Chapter 62
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Adrien approached with a playful smile, holding a piece of paper and a pen in hand.
“Here, sign this.”
“…What is it?”
Even before reading, Samuel felt a wave of intuition wash over him. He swallowed dryly, accepting the paper with slightly trembling hands.
“Ah…”
It was the application form to become an official personal guide. Without meaning to, Samuel looked up at Adrien.
“As soon as you sign, I’m planning to submit it to the department today. If you want, we can go together—it’s trendy lately for both parties to submit the paperwork together, you know.”
“….”
“And after the imprint, make sure to take some leave. Overworking yourself in training isn’t everything. Taking care of your condition is part of your ability too.”
“…Yes, Commander.”
Samuel nodded, his eyes shimmering with emotion. He looked around for something to write on, then glanced down at himself.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure I should be signing something so important, naked in bed like this…”
“You say the oddest things.”
Adrien laughed. She effortlessly scooped Samuel—blanket and all—and set him down in a chair.
“There, better?”
“…Yes.”
Samuel carefully read through the personal guide application. At the bottom, in the signature space for Esper and Guide, Adrien’s name was already written.
Now, Samuel Norah’s name would join hers—almost as if he was fated to be forever entangled with Adrien Brillante.
His hand trembled as he wrote, even though he’d signed his own name countless times in his life. He wanted the handwriting to be perfect and neat, but his nerves made it difficult.
“Nice handwriting, Ensign.”
“Ah, not at all…”
In reality, it was barely legible. Samuel could have done much better—of all times, he’d shown his messiest handwriting right in front of Adrien. It stung a little.
Adrien checked that both signatures were in place and smiled, putting a hand on Samuel’s shoulder.
“Shall we go submit this?”
* * *
They stopped by the Brillante townhouse to change into their uniforms first. Luckily, they didn’t run into the master of the house. Still, there was a minor commotion when Samuel appeared in just his jacket and vest, his shirt torn to shreds.
It was a clear sign that he’d just imprinted.
The cause of the fuss hurried off to change. Meanwhile, Adrien sorted through some mail that had arrived for her.
“Would you like to eat before we go?”
“Hmm, maybe we should.”
By now it was almost lunchtime. Adrien thought for a moment, then nodded cheerfully. Just then, a servant brought a telegram.
“Miss, there’s a message from the unit.”
“Let me see.”
Adrien read the message. As her expression hardened, she reached for her uniform jacket draped over the back of the chair.
“Something’s come up. Tell Ensign Samuel to have lunch before coming.”
“Understood.”
Adrien hurried out of the house.
* * *
“What about the Commander?”
“She was called away on urgent business. She asked that you finish lunch before coming to the unit.”
“I see…”
“If you’ll come this way, Ensign? Your meal is ready.”
The butler led Samuel to the dining room. His eyes widened at the table—a full, formal meal had been laid out, as if for a noble, even though it’s for one person.
“You really didn’t have to go to all this trouble for me.”
“Nonsense. As the Miss’ guest, it’s only right that you be treated with the utmost hospitality.”
The butler even pulled out the chair for him, smiling kindly. Samuel sat down awkwardly.
What caught his attention before the food was the row of servants lined up along the wall, all smiling at him warmly.
He had no idea why they were looking at him that way. Embarrassed, Samuel tried to keep his eyes down, but the butler approached with the same gentle expression as the others.
“We’ve all been hoping for a guide who could win the Miss’ heart. That’s why everyone is so excited—please don’t feel pressured.”
Samuel’s ears blushed. He tried not to show it, but it was obvious how flustered he was; the staff stifled little laughs at his innocent reaction.
“You must be hungry—please, enjoy your meal.”
“Thank you, butler.”
Suddenly realizing his hunger, Samuel began tasting each dish according to the butler’s explanations.
He’d never eaten food so delicious or luxurious in his life. If not for Adrien, Samuel Norah would never have known such luxury was even possible.
In fact, everything since the night before had been a dream—the splendid clothes, the dazzling ball, and the long-awaited closeness of the person he admired most.
Even though it was real, it was all so wonderful, he could hardly believe it was really his life.
“Everything is delicious.”
Samuel picked up a piece of white seafood he didn’t even know the name of. It melted in his mouth before he even had to chew like a fleeting delight, dissolving like a beautiful dream.
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