The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 37
What could be lacking?
The doubt surfaced briefly before dissipating.
I gazed intently at Esban.
His expression was a spectacle.
The way he blinked, seemingly bewildered, was far from the haughty nobleman I had first encountered.
Esban, who once furrowed his brows and wore a stern face, blinked again.
Who would recognize him as the same Esban?
The thrill that the man, who had initially greeted me with a barrage of harsh words, was beginning to change was fleeting.
‘This could be troublesome.’
Right now, the most important thing in guiding is managing expressions.
Since everyone was only watching Esban, he had a duty to meet these expectations.
He was supposed to show the reaction that people expected, exaggeratedly so, according to my guidance…
‘Why would the person who knows this best act like this?’
I looked at him with a face full of disdain, then suddenly realized.
‘I’m wearing a veil.’
I had almost forgotten because it was barely noticeable.
Since my face was hidden behind the veil, it was impossible to convey my intentions without my gaze.
I interlocked my fingers with Esban’s.
“What is this…!”
Esban, who was close by, flinched and whispered.
“You need to manage your expression right now.”
I warned him in a voice only he could hear.
Esban bit his lip, as if he had finally come to his senses upon hearing my words.
He began to concentrate with a devout expression.
“Then, I ask of you just one thing.”
“…Yes?”
The words that came out of his mouth straddled the line between formal and informal speech.
“We’ll talk about it later, so focus for now.”
But Esban didn’t further discuss this matter.
It was suspicious how quickly he changed the subject, but…
“Yes.”
Since there was no time now, I decided not to dwell on it.
“Then, it would be nice if you could smile a bit now.”
Since expressions were as visible to people as the guiding itself, I requested him to act.
“Telling a lie is…”
His face looked like he had lived only as a noble, never once deviating from the norm.
“I believe you understand that all of this is for Hedonia.”
Startled by my words, Esban nodded.
Afterwards, Esban wore a kind smile on his face. A saint-like appearance, which was in complete contrast to his usual brusque expression.
This gap made me realize for the first time how handsome Esban truly was.
I was reminded again why the cliché of a cold man showing smiles only to his own people existed.
‘I’m really glad my face isn’t visible.’
Otherwise, I might have had to continually endure Esban’s contempt-filled face.
“Wow…”
“Is this what guiding is…? It’s an honor to see it with my own eyes.”
Hearing the sporadic voices of people, I was reminded of my role and refocused my attention on the guiding.
“Next, will be the guiding for Lady Shaelock.”
Robert Apharantes stood in front of the people, explaining the next steps like an MC.
Shaelock approached me in succession, almost pushing Esban aside.
“It’s my turn now.”
She sat down as if she had been waiting for this moment.
“It’s been a while.”
The way she smiled brightly and took my hand was natural.
“…I suppose so.”
I concentrated, trying not to let too much of my power flow out.
Noticing this, Shaelock hummed and propped her chin, looking at me with a gaze that was quite burdensome.
Her look, almost dripping with honey, was nearly flirting.
Confused by her actions, I whispered.
“The Duke is watching.”
“Didn’t we agree to act diligently in front of others for Hedonia’s sake? I can do this much.”
It seems her mind works well because she’s the female lead. She would match well with Hedonia.
I sighed and let go of her hand, to demonstrate non-contact guiding.
Following Esban, a mirage-like light began to rise between Shaelock’s and my hand.
“The more I think about it, I wonder how I ever received non-contact guiding before.”
Shaelock, with a comfortable smile that invoked awe from the spectators, continued calmly.
“Contact guiding is so sweet though.”
“…”
“So, when will we meet? You haven’t set a promise yet.”
Continuing the conversation this closely was definitely disadvantageous to me.
Ugh. This is troublesome. I sighed inwardly and opened my mouth.
“I’m currently practicing to provide better contact guiding.”
“Practicing with whom? It’s unlikely Robert would be a proper practice partner.”
It was a well-known fact among Espers that Robert Apharantes only did non-contact guiding.
I didn’t want to mention Hedonia’s name.
“I’m looking into it by myself.”
“By yourself? That won’t be easy…”
“Still, I believe it’s my duty to make such efforts to provide proper guiding.”
“I like that response. If it leads to better guiding…”
Her hand briefly touched my wrist then fell away. Despite the short contact, the fear of it sapping my strength in an instant was alarming.
Meeting Shaelock alone again, I couldn’t be sure if she wouldn’t overpower me.
‘I must practice guiding diligently with Hedonia before that.’
“Try using Hedonia.”
…What?