The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 43
It was a strange feeling.
It was the first time I had ever touched someone like that.
To press lips with someone, to share saliva.
Above all…
Emotions I didn’t even know existed within me surged up.
The days I silently endured, to eventually shatter the vain hopes of Robert Apharantes and live my own life.
Among the dark emotions that filled my insides, a bizarre desire blossomed.
“I’ll remember that.”
Seeing her smile as if nothing had happened twisted my stomach.
Despite saying the same thing myself.
‘It’s strange.’
It was me who initiated the kiss.
I knew well that I wasn’t an irrational person to be swayed by such minor contact in mood and thought.
Because I have lived rationally all my life.
But…
‘Why does this feel so disgusting?’
And why does my gaze keep drifting to my lips, still wet with her saliva?
It was an emotional mess I had never experienced before.
Karina seemed like an unpredictable variable to him, who was always accustomed to reasonably anticipating and controlling the things around him.
‘…It’s probably nothing.’
Hedonia murmured to himself, closing his eyes.
Yes, this emotion should be nothing.
Karina will not exist in his future.
After all, Karina came to the Duke’s house starting with a contract with his father.
For money.
Even if she followed him, he could never trust her for a lifetime.
Therefore, distance had to be maintained.
To use each other appropriately, and to leave without any lingering feelings.
To live in each other’s worlds.
So, the question must be buried as it is.
Why her hair sparkled like the stars in the night sky.
The moment our eyes met as she looked at me, why I was at a loss for words.
Minor curiosities only bring unnecessary emotions, after all.
* * *
The carriage stopped at the road entrance to the capital where the dungeon had opened.
“Thank goodness it’s on the outskirts. Most of these places are the villas of the nobility.”
Hedonia murmured, arms crossed, surveying the outside.
‘I see.’
Even having lived here for a long time, this was new information to me, who had no knowledge about the capital area.
“We’ve arrived.”
Then, the sound of the coachman moving away from us was heard.
Hedonia and I nodded to each other and alighted from the carriage.
Having come this far, it was inevitable for me to enter the dungeon as well.
‘…Is he really planning to follow?’
I gave Hedonia a look as he followed me down, but he paid no heed.
‘Did he even listen to me…?’
I regretted trying to reason with him as I racked my brain.
In the end, what remained in my mind was the kiss… no, the guiding practice we had.
I sighed and looked up at the sky.
A protective barrier was erected at the entrance to the capital, shrouded in ominous fog, to prevent people from entering.
“It’s the work of the Mage Tower.”
Hedonia murmured, examining the barrier beside me.
“They can’t stop the dungeon, but… the Mage Tower can take measures like this.”
Pheon had stepped behind Hedonia, having alighted from the carriage as well.
“I don’t recall asking.”
“Ah, Young Hedonia didn’t ask, but… it seemed like Karina was unaware of the situation here.”
Pheon replied with a smile, perhaps because only the Espers remained after the coachman had left.
The way he winked at me felt ominous.
“Isn’t that right?”
“…Ah, yes.”
I replied reluctantly, as Pheon stroked his chin, staring at me.
“I have a question…”
“Yes?”
“If it’s just us, do you need to cover your face?”
“Ah, only Pheon hasn’t seen your face.”
Shaelock murmured in agreement from the side.
“Karina looks very much like Karina.”
…What exactly does it mean that I look like myself?
Let’s think positively.
“Communicating without the veil might be better. Facial expressions are very important, after all.”
Hearing Esban speak with a face that hadn’t a trace of personal desire, I was oddly convinced.
…And seeing Hedonia’s face, clearly not wanting to do so, somehow made me want to do it even more.
It was also a good opportunity to get rid of the cumbersome veil.
“Young Hedonia, please open the veil, I mean, it is yours.”
I walked briskly to him and leaned in close.
Hedonia bit his lip tightly.
But he didn’t really have a good reason to refuse.
“You seem to be in a bad bad mood.”
“Your eyes must be playing tricks on you.”
Responding cynically to my words, Hedonia abruptly lifted my veil. He looked markedly different from before.
He definitely seemed upset.
Once I removed the veil, people’s gazes turned towards me.
Shaelock’s eyes widened as she looked at my face.
“Karina looks like this?”
“…Yes, I look like this.”
This is the power of makeup!
