When the Guide Stopped Playing a Villainess, the Obsession Began - Chapter 21
Lea descended from the head table, hiding her discomfort behind a composed expression.
“Lady Haisley, may we greet you.”
As if they had been waiting for her, nobles immediately swarmed around her.
Unable to conceal her irritation, Lea offered them only perfunctory nods in response, and she sneered inwardly at the subtly stiffening expressions she saw.
None of them had any real interest in her. They merely feigned it to gain favor in Bianca’s eyes—because she was Bianca’s daughter.
In the past, unaware of that truth, she had strutted around proudly and looked down on Calix. But now, she had fully come to terms with her place.
As the first dance ended, Bianca approached with the Emperor at her side.
Most likely, it was to show off—before everyone—just how much she ‘loved’ her daughter.
In the past, whenever her mother acted like this, Lea had dared to hope. She had firmly believed it meant her mother truly loved her… That her coldness was only because she hadn’t lived up to expectations.
Never realizing it was all just groundwork to make her a more useful pawn…
‘How foolish of you, Lea Haisley.’
The image of a kind mother to her daughter was also meant to convey that, as a Guide, she could be a compassionate mother to Espers as well.
No matter how powerful Bianca was, the social scene was ruthless. One wrong move could destroy a reputation. Unless she achieved military merit herself, an Empress’s domain was confined to the palace’s internal affairs.
So she would never miss a chance like this to secure her position.
“Our dear daughter, don’t just stand here alone—go check on your brother, too.”
Before Lea could answer, Bianca’s close associates chimed in first.
“Exactly right, Your Majesty. Please don’t worry and, at least for today, focus solely on Your Majesty and His Majesty.”
“It’s how all parents feel. The Empress truly is the mother of the Empire.”
“Indeed. Oh, Your Majesty the Empress, I haven’t introduced myself—”
Missing the moment to respond, Lea quickly slipped away before she could be surrounded by more nobles.
As she moved, she unconsciously searched for Calix.
He was in the corner of the banquet hall with Ilion beside him—his usual spot, as always. The familiarity of it brought Lea a strange sense of calm.
Since she had resolved to deceive her mother, she had to act. She already had a plan for how to proceed, and her steps were firm.
As she approached Calix, Ilion immediately stepped forward and blocked her path with a sharp glare.
Lea gestured to a passing attendant and took a glass of grape juice.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, so this is where you were.”
She called out to him with a carefully managed expression. She feared that if she relaxed even a little, her face would betray her nerves.
It had been a long time since they’d stood face to face and spoken. Earlier, they hadn’t even exchanged greetings, so she was particularly tense.
His long golden hair, loosely tied back, gleamed brightly under the lights. Though it resembled Bianca’s blond, it was a richer shade—like molten gold.
Seen this way, he looked more like Bianca’s biological son than she did. Perhaps that was why she had tormented him so much in the past. Among the four of them, she alone had felt like the ugly duckling.
Lea absentmindedly swept her dark brown hair back.
It was an unconscious habit, something she did whenever she was reminded that she was the odd one out.
“Wouldn’t you be better off by Her Majesty the Empress’s side, Sister?”
At his pointed remark, Lea held out the glass and replied.
“We haven’t had a toast yet, Your Highness. That’s why I came. No need to be so prickly. And didn’t I ask you not to call me ‘Sister’ last time? Did you forget?”
“I thought you were teasing me again. I didn’t realize you were serious.”
Lea spoke curtly on purpose. There were too many eyes watching, so she had to be careful.
And sure enough, as soon as she stood with Calix, the surrounding nobles began eyeing them quietly. Given how incidents always seemed to happen when the two were together, their reactions were almost expected.
In the past, today had been the day she had deliberately spilled grape juice on Calix to drive him out of the banquet hall. It had pleased her mother and drawn all attention to herself.
Not knowing how much the nobles had laughed at her behind her back, she had grinned like a fool.
Looking back now, it made her face burn. Not with embarrassment, but with shame.
But she had no choice.
For now, she still had to be wary of her mother, just like Calix did.
