Chapter 97
At those words, the man answered in a flat tone, as though it were nothing special.
“I am the second son of House Passton.”
Even so, Lynette did not know what kind of house that was. She regretted not having studied the noble families in advance, but it was already too late. In the past, she had hardly ever encountered other nobles, so she had thought there was no need.
Noticing that she hadn’t properly understood, Eric added a brief explanation.
“House Passton is a Marquisate. We are primarily in charge of guarding the borders.”
“I see.”
Lynette gave a small nod.
“A Marquisate is quite high, isn’t it? You must be able to lend strength to His Highness.”
“As the second son, I cannot be of much help. Unless my mother or elder brother takes action…”
“Does House Passton not support His Highness Euphen, then?”
At that, the man’s expression turned faintly complicated.
“In principle, we are neutral. Being a house that guards the borderlands, we tend to remain apart from the power struggles of the Imperial Castle. Of course… should His Highness take a more active role, there is a chance my mother or brother might be swayed…”
His voice trailed off.
Lynette thought back to Euphen, who had been meeting countless people and moving busily as of late. Even if House Passton was far from central power, wasn’t it strange that he had not drawn in someone from such a rank right by his side? Of course, she was in no position to question the prince’s judgment. Still, the doubt lingered.
Even from Eric’s perspective, wouldn’t it be good if the one he served became the Emperor? Even if he was the second son, even if the house wasn’t close to central power, there was still connection.
But she could not bring herself to voice the thought aloud. She pressed her lips shut.
The man, who had been watching her quietly, cautiously opened his mouth.
“Miss Lynette, what do you think of His Highness Euphen?”
“…Pardon?”
“I am aware that you are His Highness’s Guide.”
What was he trying to say?
Lynette tilted her head slightly. Eric hesitated, then let out a short sigh.
“Do you love His Highness Euphen? Or… are you merely by his side because you are his Guide?”
“…Why are you asking me that?”
“Was the question too difficult to answer?”
Her gaze dropped. On the surface, she was his ‘lover’, but this was the first time someone who knew the truth had asked her such a thing.
What was she supposed to answer? The truth? Or that their relationship was nothing more than Esper and Guide?
“His Highness is a good man.”
“And so… do you love him?”
She lifted her head and looked directly at Eric. She still could not discern his intent.
“Yes.”
At her honest reply, the man exhaled another short sigh.
“So, being his lover was not mere pretense after all.”
“Even so, I cannot truly call myself his lover…”
Meeting once a day. Touching for only a few fleeting seconds. Could that really be called a ‘real lover’?
When together, she ought to have felt joy and happiness, yet every moment with Euphen burned bitterly in her chest… because she hurt him, because she could no longer touch him as freely as before, because his attempts to find a way to remain together pained her… and yet, all the while, she herself thought of only leaving.
“Are you aware that His Highness seeks the throne?”
“I am.”
“Then… do you wish to become the Empress?”
The question was blunt. She shook her head at once, without a moment’s thought. She had never even imagined such a thing.
“Then… are you satisfied with being nothing more than his ‘lover’?”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“I am curious what you will do if His Highness marries another woman.”
Eric struck directly at the thought she herself had been struggling with. Hearing it spoken aloud by another made the impact sharper.
As he looked at her trembling eyes, his own gaze dropped indifferently.
“Did His Highness ask you to question me about this?”
“It is of my own accord.”
“…Is there someone with whom marriage is being discussed?”
She had believed she would be ready when the time came, but faced with it in reality, her voice shook.
Eric gave no reply.
That silence itself was answer enough.
Lynette clasped her hands tightly together. The man added, as though apologetic.
“It was something I expected might happen.”
“It is only a proposal. His Highness has given no answer.”
“It is only natural that there would be someone more fitting for him, especially in the current circumstances.”
Of course he would need to take the hand of a woman with power and influence. Eshar might be a strong ally, but wealth alone was not true power.
‘That’s right. Even though she is his fated one, His Highness may not marry Miss Eshar.’
The path was not simple. Both of them would have to look further ahead. An Esper could never abandon their Guide. From Eshar’s perspective, it was already no different from being bound by a tie stronger than marriage.
Then, if each of them formed a political marriage with someone from a powerful house, it would serve all the more to expand their factions.
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