Refusing Your Ex-Husband's Obsession: A Guide - Chapter 194
Chapter 194
Translator: Yonnee
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Both of them initially showed shocked expressions, which soon turned to curiosity.
“…Your Ladyship.”
“Yes?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“What?”
At Lacie’s remark, I followed her gaze down to the scarred back of my hand.
“…Oh?”
The rose pattern that had appeared when I manifested as a Guide had changed from the last time I looked at it properly.
Initially, the patterns had taken the shape of only buds, but now, those buds had blossomed fully, not just partially open as before.
The fully bloomed flowers resembled the gisella rose. The rose pattern made even the burn scars seem beautiful. Was it just my imagination?
No, Lacie had also said it was pretty.
“It somehow feels sad too.”
Lacie gently held my hand, her eyes moist as she gazed at it. Then, she softly kissed the back of my hand. At that moment, the pattern seemed to emit a faint light.
Captivated by this strange sensation and unable to look away, Aiden muttered,
“Seeing the rose reminds me of Rose.”
His words brought a name to mind.
“Nicole…”
The name of the Guide Morgan had brought was also one variety of a rose.
“What?”
Startled by Lacie’s inquiry, I abruptly stood up.
“We must go to the temple. And Young Duke…”
“Huh?”
“Do you have a copy of the noble family registries?”
“Uh… Maybe they’re in the library. Why?”
Lacie wrapped a robe around me. While fastening the robe tightly, I asked them both.
“I heard that the Goddess Asteras loves roses very much. So, I heard that Her followers bring various roses and place them in front of the statues in the temple. Is that true?”
“…Yes, that’s right. But why?”
With a puzzled expression, Aiden answered my question with a broad smile.
“Most of the names of girls in the Empire are derived from a love for the Goddess, often taking the form of star names or rose varieties. However, not many names purely consist of just stars or roses.”
“…I heard my name is also a type of rose.”
At Lacie’s words, I nodded.
“That’s right, Lacie. I’m named after the brightest shining star.”
Finding an Esper whose powers had manifested was relatively easy, but I had always wondered how to find Guides.
However, if I could identify them first through the family records, finding a Guide would be much easier.
I immediately went up to the library and started looking through the family records on a table in one corner with Lacie and Aiden.
“Lady, how about comparing the names with this?”
Aiden handed me a book related to rose varieties.
“Oh, thank you.”
“Hehe… I’m glad to be of help.”
“Aren’t I always receiving help from you, Young Duke?”
At my words, Aiden shook his head slightly in response.
“No, not always. Lady, you always try to handle everything by yourself.”
Surprised by his unexpected words, I lifted my gaze. My red eyes, bathed in sunlight, turned a shade of ruby. Aiden, locking eyes with me, continued.
“I think I understand why Brother is so captivated by you.”
“…Why do you think that is?”
I was genuinely curious. Was there a reason for him to be captivated by me?
Both in the past and present, he was always superior, while I was not.
Aiden, as if reading my thoughts, immediately answered.
“You’re just like him.”
“…Pardon?”
“The way you try to handle everything by yourself, your determination to protect your people, and not speaking about your hardships. You’re the same in those aspects.”
“……”
Hearing about myself from someone else felt quite strange. Lost in thought, I stared blankly until Aiden softly smiled.
His smile, so similar to Ciel’s, made my heart pound unknowingly.
“You both didn’t realize, did you? How similar you are to each other.”
Aiden finished speaking and opened a different book about rose varieties across from me.
At that moment, Lacie, who had been looking around the library, returned with a large number of books.
Thud—
The table thudded loudly even though she only placed the books on it.
“Ah, sorry. I meant to put them down gently.”
“Lady Clausent, why not use your powers to move the books? There’s no need to exert yourself.”
“Oh, that idea! Ah, but I still prefer to move around and sweat a bit.”
“You’re truly a knight, Lady.”
At Aiden’s words, Lacie blushed and took her seat.
“That’s the highest compliment for me. Thank you, Young Duke.”
“No, it’s nothing…”
Embarrassed, Aiden fumbled through the books. Watching the two, I spoke up.
“Lady Clausent, Young Duke.”
“Yes.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, both of you.”
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