The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 109
“Not really difficult, is it?”
Pheon said brazenly with a smile. Instead of answering, I shot him a glare.
‘He knows better than anyone how difficult that actually is.’
I could see how he toyed with people, much like when he stirred up Hedonia’s feelings.
“Why did you set such conditions?”
“An explanation is necessary, I suppose.”
Pheon responded, raising his index finger.
“First, having you as my exclusive guide ensures I can receive your guidance for a long time.”
“…”
“Honestly, finding a guide as capable as you is rare. I don’t know how extraordinary of a guide Lady Hedonia will become, but isn’t it natural for me to have some insurance on my end? This is the only way to free myself from a lifetime of suffering.”
It’s not unusual for people to want to avoid pain.
However, the unsettling part was the gleam in Pheon’s eyes as he spoke.
The polite, gentlemanly demeanor was gone.
‘Was he always like this?’
I flinched and leaned back.
Pheon chuckled and leaned forward, closing the distance between us.
“Do you think I’m crazy?”
He smiled slyly.
“I’m perfectly normal.”
No one who is truly sane ever claims to be perfectly sane.
There was no point in responding to his words.
I changed the subject.
“What do you mean by saying I shouldn’t meet Lady Hedonia?”
I could somewhat understand the first reason, but the second one made no sense to me.
“Do you really not know?”
Pheon leaned back on the sofa, looking relaxed, though his hand still gripped my fingers tightly.
“If you meet Lady Hedonia, even for a moment, she’ll likely take you away, and I won’t be able to see you anymore.”
“…”
“No matter what precautions I take, if you meet her once, she’ll keep looking for you. Think about it.”
He tilted his head and muttered.
“Do you think Lady Hedonia wouldn’t search for a missing Karina?”
Listening to him, I felt skeptical.
It was true that Hedonia cared for me, but I knew him well.
“She wouldn’t be that obsessed with me.”
Hedonia had said we could meet occasionally once everything was over.
That seemed like a reasonable request from one person to another, didn’t it?
We’ve shared a lot together, so it’s natural to have formed an attachment.
“Do you really think so?”
Pheon’s eyes glinted.
“Or is it just what you want to believe?”
“I trust Lady Hedonia.”
I explained carefully.
“I know how ambitious Lady Hedonia is. I don’t think she would risk her unique position just to find me.”
Pheon might have known Hedonia longer, but I understood her from the perspective of a reader of the novel and someone who had experienced her awakening alongside her.
“If I were to return… it would mean jeopardizing Lady Hedonia’s position.”
Pheon shook his head.
“You don’t know Lady Hedonia well enough.”
“…And you don’t know her either, Pheon.”
Pheon raised an eyebrow at my remark.
“It’s unfortunate that you can’t see what’s apparent even to me.”
But my argument didn’t seem to convince him at all.
“Besides, it’s not a bad deal for you, either. You’ve always talked about disappearing from everyone’s sight once your role is over.”
He once more tightened his grip on my hand.
“I can show you a completely different world.”
His low voice was enticing.
Honestly, it would be a lie to say I wasn’t tempted.
‘But can I really trust Pheon?’
Guiding him isn’t difficult, but… living with Pheon for a lifetime was unimaginable.
Living under his shadow forever… would be far worse than living as Hedonia’s substitute under Robert.
It’s such a long time.
“I don’t want to live in hiding for the rest of my life.”
“You wouldn’t be hiding. You just wouldn’t see Lady Hedonia.”
“Knowing how great Lady Hedonia will become, I can’t. I don’t want to live my life in hiding.”
For now, I’ve chosen to be oppressed for the sake of my future because I know this current situation will eventually end.
“Pheon, my freedom and my will are very precious to me.”
I don’t expect Pheon to fully understand what I mean.
“…So, this is a rejection?”
As expected, he didn’t empathize with my words.
He only showed disappointment at the fact that I turned down his offer.
“Yes.”
“It’s unfortunate… but I somehow expected this.”
Pheon shrugged.
“So you already knew my answer?”
“It’s more accurate to say I read you, Miss Karina. Let me make another offer, then. It’s a much better deal.”
Pheon spoke with a relaxed demeanor.
“Do you know how supplies are delivered to the island?”
“…No?”
I had only thought about entering the island, not what would happen afterward.
His question left me flustered. Why was he asking this?
