Chapter 50
“Say it.”
“It’s because of guiding.”
Lynette spoke slowly. Euphen’s lips twisted into a crooked smile.
“Lies.”
“It’s the truth…”
“Don’t lie to me, Lynette.”
This time, he whispered sweetly. His lips hovered so close she could feel his warmth.
“You have no talent for deceiving anyone.”
His fingers slowly brushed through her hair. The faint touch passed through her strands, and because it wasn’t true contact, there was no pain.
Lynette shut her eyes tightly. And in that instant, his lips brushed hers.
“…Ah.”
A stifled sound escaped at the sudden sting she hadn’t felt in so long. Perhaps thinking it was just a startled gasp, Euphen pressed his soft lips against hers, rubbing gently.
A sharp, electric sensation coursed through her, accompanied by pain. It was stronger than the sweetness or thrill of a kiss, the pain of guiding overwhelmed it all.
Lynette tilted her head back and shoved hard against his chest.
“You said you were getting engaged to Miss Eshar.”
“Did I?”
“Just a moment ago…”
“All I asked was whether you’d have anything to say if I did.”
The lingering sting on her lips made it feel as though they were still pressed together.
“Lynette, you love me.”
“No.”
At that reply, Euphen gave a small laugh. It almost sounded like mockery.
“Is that what you say because you don’t know what love is?”
She knew. She knew it far too well. That was why she didn’t want to pain this man.
Instead of answering, Lynette pressed her lips tightly shut.
“The feelings you have for me are love.”
“They are not.”
She closed her eyes tightly, then opened them again. Today’s party was supposed to be for introducing Eshar. Why, then, were they speaking about love now?
When she finally exhaled as though sighing her answer, he straightened his posture.
“Ha.”
A short, derisive laugh slipped out as he studied her quietly.
“Then from this moment, love me.”
“…What?”
“Love me.”
She couldn’t tell if it was a confession or a command.
“Love me, Lynette.”
“I… can’t.”
“You already do.”
“Your Highness cares for Miss Eshar, and besides…”
Rising slowly to her feet, Lynette met his gaze squarely.
“The two of you are ‘fated partners.’”
“Fated partners?”
He burst into laughter, as though she’d said something hilarious.
“Yes. Fated partners.”
“So you mean Eshar is my Guide?”
His tone was cutting, sarcastic. For a moment, she hesitated. But she decided she might as well speak it aloud. There was no other way to make him understand that they were bound by destiny.
“Yes. She is.”
Euphen’s face flickered with brief surprise before he let out a loud laugh. Then he reached out and seized her firmly.
“I know well enough what guiding is. And you must know too.”
She didn’t. Every touch with him had only ever brought pain. She could only imagine the sensation Euphen once described.
Besides, I never felt anything when touching Sillian either.
Even if she truly was Sillian’s Guide, she hadn’t awakened. Nothing would change.
“I’ve never felt a single thing from Eshar.”
His fingers entwined tightly with hers. Through that contact, the familiar pain spread, and Lynette gazed up at him silently.
“I know.”
“What are you, a prophet now?”
His voice dripped with ridicule.
“It will happen. I’ve seen it, Miss Eshar is Your Highness’s fated partner.”
Euphen’s lips twisted into a crooked smile, his expression slowly hardening.
“You said I have no talent for deceiving anyone.”
“…”
“Am I deceiving you now, Your Highness?”
His face contorted slightly. Just as he had been certain her ‘I don’t love you’ was a lie, he now realized she was speaking the truth.
“Why do you believe Eshar is my Guide?”
“It’s not belief. It’s knowledge.”
Belief and knowledge were different. Belief could be false, but knowledge was truth.
Sillian believed Lynette was his Guide. Lynette knew Eshar was Euphen’s.
He clenched his teeth together, covering his eyes with his hand, and let out a long, ragged sigh.
“So that’s why you introduced me to Eshar?”
“Yes.”
Dragging his hand slowly down his face, he clenched his jaw again.
“Did you hate it?”
What did he mean? hate what?
There was nothing she had hated. That was why she had once again accepted life as a fake Guide, knowing it would be nothing but pain.
No. In truth, I never had a choice.
Unless she chose death, there was no escaping that place.
Lynette smiled faintly.
And yet, she had wanted it badly enough to give herself up willingly. She had wished for Euphen’s pain to end, for him to endure.
And perhaps… in the smallest, most selfish corner of her heart… she wished to remain by his side, even for just a little longer.
The man who had always drawn closer suddenly stepped back.
“Did you hate guiding me so much?”
“Until the day Miss Eshar awakens, I will fulfill the duty entrusted to me. You needn’t worry about that.”
It was a little vague for an answer.
Euphen’s expression wavered briefly before he clenched his teeth again, his jaw tight. He opened his mouth, about to speak-
A knock came at the door.
“Sir Euphen, are you in there?”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.