The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 63
Since that day, I have been summoned hither and thither by the command of Duke Apharantes.
I had no time to properly converse with Hedonia.
“Ugh…”
Each evening was fraught with things to memorize, my head ached, and due to adhering to etiquette, my muscles were sore as well, causing my whole body to scream.
I had to learn many things for Hedonia’s role.
The nobles, realizing that Hedonia had started public activities, eagerly invited him.
It was not possible to refuse all such invitations.
Every time I went out, it was truly exhausting to recall information about those nobles, events that occurred, and etiquette that must be observed.
‘It feels like I’m being used…’
It was strange that Robert, having seen me wrapped in Hedonia’s protection as he even knows he entered the dungeon because of my decisions, left me be.
Perhaps Hedonia knew that provoking Robert would put me in danger, as he silently complied with his demands.
Even in my recent times alone, I heard that he was busy exercising, training, and even studying to gather strength.
‘He really wants to become the perfect guide.’
The dungeon incident seemed to have been a definitive catalyst.
It was good to see him strive harder towards his goal.
It seemed to bring more vigor to his life.
Today was the day I visited the mansion of Shepherd Marquisate with Esban.
The Shepherd Marquisate’s family was that of Charlotte, an Esper who had gone missing recently.
Originally, Charlotte, who was supposed to seal the dungeon in our stead, had been missing since she went out that morning.
For nearly a month, there had been no trace of her.
Therefore, we decided to visit to explain the incidents that occurred in the Blackbird Dungeon she managed.
Shaelock and Pheon were also present, but Shaelock was busy with her duties as a princess.
She was gathering information from the Blackbird Dungeon and updating the monster encyclopedia she was currently writing.
As it was almost the first foray into a Blackbird Dungeon, there was a lot of new information.
Meanwhile, Pheon was preoccupied with inheriting the long-awaited position of Tower Master.
It was a relief that Pheon was preoccupied.
‘After all, I no longer need the Fairy’s Tears.’
However, thinking about how to handle my share of the Fairy’s Tears, it seemed necessary to meet with Pheon.
Since Pheon held various gems, he likely knew how to dispose of them.
As collaborators, it was only right that I utilize Pheon’s capabilities to its fullest.
I stared at the dress I had changed into.
Considering Charlotte’s disappearance was nearly tantamount to death, the dress, dark as the night sky, was meant to commemorate her.
The design of the dress itself was rather ornate, and my dyed platinum hair contributed to it not looking too somber.
The contrast was my face. Compared to the flashy dress, my face was markedly plain.
I didn’t need anyone’s touch because I was wearing a veil.
The only time I could truly be myself.
‘Me, not Hedonia’s stand-in.’
Living as Hedonia, not as myself, seemed like something I could never get used to.
I could understand why Karina from the book struggled to adapt to this life.
Her existence had been almost thoroughly denied.
‘Once it’s over.’
I’ll leave this place.
I didn’t plan to completely sever ties with Hedonia, but… by the time he awakened and started acting on his own, I wanted to live a more ordinary life.
After all, the original story mainly dealt with the love fights between guides and Espers.
There were no scenarios where the world faced destruction due to dungeons.
In short, it was a smaller scale story.
That was fortunate for me, who had possessed this body.
Snapping out of my thoughts, I decided to focus on the present.
When I stepped outside, Esban was waiting for me.
This was our first meeting since the dungeon.
‘His image might have changed after seeing him active in the dungeon.’
But to me, his image remained as it was at first impression.
Esban extended his hand to me.
‘Is he trying to escort me?’
I lightly brushed his hand away.
“How could you offer to escort someone like me? I’ll know my place.”
“…Aren’t you Hedonia’s stand-in?”
“There’s no need for you to escort me from here.”
I responded to Esban in an elegant tone.
“…”
Having lost for words, Esban stared at me.
Indeed, the veil was quite convenient; I didn’t need to manage my expressions.
We walked separately to the carriage and climbed aboard.
After seating ourselves at a considerable distance from each other, I was able to hear about the current situation from Esban.
“Marquis Shepherd is a man of tremendous pride as a noble. He greatly admires Duke Apharantes.”
“Is that similar to you, Esban? You also hold your pride highly.”
Esban raised an eyebrow, noticing the barb in my comment.
Does he realize I’m chiding him?
I asked with a smile.
“What’s the matter?”
“…No, it’s true.”
Esban coughed awkwardly in response.
“It’s also why we are going instead of Pheon. Pheon is of commoner origin.”
I was learning for the first time that Pheon came from a commoner background.
His background wasn’t mentioned in the novel.
“Ah…”
Even now, as an S-rank Esper, the discomfort towards Pheon seemed severe.
I worried about what it might be like when we met.
“Charlotte will be regarded as deceased during the dungeon attack.”