CHAPTER 10
Claire visited the newspaper company to find the person suffering from side effects. However, all she got in return was that they didn’t know either, since the tip was submitted anonymously.
How irresponsible…
Just like when they had reported Priscilla’s affair based only on Duke Muteon’s words.
She was furious at the newspaper for publishing an article without verifying the facts, and at public opinion for blindly criticizing.
But finding the person with side effects came first.
She quietly entered a back alley on Avenue 6 in the capital.
Back when she discovered her husband’s affair, she had used an information guild located there.
“They were good—both reliable and skilled.”
So she had intended to hire them again…
“They’re out of business?!”
The information guild had shut down.
Claire stared blankly at the tightly closed bar under the guild.
Now who’s going to take my request…?
She lingered, unable to leave the closed shop. Eventually, she turned to go, her steps heavy.
Just as she was about to board her carriage in disappointment, someone tugged at her sleeve.
“…?”
“Pretty lady.”
She looked down to see a silver-haired boy, who appeared to be in his early to mid-teens.
He only reached her chest in height, but had large, doll-like features. His golden eyes were especially striking.
“Take this.”
“What is this?”
She instinctively accepted the flyer he handed her.
“We just opened a new place. Come visit!”
“Oh, really?”
Unable to ignore the boy’s request, Claire reluctantly checked the flyer.
What kind of shop uses a child for promotions…?
Grand Opening of Episteme Guild
You’ve never seen a guild like this.
A luxurious underworld guild steps into the light!
Do you have someone you want to bury—except for the head?
Come see us.
Do you want to find someone’s weakness and beat them with it?
Come see us.
All the information you want—we’ll deliver.
※ Currently offering limited-time grand opening discounts. Hurry in!
Do underworld guilds usually advertise like this…?
It felt like someone saying, “I’m only telling you this,” while telling the exact same thing to a hundred others.
“Because you’re pretty, I’ll give you an even bigger discount. Come visit our guild.”
“…Thanks, kiddo. But did your guardian approve you doing this kind of work?”
Worried the innocent child might be getting exploited, Claire asked cautiously.
The boy batted his long lashes and looked up at her in a strange, knowing way before speaking slowly.
“Are you curious?”
“Of course—”
“Then come visit and find out.”
The child smiled sweetly, his folded eyes brimming with playful innocence.
“See you again, pretty lady.”
He fluttered away like a butterfly before Claire could stop him.
Left staring after his vanishing figure, Claire tucked the flyer into her coat.
When Claire returned home looking defeated, Franz looked at her with concern.
She had been so motivated that morning, talking about visiting the information guild.
“What happened? Didn’t go well?”
“No, the place I was going to went out of business.”
“Really? Guilds go under in a year too, huh…”
As she took off her robe, Claire absentmindedly placed the flyer on the table.
Franz picked it up and read it.
“It really is the age of self-promotion. Even underworld guilds hand out flyers like this.”
“Places that make a big fuss like that usually aren’t any good.”
“True.”
Nodding in agreement, Franz casually flipped the flyer over.
He read the back, which Claire hadn’t checked yet.
“Oh, it says they used to operate under the name Snapdragon Guild. They just rebranded.”
“What?!”
Claire, who had been adjusting her clothes in front of the mirror, snapped her head around. She strode over and snatched the flyer from her brother.
Franz blinked in surprise at her sudden burst of energy.
“W-What’s wrong…?”
“I used that Snapdragon Guild before! So they didn’t shut down, they just reopened!”
Relieved that her “secret little gem” hadn’t gone out of business, Claire carefully stashed the flyer this time.
No way such a skilled place would close in just a year.
The next day, she visited the Episteme Guild.
It was disguised as a small flower shop tucked behind Avenue 5.
“Welcome! What kind of flowers are you looking for?”
“I’d like to buy ten tiger lilies for someone I love.”
She recited the passphrase written on the back of the flyer, and the friendly shopkeeper smiled and handed her a small wooden token with a tiger lily carved on it.
