SVWK | Ch 19 – Novexa Novels

Episode 19

When Enoch didn’t react at all, Rania was the one who got flustered instead.

She’d actually thought hard before answering, so now it felt like she’d messed up. She hurriedly looked around for Yurion.

But Yurion had vanished the instant she said “pretty trash,” like he’d been blown away by the wind.
He was the type who knew exactly when to step in—and when to disappear.

Grinding her teeth, Rania turned back to Enoch to try and explain—

“Am I really that cute and pretty?”

Enoch asked with his eyes wider than usual, tilting his head like he genuinely wanted confirmation.

Rania nodded quickly.
“Yeah. Cute—well, not really cute, but honestly, I think you’re very handsome. You’re… pretty trash!”

“Thanks, pretty. But then doesn’t that mean we’re both ‘pretty’ now?”

“……Actually, I have a serious suggestion. You’re way prettier than me, so maybe you should be the only one called pretty—”

“Huh? What was that?”

“……Never mind. Let’s both just be pretty.”

Rania gave a weak smile. Even though Enoch was smiling, she felt like she’d just run into a solid iron wall—no cracks, no way through.

How long was she going to have to hear that embarrassing nickname?

She was getting a little used to it, but the itchy, cringey feeling still hadn’t gone away completely. She forced herself to settle down.

While the two of them casually tossed “pretty” back and forth, Yurion—who had completely blended into a potted plant—clapped silently in his heart.

As expected of Lady Rania!

He was honestly impressed. How did she keep acting like she had no tomorrow and still manage to survive every time?

After observing them for days, Yurion was certain of one thing:
Enoch was extremely lenient with Rania.

Yurion’s dream was to live long, thin, and safely—but if he could live safe, rich, and absurdly long, that would be even better.

Watching Rania smile, he quietly let ambition bloom.
It wasn’t romantic affection—more like how someone finds a clever crow or a friendly cat cute—but affection was affection. If he connected the two well, he could happily pick up whatever benefits fell his way.

When the conversation paused for a moment, Yurion smoothly reappeared and stepped behind the counter.

“By the way, when we placed a large alcohol order for the shop, there was one with an interesting name. It’s a new product from the Blenheim region this year—called Bloody Rose. They say it looks like melted rose petals, deep red and beautiful, with a strong aroma and flavor. It’s becoming a new specialty.”

From the stacked boxes, Yurion pulled out a bottle filled with a pure, vivid red liquid.

Rania had been giving Yurion an annoyed look, but her eyes immediately lit up with interest.

Watching Yurion act shamelessly, Enoch led Rania over to the counter.

Once the two sat down, Yurion took out the newly purchased glasses meant for selling various types of alcohol and smiled kindly.

“You’ll be busy adjusting to your new role starting tomorrow, so please relax and enjoy tonight, Lady Rania. I’ll support you with everything I’ve got—so don’t worry about a thing.”

“……”

Yeah, sure you will.
That thought was clearly written on her face, but Yurion remained shamelessly cheerful.

“I’ll prepare some snacks shortly.”

Enoch quietly chuckled as he watched Rania’s expression change every second and lifted his glass.

Rania reluctantly nodded and raised hers too.
The night was only just beginning.

* * *

Night’s Eye Branch No. 8 officially opened.

When word spread that a new branch would be opening soon, the guild members had four locations in mind:

Bahern, a fortress city near the western border
Plumeria Street in the imperial capital
Luke, a newly developed eastern port city
Larika Street, also in the capital

Each location was tied to pending jobs, but honestly, unless something special happened, a new branch wasn’t very exciting. By Branch No. 8, everything felt routine.

The branch heads were all familiar faces, and everyone knew it would end up being a bar anyway—for the master.

Even when Branch No. 5 opened on Baroque Street, it was only briefly popular because nobles were the main customers.

So at first, no one really cared where Branch No. 8 would open.

But then rumors spread.

The new branch head was a new guild member.
And a woman.
And someone the master kept calling “our pretty one” with an embarrassingly affectionate tone.

That changed everything.

Night’s Eye had hundreds of members stationed in the capital alone, and several times that number if you counted other regions and countries. It rivaled large merchant guilds in size.

But women were rare. Not just in Night’s Eye—women rarely joined unofficial or criminal guilds at all. Even at rock bottom, most would rather join a small merchant guild and work sewing or dyeing than live branded as criminals.

So naturally, interest in Rania exploded.

Above all, the master himself—that terrifying master—kept calling her “our pretty one.” How could anyone not be curious?

With all that attention and expectation, Café Rosemary finally opened its doors.

“…Hey, Yurion. Why are you the only one here?”

“Where’s the new branch head? We came to see her face!”

Yurion alone stood behind the counter, welcoming the guild members.

He smiled silently at their complaints.

“The branch head will not be coming out today.”

“What? Seriously? We came all this way!”

“With so many intimidating-looking men crowding the place, wouldn’t it be overwhelming? In any case, I’ll be acting branch head today, so since you’ve come, I’ll give you some work. Now, now.”

Without even taking a breath, Yurion quickly tossed job requests—handed down from Jerel—onto the counter.

Everyone grimaced, but no one complained.
They all knew Yurion wasn’t as soft or harmless as he looked.

Yurion poured drinks for the curious guild members and warmly greeted the elderly regulars who’d always visited the café.

“It’s been a while. Lady Rania couldn’t come today due to personal matters, but she was looking forward to seeing you. There are more young customers now, but please don’t mind them and continue to visit as comfortably as before.”

He swallowed the words “for Lady Rania’s sake” and left them unsaid.

While Yurion worked tirelessly to keep the café running smoothly—

Rania was elsewhere, holding her face in her hands, completely defeated.