Chapter 96

Watching Bate right now reminded me of my previous life.

I also bought information from 'Caramel Avenue'.

It was to find out about Perez.

But because this is a secret place and only known by acquaintances, so I didn't know much about Bate.

What I said a little while ago, 'I know something', was half a true.

I really don't know anything except that Bate runs an information store.

The same was true of this building.

I don't know why he came back 10 years later and reopened the same store again.

I only assume that this place means a lot to Bate.

And now, I can see from Bate's reaction, which is very shaky, that my guess was right.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Bate seemed intent on playing dumb to the end.

I said with a shrug.

"You're shyer than I thought."

"It's not, it..."

Bate, who will deny, stop talking.

He is certainly much softer than the 'Bate' that I remember.

Calm and shady face.

And one thought crossed my mind.

How much information power does Bate have now?

Information that accumulates over time.

Besides, 'Caramel Avenue' is just getting settled.

I want to test his current abilities.

"Isn't the monthly rent too much to run a shop?"

In my words, Bate looked at me as if it didn't matter.

He still seems to be wary of me.

Then how about this?

“Do some serious investigation on me. And if I like the result, I'll allow you to rent one year for free.”

"One year..."

Bate's eyes shook as if he was calculating in his head.

"What do you think? Isn't that a pretty good offer?"

It would be tempting.

You can save money for a year.

But Bate shook his head slightly.

"Investigation. I'm just a dessert shop owner, and I said I didn't know anything."

Oh, that's what you're going to do?

"Yes, of course."

I got up as if I had no other business.

"That's too bad, it would have been an opportunity to save a lot of money for a year."

"...Ugh"

"If you change your mind and willing to accept my offer, I'll see you in a week at this time."

I just said that and left the store.

It was obvious what Bate's face would be after left alone.

I giggled onto the carriage waiting outside.

* * *

"Tia, are you ready?"

"Let's go!"

Louryl tightened her shoelaces one last time and the twins waited outside.

"If you keep making noise, I won't go!"

"Oh, okay..."

"Huh."

My voice quickly turns sullen when I get annoyed.

Louryl, who was listening to the twin's war of words, smiled softly.

"The three of you are on good terms."

"Louryl."

"Yes, Lady."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I really mean it."

"I saw Louryl's brothers treat you well?"

Born as the youngest of three siblings with a huge age difference, Louryl grew up with love.

She had seen the Dillards gathered in one place, full of friendly laughter and constantly looking at the perfect family.

Maybe that's why Clerivan's presence is a bigger flaw.

I opened the door and went outside.

The waiting twins rose from their seats with a big smile.

"Oh, so cute!"

"I want to bite you because you're so cute!"

The twins stamping their feet at me.

"You seem cuter all of a sudden these days!"

"Stop being pretty!"

What's wrong with them?

But Louryl joined in.

She wrapped her hands around her cheeks and shook her head and said.

"I'm telling you, Lady, you're so much cuter..."

"Is that so?"

I checked the mirror because I thought it was true. After all, Louryl said it.

To be weird.

There's not much difference in my eyes.

And the eyes of the three people looking through the mirror are very burdensome.

"What are you doing? Aren't you going?"

Then, the twins started to move quickly.

"Let's go! Let's go!"

"I'm sure Tia'll love it, too!"

Gilliu and Mayron took the lead in hopping across the wide meadows outside Lombardy.

Of course, I didn't go just to look at the ground.

"Wow, the stable is huge!"

There was admiration for the several stables where dozens of horses lived.

"It's a place where the nobles in the Capital keep their horses."

"Everyone comes, ride horses, or compete."

Once they were 11 years old, these two always came and went here every day.

Just looking at the vast meadows feels refreshing to my heart.

"Tia doesn't know how to ride a horse yet. Let's ride together."

Gilliu said, reaching out to me.

"No, I drive safer than Gilliu. Ride with me."

This time Mayron stepped in and said.

"You drive a horse safely? Liar."

"I'm much better than you. That's not wrong, is it?"