Chapter 69
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Only then did Samuel finally lift his head.
“Adrien is extremely sensitive to guiding compatibility. Honestly, it’s doubtful she’ll ever find another Guide who matches her as well as you do.”
Jacqueline’s words were starting to feel more like hope than fact, and Samuel’s heart thudded in his chest. They were alone in the room; he was sure the Esper’s sharp ears could pick up the sound. Jacqueline’s gaze narrowed.
“Did you read today’s paper?”
“I haven’t had a chance yet.”
“There’s a new law about to pass, one that will require Espers and Guides to designate exclusive partners. It means Adrien’s time has come to pick a personal Guide.”
Samuel knew exactly what law she meant. It had been discussed for a while now.
Plenty of people were worried about the fact that Adrien, an unmeasurable-level Esper, still had no designated Guide. Even after she returned from completely eradicating the monsters, there were debates about whether her condition was truly safe.
“So, whether you win the post of personal Guide or whatever else you do, you’re responsible for managing Adrien Brillante’s guiding condition. That’s your mission.”
“…”
“I can’t force you. It’s her right to choose her own Guide. But I don’t care if you go behind her back and try something yourself.”
“Are you saying you’ll back me up, even if it means disobeying the commander’s orders?”
Jacqueline gave a dry laugh.
“You want me to cover for you?”
“…”
“Fine. Whatever you do, I’ll make sure you don’t get kicked out of the army.”
“Thank you.”
“Is that all you want?”
“…I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean.”
Jacqueline regarded Samuel with an odd expression, then spoke.
“Don’t think you’ll gain any kind of glory from this. Don’t expect a promotion, either. If anything, your reputation might take a hit.”
“…”
“And don’t think I’ll be responsible for your standing in the military. My only concern is my daughter’s safety and reputation. I’ll see you’re compensated financially, but nothing more.”
“Not being dismissed from the army is more than enough. I don’t want any money, either.”
“What?”
Jacqueline frowned, as if she didn’t quite understand.
She’d half expected Samuel to want something more in return, or to have to bribe or pressure him. She’d even considered outright threatening him, seeing that stubborn determination on his face in the training yard.
But she hadn’t anticipated that he would be this stubborn.
“That heartbeat…”
Jacqueline’s gaze landed precisely on Samuel’s left chest.
That’s when Samuel realized just how hard his heart was pounding.
“Is this love, Ensign?”
“…It’s reverence.”
The truth was, even that word fell short. Adrien was his hero, his light.
“Well, I suppose that’s a relief.”
Jacqueline uncrossed her legs at last, making a comment Samuel couldn’t decipher.
“Very well, I’ll let you do as you wish.”
“Thank you.”
As Samuel bowed his head and mentally replayed their conversation, he realized this was an unexpectedly perfect chance.
He’d wanted to become Adrien’s personal Guide for a long time, and now that the opportunity was before him, he found himself wanting it more than ever.
Still, some part of him felt this kind of good luck was almost too much to believe.
So it didn’t matter if he didn’t get to be her personal Guide. It didn’t matter if Adrien resented him for hiding his background.
But worrying about her condition was a separate matter.
Since she’d pushed Samuel away, not a single Guide seemed to stick around long enough to make a difference. Even when a few tried, their efforts never lasted beyond a quick burst of energy.
‘How is she even holding up…?’
He wanted to at least send out guiding energy from a distance, as he used to, but he was afraid Adrien would notice and have him transferred somewhere else.
But with Commander-in-chief Jacqueline at his back, things had changed.
“I’ll do everything I can for the commander.”
Whether Adrien pushed him away or hated him, Samuel was determined to save her.
It was the only thing he could give the person he revered most.
* * *
On the way back from headquarters, Adrien’s mind was a tangle—like a neglected garden overrun with thorns.
She’d never really wanted to designate a personal Guide, preferring to muddle through with a mix of temporary guides and medication. She thought she could manage that way, at least for a while.
But she hadn’t expected to run into a legal wall before her body even gave out.
If she’d known nothing, maybe she would’ve chosen Samuel as her personal Guide and told herself the timing was perfect.
Maybe she would’ve even laughed and called it fate, cupping his face in her hands.
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