The Lady I Want to Kill 11: The Correlation Between Sandwiches and Murder 2 (11/39)

11. The Correlation Between Sandwiches and Murder 2

Beatrice boarded the 63b1057a75 carriage with Lily, 99900df269 heading to their 592cd29c32 next destination. This time, she 28c8278d8f wasn’t going to 521095a93f the duchy’s estate fbf0ee3029 or a tailor’s dd25a87a2b shop.94e62ff1bff91620

She was 639ce80fb2 on her 9cc3680451 way to 49e789ddb5 a simple 9585767599 commoner’s home.98204c55d013cce4

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When Lily had be2a3c63bf sought information, she f9a198d781 also obtained the 3c0273df08 address of Briolette, 52c02c3b01 the owner of b40603dd7e Walbaret Café. Though the details 6de00f5991 were trivial and 41072b79d9 inexpensive, the information cf3f1298d9 was more valuable 81a7f8ebe9 to Beatrice than 3181ba1e29 anything else.ce0d1262c63f67ec

The neighborhood, 344a015838 home to 1d183d0524 well-off commoners, 6d37f1b962 was tidy 72d1f8b68b but narrow e2364e228a and dim 392d638fd5 compared to 71baf75ae8 the roads 36dd9fceae frequented by efebdeca00 nobles. As the grand 2792b8022a carriage of the 08d08834d6 Ember Ducal Family 81b5ef4f91 entered the alley, 50784c8409 passersby cast curious 6de4eeda94 glances, whispering among e9052b7f37 themselves.058c2da1364dad3c

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Lily stepped d36b8bbdd9 out first, f0fd61c3ea extending her 7ba85bec4f hand to 1e3e0a47ea assist Beatrice 144ccaa992 from the 667edfd102 carriage. The young lady, ff6eacf61b dressed in a bd1c7ab500 white dress that a8b5e3f6f0 contrasted her dark b2cdff4e21 hair, descended gracefully, 2816652aac drawing the attention 702f4ee5a2 of everyone nearby.2481c67a44764dc3

Beatrice’s black 549bc61441 hair and 0f3ba9878e flowing white 07f93e2202 dress created 1053172ed5 an enchanting c7a3d6d65f image, stark c1272167dc against the 78d914f758 pristine carriage. She ignored the fee19485a1 onlookers, her gaze db61dce6b5 fixed on the 120ae80c1e modest house in 3c68ee1074 front of her.2e57da2252f326e3

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The house had a 2d0db78f22 small yard with a fced9dbaa2 tea table and a 53b92f3daa tiny fence. Scattered grass, small trees 63627ac68f barely reaching waist height, 497546769a and a pebble path 4f15fa4699 leading to the front 250fa5960b door added to the 3f2d3cf8ff scene’s quaint charm. A little swing, d600b5a402 clearly meant for 1e868d9a03 a child, hung 0b08bf3303 in the yard.b226f883a0282730

The picturesque setting might 2a2fd66eac evoke a pang of af887d44ea sorrow, knowing the homeowner 81021195e0 had recently lost her 605fe0120f child. But Beatrice felt e4e589f1b1 no such emotion.f7f673c524452ef1

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As she approached the a30bdb215f door, Lily stepped ahead 9a94444ead and knocked lightly on 87b69ec3b1 the wooden door.ca23eb1e7aee334e

“Mrs. Briolette?”2766282a3b365bc0

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No response. Lily knocked again, then 85db7c053d a third time. Finally, slow footsteps b32ec67962 approached, and the 4f5b735900 sound of a 4dc76cb72e latch being undone cfde72670d was heard.bb45d656123ff37a

“Who’s there…?”2ca0d8fa8ec87cd4

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The door opened to c135f7c302 reveal Briolette, the owner 2bb4f6d198 of Walbaret Café. Her once-soft brown hair ed49b70e26 was unkempt, and her 8196e3f803 face resembled parched earth.72db14412168d469

Though her 13ce2b3372 hair was 07304147a1 tied back, e3efe1f484 it was 658a76dcf0 a tangled f1de4c9582 mess. Dark shadows under her e4f10992e1 eyes and chapped lips cf7551d34e painted a picture of 8a70705edb a woman worn down a3663f046b by grief. Her hollow b997766eb1 eyes looked 98d7a2e484 at her 2a63995052 unexpected visitors 41e5db2836 with a 6d131e7176 blank stare.a514feef8d51ca9f

