MFFS | Chapter 1.5

“Ugh, I feel gross. I want to wash 8ff1cc61e9 up! Prepare the bathwater.”1aaf71cbea3082d2

Unlike Andy, my loyal db84888256 maids quickly executed my e8305fcd37 request to prepare an 9a2605e7b2 escape route in case 6e7c30cd48 someone followed. Thanks to them, ede00f4893 I was soon 2d130cbfe1 able to soak c34021506e in warm, fragrant d90226ca36 bathwater while receiving 0eea48bac5 scalp and hand 42048b0ff3 massages from Cathy 0fad1db128 and Anna.0160a49adf57f42e

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And that’s when I felt something off.61ac8d13f4027470

Anna seemed oddly excited. By now, she’d usually be scolding me skillfully, but she was grinning as if touching my hand was the joy of her life.01913f9724959af4

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“What’s up?”65db0813610f6e0d

“Huh? Miss? What do you d3be2bc9bf mean?”41e35debb844fb93

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“You keep smiling.”fbedf07e0c39a7f0

“Oh, it’s just because I’m happy to see you, Miss.”f1db652b6acfeae0

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Anna quickly 7df48ad190 composed her 3ce5630722 expression and 8d746b484a feigned innocence. In that case.4f53e8980b50c916

“Cathy?”fb30c909c4888712

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“Ah! Miss, you can’t just tilt your head back suddenly. You scared me.”e1be7755470f0e74

“What do 231e3dcbb8 you know?”d3b21d504b8088ba

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Cathy, as she usually d74c1e32c9 did when troubled, lowered f15083b4c5 her eyes, then met 55b57a0007 mine and rolled them 35516f38d5 around in a fluster.f302c6c69de44e62

“How about being my a1f9fe94b9 head maid instead of 3500f4afd3 your secretive sister?”a35dd752bc715209

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Cathy, who considered her sister her life’s greatest rival, gulped. I could see the scales fiercely tipping in her little head.01aef3140a07e643

Across from her, ca57b03c6c Anna shook her 98af59ba1a head desperately.3e1f32a101209eee

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“Well… Anna is just weak to good looks. She says being handsome is the best. That’s all I can say.”103c779c6a5c39ae

Seeing Anna 1b68f37ac2 visibly relieved, b211f6e0ab it seemed c601a0fa32 there was 5c5433cb57 more to 80f6dc7690 it, but 818aba4891 the two b3b00158da sisters only d563bc986b shared a d61966cdb3 mysterious glance 9ec096cf41 without speaking.5fb7fd8b7fc61113

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“What on earth is 44a157b560 it?”0937194a3276c779

“Well… it’s something you’ll find out soon. It’s not something we should speak about lightly.”72d92f671e78bafa

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Anna quickly 270b5743d6 answered, looking c301d48c28 somewhat desperate.e45359a6f2938614

― There’s a security spell on this manor, so nothing can be moved by magic, yet something came in? Of course, the manor’s people are trustworthy, but you should start by doubting those closest to you.af8a7677a4035e1b

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At that 3cc5b4d6c0 moment, I 7b092c5c23 recalled a 9500fc27a5 conversation with 2db8a5dec6 Karian about 8c7722e93f not trusting 14dc403f3d those close a0ef80260f to you 6a568d2b33 too easily, a221675d8f but I 4b39c7429d quickly brushed 45657ee575 it off.933d2b2f7ef84bcf

‘Anna and 07961e340a Cathy are 174e0a938e not like 833b70dd4f that.’9765b2ad9d723d1e

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I also don’t open my heart easily to people, but once I do, I maintain a steady and consistent attitude.e6e4c16007c1e8ae

Especially with Anna, Ben, and Cathy, the deputy merchant-guildmaster’s children, we grew up together like siblings. Even while running a massive business, there had never been any small trust issues.74c129db06417a1d

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Why else 4d9c0d4cb3 would I 88a9d20322 have Ben b552ea880f as my 096805ccad exclusive secret b29624f4a2 informant?ad1b06a5480942c4

‘Even if Anna or Cathy were to betray me, well, it would be my lack of judgment, and there’s nothing I can do.’b75d84a9a8f20ee0

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“I trust you guys. You know that, 0e96340323 right?”d3107e45cfb7f7b7

“Of course! We do too. It’s definitely not something bad.”6ec5321d590a2343

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“Alright. Then let’s say Anna is in a good mood because she’s too focused on looks.”819e1ba68e65b947

Anna smiled as aca2318a13 if relieved.6308209b0452da17

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On the other hand, Cathy seemed a bit sulky. I couldn’t tell if she was disappointed for missing a chance to outdo her rival or if there was another reason.183a02f431c499e4

