Chapter 30
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Samuel’s voice called out. For a moment, Adrien had the strange feeling he was trying to catch her gaze.
“Are you all right now?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Adrien replied, giving a faint smile as she gently ran her thumb across the back of Samuel’s hand.
His presence was always comforting in a way that felt almost sweet.
* * *
Kate approached quietly, muffling her footsteps. Behind an empty building, she found Linton standing rigidly with his back to her.
“…I know you’re there, Kate.”
“Lord Linton.”
She replied softly.
When Linton turned, tears shimmered in his blue eyes like gemstones. He didn’t look sad so much as angry, burning with a blue, flame-like intensity as he fixed his gaze on Kate.
“Adrien would never humiliate me in public. Not once has she ever done this before.”
“It must have been a mistake.”
“Samuel—he’s just a Silver!”
Linton’s voice was filled with emotion and frustration.
“Yes, so his numbers are high. But he can’t compare to my level. That second-rate brat could never replace me.”
Linton simply couldn’t understand Adrien.
If it had been a newly-discovered Gold-level guide—someone even stronger, more beautiful, from a more prestigious family—he might have accepted it.
But Samuel Norah had nothing on him. That was what made it sting even more.
“Don’t cry.”
Kate said, offering him a handkerchief. Linton stared at it for a long moment before turning sharply away.
“I guess Espers can get fickle about their guides. Even Adrien could start chasing after someone new.”
He stomped off roughly.
“But you know, if you keep eating something that doesn’t agree with you, you’ll get sick. Adrien’s always just worked and worked—she doesn’t know that yet. So I’ll have to stop her.”
“If there’s anything you need, just give the word.”
Finally, Linton looked back. Whatever he did, Kate had always been there for him, ever since they were children. Their bond went beyond just Esper and guide—Kate was Linton’s secret weapon.
“It won’t be difficult. In fact, it might even be fun.”
With that, Linton melted away into the shadows cast by the building.
* * *
As usual, Adrien was sitting on the office sofa, receiving guiding from Samuel. She rubbed her forehead, looking clearly tired.
“From now on, come every other day, Ensign Samuel.”
“…Excuse me?”
Samuel’s eyes widened in surprise. Adrien was briefly caught off guard; she’d expected him to just nod, as always.
“Is this because of Captain Linton?”
Samuel’s voice trembled ever so slightly.
“Why are you bringing up his name now?”
“Are you planning to cut back my sessions so you can get guiding from him instead?”
They stared at each other in silence.
Adrien ran through her recent actions, confused. She hadn’t acted any differently toward Linton at headquarters… So why did Samuel seem to think that?
“I’m just busy with work, Ensign.”
“Because of work?”
Samuel’s expression soured in a new way.
What now? Adrien couldn’t decipher this complicated man’s thoughts, and it frustrated her.
“Commander, you still need to make sure you’re getting enough guiding.”
Samuel said, gripping her hand tightly.
“I am.”
“Then at least let Captain Linton guide you.”
“Are you serious?”
His voice shook when he brought up Linton, yet he said this?
It was hard to believe, seeing his expression, and Samuel closed his mouth, unable to lie further. Adrien let out a small laugh.
“You’re great, Ensign, but you do tend to obsess over my health a bit much.”
She knew why Samuel worried. The rest of her inner circle was similar in that way.
But the truth was, Adrien had never felt so replete with guiding. She kept this to herself, though, since revealing it would just cause Samuel a different kind of distress.
“In that case, let’s change the method of guiding.”
“How?”
Samuel was quiet for a long time, then finally met her eyes with a determined glint in his green gaze.
“Please imprint me every other day, Commander.”
Adrien was stunned.
“That’s the only way you’ll hold up.”
Adrien had to double-check that she’d heard right, then finally sat up straighter on the couch.
“Ensign, you’re worrying about me, but what about yourself? If you keep that up, you’ll end up totally depleted.”
“I’ll take care of myself—just like the Commander said.”
Samuel scooted closer, and Adrien instinctively leaned away.
“Hold on, Ensign…”
Adrien found herself tilting farther and farther back.
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