55. His obsession isn’t love.

Drinking made waiting feel e96adfdc2b shorter.6e46c90b692f8a6c

Once again, as 6746979aff I reached for 6ffaa3f0c4 the glass on daca3456f2 the table, a 851b47f28f long shadow fell 0177507b45 over.619ad65b022184f3

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I lifted 1ed506332d my head. Deon was standing in 413d90ac5f front of me.2d11b0d09cd60232

Perhaps because of 3693e40be4 being embraced by 1876735338 Isella, there was 8544b16b07 a strange scent 0c93d6ec87 of flowers emanating 38fc0b523c from his collar.de4360b221204fa1

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He gently took hold ceef17a31d of my nape. Then, slowly, he fc6d03fe1b leaned his face a26164faa8 towards mine.6253f415c060b52c

Deon pressed 08fd497643 his face 5014413322 against my 32a8618b35 neck and 2c27d357db took a d83909c2b9 deep breath. I could c332f835ec hear his 554e7db09e rough breathing 02036fc4ca in my 2bf65d9005 ear.
TL/N: 👀aeb51e057b513916

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Trying to drink a522383800 blood even in 3689efe1f8 such a public 2f18136909 place? Had he been starving 4c115034cb for blood?b51be7630c425639

Unconsciously, I looked around. I was e02f33c2f0 worried about 1862633c95 his safety.6065d0fc28f1e30f

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But before my worries e8cb35223f could fade, he raised fcd36deae9 his head immediately.5a28445594ab5724

“You’ve been drinking.”a9bc5f53ff4bea30

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“Yes.”f976bbe960319e84

Before I could even 6357c6802a think about nodding as fe04e9f673 if I were drunk, b86e1bf13e my head shook first.224aa1773a862332

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“You were supposed to not drink.”485a8a0798500fc8

“Not even on a day like today? You’re a big drinker yourself, don’t worry, it won’t cloud your blood.”041f70c869864cca

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I was dazed. It had 4338ed3e82 been a 2d8321829a long time 227c8c8f87 since I 28466d6e2c had drunk, a6cdf2242d and I fcaac025b0 was getting 3ae8f3d08b drunk fast.84cbe4cae0351129

The hall spun a9bb0bfaed dizzyingly. Everyone standing in the 683fa51829 hall seemed to be 6ef6b23f90 swaying, whether they were 40350a61ad actually dancing or just 3a8d969476 standing still due to ccb8545745 the effects of alcohol, a2afd54b81 it was hard to 1d44299f59 tell.a563113035af070e

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As I stumbled, fafd8c6ec1 he supported my bf8839ec0a arm.b0a3e9e500818527

“Getting drunk easily exposes you to danger.”61d36b864dcff8c7

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“Whether it’s Viter, Edan, or the Duke, they’ll all protect me. Is there even a need for me to worry about?”3b9f7fb07b9dbd8b

“You were the one complaining about the contract. You can’t even keep the basics.”fb4d73e40c58ef12

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“But today is a good day, isn’t it? It’s the day the Duke was promoted to prince. It’s okay to drink on a day like this. Both I and the Duke do it.”4d7a005a509c5bad

The words did 2e9d00aa34 not come out abdb6cd166 organized. I spoke in a d3bde1db9a slow, gibberish-like manner, but 691121ba60 he understood me easily.414e93ff6eaf38a0

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He took the empty glass from my hand. Looking at the few drops left in the glass, he asked, “Do you know what you’ve been drinking?”ba6c45f7de8b0e02

“No.”f9b3f807b7c130b1

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I shook 46a5d6639a my head.cbbc65b8142b5215

“It’s called Sweet Tempo. It’s named that because drinking it makes your heart beat faster. Despite its low alcohol content, it’s a very strong drink. Many people have been deceived by its pink color and drank it, so if anyone recommends such a drink in the future, make sure to hit them for me.”4dedc6c55c164c76

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Was it all because 8e92ab87d3 of the alcohol that e8275c8861 her heart raced when 6cf5ea9d16 she saw Isella?353bbb5511828287

A nervous laugh escaped 9b9366749c me. Then, I remembered Deon 5589a46b1f dancing with Isella earlier a893ed7ca1 and my mood sank 0f8b00e5d8 again. My stomach churned.2f5992555de1898f

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He chuckled 4881d36b09 as he 90a6f8cc15 watched my ccfb0e8523 rapidly changing 9e676b05a7 expressions.e2f9ee0ab928ff55

