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Rader diligently handled wealthy fools as I instructed, and thus, the guild’s treasury grew.
Although not as impressive, I too have been quite busy lately.
A mysterious man has been visiting regularly, seeking my advice on romance.
“Our guild isn’t a place to consult for date courses,” I pointed out.
In the guild’s elaborately decorated reception room, I sat in the master’s seat, pressing my temples as if dealing with a headache.
“Hence why I pay you more,” the man sitting opposite placed a hefty pouch of money on the table, the clink of gold coins resonating with weight.
He hid his identity with a mask ending at the bridge of his nose and had dull golden hair. Looking into his beautiful eyes, a gradient of gold and red, I grumbled on purpose.
“One might think I accept because of the money.”
“Isn’t that so?”
“No, it isn’t,” I replied.
To show that I wouldn’t be swayed by mere money, I crossed my arms and raised my chin haughtily, even crossing my legs elegantly.
There were complex reasons why I, who typically only accepted infidelity cases, took on this absurd “romance consultation” request.
First, this man was the only client who knew that Rader wasn’t the real master.
‘How did he find out?’
Secondly, the record of the first request with this man, which I had written myself, was absurdly insincere.
‘Romance consultation. Just two words.’
It was strange.
Not only had I not conducted the consultation, but I also wasn’t generous enough to meet privately with a man coming for a romance consultation.
So, what exactly was that consultation about? I could only remember sitting across from the man, not the details of the conversation.
‘What the hell.’
When the man came for a second consultation, I accepted readily, hoping it would remind me of the first one.
But there were no notable moments other than him staring intently at me, wondering why I wasn’t responding as expected.
Curious about what he was up to, I met him a third time, a fourth time, and now, it’s already the fifth time-
“The dessert shop you recommended was quite good.”
His voice praising my taste snapped me out of my thoughts.
Good, I knew he’d be satisfied. That place had a taste so good you’d forget everything else.
Feeling proud of spreading the word about a great dessert shop to a mysterious man, I smiled broadly. Indeed, praise makes even cats, no, whales dance.
“Right?”
“Mm. The young lady seemed quite pleased as well.”
“I thought so. Have you tried the green grape tart?”
“No.”
“Oh no, you missed the most important one.”
I genuinely felt sorry.
The dessert shop I recommended was famous for its seasonal fruit tarts. Since they make them in small quantities, you have to go early, or you miss out.
‘When I went there with Raynous, there was only one left, so I ate it by myself.’
I wanted to share it with him, but Raynous, who claimed not to like sweet things, let me have it. Though I know he loves sweets, he’s just too kind.
‘I must buy it for him next time we go.’
“The crepes there are good too. Try them next time. Have you been to the opera house? I heard the lead actress has an amazing voice.”
“No. The timing didn’t work out.”
“That’s too bad. Then, let’s-”
I spread out the map I brought on the table. It marked places suitable for dates like cafes, dessert shops, bakeries, and workshops within the capital.
I pointed to a spot on the map with my quill.
“Have you been to this bakery?”
“Mm.”
He had, so it was off the list.
“What about here?”
“Not yet.”
Great, I’d include it in the next date course.
I checked off the locations I recommended in previous consultations, as if doing a homework check. The man answered diligently.
After confirming, I started planning a new date course, asking the man, who sat there like some noble, if he had any specific preferences.
“Any particular place you want to go?”
“Mostly good restaurants. She likes eating delicious food.”
“Meat? Pasta? Ravioli-”
“She doesn’t have a particular preference.”
“Aha.”
People who claim not to care usually do. It’s the hardest order to fulfill.
‘I’ll just recommend places I like then.’
If he didn’t specify, he couldn’t blame me later.
I looked down at the map, tickling my chin with the feather of the quill.
This place famous for steak had to be included, that one excluded. Considering the route based on popular spots…
I started listing suitable places on the blank paper next to the map. Although my unfamiliar hand, hidden by his disguise, made my writing crooked, it was still legible.
The man watched me silently, occasionally suggesting, “How about here?”
“Why isn’t this restaurant on the list? I heard it’s recommended by Marquis Vincent.”
“This place? Who told you that? Marquis Vincent just built it to launder money, it’s terrible. Unless you want to break up, I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“…I see.”
I noticed the man’s hand tremble for a moment. He seemed angry at whoever gave him false information.
‘Where did he hear such nonsense?’
Anyone slightly involved in the social circles would know.
‘Is he not a noble? Or has he been out of social circles?’
I continued my work, still puzzled.
Great, I’ll use this date course myself, just changing a few places and the order.
These days, our dates were thoroughly planned by me. I didn’t want to burden him, already busy, by making him plan the course as well.
Unfortunately, I didn’t know that whenever I wasn’t looking, Raynous would secretly take out his notebook with a bitter expression.
“Here, this week’s recommended course.”
Phew, it’s a great date course, even if I do say so myself.
I wiped imaginary sweat and pushed the scribbled paper towards the man. He nodded and started copying it into his notebook.
Watching his busy pen, a thought came to me, and I spoke.
“By the way, don’t you have any friends?”
“…What?”
The man stopped, startled by my out-of-the-blue question.
I shrugged to show I wasn’t serious.
“Usually, people plan this kind of thing with friends.”
Not with the master of a dark guild.
The man seemed to ponder his answer. In the past, he would have snapped not to ask personal questions, but meeting five times seemed to have softened him.
“I don’t have anyone to call a friend.”
“Is that so?”
That explained why he kept coming to me for romance consultations.
“First love?”
“Does it seem that way?”
The man raised an eyebrow, seemingly annoyed.
His reaction confirmed it for me. First love it was.
My heart ached. First love, and with no one to consult, it must be frustrating.
Suddenly, memories of my own disastrous first love came flooding back, filling me with a sense of nostalgia.
‘Good luck, sir. May you have a beautiful, regret-free romance.’
I gazed at the man, diligently writing, with a wistful look. Wanting to help as a senior in love, I asked.
“How’s your romance going?”
“…? Why do you ask?”
“I want to help. If you have any troubles or questions, feel free to ask.”
“It’s going well, no need to worry.”
“I see.”
Tsk, tsk.
I leaned back on the sofa, pouting. I wanted to help, but his response was disheartening.
The man glanced at me, then, as if realizing he’d been too harsh, mumbled softly.
“I’ve been reading books about romance lately. Do you have any recommendations?”
“Books?”
“Yes. So far, I’ve read ‘Escape from Being Single,’ ‘101 Techniques to Captivate a Lady,’ ‘What Successful Lovers Do Differently,’ ‘Read This to Win Love,’ and others.”
“Wait, what? What are you reading?”
I gaped, unable to close my mouth.
Seeing my reaction, the man nervously asked.
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“Why are you reading those?”
“For study?”
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