Chapter 85
After that day, nothing much happened in Lynette’s life.
But something had changed greatly in Euphen’s.
Eshar, who had scarcely visited since the day of the party, began to come by often again.
Little by little, people Lynette did not know started appearing as well. Even today, she stepped aside slightly in the corridor to make room for a noble she had never seen before.
‘Who was that?’
In the past, Euphen had lived quietly. As though he feared being noticed.
Even when he attended parties, he never grew close with the nobles, and he had always been extremely reluctant to invite anyone into the palace. As if living together with Lynette inside the Detached Palace was his entire paradise.
What had changed?
No matter how many times she asked what was going on, he would only laugh it off as something to not worry about.
Lynette furrowed her brows slightly and let out a sigh. If something had changed because of her, she wanted to know. Yet no one ever told her the truth, and sometimes that left her feeling stifled.
“Miss Lynette.”
Mari glanced around quickly and then spoke.
“Mari.”
Behind her was a woman with red hair loosely braided down. It was Lara, dressed in a maid uniform that had already grown worn.
Mari tugged on the arm of Lara, who was trying to hide behind her, and introduced her.
“Starting today, this is Lara, your exclusive maid.”
“…Miss Lynette, I look forward to serving you.”
The petite woman bowed her head low, looking flustered.
“Welcome.”
Lynette greeted her warmly, patting her thin back lightly.
A few days ago, she had brought up Lara to Euphen and asked if he could bring her here. When she said Lara was her friend, he nodded without hesitation. It seemed the arrangements had finally been settled today.
Drawing nearer to Lara, Lynette whispered so softly that no one else could hear.
“When it’s just the three of us, call me Lynette comfortably.”
“But…”
Lara’s eyes wavered. Her expression said she couldn’t understand this situation.
Why was Lynette wearing fine clothes? Why did she have her own exclusive maids?
‘Of course she’d be surprised.’
Mari had seen and heard various things while staying in the Detached Palace, so she could accept it to some degree. But Lara was different, wasn’t she? Of course, even Mari did not know the truth. She simply believed Lynette was something like Euphen’s lover.
‘No. Everyone else must’ve thought the same as well.’
That didn’t matter. There had been plenty who thought so before. The reality of their ‘Guide and Esper relationship’ was the truth only a few people know, those Euphen truly trusted.
Mari would explain the situation well enough.
With a gentle smile at Mari and Lara, Lynette descended the stairs.
Perhaps because she had been delayed a little because of meeting them, Sillian was already waiting in the lobby.
“Lynette.”
“Am I late?”
“Isn’t it courtesy toward a lady to enjoy even the time spent waiting for her?”
The man replied smoothly with a faint smile. At moments like this, he hardly seemed like an ordinary guard at all.
Feeling slightly embarrassed, Lynette stopped before him. Sillian held out his hand. She placed hers upon his large palm.
‘Even the escort feels natural.’
Was he perhaps a fallen noble?
Even fallen nobles would have learned dance and etiquette, but working as a guard still seemed strange. Hiding her doubt, Lynette allowed him to lead her toward the garden.
There was only one place permitted for the two of them: the garden. When Lynette had asked if they could at least be given a reception room, Euphen had frowned and flatly refused.
‘It would be odd for the two of us to go into a reception room anyway.’
Others already thought of her as the Prince’s lover. To be seen spending time alone with another man would certainly look strange.
But attaching someone to follow them wasn’t possible either. If, in the middle of their conversation, something about ‘Guide’ and ‘Esper’ slipped out, someone else might notice. Then it would be impossible to even talk freely.
In the end, Euphen had only permitted them ‘the time to hold hands and circle the garden once.’ And even then, if the weather was bad, they were not allowed to go. He had said it wouldn’t matter if she went without guiding for a day. Since he, too, was an Esper, she couldn’t refute it.
“I’m glad the weather is always pleasant on the days I meet Lynette.”
“Well, that’s because we only meet on clear days.”
When she answered blandly, Sillian chuckled lightly.
“On clear days, you’ll think of me, won’t you? You’ll say to yourself, ‘Since it’s a clear day, I’ll get to see Sillian.’”
“Which means, on cloudy days, I won’t think of you at all.”
“There aren’t many cloudy days.”
“There haven’t been any yet.”
“Yes. Since receiving the Imperial Prince’s so-called permission, every day has been clear.”
His tone carried a hint of sarcasm.
There was no doubt this man disliked Euphen. Of course, it was only natural.
Still, she couldn’t help being bothered. After all, it was never pleasant to know that the person you loved was being disliked. So Lynette deliberately brought up another topic.
“Sillian, do you use your ability often?”
“If I’m certain I’ll be able to make contact with you, I do.”
“Be careful so no one notices.”
“I’m being plenty careful.”
Sillian smiled faintly.
“As long as the Imperial Prince doesn’t turn us in later, there should be no problem with leaving.”
“His Highness would never do that.”
“He knows I’m an Esper. That alone gives him a weakness he could use against me.”
“He wouldn’t report you, so rest easy.”
Lynette’s reply was a little sharp.
In the Empire, Espers were drafted by force. There were many who desperately wanted to hide the fact that they were Espers.
The problem was that it wasn’t something that could simply just be hidden.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.