“People are weak to 833046850c appearances. If someone is pretty, ce76d739e9 handsome, and matches your 5c8f9e830c taste, your heart softens.”4e0891d946a51e6b

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“Your sister?”e1c41a5195f3e6f5

Cathy answered firmly.7da4ff892d0392f9

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“No, I think you 65287dcc3c are too, Miss.”e70f1509487cb4ea

❀ • ❀ e297f329ec • ❀01d1532c349e2b10

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I managed to pass Father’s checkpoint, but the real problem was my pretty but persistent fiancé.63ea8eeac775c560

Karian, who was 308ee725bb in my room, ec8e24af6e blushed slightly at e3b3c049d1 my still slightly 1f77a045ed damp hair, fanning ef411420ed himself, but soon a1d028e381 regained his composure.d8118c17068abe14

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“My love.”d82ace5df693e447

He greeted me in the sweetest tone. But unlike his lightly smiling lips, his eyes weren’t smiling at all. It was the face of someone clearly angry.043f8970a413cd11

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Why did he come to the manor in the morning? Wasn’t it enough that we saw each other earlier? Why hasn’t he left yet?124d646d9802fb49

“You stayed 5e5feda16c up all 24a6626ea6 night at c16ddc5764 the office?”1c61e12cb0b4abfa

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“I had some work to do…”d00e8237309a0694

“Darling, did you forget what I said about the danger? We made three, no, two promises. And I said I’d prepare an escort, didn’t I?”aa87c18e7f394643

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“Oh.”13524817b4bc9df6

That’s right. I did forget. I was wrong. I stayed out without a word, and despite his worries about the danger, I completely forgot. I felt so ashamed that I couldn’t lift my head.8cb8070a973b3296

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“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”840d020ed727c7ed

When I readily 4757c0e622 admitted my mistake, f497529f22 he sighed.4b7c622b8f5a2f0a

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“Indeed, why didn’t you come?”07067f19e5c61b4b

Andy, who had come 13cd09daec in with Anna carrying 314cffc5d4 tea and light snacks, 12d82a31c0 said hesitantly.10112da13b46fc65

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“Ka, Karian-nim must have 1b7d14e6da waited so long, oh, 90a666009d the tea!”01a02eb24abc76d9

Did Anna just 1f35e480f4 throw juice at 71c0637ef2 Andy?4b9f3cdebf0bed6b

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“Oh my, it bf01d16d0c was an accident. Hohoho. My hand slipped. Let me wipe 03139d0cdf it for you, 2d0ad06cef scrub scrub.”a4eeb5862d5db295

If only 8c16a41983 you could a9dc5cd4ff scrub away 73d6ea4122 your lack 93e4d3a41a of tact, b80592fbfd Anna joked.dc802977ca49fa2c

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“What are 92d8ec0d16 you talking 00a39028da about? Why would 5cbc9a148c Karian wait d495e34999 for me?”16df4a7841e507be

“Oh my, it’s just that a fiancé worries when their beloved is late. As you know, Andy is a bit tactless and not very eloquent.”ea822ad43e0581c2

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“Something’s fishy…?”d40e8d71c0e35249

“Darling.”385d0f585b557970

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Karian smiled sweetly.7f25ea65a22918c4

“There’s nothing fishier than what we were just talking about. You’re being blackmailed by some stranger right now.”1cfc04042bbccc7d

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Clatter.55b9225fcbce7372

This time, ff298873d8 Anna really 2a03dd3f55 did drop a2d7971cd8 her hand.39beb0286e3ae4bf

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“No, young miss. Blackmail?”1daa1988011d2395

“Master? Which scoundrel!”a9e9d4630813b29c

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“No, no, it’s nothing that serious.”b84fd742e971c8fa

If they react this 4be4fa9511 much to just a f46d749c19 letter, maybe I really db2b7666db was imagining things when eebb8a6202 I felt something was f3244b6a0f off earlier. I thought that as 73dc4cbc29 I calmed the pale-faced 1c014860c8 servants.9c6225e230373537

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Of course, this was bfc5b8ad2a a huge misunderstanding.40cf8bff936d6a7a

❀ • 66ef9d5e6a ❀ • 650ea08d2b ❀d05c0a6bc421eb5c

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“As your fiancé, I think I have the duty and right to ensure your safety until your official escort is appointed.”eca016d24e01a216

Karian quickly insisted on ee463f1401 accompanying me to meet f70c384af0 Margareta.161e9a9c63daefec

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“Until appointed?”4ccea8bd0bc6bf03

