Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 51

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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 run by the Dark Guild’s heir.
Chapter 51
Since I’d already anticipated the question, I answered without changing my expression.
“An old friend of mine works as a general hand at the guild, so I paid him and asked him to take on the request. The famous information guilds don’t let just anyone approach them, right?”
Raven was particularly famous for carefully selecting clients before accepting information requests.
If I said I’d commissioned Raven directly, they’d definitely grow suspicious, so I deliberately used my friend as an excuse.
“You have a friend like that? Still, it’s dangerous—don’t ever do that again. And your friend should be careful too. You don’t know how terrifying the world is. Those information guilds are all connected to the Dark Guild—do you have any idea how dangerous that is?!”
Seniel jumped up the moment he heard that I’d been searching for information on my own.
Though honestly, I probably understood the world’s dangers far better than he did.
Still, I widened my eyes to feign surprise.
“What? The Dark Guild? My friend never mentioned anything like that….”
“See? This is why you’re so naive. You have to be careful with guilds.”
“I understand.”
Just as I was growing weary of soothing Seniel’s concerns, Bidler posed a question from beside me.
“Which guild did you get the information from?”
“I’m not entirely sure, honestly. I only exchanged money and information through my friend.”
Bidler seemed to be thinking about something after hearing my words.
That was when an incredible aroma of fresh bread wafted into the carriage.
Startled by the power of that fragrance, I pulled back the curtain and found a three-story bakery sprawling before us.
The shop’s name felt familiar to me.
“What is that place?”
It was the very bakery where Hestanya had bought me a honey cake before. The moment I recognized it, I grabbed the carriage’s reins and stopped it urgently.
“What’s the matter?”
Startled by the sudden halt, Bidler narrowed his brow and looked at me.
“I’d like to stop by the bakery.”
I cried out urgently and leaped from the carriage. Then I entered the shop to purchase some desserts.
The aroma of bread that I’d caught even from inside the carriage filled the entire interior.
If I had to describe peace by scent, it would be this very one—an aroma that made anyone infinitely more generous.
‘I’m losing my mind!’
Upon seeing the colorful, exquisite desserts displayed in the showcase, I felt as though I might stop breathing.
I’d never been this enthusiastic about anything before. They say knowing a taste’s danger comes too late—and ever since Hestanya’s last visit, this had become my fate.
Tapping my foot eagerly as I carefully selected what to buy, Seniel thrust his face close to mine from beside me—I hadn’t even noticed him following.
“Sister, you liked desserts? I had no idea.”
Rather than answering, I busily selected desserts onto a plate.
Beyond the shop’s signature honey cake, there were cherry cakes, blanmanges, apple tarts, and cream brûlées—a full array of beautiful and appetizing desserts.
“Do you like these kinds of things?”
This time it was Bidler who thrust his face into my personal space from my left, staring intently at the desserts I’d chosen.
“Not particularly.”
Embarrassed, I muttered awkwardly and brushed past Bidler toward the counter.
‘Cayden would probably like these too.’
As a priest, Cayden had probably had little experience eating desserts like these.
Imagining Cayden’s surprise upon tasting them, a smile bloomed across my lips.
“You don’t even like them, yet you’re buying so much? Why not just admit you like them?”
“Sister, I’ll buy desserts every time we visit the shop from now on. I’m sorry for not knowing until now.”
Ignoring whatever the two of them said, I closed my ears and, as a final touch, placed a walnut pie onto the plate.
That was when the bakery’s door opened.
I reflexively turned my head and gasped when I saw Hestanya entering with her friends.
I set the plate down on the counter and hurriedly pulled Seniel’s arm.
“Why?”
“Turn around, quickly. We need to leave the shop right now.”
As I whispered, Hestanya, who had recognized me, called out loudly.
“Oh my goodness! Sister! How do we meet here? When did you arrive in the Capital?”
Upon hearing her voice, Seniel left a whispered message and quietly departed.
‘I’ll visit our adoptive parents and head home.’
Hestanya had likely recognized Seniel from his back alone.
But what mattered most was that we didn’t get caught by the other young ladies standing beside her, who didn’t yet know about our connection.
“I arrived a few days ago. I had business to attend to.”
“You came to show your support, didn’t you? Actually, I did too. I’ve heard that if you support someone with cake from here, it brings good luck, so I came to buy some.”
Hestanya approached me with a cute laugh, covering her mouth.
“Then go ahead and buy what you need. I’ve already selected everything. I should head out now.”
After I paid, they placed my purchases in a Disposable Storage Artifact since I’d bought so much.
