Chapter 82 - Scheming Together
"Hey. Where's Rosewin?"
After waiting for Rosewin for a long while, Frey frowned as she still hadn't shown up and turned to the guide standing nearby with a question.
"...Ah, Rosewin went to the secret warehouse to organize some information."
"I see."
Frey nodded and leaned back in his chair. The guide, who had been looking a bit guilty, asked in a quiet voice,
"Um... Would you prefer to wait in the lounge instead of here?"
"Nah, it's fine. The lounge is farther away. Can't make her go through the trouble."
"Ah... Yes, sir."
The guide blushed slightly at Frey's beaming smile and hurriedly bowed her head before rushing outside.
"...Rosewin! What the hell are you doing here? You need to go see him!"
Soon after, the guide shrieked at Rosewin, who was lounging in the lounge, sipping orange juice.
"What, is Frey pissed or something?"
"No, not that..."
"Then what'd he say?"
The guide slowly recounted the earlier conversation. Rosewin, slurping her orange juice, smirked and muttered,
"Little shit."
"Rosewin!"
"Yawn... Cut me some slack. Looking at that bastard's face feels like it shaves ten years off my life."
"...His face shortens your lifespan?"
Frey, the infamous scoundrel loathed by everyone in the empire, yet no one dared mock his looks. The idea that merely seeing his face shortened her life struck the staff as utterly spoiled. Clearing her throat, she continued,
"Ahem, he's still a VIP. We have to treat him right for the money he's paying."
"Ugh... Annoying."
Rosewin finished her orange juice, slowly rose from her seat, and stretched.
"Ah, what a hassle. Just tell him to come here."
"...Rosewin!"
But as Rosewin plopped back onto the sofa without taking a single step, the watching staff shrieked again.
"It's fine. That little shit's head over heels for me. If I say so, he won't utter a peep."
"Jeez..."
The staff sighed at Rosewin's nonchalant reply, then headed back to the room where Frey waited.
"Ah, Rosewin! There you are?"
"Sorry, Young Master Frey. Rosewin is waiting in the lounge."
"Got it. Guess I should head to the lounge. Yeah, it's too dark here for her anyway."
By the rumors about Frey, the table should've been flipped by now, but he just grinned cheerfully and stood up.
"Um... Shall I guide you there..."
"No need, it's fine. I know where the lounge is. I'll find my way."
Pitying him slightly, the guide offered to escort, but Frey waved her off and quickly slipped out the door.
"Ah, Mr. Frey! Sorry, did I neglect our VIP customer too much?"
"No, no, all good. Even VIPs have to earn their info like this."
Rosewin, now sitting demurely, asked with a dark expression. Frey shook his head as if it were absurd.
"Thank you. As expected, you're our guild's best customer, Young Master Frey."
Rosewin smiled with her eyes and gathered the scattered documents on the lounge table before speaking.
"I've brought all the info our guild has on the 'Slave Market.' So..."
"One favor, Rosewin."
Rosewin tilted her head at Frey's words. Beaming idiotically, he said,
"Could you read it to me yourself?"
"...Me?"
"Yeah. I want to hear it in your beautiful voice."
Rosewin's expression control slipped for a moment.
Having dealt with countless customers and seen every type of person, she was a master at hiding her feelings. But Frey's lecherous requests were her kryptonite.
"........."
"R-Rosewin?"
In that split second, her face betrayed pure disgust and revulsion toward him.
"What's wrong all of a sudden? You okay?"
"Ah, sorry. I've had headaches lately..."
As Frey asked with his usual dumb look, she quickly schooled her features and made an excuse.
"A-anyway, you want me to read it aloud? As expected, Young Master Frey thinks deeply. Seeing it with your own eyes is good, but hearing someone else..."
"Just wanna hear your voice, that's all."
"...I'll start reading then!"
On the verge of failing again, Rosewin summoned superhuman patience, composed herself, and began.
"First, this slave market is in a hidden magical space in the back alleys."
"Magical space... You don't mean...?"
"Yes, the Shadow World whose entrance opens only once a year. Looks like the slavers prepared thoroughly this time."
Frey's face grew serious. Rosewin eyed him curiously and probed,
"Why the long face? Planning to join the slave market? Or do you have other info?"
"No, no. Keep going."
