An hour later, I slipped back into the inn. Since I didn't have nearly as much cleaning to do as yesterday, I was able to come back earlier than expected.
Slipping through the kitchen entrance again, I barely had time to take in my surroundings before—
"K-Kayle!"
"Hmm?"
The first thing I heard was Nana's urgent voice. She rushed toward me, panic evident on her face.
"What's wrong?"
"It's David! He knows you were gone this morning!" Nana explained quickly, her small form trembling nervously.
I frowned as her words registered. How did he find out?
"For now, calm down." Grabbing Nana by the shoulders, I steadied her as I helped regulate her breathing. "Breathe with me. Innnn~ ouuut~."
Nana followed my lead, her trembling gradually subsiding.
After a few more breaths, she finally relaxed, and I released my grip.
"W-What do we do?" she asked, her eyes filled with worry.
"First, explain exactly what happened. How did David find out I was gone?"
"A few hours ago, he called out for you. When you didn't show up, he sent Dale to look for you. That's how he found out."
"Did you tell him where I went?"
"Of course not! But after realizing you were missing, he's been in a foul mood all morning."
I sighed at the explanation. Why was that bastard looking for me so early?
"Alright. I'll handle it. You should get back to work and stay out of trouble."
Nana nodded, but just as I turned to leave, I felt her grip the corner of my shirt.
"Be careful…" Her face was still filled with worry.
I smiled warmly. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
After reassuring her, I headed toward David's office.
"Hehehe."
Dale's annoying chuckle was the first thing I heard as I climbed the creaking stairs.
"Brat, didn't you hear the boss calling for you?"
At the top of the stairs, I saw Dale leaning against the railing, his usual smirk plastered on his face.
"I was out," I answered briefly.
"Out? What's a kid like you roaming around for? Don't tell me you were chasing after some whore's skirt? Don't we already have plenty of those here?"
His crude remarks pissed me off, but I didn't take the bait.
"The boss was calling me, so I should go see him. Can I pass?"
"Heh, sure. Do whatever." Dale's smirk widened as he shrugged.
I nodded and walked past him. Bale was stationed outside David's door, standing as still as a statue. I gave him a quick nod before knocking lightly.
A few seconds passed before a cold voice came from the other side.
"Come in."
David's office was the same as always—neatly organized and well-kept.
As I closed the door behind me, I turned to see David sitting in his chair, his finger tapping rhythmically against the desk.
"Where have you been?" he asked, his voice low.
"I went outside this morning after finishing my cleaning duties," I replied simply. Of course, Nana had actually done my cleaning for me, but David didn't know that.
The tapping came to an abrupt stop.
I saw his features twitch ever so slightly as his cold gaze locked onto me.
Clenching my fist behind my back, I braced myself for whatever punishment was coming.
Yet, after a few seconds, the expected ashtray or string of curses never came.
Instead, David reached into his drawer and pulled out a brown envelope.
What's this?
"I was originally looking for you to clean my office," he said, "but I think I'll have you do something else instead."
He tossed the envelope onto the desk.
"Take this to the old tavern near the Fish Market and hand it to the bartender."
Cautiously, I approached the desk and picked up the envelope.
Something about this felt off. Normally, he would have punished me by now, yet instead, he was sending me on a delivery?
"Ask Dale for directions," David said, giving me one last look of contempt before lowering his head back to his paperwork.
Taking that as my cue, I quickly left the office.
As I exited, I glanced down at the letter in my hand, my brows knitting together.
"Well, well, well. How'd the meeting with the boss go, brat?"
Dale's mocking voice reached me not a moment too soon.
I sighed. "Boss wants me to deliver a letter to the old tavern near the Fish Market. Told me to ask you for directions."
A brief flicker of surprise crossed Dale's face before he quickly masked it with his usual smirk.
"...Is that so?" He rubbed his chin as if contemplating something.
"The old tavern is on the west side of the market. Follow the road until you hit the blacksmith, then take a turn into an alley. Keep walking until you see a potted withered rose outside the tavern."
His instructions were precise, yet my brows furrowed at the mention of the withered rose.
The Black Rose...
"Hehehe." Dale misinterpreted my silence as fear, his grin widening. "I guess even a snot-nosed brat like you knows about them. Don't ask too many questions and be on your way."
I gave Dale a small nod before brushing past him and heading down the stairs.
It seemed I had gotten myself into more trouble than I'd anticipated.
At the bottom of the stairs, Nana was waiting for me with a worried look. Not wanting to alarm her, I discreetly tucked the envelope into my pocket.
"Were you waiting for me?" I asked with a smirk.
"Hmph." Nana huffed, turning her head to the side. A slight pout formed on her lips, clearly annoyed by my teasing.
How cute.
"Don't worry, David didn't punish me."
"...Really?" she asked softly, still avoiding my gaze.
"Yep. All thanks to you covering for me," I said, watching as the corners of her lips curved up ever so slightly. "I owe you one."
"Naturally." Nana finally turned to face me, a triumphant smirk on her face. "I'll make sure you repay it in full!"
"Oh? And what exactly will you make me do to settle this debt?"
"Hmph, I'm not going to waste this opportunity so carelessly. I'll hold onto it and cash in later."
Clasping her hands behind her back, she leaned forward, a cheerful smile blooming on her face.
I smiled in response to her playful attitude before checking the time.
"I have to go now. Even though David didn't punish me, he did give me an errand to run outside."
The moment I spoke, worry flashed across Nana's face. So much for keeping her from fretting.
"Don't worry, it's just a small task. I'll be back before midnight."
"Even so..." Her gaze lowered as she brought her hands together in front of her, looking incredibly pitiful.
"Nana." I called her name gently, prompting her to look up at me.
"I'll be fine. Trust me." I held her gaze, trying to reassure her.
After a brief hesitation, she finally replied—
"...Alright. I'll trust you. So come back safe."
Hearing the concern in her voice, I couldn't help but smile.
"Will do."
***
The Fish Market was located in the southeast corner of the slums, near the old docks that had been abandoned in favor of the newer ones in town.
Yet, even after being left to decay, many fishermen and slum residents still relied on it for survival, fishing early in the morning and selling their catch until late in the evening.
Walking through the crowded streets, I struggled not to draw attention as I neared the blacksmith's shop.
The smell of fresh and rotting fish mixed together, creating a nauseating stench, but I had long since grown accustomed to it.
Thinking about my destination, a pang of nervousness pierced my chest.
The Black Rose Guild, also known as the Black Rose Gang, was a notorious criminal organization in the slums—responsible for countless crimes and illicit establishments, including gambling dens, loan sharking, smuggling, and even slave trading.
I had resolved to stay out of their way while living in the slums, yet here I was, walking straight toward one of their branch locations.
That fucking pig...
I cursed David in my mind. But I suppose I should have expected him to have some connection to the criminal groups in the slums.
Whether it was merely an association or something more, however, remained to be seen.
Taking the turn by the blacksmith's shop, I quickly found the alley and walked down its murky depths.
It didn't take long before I spotted the withered rose sitting outside an old, run-down building. It was neatly placed in a potted vase atop a stool next to the entrance.
"Haah."
I exhaled a heavy breath before opening the door to the suspicious tavern.
What the fuck did I expect...
As soon as I stepped inside, multiple gazes fell on my small form. The stares of these violent-looking men left me feeling somewhat unnerved, but I ignored them and walked forward.