The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 173
As Esban made his way back to the mansion after being sent away by Hedonia, his face was lit with a broad smile. Those who knew his usually stern demeanor would have doubted if it was really Esban.
Expressing emotions openly wasn’t considered noble. He knew this, but he couldn’t help it.
Two things had made him exceptionally happy.
The first was Karina asking him to speak comfortably with her.
Shaelock and Pheon had already established friendships with Karina, and while Esban had been away from her, he realized he also wanted to grow closer to her. He had been anxious because he only had preconceived notions about her.
But Karina spoke to him first. The respectful formal speech he used, out of his compulsion to act nobly, had been well-received by Karina.
‘She seemed a bit unfamiliar with it, though.’
He didn’t expect her to have any reservations about it.
Was that all?
For the first time, he had revealed his origins. He had been nervous about how things would turn out and had wondered if he should really tell her, but he had no regrets.
‘Even after knowing my background, her attitude remained unchanged.’
He had expected Karina wouldn’t change, but experiencing it firsthand was different.
If things continued smoothly like this, he might be able to become friends with Karina, just like Pheon and Shaelock.
His steps were light.
Until he entered the mansion and faced Cayden Cairoze.
“…What’s with the smile on your face, Esban? What if others see you like this?”
Cayden’s stern words made Esban quickly wipe the smile from his lips.
“I’m sorry.”
“You must set an example for others. That is what a true noble does.”
Cayden Cairoze scolded Esban. When he was first adopted by the Cairoze family, Esban was just a lucky boy with abilities. But under Cayden Cairoze’s constant guidance, Esban had grown into a commendable noble.
“I’m sorry.”
Understanding this well, Esban nodded in reflection on his behavior.
“…You seem different today.”
Cayden, nodding at Esban’s apology, scrutinized his expression and asked.
“What happened?”
Esban deliberated on how much to reveal. However, since it was uncertain if Karina would continue her guiding duties, he didn’t want to bring her up.
“Nothing much. This dungeon was easier than expected, so I guess I was in a good mood.”
Despite his deep respect for Cayden Cairoze.
It was a surprising change even for Esban himself.
‘…And a strange sense of guilt too.’
This was due to the unwavering faith he had in Cayden Cairoze from a young age.
But he didn’t regret his actions for Karina.
However, due to his inherent inability to lie convincingly, his words came out stiffly. While he had practiced emulating nobility since he was young, his nature was simply like that.
Cayden Cairoze, noticing this, raised an eyebrow but did not press further. Instead, he informed Esban in a matter-of-fact tone.
“I’m going to the estate. I’ll be back in two days, so be aware.”
“Two days? Ah…”
As an Esper primarily active in the capital, Cayden rarely stayed in his own estate for more than a day. Esban, surprised by the length of time, recalled the date and understood.
‘…That makes sense.’
Tomorrow was the anniversary of Cayden Cairoze’s wife, Elisa’s, death.
Since adopting Esban, Cayden had never forgotten this date. He always left him alone the evening before the anniversary and returned two days later.
Esban had heard from those around them how close Cayden and Elisa had been. Everyone in the household spoke of how warm and kind Elisa Cairoze had been.
Elisa Cairoze’s dungeon accident led to the creation of the regulation that S-rank Espers must not enter dungeons without a guide. While guides could save Espers, they were essentially powerless ‘humans’.
…Though officially termed an unfortunate accident, those familiar with the noble society and Robert Apharantes tacitly understood it as Robert’s retaliation. Elisa, raised under Robert, had turned her back on him the moment she began her work as a guide.
Instead of following Robert’s commands, she h.ad guided by her principles.
It was unclear if Cayden Cairoze had ever tried to uncover the truth of the incident. At that time, Esban had just been adopted and was busy becoming accustomed to the Cairoze family.
‘It must have been blocked by the royal family and Robert Apharantes.’
At that time, it would have been impossible for Cayden to uncover the truth alone.
Regardless of the Cairoze family’s honor, Robert and the Emperor had a very close relationship.
Cayden Cairoze was a meticulous individual, the most similar to Hedonia among the people Esban knew.