I knew it, Rosewin thought as Frey blanked out again. Smiling, she continued.
"Anyway, the upcoming slave market is the largest in a century."
"Hmm... I see. Any info on when it opens?"
Frey asked hopefully. Rosewin shook her head.
"We don't have that yet. But don't worry. Since you paid for extra investigation, if we get it, you'll hear first."
"Oh, thanks."
'First' meant they'd sell it to others too. Yet Frey just chuckled and nodded. Rosewin sneered inwardly and picked up a document.
"Our investigation shows the slavers already bought off the imperial family, investigators, and the Church of the Sun God."
"Meaning...?"
"Yes. Slavery's banned in the empire, but this market's essentially legal."
Frey licked his lips. Discreetly, Rosewin slipped her hand under the desk and jotted a note on her lap:
- High likelihood of Frey Raon Starlight participating in slave market auction. Requires further investigation.
"Rosewin, anything else?"
"Ah, yes! Right now."
Pausing to finish her note, Rosewin smiled brightly at Frey's urging and continued.
"This slave market has various races and species."
"Various races and species?"
"Yes, from the Western and Eastern Continents... even subhumans. Fits the once-in-a-century epic scale."
Frey nodded. Rosewin seized the moment to scribble more notes.
"Any chance of saboteurs in the auction?"
"Unlikely. Though small fry always buzz around."
Closing the file, Rosewin said,
"That's all we have. Hope it's not too disappointing?"
"No, no. Plenty. Really helpful."
Frey waved it off, flustered, then coughed awkwardly before broaching carefully,
"But... one important thing left, right? Rosewin."
"Important?"
"You know, that letter... Mmph."
As Frey blabbered top-secret info with his dumb face, Rosewin clamped his mouth shut.
"Ah, um... Could you grab some snacks?"
"Yes... Understood."
To the dazed guide watching them, Rosewin said that. The guide, puzzled but obedient, left—more envious of Rosewin touching Frey's lips than curious.
"...Frey, you can't. My identity's a secret."
Once the envious guide was gone, Rosewin said frantically.
"Ah, right. Forgot."
"Sigh..."
Frey scratched his head innocently. Veins bulging on her neck, Rosewin barely reined in her emotions and continued.
"Anyway... At your upcoming birthday, everything hinges on the princess's stance."
"I see."
"Yes. And you'll be there anyway, so you'll get the same info as me. That's why I didn't mention it."
"So, what stance do you think the princess will take?"
Frey's eyes gleamed. Rosewin sighed softly.
"Hm... Depends on you, me, and Serena's positions, I suppose?"
"...I see."
Another blank nod and 'I see' nearly made Rosewin explode, but she suppressed it heroically.
"So, what's your position, Mr. Frey?"
"Hm... What's yours?"
"Oh, you know our family motto well."
Regaining composure, Rosewin smiled quietly.
"We're strictly neutral."
"...Ah, right."
(Of course, we'll side with whoever offers more profit.)
Smiling at Frey's idiotic nod, Rosewin stood.
"Well... That's it for today."
"Huh? Can't we hang out a bit more? Have snacks... catch up..."
"Sorry. I'd love to, but I have prior plans."
Frey looked disappointed.
"Ah... Prior plans. Can't be helped. Did I intrude?"
"Nooo... Not at all. Zero intrusion."
Pocketing the file, Rosewin smiled and approached Frey.
"Anyway, thrilled to see you today. Next time too... Ow!"
Reaching for his collar, a sharp sting hit her finger. She yanked back.
"R-Rosewin? You okay?"
"...Static, I guess. Haha."
"Not hurt?"
Reaching again, Frey grabbed her hand. She froze.
"Badly hurt? Let me see, any blood...?"
"No, I'm fine."
"Want treatment money? Hurts my heart that you got hurt..."
"I'm fine. Keep this up, and I'll get mad?"
At her hardening expression, Frey released her hand and whispered lowly,
"See you at my birthday then, Rosewin."
"Yes, looking forward to it."
Frey gazed at her bright smile and waving hand, then muttered as he left,
"...Kania, what the hell did you stick on my collar?"
......
"...Ugh, what a fucking dog."
Watching Frey leave with a smile that hardened instantly, Rosewin muttered coldly.
Clink.
