The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 26
“There is always a way.”
Hedonia twirled the glass in his hand. I blinked at him. What could that mean?
“I’ll teach you every evening.”
“…What?”
It was an unexpected statement.
“If you want to learn everything for the day you become a guide, the Duke will teach me everything. Then I can teach you.”
Certainly, if the other party is Hedonia, the Duke would likely open up all the information.
The current issue is the lack of information known about guidance.
“Will you really do that?”
It must be difficult to endure being not the guide himself, and now he’s going to take care of my guidance.
He may talk harshly, but he’s almost like an angel.
As I gazed at Hedonia with earnest eyes, he slowly began to speak.
“If you truly stand by my side.”
I recalled the emotions he must have felt in that mansion filled with his father’s people, from Hedoania’s rough voice. It was a request I couldn’t dare refuse.
It was a request I couldn’t dare refuse.
“Answer me.”
The desperation emanating from his face as he stared at me somehow touched my conscience.
I felt guilty about the fact that I would leave him behind in the future.
‘…But maybe it wouldn’t be a bad idea for Hedonia to learn guidance in advance.’
Despite my almost complete deviation from the original work and my earnest efforts to destroy the original, the fact remains that Hedonia will become a guide.
Then this is an opportunity for Hedonia to perfect his guidance skills as well.
At the same time, it might be the beginning of an early romance between Shaelock and me.
‘After all, other people’s romances are always entertaining.’
Either way, it was a good opportunity for me.
It may not seem like it, but truth be told, it was right for Hedoania to make the first move.
Whatever the reason, I was grateful that he had initiated it.
I nodded briefly in response, saying,
“Yes.”
“Thankful, aren’t you?”
“You seem to know my heart, so I have nothing to say.”
“If you’re grateful, do not suck up to my Father.”
“Why bother when Hedonia is much better looking and capable?”
“Oddly enough, Father seems more impressive today.”
I stood my ground.
“Hedonia, you will undoubtedly become an outstanding guide.”
Hedonia stared at me in silence, as if I knew his future even better than he did.
“I have a good intuition, you see.”
Knowing that mentioning knowledge of the future would likely lead to being treated as insane, I glossed over it.
…And the fact that Hedonia’s gaze became even cloudier was an added bonus.
“I’m not sure if I’m making the right choice.”
“I’ll make sure you don’t regret it.”
Even as I looked at Hedonia, who was holding onto my head, I remained resolute.
However, there was one concern.
‘…But if he’s going to teach me contact guiding.’
I mean it’s impossible for us not to touch each other, right?
I mean, touching Esban or Shaelock was one thing, but I never expected to engage in physical contact with Hedonia.
‘A moment of intimacy is coming.’
Even when I thought of Esban or Shaelock, it wasn’t like this… Maybe it’s because he’s the male lead that I’m feeling so tense.
Still, I shouldn’t make a foolish expression like last time.
‘I need to get used to this beauty.’
Facing Hedonia’s face, I resolved to maintain a calm demeanor more than anyone else.
* * *
“So, how was the guiding?”
The Duke of Apharantes’ subtle inquiry made Shaelock’s eyes widen. The image of her guide before losing consciousness was vivid in her mind.
‘I suppose I should entertain that level of request.’
If she had that much power, she might lack subtlety, but she was certainly clever. Her sharpness in that situation wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
“The Duke’s guiding is still the best.”
Shaelock’s words brought a satisfied smile to the Duke’s lips.
“Still, it was enjoyable. Shall we continue to meet and try various things together in the future?”
“…Are you referring to that child?”
“Well, it is not easy to meet someone like her while also being my age.”
Shaelock vaguely summarized her reasons.
While she disliked making excuses or beating around the bush, she could tolerate it to some extent for the sake of that guidance.
‘It was exhilarating.’
No Esper would be able to refuse her abilities.
It was a power entirely different from that of the Duke.
If her personality had been unpleasant, she might have incurred the wrath of the Espers, but it seemed not to be the case.
‘It would be a waste for her to only act as a stand-in, a mere substitute.’
Of course, if Hedonia awakens as a guide, he will be the main focus. However, occasionally receiving guidance from her wouldn’t be bad either.
She’s a valuable tool.
‘She met Esban last time.’
She wondered if she had gone mad to even consider giving up the chance to be guided by the Duke. But there was a reason for it.
She almost missed out on this treasure.
‘Now, all that’s left is Pheon.’
Despite his outward manners, she wondered how this person would handle the stand-in.