Anyway, what was important to Benjamin right now wasn’t how often or how much Yerena ate.
The difficult question that had tormented him all night still dominated his mind.
Though he couldn’t be certain whether he liked her, there was still something he needed to clarify.
「By the way, you」
“Yeees.”
「Besides the bird, do you have someone you like?」
No sooner had he asked than a blush spread across Yerena’s pale cheeks.
Although she didn’t answer, her whole body seemed to announce that she did have someone she liked.
Benjamin’s face hardened once again.
*** 
Asking if I have someone I like.
Isn’t that an abrupt and rude question first thing in the morning?
Unable to answer readily, I thought of the Guildmaster.
My heart seemed to beat faster as I recalled that enchanting night when I kissed that man whose name and face I didn’t know.
‘I miss Honey.’
I wonder if he’s finished repairing the broken house yet?
It seemed like a good idea to contact him after breakfast.
Just as I decided to contact the Guildmaster while resting my chin on the table.
The man sitting across from me got up and started walking somewhere.
I hurriedly called out to him.
“Um, excuse me! Aren’t you going to eat?”
But the man left the inn without even looking back.
He came as he pleased and left as he pleased. He had been a strange man since our first meeting.
“Who is that man? Come to think of it, I didn’t even ask his name.”
I absurdly thought that I should ask him next time we meet.
For now, I needed to eat my delicious breakfast first.
Today I had a lot to do, so I needed to fill my stomach well.
*** 
A total of three cats set out for the capital early in the morning. Nero, the boss cat, and his subordinates.
If they followed the route Bonnie had told them, they would return in about four hours.
It would take more than a day by carriage, but the delivery of goods would be completed in just four hours. How remarkable.
I waited for them at the Count’s residence, earnestly hoping for their success.
Cain was also in the drawing room of the Count’s residence.
Cain still seemed unwell, coughing dryly at regular intervals.
“You can go back to your room and rest.”
“No. This is our first deal, I can’t just lie down.”
Cain took a sip of hot tea and continued.
“By the way, shall we talk about something else? I noticed during our dealings that you seem to be close with Duncan, the master of Chelsea Center.”
“It’s not so much that I’m close with him, but rather my business partner is close to him.”
Of course, I also had deep ties with Duncan, but that was only when I was ‘Yerena’.
Living as Anya now, I couldn’t mention my connection with Duncan.
“Hmm, then do you know how Duncan is doing in the capital? His reputation, or if he’s having any difficulties…”
“His reputation is very good. He’s thoughtful and kind. He did have some difficulties recently, but I heard that issue was resolved not long ago.”
Rosie, who had been constantly troubling Duncan, was completely defeated by him.
She won’t be able to bother him anymore, using the excuse of instigating murder.
‘But I wonder if the three troublemakers are still bothering Duncan.’
I hoped that the three troublemakers wouldn’t bother Dunca,n using me as an excuse.
“I see. Those who are responsible for any organization or people tend to face jealousy.”
“Is Cain like that, too?”
“Of course.”
He dismissed it with a short answer. It felt like he was telling me not to ask any further.
But as far as I knew, Cain wasn’t the heir to the Count’s family, and the villagers didn’t seem to know him well.
They knew that Count Scott had a sickly second son, but should I say they didn’t even know his face since Cain didn’t attend official events?
That’s why when I met Cain in the village, the residents didn’t recognize him.
Anyway, what I wanted to say was that Cain didn’t seem like someone responsible for any organization or many people.
But I didn’t pry into it.
I had no intention of creating unnecessary trouble by asking about the private matters of Cain, who would become our main client.
Time passed and continued to pass.
As the time for the cats to return approached, my mouth became dry, and I drank as many as four cups of tea.
Just as I was lifting the fifth cup, news came that the cats had returned.
I quickly went down to the garden of the Count’s residence to greet them.
The cats I examined had no injuries, and the medicinal herbs we requested were firmly tied to their backs.
After checking all the herbs, Cain smiled weakly.
“We’ve succeeded.”
And a satisfied smile also appeared on the Count’s lips as he watched everything.
“We should draw up a contract.”
Chwarrrrrrk. It sounded like coins falling from the clear sky, not a bolt from the blue.
“Thank you! Your Lordship!”
I hugged Nero and the cats all at once and expressed my gratitude to them as well.
“You all did a great job.”
Now I can pay Marco and Bonnie’s salaries properly, help the Guildmaster, and above all, become rich.
The smile on my face wouldn’t fade easily because I was happy about all these facts.
*** 
By the time I left the Count’s residence after carefully drafting the contract, the sunset that I had come to like following Duncan was setting.
I walked cheerfully down the street as the sunset faded.
Only after reaching a place where no one was in sight did I turn on my watch to contact the Guildmaster.
Actually, I had wanted to contact the Guildmaster all day.
When sending the cats, I wanted to share my anxiety with him, and when the cats succeeded, I wanted to share my joy with him.
But I forced myself to wait until I was alone.
I didn’t want to reveal my special-looking watch in front of people or let them hear my secret conversations with the Guildmaster.
Now that I’m alone, I don’t need to hold back anymore.
I desperately missed him, the only person with whom I wanted to share all my emotions—worry, sadness, and joy.
How happy would he be if I told him the news of my success?
I waited for the communication with the Guildmaster to connect.
Rrrrr―.
The connecting tone that somehow made my heart flutter passed by.
I earnestly hoped that he would answer this call.
Soon, a voice was heard.
[…Darling?]
The Guildmaster had answered my call as I wished.
I called him more lovingly than ever before.
“Honey!”
[You called me with so much affection, I don’t know what to do with myself.]
“I want to see that flustered look of yours in person!”
[I think I can come down to the Philia Islands by tomorrow. More importantly, judging by your excited voice… it seems you’ve succeeded in the deal.]
“Yes! It was a great success. We negotiated a good rate on our side. There’s even a contract fee! It’s funds to use for managing the cats.”
[Wow, you’ve accomplished something big. Good job.]
“Honey, am I a bit more reliable now?”
[…Hmm. A bit? Not completely yet. I think I need to look at how much the settlement amount is before making a judgment…]
Geez, such a practical businessman.
How nice it would be if he just said I was reliable, even if it was just words.
But I was secretly happy about becoming ‘a bit’ more reliable. How much help had I received from the Guildmaster?
“I’m sure things will get better. Because I’ve decided they will.”
[Is that a decision you made to become rich?]
“Yes, I want to be rich. But there’s one bigger reason.”
[What is that?]
“I… want to be your support.”
The sincere words flowed out before I could catch them. I was horrified, exactly about 2 seconds later.
Oh my goodness. I just said something as embarrassing as ‘I love you’.
I think it was possible because we weren’t face-to-face.
If I had been facing him, I wouldn’t have been able to say even the first syllable of ‘support’.
But there was no response from across the watch. Silence.
As I listened carefully, I could only faintly hear his soft breathing.
I don’t know if it was the beautiful sunset light that made me emotional, or if I was intoxicated with the sense of achievement from successfully completing a plan on my own.
I unknowingly started rambling quite romantic words.