helpful this time around, but I continued my account, spreading out the information I’d gathered myself.
“Six noble ladies were mentioned as fiancée candidates, eight ladies are known to have danced with him at the banquet, and….”
“But, but wouldn’t this be meaningless? Still, it seems the Crown Prince—no, His Highness the Crown Prince—didn’t particularly give his heart to any of them. It appears he simply danced and dined with them because it was his duty.”
“That may be true, but it’s hardly likely those ladies didn’t give their hearts to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“But….”
“Objectively speaking, His Highness the Crown Prince has much to offer, and more than anything, he’s quite handsome.”
“Handsome, you say?”
“Well, I mean I’ve heard that he’s handsome—that’s what I mean.”
Sedrick’s face brightened somewhat.
“And his temperament is also very thoughtful and kind. Or rather, that’s what I’ve heard, you understand.”
Since the guild members didn’t know of my relationship with Sedrian, I kept that fact hidden and spoke indirectly.
“In any case, objectively speaking, His Highness the Crown Prince is an attractive person, so these ladies may very well have developed feelings for him. In that case, they’d certainly see the Calliard princess as a rival.”
“So you think the same way?”
“Yes. Besides, we can’t even know whether His Highness gave them any encouragement or not…. If you’re kind to everyone, it can cause misunderstandings.”
“My mood has been swinging up and down since earlier, it seems.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing… I was just saying that’s how I felt.”
Since the princess Lucia had invited me to the Duke’s Mansion, I was planning to bring this material and meet with her.
“All right then, I’ll head over.”
“Will you be going alone?”
“Yes, I will. Why? Do you want to come along?”
“I, I was just thinking that way. It’s not that I have any ulterior motive—it’s just that as a member of the Information Guild, I’d like to learn more about the Duke’s household….”
“Never mind that. The princess and I need to have a proper girls’ talk. Just focus on doing your guild work well.”
I waved my hand dismissively at Sedrick, who grew rather dejected, though I paid him no mind as I climbed into the carriage the princess had sent.
***
When the carriage arrived at the Duke’s Mansion, the princess greeted me in the Reception Room.
“You’ve come, Odret!”
“Yes, I’ve brought all the information.”
“How about instead of the Reception Room, we take some tea in the Garden? The mansion’s garden is truly beautiful.”
“That sounds lovely to me.”
Following the princess’s lead, I walked toward a garden resplendent with blooming roses, and every conceivable variety of flower filled the space around them.
“Wow, the gardener must have worked terribly hard to maintain this.”
“The Garden is Mother’s favorite place. We’re always taking care of it for her sake.”
Princess Lucia shrugged her shoulders with evident pride.
In the center of the garden, a tea set had been arranged beforehand. Lucia personally brewed the tea for me.
“The aroma is really lovely.”
Savoring the taste of fine black tea for the first time in a while, I handed the papers containing the information to the princess.
“Please burn them after you’ve read.”
“Goodness, is that what we’re supposed to do?”
“No, it’s just that during the recent renovations at the Guild Building, I wanted things to feel more secretive. Doesn’t it seem rather cool?”
“Oh, I see!”
Even at my silly joke, Princess Lucia laughed. Soon she began scanning the list of noble ladies with her eyes.
“There seem to be more ladies mentioned as fiancée candidates than I expected….”
“Right? I was surprised too at how many there were.”
“Among these, which ladies would be likely to oppose me….”
The princess circled several names with her pen.
“Yes, that seems about right.”
“You can tell just by looking?”
“I’ve heard so much about other noble families up until now. And I have rather keen intuition.”
“Intuition?”
At my question, the princess smiled with rare confidence.
“Ever since I awakened my Ability to Sense Lies, my intuition has only grown sharper.”
“Ah, so your ability includes that kind of power.”
“That’s why I have a feeling these ladies will be hostile toward me. But since you’ve helped me, Odret, it should be fine.”
