Chapter 120
“…Is that so?”
After her regression, Lea hadn’t really visited other noble households, and though she had visited quite a few in the past, this was her first time experiencing something like this. But since it was Zion saying so, she couldn’t quite bring herself to doubt him.
Besides, it really did feel good. As Lea gazed languidly at Zion, Derek’s lips twisted slightly in an odd way. On top of that, the way she called him ‘Sir Zion’ bothered him immensely.
He soon put on a gentle smile and spoke up.
“So you call him ‘Sir Zion’. Please feel free to call me Derek as well, my lady.”
Derek’s face, smiling brightly as he spoke, was tremendously striking. Lea, caught up without realizing it, looked at him and then lowered her gaze.
She had thought only Calix was good-looking, but in fact, were Espers as a group all so handsome? It was a reasonable suspicion.
“…Um, Sir Derek?”
“Yes, my lady.”
Derek felt like he was going mad from how lovely it was to hear Lea call him by name. But he couldn’t let those feelings show. He needed to stay by her side in a way that wouldn’t weigh on her, so she wouldn’t feel burdened. That was the place he believed he belonged.
“Since we’ve met, you should receive guiding too, Sir Derek.”
She sent guiding into Derek through the hand he held out. Thanks to his steady guiding over time, his energy was stable.
“As expected, those who have received consistent guiding have bodies that are considerably stabilized. It’s very good.”
For five years, Zion and Derek had received regular guiding.
Through this, Lea learned one more thing about Espers. And also why they so desperately wanted an exclusive guide.
Espers who had achieved stability were neither edgy nor sharp. Looking at the two, who were more gentle yet solid than in the previous timeline, Lea felt her heart swell with pride.
“I don’t know how many Espers I’ll be able to guide, but I’ll do my best.”
“…Pardon?”
“What?”
Zion, absorbed with Lea’s soft feet, responded belatedly, and Derek, whose mood had soared thanks to the guiding, felt suddenly calm.
This wasn’t the intention behind organizing this banquet. They had simply hoped for Lea to remain in a higher, safer position. If she became an object of admiration, even better.
But contrary to their expectations, Lea was full of resolve. She was slowly accepting the unfamiliar emotions she’d been feeling lately.
Though she hadn’t quite yet been fully forgiven by Calix, she was reassured to see him being treated as the Imperial Crown Prince, unlike in the past.
Once the thing that had worried her the most and left her the most regret was gone, she found a new goal. She wanted to become a source of hope for as many Espers as possible.
If she went off to war, she wouldn’t be able to offer guiding as leisurely as she did now. That’s why, since Zion had arranged this opportunity, she decided she would try to guide as many Espers as possible while she could. Lea, who had been relaxing, straightened up.
Zion, feeling regretful as her small foot slipped from his hands, quickly composed his expression. Derek, too, felt a twinge of disappointment as her soft touch disappeared.
“It seems it’s almost time for the banquet. Isn’t that right, Rose?”
“Yes, you’re exactly right. I was just about to redo your makeup.”
“Okay, please do.”
“Yes, then. Please come to the vanity.”
Lea put on her shoes and stood up. Unlike her usual preference for comfortable shoes, today she wore very high heels.
This made her figure look different than usual. In addition, the dress she wore was of a simple design, but made from the finest silk, making it appear extremely luxurious.
The dress, which matched her brown hair, was cream-colored and its color subtly changed depending on the light.
The gold jewelry she wore matched her cream dress, and a particularly eye-catching bracelet on her wrist caught Zion’s eye.
He subtly checked Derek’s wrist, where the same bracelet was worn, and his brow furrowed.
He already knew what it was for, but he didn’t like that the bracelets looked like matching couple’s items.
“Then, let me escort you to the banquet hall.”
Once Lea’s preparations were finished, Zion approached and offered his hand. Derek stood on her other side. With the two men, she headed to the banquet hall.
The Crystal Hall, the largest in the ducal residence, was named for how it sparkled even at night. Though smaller than the ballroom in the Imperial Palace, it still showed off the Duke’s wealth.
As they entered, the doorkeeper shouted energetically,
“Presenting Young Duke Grayson, the second son of the Felitier Marquisate, and Lady Haisley!”
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