Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 132

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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 to the Dark Guild.
Chapter 132
Kayan was now staring at a decorative piece installed in the corner.
I pretended to admire it as well, standing beside him.
“It’s been a while.”
Hearing my voice, Kayan looked up, his expression shifting to one of genuine surprise.
“How could I have missed the possibility that Miss Rosia would attend the party! How wonderful to see you.”
He extended his hand, and we shook lightly.
“You’re greeting me first—has your mind changed about me?”
I studied Kayan’s narrowed eyes behind his glasses, briefly considering whether I could trust him.
‘He’s not one of the Empress’s people.’
Kayan’s house was among the Five Great Houses, one that maintained neutrality—a family of scholars.
They harbored no appetite for power, and generation after generation had served at the Imperial Research Institute.
Regardless of whether he was trustworthy, I decided to spread rumors in order to protect the Sacred Treasure.
“I’m not interested in research.”
“Then what?”
“I heard some troubling rumors and grew worried.”
“Rumors? What kind?”
Kayan took the bait, crossing his arms with evident interest.
“There are many ears here….”
As I glanced around, my discomfort evident, Kayan gestured toward the balcony.
“Shall we get some fresh air? Do I need permission from the Crown Prince?”
“No. Let’s go.”
He walked ahead, and I followed as though I weren’t with him, my gaze drifting toward where Biedler stood.
He was watching me; our eyes met, and we exchanged a silent agreement—I’d be back soon.
I followed Kayan through the glass doors to the balcony. Fortunately, no one else was there.
I closed the glass door behind me and walked toward the railing where Kayan was leaning.
Once outside, the cool wind swept across my face and bare shoulders, a welcome sensation.
“I was suffocating. It’s a relief to finally breathe. Parties really aren’t for me.”
To look at him—born to the Five Great Houses with the face of a nobleman—one would think he thrived in such settings.
Yet remembering how he’d stood apart from the crowd, separated from the rest, suggested otherwise.
“Now tell me. I’m curious by nature and can’t stay patient for long. What’s this rumor?”
I didn’t hesitate. “Thieves have been targeting the Five Great Houses. The family heirlooms have been stolen.”
“What? I haven’t heard of this.”
The tea party Hestanya had mentioned was a women’s gathering, and there were no young women in Kayan’s household, so it made sense he hadn’t heard.
“That’s precisely why I’m telling you.”
“It’s hard to believe. Different houses may vary, but any place storing a family heirloom would have multiple barriers and tight security… Are you saying those were breached?”
“Unfortunately, it’s more than just rumor.”
I glanced briefly through the glass toward the hall as I spoke.
“I heard it directly from Miss Hestanya.”
At the weight of Hestanya’s name, Kayan’s eyes shifted.
“She believes your house will be the next target. I thought you should know. There’s no harm in being cautious, is there?”
“Those thorough security measures and barriers broken through… it’s shocking. Yet these are the sort of people who’d cover it up. They’d rather die than see their honor tarnished.”
Kayan laughed bitterly, running a hand over his lips.
“Who would dare attempt something so audacious? Personally, I find it rather impressive.”
“So do I. But what matters most right now is preventing the theft in the first place, not catching the thief.”
“I don’t know much about the treasure vault—that’s my parents’ domain—but I’ll inform them as soon as I return home. Thank you for the warning.”
He didn’t seem fully to grasp the gravity of the situation, but at least I’d sown some seeds of vigilance.
“Are you still not interested in my proposal? Seniel has approached me several times since joining the Imperial Palace Knights, but he refuses to say a word about you.”
Grandfather had already confirmed that I possessed the ability to refine magic stones, so I was no longer intrigued by such offers.
If Kayan discovered this, I’d be mired in tedious complications.
“Seniel doesn’t wish to meddle in my affairs, and I’m content with my current work. Come visit my establishment sometime.”
“True. I’ve heard about the café you run. Word is it’s quite popular among society’s elite. You have quite the business acumen.”
“That’s all thanks to Seniel. He’s so popular that….”
I felt no need for further conversation. I glanced toward the glass door, intending to slip away, when it suddenly swung open and Kayan’s attendant burst through, breathless.
“Young master!”
Whatever he conveyed seemed serious—Kayan’s expression hardened noticeably.
“I’ll wait out front.”
The attendant hurried away, his feet barely touching the ground. Kayan turned his rigid gaze toward me.
“What’s happened?”
“My house just sent word… Did you have something to do with this?”
“What do you mean?”
Kayan couldn’t hide the suspicion in his eyes as he stared at me. He sighed, removed his glasses, and pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose.
