Chapter 19
Peter gave Samuel a gentle tap. The smile on his face held a pure excitement for the imprinting he knew he would experience someday.
Lying on the bed, Samuel blinked up at the ceiling. No matter how close Peter was, there was no way he wanted to share that intimate moment.
But he could at least share the thoughts he had.
Samuel chose his words carefully, leaving a small but precious sentiment in the room.
“I was glad to be born as a guide.”
“Hah. Well, I never thought I’d hear that from Samuel Norah!”
Peter clicked his tongue in mock exasperation, then tossed the blanket over his head and lay down. Samuel swallowed back a smile rising again and closed his eyes.
It was the happiest night he’d ever experienced.
* * *
While signing some documents, Adrien suddenly glanced at her necklace.
The color had shifted to orange but still held traces of green like impurities. It was a familiar, yet unsettling shade to her.
Even when showing no signs of an impending rampage, Adrien’s body was never truly well. Given seven years of nonstop use of her powers with barely enough guiding, it was no surprise.
Enduring guiding was as difficult as enduring physical pain. When she was younger, the nausea unique to guiding made her even more sensitive and fussy.
She only endured guiding when it felt like she might die; otherwise, she preferred taking guiding medicine.
‘Haven’t taken a single pill since yesterday.’
Adrien stared at the guiding medicine on her desk. She’d just gotten a new bottle yesterday and habitually placed them everywhere reachable—on her desk, in drawers.
Yet a presumptuous thought crossed her mind: maybe she didn’t need to keep so many pills around anymore.
Adrien smiled to herself. The appointed time was nearly here.
Sure enough, footsteps approached, followed by a knock.
“Come in.”
“Good day, Commander.”
Samuel entered, greeting with the crisp discipline expected of a new recruit. Adrien tidied up and headed toward the sofa.
“Have you eaten?”
“I finished.”
“Over here.”
The sofa formed a U around a square table. Adrien took the seat of honor—a single armchair—while Samuel picked one diagonally opposite.
“Let’s begin guiding right away.”
Adrien extended her hand. Samuel swallowed nervously and carefully took it.
Feeling the energy flow, Adrien closed her eyes, swallowing a sudden moan.
“…”
Old pains are hard to notice at first, but once fully healed, the ache becomes clear.
She thought she was feeling better than usual, but receiving Samuel’s guiding made her body relax deeply. Only now did she realize how bad she’d been feeling all morning.
‘This little is all it takes…’
Compared to her usual life, this was a luxury. Adrien almost scoffed. Instead, she relaxed her once-straight posture and looked at Samuel.
“Anything you want to say?”
“Huh?”
“You kept staring.”
Though her eyes were closed, she could feel his gaze pouring over her. Samuel seemed somewhat surprised. She glimpsed his lips purse in the half-lidded, dreamy look.
“…I was wondering if the Commander had eaten.”
“I did.”
“…”
“And you? Everything alright?”
Samuel blinked, his eyes seemed to question. Adrien smiled faintly and shook her head.
“Good if so.”
Silence followed.
Adrien wasn’t a talkative person. As a new Ensign, Samuel might find it hard to strike up conversation with the Commander.
In her days dragged through social circles, Adrien usually only gave answers and rarely asked questions. She had no idea what topics to discuss with strangers.
And honestly, any questions she might have felt more like dark desires than genuine curiosity.
Holding his hand made her want to pull him close—to bury her face in his neck and drink in both guiding and skin.
Gripping tightly as if holding onto breaking patience, Adrien squeezed Samuel’s hand.
“Ha.”
She already knew the peak of this sensation. Ignoring a pleasure she had come to recognize was no easy task.
Adrian realized for the first time just how vulnerable she was to desire.
“Are you uncomfortable in that position?”
Position?
At that moment, Adrian’s gaze wasn’t accidental as it landed on the long, empty sofa beside Samuel.
“That’s right, it’s uncomfortable.”
It was easier to give an excuse than admit yielding to desire. Before Samuel could say anything, Adrien moved to sit beside him.
As soon as she settled just a hand’s breadth away, Samuel’s breath caught and his Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Uncomfortable?”
“No.”
But his expression said otherwise—he looked painfully uneasy.
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