The angle made it difficult to see his face clearly, but Evelyn’s handsome-boy radar was never wrong.

‘But who did Locke come here with?’

Locke usually cared for nothing but training. He was utterly obsessed with it.

Of course, swordsmanship aside, he was still a boy his age and perfectly capable of visiting a restaurant for delicious food.

‘But as far as I remember, he would never come to a place like this of his own accord.’

That meant someone had either dragged Locke here against his will, or he had become close enough to someone that he would willingly bring them somewhere like this.

Wondering whether he had found himself a girlfriend, Evelyn discreetly examined the person seated across from him.

To her surprise, it was a boy around Locke’s age.

An ominous feeling came over Evelyn as she studied the familiar back of his head.

‘Surely not.’

Aint had mentioned being acquainted with Locke, but they could not possibly be close enough to dine alone together at a restaurant like this.

Just as Evelyn began subtly eavesdropping on Locke’s conversation, Iole and Lilda appeared.

Her head snapped up.

‘Look at those flushed cheeks. Things are already going wonderfully!’

“Lady Lilda, please sit here.”

“Thank you, Lord Iole.”

Evelyn’s attention immediately shifted entirely to the couple.

Lilda and Iole’s romance absolutely had to become the talk of high society.

The Black Diamond Club’s reputation would depend upon just how rosy and romantic their courtship proved to be.

‘They looked perfect together at first glance, but I wonder how compatible they really are.’

Sweating profusely, Iole sat at the table with his nervousness plainly visible.

Lilda smiled playfully at his rigid posture.

“Your face is very red. Are you feeling all right?”

“I-It must be because the weather is rather warm today.”

“But only moments ago, you said it was chilly and wrapped your shawl around me.”

“Did I?”

When Iole became visibly flustered, Lilda smiled shyly.

“Hehe. In any case, I was warm and comfortable thanks to you, Lord Iole. Thank you very much.”

Lilda returned the masculine shawl she had been wearing.

When their hands brushed, Iole’s face grew even redder.

Evelyn chuckled as she watched the wonderfully innocent scene unfold.

‘This is exactly why I entered this business—the pleasure of watching something so heartwarming.’

Even an observer’s heart could not help but flutter.

Whenever Iole became stiff and awkward, Lilda joked with him and tried to ease his nerves.

Evelyn was relieved to see that the attractive pair appeared equally compatible in temperament.

Deciding it was safe to leave, she picked up the bill.

The manager, who had been watching her carefully, approached.

“Um… Was the food to your satisfaction?”

“It was acceptable.”

“Ha-ha. If you wish, we can prepare for the next course. Would you prefer fish or meat?”

“I’ve had enough. I’d like to settle the bill and—”

A familiar voice came from behind her.

“Leaving already? You haven’t even eaten a proper meal.”

“…!”

Evelyn forced her stiff neck to turn toward the voice.

Bavil stood there, impeccably dressed.

A languid gleam lingered in his orange eyes.

“It’s good to see you again. You look healthy, so I suppose you’ve been doing well since running away?”

‘Oh, please! I said I didn’t want to see this lunatic again for a while!’

Evelyn silently cursed the heavens.

Bavil casually sat opposite her as though the seat belonged to him.

The manager glanced at him.

“Will you be joining her, sir?”

‘…Sir?’

“Yes. Charge her bill to my account as well.”

“Certainly.”

Evelyn blinked, wondering whether she had misheard.

“What? Is there something you’d like to ask?”

“You own this place?”

Bavil smiled at her question.

“You seemed somewhat more respectful the last time we met. Have you grown that much bolder already?”

“Just answer the question. How do you own this restaurant?”

“This isn’t the only one. I operate several establishments throughout the capital.”

“But how?”

“Because I have a great deal of money.”

“I’m a noble, so naturally I’m drowning in money. But how did you acquire so much at your age?”

Their conversation was going in circles.

Evelyn genuinely wanted to know how Bavil earned his money.

She knew he had seized control of the back alleys by involving himself in illegal activities from an early age. She had not realized that he also operated legitimate businesses.

‘As someone who has only just started a business, I need advice from an experienced entrepreneur!’

“Well? Please tell me! I need money too!”

Bavil regarded her shining eyes with interest.

“A young lady of the illustrious House Chantalis needs money?”

“Yes!”

Bavil leaned across the table.

“Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course!”

“The truth is…”

“Yes?”

“I’m not telling you.”

Bavil grinned.

Evelyn abruptly straightened.

She was trying to help everyone prosper, yet he intended to keep all the money for himself.

Bavil smiled brightly at her indignant expression.

“When I saw you several days ago, I worried that you might merely be a noisy little brat. I’m glad to see I was wrong. You’re exactly as I expected.”

“Who are you calling a little brat? Forget it. I’m leaving.”

As Evelyn tried to stand, Bavil’s eyes curved in amusement.

“I merely meant that I like you.”

Evelyn felt her heart drop.

Looking more closely, she noticed the beauty mark beneath Bavil’s eye.

‘Oh no. I’m weak against boys who look like that.’

“I-I don’t care whether you like me!”

She raised her voice, then quickly clamped her mouth shut.