“No, I’m sorry. I was too on edge just now.”
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s been a burglary at my house.”
“Surely not…”
I fell silent for a moment, my lips parting slightly. Of all the timing—this happening while we were in conversation.
I couldn’t help but wonder if things might have been different had I warned him sooner.
“Hearing of this right after we spoke… I’m stunned. They say only one thing was taken, but Father’s shock was grave enough to make him collapse. It must be something precious.”
“I’m sorry. You should return home immediately. I should have told you sooner.”
“No. You tried to help, but it was no use. We’ll talk again next time.”
Kayan rushed out in great haste. As I watched his departing figure, I murmured to myself.
“Only one left now.”
Four of the Five Forbidden Sacred Treasures—forgotten for centuries and sleeping in the vaults of each house—had been stolen.
The last remaining one was in Raven’s possession. Yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that even this might not be safe.
“I need to contact Raiely as soon as I leave here. Or should I entrust it to Grandfather?”
As I deliberated, I emerged from the balcony to find Biedler waiting.
“What happened? His face went pale and he rushed off.”
“A moment, lend me your ear.”
I leaned close to Biedler and whispered softly.
“His house was burgled. It appears a Sacred Treasure was stolen. The news just came through.”
Biedler’s expression hardened upon hearing this.
“Someone is clearly collecting them with intention.”
“Yes. My instincts are rarely wrong about such things.”
We scanned the hall.
If someone had the audacity and skill to target the Five Great Houses and plunder their treasure vaults, there might well be someone connected to this conspiracy present in this very room.
Just then, the Empress and Emperor made their entrance to thunderous applause, appearing simultaneously.
The Empress’s crimson gown, cut deep at the chest, was so laden with jewels that they outshone the light around her, dazzling to behold.
By contrast, the Emperor standing beside her looked frail and diminished, as though the very vigor had been drained from him.
The pair walked across the red carpet laid on the floor and ascended the platform at its end.
“I thank you all sincerely for gracing us with your presence today.”
The Emperor yielded the remarks to the Empress and sat down to rest.
The moment the Empress finished her greeting, crowds surged forward to pay their respects to the Emperor and Empress.
At that moment, the Crown Prince approached the Empress and whispered something in her ear.
The Empress turned her head—and her gaze fell upon Biedler and me.
“Are they looking at us?”
“It seems so.”
The Crown Prince must have informed the Empress of who I was and why I’d come with Biedler.
“Shall we pay our respects as well?”
“Will it be all right?”
“We’ve come this far. I’m prepared.”
As the distance between the Empress and myself closed, I wondered if she would recognize something of my mother in me.
It would likely be a reaction similar to Juliano’s—mere curiosity, nothing more.
We waited our turn and stood before the Emperor and Empress nearly last.
Climbing halfway up the platform, I lowered my gaze and bowed respectfully.
“Your Majesties, I am honored to meet you.”
“I was curious to see who Biedler would bring. What a lovely young lady.”
“Indeed. She is quite beautiful.”
The Emperor’s approving words prompted the Empress to murmur agreement, her eyes moving between Biedler and me.
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“But… Biedler, did you choose your partner incorrectly? Or do you find one companion insufficient?”
Though the Empress’s tone was cordial, her intent to jab was unmistakable, clearly alluding to the Princess.
The remark caused a murmur to ripple through the surrounding crowd.
“Oh, if I’ve offended you, I’m sorry. I simply assumed Biedler would naturally come with the Princess.”
As the Empress smiled at me, her eyes suddenly narrowed. She blinked in surprise, then rose to her feet and stepped closer.
“This is… truly remarkable.”
The Empress reached out as if to touch my face, then quickly withdrew her hand.
Both Biedler and I were startled by the sudden gesture, and we watched her carefully.
“You resemble someone I knew so very much… I apologize if I startled you.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. If I may ask, who was that person?”
“Hehe. There was a child I grew up with like a sister in my birth family. She’s no longer in this world now.”
With that, the Empress gently took my arm and helped me to my feet.
“Arthur told me you’re quite a remarkable young lady. I do hope you’ll visit again—next time with your grandfather.”
“With my grandfather?”
“There’s someone I’ve long admired whom I wish to meet. And there are matters from recent events we should discuss.”
Her exceptional courtesy and affection directed solely at me, completely excluding Biedler despite his presence at my side, left me deeply unsettled.
Those around us sensed it too, murmuring with curiosity about who I might be.
As an awkward flush of unwanted attention washed over me, it happened.
Right on cue with our conversation with the Empress, Princess Melissa entered the hall.

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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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