Chapter 45
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“I guess… not.”
Everyone looked startled by the way Adrien’s face visibly fell. It was the first time anyone had seen her show her feelings so openly.
“Aww, there must’ve been a reason! Honestly, our Adrien isn’t the easiest person to meet, you know? Maybe your sponsoree was too shocked to find out who their sponsor was, and that’s why they never showed up!”
“Lady Melonie’s right. I’d probably be the same way.”
“But I am curious, Adrien. If that kid ever came looking for you, would you meet them?”
Melonie shot a pointed look at Linton, who didn’t seem to mind at all—he just smiled calmly.
“It’d be best if they never came, but if someone went to the trouble, I couldn’t just turn them away.”
“Really? That’s softer than I thought. Then what if they tried to repay your kindness somehow?”
“How, exactly?”
Adrien looked up, and Linton’s smile turned even sweeter.
“Well… what if, just like some of the others, your sponsoree awakened as a Guide?”
Adrien’s expression darkened at once.
“So they’d want to offer me guiding, as thanks?”
“I suppose they’d just want to say thank you.”
“No.”
There was no hesitation. Adrien shook her head.
“I didn’t buy that kid. I just sponsored her. A thank you in words is more than enough.”
The thought of someone offering guiding as repayment was actually revolting. Adrien knew all too well how Esper sponsors had, for years, built these ties with their Guide sponsorees under the guise of gratitude.
It was never just about saying thank you—there was always an unspoken hierarchy in that relationship.
She wanted nothing to do with that dirty world, nor did she want to prolong her peaceful life in such a low way.
“…That’s so like you, Adrien. The Light of Justice, the pride of the Lesadian Empire.”
Linton’s voice was full of satisfaction. Adrien just let it slide, as usual, and reached for her wine glass.
* * *
“Hold on a second.”
She knocked on the wall, and the carriage slowed. Without waiting for an escort, Adrien hopped down. There was still a shop with its lights on along the dark road.
“I’ll just pop in and buy something. Wait here for me.”
“Oh miss, I could’ve gone for you!”
“I want to pick it out myself.”
She smiled gently at the driver and went inside. A bell jingled as she opened the door. It was a little general store, though the owner was nowhere to be seen. Gathering up the folds of her fancy dress, Adrien looked around. Then she spotted what she needed: stationery.
She found a set with green paper edged in gold. As she reached for it, she suddenly felt a familiar guiding presence. Adrien looked up—at the same time, someone else grabbed the green paper.
“Ensign Samuel.”
“…Adr—no, Commander?”
Samuel looked more dazed than she’d ever seen him. He blinked, his eyes drifting down to Adrien’s dress—a sight he would never have imagined at the base. He seemed unable to look away.
Adrien realized how awkward she must look, clutching the bulky folds of her dress, the very opposite of an elegant lady. She thought about letting go, but knew it would only show off the wrinkles and make her look even worse, so she stayed as she was.
“…Did you just come from a party?”
“That’s right.”
“So that’s another reason they call you ‘the Light,’ Major.”
“Hm?”
Samuel’s gaze slowly moved up, and when their eyes met, Adrien felt an odd, heavy thump in her stomach.
Samuel’s face was tinged pink, and there was a shy, delighted curl to his lips. The air between them was almost giddy.
“You look like someone out of a dream.”
“And what kind of dream is that?”
“A really good one. Happy, beautiful, and wonderful…”
“….”
“…But untouchable.”
Samuel lowered his eyes, and Adrien instinctively grabbed his hand. Samuel looked startled. She placed his hand on her shoulder.
“But you’re touching me, aren’t you?”
“…Ah.”
Samuel’s face turned red in an instant. Adrien started to let go, embarrassed by his over-the-top reaction, but Samuel held onto her hand.
“Just a little longer, please.”
“…?”
“It’ll feel real if I stay like this just a little longer.”
His voice was pleading, and his expression matched. Adrien found herself oddly pleased by it—the way he clung to her, as if he couldn’t do without her, was actually kind of cute.
She’d met plenty of people who wanted to impress or idolize her—but no one quite like this.
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