The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 125
Today, as always, I lay in bed after having my blood drained.
At this point, shouldn’t I be crowned the queen of blood transfusions?
‘No, it seems like this isn’t just for Hedonia’s benefit.’
Even if it’s to prepare for any unforeseen circumstances, this is suspicious.
My physical condition was a wreck.
When your body is struggling, you should at least eat well, but not only had my food intake decreased, the taste was non-existent.
When they used to take blood for Hedonia, at least they gave me somewhat decent food, but now they don’t seem to care anymore.
‘Are they trying to starve me to death?’
It’s a possibility.
‘But I will escape from here completely.’
It’s almost time for Shaelock to arrive.
I got up and found a long-sleeved dress to wear.
Since the head maid didn’t even glance in this direction, apart from the ones draining my blood and keeping watch, there was no human interaction at all.
As a modern person, this was much more convenient, but…
‘Being alone feels so much lonelier when you’re sick.’
Maybe it’s because I don’t have anyone here for me.
‘Is this how Hedonia felt?’
Feeling like I’m the only one in the world.
I sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the clock.
‘Is Hedonia doing well?’
I bit my lip as I recalled how little I’d seen him.
‘He should be by my side at times like this.’
On the outside, Hedonia was already so gentle… and so shy around strangers.
In Hedonia, I saw a cat waiting for its owner.
I’m not his owner, but… that’s just a way of speaking.
‘Ah, I miss Hedonia.’
I must see him at least once before we part ways. I clenched my fist in determination.
Knock knock.
Finally, I heard the sound of tapping on the window.
I quickly opened the window. Shaelock, who was floating in the air, hopped inside.
I was glad to see Shaelock’s face after such a long time.
The dark circles under her eyes, I’ve rarely seen her like this, it showed her current state.
Though we both looked different from usual, it wasn’t hard to recognize each other because our voices were the same.
Despite the changed appearance, the aura that was hard for others to approach remained.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
I greeted her with a smile.
Esban naturally followed her in and shut the window tightly.
His swift movements were reassuring.
“It’s been a while, too, Lord Esban.”
I bowed my head to Esban as well.
The face visible through his disheveled hair looked truly exhausted.
Both of them had a reason for pushing ahead with this despite Hedonia not yet waking up.
It seems the situation is more serious than I thought.
‘All because they didn’t receive a single guiding.’
‘Guiding is this important.’
However, the problem was that I wasn’t in the best condition to give a guiding right now.
Esban gazed at me quietly before approaching.
“Hold out your hand.”
But he seemed extremely reluctant to make contact, as if he didn’t want to touch me.
I looked blankly at my hand. Esban briefly explained.
“It’s the potion I gave you last time. It’d be problematic if you collapsed before escaping.”
“Thank you.”
I remembered vividly the effects from the last time I took it, I knew it would work.
Shaelock suddenly appeared behind Esban.
Perhaps because she was the next person I opened my heart to after Hedonia, I was even happier to see her.
“Karina…”
Shaelock hugged me tightly and buried her face in my shoulder.
Her face looked truly worn out.
It showed just how exhausted she was. The uncharacteristically bold physical contact was definitely different.
Holding me tightly in her arms, she murmured softly.
“…But you’ve gotten so thin.”
Though I tried to hide it, it must have been noticeable.
I gave an awkward smile.
She gritted her teeth.
“Robert, that bastard son of a…”
I widened my eyes at the words I heard for the first time from Shaelock.
Wait, she knew how to say things like that?
“Karina.”
Shaelock released me from her embrace and sighed deeply.
“…I’m sorry in this situation, but I want to receive a guiding.”
It would be a lie if I said I wasn’t disappointed that the first thing out of her mouth was about guiding.
But the disappointment was fleeting. She was different from ordinary people.
What was as natural as breathing to them was just wanting guiding. I shouldn’t think of them as people like me.
“You should receive it.”
I rolled up my sleeves and steadied my mind before guiding her.
Yes, this is what I need to do as a stand-in and a guide.
Shaelock’s gaze felt piercing.
“I’m disappointed that the first thing I say when I see you is this.”
I thought I hid it well, but it seems I couldn’t escape Shaelock’s keen eyes.
“No, it’s not like that.”
I hurriedly tried to explain.
“I don’t like lies.”
Shaelock’s eyes on me deepened. Her usually blank expression showed an unusual depth of sorrow.
