Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 114

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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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A café operated by the heir to the Dark Guild.
114
“What do you take me for? Absolutely not. Never.”
Biedler furrowed his brow as if bewildered by the misunderstanding, pressing his palm to his forehead.
I smoothed down my own racing heart and felt an inexplicable sense of relief wash over me.
“She came as a match for the Crown Prince. If not him, then whose child would it be?”
“Brother. While I was away, the two of them became involved that way.”
Feeling wronged by my misinterpretation, Biedler sighed and poured water into his cup, drinking it down in long gulps.
“The Crown Prince? I must say it’s surprising…”
Though the connection between the Crown Prince and the princess was indeed surprising, it didn’t seem like something to worry over.
“Isn’t that a good thing? Now the marriage talks between the princess and you will certainly disappear. And from the Crown Prince’s perspective, it’s better than the Emperor reaching out to another great power.”
“The Empress has no intention of marrying me to the princess. I regard her as a mere plaything. If word gets out that she’s carrying a child… the princess will die.”
I, who had naturally assumed it was an official relationship, opened my eyes wide.
“Then only the Crown Prince knows that the princess is with child?”
“That’s right. She came to me directly and asked for help. She wanted me to pretend to be her lover until she gave birth.”
I gazed downward at an angle and fell into thought.
If she played his lover the whole time and then bore the child, the Empress might pin it on Biedler instead.
Moreover, with a scandal entangling the Crown Prince, the Emperor, and the princess, the true nature would become murky, and it would be unclear who would suffer the blow.
“I’m against it.”
“I’m not keen on it either, so I’m thinking of another way to keep them both in this country until the princess gives birth.”
“Why should they stay here? Wouldn’t it be safer for them to return home?”
“It might be safer, but I can’t guarantee they’d be able to return with the child afterward. Besides, if she goes back home, her resolve to bear the child might waver.”
True enough. There was a sea between Melissa’s homeland and the Empire.
Travel between nations couldn’t use Magic Stones, so entry required passing through border guards without exception.
There were many dangers on every front.
“Hmm… but can you trust the princess? What if, after bearing the child, she sides with the Empress?”
Even if the princess had asked Biedler for help just now, there was no guarantee she wouldn’t betray him after the birth.
On the contrary, now that she had the child as a bargaining chip, she might find it even easier to join their faction.
Just as my words seemed to deepen Biedler’s troubled expression, he was about to open his mouth—
The sound of wheels and stirring outside drew our attention.
Biedler and I exchanged glances and simultaneously looked out.
I thought Riley might have returned, but through the window I saw a cart brimming with roses of every color.
“What is that?”
“I have no idea.”
A man who appeared to be the leader among those pulling the cart knocked on the door, beads of sweat rolling down his face.
“Customer?”
When I opened the door and asked, he bowed respectfully and gestured toward the cart.
“A gift from the Crown Prince, Your Highness. Please receive it kindly. Here, there’s a card as well.”
With that, he pressed a golden envelope into my hands.
I recoiled and tried to close the door as if I hadn’t heard. The man quickly wedged his foot in.
“Do accept it. It’s from the Crown Prince.”
I couldn’t refuse when the man invoked the Crown Prince’s status.
I had no choice but to open the door again and take the card.
“Might we come in? He asked us to arrange the flowers as decoration for the café.”
I thought it seemed like more people than necessary to pull a cart, so these must be the decorators.
“I’m a bit taken aback, and while I appreciate the gesture, I’ll handle the decorating myself. I know my shop better than anyone.”
“Of course. Then we’ll leave them as is. We’ll just need your signature confirming receipt.”
They took my signature as proof I’d received the flowers and decorations, then departed.
I watched their retreating figures with a cold gaze and shut the door firmly behind them.
Biedler, who had been waiting inside, saw my expression, looked puzzled, took the card, and read it instead.
[I send you roses that resemble you.
Your thorns are attractive, but I won’t allow you to turn them on me.
I hope next time the flowers come without thorns. I’ll visit soon.
—Arthur]
“I wasn’t mistaken then. Why did he send you a card like this?”
I collapsed into a chair and irritably swept my hair back.
“He visited the café a few days ago.”
Surprised, Biedler’s hand tightened, crumpling the card.
“How did he even find this place?”
“The Empress sent him. She said it was an apology for setting fire to the café. Then she suddenly ordered me to become his partner at the New Year’s Ball and left.”
Biedler looked appalled, covering his face with his palm.