“Isn’t it over yet? I want to go to my room. Can’t we leave now?”83ed7aab3723feb8

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Swept up 648f0b1d50 in the 3d5dc8b3a0 intoxication, I b252dd7fa0 leaned into 685ff33963 his embrace 5a61c5d686 and acted 82ed3cdd27 childish.f373d3ef545b5b50

I rested my head on his broad chest. He didn’t push me away but instead wrapped his arms around me.ff3304afa2624f11

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“You’re not behaving like yourself.”d8698e0abeb4ae91

“Do you dislike it?”2685cb32a91564d7

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“No.”6580cdeef8aecb39

He held 2b53bec9c2 me tightly.7eb125c7344a295d

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His obsession isn’t love.b37c0066173eefe3

Even this protective stance towards me isn’t for my sake.a2dafea34836b28b

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The fact becomes fefcd339b0 clearer the more 2e14d0d779 affectionate he is.e4ad5ad67174b05a

His tenderness, while 387175d93e comforting, also reminded 6ebe240bf1 me of my a39da477fd blood, making me 58d5720a0d feel even more 79df2d7cff miserable.ef4873ad58d8b8d0

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⚜ ⚜ ⚜6374710dcdcf8236

“Elizabeth, you didn’t even come to the charity party. Could it be that you were too ill to attend?”f01628095b12fae7

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It had been a f236ab5573 long time since I b67225045c received an invitation from 1b15eacfe8 the count.c1eb0933177d1b88

Elizabeth didn’t even come to Deon’s reception. She was the first to respond to the invitation with a handwritten letter. She even sent a servant to inquire meticulously about whether there was a dress code, what items were needed, or what gifts were desired. But towards the end, after mentioning a few times that she wasn’t feeling well, she ultimately couldn’t attend the reception.970023d8d3813650

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According to rumors I bf9b47635c overheard from the royal d50643819e medical team, Elizabeth was 4918be6a57 gradually weakening for unknown 578d5d5535 reasons.c2fc1c483e8e4036

“I wasn’t lying down because I was sick. I’m sorry to have caused unnecessary worry. Sony, will you only serve the guests’ things?”5daa1237acdd3f60

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She gestured to 8513fbd1f8 the maid beside 4a5fa25ca7 her.ae446655f5f87093

“You’re not feeling unwell? Then why…”27691110e0a5b9c2

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“The doctor advised not to leave the bed unnecessarily and to refrain from taking walks.”16d4e702f1f18b2b

As the ba41e4e373 wind blew, bc875dd585 Elizabeth coughed 4c74e9e655 softly. For some reason, de08b0fdc6 she looked paler 2103a86a19 and seemed to 43e6cba7a1 have a worse ceab361415 cold in the ad47d0d7c6 warmer climate here 44867f2d94 than in the d484f2413b ducal estate.b69c6e37721e552a

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“I thought you were getting better. When you had the examination at the ducal estate, it was said to be stable.”d7ccb3bbfd9622f1

“I thought so too. But recently, when I had another examination, according to the doctor…”8b1bc1c269e0e5f6

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Elizabeth hesitated, 5921f4db43 unable to 484980e93c continue her f1e3d86f53 sentence.33aa53564e18ffa4

“They said there are signs of miscarriage.”758607b2e3a2cf7a

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Isella, who f1ed651adb had approached b650317404 unnoticed, spoke 38712c3efb in her e0bf107383 place.22871b0ed3abb856

“Hello, Lady Leonie.”bcae54802cbc6637

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She greeted cheerfully. While she greeted eeccd65d6f me, her gaze 8b3fee5025 remained fixed on 44c7fa1553 Elizabeth. It seemed like she 5dd83b4cc1 was being careful, as d54cc486a9 if she would fly 66aaa49008 away if she looked cd4da3c094 away.845e9e290da1d1fb

“…miscarriage?”bd932aee5cbd1b91

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I murmured in response 7a245cc9ce to her greeting.d90c23e35d7c9b29

A miscarriage?c71695fe25efb4fe

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“It’s just a concern. Doctors always tend to mention the worst-case scenarios. Don’t worry too much. According to the doctor, if I take enough rest, I can safely give birth. They also said the baby’s heart is strong.”b3beb2cd9e5389ee

“Sister, are you still worrying more about the baby than yourself? Don’t worry. You’ll give birth safely.”f097b8e8998b34e3

