13 - I Healed the Male Lead's Trauma
Episode 13
3. The Second Male Lead Said He Needed an Extra (2)
Once Kashiel had completely disappeared outside the main gate, we were able to borrow a carriage right away.
However, for some reason.
"You could have just told me, why are you following us?"
"I have somewhere to go too."
Akteon, who I thought was going out separately, suddenly requested to come along.
Hiakin, annoyed that he was interrupting his outing with his sister, was nonchalantly countered by Akteon.
"The stables seem busy today, perhaps because there are many people going out. If you went separately, it might take longer to get a carriage ready."
"You, you were aiming for this from the start, weren't you? To go with my sister."
"I wonder. What do you think, Liphy-sunbae?"
No, I don't particularly want to think about it...
The Akteon I knew from the original story was a guy tormented by trauma, cold to women, but obsessively attached to his Guiding.
That unstable appearance rather fueled the precarious atmosphere with Milia.
But the guy in front of me...
'I can't imagine him looking like that from the original at all...?'
He seemed more like a child wanting to get my attention, hoping I would pay attention to him.
'He's not just a child, though, he's too clever.'
It's the same now.
Akteon knows that if I hear those words, I'll have no choice but to agree to let him come along.
Did he think I wouldn't notice? I pretended to be fooled and beckoned him over.
"Akteon."
"Yes, Liphy-sunbae."
"Lower your head for a moment."
He probably didn't expect this.
Akteon readily lowered his height and bowed his head, looking at me. I met his gaze head-on, a mixture of curiosity and anticipation in his eyes.
What do you expect me to do?
I reached out to Akteon's forehead, between his parted bangs. And.
Thwack!
"I flicked you because you're annoying."
After giving him a flick on the forehead, I quickly climbed into the carriage that had been prepared.
'He's really a scary guy...'
Seeing that, Hiakin smirked, triumphantly mocking Akteon.
"Ha, what were you expecting? That doesn't work on Liphy."
Then, Akteon, who climbed in after Hiakin, muttered softly.
"Hmm, I wonder."
Let's just pretend I didn't hear that.
If Hiakin had heard, another fierce battle of nerves would have erupted.
Fortunately, he didn't hear, and Hiakin, sitting next to me, just glared at Akteon across from us.
I glanced at Akteon and then fell back into thought.
'First, I need to go to the bank, and since I'm in the capital for the first time in a while, I should see my parents too...'
Since the cathedral is in the west of District 1 where the bank is, the route is perfect.
'I'll have some time to spare. Good.'
I was lost in anticipation of what to buy for my little one when I met Akteon's eyes, who was looking at me.
"Why? Do you have something to say?"
"You seem to have many places to go, so may I ask where?"
"If I keep it a secret?"
"I have no choice. I'll just have to go back first. Although I'll have to give up the carriage to Liphy-sunbae, who isn't feeling well, and walk alone."
"...I was thinking of going to the bank in the morning, and if there's a good restaurant, maybe go there in the afternoon, and also visit the cathedral and a dress shop."
Hiakin glared at me for revealing my schedule so easily.
Sorry, I'm an easy sister.
"Then that might be alright..."
Tap, tap, Akteon tapped his crossed arms with his fingers.
Come to think of it, didn't Akteon say he had something to do separately?
Considering that, he was too relaxed, as if his own business was just an excuse and he was just out playing with us.
'No, actually, this is good.'
Actually, I have another purpose today.
'I'm sure of it. He said he worked there before entering the academy.'
That is to find Milia in advance.
Now that I've decided to overturn the predetermined story, it doesn't matter whether Akteon and Milia fall in love again or go their separate ways.
'Milia is the only S-class Guiding I know. Unless another high-ranking Guiding appears, Milia is most likely to become Akteon's Guiding.'
So, I was going to find out where Milia was in advance and create a point of contact with Akteon.
'But since Akteon is with me...'
It would be better if the two of them ran into each other.
But the hope that swelled with anticipation soon deflated like a failed dough.
After arriving in District 1, a problem arose as soon as we arrived at our first destination today.
Akteon left, saying he had somewhere to go, and Hiakin said he wanted to buy something nearby, so I came to the bank alone and felt several gazes that seemed to be directed at me.
And soon after, someone approached me.
"Uh, so... Liliop Ortiz-ssi?"
"Yes? That's me."
The banker, who had just confirmed my identity, was flustered and left his seat, asking me to wait a moment.
And after a few minutes.
"I didn't expect to see you here again. How have you been?"
A voice that sounded familiar.
Could it be, I turned my head anxiously.
"I heard that another Unauthorized Guiding notification was sent to the Management Bureau last time."
A blond prince appeared from inside the bank, where only renowned wealthy people came and went.
At the same time, my eyes shook violently, like a small boat facing a rough storm.
No, why are you coming out from there?
"I was wondering what was going on, so this is good timing. I was thinking of calling you in."
Prince Isidor smiled affably and came in front of me, patting my shoulder.
I was just a mere student, but the people inside the bank began to watch me as if I were some unknown influential figure.
"Ah, this is too public a place, isn't it? How about we talk for a while over there?"
