Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Translator: Yonnee

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* * *

Watching the two disappear quickly, the crown prince quietly instructed his steward.

“Send a physician to Lady Closch’s room.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

As he walked towards his office, he replayed the recent incident in his mind. He had accidentally touched her arm, feeling the warmth of her bare skin.

“That sensation… It’s familiar, like when I receive guiding from the Saintess. But this was more refreshing… And warmer, perhaps?”

Entering his office, he sat down with a pile of documents but soon got lost in thought.

“Could there be others besides the Saintess with such an aura?”

Deep in contemplation, Jace shook his head slightly and picked up a document.

“No. I must be mistaken.”

Before Jace could focus, Ciel abruptly appeared, his face stern.

“You don’t need to send a physician to Lady Irene.”

“I’ve already instructed my attendant.”

“Then withdraw the order.”

“It might be better for her to be checked, considering what happened.”

“…Fine.”

Jace observed Ciel taking a seat comfortably in his office, then sat opposite him.

He had been curious about something for a while.

“I have a question for you.”

“If it’s about Irene, I won’t answer.”

Ciel seemed like a protective dog earlier, but now he was more like a bristling cat.

Jace sighed.

“You’ve changed too much.”

“People change. It’s the law of the jungle.”

“People are not animals, Ciel.”

“…Well, there are such cases.”

“But what I really want to know is—”

“I’ll answer only if it’s not about Irene.”

Ciel rubbed his stomach where Irene had hit him and replied in a sulky tone.

She actually punched him real hard… Did she dislike it that much?

“I’ve been wondering about something.”

“Please, feel free to ask. How could a mere noble like me refuse to answer the Crown Prince’s question?”

“Hah, alright then. I’ll ask.”

“Yes, please do.”

“How are you so filled with energy without receiving any guiding? Living on holy water alone should have its limits.”

Ciel froze at Jace’s question, his brain suddenly whirring into overdrive.

“…That small thing’s what you’ve been curious about?”

“Small? For an Esper, it’s a matter of life and death!”

“…My apologies.”

“It’s not an apology I want from you… Seriously speaking, are you doing alright?”

Ciel faced the crown prince, contemplating whether he should admit his struggles.

However, remembering his past experiences, he decided to be straightforward.

“It’s tough, but I think I’m managing alright without using my powers too much.”

“How so?”

“I’m not sure.”

The crown prince recalled Ciel’s visit to Closch.

“That incident with the monster wave that occurred in the Closch domain—I heard you handled the monsters then. Lady Closch vividly described it to me. You were fine even after using such strength?”

“…I had a very hard time back then. I’ve recovered since.”

“You’ve been enduring the lack of guiding?”

“……”

The crown prince strongly felt that Ciel was hiding something but chose not to press further. He could uncover the truth if he wished to.

“If you say so.”

However, he couldn’t hide his disappointment. He stood up, looking slightly bitter.

Ciel inquired,

“When will you send the Closch family back? The borders can’t be left unguarded for long.”

“…Yes, you have a point.”

As they continued, Jace had a strong feeling that there were others who might know Ciel’s secrets.

* * *

“Saintess, have you awoken?”

Roused by the priest’s call from outside the door, Seo-yoon answered groggily.

“Yes…”

“I’ll prepare the basin for you to wash your face.”

“Alright…”

Yawning widely, she recalled the troubling thoughts that had haunted her the previous night.

“I can’t believe there are other Guides besides me…”

No matter how much she pondered, it made no sense.

She clearly remembered the prophecy she had seen when she first arrived—that she was the one and only Guide.

“Was the prophecy wrong? Then what kind of prophecy is that? It’s just fiction.”

Irritated, Seo-yoon threw her pillow against the wall.

Frustratedly ruffling her hair, she grumbled.

“Fine. I get it. There are other Guides. But why am I the lowest rank?”

More than anything, she was seething by the fact that even here, her rank was infuriatingly low.

“Saintess, I’ve brought the basin. Excuse me for a moment.”

“Okay.”

Dressed in her priest’s robe filled with the scent of sunlight, she followed the priest to breakfast.

The previous night’s lavish meal in the Empire’s grandest setting left the simple fare unappealing. After a quick meal, she entered the chapel with the priest.

Her only moments of solitude in the temple were during prayer time.