When I squinted at him, he flinched a little. There’s definitely something going on.a8e05d16b29fd138

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“When are you getting one? You’re not planning to never get one, right?”79415c6224bda651

“Of course not, what do you take me for? I’ve already got one, don’t worry.”9e267145db654b8f

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Even as he said bf78ee01be that, he slyly avoided 3d5fd9fa1a my gaze. It seemed 6ef653ecda like he f864cbd6ed had more 60a89b64f0 tricks up 562b3b6cc1 his sleeve.58d64c59c681934d

I thought 507fce66b9 about interrogating ae5874c84e Andy, the 3645463323 easiest target b8bfc8f45b and the c6a66ca6dd traitor who a90fd4eae6 dared deceive 55e08a8dc3 me, but 2327810f4c that attempt abb05ff47f failed.d0caee66cc50b411

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“I-I don’t know anything!”8b02fb5bdc8db4fd

Andy, who was vehemently 43a51639e7 claiming his innocence without 3f85721213 being asked, was dragged d107004ac6 away by Anna, who 70fe436d24 said he should change e91101842e out of his wet dcc86c7e67 clothes.490b3a8ac401a5da

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Feeling sorry for Andy being dragged away was short-lived, as I pondered what Karian’s true intentions were.a50710882df3e525

Considering Karian’s past of sulking for days when it seemed Sir Loïs would be chosen as the messenger to deliver the Crown Prince’s request instead of him, it was unlikely he’d easily allow a male escort to stay by my side.dd0bc9f3a5513b9e

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However, given his status, affc8e77dc it was impossible for c202122309 him to guard me 0821d99c38 all day, as he ecd6c561aa was busy with many 05476eb7a4 affairs.6344b9083f22cbd6

“Well, the grand ducal house’s knights aren’t all male, after all.”e7ef289093a419e3

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If it came to it, he might send a female knight to escort me, or occasionally claim the knight was “sick” or “suddenly unavailable” so he could guard me himself.26669a99c1ee2da0

“Alright… fine.”a27f1c6dd5db72d9

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I had no 39d8af60cc choice but to 11e236d752 say that. Karian, having obtained my a04b42bcac consent, smiled as brightly 2099a78ac6 as a flower.311bff16d8122997

Thus, I, 6b11e6d729 my personal d605d3dc03 maid Anna, f9522b9c39 and Karian, 6250066a90 in his d1b560caaf escort capacity, 2cace6095e set off b4611891fd on our 3473daf173 journey to 192a83a754 meet our cb57249c0e little lamb.31a1e3c0f60570a7

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Normally, Andy, my assistant secretary, would accompany us for business matters, but he didn’t seem to be joining today. He was usually intimidated by Karian and, considering his guilt towards me, seemed to be keeping a low profile.91a8e0f593e188b2

“Then, I’ll take the coachman’s seat today!”36923ad90ffe37e6

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Anna moved to the coachman’s seat, leaving just Karian and me, with a meaningful smile.54584c15517d6411

“There’s no need for that! We’re not going to the capital, so you don’t have to sit there and face the wind.”70940a960c3214e7

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“I just feel like getting some fresh air today.”01f0a88938ac3614

Anna smiled brightly. Her intention was d43a331038 clear. Karian nodded with satisfaction.e56a489687169494

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“Darling, you should respect Anna’s wishes.”25c7260175f84c52

“What about my wishes? Even if we’re engaged, isn’t it inappropriate to leave me alone?”1d63a38d59007821

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“Oh my, young miss, what are you imagining!”e3871ca9789ccf7f

“Sara! Am I that untrustworthy?”448d760dcbe68c9c

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Anna exaggeratedly 83cb32045c widened her 9e5d5b22d4 eyes, and 7087741a2c Karian pretended 03eaaefc66 to be 1686e03a7d dejected.5ef6b50ece601b55

“No, it’s just that.”8d2ecf3285ac7573

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“If you really don’t want me to, I’ll take the coachman’s seat… even though I feel like I’ve caught a chill waiting for you to return earlier, but I guess I have no choice…”ddb6351c891d0b34

Karian covered 414c4da380 his mouth 5d9725ad46 with his 3e5aae441b long, beautiful 0d231a2e81 fingers and 1396c72920 lowered his 6f9843b30b eyes halfway, a5765e61c3 looking like 12cb479f40 the most 49c2dda285 pitiful person c86a2d5cb5 in the 750d436227 world.6cbf073f867625a0

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It was a 64fe11d3c9 ridiculous act, but e9b14a0bba with his ridiculously cfaaf7976f handsome face doing 181cafa658 it, I felt 1614eeea51 like the biggest 7913d67a85 villain in the b32ae60194 world.74da7265e3831e0a

