TMBS 08💖

• CHAPTER 08. Nonsense

As soon as Adele stepped into Hawk’s House, she stopped in her tracks. Among the worn-out, seaworn clothes of the sailors, a sharply tailored gentleman’s suit stood out like a sore thumb. And worse—it had a face to match.

The fake-innocent scoundrel, Grey Roer Valoneque. What in the world was he doing here?

Adele frowned beneath her glasses without realizing it.

“Adele!”

From the corner of the shop, a small child named Luan ran over and threw himself into her arms, eyes sparkling.

“Mm. Hey, Luan.”

“Did you come to see me?”

“No.”

“Then why?”

“I’m here to collect payment.”

“Aw, just say you came to see me.”

“But I’m here to collect money.”

“Ugh, Adele, seriously… hmph.”

“You little brat. Have you been eating properly?”

“No… not yet.”

“So, you’ve decided to starve to death, huh?”

“I had too much breakfast.”

The child let out a pathetic whimper but clung tightly to her arm.

Adele, while a bit curt, was someone the street child could cling to—someone who didn’t mind the fuss and even gave him honest work to do.

“How’s the newspaper going?”

“I sold a ton again today!”

“That’s good. And your savings?”

“I’m saving well! Even put some away this morning! Want to see?”

“No need for that.”

“Then, Adele… can I buy just one apple pie today? Just one?”

“What? Why would you buy that?”

“I’ve been craving it since yesterday…”

Adele gently pried the boy off her arm and crouched to meet his eyes.

“No. Ask Hawk to make you one instead.”

Luan glanced nervously at Hawk and then whispered:

“Hawk’s apple pies taste like trash, and he charges full price for them. The guy’s conscience is in hell. With that money, I could buy two Growing’s pies outside!”

From across the room, Hawk scowled, clearly having heard every word. Adele suppressed a chuckle and kept her stern face as she playfully pinched Luan’s nose.

“You fool. That’s not a pie price—it’s a seat fee.”

“But I buy ice cream here every day!”

Adele glanced at Hawk, then vigorously wiggled Luan’s nose.

“Ow, ow, Addy! That hurts!”

At the word Addy, Adele flinched, then let go and whispered:

“Listen up, Luan. Hawk’s soft-hearted. If you pay for a pie today, he’ll probably give you free ice cream tomorrow. I told you—money’s meant to be spent with foresight.”

“How am I supposed to know what I’ll get tomorrow?”

“Then who does? Honestly, I’ve explained this!”

“Hmph.”

“Alright, let’s make a bet.”

“Really? Okay!”

Thinking it was a game, the child eagerly nodded. Adele, however, set the terms seriously before standing up.

“And I told you—don’t call me Addy in public.”

“My nose just hurt so bad, I forgot!”

He muttered an almost inaudible “Sorry, Adele.” Only then did Adele smile for real and pat the kid’s backside.

Now then, time to get to work. As she stood, Adele met Grey’s eyes, clearly waiting for her.

She wasn’t unaware that he’d been staring at her, but she ignored it. Why should she care? They had no ties anymore.

Well, not no ties. One day, she might just bring his entire family to ruin. So he’d best enjoy his little rogue games while he still could.

“Luan. I’m off to collect.”

She strode to the bar where Hawk stood. A junior officer followed her, there to provide protection during her official duties.

“Good afternoon, Hawk.”

“Not a good one.”

Hawk looked displeased. Adele, unfazed, got straight to business.

“Is the payment ready?”

“Ugh, that creepy formal tone—can you not?”

“I’m on duty.”

The officer beside her, recognizing Grey, hesitated in surprise. A man of his rank didn’t belong in such a shabby place. But the officer recovered quickly and bowed politely.

“Good afternoon, Lord Grey.”

“Yes, hello.”

Grey gave a small nod and then turned his gaze to Adele, as if to say, “Your turn.”

Valoneque, huh? Adele gave the barest nod of acknowledgment. One corner of Grey’s mouth curled up.

Hawk watched with interest. Despite being high nobility, Grey rarely stood on ceremony here. Even with fellow nobles, he kept it casual.

