The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 12
Despite cherishing him as his son, Robert couldn’t let go of his ambition to raise him as his puppet and seize control of this country.
Becoming a guide was a destiny that had to be faced from the moment of awakening. However, Hedonia didn’t want to live according to Robert’s wishes.
He wasn’t unaware of the ways to avoid the self-consuming expectations that came with accepting his fate.
‘If I become a complete guide, I can just refuse to go along with what he wants.’
However, he couldn’t achieve this alone; there were too many constraints.
He needed a reliable ally whom he could trust, even just a little.
From the beginning, he never intended to die. He had survived this long; it would be a waste to die now.
All his actions were just an act to understand the child brought forth by the duke.
Hedonia’s gaze narrowed as he recalled Karina’s face.
‘She’s not yet my father’s pawn.’
Everyone who had been by his side so far had been summoned by the Duke of Apharantes.
Even the nobles of the three families who knew his secret were connected to the duke.
Moreover, they were in a position where they had to receive guidance as espers.
Until he awakened, he couldn’t completely break free from the Duke of Apharantes’s influence.
But Karina was different.
Hedonia went to see the Duke of Apharantes and confirmed the contract between them.
The contract simply stated that she would live safely using the power of the Duke of Apharantes rather than being under his father’s shadow.
Moreover, Karina had no reason to be controlled by the Duke of Apharantes as a guide like him.
The Duke of Apharantes, who should have been the one to keep Hedonia alive, felt anxious.
It had been a long time since he had felt such emotions.
‘After all, he’s just a stand-in who will eventually leave.’
But until she left, couldn’t she become someone else’s pawn instead of his father’s?
It didn’t matter where this newfound desire stemmed from; what mattered was that it had arisen after a long time.
What mattered was enjoying the flood of emotions awakened after a long time and the process of fulfilling desires.
There was much to be done ahead.
He had to sprout new buds on the branches he had cut off and prepare for the future.
Hedonia stood up from his seat.
The sunlight that had suddenly risen reflected off his hair, shining like a rainbow.
* * *
It had been a week since I arrived at the Duke of Apharantes’s estate.
During this time, the Duke had been verifying whether my blood truly had an effect on Hedonia’s body.
Certainly, my blood had been beneficial to his awakening, but it wasn’t a remedy.
Around Hedonia, there still lingered untamed forces, and his headaches hadn’t completely disappeared. However, the pain had eased, and his strength had been consolidated.
The Duke, now realizing my true worth, began to utilize me to the fullest by initiating training for my role as a guide.
It marked the start of intensive cramming to become a guide.
In social circles, Hedonia was a figure shrouded in mystery, hiding the fact that he hadn’t awakened as a guide yet.
Externally, he was known as a guide surpassing his father, the Duke, but it was also known that his body was frail and lacked the support of power.
‘Does the father who cannot acknowledge him feel any resentment?’
There was also a reason behind using me as his stand-in while alleviating Hedonia’s Awakening Affliction.
Rumors surrounding Hedonia’s reclusive behavior were spreading, necessitating a cover story about his face healing from an accidental injury.
Preparing for the possibility of light shining through the veil, I’ll arrange for dyeing.
Though Hedonia and I had different body types, our height difference wasn’t significant enough to raise suspicion.
So today was the day for hair dyeing.
It would be a day to witness the magic of my curly purple hair turning into platinum locks.
I had only heard rumors about the dye used here being exceptional, never having used it myself, so I was doubly excited.
It felt like I’m at a salon.
Even before my possession, I had dabbled in bleaching and various perms in my twenties, experimenting with changing my image.
‘…Though I am a bit worried about the condition of my hair.’
With trembling anticipation, I entered the room.
The stylist who would assist with my dyeing today was wearing gloves and holding a tray filled with unknown vials.
Though it was somewhat surprising that the stylist had come here just for my hair dyeing, it wasn’t entirely incomprehensible.
Few people knew that I was staying at the mansion. The fewer who knew such an important fact, the better.
So, it made sense that one of the people whom the Apharantes Duke controlled like a puppet, the stylist, had come.
As I settled into my seat, I noticed Hedonia sitting behind me, exuding a palpable presence.
‘No, why is Hedonia here!’
I exclaimed inwardly, astonished by the unexpected guest. When I turned my head towards the stylist, he subtly avoided meeting my gaze.
…Even if he’s a stylist controlled by the Duke like a puppet, it seems there’s no avoiding Hedonia.
A sense of camaraderie with him surfaced in me.
In the end, I obediently took my seat. I could feel a sharp gaze on the back of my head.