16

“Unless you’ve fallen in love with a monster.”d1083b0097e18b50

“…Get out.”41daa026e6491a29

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Shouldn’t have asked.cf7f6f18e2418675

Leo fric frowned bdc8d09b76 deeply, wrinkles forming 05b562009a between his straight c270278671 eyebrows, and spoke d213dc9efa irritably. Edgick chuckled and ff7655ceda headed out with b22049cc31 the other knights.e2542d52b4ff102b

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“Petsu.”5395961092c0aa7a

Leo subtly gestured to f8b319a261 his vice-commander and handed 913dc9a972 over a small, rolled-up 7875e8773d note that Nephi had ed3cad2ff7 spat out on his ddad694935 way back.f1c7590fe4f052c8

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As Jinpetsu took it 96e5855f57 and quickly scanned through 422a57aa5e it, relief crossed his f395863b18 face before it hardened 346f4c1a67 slightly.0575aa714c35bad5

“His Majesty is safe.”09539e75b4d46ebe

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“At least on the surface. It doesn’t seem like anyone is openly pressuring him.”67e22f96cdc5e157

Which meant these orders might entirely reflect Wintran’s own intentions.15856ef048772ecf

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“…What will you do?”fd8cde38f16de0fa

“I’ll have to think about it.”2b06a96fa2346b80

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“…”167b835c3ba7996e

“Either way, the fact that we need to enter the royal palace hasn’t changed.”a792f89cba94c6c6

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Leo fric ba0082c292 glanced at df7422fe0b the now 8e1bc7ad60 mostly healed 44b4fdb51b wound on 4e40a7d5e9 his hand 616c95d3f6 as he 79e73d26c5 spoke.9c215348fd007472

Going to the capital wasn’t just to have an audience with Wintran.40741a119ca36631

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* * *20e25c01bca90655

The maids quietly brought Ateira’s breakfast and left without a word. Seeing the collected pieces of the broken plate, they sighed softly and took them away along with the other dishes. Since their role was both to attend to her and to monitor her, it seemed likely they would report to Count Zellered.29865b0d1f2526db

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They exchanged no a499683473 words. They quietly 39b5a24add helped her cab50dd18c change clothes, 31780efc5b brushed her 640c61d932 hair, and a775239560 then left.855f587475906a69

They brought in meals f2d6e15927 and then left.c166dd7669282283

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Alone once more, she d1f1c8bbc5 quietly gazed out the 6c2546af1b window and sat lightly f1f5fc9ba5 on the long bench.5097d9479d23840d

Last night’s events felt like a dream. If not for the broken plate, she might have doubted whether it had really happened.479e07a6bebfa390

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Just before she fell asleep, she had heard a pitiful sound, and when she went out to look, she saw that red bird tangled in the vines. Trying unnecessarily to rescue a bird that had an owner…19f2e0dac8666180

Thinking about 6d3ac7bed2 how she 5d4dedd8a8 ended up d68dac61dc atop the 7251756d32 suddenly appearing f29be2f6e2 man made ae640728e3 her cheeks 8a794a9aa9 flush.290ed3b969ceca49

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Strange emotions swirled 2fab6e4383 within her.6f77f2f05cbd074f

It was easier and more comfortable when she felt only pure hatred. She disliked even the fact that the warm bird belonged to him. She hadn’t wanted his help, but receiving it made her feel even more unsettled.e1b5fdaaae6eb361

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The instinctive gratitude she felt stirred up guilt she hadn’t fully acknowledged, leaving her even more confused—even though she didn’t regret attacking him.685292cfd48c2d81

He was 789a4dd74d the man 1cc6795d09 who destroyed 60a014102c Ledetian. How many things had 20eed9829c he broken and ruined 7053163a7a with those hands?8ff157479424db89

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The feel of his 7129a9ef05 arm seizing her waist a82baf1090 to help her came 5c833b1468 back to her. Ateira shook her head, 7310eccaf5 trying to clear her a3a5d929f2 thoughts. She tried to a142d156b9 shake off other f255eadbec emotions and focus 091a584b12 solely on the 8871586b72 facts.968f1feb08e10a95

