Chapter 84
“What is it? Do you have something to say?”
The curt, chilling rebuke silenced the hall. Few could dare meet the Duke’s eyes so persistently.
Kaishis observed every shifting expression before revealing the second clue with meaningful weight.
“Bright golden eyes.”
The nobles let out sighs of relief, pressing their hands to their chests as if reassured it was not Duke Ariel being spoken of.
“A woman in her twenties who possessed both traits—and an exceptional Guide.”
One hesitant noble finally spoke up.
“But… does that mean she has not yet been found?”
“Then why would you…”
Their unfinished words carried the clear implication: Why reveal such traits openly if you mean to keep her hidden?
Kaishis simply lifted his hand and pointed toward Hilaria, who stood with a stony face.
“A mage.”
Despite her delicate features, her expression was fierce enough to devour anyone whole. Her cold, sharp gaze kept the nobles from daring to look directly at her, let alone speak.
“With their cooperation, she will be found.”
“P–pardon?”
On behalf of those too cowed to ask further, Kaishis explained.
“Coincidentally, the mages’ remarkable invention is nearly complete. A device that will reveal the compatibility between Awakened and Guide.”
“If such a thing exists…”
“Then there will no longer be a need for the troublesome search. Nor will arrogant Guides who flaunt their power have any excuse to posture. Isn’t that so?”
Some nobles lit up with undisguised joy, while others turned pale and staggered.
Especially the three Guides present.
They, who had proudly raised their noses as “houses of Guides,” now looked as though they had been struck on the back of the head.
Kaishis spared them no more than a glance before redirecting his focus.
“So, enjoy the banquet. As for me, I have matters to attend to.”
Maintaining his cold, unyielding expression, Kaishis strode directly toward Hilaria.
“Duke.”
“……”
“A discussion is necessary, don’t you think?”
“……”
That she would dare glare at the Emperor with such disdain, refusing even to answer, only made her stand out all the more.
Yes… this is who you are.
Kaishis allowed a faint smile to escape as he fixed his gaze on her.
“Choose. Will you come with me to speak in private, or would you rather continue enjoying yourself with the Cardinals?”
He leaned in close, feigning gentleness as his eyes gleamed.
“For the record, I think it would be quite useful if you could give me a further explanation of that invention.”
He smiled faintly as the nobles’ meaningful stares fell upon her.
Do they realize this is all to prepare them for the greater shock yet to come?
“Do I even have a choice here?”
“Of course.”
“If I pick the first option, you’ll only act petty about it.”
“Even so, the choice remains yours.”
And this woman before him—
“Well, I suppose there’s no helping it.”
Do you realize what’s happening, my Guide? Do you realize… that I’ve found you?
“My Guide.”
“Let’s go, Your Majesty.”
With her hand firmly clasped around Ruas’, Hilaria shot him a brusque look that said, lead the way. Satisfied, Kaishis gave a slight nod.
As he turned, his eyes swept over the two Cardinals, who wore uneasy expressions.
Their lingering stares on Hilaria soured his mood, but—
“Esteemed guests, please enjoy yourselves.”
At least she had not chosen them.
Petty and laughable though it was, that fact alone brought him joy.
It stirred something within his otherwise barren heart, something he had never truly felt before.
Hilaria—the one and only existence capable of doing so.
* * *
Izolet’s face turned ghostly pale as she watched her father come rushing toward her.
Seeing him storm in immediately after the banquet could mean only one thing: something shocking had happened after her hasty departure.
If I know His Majesty at all…
He might have publicly declared before everyone that another Guide existed, before anyone else could act on ill intent.
And indeed, her hunch soon proved correct.
“You!”
Her father, charging straight at her, slapped her across the face.
Smack!
The sting rang through her skull, but she endured it in silence. No one moved to shield her, no one to offer comfort.
“How dare you leave like that!”
The men who had come with him were equally furious, unable to hide their rage.
“Izolet! I sent you to seduce His Majesty, and you just ran away from the banquet hall like a fool! Do you have any idea what happened after you left?!”
Clutching her stinging cheek, Izolet let out a bitter laugh.
She raised her head, staring him squarely in the eye.
“Why?”
“What did you just say?”
“I asked you why. Tell me, Father. Did His Majesty announce that he had another Guide?”
“Ha! So you knew! Yes! He said it was a woman with red hair and golden eyes! Someone completely unlike you!”
His face turned red and blue as he raged, confirming her suspicion.
It had never been something that could be hidden forever.
“In that case, our house will lose everything in an instant. We claimed rights and privileges that never belonged to us, under the pretense of being His Majesty’s Guide. Isn’t that so?”
“And you dare say that aloud, with your shameless mouth?!”
She thought of Duke Ariel, who had always scorned her arrogantly. She thought of the Emperor’s cold back as he ignored her. Her teeth clenched.
Yes, she had tormented him with her so-called Guiding, never truly soothing him.
But this… this isn’t right.
Even if she had reaped all the benefits at court, treating others with haughty disdain—
Your Majesty, you had no right to treat me like this!
She was His Guide.
That truth was hers alone, not to be given to anyone else.
Anaiel? Rianne? They were nothing but extras.
It was her.
I am your Guide.
Izolet’s eyes hardened.
“So what.”
“What? How dare you act so brazen?!”
“Enough shouting already!”
“What?!”
As her father’s anger flared again, Izolet cut him off with an icy voice.
“Tell me this. Did His Majesty say he found that Guide? Of course not! If he had, he would have presented her to everyone already!”
“……”
“And how did he say he would find her?”
When her father pressed his lips shut, another noble answered in his stead.
“He said he would use the mages’ invention. A device that displays compatibility between Awakened and Guide. He said he would track her down with it.”
Izolet straightened, steadying her staggering frame.
With pride reminiscent of her days as the “Emperor’s Guide,” she surveyed those around her with arrogant disdain.
“Then as long as my score comes out the highest, everything will be solved. If my compatibility with His Majesty surpasses that of any other Guide in the Empire—”
“But the traits…”
Red hair, golden eyes?
Such traits could be brushed aside, claimed as a mistake of memory.
“All that matters is being the Guide with the higher score. Isn’t that right?”
The Emperor had not tested anyone directly with this supposed woman—so what did it matter?
“So, Father.”
Izolet stepped forward and seized his arm tightly.
“What—what are you doing?!”
His face twisted at the sight of her strange expression as she thrust out her hand.
“Give it to me.”
“Give you what?”
Power. Strength. Power!
“The potion you gave me before.”
Yes. Strength was the only way.
With it, the Emperor could no longer ignore her. With it, she would become the perfect Guide. With it, Duke Ariel could no longer treat her as insignificant.
“Give me more.”
The potion.
“If I can just gain that power…”
It was the only escape.
“Bring it to me!”
Izolet’s eyes gleamed unnaturally, flickering with a light that could never be called sane.
It was the look of an addict, utterly consumed.
