Home/How to Survive in a Good Small Guild/ch 99

Chapter 99

Thinking I'd achieved my main purpose for attending the banquet, I returned to the hall. There, I saw Lady Lucia surrounded by several noble ladies and matrons.

'As expected, she's incredibly popular.'

Their dance had ended, and all eyes were on Lady Lucia after her debut.

Meanwhile, Cedrian was nowhere to be seen. Where had he gone?

As I looked around for someone to talk to, a familiar face approached me.

"Young Lord Kaliad."

It was Dominic, the second son of House Kaliad, who'd come up beside me.

"Right, where did you go? I didn't see you."

"I went to look at the garden..."

"Ah. By the way, where is the Crown Prince?"

"I don't know...?"

Why was he asking me about Cedrian's whereabouts? I put on a face of complete ignorance, and Dominic scratched his head.

"Anyway, the Crown Prince and the Lady danced the first dance, didn't they?"

"Yes, they did."

"Are you okay with that? You're very protective of the Lady."

Thinking he'd be jealous of the male lead's encounter, I asked, but Dominic's answer was unexpected.

"I was a bit worried too, but after overhearing their conversation, it seemed a little strange."

"Excuse me?"

"There was no romantic atmosphere—they were passionately discussing a shared interest."

"They already have a shared interest?"

"No, it wasn't something I needed to worry about. It seemed very wholesome."

"......?"

"They suddenly had a heated debate about the Empire's labor laws."

Huh? Something was wrong. Even if this world was a K-romance fantasy, that didn't seem right?

In the original, Lady Lucia and Cedrian were supposed to have a fluttery, romantic conversation about her saving him!

Just as I was standing there dumbfounded, unable to process the situation, Lady Lucia approached.

"Odrette! You were talking with my brother!"

"Yes, Lady. But about the dance earlier..."

"Ah, the Crown Prince was such a wonderful person! We really connected!"

She meant in a romantic sense, right?

"The Crown Prince and I have the same life book!"

"By life book, surely you don't mean..."

"Yes! <How Elites Oppress Workers – Structural Violence and the Silence of Institutions>!"

Finally, I understood.

I knew the original story had been derailed, but the direction was strange.

'It's probably all because of the Temple...'

In the original, the Temple wasn't a strange organization that worshiped Park Geo-seong.

As the Temple changed, everything in the original story must be changing...

---

"Your Highness."

Cedrian looked down at the Lady of Kaliad who'd approached him.

Oh no, he'd been trying to watch Odrette. If he openly talked to her, it might raise suspicion.

Today, Odrette was truly beautiful. She had a captivating yet vibrant impression, and Cedrian wanted to grab Susanna and ask what she'd done.

Forced to look away from Odrette, Cedrian conversed with the Lady of Kaliad.

"It's different seeing you in this form rather than disguised."

"...Thank you for keeping my secret."

The Lady of Kaliad also knew from the Duke that Cedrian was the disguised Arclight guild member. Cedrian felt a strange embarrassment, as if his weakness had been exposed.

Come to think of it, the House of Kaliad also knew he'd infiltrated because he liked Odrette. Remembering that made him even more embarrassed.

"Odrette looks beautiful today, doesn't she?"

"......"

The Lady of Kaliad struck at his heart, and Cedrian closed his eyes tightly.

His gaze quietly drifted to Odrette. He saw her take a step back after receiving his look.

Looking away from Odrette again, Cedrian spoke to the Lady.

"How did you help me back then?"

Hadn't that been the catalyst for him to first visit Odrette's guild?

In the past, he'd gone hunting and fallen victim to the Temple's scheme, losing his way and finding himself in danger. The Lady of Kaliad had appeared suddenly and saved him.

She'd given him a recovery potion and shown him the way out of the forest.

"We should talk about the details while dancing. Everyone's watching us."

"I suppose."

Convinced by her words, he extended his hand. She took it, and they headed to the dance floor.

'Someday, with Odrette too...'

Just as he felt a bit frustrated that he'd never danced with Odrette, the Lady answered his earlier question.

"I knew about the Temple's scheme in advance. I'd met a Temple member before, and my brother used his ability to uncover their lies. I found it suspicious and looked into their intentions."

"I see. Thanks to your ability..."

"While investigating whether they were plotting against House Kaliad, I unexpectedly discovered that Your Highness was involved. I couldn't just ignore it, so I helped you..."

"You didn't expect me to find out?"

"I knew you would someday, but... sooner than I thought."

"All thanks to Odrette."

"Indeed, Odrette is truly capable."

Even while speaking, their dancing remained flawless. The Lady turned her head and pouted.

"Hmm? Odrette's going somewhere?"

Following her gaze, Cedrian saw Odrette disappear toward the garden.

"That's dangerous."

"Then finish the dance and follow her quickly. Why would Odrette go there?"

"I have a guess."

"Ah, it's because of you, Your Highness. I really like Odrette."

Then the Lady launched into unsolicited praise of Odrette.

"Odrette is clever, has good sense, and is kind-hearted. I also love watching her work hard at everything."

"Indeed."

Hearing that praise, Cedrian felt as happy as if he were being praised himself.

"Besides, I talked with Odrette about labor last time."

"Labor? About what?"

Suddenly, Cedrian's eyes seemed to spark.

"My life book. There's a book called <How Elites Oppress Workers – Structural Violence and the Silence of Institutions>. Oh, it might be inappropriate to recommend to Your Highness..."

"No, you've read that book!"

Cedrian exclaimed in genuine surprise.

"That's my life book too! I've read it three times!"

"Goodness, you too, Your Highness?"

Their gazes met as they danced casually. They stared at each other and began an intense conversation. Their steps gradually quickened.

"How this social structure oppresses and hides workers! What an impressive book!"

"I also realized the value of labor through it and became interested in labor law reform!"

"Ah, to meet someone I can connect with like this!"

"I'd love for you to be my friend!"

"Alright, Your Highness! We're labor friends!"

"It's an inappropriate title, but I like it!"

As their soulful conversation unfolded, Dominic, who had approached nearby, clicked his tongue.

"I love my sister, but she says strange things sometimes... To think there's someone else like her. No romantic atmosphere at all."

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