The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 200
Hedonia considered telling Karina about monitoring Pheon.
But if he did, she would undoubtedly be too focused on Pheon and the situation to enjoy the festival properly.
She hadn’t been able to fully enjoy the festival even when she was there as a stand-in. He wanted Karina to enjoy this time completely, so he kept this fact to himself.
‘I won’t leave her alone, anyway.’
Of course, he had enough confidence not to share this with Karina.
Anything that threatened Karina’s safety would be erased without a trace.
If there were problems, he would solve them, and if there were dangers, he would rescue her.
That was why Hedonia awakened as an esper.
His wish, even if it meant using all his abilities, was solely for Karina’s happiness.
* * *
In the dim midnight, Esban arrived at the castle in the territory Cayden had instructed him to inspect. The butler and the head maid, who came out to greet him at the castle gate, welcomed Esban warmly.
“You must have had a difficult journey, Lord Esban.”
Despite the fact that they had stayed awake to welcome him at this late hour, Esban remained indifferent.
It wasn’t intentional.
He was so deep in thought that he barely heard the butler’s words.
“You will not get to enjoy the festival—”
The butler continued speaking to avoid an awkward silence when Esban suddenly spoke.
“The festival starts tomorrow.”
The butler couldn’t hide his confusion at the heir’s abrupt comment but nodded.
“Yes, that is correct, but…”
It had taken him a full week to get there by carriage.
“A week…”
The butler tilted his head at the incomprehensible remark.
Finally, having sorted out his thoughts, Esban took the reins.
“An urgent matter has come up. I’m going back.”
“…Pardon? Right now?”
“Yes.”
Esban’s resolve was firm.
He should have asked Cayden from the start.
Whether the suspicions about him and the other espers were true, and why he was being sent away at such a coincidental time.
From the moment he failed to ask, Esban had already somewhat acknowledged Cayden’s guilt.
It was an act of avoiding the issue itself.
‘I must confront it.’
Memories resurfaced of when he avoided his noble duties and fears in front of Karina.
Avoidance solved nothing.
The moment Karina began to truly see him was when he faced things head-on.
Avoiding Cayden’s darker side out of fear was clearly Esban’s mistake.
‘Especially considering all he has done for me.’
Cayden had taken him in as an adopted son when he was insignificant.
[Nobles do not act that way.]
Cayden, who taught him, never got angry. He would calmly point out his mistakes and help him improve.
‘…He was always like that.’
Esban didn’t know why Cayden raised him.
But his life changed and became much happier because of Cayden.
‘He is my father.’
Regardless of the reason, Cayden was Esban’s only father and family.
Whether he was guilty or not, Esban needed to accept and address it.
‘If Father is innocent, I’ll apologize and explain the situation.’
If Cayden was indeed the culprit, as his son and the heir of Cairoze, Esban would accept the situation and find a way to resolve it.
To help Cayden move in a better direction.
That was a son’s duty to his father.
* * *
The official first day of the festival dawned.
Even though the Apharantes Dukedom was far from the city square and main streets where people were enjoying the festival, the distant sounds of revelry could still be faintly heard. Hedonia’s words came to mind.
“It’s a good opportunity to lift the gloomy mood caused by the recent increase in casualties.”
Indeed, there was no better chance for people to have fun than such a grand festival.
I became curious again about who could have dragged things to this point.
If it wasn’t Cayden, then who could the culprit be?
Based on personality alone, Adron was a strong candidate, but he was the one leading the festival now. It didn’t seem like he had any reason to complicate matters.
Perhaps it was someone we hadn’t encountered yet.
In any case, as long as I was with Hedonia, there was nothing to fear.
I just wanted to resolve this quickly so the number of casualties would lessen.
This was also why I planned to blend in with the crowd during the festival to gather information.
