41. come with me

“Me too?”bc8debec95b8c789

It was, as a5598afc5a expected, an unexpected 27112a0a2c response.c6e5db6899e2ebab

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“So, even if it’s frustrating, endure a little. Just until the permission letter arrives.”e0b10f00e9afe46b

“If you go up, wouldn’t you be going alone?”6555aaa2fac3dd9a

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“You and I are always together. If I move, you have to go too.”180f6db096e4af57

Of course, I vaguely d06c3d48cf anticipated it.9647e78ecf8b8e2d

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Blood is needed anywhere.78466ee45d2be2f1

There might be an unclear imagination that if I go to war, I might stay in his barracks, although it’s unlikely. But the capital was a different issue. Exposing blood in front of many people was too dangerous.03a16672ba94e1d1

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And frightening. If I go to the capital, wouldn’t death be hastened? Disappearing without a trace, without even a corpse to bury…762cba4ca63a4daa

The more I twisted the original, the closer death came. The time left until death shortened from 1 year and 6 months to 4 months. I didn’t want to make the situation worse.68f29f256e7430e0

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I corrected my thoughts b0cd0cae4f and stuttered out the a880170886 words.982782b9b76e25a3

“I… I’ll just stay here.”e70be35adbd6c58d

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“Leonie.”653413174b04cdd4

He cut off my 74fba4a401 words.d9327b658f55fb4d

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He seemed angry, b53ad4cac1 but the words 62468f14b9 he added were 94439eb3ad truly warm.2a0053e552dd43bd

“The outskirts are warm, and even if it’s not as much as the capital, there’s a rich cultural life. According to Viter’s words, there are theaters and famous shops, so even the ladies of the capital often come to visit. If you want, I’ll buy a mansion closest to the dessert shop you wanted to go to. So…”139f69e344354604

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His deep blue 87eb46beae eyes fixed on 1367519515 me. He was choosing his 43def4cbe0 words like talking to c3c6225027 a child.e7566994542f153b

“Let’s go together. You wanted to leave the North. You said you would hold my leash… Why do you keep trying to let me go?”b8b893fc5fbb1795

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He stared at me d6faf58955 intently. As if waiting 4d9cf81de5 for an answer.a6bee35e9cbe0561

“Your hometown has never dropped below freezing even in winter… Maybe that’s why it was hard to adapt. Living in a warm climate will probably be a little better. Your complexion will improve too, better than now.”4ff61f4e5b63b477

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The words he spat cf35653e13 out on the snowy 86b801eafc mountain were not a 20d47ff6bf joke, it seemed. He completely believed 23db57db6f that I was 910e197ff1 lost.84ee1b9b5ebebc24

As if consumed by 941c59891e the lie I had d72ab371b1 created.396bf2ec3e99d569

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“If I go… What about the rumors? What if there are rumors about blood, that’s why I stayed in the North? And if I live in the capital as a son of the wasteland…”7d3d00a9ae0d2317

“The favor I put in the capital this time is a lottery.”3f1d6bda2f4c232c

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He answered firmly.303e22ecee4062c2

“This is not a simple request to let me live in the capital. I’ve officially sent a letter requesting my status to be recognized as a prince based on my merits in the war so far. Publicly, I can demand noble status even for commoners. They won’t be able to ignore it completely. So, don’t worry about that part.”28b3cc0e898e59aa

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Since I haven’t made any official appearances since coming here, my merits in the war are what I achieved before. The reason he is being recognized is because my blood has not been mixed in at all.a3e4adb211066879

I was puzzled. Why go to such lengths? Moreover, his reason for staying in the North so far couldn’t be simply due to the ‘reflection’ or ‘shame’ that the nobles talk about.91ca7c774bf1e977

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To give up b258765b6c everything that could 2a44fee2fe be prepared in e54b9560be the North. What was 07490efa13 he thinking?9ae02f1e06bc1470