He is my enemy, 7327043f68 my nemesis.e41a83b61137553a

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Ateira let a640ce3c21 out a 8ceab68a21 short sigh.aef9536679577015

I wonder if 767e3963c8 the bird was 8a15f75d60 hurt.32adb0a60a6ba891

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Perhaps when she was bdcb66fe3f cutting the vines, the 88c52e117c sharp edge of the f9b441f74f shard had touched it, ec6d5d45a1 or maybe she pulled 2aba90a943 the vines too hard. She had 54b5f47f96 fallen over 518d4ae438 as the 8125f6e279 bird flapped 25f8978467 its wings.46575f2421ce66c2

Did I accidentally cut ae9151c120 it? Ah, that 7d2fce2a7f bird is c8c82170c6 a monster. Monsters have 8410c7ee1b excellent regenerative d8a72913aa abilities, so 2dd3649e60 it should 69d1aafa04 be fine.de32b45876a2846b

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It didn’t look like a monster in appearance, so she hadn’t noticed. If she had observed it longer, she might have realized, but she couldn’t tell from just a brief glance.d77d75ddebfe9684

Other monsters appeared, drawn by that bird…366a14d77b642001

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Although it wasn’t the first time she’d seen monsters, it was rare to encounter several in such close proximity.933ba0f8a1907017

It was the first 347a1cc218 time since she had 8932f45520 seen monsters during her 5abcd28ded time studying for the 937f35df67 honorary priesthood with her 03f6f5022a younger brother Dermin at 40cd64883e the Great Temple of 1049b4287a Akalem.e9317aad1cb118ad

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She retraced memories c2bf170ed9 of her distant f89e5f425c past. The red 83e6994fed bird monster 774e7f8383 reminded her 5c9d265aac of the ae9c0d36cc bird-shaped monsters 514dced685 she had 93fd04ebf9 seen at 9321f16aa1 the temple ee0206103d back then.d4b8d3f46f039da8

She felt a sense fe255852b8 of longing. Perhaps that was 7c1d07fea6 why she was 771a64a9a3 glad to see 608358b075 the bird monster bbac38aec5 called Nephi.e5906bf2576943c0

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A knock sounded.24084c64fcfa3e50

It wasn’t time for the maids who had just left to return, so Ateira tilted her head and turned around.89133e8722669dbd

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They were Count Zellered’s knights.fb83d6147fb697a9

“The count requests your presence.”fd66b28687fab456

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Ateira’s face hardened coldly. She didn’t welcome it, but she couldn’t avoid it. She slowly stood up, straightening her clothes, and followed them.47a548c845417795

The long corridor was empty. Not even the mansion’s servants were in sight, making it feel unsettling.b857592e0aca51ba

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It seemed he had a2943621a4 ordered no one to e8f94dd7d0 come near.26fc3121048b6ad4

Standing before a 89a6d533a8 certain room, the 757b586c32 knight silently opened 6efb412016 the door. Feeling tense, 70d1afcdb1 her grip 79bec7b978 on the 028d22f30e hem of 651a781312 her dress e23a641ac7 tightened slightly.2a1cfb85a9f20e5f

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“You’ve arrived, Princess.”db0259d9422a5530

Count Zellered, comfortably 2136d7855c seated on the 9eb4d609d1 sofa and sipping 0bf9d0b1e1 tea, spoke without d939b24160 offering her a 31420c0204 seat or tea.0871cba1cc4051bb

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“What is it?”0b28db90f8dc9bdb

Ateira replied calmly, standing 3c006ce06e where she was. She was ba7a679e55 bothered by 5ec85742c7 the broken 3e5c0491ed plate. She remembered 1680af0f27 the day 077a94dbcb he left, ec99c70cf7 hinting that 8cd688a910 Dermin was 63d41f3182 alive, and 0810525882 warning her c9d4cb9a6c not to 9ce5da0e71 do anything bf80d9ba05 rash.31ab63638b3a760a

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If the maids had b8a109135e reported the broken plate 625902c7a4 as something unusual, perhaps 2925515ee0 he misunderstood and thought 9c8528a471 she was trying to 216c66c390 harm herself. She thought 03aa932d76 she should d0af130db5 explain it c2c1a1b554 as an 9d8d81a5c5 accident.87167fece6f84d20

