The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 106
I followed Esban’s lead through the maze-like paths.
‘The palace is this complicated?’
I admired those who could memorize all these paths.
Then, I slipped back through the window of the room where I had met Shaelock earlier today.
Even though it had only been half a day, seeing this place felt oddly unfamiliar.
“You’re back!”
The recorder who had first questioned me waved cheerfully.
“If you hadn’t come back, I don’t know what Shaelock would have done to me…”
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing, I misspoke. Please, have a seat.”
The recorder hastily changed the subject and pointed to a chair.
Had Shaelock given her some sort of order? I wondered as I sat down.
“Shake off all the dust, and tie up your hair. You’re too conspicuous right now.”
“I’ll bring some washing water right away.”
Esban, who I thought would leave soon, jumped back through the window and pointed out my appearance.
“Lady Hedonia did try to clean the dust earlier, but…”
There was no way all the dust would be gone so easily. I shook my head to get rid of the remaining dust.
“There’s still some left here.”
He pointed to his shoulder. When I brushed my right shoulder, he shook his head.
“No, the other side.”
Esban naturally extended his hand to help, then hesitated.
I shrugged it off and brushed my other shoulder.
Then, I tied my hair up high.
“You also need to change your hair and eye color, so please take this medicine.”
The recorder handed me a bottle filled with yellow liquid.
“Lord Pheon brought this for you.”
I thought I’d have to put something in my eyes, but that wasn’t necessary at all.
The radiant golden liquid tasted sweet and sour.
It felt more like drinking juice, completely different from usual.
‘This is why Pheon is the Tower Lord.’
The potions I usually drank weren’t of poor quality, but the Tower Lord’s skills were indeed different.
The effect was immediate.
The moment I drank it, my hair started changing color and quickly turned platinum blonde.
The same went for my eyes, as I saw in the mirror.
With my hair tied up and seated, I coordinated with the recorder.
“These are the questions I would ask…”
Her thoroughness stood out as we confirmed possible questions and my responses.
She was clearly not just a recorder but a close aide to Shaelock.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so unfazed by my appearance and so focused on the task.
“Alright, it’s almost time.”
The recorder, checking the clock, hurried me to sit.
Esban, realizing his task was done, placed his hand on the windowsill.
“Goodbye.”
When I waved at him, Esban slowly turned his head.
He looked at me for a moment and nodded.
Then Esban’s figure vanished completely.
* * *
Not even ten minutes after we finished preparing, the Duke of Apharantes burst in.
The recorder, who had been diligently writing something, stood up and pretended surprise.
“Oh, what brings the Duke here?”
“…It seems my daughter has been held up for quite a while. As her father, how could I not check on her?”
“Ah, with her frail health, that’s understandable.”
The recorder played along with the Duke’s words.
“Duke, can you put your suspicions to rest now? It’s quite displeasing that you don’t trust my word.”
Shaelock, who followed behind, crossed her arms and showed her displeasure.
“…Suspicions? As I mentioned, I was worried about Hedonia’s health. Wasn’t it quite a long time for recording?”
“It’s a new dungeon, so it required a thorough investigation. You should know how I handle my work.”
…Handling the work doesn’t seem like something that can be done in just ten minutes and then wandering around.
Shaelock’s acting skills were truly impeccable.
“Excuse me, but may I also read the records?”
“That’s enough, Duke. No matter how esteemed you are as a guide or as the Duke of Apharantes, there are limits to what we can accommodate.”
Shaelock sighed and scolded him in a low voice.
“My apologies.”
In the end, even the Duke of Apharantes retreated appropriately.
Shaelock’s excellent rhetoric worked, knowing just how far to indulge the Duke.
“…Then I shall take my leave with Hedonia.”
“Very well, I will have a carriage prepared.”
“Thank you.”
I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
‘We got through it safely.’
He must have met with Hedonia before meeting me, and I wondered if he managed well.
‘It seems Robert Apharantes has dropped his suspicions for now.’
If he wasn’t certain, he wouldn’t have backed down.
…or so I thought.
