The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 130
Since it hadn’t been long since his awakening, guiding was even more critical.
In fact, Hedonia was already being consumed by another kind of pain.
A splitting headache, similar to the ones he usually felt, was now striking his entire body.
Yet Hedonia did not let out a groan.
‘I’m familiar with pain.’
The prolonged awakening pain had unexpectedly built a tolerance within him.
Indeed, once Robert learned that Hedonia was an Esper, he would try to exploit him.
Of course, if this pain continued… his desire to kill Robert might change.
Hedonia knew well how powerful persistent physical pain could be.
How effective it was in breaking a person.
The solution was simple.
‘If I don’t create a situation where such thoughts arise in the first place.’
Hedonia had already made up his mind long ago.
“Today, we strike the Duke Apharantes.”
Today was the day that decision bore fruit.
Pheon blinked at his words.
It was a composure hard to see in someone who had just awakened as an Esper.
Bang! Bang!
Loud voices echoed around the door Pheon had locked.
“Hedonia!”
“Young Lady! Are you alright?”
Hedonia stared at the door before turning his head to Pheon.
“You must have already prepared. You’re not someone who would come to my room without reason.”
Hedonia knew Pheon well.
His resentment towards Robert, and that he had planned with Cayden and the Cairoze family to strike Robert at this time.
Pheon must have had a legitimate reason to check on Hedonia’s condition.
They were different yet similar to each other.
Pheon chuckled at Hedonia.
“You can’t hide it, can you? Are you really alright?”
He had realized in the dungeon where Hedonia was a strategist who could objectively assess situations.
The final question was close to confirmation.
“I’m fine.”
Hedonia stood up and nodded.
Pheon admired Hedonia’s ability to read his intentions precisely.
‘Indeed, not a simple person.’
“Your height and build have changed since your awakening.”
Pheon chuckled to himself, recalling Hedonia’s gender.
It was clear how much Hedonia’s physique and height had changed.
It had been a long time since he had seen someone whose transformation upon awakening as an Esper was so pronounced.
Receiving Pheon’s peculiar gaze, Hedonia touched his face.
Indeed, his bone structure had changed.
“Ah.”
Hedonia responded absently to Pheon’s words, catching his breath.
Pheon, observing him, subtly asked about something that had started to bother him.
“Then, the actions you showed towards Karina…”
When Pheon thought Hedonia was a woman, those actions seemed merely caring.
“Ah.”
Hedonia gave Pheon a fierce smile.
“Of course, it’s because I like Karina.”
“……”
“I want to keep her by my side forever.”
It seemed like the first time he had openly admitted it.
The more he spoke, the more his emotions grew. Yes, Hedonia wanted Karina by his side and wanted to be with her.
The thought of using each other and then parting away was a mistake.
Now, he couldn’t imagine a life without Karina.
“……”
Having learned two shocking truths, Pheon felt as if he had been hit with a strong punch.
He didn’t even have the leisure to smile.
‘……’
Honestly, from his perspective, it didn’t matter at all that Hedonia had feelings for Karina.
What did it matter? A guide’s personal life was of no concern.
‘I thought it would be enough… to receive guiding from her and just become friends.’
But what was this unpleasant feeling?
It felt unsettling.
Pheon narrowed his eyes.
At this point, he had to admit it.
He was concerned about Karina.
‘I simply just intended to get some guiding and match her pace appropriately…’
It seemed he had unknowingly become attached.
She was someone who knew her place frighteningly well, was upright, and didn’t harbor any greed.
He might have been unconsciously drawn to her pure and sometimes resolute demeanor.
‘Starting as friends, there’s a chance.’
Pheon had acknowledged his feelings and was gradually trying to change his relationship with Karina.
Hedonia expressing his feelings so openly meant that they were not yet together.
Karina’s place by her side was vacant.
Even amidst his physical fatigue from the lack of guiding, his thoughts were alarmingly clear.
Pheon smiled and faced Hedonia.
“That’s problematic.”
“What is?”
“I also seem to have feelings for Karina, young duke.”
Crackle. A strong current flowed between them as they locked eyes.
“And it seems I’m better prepared.”
As the Master of the Tower, Pheon could offer Karina a lot.
“When the owner of the duke’s house changes today, things will be different. Can a mere tower master compare to a duke?”
Hedonia retorted with a smile.
It was a fierce battle of wills.
