The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 86
“Thinking about it, you probably want to get out from under Robert’s control. But since you’re in a contract with him, I needed something that would allow me to take you away… and do something outside the palace.”
“…And that something is catching a counterfeiter with a friend.”
“We’ll enjoy ourselves first when we get there.”
“…What kind of place is it?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
She smiled mischievously.
* * *
Publicly, I was supposed to be helping with dungeon records all day.
“So, I’ve prepared a few things.”
In short, ‘Hedonia’ shouldn’t be seen outside the palace today.
“Technically, using power outside the dungeon is forbidden… but I trust Karina won’t say anything.”
Shaelock shrugged, and a person was summoned beside her.
I wondered which hero she summoned this time, but to my surprise, it was an elderly woman.
“Oh dear…”
A very kind-looking elderly woman.
“The people I can summon are those I know very well. The person you see before you is the first person I summoned during my childhood.”
“Nice to meet you… I am Acrasia…”
The elderly woman bowed deeply before approaching me.
“She’ll help change your hair and eye color back to their original state.”
Shaelock placed a dye that looked like the one I usually used on the table.
“Today, you’re not Hedonia, but Karina.”
…I hadn’t expected her to think of this.
‘When was the last time I was truly myself?’
I had been dyeing my hair for Hedonia for so long that my original hair color was a faint memory.
This was truly touching.
Though she is a bit eccentric, Shaelock possessed excellent qualities befitting a heroine.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
Shaelock shrugged and removed the veil from my face.
The elderly woman’s eyes sparkled.
“Then, let’s get started!”
Acrasia’s hands moved swiftly.
While waiting for my transformation to be complete, Shaelock pulled a book from the shelf and began reading.
Soon, I returned to my original appearance for the first time in a long while.
“Wow, so this is your natural hair color?”
She looked at my flowing purple hair with wide eyes.
“…Yes.”
I felt somewhat embarrassed.
“Change into these clothes. We need to wear them to avoid being recognized.”
I then changed into a light outfit designed for mobility.
The blouse and pants were unlike any clothes seen around here.
“Will you wear this?”
“Yes. When running or moving around, you don’t have to worry about your surroundings. It’s comfortable since you don’t have to be as careful as you would in a dress.”
…What about your face, Princess?
I mean, your face is recognizable!
“Ho ho, I will take care of that.”
Acrasia, who had been quietly laughing beside us, now approached Shaelock.
Just as she had transformed me, she began to work her magic on Shaelock.
Her hair turned jet black, her features subtly altered with makeup, and even her skin tone changed.
The person standing there could not be recognized as Shaelock.
After changing into an outfit similar to mine, she tied her hair up high.
“Shall we go?”
She extended her hand to me. I hesitated for a moment before taking it.
Everything that had happened since meeting Shaelock today felt surreal.
More than anything, I was grateful for the time I could be myself.
“How can you do all this for me?”
At my question, Shaelock smiled.
“Because you gave me this.”
She pointed to the necklace she wore.
Around her neck hung a necklace made of fairy’s tears.
As I looked at the radiant necklace, my desire to grow closer to her intensified.
‘Not just for a moment.’
I want to keep knowing her.
“Soon, I won’t be able to see you anymore.”
I needed to tell her this.
Robert would start controlling me even more fiercely, making it impossible for me to meet her properly.
Shaelock blinked at my words and then nodded.
“I know.”
As if she had already anticipated this.
“…You knew?”
“It’s almost time for your stand-in role to end. The Duke told me.”
Perhaps that was the reason she had arranged this meeting.
“I respect your decision. This will probably be the last time we can meet as friends.”
Her eyes sparkled.
“So I wanted to do something more with you.”
Although our time together was short, Shaelock had decided to be sincere in the moments we shared.
Just as I had been honest with her, Shaelock was being honest with me.
No matter what intentions I had when starting this relationship, it wouldn’t proceed as I planned.
“Thank you.”
I was truly grateful to Shaelock for her sincerity.
“The pleasure is mine.”
Shaelock smiled brightly.