Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 41

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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 cafe run by the heir of the Dark Guild.
Chapter 41
Then I spotted a cat hiding in the corner and let out a delighted cry.
“Oh my! What is that? Do you keep it here?”
I continued spooning cake into my mouth as I answered vaguely.
“No. It’s a stray.”
“It’s so beautiful. If you’re not keeping it, could I take it home?”
“If you can catch it.”
There was no way Hestanya could catch a cat that I myself couldn’t manage.
As expected, the cat bristled its fur and kept its distance from Hestanya, not allowing her to approach.
I felt an odd satisfaction at that.
Still, I had gotten closer than she had—I’d even touched the tips of its fur.
After struggling for a while, Hestanya gave up and draped herself over a chair.
Then suddenly her emotions swung wildly and she began to tear up.
“…sniff.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m worried about something. Don’t mind me.”
Her face was pleading—how could I pretend not to notice?
I decided to let Hestanya confess on her own and waited quietly.
As I’d thought, after a moment she sniffled and spoke as if to herself.
“There’s going to be an entrance exam for the Imperial Knight Order soon—it’s held once every two years. I’m worried because someone I like is going to participate. He won’t get hurt, will he?”
I thought princes couldn’t join the Imperial Knight Order separately?
The Black Eagle Knight Order became affiliated with the Imperial Palace, didn’t it? Could something have changed because of that?
I tilted my head, thinking it over.
“That person you said you had a crush on?”
“Yes.”
“What kind of person are they?”
I wasn’t curious at all, but I forced a smile to play the part of a sympathetic proprietor.
“Well, first of all, he’s very handsome. And he has ability, excellent swordsmanship, he’s cool and impressive. Sigh—there’s no one more handsome than him in the entire empire.”
I narrowed my eyes so Hestanya wouldn’t notice.
No matter how I thought about it, Bidler didn’t seem to be on that level, and I found it hard to agree.
“Do you know who it is?”
“Roughly.”
“I thought so. I figured you’d know, being Rosia.”
Hestanya’s voice turned sharp. She straightened her posture and looked at me aggressively.
“I’m going to ask you directly. What’s your relationship with Seniel?”
“Who? Seniel?”
Why was Seniel’s name coming up now? Wasn’t she supposed to like Bidler?
Thrown off by the unexpected name, I played dumb.
“Who’s that?”
“I know everything. You came to the Capital once, didn’t you? You went to the Tailor Shop and showed people Seniel’s brooch.”
At Hestanya’s words, I remembered the day I’d gone to the Tailor Shop to buy clothes and received those piercing stares from people.
The day I’d been dragged all the way to the Imperial Palace because I’d shown Seniel’s brooch.
“You don’t mean you’ve been following me since then?”
If that were the case, I would have noticed. Even if someone skilled at tailing had been assigned to watch me, it would have been quite a long time.
My confusion was briefly put to rest by Hestanya’s urgent clarification.
“Don’t misunderstand! I wasn’t monitoring you—I found out by following places Seniel frequents. I discovered this cafe by chance too. Though I did search the mountain thoroughly.”
As she spoke, her eyes gleamed with intensity.
“Do you know how shocked I was to learn that Seniel, who’d never had a scandal, was close enough to a woman to give her his brooch? And when I saw your face here… sigh.”
I was genuinely shocked to realize that the duke’s daughter had developed an obsession with Seniel.
What was I supposed to do with this foolish girl? She was doing all this on her own, regardless of Seniel’s feelings.
When my expression froze, Hestanya held back tears, pouting as she asked.
“What’s your relationship? Are you lovers? Tell me the truth.”
I didn’t want to let her misunderstand my connection with Seniel, but revealing the truth would be complicated given our family situation.
“The fact that you won’t answer tells me it must be true. This is a secret meeting place, isn’t it? Why are you prettier than me? Sniff. I’ve liked him for so long. Sob.”
Hestanya now began shedding tears in earnest.
Seeing tears stream down her cheeks was almost painful to witness.
‘She’s persistent enough to track down this place, and she’s a duke’s daughter.’
A duke’s daughter with that kind of obsession might become an enemy and harbor resentment against me or Seniel because of all this.
Or she might send people to continue watching us. Before it came to that, I decided quickly to make Hestanya an ally instead.
“You’ve liked him for that long?”
