Chapter 64
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Just as Adrien’s mother had once done to her own husband.
Draining the soul of someone you love just to keep yourself alive, and never even feeling shame—just like those wretched people.
‘…Of course. I should’ve known.’
All those romantic hours she shared with him. It hardly seemed to fit Adrien Brillante at all.
She’d let herself believe that such dazzling happiness could really stay by her side for too long.
* * *
The capital was bustling, preparing for the upcoming festival. Tents were popping up everywhere, and vendors were already selling balloons and snacks.
On a park bench, a little kid beside his father was working hard to blow up a balloon. Watching the balloon steadily grow, Samuel smiled to himself.
He felt like, if he could just grab that balloon, he might float up into the sky with it.
His heart was pounding faster than his steps, and all he could see in his mind was Adrien.
From yesterday through this morning, Adrien had been especially kind and warm.
They’d always been close for a commander and her subordinate, but she had always kept a line between them—until now.
Now, at last, she had closed the distance. She’d even told him she wanted him as her personal guide.
The radiant ‘Light of Justice’ he’d always admired, the hero who had saved not just him but his entire family.
Someone he’d only ever dreamed about, had finally reached out to him, here and now.
“Hello!”
“Hey there, Ensign Samuel.”
“You look like you’re in a great mood today! Something good happen?”
Samuel greeted his colleagues in the lobby with a voice much louder than usual. His steps were confident—he already knew where he was headed.
“Oh, Ensign Samuel?”
“Good afternoon, Captain Linton.”
“Lovely day, isn’t it?”
But as Samuel rounded a corner, an unwelcome figure blocked his way. He glanced over Linton’s shoulder—of all places, the hall leading to Adrien’s office.
Everyone had already heard the rumors about the compatibility rankings between high-level espers and guides.
But no one knew who Linton’s best match was—or how compatible he was with Adrien.
For Samuel, the lack of rumors was actually a relief. If someone like Linton Vionne, a flashy aristocrat, was keeping his mouth shut, the results must have been truly humiliating.
“Heading to see the Commander?”
But then why did he look so confident?
“Yes, that’s right.”
“For your personal guide assignment, I’m guessing?”
“…Did the Commander mention it to you?”
“Nah, just heard you scored first with her in the compatibility tests. Figured as much.”
Linton started to walk away, but suddenly stopped.
“Oh, and by the way—the doctor said those test results are just for reference.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Just that you don’t automatically get picked as someone’s personal guide just because you’re at the top of the list. Just passing along what I heard.”
It was an annoying thing to say.
Samuel didn’t react, just nodded, and headed for Adrien’s office again.
But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Linton’s gaze was still burning into the back of his head. Maybe that’s why it felt like he was wading into a swamp, one heavy step after another.
‘No, that can’t be. That’s not possible.’
He reminded himself of Adrien’s kindness that morning. There was no way such sweet, gentle moments could shatter so easily.
…Probably.
“…Hoo.”
Trying to settle his nerves, Samuel paused before the door and took a deep breath, then knocked.
“Come in.”
Hearing Adrien’s usual voice, he felt a bit of relief as he opened the door.
Adrien would greet him warmly, just like always.
Maybe at first she’d be too focused on her paperwork to look up, but eventually she’d smile—unable to help herself when she felt the guiding energy in the room—and rise to welcome him.
Or so he thought.
‘But something…’
Was different.
Adrien wasn’t looking at any paperwork. She was sitting at her desk with her head in her hand, pointedly avoiding his gaze.
The room was filled with a heavy, cold tension. Samuel froze on the spot.
Something was wrong.
But what?
“…Commander?”
“I heard something odd, Ensign.”
“What… what do you mean?”
“Sammy Norah.”
“……”
“Is that really you?”
At last, Adrien looked up at him—and Samuel’s heart plummeted straight to the floor.
It was a look he had never seen from her before.
Adrien Brillante was always a calm person—not that she didn’t talk, but that her emotions rarely showed.
Samuel had never seen her swept away by joy or overcome with anger, the way normal people could be.
But right now, her red eyes were surging with emotion—so intense, he couldn’t even guess what it was.
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