The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 201
Isn’t it the perfect way to enjoy the festival moderately and still accomplish my tasks?
So, I chose to wear a plain dress. Honestly, I felt more comfortable because I was more used to this kind of outfit.
“But you should wear something nice when you go out…”
Of course, the staff of the Apharantes house seemed to have a different thought.
“Lady Karina should only wear good things…”
“This dress doesn’t suit Lady Karina!”
I was so embarrassed by their exclamations that these clothes didn’t suit me.
“…They’re really blinded by affection.”
But I didn’t entirely dislike it.
I tied my hair up tightly and got into the carriage.
Hedonia, holding the carriage door, leaned in his face.
…I was startled. I stared at Hedonia with wide eyes.
Hedonia, with his hair down, was dressed in a shirt and pants that a commoner might wear.
‘Does he just want to enjoy the festival like me?’
It was unexpected.
I heard that Shaelock would give a speech for Adron and the people and then show off her abilities as an Esper.
Even though Hedonia hadn’t mentioned any external schedule to me, I thought he would do something as a duke.
Ah, or maybe he’s trying to gauge public opinion like me.
Hedonia, brushing his glossy platinum hair back, sat right next to me and smiled softly.
His eyes sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the window.
“What are you looking at?”
The carriage started smoothly, without a single jolt, just like water flowing. Hedonia’s elegant demeanor was the same.
Without a hint of wavering, Hedonia, who had been gazing at me, murmured.
“It’s not really my place to say this.”
As Hedonia said, his gaze was fixed on me as if nailed.
“You’re beautiful, Karina.”
My face turned red like a tomato at the unexpected compliment. Hedonia made a sound of disapproval and shook his head.
“That doesn’t mean you aren’t beautiful on other days. Don’t misunderstand.”
His honey-sweet words were full of affection for me.
“To my eyes, you’re beautiful no matter how you look.”
Hedonia’s affection was like a vast ocean encompassing me.
Whatever I did, he made me happy within it.
“…I don’t know what I did to deserve such overwhelming love.”
I had only sought out the Apharantes family to survive.
While I was happy with his affection, sometimes I wondered if I deserved this much love.
“Don’t think that way.”
Hedonia whispered in a low voice as he touched my forehead with his fingers.
“You were the only one who stayed by my side.”
“…”
“The only one who tried to save me.”
“…”
“The only one who encouraged me.”
After removing his fingers, Hedonia lightly kissed my forehead.
“Even if it was just for survival, you saved me. That’s enough.”
His warm tone of voice comforted me, leaving no room for guilt.
His words made me smile naturally.
“Thank you, Lord Hedonia.”
At my words, Hedonia shrugged his shoulders.
“How about you express your gratitude with this instead?”
He extended his long index finger and tapped his cheek. It was clear he wanted me to kiss him.
At times like this, he’s really shameless. I glanced at Hedonia briefly before lightly kissing his cheek.
But it didn’t end quickly. Hedonia soon wrapped his arm around my neck, pulling me completely into a kiss.
His tongue intruded greedily, exploring my mouth, stealing my breath and my senses, and consuming me.
As if to give me a moment to breathe, he pulled away briefly, looking at me with a seemingly disappointed expression.
“Do you really have to go around with Pheon today?”
“…It’s just for today.”
Hedonia would only accompany me to the meeting place with Pheon, and then we would move separately.
“From tomorrow until the festival ends, we’ll be together the whole time. Okay?”
His slightly sulky face must be due to jealousy over Pheon. There’s no need for that at all. As I spoke to soothe him, Hedonia whispered in a surprisingly small voice.
“…I’ll try.”
It was a very unsettling answer, as if he might follow me around.
I broke out in a cold sweat internally.
‘…It feels like I’ll get caught before I even propose.’
I don’t want that. I also don’t want Hedonia to beat me to proposing.
A warning was necessary.
“You mustn’t follow me.”
