The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 198
I naturally rejected Adron’s proposal. I sent the letter politely, not knowing how he would react.
‘It’s not fear of the dung, but its filth that makes you avoid it.’
Surprisingly, Adron accepted my rejection without issue. He surely had some other scheme, but I had no way of finding out.
Time flew by, and the festival was now tomorrow.
The capital was bustling in anticipation of the festival that would last for fifteen days.
Well, that’s what I heard.
“Lord Hedoniaaaaa…”
“Yes.”
Smooch. Hedonia left a kiss mark on my neck, smiling faintly. I groaned, clinging to him.
“Please let me go now…”
“I’ll let you enjoy the festival tomorrow.”
Hedonia kissed my collarbone and spoke softly.
“…Really, I can’t. Who is the one keeping me up all night?”
…Yes. Even after returning, I was tormented by Hedonia every night. Far from learning the public opinion outside, my days were spent exhausted from Hedonia’s nightly torment.
Thankfully, I could hear about the outside situation from the household staff. Otherwise, I would have been completely in the dark.
They say late learners are the most diligent thieves; Hedonia is the perfect example of that.
The past, when Hedonia had a similar build to mine, felt like a distant memory.
Humming, Hedonia brushed my hair aside and lay next to me.
“Alright, that’s enough for now.”
The words “for now” felt incredibly unsettling.
I hoped the unease I felt was just my imagination.
It’s not that I disliked the time I spent with Hedonia.
I wanted him just as much as he wanted me.
…It was just that my stamina couldn’t keep up.
‘Surpassing an esper’s stamina is impossible in the first place.’
I told myself reassuringly and clenched my fist.
‘I should start exercising for the future.’
Starting tomorrow.
Tomorrow me would handle it somehow.
I sprawled out on the bed. My whole body ached, and I couldn’t muster the energy to get up immediately.
“It’s a long way to build up your stamina…”
Hedonia sat down beside me with a smile. His scent, lingering in the air, tickled my nose. It was a familiar smell that calmed my heart.
‘…Much more comfortable than being on the island.’
That place was my home too, but returning to the Apharantes house now felt as familiar as the place where I was born.
I mumbled, cuddled in Hedonia’s arms.
“How are you feeling these days?”
“Good. You’re guiding me regularly, after all.”
His hand gently caressed my earlobe.
“In a way only you can.”
His low voice was excessively sexy, and his teasing words made my face heat up.
It was true that during our intimate moments, I was unconsciously guiding Hedonia.
‘I didn’t expect it to be so effective.’
I knew that physical contact was an effective method, but guiding through intimacy was a whole new world. It allowed me to use the minimum amount of my power while keeping Hedonia in top condition.
And by focusing on guiding Hedonia, I learned how much power was necessary for complete guiding.
Although I had few examples of guiding other espers, it was clear that guiding Hedonia required a lot more effort.
It meant his abilities were that extraordinary.
“I hope this festival ends well…”
Hedonia trailed off.
I opened my eyes and looked at his face, filled with worry. Even from below, it was a flawless face without any hint of shame.
“But at least we have one less suspect, right?”
I tried to comfort Hedonia. Pheon, who had met with Cayden Cairoze, confidently said there was no need to doubt him.
Pheon claimed to have used every method available to dig into Cayden’s background.
“…The question is whether we can trust Pheon.”
Hedonia sighed, looking down at me. It seemed he had disliked Pheon ever since he invited me to meet together.
“Let’s enjoy the festival and then look for other solutions with a fresh mindset.”
I exclaimed energetically, widening my eyes. Hedonia’s eyes narrowed as he listened to me.
“But… you should have him stood up on the first day.”
“You agreed to it, Lord Hedonia! And I’m tired of watching you and Lord Pheon fight all the time.”
The tension between the two was intense. As I shivered at the thought, Hedonia shrugged his shoulders.
“Fighting? We’re just having conversations.”
“…And if you go with me, you’ll just end up joining us for dinner. No way.”
I planned to have dinner with Pheon to sort out financial matters and then buy a gift for Hedonia with the remaining time.
I had considered a watch but thought of a much better gift.
I looked quietly at Hedonia’s hand over mine.