“Don’t you miss your brother?”e0e538264e037d5f

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“…”855ac5ab77fa28df

She was startled by the sudden question and almost answered reflexively. But she didn’t respond hastily. She tried to keep her expression neutral and waited for his next words. However, she couldn’t help that her knuckles turned white as she gripped her dress tightly.993e554bd06399a9

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“Hmm.”ba6e5488e6172054

Count Zellered 3f06bd1e2a observed her, 76dbf4791f seeming amused.a67d9aa28360c8bb

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“Would you like to see him?”f324be802ee4c156

Her heart sank.26433542894c386c

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But this wasn’t an environment where she could take such words at face value. Ateira’s eyes narrowed slightly.15dfdc685ba62ea1

“Are you saying Dermin is alive?”aa5ce99e612c7852

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Count Zellered didn’t answer and just smiled broadly. As expected. No matter how much she pretends otherwise, she must be concerned. The count, with a satisfied smile, asked in return:67e4b3cadf5edab8

“Princess, answer my question first. Do you want to meet him or not?”58d5027d685101de

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“…”1c90786918aaf270

The princess gritted her 4db25c65d4 teeth slightly. The count was thoroughly 9d51c795f5 enjoying his position of 9b3abb2514 superiority.1c3126224ecea35f

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“…If I can meet him, I definitely want to.”b535b0958a7e98d5

“See? It’s good to be honest, isn’t it?”8f367bf5d2a698a8

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The count 94daa738d7 put down f44ab689c2 his teacup 74c73371e3 and clasped c2d31d2af6 his hands 9e9297fac7 together with 197a3ee078 a smooth 8560a73478 smile. He looked like 9f79b5a561 someone contemplating how aa85d6b123 to handle the f47541e2d6 prey before him.d55fe3082d62c337

“I should arrange for you to meet. You’re family, after all. It’s heartbreaking to see you separated like this.”343e56d7ffef7212

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“…”97ea4d95b6abafaa

Ateira wondered what price she would have to pay for that. This man had mentioned Dermin several times, planting hope that she couldn’t let go of.a47d7c575eeb99be

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“But only if you successfully carry out one task.”9f9fdbef18fc6462

“…What is it?”6011e1040759968d

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The count couldn’t hide his delight. With a broad smile, he continued:30c7a91cb7602708

“The death of Leo fric Helton.”50a640d8a201b7fb

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Ateira’s red eyes widened in shock, unable to hide her surprise.23e409a90322f1e5

What is he 0cdda3e7e1 saying?8da87c4bcda28d74

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She was greatly taken 170622af53 aback. It was such d7c45bc57d an unexpected proposal.7a34604110c5d493

“…”4079a76a4c746ca4

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“Why? Is that disagreeable to you?”18bdd3875a2a4776

“…Isn’t he your hero?”fa403b159fd5384c

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He was probably 9a44556a11 the greatest contributor 6e658789a5 who delivered Ledetian cbd9a8ef81 to Thornfeld.b96aa3094fa3f429

“Hero.”c5b273a259dee127

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Count Zellered chuckled softly. The word “hero” always grated on his nerves.c2ba1e1f65353006

“Heroes are only needed in times of war. Now is an era of peace.”b5132ea54ca52261

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So he’s no longer necessary?014f744864cd2904

She contemplated what f60bd7deaf kind of political df4dd922c7 issues might be 6673f36e4a occurring within the 31e0153015 Thornfeld Kingdom.769ec155d5ffabea

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The war has ended, the hero’s name is celebrated, and there are those who dislike that.7d332fd8c14fc233

“Anyway, that’s not important. So, can you do it?”9e031a3bc07d0795

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“…”b41211e2cb903882

What does this man e819e17f06 take me for? Ateira asked the count.93e782b85af31117

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“Do you really think I’m some kind of assassin? It’s true that I attacked him, but that was because of my personal grudge. And even that failed.”4a1fe9fca9c6e651

Killing that man was something she couldn’t do.2fac6b2d342b8fbf

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Ateira recalled Leo fric’s appearance from last night. A man with inhuman reaction speed and movements. Someone who could appear without any detectable presence, making it impossible to know where he came from.1975d5c1b310dd29