“Yes! Over five years. Since the moment Seniel returned victorious from his first battle and received his commendation.”
“Then let’s clear up the misunderstanding first. Seniel and I are family.”
Hestanya’s eyes went perfectly round.
“Family? But I know everyone in Seniel’s household…”
“You know Seniel was adopted, right?”
Hestanya blew her nose loudly into her handkerchief and nodded vigorously.
“We’re family from before the adoption. We share blood—real blood. Can’t you believe it by looking into my eyes?”
I stepped closer to Hestanya and stared directly at her. Her tears stopped immediately and her pupils dilated as if she’d understood something.
“So there’s a complicated situation!”
“Yes. So I’d like you to keep it secret. For Seniel’s sake.”
After all, just knowing that Seniel and I were family wouldn’t let her figure out our exact relationship.
Hestanya clasped her hands together in delight at sharing such a huge secret.
“But as Seniel’s family, I can’t just let this slide. Your behavior, Hestanya—it’s stalking.”
“I-I never interfered with Seniel. I just followed him because I liked him.”
Raised as a duke’s daughter and accustomed to doing whatever she pleased, Hestanya genuinely didn’t understand what was wrong.
“Seniel wouldn’t even know I existed.”
As I was thinking I’d need to warn Seniel to be careful around Hestanya, she began flattering me.
“Rosia—or, may I call you sister? Sister! You seemed to enjoy the cake. Should I send someone to bring more if you like it?”
“That’s not necessary.”
“Then I’ll bring you a dessert every week. That would be better! Let’s see each other often.”
Her eyes were bright as she looked at me, clearly eager to make a good impression.
“Oh, I’ve been rude with my introductions. Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Hestanya Portrin. I’m the second daughter of House Portrin. Please don’t mind the formality.”
Standing from her seat, Hestanya gathered the hem of her dress slightly and bowed with perfect etiquette and grace.
“And there’s one more unofficial title I have. Hehe.”
Hestanya’s voice shifted to a higher, excited pitch as she whispered.
“Actually, I’m the chairwoman of [Se.Jo.Mo].”
The name sounded vaguely familiar, and when I tilted my head, Hestanya added the full name.
“Don’t you know? The Club of Those Who Love Seniel! We have eight branches throughout the empire and quite a few members.”
I suddenly recalled the organization Eribel had mentioned when I first met her at Bidler’s Villa.
I was shocked again to learn that Hestanya was the chairwoman of that strange club, and even more so to hear there were eight branches.
“We could use some promotion here too? The place is always empty when I visit. If I promote it through the club… oh, but wait. I should only know about your relationship with him. It’s our secret.”
Hestanya glanced around the cafe, then winked at me and linked her arm through mine.
“Don’t worry. I can help with this much using my connections.”
“No! That’s really not necessary.”
I twisted my arm and gently pushed Hestanya away, declining firmly. Hestanya looked startled at my resolute tone.
“Why not?”
“It’s just a hobby, so I don’t want many customers.”
Besides, with my current commitment to help with Raven’s branch operations, having a steady stream of customers would be problematic.
Hestanya nodded as if she understood, but continued murmuring people’s names to herself.
“Things have been so boring lately, but meeting you has made me really happy. Don’t you think we get along well?”
I was tired of forcing enthusiasm to humor her.
I simply nodded once without forcing my lips upward anymore.
“I’ll come again soon.”
As I watched Hestanya’s back as she left, smiling brightly unlike when she’d arrived, an ominous premonition seized me that she was going to cause trouble.
***
The cat that had been sitting in front of the cafe watched Hestanya ride off on her horse, then leisurely walked into the forest.
Once it was far enough from where the Barrier Stone was embedded, it looked around carefully. Confirming no one was present, it stood on two legs.
Then a golden Magic Circle appeared around the cat.
“Meow.”
The moment the cat vocalized, the Magic Circle activated, and the cat’s body began to grow larger while its fur started to disappear.
Moments later.
Where the cat had been stood a man with short silver hair and blue eyes.
He appeared to be in his mid-thirties at most, but his actual age this year was one hundred and five.
Yet his skin was taut without a single wrinkle, his body robust and his posture perfectly straight. From appearance alone, his age was completely unguessable.
Only his eyes—fathomlessly deep—held the weight of his years.

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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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