Home/How to Survive in a Good Small Guild/ch 100

Chapter 100

"So I had a lively discussion about labor with His Highness."

Seeing Lady Lucia's bright smile, I smiled along.

Simply because the situation was absurd.

'No, the romance development will still continue, even if it's a bit different from the original.'

Nobles interested in labor law—their interests aligned perfectly.

Even if the catalyst was different from the original, it might still develop into romance.

Just then, Lady Lucia seemed to remember something and spoke.

"Oh, His Highness said he was going to look for Odrette and went out to the garden..."

"Ah, is that so?"

We must have missed each other.

Thinking it would be better to report the information I'd gathered in the garden to him, I tried to slip toward the garden. That is, if Dominic hadn't stopped me.

"Wait, going to the garden alone is dangerous. There's no one there."

"That's exactly why it's good, isn't it?"

"W-well, if a young lady goes to a secluded place alone, rumors might spread."

"I'm not a noble, though?"

"...You're quite bold, but it's dangerous, so I'll escort you."

"Ah, okay."

Since Dominic showed no sign of backing down, I obediently followed his lead.

We walked out to the garden together. I noticed noble ladies whispering, but I pretended not to hear.

"What if rumors spread about you going out with a commoner woman?"

"I'll just say I asked the information Guild Master about investments."

"Oh..."

It seemed a bit undignified, but it was quite a practical answer. With investment talk, no one would suspect our relationship...

I nodded at his words and wandered through the garden looking for Cedrian. He must have been looking for me too, as I heard his voice.

"Ms. Odrette!"

I turned and spotted the Crown Prince in a corner. I bowed to Dominic.

"Thank you for escorting me. Then I'll be going..."

"What is that man doing here?"

The Crown Prince looked at Dominic with suspicious eyes, so I explained.

"He escorted me because it was dangerous to come to the garden alone."

"Right, it is dangerous. But..."

The Crown Prince gave Dominic a strange look, then signaled for him to leave.

"I have something to discuss."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Dominic smiled at the Crown Prince.

"It's been very entertaining. I'm enjoying the show."

"Stop talking nonsense and go."

Was it okay to talk like that... Anyway, Dominic was just wary of the man who'd danced with his sister.

"Ah, Mr. Rian. I found out something."

As I was about to report the Temple's scheme to the Crown Prince, he put a finger to his lips, signaling me to be quiet.

"Wait, someone's coming."

He gestured for me to come closer.

Feeling a bit awkward, I squeezed into the narrow bushes with him.

Pressed close together, I held my breath.

"Hoho, there's no one here, right?"

"Of course."

Soon, a young couple walked through the garden arm in arm. We waited awkwardly for them to pass.

As we held our breath in silence, the music from the banquet hall filled the emptiness. It was a soft, somehow sweet-sounding melody.

"......"

I turned my head and met Cedrian's eyes. His gray gaze was fixed on me.

I didn't look away. He had something to say to me... Wait, was I even supposed to look the Crown Prince in the eye? Wasn't that against etiquette?

As I fell into confusion, I heard Cedrian's voice.

"I sometimes imagined this. The two of us alone in the garden behind the banquet hall..."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm saying I like this moment. It feels like I've been waiting for today's banquet for a long time."

"Because you were meeting Lady Lucia?"

"......"

"Ah, that was too direct. I'm sorry."

"...Never mind. You said you had information."

"Ah, yes!"

I relayed what I'd learned to the Crown Prince.

"So I don't think Arclight Guild can approach him, and it would be better if Your Highness summoned Mr. John Kerrdick to the Imperial Palace. If you promise to help him marry Viscountess Janssen, Mr. Kerrdick will side with the Imperial Family."

"That's very helpful information. I'll do that. And..."

Cedrian glanced at me.

"Are you sure about becoming a High Priest at the Temple?"

"Hmm, yes."

I hadn't told Cedrian that I'd been experimented on at the Temple. I'd have to explain my possession otherwise.

"It's fine—I'll be able to access the information you want more easily..."

"...Still, it's best to be cautious. If it gets too dangerous, just run away from the Temple."

"Oh, but wouldn't they chase and attack me?"

"If you hide in the guild building, I'll come to help you."

"Haha, thank you for saying that. Of course, I won't put my guild members in danger!"

"No, it'll be fine. Because that guild building will have limited entrances, and defending from inside will be advantageous. Your guild members won't be in danger either."

"Oh, you haven't visited the newly renovated guild building yet, have you?"

"Guild buildings are all similar..."

Then Cedrian casually added.

"Doesn't your guild have someone quite strong?"

"Who? Ah, Cedric does have some combat skills. I heard he trained at his previous black company."

"Th-that's him. If needed, he'll help."

"Oh, by the way, Cedric said his distant cousin works as a servant at the Crown Prince's Palace."

"I wouldn't know about that. There are many servants at the Crown Prince's Palace."

"I suppose so. Shall we go out now?"

Since I'd done what I needed to do, I could go home.

As I stood up, thinking that, Cedrian looked flustered.

"Wait, you're not going home already, are you?"

"Yes."

"Without even dancing once?"

"I, I..."

What was this awkwardness?

"Your Highness, I'm a commoner, I've never learned to dance, I have no one to dance with, and I don't see any reason to dance..."

"......"

After I poured out my words, Cedrian fell silent. Soon, he spoke again.

"But it would be a shame to leave without enjoying the banquet."

"I did enjoy the delicious food in the first part, thanks to your invitation."

"Still, I..."

The couple from earlier had disappeared, and now it seemed we were alone in the garden.

As the music from the banquet hall filled the garden, Cedrian extended his hand to me.

"I'd like you to dance one dance with me."

It was such an unexpected move that I hesitated.

"I don't know how to dance at all..."

"We'll manage. Just follow my steps."

It seemed impolite to refuse the Crown Prince's offer. After hesitating, I took his hand. Cedrian placed my left hand on his shoulder. His other hand naturally rested on my waist.

As he moved, I slowly followed his feet. Honestly, I couldn't tell if I was dancing or playing a pump game at an arcade.

Was this really dancing?

"...When dancing, you should look at your partner."

"Ah."

I'd been staring at the ground, and I looked up. I felt Cedrian's gaze, which hadn't left me.

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