The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 112
I thought I had successfully evaded Robert’s suspicion that day.
But it seemed I was mistaken. After that day, the frequency of my blood extractions increased rapidly.
I had my blood drawn once in the morning when I woke up, once after lunch, and once after dinner, totaling three times a day.
I worried I might die from a lack of blood.
‘The amounts are small enough that I shouldn’t have to worry, but still…’
Even though Hedonia’s awakening was supposed to be complete in two weeks, the extra blood extractions were likely a precaution for unforeseen circumstances.
It was clear that Robert was determined to me leaving.
My evening visits to Hedonia were now blocked.
Instead, I stayed in my room, had my blood drawn, and the head maid delivered it.
Hedonia couldn’t have been happy with this arrangement.
But all we could do was comply with Robert’s orders.
Even Hedonia’s schedule had been reduced due to his impending awakening.
This was to minimize the disparity between me and the real Hedonia.
Being treated like garbage by Robert increased my stress levels significantly.
Sometimes, I wondered what Hedonia was doing at this very moment.
Hedonia might be doing better since he could be more active outside.
As for me, I focused on what I could do.
I spent my time confined to my room, planning how to live once I got out of here.
I remembered reading about the island before being almost completely shut in.
‘So there really is a delivery service.’
However, as Pheon mentioned, it was expensive.
I decided to accept Pheon’s offer.
The benefits I’d receive in exchange for guiding were immense.
…And he didn’t say it had to be frequent.
Occasionally. Just occasionally seeing him seemed manageable.
I was supposed to relay my decision through Esban.
‘Tomorrow is the day Esban comes.’
But I wasn’t sure if I would be able to guide him.
The Duke, having noticed how close I had become to the Espers, had been personally handling almost all the schedules.
I looked at my noticeably thinner wrist and chuckled dryly. It was absurd.
‘I didn’t expect to lose this much weight.’
I realized that while continuously supplying blood for the awakening pain, it wasn’t just my blood that was being drained.
Unlike when guiding, it felt like my life force was being taken along with it.
I hadn’t fully realized it since I would come back and sleep immediately after supplying blood to Hedonia in the evening.
In truth, it seemed Robert had a hidden motive for sending me away in the evenings.
I didn’t protest.
After all, I just had to endure for two more weeks.
Then I could go to the island and recuperate.
It was, indeed, a naive thought.
* * *
I had just fallen asleep after supplying blood to Hedonia.
Lately, my life has become quite tiresome.
I had gone out a few times as a stand-in, but my outings had decreased.
Half-asleep, I barely opened my eyes to slits. The darkness revealed nothing.
“Is she really asleep?”
That was unmistakably Robert’s voice. But what was he doing here?
“Yes, today I put an especially strong sedative in her food. She won’t wake up.”
…What are they planning to do?
Even though I knew they couldn’t kill me yet, I felt a mortal threat.
“Then let’s begin.”
Following Robert’s command, the head maid inserted something into my arm. It didn’t hurt much.
But it felt similar yet different from when my blood was being drawn.
“This should suffice. Now, even if you kill Karina, you will survive.”
“But isn’t this black magic from someone who colluded with Marquis Shepherd? He have been captured now. Can we really trust this?”
…It seemed Pheon had indeed managed to silence the magician who had been colluding with Marquis Shepherd.
“Why do you think he was captured, my lord? Because his abilities were too exceptional.”
“…”
“Lord Pheon had no choice but to capture him, as he was becoming a significant problem.”
I hadn’t realized the head maid was so persuasive.
It made sense, considering Pheon wouldn’t go after small fry.
“So, let’s insert it deeper.”
At the same time, I felt whatever was in my arm being pushed in further.
Then I lost consciousness.
* * *
Hedonia understood exactly what it meant to lose one’s mind.
“Let me see Karina. I want fresh blood too.”
“Stop with the blatant lies.”
It was because of Robert’s relentless pressure and the sudden, complete disappearance of Karina from her side.
Though he tried to hide it, he couldn’t entirely evade Robert’s watchful eyes.
…And now, the consequences were beginning to affect Karina.
Until the awakening pain ended, he was powerless.
Despite training his body to build strength, he was still so weak that he could collapse without the regular blood supply.
He had felt helpless many times in his life, but never this intensely.
Hedonia clenched his teeth.
His life needed a drastic change.