What part moved b976263004 him so much?93367d94be826daa

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Could it fd7652df8b be because 6609b8df23 of Lady 9ed025b1e1 Arin? Different from the c6841b3c5c original?d5f5f01aecef882d

Lady Arin and I occasionally had meals and conversations when I didn’t come out of the room.2cfd0e4de956fbed

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Later, I heard that the usual conversations between the heads of the households and the masters were all there was. I didn’t know if there were discussions about entering the capital.408eaff07fab5611

“I’ll send the blood through the butler. It’s troublesome, but sending someone back and forth should work. I will stay here…”5b13111e3b1a720b

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“I promise that nothing will harm you. You just need to enjoy, eat, spend money, and stay healthy. Send the lady back home too. If you get bored, take the subordinates and go to the territory of the Duke in the capital. That should be acceptable conditions, right?”29a757d32d32fbe6

It wasn’t just acceptable; it was genuinely considerate conditions.506ab236f1691f1a

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There was 21692c4e02 no room 7016b9fd90 to refuse 35753997b7 anymore. It was 749d6be69d hard to fa020c7ca7 meet his 15205613f9 gaze. If I met 620acc10c4 his eyes, it 01b8116dea felt like I 587deabdce could only nod 1e75f5da8f helplessly.5db1350a12fc6de0

“In return, I have one request.”c25ee10259591c86

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What followed 29ba75d2f6 was even daff5cd07c more unexpected.666e2a12ecc45b9b

“I hope you loved me.”aa040355655dd79f

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More than the statement 675a7f8f99 that he would go 9e82e41765 to the capital and c1c7bfac1f request recognition.ea05ea4132ffe207

I was surprised and asked, “What?”c3591258cd0c3ac9

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I couldn’t see, but he surely had a surprised expression. But his serious face didn’t seem like a joke.c9a6ac772f21369c

“I’m not saying it seriously. I wish you acted. Convincingly.”d2e270192772f928

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He continued, “Position. You mentioned it back then. You need a proper position when you are somewhere.”18ea9fca292a06aa

Did I say ab4b28f8c8 that? Many things had happened 34d6d1025b since then, and it 180e4d46f7 felt like it had 99eb78e9c6 been erased.6025c94e1fe717fc

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“I’ll give you a position. If you go to the capital, then act like my lover when needed. Even if someone asks, it’s okay to imply that it will happen soon.”a836eb4b491071f8

“…Will they really believe it?”359f43dd57c3d189

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Whether they believed it or not didn’t matter. I didn’t want to bother with mockery and investigations when death was imminent. If not being able to go to the capital together was the reason, I was more than willing to use it as an excuse.1bf90d5ab28f770f

“They will believe. It will be easier to understand than working as a secretary. Show those who don’t believe what you’ve received so far. That way, it will be easier for them to understand why you are staying by my side.”2a3ab6d3ff672445

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If I had known ac3277b208 it would turn out 7124b6b8a2 like this, I would 4800b0d63c have acted boldly at 654017d839 the banquet. He added quietly.5547228e83d0d54b

“Do I have something I’ve received?”02b9bb1dc873bd10

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Only after saying 55343e7bc0 it did it cb9eeca59f come to mind.1818f8293be6bdb3

It’s not Leonie, but the bride price received by Leonie’s family. Perhaps, if the rumor spreads that the Duke has bought an estate and a mine for Leonie’s family, it would be rare for someone not to believe it.53fced3376dd1c9c

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The Duke, who wants to give anything to his lover’s family, and the benefactor who established the family with his help. Their relationship was entangled, and it seemed quite plausible that they were lovers who loved each other.0a01ab065aadc82f

“Let’s have anything lacking sent from the capital. No matter how much you summon the upper class to the North, it will be less effective than seeing it in person.”5022aa0170006b1d

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“Do you think it’s okay? According to Viter, it seems like the engagement of the Baron doesn’t suit the Duke’s status.”621c7d57decb7eaf

