Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 130

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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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It’s a café run by the Heir of the Dark Guild.
130
“It’s going to trouble him for a while.”
Grandfather’s eyes gleamed with dangerous intent.
“But he looks perfectly fine on the surface?”
Seniel, who had stepped closer, peered past the window at the Crown Prince’s retreating back and asked.
“Of course. I only disabled that particular function.”
“That function being…?”
Grandfather’s gaze drifted slowly downward from Seniel’s face.
Following that look, both Biedler and I whipped our heads around in shock.
“Is that even possible? You don’t mean he can’t use it for life…?”
“I held back because I didn’t want to end the imperial line entirely. The effect will last only about a week. After that, he’ll be more careful, at least.”
I thought that for a Crown Prince with such a serious reputation for womanizing, Grandfather’s curse would be the harshest punishment of all.
Suddenly Seniel’s posture became demure, quietly trying to distance himself from Grandfather. I had to stifle my laughter at the sight.
“My dear, what would you think about going to another country?”
“Leaving here, you mean?”
“Yes. There’s a wider, freer world where you won’t be bound by such constraints as status.”
It seemed Grandfather had been bothered that the Crown Prince ignored me, so he was suggesting I leave the empire entirely.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never thought about such things before….”
Bewildered, I studied Seniel’s expression.
Just then, Biedler stepped forward and re-tied the strings of his apron.
“Let’s have dinner before it gets any later.”
“That sounds good.”
Seniel chimed in, and Grandfather’s proposal was shelved as meal preparations resumed.
Though we’d been interrupted briefly by an uninvited guest, everyone pooled their efforts since it was our last evening.
While Biedler and Seniel prepared side dishes, I trimmed the meat we’d bought into even portions for grilling.
Then we went out to the yard and sat around the bonfire. Tonight, Grandfather joined us at the table.
“Sister, isn’t this dish I made really delicious?”
“That one’s my handiwork.”
Seniel and Biedler began a subtle competition, each pointing to the food they’d made.
Grandfather and I tasted each one and judged rather biasedly.
“Hmm… I’d have to say Seniel’s.”
“Mine too. My grandson’s cooking is the best.”
Seniel beamed with satisfaction and lifted his shoulders proudly, while Biedler couldn’t hide the disappointment in his eyes.
“And here I thought I’d feel the sorrow of having no family….”
We shared meaningless jokes and empty conversation as the meal wound down, and right on cue, the bonfire’s flames began to die.
As we gathered the empty plates into a basin for washing, Seniel suddenly began to laugh softly. He seemed especially cheerful today.
“You keep laughing. Did something good happen?”
“Yes, there is.”
With that, he turned his head and smiled beautifully as he looked at me.
“I used to envy families spending the last day of the year together, little things like that. I’m just so happy I can spend it like this with you.”
“…Me too.”
Those quiet days I’d spent with Sophia and Railly back in Raven weren’t bad either—no, those memories were precious too.
But now, having laid everything bare to Seniel and lightened my heart, I was grateful to spend time like this again.
It was the first time in ten years that we were spending the last day of the year together as family. Even though our parents weren’t here, having Grandfather made me feel secure.
“I’ll do the dishes.”
“No. You rest.”
“But you cooked too.”
“I want to do everything I can while I’m able to.”
With that, he lifted the heavy basin and carried it into the shop.
Grandfather, who was trying to grow closer to Seniel, followed right after him.
I was about to go in myself when I caught sight of Biedler gazing up at the moon.
“Aren’t you coming in?”
“I’ll stay a little longer.”
I hesitated for a moment about staying with him, but decided to check on Cayden’s condition instead and come back out.
Entering the room, Cayden was still sprawled on the bed, deep asleep and snoring softly.
Worried he might feel left out for missing the meal, I sat on the edge of the bed and spoke to him.
“Thank you. I’m counting on you next year too.”
I whispered and was about to rise from the bed when Cayden suddenly grabbed my wrist from behind.
It wasn’t a forceful grip, but I hadn’t been prepared, so I tumbled backward onto the bed.
“Rosia.”
Cayden called my name in a low, gravelly voice.
With him embracing me from behind, I flustered and swallowed hard as I turned to face him.
Sitting up on the bed, I examined Cayden. His eyes had just opened and were still unfocused, but he was clearly looking at me.
“You’re awake. How do you feel?”
“My whole body aches. I have no strength.”
I placed my palm against Cayden’s forehead.
“You still have a slight fever. It’s best you rest more. Still, I’m glad you’ve come to.”
“How many days was I asleep?”
“About a week.”
At that, Cayden’s face went rigid and he jolted upright.
“The Temple must be in chaos… You didn’t feel anything?”
Seeing his serious expression, I tilted my head. I’d stopped by the Temple area once every day just to be safe, but hadn’t noticed any unusual changes.
