It’s Time to Stop Clinging to the Fake Guide - Chapter 36

“Before that, if you ever feel like leaving, whenever it may be……”
Every time he spoke, his soft breath tickled her skin.
“You only need to say the word.”
“…Alright.”
Lynette answered quietly, almost like a sigh. Then, as she passed by Sillian, a sudden thought crossed her mind.

Until the day she made up her mind to leave, if a Guide did not appear for this man, wouldn’t it be alright to stay with him?
She couldn’t guide him herself, but at the very least, she could be a small source of comfort. Perhaps she could remain as his consolation until the day his true Guide appeared.

‘And after that?’
So when Sillian’s true fate appeared, would she have to leave again?
At that thought, Lynette let out a faint laugh.

Dealing with Euphen alone was overwhelming enough, so why was she worrying about another man as well?
Was it because he treated her with a little kindness? Because he firmly believed she was his fate? Because he was one of the few people she could touch without pain?
Or… was it because the sight of him, clearly suffering as an Esper, reminded her of Euphen?

Rubbing her forehead hard where the lingering softness of his touch still seemed to remain, she turned toward the Mage Tower.

***

“……”
Lynette cast a sidelong glance across from her. Eshar sat there, calmly eating as if nothing in the world could disturb her.

‘I feel sick.’
Though she had hardly eaten anything, her stomach felt tight and heavy.

Euphen had called her earlier than usual, and when she arrived, Eshar was already there. Without any further explanation or words, lunch had begun.
She had tried to excuse herself, rambling that she wasn’t hungry or that she wasn’t of the position to dine with the two of them, but she couldn’t escape from the table.

She sneaked a glance at Euphen, seated in the highest seat. Just as Eshar appeared unruffled, he too showed no sign of unease.

Lynette cut a piece of bread into smaller and smaller fragments.
She wished for the two of them to fall in love, yes, but she had never wanted to witness anything directly unfold before her eyes.

And now the atmosphere was suffocating. Not even wrapped in silence, but in an almost unbearable stillness. With even the faintest clink of cutlery hardly sounding, the quiet pressed in until it felt deafening.

“Miss Eshar, I thank you for accepting my sudden invitation.”
“Not at all. If it is His Highness the Imperial Prince’s invitation, it is always welcome.”

Stiff, stereotypical words passed back and forth. They offered the usual compliments on each other’s attire and commented briefly on the weather, their slightly awkward laughter filling the room. All the while, Lynette kept her head low, stabbing the bread with her fork.

“I don’t know if Lynette said the same to Miss Eshar.”
“Cough!”

Startled by her own name so suddenly spoken, Lynette choked.
She felt the weight of eyes on her as she coughed. Euphen’s lips curved in a faint smile. Yet though he smiled, not the slightest trace of joy was in it.

“She asked me to love you, Miss Eshar.”

Lynette quickly dropped her gaze.
This wasn’t the way she had intended. It was true she had asked him to love Eshar, but she thought they would slowly get to know one another and build feelings. She had never expected him to say it so directly.

Across from her, Eshar’s eyes widened slightly in surprise before a small smile tugged at her lips.
“Lynette told me the same thing.”

Perhaps she had decided it was better to be honest. Lynette wanted nothing more than to escape this moment.

“She asked me to love His Highness Euphen.”
“Is that so?”

Euphen’s gaze burned into her. He did not look surprised in the least, maintaining that same unshaken composure.

And then, silence again.

“……”
Why was it so nerve-wracking, so unsettling, when no one was saying anything?
Lynette’s legs trembled beneath the table.

“So what do you intend to do, Your Highness?”
It was Eshar who spoke first. Her voice was light, almost as if she were asking, ‘What’s for dessert later?’

“I’m curious about Miss Eshar’s thoughts.”
“If it is love that is required, then having His Highness Euphen as that partner is acceptable.”
“And how would you feel about receiving my love?”
“If you would love me, I would have nothing more to ask for.”

The young woman smiled. Her words, though about love, were spoken with remarkable composure.

But Lynette couldn’t remain composed herself. She clenched her fork tightly in her hand.

Wasn’t this exactly what she wanted most of all? For Euphen and Eshar to love each other.
For them to be each other’s destined one, what could be better than that? She was the one who had told them to fall in love, yet why was her heart so unsettled?

“I’m glad you feel the same as I do.”
At Euphen’s reply, Lynette felt her heart plummet once again. She pressed a hand against her chest instinctively, but the shock would not fade.

‘What did I expect? That he might say he liked me instead?’
Even mocking herself, the throbbing ache would not leave her.

“May I call you Eshar?”
“Yes. Of course.”

“Eshar.”
The tender way he spoke her name, as though already in love, made Lynette squeeze her eyes shut.