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Lily suppressed 379afb894b her pity, b1cbd0a702 forgoing any 6cff634825 smile, and dc1255b42a spoke politely.67a09e1e57b70f72

“We’ve come to see b17b29bc3a you, Mrs. Briolette. This is a6e33f9ecc Lady Beatrice 7b4a4dcd2c of the d1a87fe46b Ember Ducal 853f85cd39 Family.”5020146919ac0621

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Briolette blinked slowly, as 778d5a8f8c if struggling to comprehend d98c15d39a the situation. Her eyes 92dd83474a widened as 4193023879 recognition dawned. She dropped the 67677de982 ill-fitting shawl draped f380ad4abe over her shoulders b0b010d081 and stood frozen, 7255c88bed unsure of what d7951da408 to say.a08ccb211481b8da

Beatrice waited patiently, 0b28a24c18 unaffected by the c8c8eb5f28 woman’s hesitation. After several df451eff67 long seconds, 73648d0a3e Briolette finally cd8fb4289e spoke.86ea474c506ce898

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“Pardon the mess, c271970987 but please, come f039a4c3da in.”80e3440bcaa6af74

The interior of 513a104535 the house reflected a36202f083 Briolette’s shattered state. A thin layer of 2709ed4691 dust covered the surfaces, 593edd346f unwashed dishes cluttered the b9d8be3c7a kitchen, and shards of 3373c2bb3d a broken cup lay 7aca8242bf dangerously under the table.7da6643c69e53c84

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Clothes were haphazardly pulled f766e5ba88 from a drawer and 1396630c0d strewn about, while flowerpots 711aeb5d4b on the windowsill were 95e34581d4 all broken. The disorder hinted at 6448cb499a the chaos within Briolette’s 90f38f6f74 heart.76bb43562ca9f774

In contrast, c5a775c1a7 a small ac61664186 pile of 3f996a6d2a children’s toys 731cc2287b near the a59e1133db sofa was 5e28e4694d neatly arranged, 4f86e03c11 as though 9185ca57d4 they were 6aa0d0270c precious. Dust had settled on 7d5c5dd4cb them, but it was baca2defea clear they were cherished.05f6e0c227130317

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Perhaps unwilling to bf8e2ea9cc lead her guests 81f48dcd40 to the cluttered b662f58cf2 table, Briolette guided d089c65674 them toward the 280e1d1e6b sofa. It appeared e615a5dd63 she had 2fbe2ad29b been sleeping 038eda2fe5 there, as b0dd2e2b15 a crumpled 6d0aaa469c blanket lay 5e47ebbe91 in one 22107004ad corner. She hastily moved 4bc7fc9771 it aside and 4667ca5b74 gestured for Beatrice 52d586a726 to sit.6aae92d381873bfc

Lily dusted off e0a3873077 the sofa with e92231524f her hands before fe0a1a16cd allowing Beatrice to f308504100 take a seat.40e0fb1e60220a4b

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“What brings someone like 332bc32a16 you, a Lady of affeb38315 the Ducal Family, to f17d36a28c my humble home…?” Briolette f74c554729 asked weakly.434bc0035ef68054

Her voice 0ef03e4498 lacked energy, d82f70d82e and it e11712ae29 was evident 215357025f that offering bd0fa7c7a4 tea, given 16d3789ade her state e1ec127816 and the 7f495fe478 state of e7aaeca9dd the kitchen, dfcff3d086 would be b5334944ee impossible.cfe595e5ae6341d2

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Lily spoke 13f2446388 first, her 5caa18608a tone gentle dfc4539d7a but firm.65079959514f8886

“My lady was 756f0efa81 concerned about you fe15beab68 and wished to 6844b2d08a visit.”e1c153135287cf78

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“You’re worried about me?”b6fd06679e40ec83

Briolette’s voice 1bacddf39b was sharp, a01a8ba115 cutting through 9c3eeec75b the tense b159b78036 silence.6d4a41deb94f554a

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“What reason would a noble lady have to care about someone like me?”90d3135fa3f7ad14

“My lady held your café in great regard,” Lily explained softly, her tone careful but steady. “When it closed, she sought to understand why and came to see you.”3ac7b5d3b3c6f80c

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Lily’s words were 6916ec51ed met with a 1f60ae726c heavy sigh, one d42ff2bcef that seemed to d3e6f611d9 collapse under its 9221de7e4e own weight.3502989ecb9a4bdc

