Refusing Your Ex-Husband’s Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 172

Chapter 172

Translator: Yonnee

—

Jace looked back and forth between the two people in the drawing room. Focusing on the Saintess, who was indignantly flushed while biting her lower lip, he wondered if his thoughts were correct.

Already accustomed to her guiding, should he consider such a woman an enemy?

What exactly is Ciel thinking? And how much does he know?

While Jace was annoyed that Ciel hadn’t reported to him, he couldn’t reprimand him—partly because he, too, felt a desire to protect the Saintess, even disregarding official reasons.

And furtively, he also thought of Irene.

Would her guiding be blissful?

* * *

Ciel returned to his mansion with Aiden. He exploded in anger, recalling what Seo-yoon had blabbered, and all the furniture around him burned to ashes.

Rouman waited in apprehension, more worried about having to order new furniture than his master’s actual outburst.

“Rouman.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“Bring a glass of water that’s full of ice.”

“Understood.”

“Brother…”

“Yes, Aiden.”

Ciel knew he had to verify how the Saintess found out that Irene was a Guide.

First though, there was something he needed to tell Aiden.

But before he could speak, Aiden started,

“I want to be of help to you, Brother.”

“…What?”

“You know, Brother. I’m no longer afraid of hearing people’s true thoughts.”

“Aiden…”

“And I won’t just rely on you anymore.”

“Oh, Aiden…”

Ciel’s fiery heart cooled a bit at his brother’s words. He couldn’t hide his joy as he responded.

“If you help me, it would be a great support.”

“Really?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll become a fine man, like Lord Closch.”

“…What?”

“I think I’ve gained confidence thanks to Lord Closch.”

“……”

Ciel felt happy but couldn’t fully express his joy. He strived to become a man who his younger brother could admire, but even that seemed stolen by the Closch family. It ignited some slight jealousy in him.

Still though, soon enough, he burst into laughter.

“It seems both you and I have a reason to get along well with the Closch family now.”

“I want to go to the villa you built in the Closch domain, Brother. I promised to show it to Rose…”

“Alright. Then, can I ask you a favor?”

“Of course. Just say the word.”

Seeing his spirited younger brother, Ciel felt relieved.

Yes, it’s different from the past. Unlike how he was in Korea, here, he had his people.

“I think we need to protect Rose. And not right away, but when you meet the people from the temple, I’d like you to read their thoughts.”

“The priests?”

“Even the Saintess.”

“…The Saintess is really strange.”

Aiden frowned, remembering the saintess’s inner thoughts he had heard before.

It was the vilest thing he had ever encountered.

“I miss Rose so much. She’s not the kind of person who’d say such things. She’s honest and tells me things without me having to probe her thoughts.”

“Right. You protect your Guide, and I’ll protect mine.”

“My Guide?”

Aiden’s heart raced at his brother’s words.

My Guide?

“Listen, Aiden. Protecting your own Guide is more important than any mission for an Esper. And it’s not just about protecting against enemies—it’s equally important that we, as their Espers, don’t harm our Guides.”

Ciel spoke with a bitter taste in his mouth. These were things he hadn’t considered in the past.

He taught all this to Aiden, but it was as much a reminder to himself.

He took a deep breath, reaffirming his resolve.

I should have received some guiding from Irene before sending her away…

He felt an unpleasant sensation creeping up from within, something he hadn’t felt in a long time.

But first, he had to meet the high priest and talk to the crown prince. He needed to control his powers before seeing Irene again.

“I’ll get ready then.”

“Okay.”

After Aiden left, the chief attendant brought iced water. Ciel chewed the ice, soothing his inner heat, as he ominously murmured.

“I won’t let myself be fooled again, Lee Seo-yoon.”