Chapter 38
If it’s for him
“Since it doesn’t seem like I can keep this hidden anyway, Young Master, I’m just being honest. But I’d still like you to keep it a secret. If you do, I’ll keep your secret too.”
Derek was so flustered he didn’t know what to do. He hadn’t expected it at all.
That the fox’s true identity would be Lady Haisley.
Even someone like him, distant from high society, had heard the rumors, and according to those, she was said to dislike the Imperial Crown Prince.
Then what was that scene just now?
And what was that voice ringing in his head? He could’ve sworn it shouted something along the lines of liking Calix.
Does the Imperial Crown Prince not know?
As Derek’s mind spun furiously, Lea let out a deep sigh and stepped forward, abruptly grabbing his hand.
“…!”
Before Derek—who was extremely averse to physical contact—could shake her off, Lea immediately began guiding.
He was no different from Calix or Ilion. Rather, being a mental-type Esper, his energy was twisted far worse than either of them.
The impure energy that had accumulated over the years was a tangled mess, like a knotted skein of thread.
Lea closed her eyes and focused. The pain kept scattering her concentration.
She was exhausted to the point of collapse and just wanted to seal his lips and go back to rest.
Even with limited contact points, she guided skillfully, searching for the area that had been the hardest to relieve.
As her refreshing energy coursed through his body, Derek was completely immobilized. It felt like the arrow pulled from her body had now been driven into him instead.
As that strange energy swept through him, his mind cleared. The indescribable euphoria kept him from opening his eyes.
He felt that if he did, it would vanish like a mirage.
“Huu…”
Lea, overwhelmed, let out ragged breaths and released his hand.
“Thank you for pretending not to notice earlier. Consider this my way of returning the favor.”
At her words, Derek slowly opened his previously closed eyes.
“If you ever need it, I’ll guide you anytime. But in exchange, you must never speak of today’s events. I’d prefer it if no one ever found out.”
Looking up at Derek, Lea explained carefully, word by word. It was that important.
She had decided to persuade him, since she couldn’t hide it from him anyway, and continued speaking.
“In return, I won’t say anything about your ability either. If necessary, I can even put it in writing.”
Though she had stopped the bleeding where the arrow had pierced her, the pain still lingered. Lea broke into a cold sweat but kept speaking with desperate determination.
“If you need financial support, I can provide that too.”
“Is all this really necessary?”
“Yes…”
Suddenly, Derek felt a suspicion. Perhaps the reason she was so desperate was related to the scene he had witnessed earlier and the glimpse he’d caught of her thoughts.
For the first time in who knows how long, Derek looked straight at her with a clear mind and opened his mouth.
“There’s something I want to ask you first.”
“…Yes, go ahead.”
“Are you a werefox?”
“…That’s right.”
“Who else knows this?”
“…Practically no one. Not even His Highness the Imperial Crown Prince knows—so who do you think would?”
Lea was eager to get a clear answer and return to the palace, but Derek’s persistent questions didn’t end so easily.
“Then… one last question.”
Noticing her pale face too late, Derek quickly followed up.
“Is the fact that you’re a Guide also a secret?”
Lea, her face ashen, simply let out a sigh. But the message she held inside was conveyed clearly to Derek.
{ You already read everything in my head, didn’t you? Isn’t that enough? }
At the voice resonating in his mind, Derek flinched slightly. Until now, he had only heard the scattered thoughts of others—never such a clear, deliberate message.
It had happened earlier too, but hearing it now with a clear mind made it feel all the more strange.
Even so, he couldn’t answer her question.
Had it been someone else, he might have… but he didn’t mention the fact that her mind was strangely unreadable to him.
Somehow, he instinctively understood that keeping that detail from her would work in his favor.
He also wanted to ask how she knew about his ability in the first place, but since he couldn’t keep holding back someone who was clearly in pain, Derek silently extended his arm and spoke firmly.
“Then, I’ll escort you, my lady.”
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.