The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 115
I understand a bit about how painful it is for an Esper who hasn’t received proper guidance.
It’s because I remember the unconscious actions of Esban and other Espers when they first received contact guidance.
Just seeing him initially try to maintain his pride, then plead to stay by his side, was enough to show that.
But now, he looked completely fine.
“……Isn’t it difficult for you?”
I asked, wondering if he might have received guidance after all.
“……Of course not. It’s just that I’ve trained myself to live like this.”
Esban furrowed his brows and shook his head.
‘I thought he would obviously need guidance.’
Seeing my condition, he decided not to receive any guidance.
Even though he knew that without guidance, he would have to endure until he met Duke Apharentes again, he made that choice.
‘Wow…… I’m more moved than I expected.’
My gaze towards Esban naturally warmed.
I never thought I would feel such a sense of humanity towards Esban.
‘Is it because I shouldn’t have any expectations from people?’
Then I can be touched by unexpected moments like this.
“…Still, I’ll guide you. Since you’re passing on the message, you’re acting as a bridge in the middle.”
Between Hedonia and Cayden, between Cairoze and me, and now, we have to connect with Pheon as well.
Esban’s role is crucial, so it was only natural to check on his condition.
“It’s fine―”
He said that, but there was no way he truly felt that way inside.
I took his hand. Esban flinched.
“…Are you really okay?”
He checked on me again.
“I’m better than I look.”
I replied with a smile. Thinking about the kindness and consideration Esban showed me today, I couldn’t maintain my usual aggressive attitude.
‘He even apologized.’
Someone who took care of me when I was in pain deserved all my leniency.
I closed my eyes and focused while holding his hand. It was true that I had to concentrate much more than usual.
I took a deep breath and leaned my head forward to use less strength.
I felt a hand supporting my forehead.
“…Be careful not to put any strength in this hand.”
It was Esban.
With a supporting hand, it was much easier to concentrate.
“Just do it as long as you can. There’s no need to force it.”
His firm voice was reassuring.
‘This is what it’s like to have Esban on our side.’
I could see why he was a candidate for the male lead.
Despite the initial high barrier.
He knew how to maintain proper boundaries and do his job.
Unlike Pheon, it felt good that he left the guiding entirely to me.
After a while, I opened my eyes and was startled to see Esban staring intently at me.
“…Esban?”
“Oh, we need to talk.”
He stammered and quickly avoided my eyes.
“The surveillance has tightened, making it nearly impossible to come and go from the mansion. Has anything else happened?”
“Oh….”
I hesitated, wondering how much to tell Esban.
‘How much does he know about Hedonia’s current state?’
Talking about my condition wasn’t difficult, but explaining my recent situation inevitably involved Hedonia.
Esban noticed my hesitation and sighed lightly before speaking.
“…I already know they’re using your blood.”
“Ah, then I’ll start from the beginning. It seems they want to get rid of me faster… They’re drawing my blood three times a day now.”
“Three times?”
Esban’s eyes widened in shock.
‘I think this is the first time I’ve seen Esban this surprised.’
Well, it’s understandable.
Even Espers don’t drink blood.
“Oh, and yesterday, the Duke came at dawn and stuck something in my arm.”
“…In your arm?”
“He put something in my right arm… but it didn’t leave a scar. He also talked about black magic.”
Esban looked at me with a serious expression.
“…Is there a reason to go as far as using dark magic to kill you?”
From Esban’s perspective, it seemed incomprehensible.
Robert had plenty of opportunities to kill me without resorting to dark magic.
‘But I can’t talk about the contract.’
That was one of the clauses written in the contract.
However, I could hint at it.
Just like Robert had told the head maid yesterday.
“My life depends on something…”
I spoke vaguely. Esban wasn’t clueless, so he would likely understand.
“Pheon was saying something strange too…”
Esban groaned after hearing my words.
“Lord Pheon?”
I was surprised by the sudden mention of Pheon.
“He said that if you gather a person’s energy and blood using dark magic, you can cast a curse that only kills that person.”
“…‘A curse that only kills me.’”
