“Understanding a guest’s preferences is important when inviting them to a meal, don’t you think?”
When Kael looked at her with a certain expression, her eyes glinted with strange light.
He had been silently looking down at the food, but suddenly he smiled bitterly.
“I lost. I will make an exclusive contract with the Lady.”
“I’m glad my preparation paid off… But… Did you really decide because of the delicious braised fish?”
“It’s not always through experiencing significant events that we can truly understand a person. Sometimes, you can see someone’s true worth in the smallest details that others don’t pay attention to.”
“I’m curious about what you’ve seen as my true worth, Kael.”
“My Lady is incredibly thorough when it comes to preparedness. She doesn’t overlook even the tiniest details.”
“Do you think preparedness is the most important thing, Kael?”
Kael’s expression softened.
“I remember my mentor saying something like that before. He told me not to make a thorough preparer an enemy, even if they might be stronger than me.”
“Because such a person would have already planned their attack in case you became an enemy. You’re wise.”
“That’s right. I’m sure My Lady prepared countermeasures in case I refused. Did my expectations prove wrong?”
Even though I had just learned that I was plagiarized by the Emperor, I brazenly retorted as if I had prepared numerous countermeasures.
“Oh, I’ve been caught. Don’t be too upset. It’s just business, so I kept various possibilities open.”
“I’m not upset. In fact, I think you made a good choice in selecting a business partner.”
“You flatter me.”
The atmosphere became even more cheerful and harmonious.
It seemed that the issue with the guild had been mostly resolved.
‘Except for one thing.’
As I looked at my half-empty glass, I suddenly spoke up.
“Kael, please keep today’s events a secret for now. You can give off an atmosphere that the contract fell through, or act as if we’re still negotiating. If that’s difficult, you can stay silent. We just need to make sure that the fact we made a contract doesn’t become known. Can you do that for me?”
“I can, but may I ask why?”
“Because it’s more intriguing that way.”
“…Uh?”
“Listening in on other people’s plans like a little sneak and trying to intercept them in the middle. And on top of that, sitting quietly as if nothing’s happening. That’s so sneaky, you know? So, I want to take this opportunity to teach you about moral values.”
“Isn’t the tone of your words a bit too much…?”
“Why are you saying that? Did I specifically point out who I was talking about? Kael, I have no idea who that person is.”
“…”
She smiled softly at the silent Kael.
“Then should we write the contract after the meal? We’ve been talking so formally. Let’s have a chat about the world while drinking tea.”
“That sounds good.”
After a while, a message appeared before me.
[System: Success in the mission <Having a Meal with Kael> <Drinking Tea with Kael> <Having a Conversation with Kael>]
[You have earned 100,000 points.]
‘Yes!’
I clenched my fists under the table.
***
It had been five days since the meal with Kael.
“It’s still the same.”
I sighed. The conversation window had been silent for a whole week now.
I thought it would be fixed soon, but I didn’t know what was happening.
“How many points do I have now?”
<Remaining Points: 300,400>
‘I’m poor. So poor.’
Come to think of it, not only had the conversation window stopped, but new missions and sponsorships had also ceased.
I did receive 100,000 points today, but that was just the reward for successfully completing the mission related to Kael.
“While other hunters are gathering points and growing even at this moment…”
I felt like I was the only one stuck. The feeling of unease started to grow little by little.
[Viewer Count: 131]
“Looking at the increasing viewer count, it doesn’t seem like my broadcast is boring…”
But why doesn’t anyone give me missions or sponsorships?
“Could it be that missions and sponsorships are also blocked?”
Should I ask them to sponsor me with just 1 point?
While contemplating, Genia entered the reception room.
“My Lady, Lord Duke requests a moment of your time.”
“Why?”
“He didn’t specify.”
“Tell him I’ll go down to the study.”
“Yes, my Lady.”
As I went down to the study, Duke Luteous was drinking coffee.
As I sat on the couch, Duke Luteous gestured to the table.
I casually looked away, then my eyes widened. Among several neatly arranged letters, my name was written on the top.
“It’s an invitation to a party from the royal palace.”
“Why did my invitation go to you, Lord Duke?”
“I receive all the correspondence that comes to the mansion.”
“From now on, please send my letters directly to me.”
“Understood.”