She set the tiny surveillance magic tool meant for his collar on the desk and flopped onto the sofa, scowling.
"Rosewin... No send-off?"
"You do it. Finally rid of that bastard—wait, I'll see him again soon?"
"...Again?"
The staff tilted her head while Rosewin grimaced at the thought and stood.
"Ugh... Hate it, hate him."
Heading to the bathroom, she scrubbed the hand Frey had grabbed.
"Couldn't plant the camera 'cause of static... And that creep grabbed my hand... Haa."
After vigorously washing, she sighed to the guide outside.
"Hurry and use ventilation and cleaning magic scrolls in the lounge."
"Rosewin, fix your germophobia. This month's scroll costs..."
"Just do it."
"...Yes."
At her icy tone, the sighing guide pulled out scrolls and muttered,
"When's the hero showing up? Hope he takes that guy away soon..."
Activating them in the lounge, curiosity struck. She called to Rosewin in the bathroom,
"Rosewin! What if the hero's dirty?"
"I'd cure my germophobia. I was born to serve the hero."
"...Sigh."
Knowing that was coming, the guide left the lounge. A bell rang upstairs; she rushed up.
"Coming right now!"
Arriving minutes later, she beamed at the guest who rang it.
"How may I help, sir?"
".....Want to see Rosewin."
The robed guest murmured lowly. The guide frowned slightly.
"Sorry... Rosewin's on break now..."
"...Tell her morning has arrived."
"M-Morning?"
Puzzled, the guide repeated, but the guest fell silent.
"...Got it. But don't get hopes up?"
Feeling an inexplicable pressure, she slunk downstairs.
"Rosewin! A guest!"
"Send another agent. Need rest."
"Asked for you specifically?"
"...What'd they look like?"
"Um... Robed, couldn't tell."
As Rosewin waved it off and reached for orange juice,
"...Oh, they had a message."
"Message?"
"Yes... 'Morning has arrived'?"
Rosewin's eyes widened.
"Is that so...?"
"Yeah. Felt intimidating, though. Chase 'em off?"
"Bring them in."
Heading to a VIP room, Rosewin added,
"Guide here, then stay upstairs for a bit."
The guide tensed. No one had gotten such special treatment before.
"I'll be back."
Watching her determined ascent, Rosewin sighed and leaned in her chair.
"So..."
Soon, the guide brought the robed guest to the VIP room and fled. Rosewin eyed them curiously.
"...What brings the sun to seek the sunset?"
The guest shed the robe.
"W-Well... About that letter I sent... Said to come here for details..."
It was none other than the empire's Third Princess, Clana Solar Sunrise, visibly tense.
"That letter shocked me. We're an info guild, not an errand service."
Teasing Clana mischievously, Rosewin sighed at her unchanging stiffness.
"So, was it really from you? No tampering or forgery?"
"Yes..."
"Then you truly want me to seduce Frey at your birthday party?"
Clana flinched.
"Y-Yes... That nullifies his marriage proposal to me. In front of the emperor, such a scandal would..."
"Then why the hesitation?"
"W-Well..."
Pinned, Clana sweated.
"D-Don't know. Lately, thinking of Frey makes my cheeks flush... Or I get emotional. Sometimes my hands shake..."
"...Pfft."
Rosewin burst out laughing—uncharacteristically. Clana clenched her fists.
"I-I'll pay, so investigate this. Feels like Frey did something."
"Ah, yes, yes. Got it."
Stifling giggles while noting it down, Rosewin smiled at Clana.
"Okay... Per contract, I'll seduce Frey and make him mine. That work?"
"N-No, wait... Hold on..."
"Hm? Canceling?"
Clana, eyes confused, slowly shook her head.
"No, proceed. Seduce Frey and... Ugh..."
Her hands shook again. Exhausted by the symptoms, she groaned.
Poor thing, clueless about her own feelings?
Rosewin pondered.
Win-win deal anyway.
She didn't care for the imperial family much, the pay was good, and snatching Frey from oblivious Clana sounded fun.
Offering the contract, Rosewin said to the still-confused Clana,
"Great. I'll hang with Frey, squeeze money till he gets serious..."
Her lip curled slyly.
"...Then dump him."
On Rosewin's hand, the black mark from touching Frey's collar gleamed.