The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 218
As a result of asking Shaelock for Hedonia’s outing, he was called to the imperial palace under the pretext of a reward for this incident.
And as Shaelock said, it seemed Adron had died, unable to protect even his own body from the angry people.
I heard that Shaelock’s coronation ceremony would be held soon.
‘…Now I really don’t know anything anymore.’
The information I had when I first transmigrated into this novel has been completely used up.
I won’t be able to predict what will happen from now on… but the future was always uncertain anyway.
‘Now I can’t even see this as just a world inside a novel.’
This is now the world I live in, not a book.
‘And now there’s something else that makes me more nervous.’
I took a deep breath while caressing the well-crafted topaz ring.
‘Why am I so nervous?’
Even though I knew Hedonia wouldn’t refuse, I couldn’t help but feel tense.
Lying on the bed, I took another deep breath. If I didn’t compose myself like this, I felt I might tremble too much later.
‘It should be about time for him to return.’
Speak of the devil, the door opened. Hedonia entered, still wearing the uniform coordinated among the Espers, and ran his hand through his hair.
“Even if she’s the future emperor, there’s a limit. What’s she doing holding back someone trying to go home…”
I felt more and more guilty hearing Hedonia’s resentful muttering. I’m sorry, Hedonia… that request was from me.
“Why are you so tense?”
Hedonia approached me in an instant and looked at me worriedly.
“I heard you went out. You could have gone shopping with me.”
It was already known that Hedonia had followed me that day.
But he didn’t seem to know exactly what I bought at the jeweler’s that day.
“Lord Hedonia. Would you mind standing and waiting for a moment?”
Fortunately, my voice didn’t tremble. At my words, Hedonia tilted his head but then nodded.
“Alright.”
I stood up, hiding both hands behind my back.
Standing in front of Hedonia, I knelt down on one knee.
“Karina, what are you—”
“Lord Hedonia. I know you always express yourself first… but I can’t let you beat me to this.”
I held out the box with a solemn face.
“From the day I became your stand-in until now, I’ve never regretted meeting you.”
I opened the jewel box with trembling hands instead of a shaky voice. Hedonia’s pupils dilated.
His gaze was fixed on the open jewel box in front of me.
“They say topaz symbolizes eternity. I chose it because it reminded me of your eyes.”
Hedonia still said nothing, his gaze fixed on the jewel.
I steadfastly continued.
“Lord Hedonia. Will you marry me and spend your life with me?”
I took the ring out of the box and held Hedonia’s fourth finger, who was still frozen in place.
As I took his hand, Hedonia finally smiled.
“I really didn’t expect this…”
His eyes seemed to be misting over.
“Where did you get the money?”
I replied, relieved that the ring size fit his finger perfectly.
“I’m a woman who owns an island, you know. And I’m an excellent guide too.”
“Seems I’ll be marrying a very capable woman.”
Hedonia muttered with a smile at my words. I heard his response, but it wasn’t enough.
“Please give me a proper answer. I’ve been waiting with a very nervous heart, you know.”
“I should put the ring on first.”
He took out the other pair of rings from the jewel box.
“This time, I’ll bow.”
Then, bowing as I had done, Hedonia took my hand.
“Karina, I swear to wear the ring you gave me and be with you. Will you give me the honor of spending a lifetime with you?”
My heart was overflowing.
It was a perfect proposal matching the question I had asked.
“Yes.”
The moment I answered, Hedonia slipped the ring onto my finger. The rings sparkling on each of our fourth fingers were dazzling.
With someone to spend my whole life with by my side, I had nothing to fear now.
“What would have happened if I hadn’t come as a stand-in?”
As I joked with a smile, Hedonia glanced at me sideways.
“I would have found a way to find you anyway.”
The certainty in his words made me happy.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Like our ordinary but happy confessions, I hope our life from now on will be a bit ordinary… but happy.
We’ve had too much going on lately.
“When you think of marriage, the first night does come to mind.”
Hedonia wrapped his arm around my waist and bent me backward. His face gradually drew closer.
“Indeed.”
I smiled as I received his kiss.
Hedonia’s breath grew closer.
We will be together forever.
With that one certainty alone, we could move forward into the future.
― The End ―