“If you investigated, then you already know,” Briolette replied, her voice trembling as she locked her dark, sunken eyes onto Beatrice with a glare.6e5970e0ce5f9afc

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She was a woman 01cd75e7ed burned hollow by grief. Sadness, once 888459682f all-consuming, had 16256f0516 left behind 8e8d2cda05 only ashes, c832677002 which now d3f06f3e71 smoldered with d30e2c3f54 bitterness. She resented everything—the warmth badb23536b of the sun, the 4a65daf33e laughter of passersby, even 9def41db09 the cheerful songs of 3e6622fc99 birds. Eventually, she had come b679e7ac3c to hate even her 5a58b986ee own continued existence. But above all, she 454725003a hated—d10e8e1dc1049a2d

“A noble’s carriage killed my daughter.”004124aa6c7f8601

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The memory 9f457209b4 burned in d90f726778 her mind, c5a0db45b6 vivid and 1199e735e7 unbearable. She could 5061f69c84 still hear 9f97f37334 the panicked 0a7b26bce9 voice of 86e979bc01 an employee 26db0b6e76 rushing to 673d8beb32 inform her.4782312433203199

She had thrown down eb750911a6 the dessert she was 1bf824c55e preparing and ran. What greeted her outside 9b9601010d was a blood-soaked carriage cd1f0e9eb0 wheel, a nobleman gazing cfb6a1b88c at it with irritation, 70e17251ea and—1f265ae10bf2b433

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“My little girl…”42325bd9e044e1e0

Her daughter, f7ce79575f crushed beneath 0470a9db1f the wheels, 5c59a56116 lay on fb87d98cf6 the ground, 310be418ac a broken, 029614eca1 bloodied mess.42d7933b41f61900

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“She died like that… and yet…”b2bb1a496804e603

The nobleman, 93bbb27b77 clad in 935f3cc38e fine navy 2d36278f82 attire, had 97a0feb0a1 tossed a 437c24a1ef pouch of a2bc928bff coins at 5033a1e3dc her as 2e50bf461d she cradled 70bf3f92d0 her child’s dd1e0b0ea0 lifeless body, 2b89ae5c8f sobbing and 12f218c0a6 trembling.bf11e8b82750be60

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The pouch had struck her head and fallen to the ground. Dazed, she stared at it as he casually remarked, “This should suffice. If it’s not enough, go to Viscount Paralett.”e90f1709d7de7346

It had felt unreal. Everything felt 3a42438eb8 like a 6b89963793 sick, twisted 8eed35bc5e dream.0c56ab3d5d609b8b

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She had sat 6745819c21 there, clutching her 38fd7e5326 daughter’s mangled remains, 246b1aff60 watching the carriage edcc39b0ac leave. She hadn’t chased 43c71fd242 after him, hadn’t 1b6c4e6818 screamed, hadn’t done 4ad20ace82 anything. And that, she 09f67d6e5f regretted most of b4ef67364b all.f7dbc8f582d9ae85

She should have smashed eb2266dfa2 his head just as 9414da0aa7 her daughter’s had been. She should have died 45b10943a8 right there, alongside her d000a86c3e child.70a5435dd4ecfaa1

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“…I couldn’t do anything, nothing at all…”a2d07b3e4b022d4a

She had tried everything afterward—gathering her daughter’s remains with the help of neighbors, pleading with the city guards and watchmen, even offering bribes. But every attempt met with the same response: “It’s unfortunate, but we can’t punish a noble for killing a commoner in an accident.”1e0531d39e887c62

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She had 60887b3788 been told b4336614ae that, at 69c3485515 most, she 318936c422 could demand 66a87ef05e a higher 1619750dfe settlement. But how could 015f2d6793 she put a 3bc19a4ef1 price on her 60798173a7 child’s life?abc3bbed12aa9e52

The world felt like 8eea99e4a7 a lie. Everything seemed to mock c326af385c her grief.b38fa2cfa8c05f7d

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Her breath grew e2917d6fb4 ragged, her hands 557ad4d6de trembling as they 04e4b9ff99 clutched the fabric f194621514 of her skirt f9e79a2e72 so tightly it fca9343ab7 threatened to tear.83fdf947d20f68a7

