The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 204
Thinking of Hedonia, I scanned the items with a hawk-like gaze.
‘It’s a pity we can’t enjoy this together from the start.’
Since we planned to explore together later, I also thought about things I wanted to see with him.
Just the thought of walking around and exploring with him made me excited.
‘What would be a good gift?’
For a moment, I forgot I was with Pheon, and my head moved incessantly.
It wasn’t just because of the gift for Hedonia.
‘What are they thinking?’
I also listened to the conversations around me.
Conducting a public opinion survey was one of the real reasons I decided to attend the festival today.
“Your neck might turn around if you keep doing that.”
Pheon burst into a cheerful laugh and gripped my hand tighter.
“Oh, sorry. I haven’t had many opportunities to properly enjoy a festival…”
I made an embarrassed excuse.
“It’s okay. Seeing your happy face makes me happy too.”
Pheon shook his head at my words.
He glanced around as if trying to find the way, then squinted slightly.
“It’s just unfortunate that I’m not the one making you this happy.”
His eyes narrowed to thin slits as he looked at me again.
“Do you really like Lord Hedonia that much?”
But I couldn’t avoid Pheon’s question.
‘Aren’t nobles supposed to speak indirectly?’
Why is he being so direct!
My cheeks instantly burned with embarrassment.
As I struggled to figure out how to respond, Pheon stopped walking.
The two-story restaurant building was clean and filled with people. There were nobles and commoners dressed like me gathered on one side.
We were led to a room on the second floor. The first floor seemed to be set up like a takeout place, with only tables.
The private room was already set up. The elegant brown wallpaper and the view of the square outside the glass window created a beautiful scene, like a piece of artwork.
The deafening cheers from outside couldn’t be heard at all, making it feel like we were in a different world.
“The soundproofing is excellent. Nobles need it for various reasons.”
He always seems to know what I’m thinking.
Pheon chuckled and sat down, pulling documents from his bag.
“Here are the receipts for the items used on the island, the recently updated bankbook, and the bank addresses. I’ve consolidated the assets into two places since there’s no longer a reason to spread them out as before. These banks offer various benefits based on the amount of assets held.”
Feeling a bit guilty for my earlier suspicions, I saw that Pheon was focused on work.
As soon as he sat down, he explained the documents at a frightening speed, with detailed explanations that I could understand, and the documents were neatly organized.
‘This is what Pheon is like when he works.’
I had only ever seen his playful side, so I never expected the way Pheon worked.
When working, Pheon was surprisingly thorough and solid.
In a way, he reminded me of Hedonia.
“It’s a bit sad that this will be the last opportunity to help you,”
I waved my hand dismissively.
“You’ve already helped me enough. I’ll repay you by giving you diligent Guiding.”
I shook my head with a smile.
“To repay me, you’ll need to do it for quite a while,”
Pheon joked with a twinkle in his eye. I just shrugged in response.
“Shall we look at the menu then?”
The restaurant’s main offerings were Western dishes.
I ordered the soup Pheon recommended, which was known for its creamy white broth. The mushroom cream soup, with finely chopped mushrooms, was rich and savory.
I acknowledged it; this place was indeed a hidden gem.
The chef’s skills rivaled those of the duke’s household chef. I could see why nobles came all the way here.
“Isn’t it delicious?”
“Very.”
I nodded vigorously in response.
“This place has been around since I was a child. Ah, at first, I could only afford the cheapest menu items on the first floor,”
Pheon said, savoring the same soup.
“Even then, it was very popular.”
I’ve heard about Shaelock’s and Esban’s pasts, but I know relatively little about Pheon.
‘Other than the fact that he comes from a commoner background like me.’
This is something everyone knows, so it’s hard to say I know much about him.
“I used to envy the nobles going up to the second floor. I always promised myself that I would get here someday.”
Recalling his childhood, Pheon’s eyes grew distant. His dark, shadowed eyes suggested that his life hadn’t been easy.
…In short, the mood had turned somber.
“You did it!”
I cheered enthusiastically, trying to lift the mood.
“Yes, I guess I’m pretty persistent by nature.”
My effort seemed to work, as Pheon chuckled.
“When I see a chance, I can’t let it go.”
His gaze lingered on me for quite a while.
The steak that followed the soup was served with fluffy mashed potatoes and garnished with a hint of acidity.
Although the steak was delicious, I preferred the soup. I felt the duke’s household cooked meat better.
‘Thinking of the duke’s household even in this situation.’
I thought to myself with a wry smile, shaking my head.
‘But I’ve grown used to spending time with Hedonia.’
I now naturally think of him in my daily life.
I was used to the routine of being with Hedonia.
And that fact made me happy.