So the fact that he was now showing formality—but only toward Adele—piqued Hawk’s curiosity. Even the forced smile Grey wore after being ignored was telling.

Well, well. Hawk chuckled. Looks like the sly young lord isn’t as unreadable as he thinks.

Meanwhile, Adele set a black pouch on the counter.

“The amount we discussed.”

“You sound like a damned thief.”

“Do thieves issue receipts? I do.”

Hawk made an exaggerated shudder.

“Yes, yes, your grace. I’ll go fetch it. Oh my stars…”

He stepped into his office, but not before casting one last glance at Adele and the relaxed Grey sipping coffee beside her.

Once Hawk was gone, Adele opened her ledger on the counter. Grey kept drinking his now-lukewarm coffee, blatantly watching her.

Voices of rowdy sailors filled the worn-out bar. The ticking of a nearby clock added to the background. Time felt almost tangible here.

Grey slowly circled his index finger atop the “Addy’s Bulletin” section of the paper. Adele’s eyes flicked to it but quickly returned to her work. Grey smiled softly.

“You could charge two shillings and still sell out.”

Still no reaction. He leaned in further.

“Don’t you think so, Addy?”

Adele paused mid-scribble and turned to face him. He was smiling—just like that first day on the balcony. Brilliantly.

Disgusting. She turned away and wrote today’s date in the ledger.

“I’m working.”

“Ah, official duties. But tell me, can a court clerk profit off a personal newsletter?”

“Director Mensha of Finance and Director Cornel of Civil Affairs both run family businesses while serving the court.”

“That’s property management, not running a newspaper.”

“I don’t produce it myself. I oversee it. Just like a factory owner has workers do the labor. It’s no different from property management.”

Grey turned fully toward her, arms loosely crossed. Watching her silently, he raised an eyebrow.

“That tone. No wonder Hawk flinches.”

“……”

“So, when do you finish your official duties, milady?”

“……”

“I’d like to speak afterward. It’s rather urgent.”

Grey’s imitation of her tone made her frown. She finally looked directly at him.

Sunlight filtered through the nearby window. Her glasses gleamed, and beneath their fading tint, her eyes were clearly visible.

Grey gazed at her as though trying to catch a flicker of pink firelight in her intricate irises.

In a narrow alley between warehouses near the docks, they faced each other.

“I’d like you to run something in your newsletter.”

His tone was light, but the suggestion wasn’t. Adele thought for a moment, then replied plainly.

“No.”

“Why not?”

Grey was genuinely intrigued. He’d assumed she’d at least negotiate—try to name her terms.

That confidence wasn’t baseless. Her demeanor fit the profile.

A woman who used rigid speech to avoid losing control among rough men.

One who pretended to be cold but felt responsible for vulnerable people—like street kids or women in danger.

One who stiffened at being exposed, then bristled more when ignored.

Someone who acted unique but was, at her core, traditional.

Soft-hearted, scared, and pretending otherwise.

In simpler words: proud and messy.

So this was probably just a pride thing.

Grey figured he’d entertain her a little longer until she gave in—like back at the Full Moon. Her curious gaze hadn’t flustered him then either.

“How about hearing me out first? If it’s suitable, you can print it.”

“There’s no need.”

“Oh? Not a flexible type, are you?”

A gentle jab. Adele didn’t flinch.

“My personality’s irrelevant. Either way, your info won’t go in my paper.”

“Why so sure?”

“Because you’re not a sailor.”

Grey’s smile deepened, amused. Then he reached up to touch the frame of her glasses.

Startled, Adele slapped his hand away. Grey stood silently, watching his rejected hand.

He wasn’t even sure why he reached for her glasses—or why she reacted so strongly. But oddly, he didn’t care to analyze it.

She was sensitive about her eyes. He’d clearly overstepped. Not the smartest move during a negotiation.

He tried to cover it up smoothly.

“I just wanted to look you in the eyes when I said it. You’d see I mean it. It’s genuinely valuable info.”

Adele’s lips moved slightly, just enough to form one clear word: Nonsense.

There was no sound, but Grey read it loud and clear.

He laughed.

“Feisty, aren’t you?”