It would lower 01ce3eb928 your value, he 066d9a3e12 said. There might 7465f9bcac be obstacles 5fe428d37d in the 3cb7bcebfa future. The words def97bbd6c that came 972c37bce4 to mind fb6ee2263a afterward were 98eb4a0b7c not spoken.214ea3c5a7289b31

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“I heard some unnecessary talk.”299906a36a8c7d3a

“Aren’t you afraid of rumors? The engagement between the nameless Baron and the position of the Crown Prince. It’s more shameful than an engagement that doesn’t match.”d43a648cb0ac408a

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“Are you worrying about me?”b6d05ca104a0002b

He chuckled lightly.5264664b24189a29

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“If someone mocks, just ignore them. You can get angry too. Stab them with the sword I taught you if necessary.”b9867620dbd0acee

The words he ed06b9a475 spat out with 821d98f65d a calm expression 9422bdf8a9 were unexpectedly ruthless.492d4c879f86170a

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“What if you keep stabbing everyone? If you’re imprisoned, you won’t be able to taste blood until you’re released.”95ee3ebf8ffb939c

He stopped laughing.f85cd347f5930134

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“It’s not a useless joke. If someone threatens you, just cut their throat. Even if it’s another prince. Retaliate against those who touch you. Just think about yourself and act selfishly. I’ll take care of the rest.”22580b57187a2c2b

After speaking 5347d30cb5 in a 66a1ad1e19 low voice, 24359cd0d3 he chuckled f05891b665 again.ebba6cef4fcff1b6

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“As always… Just do what you used to do.”49f33dc41877c742

“When did I cut the Duke’s throat?”ed0404382997e30a

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I had to speak up. I’ve never touched you with my fingertips. Sometimes, I’ve imagined hitting that chest hard when you do annoying things. But it was just an imagination.a3770376974eb02e

I wouldn’t feel unjust if I had hit you earlier.2d5d2c312b551117

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He responded 2c9077ae6f to my c748138ef6 words.929144862070c755

“A lot. You always ran away unpredictably in all directions. My back of the head still tingles.”ef318fe5f9a04459

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For a moment, he 467604aa20 smiled, then spoke seriously 0a92495bef again.69885602e5e1fc92

“I’ll never put you in a situation dangerous enough for you to wield a sword. But I don’t know what will happen in the future, like back then.”0aa5a4b1de69fb97

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Only 4 months. What could happen aa01bf1065 in those 4 98fe19c2de months?feb084174c408e75

Although my mouth was dry, I couldn’t come up with any suitable excuses. There was no more plausible justification.eb27d69dbf6ba787

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Perhaps sensing 039ec55ac9 the silence 5b25507188 as a 3fb6038ef6 signal, he e6cdbe0637 added.93e2ae4aab9b1847

“I’ll handle my situation. You just handle yours.”f17af2c9e13f2dd2

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* * *617922f40a30347a

If his words about c6c9adc4a6 leaving the capital were 3d86c90e4a not lies, he immediately cf1b764fb0 summoned a magician.b0391cc74513bdda

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The magician summoned fae228be44 early in the 940b809935 morning was visibly d473edfa26 tense.e1352b8f45c7e81c

When I 0dcb5b158d ordered him 6479b4e5ac to erase 9bd7adfebf the tattoo, 37c00e2b20 he cautiously acbfff675d took my 150c8c5c5e hand.707858e9d55d8abd

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As soon as I e1263e8eee memorized the spell, the 3cc02b9c7d magic seeped into my 97ffa2ac08 hands. It felt like a 5760fe8eb2 cold sensation running through f8c93e9f68 my veins. A blue bf90889a52 light shot cac382bc72 up, just e7f111ba1c like when fa9b77ab3c I touched 83e03bc5b6 the barrier.c58746b18a79f7c2

“All done.”8775844b89eba45b

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The magician released bcb2253a54 my hand.d35e8c191e8cff81

It was instantaneous. The spell didn’t fade or cause any delayed pain; it simply disappeared as if it had never been there.2628622953da26b1

