Chapter 57
Later, Mari told her that the party, once its host had disappeared, ended in a mess.
In the end, everyone realized that the woman named ‘Lynette’ was a maid. They must have wondered what kind of relationship she had with the Imperial Prince.
But what others thought didn’t matter much. Even in her previous life, she had never cared about countless gazes cast her way.
“Your Highness, the Imperial Prince.”
With her hand resting on the door, Lynette whispered the words she had already spoken dozens of times.
Even though he surely knew she was there, Euphen gave no response. She bit down hard on her lip, but nothing changed.
“Your Highness, please… don’t do this.”
She leaned her forehead against the door with a soft thud and closed her eyes.
It should be fine today. He had said earlier that he hadn’t trained with his powers during the day, so nothing should have built up in his body.
But avoiding it like this would never solve everything. No one could say how long it would take, but eventually, just as before, he would writhe in agony until he lost consciousness. When that moment came, she would be able to Guide him whether he refused or not… but she prayed it would never come to that.
“……”
This was the first time Euphen had rejected her. Was the reason she couldn’t endure it because she knew he was an Esper who couldn’t survive without a Guide? Or was it because she loved him, and it broke her heart to be pushed away?
“Your Highness, even if just for a moment…”
“Go back.”
A low voice came from inside. Even so, she was relieved his tone wasn’t laced with pain.
“I won’t die just because I skip a little Guiding.”
Of course he wouldn’t die. He would only suffer.
But Lynette couldn’t bear for him to go through that again. Clenching her fists tightly, she wondered what words might open this door.
“Your Highness, this is something I must do.”
“Don’t. That’s an order.”
“If it’s known that I neglected proper Guiding, Miss Shirin will be angry with me.”
She didn’t want to bring that person into this, but officially, Shirin was someone who could be called her master. Perhaps it worked, this time, no words of rejection came.
She sharpened her senses, hoping to catch even the faintest sound from within. Soon, there was the sound of footsteps, then the door was thrown open roughly.
Lynette blinked at the sight of Euphen right before her eyes, then instinctively reached out a hand.
“Step back.”
His cold voice struck, and his hand brushed her away. The brief touch stung faintly.
“Your Highness.”
“I told you to step back.”
He unsheathed the sword strapped at his waist and pressed its scabbard lightly against her chest. She knew it wasn’t dangerous, yet the hard, chilling touch sent shivers through her.
As he pressed down with steady strength, Lynette faltered and retreated. Keeping his distance, Euphen stepped out of the room.
“Right. There was Shirin.”
It was as if he had completely forgotten the mage’s existence until now.
He pushed her all the way into the middle of the corridor before turning his back. Striding away without hesitation, he left Lynette who was hurrying after him.
“Even just for a moment-”
“Guards!”
Just as she reached out to catch him, Euphen shoved her shoulder with the sheath again. Then, with irritation, he called for the guards and stared at her in silence.
The emotions flickering in his blue eyes made Lynette’s breath hitch.
“Ah…”
This was why she had never wanted him to know the truth. Even if he seemed a little unfamiliar since her return, he was still a kind man. Because now, upon realizing she had suffered, he looked so stricken, so pained.
Though he never said it aloud, his eyes seemed to plead, ‘Please, don’t come closer.’ She froze in place.
“Restrain her.”
Guards appeared beside her before she noticed, gripping her firmly on both arms.
“Your Highness!”
Lynette once again cried out the title she had already spoken dozens of times today. Euphen slowly lowered his sword, fastening it back at his waist. He let out a quiet sigh as his gaze fell.
She tried to reach out, but the guards gripped her arms so tightly it hurt.
“Ah…”
She could endure the pain of Guiding without so much as a change in her expression, yet from the grip on her arms she let out an involuntary cry.
Euphen’s brows furrowed. Perhaps sensing his gaze, the guards loosened their hold slightly.
“For the time being… no. Prepare a room for Lynette. From now on, you will live here.”
His words reminded her of the past, of those moments when they had lived together happily in this place.
But Lynette shook her head. Things were already tangled enough; she wanted to avoid drawing even closer.
She opened her mouth to refuse, but Euphen spoke first.
“You no longer need to visit Shirin.”
That’s not possible. Lynette lowered her eyes.
The only way to relieve the burden accumulated in her body through guiding was with magic. And yet he was saying she no longer needed to go to Shirin.
“That’s impossible.”
“If you stop Guiding, then there’s no need for you to go to Shirin.”
“But-!”
“Take her away.”
Euphen waved his hand.
She struggled desperately, but escaping two guards was impossible.
“Let me go! I have something to say to His Highness!”
Despite her pleas, the men stayed silent and carried out the Imperial Prince’s command.
“Your Highness!”
He turned away as if to ignore her cries.
Lynette struggled against the guards’ hold trying to escape, but to no avail.
“Let me go…!”
The distance between them only grew wider.
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