Welcome to the Café of the Dark Guild’s Successor - Chapter 69

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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 heir to the Dark Guild.
69
“What is this?”
“It’s an association formed by the merchants in the village. Since your shop is nearby, you’re qualified to join.”
“Nearby? There’s no road, and it’s just a shop isolated deep in the mountains.”
When I pointed out the facts plainly, the Village Chief cleared his throat awkwardly.
Yet the look in his eyes—hoping I’d join—remained unchanged.
“What’s the benefit of joining?”
“We’ll make you a map.”
The Village Chief unfolded a paper he’d tucked under his arm, his expression proud.
The map showing the village displayed the shop names, locations, and types of businesses in the commercial district clearly and legibly.
“What do you think? Travelers see this and visit the shops. It’s free advertising.”
I already had too many customers, so this was a benefit I didn’t want at all.
“I’ll pass.”
“Don’t say that. Think it over carefully. We’ll build roads and set up signposts. And there’s no membership fee! What could be bad about it?”
It seemed that all the kindness everyone had shown me until now was leading up to this.
While I spoke with the Village Chief, everyone who’d been inside the dumpling shop came out and watched us.
When I showed no interest in the Merchant Association, someone sidled up from behind and asked.
“Miss, have you never thought about marriage? If you’re interested, how about meeting my son? He’s my son, but trust me, he’s quite decent.”
When matchmaking talk finally came up, I grimaced in discomfort.
I was about to tell her firmly to stop, but Cayden cut in.
“Rosia! What are you doing? Why are you gathered here with everyone?”
“How did you know I was here?”
“The word’s already spread. The merchants told me.”
Without understanding the situation, Cayden stepped between the Village Chief and me, shielding me.
“You look uncomfortable. Did something happen?”
“No. Let’s go.”
I tapped Cayden’s arm lightly and tried to move past the Village Chief and the merchants.
The Village Chief tried to grab Cayden instead, but Cayden shook his hand off with a coldness I’d never seen from him before.
“We’ll talk again next time! Definitely!”
I walked quickly, leaving the villagers’ echoing voices behind.
Cayden glanced back and told me what he’d heard from the Temple.
“Apparently, there have been noticeably more visitors to the village recently. Especially young travelers—the village has become quite lively.”
“Does that have something to do with our shop?”
“How did you know? Yes. Most of the young visitors apparently stopped by on their way to your shop, just to rest for a bit.”
“So they want to officially add our shop to the Merchant Association and really capitalize on it.”
“Don’t look at it negatively. I think they believed it would be a good way for your shop to prosper and the village to prosper too.”
I didn’t sense any malice from the merchants either, so I nodded.
“Thanks to it, the Temple Priest said many more worshippers have been visiting the temple.”
For some reason, it felt like things were spiraling beyond my control.
I couldn’t decide whether I should be pleased or put an end to this rumor.
“By the way, what are those in your hands?”
“I received them. They kept stuffing things into my hands.”
“I got some too on the way here.”
Cayden’s hands and mine were both full of pouches the merchants had packed for us with various items.
“They’re heavy and bothersome.”
As I sighed looking at the pouches, Cayden suppressed a laugh and let out a quiet chuckle.
“Why are you laughing?”
“For someone saying you’re bothered, you look quite happy.”
“Me?”
My face happened to be reflected in a shop window as we passed, and I saw that I was indeed smiling.
I dropped my expression in surprise.
‘That doesn’t make sense.’
If I’d been uncomfortable, perhaps. But there’s no way I’d be happy about this. Absolutely not.
***
Four days passed.
Because of morning rain, there were still no customers in the shop.
Enjoying the rare leisure time, I’d left the window open when I heard the sound of a cart.
The Carpenter was coming up with a young man, carrying a table on the cart.
My eyes were naturally drawn to the young man whose body was excessively muscular and rugged.
“Brought the table you ordered.”
“Thank you, sir.”
With two more, there were now five tables in the shop.
After finishing the delivery, the Carpenter said goodbye and left.
The young man followed him out but hesitated and came back carrying a basket.
“My mother told me to bring this.”
“What is it?”
“Dumplings and fresh vegetables. Try them, and if they’re good, place an order. I’ll deliver them to the Temple Priest at the same time.”
So this must be the man who regularly delivered groceries to the Temple.
Cayden was already supplying fruit, and the mountains had plenty of ingredients anyway, so there was no need for delivery.
