The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 160
“The seating arrangement seems odd.”
“How could I, with the Princess present, sit at the head of the table alone? It is only right for the Princess to take the head seat.”
Hedonia responded perfectly to Shaelock’s objection and guided me to sit beside him.
“…That seems like the hostess’s seat. The Duke of Apharantes isn’t even engaged yet.”
“But we can’t seat her next to the unmarried Lord of the Magic Tower, can we?”
“The solution is simple.”
Esban intervened from the side.
“She should sit between Pheon and me.”
“…That sounds better.”
Shaelock, realizing she should sit at the head of the table, quickly agreed.
…Why do I feel like she said that just to avoid being the only one left out?
Maybe it’s just my imagination.
“That—”
Seeing another argument brewing, I quickly stood up.
“Yes, I’ll sit in the middle.”
I just wanted to stop the bickering and finally eat.
As I stood up, all four of them fell silent. I quickly took Esban’s original seat.
The servant, who had been waiting for us to settle down, began serving the appetizer.
“This is a seafood cream soup.”
The white cream soup emitted a mouthwatering aroma.
…They say even dogs don’t disturb while eating. With a determined look, I picked up my spoon.
“Well then, let’s eat.”
It was time to quickly replenish the energy drained by these four.
The soup was rich and creamy. It seemed bland at first, but the more I ate, the more I admired the chef’s skill.
My spoon moved diligently.
“Lord Hedonia, this is really delicious.”
I didn’t forget to share my thoughts with Hedonia in between.
Hedonia looked at me with a pleased expression.
“Eat a lot, Karina. I can prepare anything you want.”
“That can be done at the Magic Tower too.”
Pheon suddenly interjected from the side, smiling broadly.
A current seemed to pass between Hedonia and Pheon. Zap! I anticipated another argument starting.
“Can we please eat quietly?”
I didn’t want to get indigestion. As I cautiously spoke, Pheon and Hedonia immediately closed their mouths.
It was as if someone had glued their lips together.
‘…’
Today is really strange.
Every time I speak, they either fall silent or make a fuss, making me feel like an omnipotent deity.
‘They said they have a lot to tell me.’
Listening to those stories will probably be draining too.
‘I need to prepare my body and mind well.’
To understand their actions that don’t make sense now, I need to hear them out.
It’s obvious they’ll fight… so all I can do is prepare myself!
There was no option where these four wouldn’t fight.
I diligently chewed and swallowed each course that came out, stuffing it into my stomach.
With a solemn determination, like a soldier heading to the battlefield.
* * *
Afterward, we moved from the dining room to the study.
The study, which was originally filled with Robert’s belongings, was now covered with documents. It seemed Hedonia was more of a workaholic than I had thought.
“Would you like some tea first? You ate a lot, so I’m concerned.”
I nodded at Hedonia’s suggestion. I was indeed full.
Although it seemed like I could still eat more.
As soon as I nodded, a servant entered the room with a tray. It seemed they had already prepared it in advance.
I savored the sweetness as I mixed sugar into the freshly brewed black tea and took a sip. After enjoying dessert, I felt truly energized.
“I’m ready to hear all the stories now.”
I said with a serious face, and Hedonia nodded.
“I’ll start with my story first. However…”
Hedonia’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the other three Espers.
“I don’t want to discuss it in front of them.”
“I also have something to discuss with Karina.”
Shaelock said firmly.
“I feel the same way.”
Esban added from the side…
“So do I.”
Pheon raised his hand in agreement.
‘…Yes, I made a mistake.’
The very premise of having these four in the same space was flawed.
“Since each of you has something to say to me, let’s talk one by one.”
“Good idea, Karina.”
Shaelock spoke up as if she had been waiting for this. The other Espers agreed as well.
“As long as we have time to talk, it’s fine.”
“It wasn’t something I wanted to discuss in front of others.”
Alright, finally, the arrangement was set.
‘This way, I’ll definitely get less drained.’
…First, I needed to clear up the confusion about what Hedonia had said.
“Then, I’ll speak with Lord Hedonia first.”
At my words, Hedonia’s face brightened, while the other three’s expressions darkened.
…What’s the big deal?
“I go first, then.”
Hedonia, with a victorious smile, quickly ushered the other Espers out.
“Now, have a seat, Karina.”
Blinking, I followed Hedonia and sat on the sofa.
Hedonia, seated in front of me, took a deep breath.
Instead of a smile, nervousness filled his face.
“Karina, the last Esper you met…”
Hedonia began.
I looked at him quietly and then asked.
“It was you, wasn’t it, Lord Hedonia?”
This was a certainty.
