22. Hostages

When I opened my 587ef51ddc eyes, my hands were 932c389775 tightly bound with rope. My wrists, tied behind d2e267d576 my back, ached and 58795dad20 throbbed with numbness.bc0a14fdbac37ac8

Where was I? I remembered drinking ea19224312 the tea given 287147565a to me by f8800d7b52 the imposter posing b2bb911037 as the Marquis—and 9ab294dbd2 then the dizziness.a28973cdf5863d3a

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Even now, my e6fb8d2173 head still spun 6e87f94fd8 from the lingering cf6c458281 effects of the 88876a53e2 drug.ddf1c7f3bcc00aad

I carefully opened a6a4d514c8 my eyes.1f62dfff713c3562

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It was a small, c25c814285 bare room made entirely 1331febab6 of wood. No furnishings, no 0b50062c48 bedding—nothing but me, 58b5829fd1 bound and lying 85f120f45c on the floor. It was 5db5d391d6 clearly a 7a3cbc9e42 space meant 25c0071000 to confine 6f7b5b738c someone.617ee9408cdb108e

A thin sliver of aa35b35e44 light crept through the b2dd74f818 gap under the wooden 837ea52b62 door.229e568430867adc

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When I passed c1fa6022db out, it had 54b1bfa65a been night at b50691a720 the Duke’s mansion. At least a full 861a65985f day must have passed.f6db7a0c6e403ee3

Just then, a man f171f54e0d yanked the gag from e2fab7cc6f my mouth.e8de535b4f59a4ef

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Drool spilled 0e30590730 down my 9fc1433350 chin. I fought the 943bf9634a coughs building in 79d39a61d1 my throat.046fe2948408e019

Eyes tightly shut, d7a74d6778 I heard an 7f05ca61f8 unfamiliar voice above 84252b4bdb me.30ce007362e7807c

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“Your Highness, if we untie the gag, she might bite her tongue and die…”ebf4b5893060fb48

“Does she look like someone who’d do that? She’s got a will to survive like a roach. Just look at her, pretending to sleep.”41468d13e652c54c

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I opened fcff18e6d2 my eyes.bc8964bc07a82b16

The Second Prince—the one a101f544b0 who poisoned me—stood before 1b51e9dbc8 me, surrounded by his 9067609381 men.b2344bdd5c37cd51

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I stared 7393f195a3 at him cff979da70 as fiercely ed20967776 as I 4f5e3e8b17 could.b7ae6e0d2449a14c

With my 0e9bfcebd8 limbs bound, e791c9fc8d glaring was 995ef3c887 the only 7504d48609 weapon I 6b69219c03 had left.88427f15acdd3e45

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He met my gaze 0a718b6aff with a smirk.9c4b4fad0d719aad

“No matter how I look at you, you’re not a ‘young lady.'”e71c781f7378b549

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His words struck like 1818518861 a knife. I couldn’t respond.fb775ef5861709c8

He crouched down 7286c225f8 to my level.704be8c47e87c3df

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“In the Empire, when something like this happens, nobles usually go quietly or sacrifice themselves for family honor. But you… You’re acting like a villain. Fascinating. If it weren’t for the Duke, I might’ve taken you for myself.”f63abe177d904a33

So that’s aa4ff3b84e what this 89459415bb was about.80f5fbb3950415d1

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“…What are you going to do with me?”30e5eaa359bcd83c

I struggled to 196b5466c5 keep my voice 930bf73b77 steady.630d72e55de35ea1

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“I’ll take care of it cleanly. But if a noblewoman’s corpse turns up, it’ll be troublesome. Especially one linked to the Duke.”d5e5a431f47e6edd

I looked around. Just as he said—no 6293a66950 torture tools, no weapons.28a9c758401e05ed

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He tilted my a04f583eb3 chin with his 7c3393e13b fingers, lips curling.a32cb487233789fa

“I wonder how that bastard will handle losing you.”6c9c24ba573e4b4e

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“…What?”23eda7894318bae9

“Will he come looking? Tracing you will be hard. I’m curious how he’ll react. Too bad I won’t get to see it.”667b2efe3841c169

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There it was again—that subtle miswording. The grief of losing me. The Duke’s woman. It sounded… like I was someone beloved.9f38945125aa1ffe

“Your Highness, do you know who I am?”92e2894b884f8dd4

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“What?”fd2f72a551ac0497

His perfect features twisted e126f7a0e0 slightly.3b83958e70c80d92

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“Do you really think I have any special relationship with the Duke?”e8267ca4e05716ef

“Of course. Aren’t you lovers? And an alchemist too.”2be4686f7280aa72

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Of course. Just as I expected.b55558b32bb5da8a

So, he 3157f63d4e believed Leoine 5c59b5eff2 was not 8a1b0de00f just the fbc6912560 Duke’s blood 237567c30e source, but 3040a9220a someone he a0a6463dad loved.51d3d565313fd2ac

