Chapter 53
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Instead, Alex stepped closer to Linton and gave his shoulder a few gentle pats—a silent gesture of consolation.
‘Well, he is a Gold-level Guide.’
Even with that slight touch, a wave of guiding energy brushed over him, faint but unmistakable. It felt fine to Alex. But it definitely wouldn’t feel that way to Adrien.
“Captain Linton, your results aren’t bad at all. You’re 88% compatible with Lieutenant Kate, that’s a really high score. There’s no one with better compatibility besides Samuel.”
“Don’t—!”
Linton snapped, and in that moment, a surge of guiding energy burst from the hand Alex still had on his shoulder. Alex instinctively recoiled a step.
Linton quickly regained his composure, running a hand over his face before letting out a long sigh. Even the faintest traces of scattered guiding energy were now neatly gathered and contained.
“I’m fine.”
But he couldn’t hide the sour look in his eyes. Maybe he was irritated about Alex inadvertently siphoning off his energy, or maybe it was just everything else.
With a sharp glare, Linton addressed Alex.
“I got a little worked up and lost my cool. My apologies, Dr. Alex.”
“These test results are only reference points. They don’t confirm you have to choose your exclusive guide based on them. That’s up to you.”
“I know. That’s why I’m not doing anything right now.”
Linton lowered his head just slightly, his eyes flashing dangerously from under his brow.
He’d only come to see Alex because he was angry, after all. The truth was, he didn’t care if Samuel and Adrien had a 100% compatibility.
How seductive that commoner guide’s energy might mean nothing to him.
‘Adrien cares about things far more important than physical pleasure.’
The second he revealed what he knew, any fleeting pleasure Samuel gave would be worthless.
What stung most was that neither his nor Adrien’s name appeared on each other’s top-ten lists. Instead, the very top of Linton’s results sheet held a name he found thoroughly useless:
88%. Linton’s highest compatibility wasn’t with Adrien, but with his secretary, Lieutenant Kate Olen.
The idea that Adrien was best matched to ‘some nobody commoner’ was almost unbearably infuriating.
* * *
Adrien called for Samuel for the first time in ages.
Samuel tried to steady his pounding heart as he headed down the stairs. He was a little surprised Adrien had asked him to meet out in front of the unit building rather than in her office, but any doubts were quickly drowned out by excitement.
Samuel knew he’d follow Adrien anywhere—even into a pit of fire—without hesitation.
“Good afternoon, Commander.”
“Oh, Ensign.”
Adrien turned to greet him, golden hair gleaming in the brilliant afternoon sun. For a moment, Samuel thought his heart might burst.
‘She looks like a vision of god…’
No holy relic could outshine her. Samuel felt a shiver of awe run through him.
“Ensign?”
“Ah—yes, ma’am!”
“You’re not feeling unwell, are you?”
“Not at all. I’m perfectly fine.”
Shaking his head, Samuel did his best to compose himself.
“Have you eaten?”
“I had lunch, ma’am.”
“But not dinner yet?”
“No.”
“Good. Get in.”
Adrien gestured to a carriage. It wasn’t a Brillante family coach, but neither was it a cheap hired ride. Samuel hesitated for a split second, then obeyed.
Still, a carriage—no matter how big—was a small, closed space. When Adrien climbed in after him and the door shut, Samuel became painfully aware of just how cramped it was.
As the horses set off, his knee brushed lightly against hers. Compared to when they guided, it was nothing—but it sent a jolt of electricity through him nonetheless.
The suddenness of it made him shiver, and he glanced up to find Adrien smiling at him. Samuel felt the pressure to say something, anything.
“Um, may I ask where we’re going?”
“Where do you think?”
“I honestly have no idea.”
“Tell me, Ensign—do you have any particular interest in high society?”
“…Excuse me?”
Adrien was certainly acting out of character today, saying things that didn’t fit her at all.
“That time in the shop—when you saw me in a dress, you seemed pretty interested. Is it because you’re curious about society life?”
“Yes.”
He was flustered, genuinely caught off guard. He’d been fascinated to see Adrien dressed up, not because he was interested in the social scene. And he certainly hadn’t expected Adrien to misunderstand so completely.
The ever-perfect ‘Light of Justice’ had such a surprisingly clueless side.
But as another thought occurred, Samuel’s expression turned earnest.
“Are you taking me to a society event?”
If it meant seeing Adrien dressed up again—right by her side—he wouldn’t complain.
“Like I’d send you off alone. And it’s not as if I’m selling you off as someone’s future husband, either.”
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