Princess Lucia waved the paper containing their weaknesses before us.
“With this information, I think I’ll be able to prepare sufficiently…!”
“I’m glad it was helpful. How are the other preparations going?”
“Very well, actually. I’ve commissioned a custom dress from Music Salon, Father acquired a necklace called the Tears of a Thousand Years at auction, my eldest brother is planning to escort me, and….”
My eyes widened as I listened to her elaborate plans.
Right—I’m hardly the one to worry about the princess. The scale of preparation is simply different.
“You’ll be making your debutante debut at the Imperial Banquet. There must be other noble ladies from prominent families entering society at the same time, yes?”
“That’s true, but most daughters of respectable houses have chosen to avoid this banquet. They all seem unwilling to make their debutante debut alongside me—I wonder why? Is it because I’m simply not good enough…?”
“Oh… I’d say it’s quite the opposite….”
The more she spoke, the greater the distance I felt opening between us.
While such thoughts occupied my mind, an unexpected voice cut through.
“Hey, Lucia. I was wondering where you’d gotten to.”
“Brother, I’m with a guest right now. Don’t interrupt.”
It was Dominic, Calliard’s second prince—Lucia’s younger brother, possessed of a playful nature.
“Come on, I’ve already met this person before. She’s our family’s benefactor, after all. Surely I can join you both?”
“I’m spending time with a friend after so long. Why are you getting in the way?”
Even before her younger brother, Princess Lucia displayed the ordinary bickering of siblings.
Yet the prince, true to his doting nature, refused to back down and wedged himself between us. He gestured to an attendant, who brought another chair.
“Good to see you again, Guild Master. Mind if I join?”
“Of course, Your Highness. I’m Odret Lavendel, Guild Master of the Acrlight Guild.”
“I remember, Miss Lavendel. I’m Dominic Calliard.”
He extended a hand, and I awkwardly shook it. He’d clearly wedged himself into our conversation out of concern for wherever his sister happened to be.
“What were you two discussing?”
“Odret and I were preparing for my debutante debut. I got some information ahead of time.”
“Ah, information.”
Prince Dominic spoke with casual confidence.
“With me here, what’s there to worry about? Anyone who tries to cause trouble, I’ll handle them.”
“Don’t try to solve everything in high society with brute force….”
“Though if force were needed, you could probably handle it yourself.”
“What are you talking about? I’m barely on par with a Sword Master level….”
“Ah, right. Father mentioned something to me.”
Prince Dominic’s curious gaze turned toward me.
“There’s a guild member in your guild—what was his name, Sedrick?”
“Oh, yes. You know him?”
“Not exactly. But I remember seeing him before, so he stuck with me.”
Dominic remembered Sedrick, a mere guild member? Does he memorize every man around his sister? Or did Sedrick simply stand out for his looks? He did possess the sharp, cool features that wouldn’t pale beside either prince.
“How’s that guild member doing these days?”
“For what reason would you—”
“Brother, really.”
Princess Lucia cut him down, but Prince Dominic pressed on.
“I’m just curious. It’s interesting that someone like that works at your guild.”
“Someone like that…?”
“Well, his face. He’s quite handsome.”
So that was it. He’s definitely keeping tabs on every man his sister meets.
“Yes, Sedrick works very well. Though he’s a junior member of our guild, he works with more dedication than anyone else, and his abilities have earned recognition.”
“Junior….”
“Still, his work ability is the finest we have, and his loyalty to our guild is strong. He’s a dependable employee.”
I found myself defending Sedrick, feeling sorry for him being sized up by the prince. The prince blinked a few times before asking.
“I see. So your impression is just that he’s a competent employee?”
“Yes, a very competent employee.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is….”
Prince Dominic murmured thoughtfully.
“No cause for concern at all. He’ll manage just fine on his own….”
Thanks to my defense, Sedrick had successfully slipped out of Prince Dominic’s suspicions.

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