The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 192
Cayden Cairoze suggested to Adron that they incite an esper uprising during the festival.
An esper, who had sided with the royal family, would mercilessly massacre people.
Of course, there would be commoners supporting the espers at the festival, but such details were too bothersome to care about.
It was about showcasing their power.
Under the protection of the royal family, the massacre would occur. This would significantly change the previously peaceful relationship between the espers and the citizens.
Cayden Cairoze’s proposal was appealing to Adron. Bowing and adjusting to commoners was not in his nature.
If one had power, it should be used to suppress and dominate others, leaving them unable to entertain any other thoughts.
Although Cayden Cairoze had lived quietly, Adron knew how much Cayden cherished his wife.
He had always expected Cayden to rise someday and had kept an eye on him along with Robert Apharantes.
It was questionable why Cayden had to love such a tainted bloodline,
“To pledge loyalty to the royal family with his life on the line, indeed.”
Adron remarked, finding it absurd. Cayden silently bowed his head.
“You knew I would come.”
“Yes.”
Adron had been curious about when Cayden Cairoze’s revenge would begin.
With Robert already gone, only he remained.
“But it’s rather bland compared to what I expected.”
He had looked forward to seeing how Cayden Cairoze would struggle and despair.
“It would be unexpected if you said you would end my life in ten years.”
For Adron, maintaining the current power of the royal family was far more important than a long life.
As long as he was mentally sound, he had no desire to live by relying on someone else.
A life without power was close to death. The royal family was his pillar and life itself.
Fortunately, Cayden Cairoze hadn’t realized this.
‘A life is meaningless.’
It was fortunate that Cayden was more foolish than he thought.
‘As expected.’
Even with noble blood, associating with the lowly dulls one’s senses.
A life, after all, could be given at the end.
“If this task is done well, we shall make a contract.”
Adron said, as if granting a favor.
Cayden nodded. After turning away from Adron, his eyes flashed with madness.
‘The stage is set.’
Now, all that was left was to hold the festival on the day the gate opened.
And finally, to see if there was any way to persuade Pheon.
It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain his sanity.
‘This is the last chance.’
The honor of the Cairoze family didn’t matter.
Living quietly had been for this moment.
* * *
I waited in the reception room, drinking tea, waiting for Shaelock to return. The tea table was lavish, fitting for the royal palace.
It had the variety of a dessert shop.
But despite the delicious desserts, my heart was uneasy.
‘I was scared.’
It wasn’t this bad even when facing Robert.
He was undoubtedly a person who was difficult to approach.
It wasn’t just because of his status as emperor.
‘His way of thinking is entirely different from normal people.’
It felt like making even the slightest mistake would result in immediate retaliation.
Perhaps that’s why Shaelock had become so indifferent about everything.
‘But in the original story, he didn’t play such a big role.’
At least not in the parts I read.
‘Was he the final boss towards the end?’
I pondered the original story while sipping my tea.
“Karina!”
Pff. The tea I was drinking splashed.
‘I almost spilled it.’
I quickly put the teacup down.
“Are you okay?”
Shaelock, who had entered through the open window, first checked my condition. Her hand gently caressed my cheek.
Her face was much more lively compared to earlier.
“I’m fine. You came quickly, Lady Shaelock.”
“There won’t be any more visits to the royal palace like this in the future.”
I tilted my head at the following voice. Was Hedonia supposed to come here?
“When did you arrive?”
“I left almost immediately after you did.”
This was a problem. I had planned to prepare a gift for Hedonia today!
But it was because of Hedonia that I was here in the first place.
‘…What should I do?’
In this situation, the gift for Hedonia would have to wait for the festival.
“I’m here too.”
Esban waved as he hopped in through the window.
“Weren’t you supposed to go on an inspection of the territory with Cayden Cairoze today?”
“My father said he had something to discuss with His Majesty regarding territory issues, so he entered the palace. I came along since I was entering the palace anyway.”
Cayden Cairoze?
“When did he arrive?”
Hedonia asked, and Esban blinked.
“It’s been about an hour and a half now. Since it was a sudden visit, he’s probably still waiting.”
It overlapped with the time I was talking. Suspicious, but…
On the contrary, the blatant nature of the visit made it seem less suspicious.
“Did the emperor say anything strange?”
Shaelock asked.
