Ah, it hurts.
This hurts so much.
From a young age, as Casey moved to handle the gates and perform the duties of the imperial family, pain was as familiar a companion as his soul.
He had never known what it felt like to be free.
The uncontrollable force was always shaking his insides and confusing his mind.
He lived to endure extreme pain and disturbing suffering, unable to ignore those who depended on him and followed him.
The only thing sustaining him was his stubborn pride and arrogant duty.
But…
“What is this?”
It was warm and soft.
As if something fragrant was caressing him.
As if he no longer had to suffer alone, as if a hand extended to hold his outstretched hand.
He held her tightly and ed, as if he wanted to tie her to his side forever.
If that were there, he wouldn't be in pain.
He knew it instinctively.
An intense, possessive desire rose within him.
For the first time, the forces that were emerging like ice spears submitted and obediently obeyed him.
It felt awfully good.
In the midst of euphoric happiness, he realized that this is the feeling awakened people have when they meet their true guide.
This means…
Have I found my mentor?
The fate I always wanted?
My partner?
He suddenly opened his eyes.
For the first time, Casey felt that the morning could be so pure and refreshing.
Everything was clear.
He could freely extend his strength without pain.
He felt like he could do anything now.
But…
“Why is there no one?”
Happiness turned into annoyance in an instant.
There was no one beside him.
His chied face cracked.
He extended his hand and grabbed the bed sheet, which still retained a slight warmth.
The only memory was a fragmented glance.
Thick, soft hair filled his hands, but he couldn't remember its color.
Golden eyes shining clearly.
A strange woman.
At that moment, a knock rang at the door.
He ordered us to enter, and the knight commander opened the door with a pale face and knelt down.
“What happened?”
“We have arrested and imprisoned everyone who used the drug, Your Majesty.
We were in a state of emergency in case we lost control, but...”
“Has my aura stabilized?”
"…Yes."
If the only SSS-rank Awakener in the empire lost control, it would have been a disaster.
Therefore, if the expected event occurred, the knights would move according to plan.
In other words, no one saw who was next to him.
“There was someone there.”
He knew.
He realized he was smiling slowly.
He felt that running his hand through his hair was refreshing.
A powerful mentor he had never seen before, able to completely hide her aura.
This is his partner.
A feeling of anxiety rose within him.
“Look for her.”
If she disappears, I'll go after her.
“No, I will find it myf.”
I will find her and keep her by my side.
The eyes of the knight whose eyes met his were filled with joy.
How long he had waited for this moment, how long he had waited for the person controlling the reins who could calm that enormous force!
“Is that possible, Your Majesty?”
“I found my mentor.”
He didn't know why she soothed him gently and then disappeared.
Did you hate him?
Have you heard that the emperor is crazy?
Or is she forced to hide her identity?
If she became the Emperor's guide, she would be guaranteed wealth and fame for life, but her disappearance without a trace was cruel.
But that's okay.
Persuasion comes after finding it.
It is true that he was the emperor, but he was also a skilled hunter.
His blue eyes sparkled like a beast searching for its prey.
“I will find her, no matter what it takes.”
After a long time, he felt that something interesting would happen.
According to the maid's report, Louis was, fortunately, unharmed.
As for my mind...
He wasn't safe at all.
“Ahh!”
The moment I saw the Emperor's bare, sculpted chest in the morning light, I almost screamed, but I restrained myf by pinching myf.
The man in front of me was Kaysis.
Last night, Casey and I...
Oh!
“What did you do?”
Oh, my God.
Who would have expected that the guidance that began with a kiss would lead to this?
I felt very frustrated.
“I didn't know it would be this effective.”
Usually, the guide transmits energy to the awakened person through contact.
This may be just a simple touch, such as holding a hand or a hug.
But in some cases, this is not enough.
In such cases, something more effective is required.
That is, a kiss, or even sleeping together to provide guidance energy.
Like last night.
Me and Kaycees!
"Yes."
I covered my face.
Even without seeing him, I knew that Hilaria's face, despite her cold appearance, was burning red.
To defend myf, it was never my fault that, despite my ten years of experience as a guide, I had never experienced Qibla guidance before.
How could I communicate with people who vomited just by touching my energy?
“So I wasn't fully conscious.”
It was the first time for me.
Guidance blending naturally was a really strange feeling.
Unfortunately, my relationship with that man wasn't bad.
Moreover, he was the first awakened person who did not reject me.
I never imagined things would come to this.
Thinking about those moments made my face burn, but I realized for the first time that this is the connection that guides and awakened people often feel.
Awake, accepting my energy and breathing it in, while smiling gently.
Holding the hand while the pain fades, energy, and gentle treatment.
Honestly, it felt great.
And he was sorely disappointed.
I'm the only one who didn't know this feeling, damn it.
The feeling is still clear.
Treatment you have previously received:
“Hey, do it, Rank A Guide!
Don’t touch me, just guide.
Understood?”
“Your touch is like forcing me to swallow spoiled food.”
“You're annoying, go away.
Why can't you guide without touching?”
Words I heard many times.
So, what happened last night was a first for me.
To be appreciated without rejection, that feeling...
I remembered that man's voice, and my ears burned.
How that annoying emperor charmed me with his wonderful smile, and how I did my best to use all the energy of guidance!
“Ahh!”
I opened my eyes in amazement.
Are you crazy?
Have you lost your mind?
“Why do you remember this?
Wake up!”
This morning, thanks to the people who stayed away so as not to disturb the Emperor's tense state, the palace was quiet.
I could have sneaked away like a thief and disappeared.
But I remained stuck in my office in the Imperial Palace, in the bed prepared inside, until sunrise.
I did it, but I was afraid of the repercussions.
Is it possible that this hero will remember the moment of guidance, unlike the novel?
Why did the heroine disappear?
What will happen now?
“Ah, I can't open the status screen.”
Surely, last night, there was something between me and that guy.
Not only the calming of its power, but a feeling that something invisible has connected with us.
At that moment, I regained consciousness and separated from him as if to expel him, but something had definitely changed.
That was scary.
Scared to think about it.
The deep connection between a guide and an awakened person...
Which the hero was supposed to feel with the heroine.
Engraving.
A phenomenon that links a powerful awakened person with only one guide.
A connection that makes their two souls united and unique.
A mentor can only guide his engraved mentor, and vice versa.
They hold each other's lifeline.
"No, that's too much.
He couldn't have engraved with me."
Let me get my thoughts in order first.
I intended to order my assistant, as soon as he returned from vacation, to investigate the heroine's family immediately.
If there is a problem with the bright heroine, it must be solved first.
If I can deal with the Emperor who will be looking for me, that would be ideal.
“Before he finds me, I will find the heroine myf and put her before him.
That is clear.”
In the novel, if he is attracted to a B-rank guide with insufficient energy, her compatibility with him is undoubtedly amazing.
That would be enough to make me forget completely!
“However, I must make sure...”
I took a deep breath and looked at the status screen.
I felt like it was going to be Pandora's box, but it was flashing in front of me as if urging me to check quickly.
Okay, let's do it.
I can.
I pressed hard.
[Congratulations!]
As I expected, the fireworks exploded.
I feel like I'm going to panic every time I see the word "Congratulations."
God, things that are good for you aren't always worth celebrating, you understand?
Gifts must be what the recipient wants!