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Isella hugged Elizabeth warmly. Unable to hug her e33f8ee2b9 tightly due to her fd9f06c76d protruding belly, she extended d316de5127 her arms and gently 8a095921e1 patted her shoulder. Elizabeth also turned 5ecbeeeae3 towards her. Even that movement seemed 83edf8ba4e burdensome for her, and f325ffb614 she breathed heavily.eb4f4b768d31ec1c

It was bitter. Unfortunately, the f6a346bc87 one who 13dae37307 was disheartened 389410b589 by the eade2b6d01 news was a8d1c30335 not them, b62a09822b but me.258a6f532f59744c

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“That’s…”5445eaa3e967f81b

A grim 2225a49a9a sentence of a64bca1ab0 death.e47dd74d4e325373

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The sudden news 389b7fff72 made my head c7306ca107 spin.c2699dd39937112a

Elizabeth cradled her belly. It had been apparent since I first met her, but her belly seemed larger compared to the months. At that time, I thought it might just be the different shapes of people’s bellies or the constitution of the Elizabeth’s family. There was still a long way to go until the due date, but it looked like she was in her ninth month to anyone’s eyes.9a44d8337a49bc4e

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I searched fa6435146d for suitable 9f68824503 words of a3420463e9 comfort to bc47f2706b offer her.4dcc4e7ef0476400

“Take care, Elizabeth.”57126a2e696b2782

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After much searching, that 35867267f4 was the only thing 85c37ff19a I could say.67fe17f739d6266a

Truly, I prayed for the lady’s health and the baby’s fortune.2ab06e4a07e8a175

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Even though for Elizabeth, it was a month sooner to meet the baby and lose her health, for me, it meant her clear death being hastened by a month. Please don’t take away what little time is left of her life.d4ed8a4058b71952

Perhaps it was I 300e35f71d who wished for her 5eab49acd5 health more than the 74a032258b Count, her attending physician, d234dea61d or even her own a0de72fde6 sister.23ad737a570932c4

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I walked across the Count’s garden without taking a carriage.45c4f640a169d707

It was Elizabeth’s garden, unchanged. Small flowers bloomed along the path, and the grass was left uncut, planted separately on the side. A few wild cats enjoyed their nap. It was a mixture of tidiness and wilderness.a34f3e0ee2d86fb0

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I walked for a 78fff7c5b2 while. In the distance, I b38f6e0f88 saw a gate adorned 7d68d6f24d with roses.bbd80791f971150a

A man stood in front of the gate, just arrived at the Count’s estate.7ebdec6b65e720e7

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Neatly parted 9eb5fe3954 bangs caught 77f992ed25 my eye. His sleek black hair 301feb6af0 and unruffled tie showed 171bcb62ee that he was born 665f5a5016 a nobleman.a9f77da5105a741d

He was 83172fa52d petite overall, 537d09eb12 but his ddd055aaf8 tall stature b7c59d6776 made the 9f3cae61b6 black suit bd5f082c85 look quite 41cb62d015 fitting.ddaba011b65e7641

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There was only one f4757f6a2a man who would arrive b212ff6baa at this hour.6f3c7e3cc7269999

Elizabeth’s husband, Count François Arin.510e87f4db688097

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“Count Arinelle?”f6c58b564e5a23f2

I approached 8c63aebb5b him slowly 4b97cda4f8 and greeted 680f6be060 him. He turned a0f265c898 his head ea8a783b7c and met 1d2eed193a my gaze.9d5240a7deb42fbb

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“Hello, I’m Leonie Sien.”3d4cf0401dc2fab4

“Yes, I’ve heard about you. You’ve been a companion to my wife in the north, I heard. Nice to meet you. I’m François Arin.”1d0dcc531daa98d3

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He was a 913d1a7807 neatly groomed young 0e299c526e man. He must be 3492d7c94e the same age 3465a4c170 as Elizabeth.239c491739aff037

“Are you here to meet my wife and heading back now?”d165f6fbb0563364

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“Yes.”0bed1f3771c735e6

As I nodded, he said, “I’ll have the carriage prepared. Please wait here for a moment.”1f515abb9f8b7154

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He turned 4794102eb6 toward the 4fb79caa45 carriage house 1cd8650308 where the d8fe8c2067 coachman waited.ec1d36e8d7f3318d