“No. Nothing at all.”
Just then, Grandfather came into the room.
“I kept it in check while you were asleep.”
“You did, Meyson?”
Both Cayden’s gaze and mine snapped simultaneously to Grandfather as he approached the bed.
“I even tried to attempt Purification directly, but I couldn’t get close enough. So I set up a Barrier and suppressed the energy instead. It’s accumulated more than usual, so I’ll help you dispose of it.”
“Thank you so much.”
Only then did Cayden relax, lowering his head in gratitude. Even if only briefly, beads of sweat had formed on his brow from how tense he’d been.
Grandfather approached and assessed Cayden’s condition.
“How is it?”
“The accumulated Miasma has definitely decreased by more than half. It’s working.”
At the positive news, I beamed without thinking and embraced Grandfather.
“Really? That’s wonderful!”
“Is… is it that good?”
“Yes. Because it means it can be cured.”
Releasing him and looking back at Cayden, I found him staring blankly ahead. He looked as if it hadn’t sunk in yet.
“Did the Miasma really decrease?”
“You’d feel it better than anyone. That heaviness below your chest is gone now, isn’t it?”
“…Yes.”
“That alone means your lifespan has been extended by at least ten years.”
“But the High Priests all said there was absolutely no method, that recovery was impossible…”
“Well, I’m me.”
Grandfather narrowed his eyes, displeased at the comparison, and clicked his tongue.
“If Rosia hadn’t been there, I wouldn’t have taken on this burden either. Direct your gratitude to Rosia.”
“I will. I’ll repay it for as long as I live.”
Cayden looked at me intently, his eyes now deeper and more serious.
“I can’t be certain of a full cure yet. The Miasma inside your body might not decrease any further. Still, let’s continue with the medicine.”
“You mean that horrible medicine?”
Suddenly remembering the smell and taste of the medicine, Cayden shuddered.
“Don’t be such a baby about it.”
Though the smell was far too foul to be mere complaint, the fact that it was effective convinced me to keep giving it to Cayden.
***
The year had changed.
Days passed without much change, and it was now the day before the New Year Festival.
Biedler appeared beside me as I was preparing to open the shop.
“Can we leave this evening? There are things I’d like to prepare in advance.”
“Of course.”
Biedler and Grandfather had already closed the shop, and customers began arriving.
I spent the day in a blur of activity, and soon it was time to close.
With more customers coming for the New Year, Cayden came to help midway through the day.
“I’ll come back this evening for dinner.”
I stopped Cayden as he prepared to return to the Temple.
“I’ll be away from the shop for two days because of the New Year Festival I mentioned.”
“Ah… I didn’t realize it had come around already. Should I come along?”
“What?”
“Just joking. I need to stay here and keep watch.”
With that, he lightly tapped the bracelet on my wrist with his finger.
“Have a good trip. I hope you come back soon.”
After seeing Cayden off, I returned to my room and packed a travel bag.
I changed clothes, gathered my things, and went outside where Grandfather and Biedler were already waiting by the door.
“This one’s going too?”
“He wants to.”
“Well, it’s fine, but… you’re always clinging to my granddaughter.”
“Meyson! Clinging?”
Biedler protested, but Grandfather didn’t take it back.
With that, Grandfather opened a portal using the Teleportation Mana Stone and we arrived swiftly at the Capital.
“So quickly… This is truly convenient. I suppose I’m justified in clinging after all.”
Since this was Biedler’s first time traveling this way, he couldn’t hide his sense of wonder at this new world.
“My dear, I’ll always be near you.”
After delivering us, Grandfather immediately concealed himself and vanished.
“Let’s stop by the shop first.”
I followed Biedler toward the boutique of the designer Ae.
Greeted warmly by Ae, we entered a room where two dresses hung waiting.
“I picked these out in advance. I hope you like them.”
“They’re beautiful.”
Having considered my preference for avoiding gaudy dresses dripping with jewels, these were understated yet possessed an undeniable presence and elegance.
The blue dress was cut in a complete off-shoulder style with a wide, flowing skirt below.
The other was black, designed to drape over one shoulder only, then falling from the waist in a silhouette that hugged the body.
“That one catches your eye more?”
“Ah… yes.”
As I gazed at the black dress, the attendants brought it over.
“Go change into it.”
Behind the curtain, with help from the attendants, I changed into the dress.
The moment I stepped out, I could see Biedler’s pupils widen as he sat on the sofa.
“You’re absolutely stunning. Beautiful!!”
Ae circled around me, practically gushing with enthusiasm.
“What does the Prince think?”
“It suits you well.”
“Just that?”
“…It’s beautiful.”
Biedler played along with Ae’s fawning while glancing at me.
I touched the exposed shoulder of the dress and admired myself in the mirror.

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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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