Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 63

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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.
63
Every eye in the party hall turned toward us.
I didn’t care what the Crown Prince did ordinarily, but I didn’t want to be etched into people’s minds like this.
“Yes. Thank you.”
“Hmm?”
When I answered with composure instead of confusion, the smile vanished from the Crown Prince’s face.
“If you’re grateful, should I spill more? I have plenty of wine I could ‘accidentally’ overturn. Or would you prefer to go to a bedroom? I’ll give you a new dress entirely.”
“Brother!!”
Bidler, who had been visibly restraining himself the whole time, nearly exploded.
His clenched fist had gone pale, trembling almost imperceptibly.
‘No.’
I quickly seized his hand to stop him.
“What are you—?!”
When I interlaced our fingers firmly, Bidler turned to me in confusion.
His eyes widened, and his face flushed red in an instant.
“You have a handkerchief, don’t you? May I borrow it?”
“…Here.”
Recognizing my intent to calm him, Bidler exhaled softly and drew a handkerchief from his pocket.
I used it to naturally adjust my dress. Fortunately, the tension eased considerably.
“How boring.”
The Crown Prince turned away, his expression showing he’d lost interest in my composure.
I stared at his retreating back, shoulders held high, when Bidler spoke.
“I’m sorry. You’re dealing with something you shouldn’t have to because of me.”
“It’s fine. More than that—Your Highness is sharper than I expected.”
“What?”
“Everything he just did was calculated. He made his point without much effort, didn’t he? That he outranks you.”
He insulted me, the partner you brought for the first time, while showing everyone that you couldn’t take action.
He made it clear he’s the real power, and that you’ll remain nothing but a supporting player from now on.
No one said it aloud, but everyone in that hall felt it keenly.
“Even in a situation like this, you kept your head and analyzed it? You keep surprising me.”
“I know my place.”
When I joked using his own words, Bidler let out a small laugh.
“It’s good to see you smile. You should keep that calm expression now. It’s the greatest defiance a loser can show.”
“Right. Let’s leave here first. I need to change.”
There were still several people watching us sidelong.
I linked arms with Bidler and walked toward the door naturally.
But then the Princess of Roa came running with her pink hair streaming behind her.
“Your Highness! Just a moment.”
She called out to Bidler, her round eyes fluttering prettily.
“Could you spare some time? The Empress has prepared a special gathering for us.”
Her gaze held nothing but devotion.
Well.
For a minor kingdom like the Kingdom of Roa, this was a marriage prospect not to be missed.
Even if Bidler was a neglected prince.
I decided to step aside since they needed to talk.
“I’ll manage the dress myself. Please, talk with her.”
“Thank you.”
The princess offered me a graceful bow.
I began to leave with a nod, but Bidler grabbed my arm and wrapped it around his own.
“I already have a partner. Your Highness should look for someone else.”
His words were ice-cold as he walked forward, taking me with him.
Holding his arm as I followed, I glimpsed the princess’s final expression—a mixture of shock and humiliation.
Outside, as we descended the stairs, I unlinked my arm from his.
“Can you do that? Who knows what might come of things with the princess.”
“I will never agree to a political marriage the Empress arranges.”
“Her Majesty created this gathering for herself, but it could also be an opportunity for Your Highness.”
“You…”
Bidler’s eyebrows twitched as if to respond, but then he pressed his lips firmly shut.
“You’re a composed person, Your Highness. That wasn’t like you.”
“You seem colder than I am.”
Bidler quickened his pace ahead of me. He looked annoyed again.
‘Why is he acting like this today?’
Thinking it difficult to placate him, I hurried after him.
As we walked, I noticed a small child crouching in the bushes in the distance.
“It’s the 3rd Prince.”
“What’s he doing there?”
The attendants beside us rummaged nervously through the vegetation.
His white clothes were already soiled from rolling on the ground.
When we drew closer, the 3rd Prince spotted Bidler and scrambled up, rushing toward him.
“Brother!”
“What are you doing here?”
“A cat!”
The 3rd Prince’s voice was brimming with excitement.
“There was this incredibly pretty cat, and I chased it! That way!”
“Today there are many outsiders in the Imperial Palace. It’s dangerous, so stay inside.”
