When the Guide Stopped Playing a Villainess, the Obsession Began - Chapter 77

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Just then, Rose spoke up.

“The lemons from this harvest are incredibly fresh, the palace chef was thrilled. It’ll take a little time, but I’ll bring some lemon tart. Please wait just a moment, Milady.”

After quickly relaying the message, Rose hurried out. Seeing Rose’s swift movements, Zion stepped closer to Lea and offered his arm. It was likely because he felt he couldn’t lose to that palace maid.

“Then, how about we take a short walk while we wait?”

“…Alright.”

Lea couldn’t quite suppress the fluttering in her chest.

Having an impromptu teatime with someone close, right in her own palace. Going for a walk just to pass the time. These were all first-time experiences for her, and the excitement gradually swelled.

As they stepped into a garden not far from her palace, Lea was happy but also anxious because of Zion. With so many eyes in the palace, was it really alright for the two of them to be out in the garden like this together?

“Sir Zion, haven’t we come too far?”

“Pardon? This is the closest garden.”

“But…”

Seeing Lea glance around warily, Zion quickly caught on to what she was thinking. Then again, how could he not?

Lea had always tried her best to erase her presence and had never once stepped outside the palace, especially not if it meant revealing the Esper she guided.

During that time, Zion had begun to harbor a question. Even if she didn’t want the Empress to know of their relationship, wasn’t she punishing herself too harshly?

She looked as if she were being chased by something, or as if she were apologizing to someone. He couldn’t help but wonder about her story.

“I have something to say, Lady Haisley.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

As her gaze landed on him with calm sincerity, Zion felt his heart stir. He suddenly grew tense and rolled his tongue in his dry mouth.

“…I don’t intend to hide it anymore.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“My lady, No, Lady Lea.”

At the shift in how he addressed her, Lea, who had been walking slowly, came to a halt.

“…Yes?”

“I intend to step down from my position as commander of the Second Knights Division.”

“…Why?”

“There was a time when I thought that role was important. But now, something more important has come up.”

Lea could somewhat guess why Zion was doing this. But it had all come so suddenly, she couldn’t find the words to respond. As she hesitated, Zion continued calmly.

“I can no longer stand by and do nothing about you, Lady Lea. And I don’t believe this is something that can be hidden away any longer.”

“But I’m fine, Sir Zion.”

Thinking he had made this decision impulsively after seeing her punished by Bianca, Lea tried dEsperately to stop him.

Of course, the reason she first approached him had been purely because of Calix. He was one of the Empress’s close aides, and she had planned to use him someday.

But there was a variable she hadn’t accounted for. In the past, Lea had never formed proper human relationships with anyone, so she hadn’t realized that affection could naturally grow between people.

Over five years, the quiet bond that had built up between them had gradually turned into a feeling distinct from what she’d felt for Calix.

Seeing the worry etched on her face, Zion smiled gently and conveyed his thoughts.

“I’m going to inherit the ducal title. Honestly, I should’ve done it sooner. And after that…”

He looked directly at her, unwavering.

“I intend to gather people for your sake, Lady Lea.”

“…Pardon? People for my sake?”

“You already know what enabled Her Majesty the Empress to take power, don’t you?”

“…Of course.”

“No, Lady Lea. You don’t know precisely. You probably believe it’s because Her Majesty earned the Emperor’s trust, and thus the nobility followed.”

Indeed, Bianca had been able to gain the nobles’ support thanks to the Emperor backing her. But Zion seemed to imply that wasn’t the whole story.

“You need to understand Espers better, Lady Lea.”

At his next words, Lea felt puzzled. Didn’t she already know Espers fairly well? Had she made some kind of mistake without realizing it?

While she pondered, Zion caught the look on her face and gave a faint smile before continuing.

“Espers possess an incredibly strong sense of ownership toward their Guides. But in the Cantabria Empire, they have no outlet for it. After all, Her Majesty is the only Guide. That doesn’t mean they don’t have that possessiveness.”

He didn’t bother adding that they were simply enduring it. He worried it might burden her.

“I plan to exploit that exact vulnerability.”

“…What vulnerability?”

To her question, Zion replied with a bitter expression.

“I’m going to use a ‘hope’ that can never be fulfilled.”