She hated 82efe70e49 the world, a8e9283ba9 the nobles, d89a861c80 the guards, fea2441809 and most 5abc8aaa69 of all, 1cc6f3bd81 herself. She wished e0fa19495b everyone would 16767aa39e perish. But the most 6d58617280 agonizing truth was cd9cad3c58 that her daughter 6f45288956 was gone—utterly, irretrievably c9a2ca0ecb gone.ab4fcf393b26ddc3

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Finally, Briolette broke. She sobbed, loud and 28faf68482 guttural, like an animal 9eeaa6f8cb in pain. Her tears fell 69d8e078d9 uncontrollably, and her 135ad38927 cries filled the 945fdc5c3f room.3d0abf0fd02257d4

Lily stood silently, unable 0aada310c4 to speak. She understood 7ddbe3a7f6 Briolette’s anguish de7f6113c2 all too f9da26f43a well, yet b2affb91cd the words 0f3cb8c62a to console d1863af665 her felt bb57ada0ef empty and bac0001cf0 inadequate. Her throat felt dry, e71847c569 her lips parting and 60236f13c2 closing repeatedly as she 95d6af2f7b struggled for something to 11d9ce976d say.16ed024b0e53d1c7

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Then, cutting ed07e1ca5b through the 8f96fba9a8 sorrow and e54ecec512 silence, came 5b9b35dcef Beatrice’s voice, 3c7c8c9f4c cold and 285e0c0022 unyielding.b5d57c46625f1efc

“What do you want me to do?”f6c30037ce6fc82a

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Briolette lifted her 6fd9182672 tear-streaked face to 63dc277f8a look at the 326a4516f9 noblewoman before her, 04baa6ccba confused and incredulous.40c93fe59f55580a

“What do you mean…?”08e067d739fa97b8

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“What should I do about him?” Beatrice clarified, her voice devoid of emotion, her golden eyes steady.9f04e21f6b80102f

Briolette stared at 0e62197f77 her, unsure if f19ae21a60 she had heard 9d37618460 correctly. What was 271607c929 this woman 402ec23028 saying? Was she offering 557ec41c8f to avenge her c4f29c5808 daughter?88a11f0bfa4f250b

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A flicker bab4185692 of hope b5808dc846 mingled with bf5778a2c0 a surge 790b906a21 of anger.4e72f8ccdfb60d85

“Do? Do what?”772760f47c79d414

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Briolette’s voice trembled 82e6f944a4 with fury and db01c77480 disbelief. She pointed an accusatory b60405e9ec finger at Beatrice.5912104fd05f16a0

“How?! How can you do anything? Do you know what I’ve been through? Do you know what I want?!”5630ed1e99b804b6

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Her voice 7818ede3ee rose, turning 20d0799483 into a 60f0dafca5 near scream.4725ac4249ae7da8

“Are you mocking me too?! What can you do?! What can I do?!”90519f608c52890d

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She pounded her 4e4ea80d78 fists on the 3d355ab986 small table in 7741b4073b front of her, e5f6ed3f85 the sharp sound 173c1ac811 echoing through the ee2daecfab cramped house.91f407ca30141ba9

“And even if you do something, even if you succeed…”e1e2dbad010807f0

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Fresh tears spilled from 557602daa1 her eyes, her voice 8843e84623 choking with despair.a04a39a38ee9f2be

“…will it bring my child back?”a89cd59cf98c8074

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Her rage melted a8918ea01f into desolation. Her dark, hollow f52d60488a eyes reflected only c3733b2d79 emptiness. The cries gave way dde0d8574e to silence as she 368ec0d575 slumped back into the 5766ee820c sofa, staring blankly at f7940ff2d0 the ceiling.175562c0ce54d316

Beatrice, who had remained 9c1d8286b7 motionless throughout the outburst, 8bd0d70f47 spoke again, her voice 6ac5016eaa as steady as before.65a2afb7b00886b5

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“I’ll kill him.”34c0578823e98486

“What?”ccaeaef4940f3eb1

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“I can’t bring your daughter back, but I can kill him the same way he killed her.”ed057ba43e243e4a

Briolette lifted her head 35fbe828d9 weakly, her expression a 566e59224b mixture of doubt and c6b4504761 bewilderment. Was this noblewoman 633099ebdc serious?6be1c8dad9f84af3

