Chapter 12
Lynette stared blankly at their joined hands. She needed to reduce even this much contact, but it was regrettable that this was the one thing she couldn’t do anything about.
She had heard that guiding between “fated partners” was indescribably blissful, that all bad sensations would settle, and the half-complete self would feel perfectly whole. That it would bring a state of peace, reassurance, and the feeling that nothing else was needed.
‘At the very least, this man must be feeling that way right now.’
Which meant it was easy to predict that just holding hands and being together like this would stir his heart.
Although Lynette had never experienced a true guiding before, watching Euphen had made her realize just how much guiding could soften a person. She quietly swallowed a sigh.
Passing through the spacious lobby of the detached palace and into the lounge, the pain coming through their joined hands had lessened considerably. This meant the necessary guiding had been completed.
When Lynette subtly tried to pull her hand away, Euphen gripped her even more firmly, as though reluctant to let her go.
“Please let go, Your Highness.”
“Why? You’re my Guide.”
He gave a small smile, then deliberately raised her hand and pressed his lips firmly to the back of it, stiff and tense. The touch should have been soft and warm, yet all she felt was a dull ache.
“I’m only a temporary Guide.”
“Right now, you’re the only one I have.”
“Soon, your true Guide will appear.”
“That’s something to deal with when the time comes.”
In that moment, she realized anew why she had once so helplessly fallen for him before her regression. With him always like this, how could she not?
If she had met a man like him before being sold to this place, perhaps things would have been different. But back then, simply surviving each day had been overwhelming enough.
You were wrong to be kind to a woman like that.
She found herself blaming him for no reason, and a bitter smile tugged at her lips.
“No matter what, it is improper for Your Highness to walk hand in hand with a maid.”
“Even if you’re a maid, you’re still my Guide. Who would dare say anything?”
“Even as a Guide, I’m still a maid.”
Lynette replied stiffly, gaze lowered. Once, she would have simply rejoiced at his words, but now she found it amusing that she was countering him point by point.
Euphen gave her a slightly pained look, then smiled faintly as he let her hand go. She grasped her still slightly numb hand tightly.
The pain built up in her body felt both familiar and strange. Her mind was adept at accepting all of it, but her regressed body still trembled and flinched from it.
She even caught herself thinking about going straight to Shirin to have her cast that dreadful magic again, just to make it easier. Though that moment was unbearably painful, afterward everything would return to its place.
“It seems the necessary guiding is done, so I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Wait.”
At those words, Lynette stopped in her tracks without thinking.
“Do you have something urgent to return to?”
Would she have to lie?
After a moment’s thought, she shook her head. Any clumsy excuse would be seen through in no time.
“Then I’d like to talk for a bit.”
He lowered his head and leaned closer. Seeing those vivid blue eyes, she quickly dropped her gaze even further.
The man reached out, hesitated, then clenched his hand into a fist.
“Is it because I’m the Imperial Prince that you’re so afraid?”
“…Yes.”
It wasn’t the truth, but she nodded anyway. She was afraid… afraid that he might love her, that the same thing might happen again, that he might hurt her that way once more.
“There’s no need to be afraid.”
“……”
“…Though even if I say that, it’s not something that will change easily, is it?”
Lynette kept her lips tightly pressed together. Straightening his back, Euphen let out a short laugh.
“Well, we have plenty of time.”
Did he know that far less time remained than he thought? Or could he even imagine that, this time, no matter how much time passed, she would not fall for him?
She swallowed hard to keep a dry laugh from escaping.
“Come again this evening.”
“Your Highness the Imperial Prince.”
“Since you’ve gained an ability, you should make an effort to learn how to use it well.”
The man gave a light smile. With those words, she had nothing left to say in reply.
“…Understood.”
She bowed her head and slowly edged away from him.
As she left the detached palace where Euphen stayed, countless thoughts ran through her mind. She wasn’t sure she could truly push him away to the very end.
He was already a man who had completely taken over her heart, and every moment, feelings she thought she’d buried would suddenly well up. How was she supposed to keep her composure?
Lynette glanced back. She quickly spotted him standing by the window, watching her. Startled, she hunched her shoulders and quickened her pace.
‘I have to find Eshar as soon as possible.’
She steeled her heart. There was only one thing she had to do right now.
To find Euphen’s true fated partner.
Since they were fated partners, they would surely fall in love quickly upon meeting. The only reason Euphen had been momentarily confused before was because Lynette, the “obstacle,” had been in the way.
Eshar was a beautiful woman, and she had even given a kind smile to someone like Lynette, who was nothing more than the lowest of the low among maids.
Of course, they had only met once, but in every way she could see, Eshar was far better than herself. And she was his fated partner on top of that.
‘I can’t possibly compare.’
Just the thought of comparing herself to such a perfect woman was miserable. Lynette gave a short, bitter smile.
Discussion
1 CommentXxyyzz