"If Your Highness... wishes, I must follow."
"Why are you so nervous between us? Where did that boldness from last time go?"
...So that's how you can say I stood up to you.
As I was forced to follow Prince Isidor into the bank, I desperately needed Beled's headache medicine.
However, no matter how clouded my face became, His Highness the Prince was simply pleased with the unexpected meeting.
The prince, who had taken over the reception room inside the bank where private guests were received, started with small talk and only brought up the main topic after tea and refreshments were prepared.
"Is this the first time since I saw you about ten days ago? I hope you've been well in Brondearne."
"Thanks to you, I'm receiving excessive treatment. So is my brother."
"Your complexion doesn't look very good for someone who's being treated well. Ah, right. What happened to the accident you caused that day?"
"Cough..."
I almost spat out the tea in a disgraceful manner.
Right. There's no way he wouldn't ask.
Unlike his attitude of treating me like an old acquaintance, Prince Isidor spoke with quite a bit of weight.
"According to the report, Akteon Brondearne had his First Manifestation, and the signs weren't good, so you had to perform Unauthorized Guiding, right? You didn't do anything wrong, so there's no need to shrink back."
"Th-thank you..."
"Well, still, you should be careful and take care of yourself. You look like you'll collapse if you're touched, but you're too fearless, aren't you?"
"I'll keep that in mind..."
It's a great relief that the only other person in this room besides us is the prince's aide.
Prince Isidor shamelessly poked at my sore spots, pretending not to know.
"Your professor in charge urgently came to the Management Bureau, what did he say again?"
The image of my professor, who hoped he wouldn't be summoned, flashed through my mind.
If you have the wrong student, even a professor's fate is harsh.
'And I'm that wrong student.'
"He said that even if you seem abnormal sometimes, you don't cause accidents without a reason? He requested that you be given as much consideration as possible."
"Haha..."
"You should treat your professor well when you go back later."
"Of course."
"And he said he's eagerly waiting for you to return."
Should I just drop out?
No, Estra Academy doesn't allow dropouts.
It's an obligation for Evolved Beings... What a crazy setting.
Still, even though he was shamelessly teasing me, Prince Isidor seemed to like me quite a bit.
That expression of looking at me with interest, as if I were a strange animal, was the proof.
"Did you visit today to confirm the compensation I mentioned?"
"Y-yeah, well."
"That's good. I happen to have some free time today, so should I follow you around?"
What did I just hear? I almost blurted out exactly what I was thinking without realizing it.
"Wh-why?"
"As a member of the royal family, it's also an important duty to inspect the lives of my people."
"Why do you have to do that with me..."
"Didn't you get some money thanks to me? You should treat me this time."
Who is telling whom to treat when they have money to burn?
You might as well suck the blood out of a flea.
Even when I glared at him with resentful eyes as if asking if he was serious, he didn't care.
"Come to think of it, the chef who left the royal palace a year ago opened a restaurant. His pheasant skewers are very delicious. Let's go there as well."
District 1 is expensive...
The shameless prince, who had said that much, patted my back.
After that, the prince, who was amused by teasing me, asked me many questions before getting up, saying it was time to leave.
I, a powerless student, could only follow behind him, looking at his back with a hollow gaze.
The prince continued to talk to me while I received the compensation for the damages that came out in Hiakin's and my names.
"Ah, right. Count Lorraine will be detained a little longer because there are parts that need to be investigated first. It will take a little longer, but rest assured that we will handle it thoroughly without secretly smuggling him out."
"I guess I have to believe you since you say so."
"Am I that untrustworthy? Even though I look like this, I'm working so hard for this country."
"That's what all the high-ranking people say."
"You, I'm asking just in case, but you haven't forgotten my identity, have you?"
"Ah."
The prince looked down at me in disbelief when I was really startled by the fact I had momentarily overlooked.
I quickly avoided his gaze.
Fortunately, he was quite lenient with this rudeness and didn't scold me.
However, perhaps because he was worried, he gave me a warning as soon as we came outside.
"Even though it's an inspection, I don't want you to openly call me Your Highness."
"Then what should I call you?"
"What do people usually call me in these situations?"
He called his aide and gave some instructions before asking the same question.
Soon, he opened his mouth, deciding that this title was the most appropriate.
"Just Isidor-nim would be good."
"Even so, calling you by your name is a bit..."
Every citizen knows that the second prince's name is Isidor.
The prince's aide seemed to feel the same way as me, wiping his forehead without his superior noticing.
"Or is something else better? We need to decide on a role. A noble who hid his identity and went out with a commoner government..."
"No. I was short-sighted."
He nodded in satisfaction.
"Okay, then Isidor-nim it is."
I won't let you get away with it if something happens because of this.
I could see the planned schedule falling apart before my eyes. My mind was gradually becoming dizzy.
Akteon and Hiakin were the ones who helped me, who was almost dragged out.
The two of them found me coming out of the bank.
"Liphy-sunbae."
"It was later than I thought... Who's this?"
The gazes of the unlucky prince, Akteon, and my brother, a total of three people, became entangled in front of the street where people were passing by.