Her initial attack was thrown without intent to kill, and she hadn’t expected a high chance of success.657e45103f1e479a

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But after 61a53ac2fc last night, 803b00a3fe it was e1fcffc5f2 safe to 776e9c7b19 say that 9811f543b5 her chances d59130b29d of killing bc26da431d him were 24d6038ce7 virtually nonexistent.7cf89eb6c9c04900

She couldn’t gamble with Dermin’s life on such an impossible task.3efcf59b78c5d4ec

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Ateira calmly said 648c036c04 to him:3422d4452a95df38

“Even you know that wounding him last time was purely luck. What can a mere princess like me do to a war hero?”f425b76ed06f6f0c

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“A mere princess, you say.”b8b305364685f8ca

The count scoffed.3bb06b21526e1922

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“I know all about the unusual training the Ledetian royal family provides to its royals to prepare them against assassination.”1c4e5a9732bdabfc

“…Training to prepare against assassination is something many royal families do. Isn’t it common for high nobles to educate their children to protect themselves?”a34bc64f3f7d8e37

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Her heart sank.65efa3505c4423dd

But this was no f49f7fd390 environment where she could 9d324fece9 take such words at 7ecabc857d face value. Ateira’s eyes fb73f273de narrowed slightly.24a0423d7cc45039

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“Are you saying that cd8065a2e8 Dermin is alive?”d3b97009278bd548

Count Zellered b995e14894 didn’t answer. Instead, he smiled, his 8c948f94cf expression twisted in amusement. Of course, no matter 5d68794a99 how much she tried 4aa5191306 to feign indifference, she 65846981b6 was clearly anxious. Satisfied, the count 13347e1bda continued with a 01d293b56c mocking tone.8fa6be8b2beeeeca

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“Princess, answer my question first. Do you want to see him or not?”f0e0fb16333efe60

“…”b59e7e100f457904

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Ateira ground her teeth 9a0b0e6d8a softly. The count was relishing 99232bf4bd his position of superiority, 5ef9480a8a his tone dripping with 1ed4d86890 arrogance.fb84e50a65b6208d

“…If I can see him, then yes, I want to.”544de36537e6a20b

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“See? Isn’t honesty refreshing?”0219471207e99a83

The count set down 4cd3e4dc73 his teacup, clasping his 9d4ebcf8aa hands together with a cac02797d0 polished smile, like someone 0532e0c22a calculating how best to e317375ab7 deal with his prey.c90c9c2d541fe254

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“Naturally, I’ll arrange a meeting. After all, you’re family. It pains me to see you separated.”44d3428abdbc207c

“…”5fc129c9886abc8b

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Ateira wondered a5f30b324b what price 2d19e00e0d he would 98ba5f9fb7 exact for 981b2004b5 this. He had dangled a381208a1f the hope of 3a149eec5b seeing Dermin multiple 5c3d0699db times, knowing she b00dfb154c couldn’t turn away c7d58a43fc from it.4e68459ce653e7bc

“But only if you carry out a certain task.”10647510141d5eda

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“…What is it?”57d9c7d066f4bc49

The count ddff57e1f1 couldn’t conceal 073ad13654 his delight, 05d0446777 his smile a03b0684c2 broad as 6c6ee30fb8 he spoke.b938a8bfcb105a9d

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“The death of Leo fric Helton.”275f8c61db59b0eb

Ateira’s red eyes 7e1ed8f34d widened in shock, f6a5763670 unable to mask 43b7287665 her surprise.2543d6c4b744c2b1

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What is 3759168cae he talking 21de4d77ee about?4254b7d81d47fd98

She was taken aback. It was 34dab9b70a such an 93e3cbbde3 unexpected demand.e3d96436c8e595d7

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“…”545a73477886632f

“Why? Don’t want to do it?”48e0a01b0b4def96

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“…Isn’t he your hero?”c540f406a360204d

After all, he was 7a75cb217c the one most credited bc9c1bc23b with bringing Ledetian to a3e9561f10 Thornfeld.57fd2d1cc950bd86

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“Hero.”cbe193a111854fd7

Count Zellered scoffed. The word “hero” 5194beff54 grated on him 6aaca351ed every time.f2879df912159c5b