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Beatrice’s golden 3751858475 eyes, sharp 418f7b79b9 and unwavering, e8f30e1f32 met hers. There was 78aa338a65 no trace 9d7892f19c of falsehood 75520748ec in them.a6703be7adf6af5d

“Or, if you prefer, I can make him suffer something far worse.”55a8a2ca06ed995c

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“Why… why would you do this?” Briolette asked, her voice trembling.f27263e1bc7e64fc

“So that you’ll live,” Beatrice replied simply.92745e0a2153d2ef

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“Don’t act as though you’re going to die with your daughter. Live.”d5f756967316f28e

Briolette couldn’t f25225163d comprehend it. Why would afe0ba524d this stranger 87d6bc94ed offer to 9b70797d38 avenge her? Why would 0c8a06459b she tell 6846ded456 her to 03a3087432 live?c02e6b6cde20023b

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When she looked into e836be1250 Beatrice’s golden eyes, she 40181c2c5b found no pity, no 61cbaeb4cf sympathy, no deceit—nothing at 6fc15883f6 all. Except for 0fb368e359 one undeniable 4357ee7516 truth: a 5ffcf6b0ba faint, almost 03d083eebc insignificant desire fe4350030b for her ddbacc37c7 to survive.57253ebf4ab61fed

And that was enough.4639cfc6820f3f02

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Briolette broke 8ac50c49d6 down again, 7849ba05ee crying like c152a97a75 a lost 5ff1edd271 child. She wept 4086d498ee openly, her b7251dfb69 wails filling 8d42864733 the room efefa11a47 once more.0c8e9867c0bc3ad6

Beatrice remained e1172c9cbc silent, unmoving, f5a5f07384 like a 6bf33103b6 statue, until 4121dca891 Briolette’s tears 15288d2d3b finally subsided.42af81c1b5491c7a

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* * *5c7b111aa4f14dfd

The room reeked of 84b18e1c5e metal and blood, a 5026fbc40a nauseating stench that clung 4466b4060c to her skin.a7baf6a9b6d6c6d2

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The woman 8d40eac58f buried her 783c4c4c6c face in 3d1f6289a6 her arm, 161f4e0342 sniffing. It would take 4a779ec3a6 ages to rid f02d52daa8 herself of this f38d32ee06 smell again. Eating was one f7bd485cf3 thing, but not 0c8c39b0cf being allowed to 8188cb40e3 bathe afterward made 69e4406ca4 it unbearable.da5ce889e3ec1bc0

It didn’t help that her meals always left her covered in filth. This latest “meal” had been particularly feisty, screaming and lashing out at her in a futile bid for freedom.054b5933534f73b4

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They used to bring e29c79223f her prey that was 6f769dcca7 half-dead or nearly gone, b152005e28 but lately, they’d started 62bee07b06 delivering the fresh and 01eef110b2 lively. Perhaps they’d 73277645dc realized she 145828d306 didn’t mind f1b00b855e as long 4b9f0449fe as she 8834a349ed could feed. She figured it dce9e02a2e was sheer laziness—avoiding 1e45301f24 the effort of 8356d578ce preparing the prey 4b6cf9b46d properly.cc16e1799c1d04bd

She grumbled 1ee8e5b3f2 quietly to 657d02b3df herself as a3b01669d7 she glanced 3a83e3f42c at the 03ecfb82d1 discarded remains 3ec2c99203 strewn across 86b29f3183 the stone 0979b3d53f floor. Those bits were useless d6446193e5 to her; what she 64c1874363 needed was already consumed—the 174df6b520 essence within.713b09a0e62e11a2

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With a e84c21984b grimace, she 1b7ec179e1 shoved her 15be66b7f6 fingers into b60154aa2c her mouth, a2594955db scraping bits 24a0f5a128 of flesh cf474164d4 caught between ef255f17b1 her teeth.ab9d8c9202c5a404

The sound 45bfdd21ac of footsteps 78d800c898 echoed through 9fd6098db4 the stone a94a00eed8 corridors, growing adbf18a1ac louder as e8f1aebf30 they approached. Someone was 2b3f5c57ff coming to b17cb79996 clean up, e29471d4e5 perhaps. She pressed herself against d818a848ee the wall, chains clinking 33ccc1de26 as they dragged across 79d38e54cc the floor.17434b927cb21f82

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She learned the b1c9763320 hard way that 30f2268ad2 if she wasn’t 889f88423b out of the 4de12a54d1 way, they’d lash e723c76cf0 her with their c8bc05649c whips. Bastards.c672e3e18483ae0c