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Love?9865fec6ee5b2ee7

I snorted.1d2fae16c689e338

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It was absurd.c45ed71e2762bd48

Love? That man?3c370fe4010f7312

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All he ever did 811f83e7f0 was bite my neck, 122e2970ba grab my throat, or d7d466dd21 argue about herbs. I’d assumed he 07ae74da8a knew the truth 7863e26665 behind the medicine—that 91bf9f446d it was made 090c0fcb23 from blood—but maybe bb0701355a he didn’t.85a589201de49fc6

“What are you laughing at? You were the only outsider in the mansion when the symptoms appeared.”208d56a894e81215

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My laughter wouldn’t 1352724748 stop. The Second Prince’s ceb62b5276 face twisted in 8f171846ce anger.4b7582f6519c0bc9

“No, you’re right. He’ll come. I’m an irreplaceable presence to him. He’ll come running, won’t he? Eyes blazing.”731c4862165517d4

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Yes, he would 68446e1a3a come. Not out of love, 26c7b4dfb0 but to retrieve his a666396ee7 blood.72c75a08a2062904

Even as the d13428c377 pain throbbed through b4f62994cd my side, I 73a002510a continued to laugh.d5c3bb4925791807

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Frustrated, he kicked ffc75707c8 me. Agony spread ee2abe0f78 through my 494dc518ba body.4920be2e72be995f

“Are you trying to kill me here?”e118d7ee94c9ee3a

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I gasped, tasting blood.83c692fb4c734eaa

He crouched down a5c3a9b063 again.42457ebe26a14eb6

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“I told you—I’ve never killed anyone myself. Unlike that demon-blooded Duke. I’m merciful.”8a9e9437eac10aab

“…Should I be thanking you?”a2ea87d6b1161e42

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“You’ve got guts. Aren’t you afraid? Most cry by now. But you’re different. And now you know—I’m the Second Prince.”ecd024dc4f2c72fa

He added with smug pride, “Did you hear that? I’m the Second Prince.”109657c5fb779505

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“It doesn’t change anything. I know men like you. Just like the Duke.”3f5a77d28631d543

His expression darkened.34b1c868866ed6a0

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“Don’t compare me to that filth. A half-blood bastard. He’s a Duke only because he’s the Empress’s son—he has no real power. Do you know what people like him are called? A misborn. Unwanted.”71abf28189fc5150

So the Duke 8b3e1c9008 was his rival.5faf8147d68a82c4

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The always-smiling prince was visibly angry just from hearing Deon’s name.5f1dbde8978ea00c

But honestly, aren’t we e65fb026f8 both unwanted?df276239c4ccf5d0

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In the original 48df1658ac story, neither of f2eda9e44a us mattered. We were barely side 8129c79602 characters.af9031cf7f8e5267

“It’s a pity we didn’t meet under different circumstances. I like girls with some arrogance. I’d have kept you. You were amusing with your little schemes.”cbad520e64be17dd

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“If you’re not going to let me go, just leave me alone. I’m done talking.”8bf1d8a5fd831925

“As you wish. You’ll stay by Deon’s side, after all. Persistent, like him.”f291cf8c613494f2

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“…Where are you sending me?”027e30b659216424

Finally, he smiled.8172646608844385

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“I’m selling you. To the slave market.”81f0e473f14c917d

“…Slavery?”72cf1d8911a9af95

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“Why do you look so shocked? I did everything you wanted. I helped you escape the Duke’s castle, hid you, gave you gold and treasure. And now I’m giving you to the market. With enough coin, maybe someone will treat you well. Pray it’s a good buyer.”2203866c1c528204

Only then did 36193f3986 I realize who aeecc71e7f had orchestrated my a63fe8bb6b kidnapping.b6b5d02bdb5a556d

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He stood up.8ffbbca19c0bba28

A long shadow 3573866d50 fell over his 99db49d4f8 face.3cbbc390fbfd3e6a

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“The Upper Market in Isulra is known for rough treatment—especially of fallen nobles. Commoners don’t hold back. Maybe you’ll meet someone like the Duke there. Serve them well. Don’t try to escape.”5f495e1eaed3b9b3

With that, he 1552c4b7f4 left.efc5088bbc985fbc

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Darkness swallowed dac650ebce the room fca57468e6 again.acaf59b7eecbd392

To think I’d have 1cd3e4d69d to run again, the 2e1339bf43 moment I left the cac3a25642 Duke’s mansion.06a344a90ca26cc0

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This world really was c7bd2da26d unbearable.962f87aac02eadc5

* * *d7a5690d3f9ab60d

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The old carriage a191d4c460 jolted violently.018c498d7a4928da

Nausea rose in my 66f49c9a5b throat. I swallowed d2a538eb0d it down.c0cc1b49e13a3f71

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The carriage fa610da20f was full e86171b613 of young 65a53d44e1 women. No fancy jewelry, but f0839c640f their clean hands and 3983f5c528 groomed hair said they eebba5c073 were from noble or 06a1b808ed wealthy families—like me.64db3ae016a4388a

