Chapter 197
When Claude came to pick me up, it was just like this. The entrance to the Guide Division was completely blocked by Guides watching Claude from a distance.
Despite disliking people, he willingly came to get me, ignoring all the gazes directed at him, and greeted me as if I was the only one there.
At that time, the experience wasn’t all that pleasant for me. He felt like such a distant presence, so I even made him promise never to come pick me up again.
…But now, with no one to come for me, I find myself missing those moments.
While smiling bitterly at my self-pity, a scene caught my eye. Far away, someone was surrounded by Guides.
Tall, solid build, dressed in black clothes that covered him entirely like a priest’s robe.
“…Lord Claude?”
It couldn’t be. It had only been about a week since Claude left, so he couldn’t be back already.
Even though I knew it wasn’t him in my mind, my body didn’t react that way. Leaving Simeyez and Epine behind, I ran out.
“It’s been so long! What brings you here?”
“…Isn’t this his first time waiting for someone in front of the Guide Division? Who’s he waiting for exactly?”
Pushing through the crowd of Guides, I finally confirmed the person’s identity…
“…Daniel.”
My heart sank. I wouldn’t have been as shocked if it had really been Claude.
It was strange that I didn’t notice earlier.
Even though their builds and clothing styles were somewhat similar, Daniel had radiant blond hair, not black.
Moreover, unlike Claude, who Guides couldn’t even approach, Daniel was completely surrounded by them, looking troubled.
He was tense, probably afraid of coming into contact with the Guides. However, due to his kind nature, he couldn’t show his discomfort outwardly.
Daniel, pressed against a pillar, looking distressed, suddenly turned his gaze toward me. His eyes widened when he saw me.
Daniel immediately stood up.
“Oh, um…!”
It was obvious who he had been waiting for at the Guide Division entrance. Ignoring his voice, I turned around quickly.
Just in time, Epine and Simeyez, who had come looking for me after I ran off, approached.
“Rose, what’s wrong?”
“I mistook someone for someone else…”
I replied with a pale face, and they clicked their tongues sympathetically. They seemed to guess who I had mistaken Daniel for.
“I… I’ll go first.”
“Rose, don’t do that… You don’t look well. Why don’t you stay with us for today…?”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
I quickly walked out of the entrance of the Guide Division.
Daniel seemed like he wanted to follow me, but he couldn’t move recklessly, afraid of coming into contact with the other Guides.
It had been days since Daniel found out that I wasn’t actually imprinted.
Daniel was chasing after me, and I was running away.
* * *
If someone were to ask why I was running away instead of talking to Daniel and solving the problem head-on, I wouldn’t have a good answer.
They’d be right.
But I was scared.
If it’s revealed that Claude and I hadn’t actually imprinted, he’d lose so much in an instant. Just to get this far, he gave up money, honor, pride, and endured all the criticism and insults hurled at him.
Yet here I was, carelessly letting another Esper discover that I wasn’t imprinted.
Stupid Rose. If you can’t handle the consequences, you shouldn’t have started this.
I had been too careless.
Feeling bored with Claude gone, I met a male lead suffering from the same condition. I thought I could play matchmaker, and this is where it led me.
What does Daniel intend to do with me now? Is he planning to expose that ‘this Guide isn’t imprinted!’ to everyone?
…But if he planned to expose it, he would have done it already. Why follow me around for days?
Or maybe, like a despicable villain, he’s planning to say, ‘I’ll keep your secret if you become my Guide’ and blackmail me…
A shiver ran down my spine. I couldn’t handle either scenario.
So every time Daniel chased me, I desperately ran away, terrified of what he might say.
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