“I want to keep a cat.”
“Ask your mother about that.”
“If I ask, will she let me?”
“It might be possible, if it’s you.”
“Really!”
The 3rd Prince’s face brightened immediately and he bolted toward the party hall to ask her at once.
The little gentleman dressed up for the party was quite adorable.
Because of the 3rd Prince, Bidler’s rigid expression had softened considerably.
After walking deeper into the palace for some time, we came upon an unfamiliar building.
“Where is this?”
Instead of answering, Bidler opened the door and stepped inside.
Within the building, which had no guards stationed, two elderly attendants sat knitting.
They started in surprise at our entrance and rose to their feet.
“Your Highness!”
“Why are you here instead of at the party?”
In the attendants’ eyes as they looked at Bidler, there lay emotions far deeper than simple joy.
“I need to borrow a dress. Wine was spilled.”
When Bidler gestured to me, the attendants’ eyes fell to the front of my dress.
“Of course. You’ve come to exactly the right place.”
“We’re delighted that Your Highness has found a partner. And how wonderful to meet her like this!”
Though they were attendants, clearly of higher station than me, their manner toward me was unfailingly gracious.
“Would you come with us? The dresses are on the second floor.”
“Yes.”
Just before the attendants led me away, I turned back to Bidler briefly.
He was staring intently at a portrait frame hanging on the wall.
It held a portrait of a strikingly beautiful woman.
With black hair like Bidler’s, I knew immediately who she was.
‘Susanne. So this is his mother’s quarters.’
The unfortunate concubine who had been most beloved by the current Emperor but had ascended the scaffold after bearing a son.
“Shall we go in?”
“Yes, of course.”
I stopped my thoughts and followed the attendants into the Dressing Room on the second floor.
The attendants moved busily, drawing various dresses from the racks with practiced efficiency.
“These are older dresses, but we’ve maintained them well, so you’ll have no trouble wearing them.”
“This is the first time His Highness has brought anyone here… Is she perhaps a noblewoman acquainted with him?”
The attendants’ evident interest in me demanded a clear answer.
“Nothing like that. If anything, I’m the older sister of one of His Highness’s subordinates.”
“The older sister of a subordinate…? That’s unusual.”
The attendants’ bustling movements paused momentarily.
“No, that can’t be all. Hehe. His Highness would never bring just anyone to this place.”
“That’s right. This place holds deep meaning for His Highness.”
Soon after, having found a suitable dress, their voices grew livelier.
“How about this one?”
It was a dress the color of my eyes. It was beautiful without question.
“It’s lovely.”
“It all suits you wonderfully, but this feels right for today. It’s a night full of the Aura of Blue Moon.”
The skilled attendants had me changed into the dress and new shoes in what seemed like an instant.
Looking in the mirror, I liked the new dress even more than the previous one.
The attendants, making no effort to hide their satisfaction, applauded.
“Shall we go back out?”
“Yes.”
We left the room and descended the stairs. Bidler was still standing before the wall.
He stood motionless like a statue, gazing at his mother’s portrait—a figure that seemed impossibly forlorn, like a abandoned child.
“Your Highness.”
“Ah, you’re done?”
At my call, Bidler turned, and his eyes widened.
Remembering his mother, his gaze upon me turned sorrowful.
“Let’s go.”
Before leaving, I bowed to the attendants, and they smiled warmly in return, their manner affectionate.
“We do hope to see you again.”
“Please visit anytime. This place is rather lonely, being so forgotten.”
I didn’t answer, only bowed my head.
For I would likely never return to the Imperial Palace again, nor would I have reason to visit this place.
The new shoes I’d changed into were far more comfortable than the excessively high ones from before.
“It seems his mother favored low heels.”
“She was a free spirit. She suited the world beyond the palace far better than these walls.”
As we spoke and retraced our steps, we came upon a crossroads.
Bidler hesitated.
“Do you want to return to the party hall?”
“You’re asking—does that mean we don’t have to?”
“That’s right. You’ve fulfilled all the roles you needed to by attending.”
‘Then why did he make me change?’
Though curious, since I’d largely confirmed what I’d wanted to learn at the party, I decided to rest without returning rather than go back.

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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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