Chapter 96
Lynette sat by the window, gazing blankly outside.
‘If His Highness Euphen truly desires the throne… will he end up getting married?’
The chatter of Lara and Mari echoed back in her mind.
Though Euphen was a prince, she knew well that he did not hold much power. In the past, had he not lived obsessively distant from all authority?
As if wanting to shut out even the possibility of danger, he had remained quietly in this small Detached Palace, simply waiting as though for time to pass. Until the day Eshar was introduced, his life had been no different than before. Even if he suddenly moved for the throne now, he would gain no great backing.
She knew he had been busy recently, meeting countless nobles. Yet those with power and influence would never easily reach their hand out to Euphen. There were several royals who had already revealed their ambition. Those interested in the “struggle for the throne”, or to be precise, those seeking to rise higher by siding with the right faction, would have already chosen their allies.
‘The simplest way is marriage.’
Surely Euphen was well aware of this too. For an unmarried prince, it was the greatest card to play. In Eshar’s case, fate already bound her to him, so he had no need to secure her by marriage.
‘Ah, so that’s why…’
Lynette suddenly realized.
That was why he had said it was better to make his relationship with Eshar clear. If fate truly tied them together, then both Eshar and Euphen would have no choice but to decide how to act.
From the standpoint of the Lera Merchant Guild as well, clarifying the relationship could only be beneficial.
A Guide was essential to an Esper. With the certainty that Eshar could never be abandoned, they would be able to take Euphen’s hand with confidence.
“…Ha.”
A dry laugh slipped out. After living in the Imperial Castle for years, she found herself pathetic for not realizing something so simple.
No wonder Euphen had hidden everything. She had acted on her own, claiming it was all for his sake, yet she hadn’t known the most important truth.
‘Marriage, huh.’
She leaned her head lightly against the window frame. Not once had she even imagined it. She had known her place and never dared to dream of marrying him. Yet neither had she ever thought of Euphen marrying another woman.
She had simply thought things would stay as they were. That she would remain in that vague position of being the prince’s lover… loving, and being loved.
She had thought that state would last forever. Forcibly ignoring the truth that it never could.
If he sought the throne, then surely a woman from a powerful family would stand beside him. What would she do then? Would she have to quietly step aside once he married?
In Eshar’s case, she was his true Guide. Once she awakened, she could be introduced openly without shame. After all, being bound by marriage meant walking the same path, and it would be impossible to hide that she was a Guide.
But Lynette was only a fake. Someone meant to step back once Eshar awakened. Wasn’t it even stranger to forcefully keep such a person at his side?
‘Leaving really is the best choice after all.’
She slowly closed her eyes. Sunlight poured down over her eyelids.
The conclusion was always the same. So much so that she felt foolish for ever agonizing over it.
She knew that even after marriage, royals often kept mistresses. But she had no desire to become such a figure. Now, while Euphen had no wife, she had willingly played at being his lover. But a mistress was wholly dishonorable. And besides, she had no confidence she could smile and watch him live with his true “wife.”
Even while she thought again and again of leaving, that tiny, lingering hope made her falter and fall once more into hesitation. Only to reach the same conclusion, then waver again, and then circle back to the same thoughts.
Lynette shook her head. She rose from her chair, drew in a deep breath, and exhaled, trying to think of what she could do.
But she was only a maid. A fake Guide. A prince’s lover. There was almost nothing someone like her could do.
‘Ah, right. I forgot to look into Etel.’
It was something she had put off a few days ago, after learning Sillian’s true identity.
Pulling the bell cord, she soon brought Lara to her side. To the maid peeking through the door, she said she would be going to the library, adding a request to let Eric know as well.
Preparations were finished quickly. Though she had not told Euphen directly, word would surely have reached him too.
As she approached the prepared carriage, Eric bowed his head in greeting.
“It has been a while, my lady.”
“Please, speak comfortably, Sir Eric.”
She says, though she knew he never would, and stepped inside. Sitting down, she gazed blankly at the man seated across from her.
‘Come to think of it, wasn’t Sir Eric also from a rather high-ranking noble family?’
If so, was he lending his strength to Euphen for the sake of the throne?
Sensing her gaze, the man tilted his head slightly.
“Why do you look at me so, my lady?”
Lynette parted her lips, hesitated, then spoke.
“I was wondering if I’d heard anything about your family, Sir Eric.”
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