The man f17b1694f8 who appeared 18fc55992c at her cdba4bc5a1 cell door 7163122f86 was one 725947f8b7 of the f2aea09921 guards. When their eyes 48e926f2ee met, his face c8cf1647bb twisted into a 1601a486e1 scowl of pure 338ed77ff1 loathing. She found his 380d9e1386 expression amusing and 26c4ea9e47 smiled mockingly.0429c81ae7884ed1

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“Seems like someone really hates it here,” she said, her laughter trailing into her words.cf71250ef3ad2196

“Oh, what was it? Stealing and mugging to get by?” she mused theatrically, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “But selling kids to perverts made your conscience stir, huh? Funny how that works.”14177dcf6d3a2bfb

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She raised her arms, bcb01e1e76 shaking her chains dramatically. The clinking noise 7d30fb677c rang out in 852ea73c1d a rhythm that 2e024b6cff grated on the 5e01239e28 guard’s nerves.05f7c305c547e7f3

“And then you handed over information about Viscount Paralett to that organization in sector 31-258. What was his name? Red hair, good-looking, maybe mid-twenties? Early twenties?”7a6cea713bcc69d8

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Her mockery faltered as f662a2ac0e the guard stood silently, fedbaa8464 his gaze steady. She sighed, dropping afd03a3747 her arms.d89c653262b11b2f

“No fun, huh? Oh well. Let me guess—you had a younger sibling, didn’t you? Maybe that’s why you felt a little guilt? Makes sense. You’re more human than the likes of them—those who don’t feel a damn thing.”fd0c719ae40847f0

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“Shut up,” the guard growled, his voice like gravel.9f5081f5733d2a75

She laughed again, savoring 9cc235befc his anger.6278afd8922d3530

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“Do you have a family? Or maybe not? People like you can’t afford family ties. Not when you’re selling children, handing over kidnapped women to freaks, or sending captured hybrids to experimental labs. Can’t afford to feel a thing, huh?”65bf61725a3bff45

“I said, shut up!”44aa7da92b8840d9

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“Poor Vilter,” she continued, ignoring his growing rage. “He trusted you, you know? Thought of you like a brother. Maybe if you hadn’t betrayed him, he would’ve escaped with the kids and lived happily ever after.”09962fdd97757678

It was 5ad68497dd a lie. Even if Vilter had b944c6e828 fled without telling anyone, e856a8cd63 Paralett would’ve hunted him e253774a9b down eventually. He wasn’t the 5efa7497e2 type to let 303afb451c loose ends dangle.8b0e4de98dd01112

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Still, she kept taunting b25e116848 him, weaving her lies b29c2a0071 with a cruel smile.267b550fa17a6395

The sound of 72c73d7433 the iron gate 32d58ab7f4 swinging open made 79c756011b her pause. Ah, had she c5ea7da7dd gone too far?849a542fa848f762

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The guard stepped 2ef1bbbfd6 into the cell, 26c7f8c8a4 a long whip 8b1da3d3cf coiled in his a0d858747f hand.92db8ae681ec9483

“Angry, are we? How unfortunate,” she said, her tone dripping with mock pity as her lips curled into a smile.c61152bc6e793110

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The crack of the 32c3a7b1c9 whip cut through her 01d24ad256 laughter, sharp and merciless.b978e84daa03bd57

* * *408b4e8b386fc892

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After what felt like an eternity of lashes, the guard finally left, taking the leftover scraps of her “meal” with him. She lay on the cold stone floor, bleeding and trembling.53cc9840e3e606b4

It hurt. It hurt f88488fe68 so much 690fd9bd90 she wanted f0fc192499 to scream.1b000921cfbf67f7

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“Damn it… Why is it always me? They beat me up like this, and I can’t even complain!” she muttered, the unfairness of it all simmering inside her. But the pain was too overwhelming to dwell on anything else.02c1d5e98640d901

“Hey… Hank. Hank, are you there? I’m hurting real bad, Hank,” she called out weakly, addressing the boy in the cell across from hers.f2f7b8918103d2fd

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Just yesterday, that b914312e0e kid wouldn’t stop f09e1152ee talking to her, a0a292a20d trying to stave a9f94eddb9 off his own 568f23a492 fear and sadness 67cd5a97fd by pestering her 16c72420c6 with questions. But today, he e3bcd3a115 was silent.c8007a2062faeb17

