After I Died, He Died After Me Too - Chapter 16

Chapter 8.2

“You don’t want to receive guiding from someone who has been in contact with others.”

“Well, something like that. I don’t like sharing what’s mine with others. It’s just how I am.”

Indeed, as he said, what would be the reason for the Crown Prince to share something with anyone? If anything, he would monopolize it.

Bianca nodded in understanding. The Crown Prince’s face, with his head raised arrogantly and speaking as if it were natural, was calm. He still carried a graceful demeanor, leaning back in his chair as if he wouldn’t entertain any objections while tilting the teacup.

“Did you expect us to have a high matching rate?”

“I already know because I’ve tried it.”

Her face seemed to flush at his words, and she suddenly felt as if the inside of his mouth was burning. Thankfully, after taking a sip from the teacup, she felt much better.

In fact, she realized the moment their bodies touched that their compatibility was quite high.

Bianca intertwined her fingers under the blanket, not wanting to show that she was nervous. It was inevitable to keep avoiding this. The reason he had called her separately was to verify their matching rate and perhaps designate her as his Guide. At the thought, she took her hand from under the blanket and looked at Dexter.

“So, what is it that you are proposing to me?”

“Since you might try to deny it, I want to confirm our compatibility here and now again.”

“….”

“Will you allow it?”

“Yes, I’ll allow it, but it might be difficult to have close contact like we were back then.”

At her words, Dexter leaned forward and glanced at Bianca’s hand before he reached out and placed his hand on top of hers.

“Lady Astri, it’s best not to speak words you won’t take responsibility for.”

Bianca tilted her head to the side at the Crown Prince’s words.

“Are you saying there might be occasions where we’ll have close contact?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.”

He just held her hand as she wished and raised the corner of his mouth as he met her gaze.

Her heart plummeted as she met the red eyes. It was because an unknown, ominous premonition and a familiar sense of deja vu washed over her. Even though she couldn’t quite explain it, she had felt this sensation, this feeling before.

‘When, where…’

The sensation of heat spreading through her hand intensified. The warmth radiating from below gradually spread throughout her body.

Yes, she knew it well.

She had experienced it once before, so how could she forget that? Bianca bit down hard to keep the breath from escaping between her lips. They were just holding hands, yet the strength she felt from him was overwhelming. It drained strength from her entire body. Normally, it would’ve been too much for her by now, but she was able to endure.

Even with just a little effort, it felt like it was being filled. This alone was enough without needing further explanation.

Dexter, with his hand raised, opened his mouth with a wide smile.

“You can come in.”

At his words, Erlan entered. He brought a round plate embedded with magic stones and held it up towards them.

“….”

“Speak.”

He said to the Guide, who looked surprised.

“…T-The matching rate is 98%.”

It was unbelievable… a matching rate of 98%. It was an unheard of number. From the moment they first met, she had sensed something strange about her awakening, but she never imagined it would have such a profound impact.

“They said the matching rate is 98%, Bianca Astri.”

Bianca looked up from their intertwined hands and met his red eyes. His eyes, curved in satisfaction, were filled with greed. Dexter must’ve noticed the anxiety in her eyes and composed his expression.

“If you become my dedicated Guide here and now, I’ll grant you what you want.”

“What if… I refuse?”

“Then, the imperial family will forcefully announce you as my dedicated Guide.”

“Didn’t you already declare that you’re receiving the list of Guides?”

“That’s right.”

Looking at his smirk, it seemed like no matter what she said, the answer would be fixed.

‘He said he’ll grant what I want, right?’

She didn’t want to be tied down. She knew all too well what it meant to belong to the imperial family. She wanted to maintain her peaceful life as it was. She didn’t want to be summoned every day, witnessing people teetering on the brink of death again.

“I don’t want to be registered with the imperial family.”

“Why? If you’re registered, you’ll be guaranteed a lot of things.”

“I know it well that it would become shackles.”

Dexter’s eyebrows rose at her words.

“You know that well?”

“…My older brother, despite his low rank, is summoned every time.”

“Guides are also assets of the imperial family. Regardless of their rank, they’re valuable. You won’t be put in any danger.”

In truth, Dexter’s words were correct. Whether creatures were pouring in or monsters appearing, Espers often confronted them more than Guides did. Unless they were imprinted and connected, Guides moved under protection.

“To think you would ask not to register you, an S-rank who hasn’t appeared until now.”

It was an absurd statement. Still, Bianca didn’t avoid Dexter’s gaze.

“Is that all?”

“…I don’t want to be imprinted.”

“You don’t want to be imprinted?”

“If the matching rate is 98%, wouldn’t it be possible to provide sufficient guiding without imprinting? I don’t want to be imprinted even if I were to become the Crown Prince’s dedicated Guide.”

“The reason?”

“Because I don’t want to do it with someone I don’t love.”

Dexter, who was listening to Bianca’s words, laughed out loud. As his large hand covered his mouth, his arced eyes looked eerie.

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