The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 101
When we first met, Hedonia let his guard down because he thought I would only be playing the role of a stand-in and then leave.
But now, he seems to fear that he won’t see me again.
His question was a sign that the trust we had built was strong, and his reaction wasn’t unwelcoming.
In fact, to be honest, it felt good.
Who could dislike being asked with that face, eyes half-open in a pleading manner?
Who wouldn’t be enchanted?
“Hmm?”
Fearing that I might answer “no” because I was mesmerized by Hedonia, I kept my mouth shut, but he pressed for an answer with his glistening eyes.
‘I should have avoided eye contact from the start.’
But it was too late now. Avoiding his gaze at this point would seem even stranger.
My resolve that this was the end and that I wouldn’t see him anymore really wavered.
“Oh, Hedonia, you’ll be so busy. Where would you find the time to meet me?”
I mustered all my strength to come up with an excuse. It sounded plausible even to me.
“If I don’t have time, I’ll make time to see you.”
But Hedonia dismissed my words casually.
I was left without anything else to say.
“Of course, if you really don’t want to see me that much, then I suppose there’s nothing I can do…”
Seeing his downhearted face, so different from his usual demeanor, pricked at my conscience.
After all, he was the only one in the Apharantes family who had taken my side.
He had defended me when I first started guiding the Espers.
“…Maybe once everything is settled, we could see each other occasionally.”
In the end, I couldn’t refuse him and gave a vague answer.
“…Really?”
Hedonia’s face lit up at my words.
“You promise?”
…What’s this? I had always thought of Hedonia as a cat, but now he seemed more like a puppy wagging its tail.
I couldn’t backtrack on my words seeing him like that.
So, I gave him a definite answer.
“Yes, once things are settled, we can meet occasionally.”
I still added the “occasionally” part. Hedonia raised his eyebrows at my words. He seemed about to say something but then nodded agreeably.
“Okay, if that’s what you want.”
He was that considerate of my opinion.
…Yet, he didn’t try to stop me from leaving.
He only suggested seeing each other later, without making any specific arrangements. Seeing this, I felt conflicted.
I was relieved that he wasn’t trying to hold me back, but at the same time, I felt a bit disappointed.
‘I don’t even understand my own feelings…’
As I sighed, Hedonia muttered.
“I’ve thought about it, and it might not be so bad if you’re away for a while. The estate will be bustling.”
He didn’t need to explain why it would be bustling.
Hedonia’s eyes gleamed as he stroked his chin. There was a hint of red in his darkening gaze.
He looked like someone who would do anything to get what he wanted.
‘This must be a side of Hedonia I don’t know.’
I gave him an awkward smile.
I hoped we would move on from this uncomfortable topic quickly.
“Was that all you wanted to say?”
“Yes, what else could I have to say?”
“Why, you could ask about the guiding.”
Hedonia’s gaze moved slowly from my eyes to my lips.
‘…Come to think of it, it has been a while since we kissed.’
Recalling the times when our tongues entwined and we were bound to each other made my face flush.
Hedonia leaned closer, his chair scraping against the floor.
Even with dust still clinging to my face from my busy day, he didn’t seem to mind at all as he reached out.
He tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
“The color is pretty.”
“…Could it compare to your platinum blond?”
“I think your hair color is prettier.”
He smiled, meeting my eyes.
The atmosphere between Hedonia and Shaelock earlier was different from the one now.
This was more than just a tension that made my toes curl.
After tucking the stray hair behind my ear, Hedonia’s hand cupped my chin.
He gazed at me intently.
He didn’t need to ask.
But he was waiting for my response.
The answer I already knew.
Hedonia always made me act impulsively.
From the first time we met until now, being with him made me do things I normally wouldn’t.
And it all felt so natural.