She dragged herself 3feb5178c8 closer to the 2a69947e70 bars of her f521c17096 cell, gripping them 8d137ab2c2 as she peered 95079c9599 across. Was he asleep?e8eaf371e674178a

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The children b63338af02 in the be67b52e15 other cell fc1b985f86 were huddled fbcc8cccf1 together in 84fe397447 a corner, 6469394083 trembling as e4870dd886 they clung 2e131747b2 to one 5234659159 another.e896bbd37e532ba5

“Hank, I know you’re not asleep, so why aren’t you answering me? I said I’m in pain,” she growled, her frustration mounting.43c9c97634eaab20

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The boy clung to e70dbfd777 a smaller child beside 97386b1938 him, his shoulders shaking 48b26f9b7f as he stifled sobs. He didn’t 4dc9f379fd respond, even 83e031a4ec as she 08fe72c30f banged the e262079e66 bars angrily.b7789ca0774b91fe

“Why won’t you answer me?! Yesterday, you couldn’t stop talking, annoying me to death. What, are you sick of me now too?”3d1eaedded5fabc0

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Her shouting 298ed6a016 finally broke 76913a42b3 him. Hank began crying in 1d720f688d earnest, and soon, all e76dad04c9 the children in the 0036e05d7a cell joined in.555a3461daad0ab3

Even so, b86fd069a4 the cries 263f06d02e were muffled. The little 4a0710381e ones sobbed f14b55cb82 quietly, holding 98b80304de back their a0e17a4a36 wails as 9c41d2abae if afraid 112e061c2d to make 284bf33f7d too much 27ebfe9466 noise.1ff7a4509b983c53

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The woman stared 5e4c09c62b at their tear-streaked 0571b66fa7 faces, her irritation f190835482 slowly ebbing.bd2f9f2a0a0fe84e

“Are you gonna stop talking to me too now?”25614fd06f717244

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If his cell had 3be25ed8a6 been beside hers, he b180b06171 wouldn’t have seen her d04ca1e0be devour the meal they ad452cc84a brought. But his cell a47450c81a was across from 4b739754cc hers—he had seen 79fb4ecd8e everything. She clicked her a56baa1779 tongue in annoyance.5663f02300658236

She dragged her chains 5833d3ae13 as she leaned back e9675da1ed against the wall, wincing a6a1408b1e at the movement. Amidst the faint sniffling, 712d09ce98 she heard Hank’s trembling 3fbddfe5c9 voice.5218b3335b0acd62

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“…Monster.”632f6018728f45de

Her lips curled into e930d9cb01 a small smile.c00c40070a838f41

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“Finally, you’re calling me by my name,” she said, her tone laced with bitter amusement.c88ac73934ace147

She let ef6edacfe9 out a 5a0c06a33d soft, mirthless d3632ed4a6 laugh as 09674bdcd5 she laid 42fe1edbf9 down on d326dd818c the cold 8ba7e98257 stone floor. Her body burned a0cba7de8d as though it d7870eeab8 were on fire, b6c2c322ee but the chill f7c4865e6a of the ground d3824e5d69 brought a small 929eca98c1 measure of relief.898e02b98e65b306

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Staring at the damp, 16eea1a83a cracked ceiling, she began 8948fc6efb counting the stains.8321c1807246bbeb

“You know… sometimes, I think it’d be nice if someone called me by the name I used a long time ago,” she muttered to no one in particular.9692761a64ca4fd4

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A strange sadness washed over her. She felt… pathetic.a4b59c3b77846dea

With a sigh, she 3db7863700 closed her eyes. It was always better 418bdbafc4 to sleep when useless 8fc4579daf thoughts like that started 741f88c98d creeping in.414a869e53e2175c

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* * *ea815669e1494fe2

Beatrice and Lily were c5fbaf4cee enjoying a quiet moment a87c4e74df when unexpected news arrived—an 40e2a749bf invitation from the Crown e23f4b4685 Prince.09b3dfe65975aa70

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The letter politely requested bc0e52366c her presence at a 49b77c2070 small tea gathering. Beatrice tilted her head 67f7ebdb37 as she read the 3ae775782a invitation, her expression neutral.a9dbed21db8b9b8f