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Could breaking the shackle be this simple? Wasn’t it an illusion?35e3753caa5c0738

“Is it really gone?”448ad4f237753a1a

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I touched my hand. The surface was d03d7861bc clean, with no 3d14dcc3b2 noticeable difference from 04e016e4ec when the magician 2dee161941 touched it.9e7312195886311e

I had acbf27628c to doubt c746bcef14 and doubt 1587573378 again. They were the 3eec8412ab ones who deceived 92092d2d7f me and maintained b468b60222 the spell.eb5947c64c69d994

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“If you want, you can go back to the mountain range and test it. Should I take you there when I leave the mansion soon? Test if they’re trying to deceive you again.”df751b161d84e7ee

Don’t walk alone at midnight again. Deon, who silently watched from behind as I clenched my fists and erased the spell, opened his mouth.cced0a5109996108

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“Wait a moment. Take this with you.”7caa407fda29041b

He handed me a 05fe9b4a6b small box. It was e3ea4589fe a jewel 308586a5af case covered d01a296fbb with red d5cae1ba74 silk.cfa96a153d114f49

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“This is…”54e6102d2621b5af

When I 0742f468c4 opened the a46141ab70 lid, a 3e73c72590 necklace hanging e000a1a52a along a 9ab1cba1b4 curve came 30dba7df87 out. It looked almost like 202d2378bc a 5-carat item.598013922da96ee8

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The jewel was wrapped in gold thread like a spider’s web, in the shape of a droplet.42e978e86163dc87

It looked expensive at 53a23be9fd a glance.a6c37b2564df06b7

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“Is it a bribe? Or a gift?”4b8471d2e0180dc7

A deposit e8bd167a4b to ensure a6913a110f that I 963ba28c53 act well 8c3f2baaed as a 9a47abe15b fake lover 62c9b4c26f in the b36a0760d3 future?e01819aa74569931

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“It’s a gift.”41bce416198df894

He said.f2c19bbc39143312

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It was dazzling. Afraid of 4156f436b4 any scratches, 3759e97823 I hesitated 7a422bea83 to touch 1c4f9d384e it, so f83cdafb9c he picked 262025c187 up the 3997483345 necklace from 6563668c10 the box.f3a7bb0c3962f35e

Although the pearl was 62c71d4566 large, it looked small d458e7546a in his big hand.12c4c107ee9d3053

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“Try it on.”0b597afd8107b94f

I took the necklace. I tried to put it around my neck like a hawk, but I struggled several times and stuttered. The string was short, so the hawk couldn’t fit well.19fe8f29422584c3

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He grabbed my 36b26162b0 hair with one d3f275ac1c hand and swept 1f835fb136 it back. Then, he carefully put 52d4594029 the necklace around my 038af30948 neck with one hand.1aeaecca3f260928

A cold finger c03d38b6a2 brushed against my 8937d28a91 collarbone. I unconsciously 03c50d68e2 held my b8df213833 breath.ee88e7055be4dddf

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Except for 6a0f525125 when he 7356a15fd6 drank my 000f5d176c blood, it 0cac70c56a was the 8d81b41e33 first time f1c478a0bd he touched 320e570563 my neck. Deon, who was ea043eb408 standing behind me 7cda80cbec in a hugging beb2df8dcd position in the f2e6f2e177 mirror on the ffbb3612b9 opposite side, and 6e596ddf10 I looking at 15d1997120 each other directly, 221c44e510 were reflected.23c1f07f475d34d1

The gem hanging around 5828ec071f my neck was as d64a4badd5 blue as ice. The string was a58e45a737 short and thin, 6e643155f0 so it seemed 1ef905b946 to float just 24138bac80 above the collarbone.838201fa862ba697

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“I told the butler to adjust it to a suitable size in case the jewel is too big for comfort. I’m not sure if it’s okay.”05f7f09566818a57

He stepped back gently 437499dca9 as he held me.a699004784a7b97b

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