Chapter 13 - My one and only Guide...
Translator: Yonnee
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Ciel was lost in thought as he entered the hall with the crown prince. The first place that he would meet that woman was none other than this coming-of-age ceremony.
Ever since that woman arrived at this empire on a dimensional shift, it was as if everything fell into place.
In the past, he followed everything that woman said. He also thought that it was god's will that he should listen to her. But it's not just that
Everyone living in the Stern Empire served the god Asteras and revered the temple.
A saintess called the beloved daughter of such a god then arrived, and so of course, people had no choice but to adore her.
But now, he thought differently.
He did not know why he had returned-if it was perhaps god's will or not. But it was difficult to endure his greed and impatience for what's in store ahead of him.
Right now, there was only one reason as to why he had to look for the saintess who was as unpleasant as he remembered.
He needed to cross dimensions and go back to Korea. That's how he'd be able to meet Seohyun again.
My wife...
My one and only Guide...
As long as he'd be able to meet her alive once more, it didn't matter if he'd never be able to return to the empire any longer.
His thirst was unbearable. Just looking at all the people in this crowded hall made him sick and tired already, but most of all, it felt as if he couldn't breathe properly because it's as if his throat was ever so parched.
Right now, he knew that this symptom was flaring up because he needed to be guided, but the saintess' guiding could no longer satisfy him.
Only Seohyun, only her...
She was the only one who could quench his agonizing thirst, the only one who could quell his surging powers.
He would never let her be alone this time-no matter what. Even if going down this path would lead to self-destruction.
"You don't look so good. Did Aiden cause any trouble again?"
Crown Prince Jace was a close friend of Ciel's ever since they were children. They also had the kind of relationship of a liege and a vassal, but they were closer than just that when they weren't under the watchful eyes of the public.
Even so, Ciel loathed this man so much in the past.
He couldn't deny that he had been relentlessly jealous of Jace as he received more of Seo-yoon's attention before.
However, that was during the time that Ciel was still blind to Seo-yoon's true intentions. When he belatedly found out the truth, it had already been too late.
"Aiden..."
Ciel muttered his younger brother's name.
Aiden had such a weak and frail disposition, and yet that child was picky and prone to getting annoyed at every little thing. Before returning, Ciel did not like his younger brother very much.
"Of course, it's not that I can't understand how you feel, but... Tsk, your complexion is a mess. Drop by my room later. I have some holy water from the temple on reserve this time. Though it's not as effective as the holy water you've been drinking until now."
The holy water Jace was referring to was the holy water for Espers, which was difficult to come by in the empire.
Espers had almost gone extinct in the empire, and so it was a blessing that they had emerged in this world once more.
Even so, there had been no Guides to match the Espers.
The moment an Esper would manifest their power and if there was no Guide by his side, his existence would feel no different than walking perpetually on scorching hot sand.
It's as if the Esper was stranded in the middle of a desert where the sand would slowly pull him down and down, even as he kept trying to walk forward for the rest of his life.
So, how delicious was the reprieve that a Guide had provided him when he first tasted it.
It was so tooth-rottingly sweet.
Passing through the crowd and entering a private space, Ciel sat down on the sofa before the crown prince could first.
He gulped down the ice water that had been prepared in advance.
Chewing the ice mercilessly, he drew his memories and recalled how Seo-yoon had been in the past.
The guiding that she provided was nothing short of poison.
Despite planning to gain that woman's trust, Ciel staunchly thought of any way at all to avoid her guiding at any cost.
Jace sat on the sofa opposite him. Despite Ciel's perhaps profane attitude in front of royalty, Jace was indifferent to this.
"Should I order someone to bring the holy water now?"
"...Your Highness."
"Why are you calling me that now? No way, is there really something wrong?"
Jace stared straight into Ciel's eyes with a stiff expression.
Just like Jace, Ciel was an Esper, and he was one of the few people who freely visited the prince ever since they were young. Jace cherished Ciel as a dear friend very much.
But one day, his disposition suddenly changed. When Jace first encountered the changed Ciel, Jace couldn't even open his mouth in front of him.
Ciel's eyes were already originally sharp, but when he changed, his gaze looked exceedingly vicious.
Before that, Ciel held himself with the characteristic prideful dignity of a high aristocrat.
But where did that countenance go?
What's left in the man was a wild, uninhibited atmosphere that made Jace shudder just by being a witness to it.
"I'm sorry for the bother, but I'll take you up on that offer."
"Don't tell me... You. Are you in a partial state?"