But his effort to pitch to me too seemed earnest, so I nodded.
“I’ll enjoy them.”
After finishing his business, the man lingered instead of leaving, dawdling near the entrance.
“Is there something you wanted to tell me?”
“Ah! I’m a bit thirsty… could I have some water?”
I immediately filled a cup and handed it to him without much concern.
The man took the water and barely touched his lips to it before suddenly asking.
“I’m James. What do you do on your days off?”
“I rest.”
“Ah… well then, how about we grab a meal together sometime in the village?”
The memory of the woman trying to matchmake me with her son when I went down to the village came back to me.
“I’m not interested, so don’t waste your energy.”
“Do you have someone you’re seeing?”
“No.”
“Then please consider me.”
And with that, he suddenly took off his shirt.
I raised an eyebrow at what in the world he was doing. Of course, I didn’t look away.
“I’m very strong. The grocery shop I run is the largest in the village. Your family will never go hungry. I can provide for you without you having to lift a finger.”
Without lifting a finger—wouldn’t that be suffocating to live that way?
I was pondering whether this was a proposal or a threat when the bell above the door chimed and it opened.
Cayden came in, stopped short, and froze at the sight of James with his shirt off.
“What is this? James, why are you undressed?”
“I’m trying to appeal. I like the owner here. I want to see her seriously.”
“James!”
Seeing James’s rippling upper body, Cayden gasped and forced him to put his shirt back on.
Then he pushed him straight out of the shop.
The two seemed to exchange words outside, but only Cayden came back in.
“Rosia, am I not enough on my own?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I cook and I assist you, don’t I? If there’s any other role you need filled, tell me. Don’t bring other men here.”
The gaze meeting mine head-on was bolder than ever before.
Honestly, where would I find someone more useful than Cayden?
I thought to reassure him but instead felt like teasing, so I asked coolly.
“Did you see those muscles flexing earlier? Can you do that too?”
“…You liked that?”
Cayden stopped as he was putting the wildflower he’d brought into a vase and turned to me with a shocked expression.
“I was joking. Where did that flower come from?”
“I saw it on the way and thought it was pretty.”
Ever since Hestanya brought flowers and I put them in a vase, Cayden had often brought wildflowers like this.
“Yeah. It’s pretty.”
Though I didn’t know the name of the wildflower, the fully bloomed pink petals were lovely.
“There’s an application form here? The Merchant Association?”
“The Carpenter must have left it behind.”
“You still don’t like it?”
“I don’t particularly want to get tangled up with people.”
Once, I thought I would live my entire life as a member of Raven’s Dark Guild, bound by the Queen’s word, and so never formed deep connections with anyone.
I couldn’t form deep connections from the start because I had to hide my true nature.
Things are different now, but I’m so used to keeping distance from people that I don’t see the need to get involved.
“Even if you don’t join, why not come to a meeting once? They’re held at the Guild Hall every week.”
“Why would I need to do that?”
“I know Rosia has your reasons, but you can’t live alone in the mountains your whole life, can you?”
I tilted my head slightly to the side at Cayden’s words.
“I’m not alone. You’re here.”
“I’m really happy that Rosia sees me that way.”
I meant it as a statement of fact, but Cayden seemed quite moved by it.
“But what if I’m not here?”
“Where would you go?”
“You said this everyday life could end anytime, didn’t you?”
While our eyes met, I felt a sadness emanating from him.
“You know I’m not good with people. Who else would visit me like this every day if you weren’t here? I don’t know when it’ll end, but stay as long as you can. By my side.”
“I will.”
Cayden closed his eyes gently and smiled beautifully.
“Still, I’d like it if Rosia could meet more precious people. So you won’t be lonely without me.”
“Are you really going to disappear? If that’s the case, tell me now.”
“Where would I go? I was just worrying. Because only I know how bad your social skills are.”
“…Never mind.”
Cayden spoke playfully and laughed, but he wasn’t the kind of person to say such things lightly, so I couldn’t help but feel troubled.
Once he said he liked waiting for me, as if he’d wait forever.
Yet how much time had passed before his heart changed?
‘Whether he leaves or not, it doesn’t matter.’
I would simply think it a shame if such a capable assistant and cook disappeared.
Unfamiliar with the disappointment rising in me, I drank a full cup of cold water to cool my emotions.

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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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