"Hmm? If it's the Bate of Caramel Avenue......"
My father tilted his head, who could hear the butler because he was sitting right next to me.
"Tia, isn't the name of your favorite dessert shop called Caramel Avenue?"
In an instant, the people around the table looked at me.
"Yes, Bate is the manager of the store there."
I responded naturally, pretending to wipe my mouth with a napkin, hiding my expression.
"By the way, there is no way that person could have delivered the delivery at such a time."
People don't know that Bate is an informant working for me.
Whenever he come to me, he makes it look like he has delivered dessert.
But at this table, the only one person, Clarivan, who knows Bate's identity, was looking at me with a stiff face.
Something has happened.
Maybe that's what Clarivan thinks.
Bate, who was originally supposed to meet tomorrow morning, couldn't wait until then and came to me in person.
Even at the risk of endangering camouflage.
I finally lifted a glass of water and said, rinsing my mouth lightly.
"It seemed that there was a problem while expanding the business into a restaurant. So I told him to come and find me because it doesn't matter even after the business hours are over. He's the one who delivered desserts to the mansion many times since I was a child."
"Oh, no. I hope it's not a big deal."
"I know, right."
I nodded as if it was okay, but I stood up right away.
And I spoke to Clarivan.
"Just in case I need some advice of the top. Why don't you come with me, Clarivan?"
"I've finished my meal, so let's do it."
Clarivan replied, shrugging his shoulders deliberately, as if it was good.
"Where is Bate waiting for me, Butler John?"
"I have guided him to the office."
After all, John has been a butler for decades since my grandfather.
Although he did not know the details, he seemed to have noticed that Bate was not just the owner of a dessert shop.
"......let's go."
As I left the crowded dining room and entered the quiet corridor, I and Clarivan's pace gradually accelerated.
***
Bate smiled politely at Lombardi's knight as he stood in the side of the office of householder, watching him.
It was to monitor outsiders who alone occupied the work space of the householder.
"I must have visited you too late."
He tried to say so, but the thing that came back was the disapproving look of the knight, who seemed to be asking 'Do you ask me because I don't know?'
Bate smiled again at such an article and squeezed the hand he hid inside his sleeve once more.
The smiley face that he made out of habit felt awkward, but this was the limit for now.
There was an inevitable nervousness in his eyes as he looked at the office door for signs of popularity.
About ten times like that, looking at a closed door.
