The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 7
The day unfolded as expected.
In exchange for providing blood, I secured an island and a lifetime of safety.
Now, it was highly unlikely that I would vanish into thin air just because I engaged in guide activities.
This wasn’t a bad deal for the duke either.
As long as I’m alive, I can trust that I’m in his hands, under his control.
I had no particular complaints. It was more comfortable to live peacefully as a hermit than to stand against the duke and die in this country.
The duke and I jointly drafted a contract, sealing an unbreakable pact using each other’s blood.
The contract, enchanted with a magic that ensured death for the violator, was a matter of great importance usually employed by nobles.
‘He seems truly fond of Hedonia.’
He willingly complied with it.
I prepared to leave the room, swinging the contract casually.
“Then, this way.”
Since the contract was signed, I had the obligation to provide blood.
There were methods of drawing blood and storing it in a vial, but Duke Apharantes insisted that I come directly to his room.
He demanded that I provide the blood myself and referred to it as ‘feeding.’
For someone who claimed to care about his offspring, it was a harsh request.
‘…Hedonia isn’t some vampire.’
In this situation, I decided to firmly plant the image of myself as a virtuous commoner who came to rescue Hedonia.
In any case, we were in a position where we had to use each other.
I had the obligation to appeal to Hedonia that I posed no threat to him.
In the original story, Hedonia harbored resentment towards Karina from their first encounter.
‘But now that I’ve become Karina, it’s different!’
It seemed like I was getting friendly with the duke, and if that’s the case, becoming friends with Hedonia for future connections isn’t a bad idea, right?
Later on, I might be able to help him no matter what happens.
And looking at a handsome man is always exhilarating.
Certainly, he was handsome.
My heart fluttered inexplicably.
Standing at the end of the corridor after following the maid, I took a deep breath to compose myself.
“Hellooo….”
With cautious greetings, I entered the room.
* * *
The room, entirely adorned with white marble, emitted an otherworldly aura distinct from the outside.
Approaching the bed in the center of the room, I noticed a person seated, leaning against the bed’s edge.
The figure with waist-length platinum hair perfectly complemented the atmosphere of alienation.
His eyes were like pure white snow, resembling morning dew.
Sharp eyebrows, as if carved with determination, framed a perfectly chiseled nose. Plump lips were so perfect, they could belong to an ancient deity.
Even if it seemed believable as a deity in a temple, there were shadows of profound death on his face.
I recalled the duke’s words.
[Even told to drink blood. Never engage in it. It is a part of the contract, convincing you. Hedonia doesn’t listen…]
The bitter words lingered in my memory, oddly memorable.
[Because of hatred towards me.]
This was also another reason why Karina was needed.
[Because Hedonia doesn’t want to live.]
Duke Apharantes hoped that, by witnessing me enjoying everything that Hedonia should have enjoyed, it would reignite Hedonia’s will to live.
He wished for him to live.
“….”
At the slightest movement, Hedonia barely opened his eyes.
His eyes, much darker than platinum, looked like it melted into a deep golden hue.
Looking at the rare combination of hair and eyes was just a fleeting moment.
The overall atmosphere had a magnetic charm that irresistibly drew people in.
When our eyes met, his face contorted disappointingly.
“Father brought in another person. Pointless.”
Tutting, the voice that spoke with a tongue against the roof of his mouth was subtle.
The voice, not too deep nor too high, lingered on the border between a boy and a girl.
“A stranger after a long time.”
His eyes silently assessed me.
Unconsciously, I found myself observing him too. It was an instinctive action.
He didn’t have a slender frame.
Rather than thin, the thick lines brought to mind a boy who hadn’t yet passed puberty.
Every carefully chosen word seemed to fit together like a meticulously crafted piece of artwork.
The androgynous aura, hinting at both femininity and masculinity, captivated people.
Hedonia subtly raised an eyebrow, realizing my rudeness in observing him as if reprimanding me.
‘I haven’t even properly greeted him yet!’
I immediately bowed my head.
“Greetings. My name is Karina.”
Hedonia, seemingly determined to ignore me, snorted instead of replying.
But I didn’t back down.
“Starting today, I have the mission to save Lady Hedonia.”
And I stated my goal as clearly as possible.
“What are you?”
He seemed on the verge of shouting, as if questioning my capabilities. It was natural from the perspective of someone who knew nothing.
I quickly spoke up.
“I am a guide.”
At the word ‘guide,’ he paused.
“Has he finally found the guide he so desperately wanted?”
In his angry eyes looking at me, there was a mix of hatred.
‘…Quite repulsive.’