The Guide Played Her Role as a Stand-in a Little Too Well - Chapter 91
I groaned and held my head before declaring,
“…Sir Esban.”
“So, you’ve realized now.”
Esban nodded with a blank expression.
It wasn’t his face that made me recognize him.
It was his curt tone and the way he comfortably conversed with Shaelock that gave him away.
He didn’t disguise his voice; it was just as I remembered.
Like Shaelock and me, it seemed he used magic.
Esban usually had a cold impression with his thin, long eyes, but now, with his droopy eyes, he looked like a puppy.
“…Why are you here, Lord Esban?”
“He couldn’t just sit still after the Cairoze family’s name was tarnished. Of course, he had to act.”
Esban nodded at Shaelock’s words.
Well, that I understand…
But usually, isn’t that the kind of thing you leave to your subordinates?
It seems both Shaelock and Esban prefer to handle matters personally.
“The head of the Cairoze family is also here.”
Cayden Cairoze is here too?
“Yes, he said this matter couldn’t be overlooked.”
Hmm, is it just how all nobles are?
Or perhaps they can’t trust their subordinates enough.
I sighed and decided to follow the two and take off my mask.
Having something constantly on my face was suffocating, even if it was okay for a while.
The people here might be used to it.
“Is the master here the person I think he is?”
The Shepherd family used counterfeit money and the Cairoze family. The two most important people in the Cairoze family, Esban and the current head Cayden Cairoze, came here to set things right.
Just like Shaelock did.
I met several dealers, but none of them seemed to be the Marquis of Shepherd.
And Shaelock seemed to be waiting for the ‘master’ to call us.
There is only one answer.
The person running this illegal gambling den is the Marquis of Shepherd.
“That’s right. You guessed it.”
Shaelock murmured, snapping her fingers as I got the answer right.
“Not many people know the identity of the ‘master’ here. You’ve uncovered a huge secret, Karina.”
I don’t want to know such a big secret.
“…Then how did they use the power of the Cairoze family?”
“They used the name of the Cairoze family to gather money to build the counterfeit money machines.”
“Ah…”
It seems they used the prestigious name of the Cairoze family and their connections.
“We need to retrieve the machines and capture the Marquis of Shepherd.”
“No problem.”
“What is Cayden Cairoze doing?”
“He’s gathering testimonies from the people here. He needs to check if there are any other schemes.”
“Cayden Cairoze certainly has a tenacious side.”
Shaelock praised Cayden Cairoze’s thoroughness.
I quietly observed their conversation.
It was enlightening, as there were many things I didn’t know.
Information I couldn’t get from Robert.
“…Robert’s surveillance has become much more intense. What did he say?”
Esban, having finished his conversation with Shaelock, suddenly turned his head towards me and asked.
His eyes glanced at my hair.
‘Well, it wouldn’t be familiar to him.’
It was the first time I showed my full appearance outside the mansion.
Esban’s question was unexpected but quite satisfying.
It showed that he hadn’t forgotten his role as my guard even in these moments.
“He just doesn’t like that Lady Hedonia and I are close. Oh, and soon you won’t need to guard me anymore.”
Since I met Esban, it might be better to tell him about my situation.
“What do you mean…”
Esban frowned with a puzzled expression.
“There’s still some time left until the awakening pain ends, right?”
“Yes, but it seems they can’t even wait for that. I’ll be kicked out soon.”
Esban blinked at my words and said,
“But still… we need guiding.”
“Just wait a little longer, Lady Hedonia will awaken soon, so you don’t need to worry.”
“What I want to ask is—”
Esban’s voice rose as he furrowed his brow.
However, before he could finish speaking, the door opened again.
From inside, Hedonia walked out.
‘So he’s done quickly.’
It seems he finished the conversation at lightning speed.
Hedonia, who immediately looked at me, Shaelock, and Esban, sat close beside me.
“Now it’s my turn to go in.”
Shaelock stood up and gestured to me.
“…One person at a time.”
Hedonia frowned slightly but spoke kindly.
“We’re going in together. That way, no matter what happens, we’re together.”
It’s not hard to understand what that ‘line’ means.