The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 59
With her usual innocent expression, Shaelock reminded Robert of his image.
“You see?”
Shaelock’s siding with me made me feel my judgment wasn’t misplaced. Becoming friends with Shaelock might turn Robert into an even greater enemy…
‘But it’s much safer for me.’
Realizing I had two allies gave me peace of mind, even if my body ached.
I didn’t know how Robert would act later, but for now…
‘I should treat them well.’
Of course, once my contract ends and I leave, we’ll naturally grow apart. As they say, out of sight, out of heart.
…Honestly, I didn’t want to expect too much from people who lived in a completely different world and ended up getting hurt.
As Shaelock finished speaking, Robert bowed his head.
“If Her Highness feels that way, I apologize for my shortsightedness.”
The acknowledgment was quick. However, the recipient of the apology was not the injured party, but a witness.
“Why am I the one you are apologizing to? I wasn’t even hurt.”
Robert glanced at me and muttered,
“She knows why she was hit.”
“…Is that so, Karina?”
Shaelock’s gaze turned towards me. It seemed like the argument was far from over.
‘How should I respond?’
“…I”
I was about to speak when another crisis erupted.
“Hedonia!”
Hedonia had finally collapsed.
Given his poor health, it was inevitable.
It seemed the argument would have to wait.
“Prepare the carriage quickly!”
“Understood, Your Grace.”
The head butler, always by Robert’s side, nodded his head.
Shaelock, knowing the urgency of the situation, remained silent.
The other Espers had not intervened from the start.
Perhaps that was for the best.
If all the Espers had spoken up, the fight might have escalated.
‘Whether they stayed quiet knowingly remains a question.’
With a few gestures from Robert, the carriage was prepared.
“You’ve had a hard journey to the dungeon. I will visit your mansion for guidance, so please rest comfortably, Your Highness.”
It was amusing how Robert maintained such polite decorum with Shaelock amidst everything. That must be the limit of his character.
However, unlike his usual attempt to appear graceful, he couldn’t completely hide his expression this time.
“…Yes.”
Shaelock responded to his words and our eyes met.
Her eyes seemed to ask me something.
‘To tell or not to tell.’
That actually, with my guidance, the Duke’s guidance is almost unnecessary.
That I could tell how capable I am.
There’s a saying: Truly perceptive people never show just how perceptive they are. Shaelock clearly was one of those.
I shook my head.
Letting Robert know my capabilities would introduce too many unpredictable factors at this moment.
Would it not make his eyes spin with rage if it involved Hedonia?
If he realizes that my abilities are comparable to Hedonia’s, he might try to break our contract and eliminate me by any means necessary.
“I understand, Your Grace.”
“I will also visit later.”
After Shaelock finished speaking, Pheon quickly addressed Robert from the side.
He always seemed cheeky for butting in.
“There’s something I need to discuss with you regarding the election of the new Tower Lord.”
“You mean the ceremony for the Tower Lord.”
“Yes. It’s a matter that can no longer be postponed.”
High-level mages earn the right to enter the tower.
Even there, rankings change based on ability, and the highest-ranked person has the power to convey the overall opinion of the tower and lead it.
‘Was it about time for Pheon to become the Tower Lord?’
I was recalling this vague memory while listening to their conversation.
Inside the prepared carriage, the head butler helped me and Hedonia aboard.
“We will depart immediately.”
Ah, I haven’t even properly said goodbye to Shaelock yet!
Before the door closed, I tried to turn my head in every direction to say goodbye, but my eyes met Robert’s instead.
He took a dagger from his pocket and put it down.
It seems he had brought it along, anticipating the worst-case scenario.
“If you want to keep the contract, somehow improve Hedonia’s condition.”
Then, the carriage door slammed shut.
There was no jolting, but I could tell it was moving.
The seat where Hedonia was laid down boasted the size and plushness of almost a twin bed.
Lying there with his eyes closed, Hedonia looked almost saintly…
‘He looks like Sleeping Beauty.’
A beauty.
It wasn’t just about Hedonia’s appearance.
‘At first, I thought he was just a temperamental cat…’
In the dungeon, he had taken my side, and later even slapped Robert in my stead.
I didn’t want to follow Robert’s orders, but…
Emergency measures were needed for Hedonia.
I rubbed my cheek, still numb from being hit, I was lost in thought.
If I had to make a wound on my body…
‘Where should I draw blood?’