Chapter 119
At those words, the man let out a deep sigh.
“Leave, Eshar.”
The woman rose from her seat without a word. Lynette quietly watched Eshar’s back as she left, then turned her gaze back to Euphen.
His expression had darkened.
“Your Highness the Imperial Prince.”
What was this tension? She clasped her hands tightly together. Her fingertips had grown a little cold.
“First, I should start by saying I’m sorry.”
He gave a bitter smile. Lynette blinked, not knowing what exactly he was apologizing for.
“I am truly a terrible human being, Lynette.”
It didn’t seem like he was expecting an answer. He muttered the words almost under his breath, then lowered his gaze and clenched his teeth.
“Even knowing what would happen to you, I’ve so easily put you through pain, stolen your life away…”
“…Your Highness.”
“Eshar has awakened.”
The words slipped out in a calm tone, yet she was not particularly shocked. Perhaps it was because she had already anticipated it to some degree. She had sensed as much from his words before.
‘It must have been the day I awakened that Miss Eshar awakened as well.’
She had known this would happen. Didn’t she already know it would end one day? Yet the reason she still didn’t want it to end… was her own selfishness. The selfish desire to remain by Euphen’s side just a little longer.
Even though she knew that if she stayed, she would be the only one that’s happy, she still wished this time could last just a little while longer.
When Lynette gave no reply and only bowed her head, the man let out a sigh that sounded close to a groan.
“Guiding is no longer necessary. Yet without that excuse, I can’t even touch you…”
Trailing off, he shut his eyes tightly, then opened them again.
“From now on, you’ll be Guiding with Miss Eshar.”
So I’m no longer needed.
She couldn’t bring herself to say those words aloud.
‘The reason Miss Eshar pressed me to say this must be because I told her I would leave.’
The very fact that Eshar had arranged this meeting was a silent form of pressure. If Lynette’s presence truly didn’t matter, she would never have urged Euphen to tell her about the awakening.
So this really was the end. She would be leaving this man’s side.
Lynette stared blankly at her own toes. It was a relief that it hurt less, that it was less sorrowful than she had expected.
Perhaps it was because they had minimized their contact, lessening her suffering as much as possible? If she had had to part while broken beyond repair, like in her past life, she would not have been able to bear it.
She didn’t know what words to speak. Should she ask how it felt Guiding with Eshar? Congratulate him for finding his true Guide? Or simply confess what was in her heart?
She clasped her hands tightly once more.
She must not say she was leaving.
She felt his gaze quietly fixed on her.
“Lynette.”
“Yes?”
“Lift your head.”
At his words, she slowly raised her head. Meeting those blue eyes, she was reminded of the past. Why was it that she could never forget the day she left him?
“I always knew a day like this would come.”
Euphen continued slowly.
“When it finally did, I…”
He drew in a deep breath, then let it out again, as though forcing out words that were unbearably difficult.
Lynette waited in silence. Staring blankly. While she was looking at him, Euphen gave a bitter smile.
“I thought it was right… to let you go.”
The words that fell from his lips were a shock.
Of course, she had been planning to leave. She had already said as much to Eshar and Sillian, and she too felt it was the ‘right’ thing to do. But to hear it from Euphen himself… she hadn’t expected that.
“Your Highness…”
Her voice trembled faintly. She wanted to say something, but everything felt stuck deep in her chest.
“I made bold claims that I would find a way, yet I discovered nothing. Pathetic of me, isn’t it?”
Euphen let out a dry laugh.
“Perhaps there was never a way to undo it in the first place.”
“…”
“After Eshar awakened, I held on to the hope that something might change.”
“Didn’t it?”
“And you? Have you felt anything change these past few days?”
Lynette gave a small shake of her head. Nothing had changed. That was why, even when she suspected that Eshar had awakened, she forced herself to pretend otherwise. Because nothing had truly changed.
Whenever she touched Euphen, it still hurt. Afterward, she still had to go to Shirin to erase the aftereffects. Even though this man had his ‘true Guide’, the moment they touched, Guiding still occurred.
“I thought that once Eshar awakened, nothing would happen when I touched you.”
“And yet, it still happens.”
“Yes. Even after sufficient Guiding, the moment I touch you, it begins all over again.”
Unable to bear looking at the faintly sorrowful expression on his face, she dropped her gaze.
“I even considered… continuing on like this with you.”
“I…”
She couldn’t bring herself to say that she wanted that.
In a way, this was an opportunity. Rather than fleeing in silence, wasn’t it better to end it firmly this way? She had found it hard to bring it up first, yet now that he had spoken, she should feel grateful.
Lynette hastily swallowed the words that had almost slipped out. Then, as if in excuse, she murmured
“If that is Your Highness’s decision, I will follow.”
Cowardice beyond measure. Wasn’t she simply pushing even the act of parting onto this man? He had called himself terrible, but in truth, the one who was truly terrible was her. Shoving all the burden onto him, pretending as if she had no choice but to follow.
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