Chapter 138
‘Why?’
No matter how many times she thought about it, she couldn’t come up with a clear answer.
Was there anyone who hated her enough to want her dead?
Or someone she had greatly offended?
Even as she searched her memory, no such person came to mind.
She had hardly interacted with anyone in the first place.
At most, there was Eshar, and occasionally Eric, who had accompanied her on outings.
‘Eric doesn’t even know me well enough to want me dead.’
Besides, he knew that Lynette was a fake Guide.
That meant he had no reason to kill her.
In the unlikely event that Eshar ever became unable to perform Guiding, wouldn’t he still need her?
The possibility was extremely low, but even as a spare, she was worth keeping alive.
‘It couldn’t be Miss Eshar… could it?’
Lynette bit her lower lip and burrowed deeper under the blanket.
Why was she suddenly remembering how Eshar had seemed uncomfortable around Sillian? Even though she had left, perhaps she had judged that there might still be danger.
If she truly intended to kill the two of them, it made sense to target Lynette first.
‘Without a Guide, he’d collapse from overusing his ability sooner or later.’
She squeezed her eyes shut.
She didn’t want to believe it, yet her thoughts kept circling back to Eshar.
Since Eshar knew Sillian was an Esper, she must have also anticipated that he would recover quickly if he had a Guide.
After mulling it over for a while, Lynette shook her head.
There were things that fit if she thought of Eshar as the culprit, but also things that didn’t.
Even if she didn’t know Sillian’s exact ability, Eshar had to at least know he had one.
In that case, she should have sent someone stronger.
At the very least, someone who could use an ability.
But the assassins from the previous night hadn’t been awakened Espers.
‘Then… it’s not Miss Eshar?’
A sharp throb ran through her head.
She couldn’t think of a single person who might be behind it.
She let out a faint groan and turned over.
A knock sounded at the door.
“Lynette, are you asleep?”
“No.”
Sillian carefully opened the door and stepped inside.
He was holding a tray in his hands.
He set it down on the table beside her bed, then helped her sit up.
She had thought it would be diluted soup again, but this time it was a thick, well-cooked stew.
“Have you eaten, Sillian?”
“Yes. I’ve already had my meal.”
With him watching quietly, she lifted a few spoonfuls to her mouth.
The warmth spreading through her body seemed to chase away some of the chill.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m better now.”
“Even so, you should take another dose of medicine.”
Lynette nodded obediently.
A brief silence fell between them.
After a moment’s hesitation, she let out a quiet sigh and asked.
“What do you plan to do now?”
“……”
“We can’t exactly go on traveling leisurely.”
Though they had decided yesterday to move with only the two of them, they hadn’t yet discussed anything in detail.
Sillian lowered his head slightly, deep in thought, then ran his rough hand through his hair.
“For now, it’s best to find out who’s behind this.”
“How?”
“If we wait, they’ll attack again. When that happens, I’ll capture them alive. There are plenty of ways to make someone talk. One way or another, we’ll find out.”
Did he mean to torture them?
The way he spoke so calmly, with that composed expression, sent a faint chill down her spine.
“You won’t be in danger, Lynette. You don’t need to worry.”
“I wasn’t worried.”
After all, wasn’t she the one he needed most?
She was certain he would protect her, even at the cost of his life.
He couldn’t live properly without her anyway.
‘Being a Guide… is a rather selfish thing.’
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
A bond so utterly one-sided.
And to think that, though her Awakening hadn’t been that long ago, she was already growing used to it.
That frightened her a little.
“What happens after that?”
“Our next move will depend on who it is.”
“Do you have anyone in mind?”
“…Do you?”
Her lips parted slightly.
No name came easily to mind.
Eshar was the first who occurred to her, of course, but she didn’t want to believe Eshar would go so far like this.
“No.”
It took her a long time to finally answer.
She could feel Sillian’s gaze on her, but she looked away.
She didn’t want to tell him about her conversation concerning Eshar and him.
It would only lead to unnecessary misunderstanding, and might even interfere with finding their true enemy.
“I don’t have any guesses either.”
He sighed quietly and ran his hand down his face.
“It would be easier if someone came to mind right away.”
At his muttered words, Lynette gave a small nod.
“In any case, you’re not in immediate danger, so don’t worry too much. Rest well.”
“Are we leaving tomorrow?”
“You’re really ill. It’s best to rest another day.”
“Because of me…”
“Your health comes first, Lynette.”
He spoke with a serious tone.
Of course, it was because she was his Guide.
Even back in the Imperial Castle, he had always worried about how long she had left to live.
Living long and staying healthy, that was all Lynette could do for him.
“All right.”
She took the medicine Sillian handed her and laid back down without protest.
He pulled the blanket up to cover her.
“I’ll protect you, no matter what. So rest easy.”
Should she thank him, or apologize?
After a brief hesitation, she whispered softly.
“Thank you.”
She reached out and took his hand.
The feeling of being Guided spread through her, soothing her completely.
As she felt his fingers close gently around hers, she drifted into sleep.
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