“Wait! Can we visit the shop together again sometime?”
“…Of course.”
I passed by Hestanya’s friends, who were displaying enormous curiosity about me, and stepped outside the shop.
Fortunately, aside from Hestanya, no one seemed to have recognized Seniel or Bidler.
“How do you know each other?”
As I climbed back into the carriage, Bidler, who had exited the shop with Seniel, was already inside. He asked with a puzzled expression.
“Exactly as you saw. She apparently followed Seniel around until she found our shop.”
“…Remarkable.”
Bidler knew that Hestanya liked Seniel, but he hadn’t realized she was obsessed to that degree, and he made his displeasure known.
“Should we part ways here?”
“The carriage is laden with desserts. I’ll take you home.”
“There’s no need….”
Just as I was about to refuse, a good idea occurred to me, and I raised my head with sparkling eyes.
“Could I ask for a personal favor?”
“What is it?”
Taken aback by my unusually proactive demeanor, Bidler flinched and leaned back. But there was no space, so he bumped against the wall and let out a cough.
“I’d like to visit the Imperial Palace Library.”
“The library?”
His eyes dimmed instantly, as if the request were nothing particularly noteworthy.
“Yes. There’s a book I really want to read, but it’s a rare collection and I can’t find it at a regular library. I’m also curious about the books you usually read.”
“How did you know I enjoy reading?”
“Seniel mentioned it. He said you read books even on your days off.”
“That’s true enough.”
“Would it be difficult?”
When I leaned forward and stared at him fixedly, Bidler complained that it was hot, fanned his face with his hand, and turned away.
“Anyone of noble birth can enter a regular library, but only royalty can access the Imperial Palace Library. However, if I vouch for you, you’ll be able to enter as well.”
“Let’s go now, in this carriage.”
Since I was with Bidler and had his carriage at my disposal, now was the perfect opportunity.
“Then… very well. Let’s go.”
Bidler seemed startled that I’d made a request, but he didn’t find my wish to visit the library strange.
‘It resolved this easily.’
The Imperial Palace Library was famously difficult to enter. This is why connections are supreme, I thought, and tried to calm my excitement.
With Bidler by my side, passing through the Imperial Palace’s strict security checkpoints was effortless.
As we passed through several doors without undergoing any special inspection, Bidler tilted his head slightly and called to me.
“Rosia.”
I nodded slightly to show I was listening.
“I’d like to ask you for a favor in return.”
“Please, go ahead.”
Bidler straightened his posture and spoke with sincere gravity.
“At my brother’s Appointment Ceremony Party, which will be held a month from now, I’d like you to be my partner.”
I thought I’d misheard and blinked repeatedly. I even glanced around to see if anyone was standing beside me.
But there was only Bidler and me in the carriage, and my ears had heard far too clearly to doubt them.
“Why me?”
“You’re the only suitable woman I can ask.”
I felt a pang of pity—how many women must be unavailable if he’d resort to asking me?—but it was too significant a matter to help with regardless.
“Ask a noblewoman from a prestigious family instead. It would strengthen your position.”
Upon hearing my words, Bidler’s eyebrows twitched, revealing his discomfort.
“I don’t wish to ask just anyone.”
Did that mean I wasn’t just anyone? I was pondering this when he continued.
“It’s a masked ball anyway, so no one needs to see our faces clearly. If you wish, you can hide your identity.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to go alone then?”
“I need to show that I have a betrothed. So no one arranges a political marriage for me.”
Then the reason for needing a partner became clear. Bidler was seeking a shield.
Though shocking, it was honestly not a bad proposition.
With this being an important party held at the Imperial Palace, all the key figures would attend.
It would be an opportunity to distinguish between those favorable to Bidler and those hostile to him, and to directly sense the political climate.
More than anything, I’d be able to confirm exactly what Bidler’s intentions are regarding his future path, standing right beside him.
‘If I’m hidden behind a mask, there’s no problem.’
My identity posed no surface-level issues, and Bidler had promised to hide it anyway.
“All right.”
At my crisp answer, Bidler’s face brightened instantly.
“Really?”
“Yes. Let’s say we’re doing each other a favor.”
Bidler’s crimson eyes curved like a bow in a smile for the first time. I’d never seen him smile so broadly before.
‘His smile is quite beautiful.’
Looking at Bidler’s smiling face, I thought so for the very first time.
It was a reversal of sorts—beneath that dark, cold expression, such warmth had been hidden all along.
In any case, having exchanged favors in that carriage, we soon arrived at the entrance to the Imperial Palace Library.

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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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