The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 33
I know what this is.
That’s a look of pity, isn’t it? As if asking if that’s all I’m capable of.
Every time I meet with Hedonia, I think he has the power to scrape together even the pride I didn’t know I had.
Just like now.
I glared at Hedonia.
“I may not be able to kiss, but I sure know how to hold hands properly.”
It’s a strange thing to say…!
But I pressed on.
It’s not like it’s wrong, is it?
Focusing when holding hands, interlocking fingers. Huh? It’s not like I can’t do that.
But still uncertain of me, Hedonia’s expression was hard to read.
His eyebrows were raised, which seemed like he was angry, but his quivering lips seemed more worried than anything.
“…”
“Don’t you trust me?”
I stared straight at Hedonia, pounding my chest loudly. It seemed like making eye contact while speaking would increase Hedonia’s trust in me.
“I’m on your side, Lady Hedonia.”
As I spoke to reassure him, he exhaled deeply and then nodded slightly.
“Alright.”
Then he lowered the veil over my face.
I heard the word “alright,” but I still felt an uneasy corner in my heart.
Afterwards, I laid the groundwork for any potential situations.
“And even if I don’t do it right this time, there will be next chances, right? For example, after learning more about guiding from Lady Hedonia.”
It was fortunate that my abilities worked on Esban and Shaelock, but since Pheon originally disliked relying on people because of guiding, there was a good chance he would react differently due to the trouble with the Duke.
Predicting the situation perfectly was also impossible for me.
Hedonia, who had been silently staring at me with suspicion, finally spoke.
“…There’s no need to do that.”
What’s this?
I was immediately suspicious of the unexpected words.
“Do as you wish.”
Does he really trust me now?
I nodded in thanks to his words, yet I couldn’t understand why.
The atmosphere was slightly different from usual. I couldn’t figure out why.
Was he testing me somehow?
‘I guess I’ll have to show that I’ve also practiced on this side.’
In reality, I had been intensely practicing both non-contact and contact guiding.
For Hedonia and my future, that much was essential.
Is there enough time?
After checking the clock, I extended my hand to him.
“Would you like to check one last time before we go?”
Hedonia’s expression, with his lips tightly sealed, was solid. It seemed like an unbreakable wall.
I wondered if the day would ever come when he truly opens his heart to me.
‘I’m not even hoping for that much, though.’
“Okay.”
Contrary to my expectation of refusal, Hedonia readily extended his hand.
‘Let’s get used to this.’
Once I’m familiar with his face, dealing with Hedonia won’t be a big deal.
He’s human, after all.
I looked intently at his face and interlocked our fingers, making sure every joint was connected.
I narrowly opened my eyes to avoid taking the full brunt of his appearance head-on.
Fortunately, I was able to concentrate.
I applied more pressure to the interlocking fingers. My fingertips touched the back of Hedonia’s hand.
At that moment, Hedonia flinched.
Unable to discern what that signal meant, I cautiously asked.
“…Is it going well?”
His lips remained firmly sealed.
“You’re doing well.”
With a brief commendation, Hedonia removed his fingers from the interlock with mine.
Then, rising from his seat, he glanced at me briefly before turning away.
The clenched fist was clearly a sign of his simmering hatred towards Robert, who had imposed a time limit on us.
“Our time is up.”
Promptly, the head maid re-entered the room. Hedonia, with his back turned to me, left the room.
‘I received praise, so it seems alright.’
Isn’t this enough to consider today’s task well completed?
With a sense of pride, I followed the head maid.
* * *
The mansion was abuzz as the party was just around the corner. Judging by the lights visible through the window, it was clear how many people had come to the Duke’s house today.
The place I followed the head maid to was the drawing room.
Upon entering, familiar faces greeted me.
Esban, sitting upright, hurriedly turned his head away when our eyes met.
Shaelock, who had been staring at me, smiled and waved his hand.
…And the man who had been sitting with his legs crossed, uncrossing his arms to stand up upon seeing me, was Esper Pheon, whom I was meeting for the first time today.
“Is this the person who will be collaborating with us?”
His smooth voice contrasted starkly with his fiery red hair, as if embodying a flame turned human, yet his demeanor flowed like water.
“Yes.”
Robert Apharantes, who had arrived before me, nodded in response to Pheon’s question.
“Hmm, I see.”
Pheon, who had been scrutinizing me with his chin in his hand, stood up.
He strode towards me, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth. He suddenly extended his hand in front of me.
“Pleased to meet you, I am Pheon. I will be monitoring your role as a stand-in from now on.”
Among the Espers I had met so far, Pheon was the most polite.