“I knew he was beyond common sense, but… he never fails to show something even worse.”
“He seemed to want to draw in Meyson. He asked me several times whether I was truly the granddaughter of the Great Mage.”
“There’s not a shred of shame in him.”
“If he had any, he wouldn’t have come.”
With that, I snatched up the card Biedler had set on the table and tore it to shreds.
“You didn’t see that, right?”
“What happened?”
Biedler sat down beside me, and we both propped our chins on our hands, lost in thought.
“The situation’s become complicated. The Crown Prince and Princess Melissa. We seem tangled up in it too.”
“I’ve decided to refuse outright to play lovers with her.”
“What if we revealed the princess’s pregnancy at the New Year’s Ball, when all the nobility has gathered? If we just had proof of their secret relationship, it might be possible.”
“We have the proof, but the Empress is the kind of woman who’d kill the princess even if their relationship became public. Definitely before the child is born.”
“If you can’t be certain of trusting the princess, I think the best course is to at least put a definitive crack in the Crown Prince’s reputation.”
“You’re right. Agonizing over an unborn child and a future that hasn’t come yet is far too great a gamble.”
Having reached a conclusion, Biedler stood, his expression much more at ease.
“I’ll be away from home for several days. I’m going to the Capital.”
“Will you come back? We’ve finally found the Mine…”
“…There’s still business to attend to.”
Changing the subject, Biedler gathered his coat and walked toward the door, then turned back to look at me.
“About the New Year’s Ball.”
He couldn’t quite manage the next words, only letting his lips move hesitantly.
Growing impatient while I waited, I caught on to what he was trying to say first and asked.
“You want me to be your partner?”
“Ah.”
Only then did Biedler let out a small sigh and speak in a low voice.
“I want you to attend the New Year’s Ball with me, but I worry that dragging you into pointless trouble might put you in danger. As you know, I have many enemies.”
I pulled one corner of my mouth up in a smile and straightened my posture.
“I decided to become your partner. The risks are mine to bear. Or are you worried someone will set fire to the ballroom too?”
“Don’t make such frightening jokes…”
“Meyson will be there, so I’ll attend with you. I’m curious what expression the Crown Prince will make when he sees me.”
Actually, it was the Empress’s expression I was curious about.
How she’d look when I—the very woman she’d coveted as her son’s partner—appeared as Biedler’s partner, the man she despised so.
And what she’d think upon seeing me, who resembled my mother so.
This time, without a mask, I intended to face the Empress directly and plainly.
“Thank you.”
Biedler smiled brightly at me and left.
“We’re partners out of mutual need anyway… why does he seem so pleased every time?”
The afterimage of that smile lingered, and I remained still for a moment even after Biedler had gone.
***
That afternoon.
I closed the café an hour early and gathered the money for Arno.
“By now Juliano must have sent new orders.”
As I was mounting my horse to head to the Village, Meyson appeared beside me.
“Shall I go with you?”
“Follow from a distance. You won’t be noticed, so don’t worry.”
“I’m going to meet Arno near the Village. Let’s go together.”
At that, Meyson’s face brightened considerably.
He stretched his hand forward and uttered an incantation, and a horse that looked nearly identical to mine appeared.
“Riding together. That does sound amusing.”
Each time I saw him use such Magic with the ease of breathing, I was struck with amazement.
I mounted the saddle and rode toward the Village alongside Meyson.
A small forest near the Village appeared—the place I’d promised to meet Arno.
It was a separate location we’d designated so we could exchange the money easily.
As I dismounted and tied my horse’s reins to a tree, I suddenly thought of the Orphanage director who’d sold my mother.
“That Orphanage director I met in the Village—was it you who brought him there?”
“…”
Meyson, who had been watching me, didn’t answer. Instead, he coughed, turned his head away, and avoided my gaze.
“So it was you.”
I’d found it odd as coincidence, but now the mystery was solved.
To think that Meyson had been investigating my mother just as I had—my heart felt reassured.
“Where is he now?”
“Still wandering the streets, last I knew. Of course, not an ordinary street like before. If you have need, I can summon him anytime.”
His voice sent a chill down my spine.
“He’s arrived, I think. I’ll hide behind the tree.”
Meyson, sensing Arno’s approach before I did, quickly concealed himself behind the tree.
Moments later,
Arno came running with a bag clutched in his hands, breathless, and broke into a wide smile.
“Sister! Did you wait long?”

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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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