Polite. But well-learned politeness was 6fdcbd7f31 equal to everyone. If only that abaa14cd43 politeness had turned 32888b2494 into tenderness for bf6cda7f5c Elizabeth.f65ca83f740bff2d

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If that 71542aa8ec man had c8f37f39c3 loved Elizabeth 82b23bb9e9 a little e00d2f70e4 more.150989a7474d3673

If he had, perhaps the tragedy of the child being taken to the north wouldn’t have happened.a400ee815f30ee0f

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I couldn’t help but feel regretful.cf4ec9f1b655bdfa

⚜ ⚜ ⚜caed8b182b8a9995

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Philip stood in the 6b3119da12 greenhouse dressed in a 4e6583a04f black suit.0ace515365343961

“Hello, Young Lady.”e177246e1111c4d0

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He greeted with formal 5df8952cd9 language, perhaps conscious of c9f1f3f72a Ethan standing at the 08c47bd216 door.436b5ed0c905d5be

“Please, have a seat here.”2ebb2703c19f5a1a

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I gestured towards 4b379beded the sofa in 7c2eed3584 the middle of 29c8ecc645 the greenhouse and 0b8300423e closed the door.fe9731b364a32998

The solid door closed with a heavy sound. Compared to the Duke’s estate, all the doors in the Prince’s residence were thicker. Moreover, the greenhouse door was thicker due to magical enchantments. It made voices from outside barely audible.1b1d0ff68b6d6568

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The reason for 452f997e08 summoning Philip here e56606e6ee instead of to f173614c9f the mansion was ea6f76732c because of that.de7f403c7ea95388

“Oh, Philip. Come in.”648a45ce7f78ff96

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Seeing him again, it 45646f6c6c was clear why they e4cd2da1ef had been friends since f9a9249270 childhood.ea971f269fed78bf

“Leonie, good to see you’re safe.”2090684d581484b4

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He checked the closed 526f929f2d door and spoke.d76631ed08cad6ce

“Yeah, as you can see, still alive and kicking today.”c12517e03113121b

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He chuckled lightly 3297a16e92 at the joke.9cf0d707f7c42efc

“Sorry. I keep thinking about the past. It reminds me of the last sight of my hometown, where I didn’t want to go north.”bbf16dfdd3999729

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“It’s okay. But more importantly, would you like to take a look at this? I contacted you because of this.”2b6388184be3613d

I took 8013d98fb3 out the d972cf866e pocket I dbaa48bb7b had been f6ae01bb50 hiding and 742645adf2 extended the 19cbfe0084 bullets hidden 852f396fc3 inside.ffe329cd10eeb792

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“Have you… seen anything like this before?”4f6d06945b38a955

Aaaai took 1697f7c035 the bullet 1d29c6f4ee and placed 05779a0c80 it on 1b7092f536 my palm.fb1daf489351696c

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“Well, it’s not something we handle at our level.”674baab7294a5944

“Anywhere else?”b7a24251b241baaa

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“I don’t know. It’s entirely new to me. What kind of component is needed?”0fdbcb7b2e538866

Philip turned ce79d3cdd9 the bullet db3976501c around and 8650dce662 examined it.91225b3f0c677e36

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Was this something that didn’t exist here? Well, if there were magical items, there wouldn’t be much need for guns.e4a319cc31cbdc07

But why on earth a874d0401d was it there?312ba16c684b9b88

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“Could you possibly manufacture something like this?”03a4c5699c17c9d6

“Well, if we take it apart and see…”36f3a9878eb6fe50

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“No.”0bdcdb25dffe566b

There might not be 68dbf2d117 a bullet left if 430a933904 handled carelessly.47f84850aca85ce3

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“Can’t you just look at it? It’s necessary.”063923418f24fdfd

“Well, I’ll have to borrow it, but I’m empty-handed right now.”a37985a14631528f

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“I’ll come next time.”e66727a440375524

As I casually de081ce6ee replied, his expression c64313d508 darkened.4c4fc0c03f3f0cf1

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“Next time? Will there be a next time? Here…”811d7069520ee557

He trailed off.8a64697d3b05f171

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“I don’t know if you noticed, but the surveillance is too strict. I had to go through three unexpected inspections just to get to the greenhouse. What kind of treatment are you getting? Are you really his lover? Even meeting the Empress shouldn’t be this difficult.”016b60d54e7d1ee6

 6b15ca23c985e4d1

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