The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 132
Pheon frowned at the unexpected request.
“I want to tell everyone that the current commotion was caused by an external intrusion.”
“Why?”
“I didn’t expect to become an Esper, so I need time to sort things out. This is a huge variable, after all.”
While Hedonia’s explanation made some sense, there were parts that didn’t sit well with Pheon.
He had emergency potions to change appearances, but…
From Pheon’s perspective, it was an unreasonable request. Given their conflict over Karina, changing his appearance wouldn’t pose a significant threat to the current situation.
Hedonia sighed at Pheon’s lukewarm reaction and muttered.
There was actually a much more important reason.
“I don’t want Karina to discover my true identity yet.”
Thinking about Karina’s reaction required more courage than he had.
He wasn’t comfortable sharing this with Pheon.
“She’s going to find out eventually.”
Hedonia raised an eyebrow at Pheon’s unexpected retort.
“It’s for Karina’s sake. If she gets surprised now, who knows how she might react?”
Pheon’s response didn’t sit well with him, but convincing him was the priority now.
“…Alright.”
As expected, Pheon accepted the request more readily once Karina’s name was mentioned.
Hedonia drank the potion Pheon gave him, and his appearance changed instantly.
His new look was so ordinary that he could easily pass unnoticed on the street, but a peculiar aura remained.
While black hair and black eyes were rare in this region… it was fine.
It felt like he was demonstrating what it meant to attract people with just his presence.
Hedonia checked his reflection in the window.
Indeed, this level of disguise would keep Karina from recognizing him.
‘Let’s see her reaction.’
When they met… he would ask her how she felt about him becoming an Esper instead of a guide.
‘…Depending on that reaction.’
He would decide what to do.
Though scared, he would somehow accept her reaction and act accordingly.
Hedonia took a deep breath, swallowing his pain once again.
The window opened.
Soon, Esban appeared, carrying Karina, with Shaelock by their side. Hedonia’s eyes sharpened, but he kept his mouth shut.
He knew that speaking now would reveal his identity.
Still, he bit his teeth hard.
Perhaps due to the intensity of his gaze, Shaelock’s eyes turned to him before looking at Pheon.
Her gaze was calm, showing no surprise.
‘…She realized immediately.’
The princess was perceptive. She had already figured out his true identity.
Before Shaelock could speak, Pheon spoke first.
“Your Highness.”
From the beginning, Hedonia’s gaze had been fixed on Karina.
Karina, who had hurriedly entered, was noticeably thin. Seeing her pale face, his anger toward Robert intensified.
‘How dare he…’
Their eyes met.
However, Karina’s gaze didn’t linger on him for long.
She quickly turned her head, a gesture that felt unfamiliar.
Only then did he realize how kind Karina had always been to him,
and how precious their relationship was.
* * *
As soon as the window to Hedonia’s room opened, my gaze immediately turned to his bed.
If nothing had happened, Hedonia would undoubtedly be lying there.
I paid no attention to Pheon, who was standing right next to me. Pheon, too, seemed to have something to say, heading straight for Shaelock and Esban.
I went straight to look for Hedonia.
But the bed was empty.
“…Where did she go?”
I frowned and looked around.
If I couldn’t find him, I intended to ask Pheon first.
“Pheon, where is Lady Hedonia—”
Turning my head, I saw a stranger standing next to Pheon.
‘…Who is that?’
It was someone I had never seen before. The man stood out, with his striking black hair tied back and rare black eyes.
‘Did Pheon bring him?’
Did he have someone else to bring today?
And a face I’d never seen before at that.
Was he one of Pheon’s close associates I didn’t know about?
Where was Hedonia?
The more I thought about it, the more confused I became. My body swayed as I inhaled.
“That’s dangerous.”
The stranger immediately supported me. The strength with which he held my shoulder was immense.
His quick reaction was beyond that of an ordinary person.
Not only that.
The moment he grabbed my hand, I felt a jolt as he rapidly drained my strength.
