The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 90
Robert’s stance currently deviated entirely from Shaelock’s intentions.
Shaelock wanted fair opportunities for both Espers and Guides.
She didn’t want them to be oppressed, as the typical nobility would.
His golden eyes, visible through the mask, dulled out.
“Are you asking if I share his views?”
Outside of Robert’s control, Hedonia didn’t even bother to mention his name.
“Not a chance in hell.”
Hedonia scoffed, his words filled with pure sincerity. Shaelock nodded in acknowledgment.
The overwhelming authority Shaelock had displayed faded, and she returned to her usual, more naive demeanor.
“That’s good enough.”
The moment she was certain Hedonia wasn’t on Robert’s side, her guard relaxed.
Hedonia’s gaze drifted to me, then back to Shaelock.
“Now, will you tell me?”
Shaelock nodded.
“Karina and I just came to have some fun.”
Hedonia fell silent at her simple answer. Blinking, he seemed to doubt what he had just heard.
He pointed to the living room with his index finger and asked,
“…Here?”
“Yes, we’re friends.”
Shaelock responded proudly. Hedonia was at a loss for words again.
“Of all places…”
“There aren’t many places where this Princess can escape Robert’s eyes. Rumors spread quickly, you know.”
Hedonia sighed at Shaelock’s explanation.
“You didn’t come just for a casual visit today, did you?”
Then Hedonia pointed to the room where the Master was.
“That’s true.”
Shaelock agreed.
“But for an Esper like me, protecting Karina is no big deal.”
“…”
Hedonia couldn’t argue against her confident words.
“Even without using our abilities, Espers can easily surpass ordinary people with just our physical capabilities.”
“…Guides don’t have that advantage.”
Hedonia reluctantly responded. He eventually sat down beside me after pacing around. He seemed to conclude that since Shaelock thought of him as a woman, it wouldn’t matter.
“Still, it was reckless of you to follow the Princess here, Karina. Guides are utterly powerless in situations like this.”
“…How many opportunities do I get to go out with the Princess?”
Knowing that Shaelock had arranged this for my sake, I defended her.
“…”
Hedonia remained silent. I didn’t need to see his face to know he was probably raising an eyebrow, questioning my response.
“And saying that Guides are powerless isn’t true. Only a Guide can manage an Esper like me.”
Supporting Shaelock, I spoke up. Shaelock also defended me in return.
“…That’s what bothers me the most.”
Hedonia muttered in a low voice.
His gaze lingered intensely on our clasped hands.
‘His aversion to Guides seems deeper than I thought.’
I felt a sudden concern.
I couldn’t easily imagine what he would be like if he ever became a Guide.
“Hey—”
Just as I was about to say something, the door to the Master’s room opened.
The sudden noise drew all our attention.
The man who stepped out blinked under the weight of our gazes.
“The Master would like to see Anita next.”
Hedonia sighed irritably and stood up.
He stretched his legs and walked into the room, clearly intent on resolving matters quickly.
The silver-haired man sat down on the sofa in front of us.
Shaelock remained as calm as ever.
She picked up a cookie from the table, took a bite, and then spoke.
“Did you find out anything?”
Her casual question surprised me more than anything.
“Based on the layout of this place, there’s a space behind the bookshelf. It’s too risky to manufacture counterfeit bills elsewhere, so they’re likely making them there.”
Even the man seemed to have expected Shaelock’s question and answered without hesitation.
From Hedonia earlier to this mysterious silver-haired man now, it felt like I was in some kind of elaborate XXXman Show.
Everyone knew what was happening except me.
“What about inside the gambling den?”
“My father inspected it. I went around with him, but we didn’t find any discrepancies or secret spaces in the layout.”
Listening to that familiar voice and manner of speaking, I started to realize who he was.
“You can take off the mask now.”
“I’ve been feeling stifled by this thing, anyway.”
The man then removed the mask that covered his entire face.
Though his face looked entirely different beneath the silver hair, it wasn’t hard to recognize who he was.
t/n: The censored reference ‘XXXman show’ must be the comedy/sci-fi movie, The Truman Show. It’s a well-known movie where the protagonist’s entire life is broadcast as a reality TV show without his knowledge.