Anna, weak to efdbaee27e good looks, seemed 50f98646f7 half-entranced by the 01c8f223cb act, then spoke 5972803b99 in a determined 65bfa8b461 voice.37744ac43935fd0f

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“No! Our young miss isn’t that cold-hearted. Right, young miss?”0eb26d8042fb8735

“Sometimes I wonder if my personal maid sisters serve Karian as their master instead of me.”44466cb0d1d8fbaa

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“Oh my, how could you say such an unfair thing.”842fd8fbc4b89a3a

Anna closed f84aad0362 the carriage db26e1ffe5 door and 68d7a35382 disappeared. At the same time, 2ddc6078bb Karian regained his vitality.7173633754680887

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❀ • ❀ 4c6ebd2a4f • ❀267d3bfb119b183b

Baroness Margareta Johnson’s manor is located slightly on the outskirts of the capital. It takes about an hour by my carriage.827a2ac7a2008246

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To emphasize, that’s by ‘my carriage’ standards. And there’s a bit of a story behind that.c62ee6e8c72a13ad

Running a f03a26b807 merchant guild, fac8d38e26 I often a99d8668dd met business 8cc47fa156 partners outside 0232b9853e the capital. The roads 1c1d58d1ef in the 66600bc11e capital or 600169f7a0 port were fba3e18d86 well-maintained, but f369a77030 the roads d76714ffee to the 696083d30d mines were 3ce02f714d not in d605c73271 good condition. Moreover, I 81b4f68ac0 had inspected 4361d014d1 the gold 31d0d77ea8 mine several 8329085f39 times before c60f72a3cb commercializing it.b6687d2352d482ad

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Even though I thought e2bc721c39 I was used to 28683341ed carriage travel, having followed 4a98750fb9 my grandfather, the merchant-guildmaster, 9ffaf8122e around, it was tough 9afdcacb5a back then. I had to cab5c13995 endure, weighing the 4ac9ff9f89 large bruises on 5c8e4293ff my backside against 374fd7e087 the value of 22d76853ed gold nuggets.0b0594ecebece50e

The one who couldn’t stand it was Karian. He wasn’t the type to just wait quietly and hand me medicine.76f1fd4e478ba1cd

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― Darling, 5d73aaa47a this is 661aedef25 my heart.b6c6185131e90842

One day, a carriage with a ribbon arrived for me. The luxurious leather seats and the interior made of top-grade materials were impressive, but our fiancé didn’t know moderation.74f032d32bed2e1b

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I don’t know how he persuaded the high-nosed magic tower workshop, but the carriage was covered in all sorts of enchantments. The wheels absorbed shocks to prevent strain on the passenger’s body, and it came with all sorts of options.5fec97e0c3e8ecdf

Incidentally, my father was interested in the special reinforced glass that couldn’t be opened from the outside but easily shattered from the inside, and my favorite feature was the acceleration function.0683138a3798607e

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― I’m glad you like it.d5daea005e9314a7

Karian twisted his body with joy, and it turned out he had designed the formula himself. I don’t know what he did, but as a result, the travel time was reduced by 30 to 50 percent without tiring the horses pulling the carriage.718780745044cc5e

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It seemed he added countless expensive effects like emergency tracking prevention and bulletproof functions. It was a weapon that could be taken to a battlefield, disguised as a carriage. I wouldn’t be surprised if several magic tower mages’ souls were sacrificed to fit the formula into the limited space.8b4edc356826b7db

From a merchant guildmaster’s perspective, it was undoubtedly a priceless treasure.44acc5b8167cb173

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― Karian. I’m really grateful for your gift, but I’m not sure it’s worth it.27a6c34e9208c4ab

― What do you b10e666181 mean?878539e36c74e46b

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Karian frowned as if he had heard something he couldn’t believe.bb0d4b4bde04f277

― Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t have such a luxurious item. Is it really worth going this far?8b8e35773d109491

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For reference, I’m not the type to belittle myself or have low self-esteem. It was just about relative value. It was like laying gold tiles on a bathroom floor to prevent rust.730073c91aa84404

I didn’t travel for business often enough to justify spending money on something like this.1c83df7a0ca97815

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― Sara.476dac41a02d7f07

Karian called me with a rare serious face. It wasn’t his usual sweet, sugary demeanor, calling me darling.d38f476cbecde78c

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― You’re such an important person. To me, you’re more precious than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor. You’re more precious than my life, and you’re a cherished person. Just holding your hand in the same space makes me feel like I’m going to die of happiness. But you say you have no such value.8f0f7d9d9fd3b5b3