I tore open the invitation while sitting in my seat.
It was an invitation to attend a party in about 20 days.
As I was about to get up, Duke Luteous set down his teacup.
“Sit down. We have something to discuss.”
“Okay.”
“What on earth have you been doing outside?”
I paused, holding my teacup.
“…What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about what happened at the dessert cafe recently.”
“The dessert cafe? Oh…”
It must be about what happened at Jean Blanc’s Royal Desserts.
“Did any rumors spread?”
“They said you threw a cup at a waiter who asked you to wait in line and caused a scene, forcing all the customers to leave the cafe.”
“…What?”
“And when the noble ladies complained, you threatened them?”
“…Me?”
“They said you caused a scene at a place frequented by nobles. What were you thinking?”
“Did I cause a disturbance? The customers ran away as soon as they saw my face. And when did I threaten any noble ladies? Instead, I received criticism myself.”
I realized that things could turn out like this when rumors spread. I was so surprised that I couldn’t even get angry.
“Why did I do that?”
“They said you did it because no one recognized you.”
“Do you think I’m the kind of person who would cause a scene at someone else’s store just because no one recognizes me?”
“It doesn’t matter who you are. What matters is that the rumors have spread. People tend to believe the stories they want to believe, not necessarily the truth.”
“…”
“Is it unfair?”
“It’s a little absurd, but I don’t feel unfairly treated. Now that I think about it, it’s not entirely baseless. So, did you call me here to scold me for my arrogant behavior?”
“Arrogant? It wasn’t you who was arrogant, but those young ladies who had the audacity to sit in front of the Lady.”
The reaction of Duke Luteoys was more surprising than the strange rumors that had spread.
I tried to control my astonishment and smoothed my expression.
“…So why did you call me then?”
“It means that even though you did the right thing, there isn’t a single person who supports you. It means your reputation isn’t good.”
“But why?”
“In that case, you should have been even more cunning. Unless you plan to increase your enemies here.”
“There’s no need to increase enemies. Everyone is already against me. But, Lord Duke, even if the whole world turns their back on me, it won’t have any impact on me.”
“That’s right. You have the ability to handle that. But as long as the Hunter Ranking is tied to the gag order, people will still see you as a crazy Lady. That’s why you sent me this kind of letter.”
He gestured towards the table.
The letters that were lying beneath the invitation were all complaint letters from nobles.
The insignia of the prominent families was clearly visible on the envelopes.
“Can I read them?”
“Go ahead.”
I read the letter at the top.
“…The Lady seems to have difficulty controlling her anger. Her behavior has gone too far and has caused harm to many people. It is truly lamentable. We cannot help but worry if this will tarnish the reputation of the Luteous family. Therefore, would it not be impolite to suggest that Lord Duke restrict the Lady’s outings and attempt to seek treatment? If it is not an inconvenience, I can recommend a competent healer.”
-Count Pantona Rome.
“Pfft.”
“Why are you laughing?”
“Because they’re basically saying, ‘Lock up your daughter because she’s crazy!’ It feels like they’ve stretched out the words in a fancy way.”
“It’s not the same. It means just that. If you weren’t a Duke, I would have written it in a more straightforward manner.”
I shrugged and unfolded the other letters one by one.
They were almost similar in content. It felt like parents getting involved in kids’ fights.
“Well, it wasn’t exactly a fight, but more like being stepped on by someone… Ah! So that’s why you’re even more frustrated?”
I quickly folded the letter and tossed it aside.
“It seems like you’re bothered because of me. I’m sorry about that.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“I don’t plan to apologize for what happened at the dessert cafe. I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Do you think I called you here to hear an apology from you?”
“Well, then why?”
“In the future, these kinds of things will keep happening. Each time, people will blame and point fingers at you. If you can’t make them stand on your side, then it’s best to stand in a position where no one supports you.”
Duke Luteous crossed his legs.
His neatly groomed silver hair and cold green eyes.
Even his well-maintained physique, hidden under a high-end suit, seemed flawless, just like his personality that didn’t tolerate any imperfections.
‘Who would think that person is over forty and in their middle age?’
At least outwardly, he didn’t seem like an unfortunate Swordmaster unable to grasp even a single sword due to the trauma of losing his wife.
He spoke in a cold voice.
“Become a guild leader.”