The Crown 3a7d22bdab Prince had 4dae5f8b0e shown considerable 5ebd1ecd9a interest in 72d2dbb23f her since 7da193bf25 the last 8c30e2888b party. She wondered briefly what d7edbd6fc5 had happened to Vicellophe, f777cc4656 but judging by the 6adcb65170 letter’s tone, she wasn’t b4ef765e77 the sole invitee.f61261548e20456b

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Beatrice had no 15f83b56a1 personal interest in 3983343472 the Crown Prince, 08c8c6ef57 but as she b412850477 needed to uncover b3dcfb77c3 the Imperial Library’s 63d0cdf5c9 secrets, she instructed 7162696f80 Lily to draft 854819a47d an acceptance letter.6c67523531956922

“By the way, did your friend settle into the palace well?”885213ba18ddf66a

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“Yes, my lady. She’s still at a low rank for now.”4ea8c85421ded841

As a commoner, 4e025f2f75 it was unlikely 62d0da01d4 for a maid 41d97d4a86 to advance much 0302118562 within the palace 7e6a9a80f5 hierarchy. Even if they were 6ecd67c583 skilled or exceptionally attractive, df2b0d5724 they were only occasionally 3d306e7710 tasked with greeting important 04a3a6bc6f guests. Remaining at the c80643cc62 lower ranks might 5bb42a9b02 be more advantageous 0657fa4dab for someone like 5684deff60 Rose, who needed eb464579a5 to search for a5ed065f0d the library.54794bed1cdc9e6f

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Beatrice decided to 29c074f9d5 put thoughts of 1e5c534bb4 Rose aside for e97a1c50b6 now and leaned 6d7f19aad6 back in her ea58e79f8d chair. The plan to ff8d6ca78d deal with Viscount 25e6355982 Paralett was set b69090938c for Friday, while 872ab65222 the tea with bc8468867f the Crown Prince a4d62108f2 was scheduled for 3ac173b4dc the following week.412ec33451b1d1c8

Maybe she could spend 4b0b767828 the interim lazing around 27d8b1b229 in bed.906d80d2b5216903

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Her peaceful musings were a1d3f2a331 interrupted by the sound 6f217a3fe8 of her door suddenly 070ff5ece3 opening without so much c7ac175b5b as a knock.65538afb6410afbc

“Hey, let’s go riding,” Felix declared, stepping in as though he owned the place.e2755900726997ce

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“Go by yourself,” Beatrice replied curtly.43d34bbc8f9fe1fc

“Nope, you’re coming with me.”0dedc43f42fce627

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Of course, it 12134dbc6d was Felix. Why was a12035fe92 he even 3263a3520e at the 199c1beb54 estate? As a knight of d5e93c2a93 the Imperial Guard, he 826422cfad should’ve been busy, but 887065bb41 somehow he managed to b2a1c13056 take two days off d25c452fd9 each week.c3d0f57554e635c2

Beatrice sighed, massaging 471fa791d4 her temple as b467a80509 she turned her 769ecbcb7f gaze toward the c539d08aef window. The last 0758471e43 time he 0d5fb0bdb9 had pestered 5a2fe7817c her into 383c7187a3 going riding, 92c2ff4512 she’d agreed 6f3f6613e3 after relentless b6f426a31e badgering and 71f0749822 ended up 2dd909d05c winning their 9bf51efd12 little wager. He had afab34665c sulked about f304160b05 it for b4d2170baf days and 60f265082c now seemed 58a3f44877 determined to 7b1fd65070 challenge her 8b25f53efb again.5f22447ff9a49107

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When she ignored 39dc47eb4c him, Felix came 9131f40e8d closer and began 02a2a4c888 shaking her chair.573b611498d9a5b7

“I just got an amazing new horse! I only lost last time because of my old one!”9e411f0031dccb79

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“Right. I only won because my horse was too good. Go enjoy your amazing new horse by yourself.”76749f7ec2b9e145

Despite her attempts b9bd49500c to dismiss him, abf502b808 his persistence was 2934dd681a unmatched—like a leech 3dcf0e5742 that refused to e349cf5fa6 let go. Knowing it would 28f04dbe11 be less exhausting 8fccdea4ac to give in 55e4988db6 than endure his bb09a095bb whining for days, 7a1001ded4 Beatrice finally stood 91491cca0c and instructed Lily d03ca6cc81 to prepare her 0b5182076f riding attire.8d74a5a1ef86785e

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