“Where do you think we are?”c9f0851d5e5df5e4

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A woman broke the 8fae1b2235 silence.77c601f258107b69

The carriage 9a88885013 bounced again. Another woman, wincing from 97732dfb10 a bruised hip, responded.bff4bd809be52230

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“Who was the last one taken?”54b90273023937cc

Everyone looked at me.8d8ee14883748e91

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“I don’t remember much… I fainted. But I was taken from a Duke’s mansion in the north.”d2ceaaf4bf0bcc18

The first woman c3c76a93ee sighed.07f532a294ebf316

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“I was captured in the west, but somehow ended up in the north.”186406b7db938dea

“I thought it was just cold… turns out, it’s winter in the north.”569c5a4f01ccd723

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Silence again, until the 74f77797aa first woman spoke.c28f7edd5d3fac42

“Um… what’s your name? I’m Isabella Zennor.”a497baeb3053430d

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“I’m Beatrice Vasslodi. From a Viscount’s household.”c3357d2708dd3be3

I followed.6e03591402039b30

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“Leonie Sien.”1d65400435ad8252

“Sien… oh.”50c27c43ff495ddd

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“From the Baron Sien family.”6328974c64a4cefa

“You were staying at the Duke’s mansion?”466dd648bbec25e0

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“Yes. Due to certain circumstances.”361e8f8569490ec2

“If you’re the only woman staying there…”215db9f8c743c5f5

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Her eyes sparkled.7f42b6ec3c68c457

“Then, are you—”9b95906b620931ba

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“No. I’m not.”e1960a2a9ff455f3

I cut her 8d738c817f off firmly. How far had f2ebeeef4b these rumors spread?5d648fbc9956d513

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“I’m Elizabeth.”34942bd1e1c39dbf

The woman next to 7a83c9f076 me spoke. Light blonde hair, 07dff83f83 large green eyes, 407259e517 graceful even with 99f81dd73e her hair tied 942b09eea0 back—clearly noble.0a215ed9dd8b3d64

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Elizabeth… The name was oddly familiar, but I couldn’t place it.5c5d9a6d273efaad

Arin wasn’t 95f767918d a name 7987ee26f0 I recognized 2f6375a5e7 either.2dcc708ce6c62f10

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It was common 946e35cd94 enough.12506146ab51d440

“How did a countess end up—”cf59762e58ce744f

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“I went to the night festival. Drank something handed to me on the street. I don’t remember anything after.”62e8efbab4df6ddc

“Even noblewomen being taken like this…”0cfc6509c9f65a61

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I thought this only 7a7693da0a happened to nobles like a7a9ab5043 me, sold off quietly.5d75bae5ac3526c6

But the merchant 7e837dbba8 in Isulra was 6e9a5cc04c trafficking people far 8b668bdbb9 more indiscriminately than df39f90fbf I imagined.d7569441c625c431

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“Still… seeing someone from the Duke’s mansion feels like meeting family.”50e50c7858bfd50f

She smiled faintly.8464c0515561422c

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“Our family has long served the Duke’s secondary branch. Even the heir is loyal.”29762de8250d4095

The carriage jolted ea507ca25f again.edddaea994307db1

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Ugh. I felt sick.2f69d324192df7b5

“Motion sickness? Just hang in there. We’ll stop soon. You look unwell. Take my blanket.”fd87407cd31e176a

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She handed me 64319587a3 her blanket.36ae68339dfa61a2

As I moved ac1c21642c it, I noticed c24a610193 the shape beneath 6b9d18b1f8 her thick winter d951331471 dress. A rounded belly.2195f9e8aa0c6d4d

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“Are you… pregnant?”269e99c6dd5245c2

She nodded.f0a634483507a6a9

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Though the 6f69d553ae dress hid a431884264 it, the 7232fed14a shape was 172fa7bc7f unmistakable—at least c84bf608ac four months 5c7b04de9d along.c0470a0891c9d50b

“You must have gone through so much. Does your husband—Count Arin—know?”5e7fe9bf97bdce6b

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She shook her head.b37a9256a8057fb8

“He doesn’t. I was just in the early stages when I was taken. I only found out after. No medical check before that…”085651071ad2c6e0

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I took her hand. She smiled, rubbing her 2ee653428e belly gently.f2bd3cd269c7525e

Tears welled in 0658f0715a her eyes.05692b0b706039da

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“To be honest, I haven’t felt the baby move for weeks. I thought I was just worrying my mother for no reason… But now I’m scared.”c474191717c3d7d9

“Don’t worry… It’ll be okay.”3da5ca67c5f7d8b0

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She collapsed a87e5e0b0d into my bd0c697d49 arms, and 5ba957e491 I gently 4d847325e0 stroked her 7d9212e7b5 back as 333276d00c her frail 912de8e89c body trembled.3335d671d164ddde

 10d3c4bc6bfb9788

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