‘Locke might hear me. I need to be careful, or he’ll discover that I sneaked out.’

“Anyway, I’m leaving. Go become rich all by yourself for all I care!”

Bavil caught her before she could walk past him.

“Why do you need money so badly? You’re a duke’s daughter. You’ll never have to worry about supporting yourself.”

“So what? Am I supposed to spend the rest of my life living on my father’s or husband’s money?”

“Is that such a bad thing?”

“It isn’t about whether it’s good or bad. I want to spend the money that I earned myself.”

She already received a considerable allowance, but when it came to money, more was always better.

If she possessed an enormous fortune she could spend without seeking anyone’s approval, she would have nothing to fear even if she eventually left Lagria.

‘Honestly, there’s no telling when the duke’s support might disappear. The entire reason I endured working so hard at my company in my previous life was to achieve financial freedom.’

Evelyn folded her arms with a haughty expression.

“In the end, I’m the only person who can truly take care of me. Just wait. One day, I’ll become so wealthy that I’ll surpass even you.”

“Yes, yes. I look forward to it.”

Bavil smiled and nodded.

“Ugh, forget it. I’m really leaving now—!”

“By the way, an interesting establishment seems to have appeared on the main street recently. I believe it’s called Oilet.”

Evelyn stopped walking.

The amusement vanished from Bavil’s eyes.

“…And?”

“Don’t you find it strange? The daughter of a fallen noble family was running a tiny apothecary in the back alleys, only to suddenly open her own shop on the capital’s notoriously expensive main street.”

“Perhaps she found a patron.”

“Yes. A patron.”

Bavil rose and smoothly escorted Evelyn away.

To an observer, they would have looked like a close young couple strolling with their arms around each other’s shoulders.

The reality was quite different.

“Then I’d like to ask that patron what she intends to do with the mysterious establishment on the second floor.”

“How should I know? It’s none of your concern, so stop meddling.”

“Someone who used to belong to the back alleys has suddenly begun moving a suspicious amount of money. Do you expect me to ignore that?”

Bavil’s smile disappeared.

Standing at the restaurant’s entrance, he turned to face Evelyn.

They looked almost like affectionate lovers.

“You asked me earlier how I managed to handle so much money at my age.”

“…”

“It’s because I investigate everything that happens on these streets, no matter how insignificant. Especially anything unusual.”

“Do you have any proof that it involves me?”

“Madlette relocated her shop after you visited Oilet, and then became a private tutor for House Chantalis. Do you take me for a fool?”

‘He clearly has no intention of letting this go. What should I do?’

Evelyn’s mind raced.

This would have been much easier if Bavil were merely a third-rate thug demanding protection money.

But he was destined to become the young master of the black market who controlled the back alleys, and a formidable businessman whom no one could afford to underestimate.

‘That means he’s a connection I shouldn’t pass up. But I don’t want to tell him everything so easily.’

After some thought, Evelyn said, “If you want to know that badly, give the table in the back a complimentary bottle of wine. Make it the finest and most expensive one you have.”

Bavil looked toward the table where Iole and Lilda were seated.

“What are they to you?”

“I’ll explain in a moment. Just hurry.”

Bavil gave a reluctant hum, but instructed the manager to deliver the wine.

“Take a bottle from the Harend region to that table. Give them some plausible excuse for offering it free of charge.”

The manager looked startled.

“That wine? Are you certain, sir?”

“Yes. Now go.”

Wearing a friendly smile, the manager approached Iole and Lilda’s table.

Evelyn could not hear his explanation, but the couple appeared delighted.

‘I suppose that settles it. With evening and wine on their side, there’s no way they’ll remain distant.’

Just as Evelyn began to relax, Bavil smiled.

“That wine costs twenty märchen a bottle.”

“What?!”

Not two märchen, but twenty?

Evelyn’s mind went blank.

“You asked for it. I gave you exactly what you requested. If you break your promise, you’ll have to repay me twice the amount.”

After mentally counting her entire fortune, Evelyn sprang to her feet.

‘If I’m not careful, I’ll lose my whole allowance.’

She seized Bavil’s wrist.

He stared expressionlessly at her hand.

“What are you doing?”

“Come with me. I’ll show you what I’m doing on Oilet’s second floor.”

Evelyn immediately left the restaurant.

She wanted to identify the person dining with Locke, but appeasing Bavil took priority.

‘Why do I keep becoming entangled with these potential male leads when I ought to avoid them at all costs? I’m terrified this will come back to haunt me later.’

Evelyn hurried along.

Bavil silently watched the back of her head as she walked ahead.

Her head sat slightly higher than it had when they first met.

‘She’s grown.’

Bavil found Evelyn utterly fascinating. So much so that he wanted her to hurry up and grow into an adult.

His gaze fell to the hand she had wrapped around him.

‘Not that I’m an adult either.’

Bavil chuckled.

For now, he ordered his shadows to handle all manner of dirty work.

But one day, he would build everything with these hands himself.

And when that day came…

‘Our hands will be so different in size that they won’t even compare, Evelyn.’

Just as Bavil tried to lace his fingers through hers, Evelyn released his hand.

“We’re here. This is the place.”