Chapter 73
Lynette staggered and steadied herself against the wall.
Because she had done so much guiding this time, the aftereffects were severe, and the pain from the spell that erased them was just as harsh. Even wiping the cold sweat soaking her forehead felt like too much effort.
She felt his gaze lingering on her back. She wanted to act like it was nothing, but it was impossible.
‘Why did Euphen watch?’
It weighed on her that he had seen her writhing and gasping.
She had gotten used to the idea that in front of Shirin she didn’t need to hold back, so she had cried out as the pain came. She hadn’t hidden it. What had he thought, watching her like that?
“Haah..”
Lynette let out a long sigh.
Her legs threatened to collapse, so she forced strength into her knees. If he would just say something, it might make her feel a little better, but Euphen said nothing at all.
When she braced herself against the wall and glanced back, she saw his face, sunk deep in shadow.
“……”
The cold air of dawn pressed down heavily over her body. Just staggering out of the Mage Tower left her both physically and mentally drained.
She nearly asked if they could stay here for the night. Euphen would not want to touch her, but without riding, how could she possibly make it all the way back to the Detached Palace?
“Lynette, get on the horse.”
Though it hadn’t been tethered, the well-trained horse was grazing nearby. Bringing it over, the man spoke.
“I… I don’t know how to ride.”
During her time at the Imperial Castle, she had never learned horseback riding. She had always ridden together with Euphen.
“I’ll lead it, so…”
Just as Euphen said that much, a familiar face appeared in the pale light of dawn.
“Lynette!”
It was Sillian. The prince’s face twisted instantly.
“Are you all right?”
“Sillian.”
With complicated feelings, Lynette looked at the man. She still could not forgive him, but she couldn’t bring herself to hate him completely either.
Seeing him again, she began to worry about how he had been. It had been days since she last guided him… was he all right, did he endure the pain?
“Step back.”
Euphen came between them.
“Your Highness.”
As though only just noticing him, Sillian bowed his head. The prince cast a sharp glance toward Lynette and spoke in a heavy voice.
“Lynette, get on the horse.”
“But…”
Unless she had a stirrup to step on or someone to lift her up, she didn’t know how to mount a tall horse from the bare ground. And with no strength left in her body, it felt even more impossible.
Clutching the saddle, Lynette fumbled helplessly, unable to do anything.
In the past, Euphen would have helped her, but now he avoided touching her. Having learned the truth, he found unnecessary contact abhorrent, so she couldn’t even ask.
“May I help, Your Highness?”
Without waiting for an answer, Sillian strode forward. Both of their shoulders brushed roughly as they passed. Euphen clenched his teeth.
Sillian brushed Lynette’s disheveled hair back, pulling away a few strands that still clung to her cheek, his expression bitter.
“You guided him again, didn’t you?”
His voice was low. Lynette turned her head slightly away without replying.
“I still haven’t forgiven you.”
“I don’t seek forgiveness. I only wish that you might suffer a little less.”
She bit her lip.
If only she hadn’t understood this man at all, how much easier it would be. But she understood all too well why Sillian had done what he had. To him, his one and only Guide had looked like she was running headlong toward death.
“Wasn’t my suffering while we were apart enough for you?”
Sillian took her hand, and with a gentler expression, brushed a kiss on the back of it.
At that instant, a large hand shoved him back forcefully.
“Don’t overstep yourself, guard.”
Euphen’s voice was edged with warning, but Sillian only gave a slight shrug.
Lynette gazed down at the hand still holding hers. The prince’s eyes followed, lowering slowly. A grinding sound came from his clenched teeth.
Just as he was about to reach out and tear them apart, Sillian stepped closer to Lynette. Before Euphen could speak a word, Sillian lifted her lightly into his arms.
“Put your foot here.”
When she slipped her foot into the stirrup, he boosted her up, making it easy for her to mount. Thanks to him, Lynette sat upon the horse without difficulty.
“Thank you.”
“Can’t you at least take back your words about never wanting to see me again?”
At those words, she pressed her lips tightly together.
The truth was, she hadn’t meant it. Knowing he was an Esper, she wasn’t so cold-hearted that she could turn her back on him completely. She couldn’t knowingly push someone into such suffering.
Lynette bowed her head slightly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”
Only then did Sillian smile in relief. Euphen, unable to hide his displeasure, seized the reins and yanked them sharply.
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