Chapter 51
Since no answer came, the door opened. The one who appeared was Eshar.
She widened her eyes slightly as if surprised to see the two of them, then soon curved her lips into a gentle smile.
“You were here.”
“Miss Eshar.”
“Lynette, it’s been a while.”
“It has, Miss Eshar.”
Lynette hurriedly bowed her head. Perhaps noticing the awkward air from their abruptly cut-off conversation, the woman approached with a subtle expression and lightly took Euphen’s arm.
“Shouldn’t you be going now?”
“Ah, yes.”
The man answered with a sigh, then, after gazing at Lynette in silence, turned away with Eshar.
Watching the two of them leave side by side, Lynette clenched her dress tightly.
‘Why are you doing this.’
She wanted to grab Euphen and shout. To cry out why he was shaking her when things could simply flow ‘as they should.’
Biting her lips hard, she felt the urge to scream.
So what if she loved him? Was she supposed to stay by Euphen’s side like this only to leave in the end?
To face death before his eyes once again? To deliver despair to him once more?
‘It was hopeless from the start.’
Even touching him brought nothing but pain. There was no turning back now.
It had taken hundreds of attempts to succeed in creating the magic that turned someone into a ‘fake Guide.’ How could there possibly be a spell to undo it?
…Or was she supposed to be content with simply looking at him from afar?
‘Absurd.’
Because she loved him, she wanted to touch him. Even knowing it would shave away at her life, wasn’t doing something so foolish exactly what love was?
If she wanted to stay by his side even a little longer, she had to tell him everything.
That Guiding brought her nothing but pain. That each time she Guided, she broke down a little more. That even if they loved each other, they must never touch…
If she said it, what would Euphen do?
He would surely regret what he had done.
Though he seemed slightly different after their reunion since her regression, the Euphen she knew would certainly fall into despair.
“Haah.”
A long sigh escaped her lips. A bitter smile followed.
To say she did not want his love, while letting her feelings for him spill everywhere… how ridiculous she must have seemed.
No wonder Euphen spoke to her as if testing her.
Who wouldn’t, when she so clearly loved him, yet tried to introduce him to another woman, and even begged him to love her?
“Pathetic.”
Covering her face with both hands, Lynette whispered to herself through another sigh.
After standing there for some time, she straightened her shoulders and lifted her head.
Carefully stepping out of the room, she was met with the sight of countless people.
They were all nobles, surely.
Naturally, she moved to stand by the wall.
Perhaps because she knew no one, no one spoke to her either.
A few whispered with interest at her unfamiliar face, but it seemed that none had yet realized Lynette was a maid.
‘What is Euphen thinking.’
She still couldn’t understand.
She didn’t know if he truly loved Eshar, but one thing was certain, he knew that she loved him.
What was the purpose of this party?
To wound her again, as he had when showing his tenderness with Eshar?
Or to watch her cling to him, declaring her love?
‘I don’t know.’
Lynette tapped her toes lightly against the floor.
The fitted dress felt suffocating.
Would she have been more comfortable in her maid’s uniform?
Her mind was in chaos with countless thoughts, yet none of them gave her clarity.
“His Highness the Imperial Prince Euphen enters.”
The music stopped, and the attendant’s voice rang through the hall.
At those words, the nobles ceased their chatter and bowed slightly at the waist.
When Euphen appeared side by side with Eshar, countless glances were exchanged.
Everyone already seemed to know who the woman was, for Eshar’s name echoed through their hushed whispers.
Lynette bowed her head deeper than the others.
After a brief greeting, Euphen immediately introduced Eshar.
“Some of you may already know this young lady. She is Eshar of the Lera Merchant Guild.”
“Greetings. I am Eshar.”
With a radiant smile, the woman offered a perfect bow in flawless etiquette.
Lynette pressed her hand against her pounding chest and lowered her gaze.
“Eshar, may I ask you for a dance?”
“It would be an honor.”
There was no announcement of engagement.
Yet the Imperial Prince naturally extended the request for the first dance, and Eshar, smiling beautifully, took his hand.
As music filled the hall once more, the two of them danced in the center.
From her place in the corner, Lynette watched them.
Eshar’s gown, crafted from rare and luxurious fabrics befitting the heir of a renowned Merchant Guild, spread wide and then folded gracefully.
‘She dances well.’
The thought came blankly.
Perhaps it was only natural. Even without ties to the Imperial Family, the woman knew all the manners of high society.
Dancing would be nothing difficult for her.
Lynette fidgeted with her own dress.
Though it was far finer than anything a maid should ever wear, it was nothing compared to what those two had.
In that sense, Euphen and Eshar suited each other quite well.
The fact that she was a merchant’s daughter rather than a noble might raise some eyebrows, but what did it matter?
The Lera Merchant Guild was wealthier than most noble houses combined.
Of course, there would be opposition. But once Eshar awakened, all would be resolved.
If fate had bound them, who would dare stand against it?
Lynette turned her eyes away and leaned her back against the wall.
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