“Please exit through the back door.”
“Okay.”
The back door, hidden behind layers of flowers, didn’t lead outside—it revealed a hidden corridor. Claire walked down the passage.
Eventually, she came face-to-face with a doorman in front of a teal-colored door.
He checked her token and opened the door. Claire cautiously stepped into another space.
A fireplace in the center, a vintage chandelier above, tables and chairs scattered about—it was an atmospheric room.
As she looked around with curiosity, the boy from yesterday descended the staircase.
“Knew you’d come, pretty lady.”
He took Claire’s hand and swung it playfully, far more friendly than someone she’d only met twice.
“What’s your name?”
“Hmm, Rune.”
“Okay, Rune. Are you working here legally and safely?”
The old Snapdragon Guild Claire remembered never had child workers.
This made her more concerned—this was the underworld, and the boy was so young.
Rune just smiled and suddenly tugged at her hand.
“What are you doing, Rune?”
“Taking you to meet our Guildmaster.”
“Why won’t you answer my question?”
“Ah, don’t worry. I got my guardian’s permission, and I’m safe.”
Not the clearest answer, but the boy’s bright expression put her somewhat at ease.
He led her up the stairs, where they arrived at an antique mahogany door.
Knock knock.
Rune gestured for her to go in and stepped back.
Claire entered the Guildmaster’s office alone. The soft lighting illuminated the metaphysical rugs and velvet sofa.
A unique crescent moon painting hung on the wall, and drawers and candles were placed throughout the room.
The Guildmaster sat behind a desk slightly to the rear of center.
Surrounded by stuffed puppies.
…This isn’t the person I know.
When she was Priscilla, the Snapdragon Guildmaster had been a silver-haired woman named Linders.
She had a sweet tooth and always added sugar to her tea.
Claire had assumed Rune was related to Linders and expected her to still be running things.
But the man before her clearly had a tall, solid build—and was wearing a full face mask with no visible holes, which was a bit eerie.
Claire was startled at first but quickly composed herself.
Even without an invitation, she sat on the sofa and spoke.
“You’re not the Snapdragon Guildmaster.”
“That person is no longer here.”
“Then who are you?”
“I’m Teddy, the Guildmaster of Episteme.”
He stood leisurely and sat across from her.
Though his mask had no holes, he moved as if he could see just fine.
“What brings you here?”
“…”
Claire didn’t answer immediately. She stared at him in thought.
She had worked with Linders before and trusted her. But Teddy…
She wasn’t sure. Could she really entrust him with the job?
Sensing her hesitation, Teddy spoke.
“I’m better than Linders.”
“…While employing a child?”
“That boy—”
Teddy paused mid-sentence. His mask twitched slightly, as if holding something back.
“Is he related to Guildmaster Linders?”
“…We share blood.”
He answered vaguely, then lifted his chin.
“In any case, I’m much more capable, so go ahead and speak.”
“…Alright, fine.”
Claire decided to at least explain her request.
“There’s someone I want to find. I want to know who the anonymous person in this article is and where they live.”
She pulled out the newspaper from her coat and handed it over. Teddy glanced at it and casually crossed his legs.
“That’s a simple task.”
“You’ll take the job?”
“Yes. I’ll do it for free, just for you.”
His voice brimmed with confidence, as if expecting gratitude.
But Claire calmly placed a few gold coins on the table.
“You said you’re offering grand opening discounts, right? Tell me the exact price and I’ll pay.”
A silence fell.
Teddy uncrossed his legs and asked in disbelief,
“…Didn’t you hear me say I’d do it for free?”
“I did. But I want you to do the job quickly and accurately.”
If people aren’t properly compensated for their work, they tend not to put in their best effort.
She wasn’t naive enough to smile over a “free” offer.
After a moment of silence, Teddy finally asked,
“Do I look like the kind of person who won’t work properly without a handful of coins?”