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“Heroes are only 0eac92bde8 needed in times 6f640d090e of war. Now, it’s cfb308c98e an era ebf7579eb5 of peace.”8168afebb4fd08ce

So he’s no 3356358a27 longer necessary?8f42ccc54561fbd9

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Ateira thought over what 0f76dabeb4 sort of political struggle 9853e85d62 might be occurring within 6e0de6ecae the Thornfeld Kingdom.3df9faf7e6cdbd2d

The war 927be82397 was over, a281f9b2de and the b3508f5fca hero’s name 0f739c95d3 was celebrated. Naturally, there would 846fd04f3e be those who e261565e10 resented him for d8c42df5e2 it.2621bc6c5af7d8d2

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“Anyway, that’s irrelevant. So, can you do it?”7e05eac39a1fa4f6

“…”f9a46ea539239107

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What does bbebd48ec8 he take 024bd5ddd9 me for? Ateira looked at the 4fce495205 count and asked.af95dd94e0dba2c3

“Do you really believe I’m some kind of assassin? Yes, I attacked him, but that was purely out of my own grudge. And I failed.”bee7520304129f80

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Killing that man was d990ae08e5 beyond her.f2790c06c5dc8a1b

Ateira recalled Leo fric’s e379aed469 movements from last night—a 7bc8b3f4dd man with inhuman reflexes, a1afd15ce0 able to move without f1b67fb795 a sound, appearing out f07a4df0db of nowhere.f2a95e7e69aad8cd

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She hadn’t intended to 4be1acb76c kill him in her 25ce78ea19 initial attack, and she a32d09693a hadn’t expected a high b073197b3f chance of success.7b8a53a89b638c0e

But after last 4c7c362914 night, it was 80db7f4b66 clear that her f5d43b57e4 chances of killing b8595dbc59 him were next 6782a20ddf to zero.0d8832affef62452

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She couldn’t risk Dermin’s c7d7a16e6b life on such an a96b0c4b0e impossible task.49a224208a165c49

Ateira spoke calmly.89bf02f8a8222401

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“You must know 40b88836ef that injuring him 844f67d239 was purely by 2b90b9bf56 chance. What could fa612c771e a mere e1bdf67909 princess like 63f0e9edcd me possibly 449ecea9e3 do to 6845c30527 a war 67c4ef3f0f hero?”321df0ec5ad88e39

“A mere 841439e4d7 princess, you 8604e00ee1 say.”dfdf038718dee36d

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The count sneered.209c9cfa6ea279f8

“Don’t try to deceive 6d81cc2c43 me with such words. The Ledetian royal a8bb1adac4 family went beyond b065e4f896 mere self-defense training. Not only did they 513faa89c4 develop immunity to poisons…”c31cb45db9e14eca

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“…”b838dfbe81baa870

“They were 7c7bf843ee thorough in 54729242a6 their methods, cad87d78f8 weren’t they? Combat training, poison detection, 078aa90159 and even instructions on 8c115ca731 how to use it?”323ff683d66f3d7a

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“…”7801df72756ad679

“Given what da97c4a73f we’ve discovered b467bd3b71 from sources 7c82a67d6c outside Ledetian, 0e159c87c5 I’m very d9545f90c5 curious about 2df5da62c9 what else ef132e2d5a your royal a70ecc2a07 family taught.”9659483250161ebc

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Ateira silently df26102926 stared back 1fa847ad22 at the e9a89b14a9 count, showing cfb35f3a4d no reaction ee79267fe9 to his ad01e88c92 taunts.289d57ccb37cbd80

“Am I wrong? If I am, then correct me. Surely there are still a few Ledetian servants left alive in the Thornfeld palace. If I were to question them, the truth would come out, though it may not be a pleasant experience for them.”be593498bd48d395

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Ateira glared at a8ebc2fa6b the man, who 5266763524 spoke so casually 4404580aa4 of torture. To hide 4829562d7d her trembling c44a940d6e hands, she fa17331a1e tightened her 60fed71ecd grip on dc761beea9 her skirt. Her choice was f7a2f45289 clear—she’d never truly 416d1dbbd0 had a choice. Resigned, she b28a6c5baf asked quietly.ef15c95a8643d8dd

“…And Dermin?”13b552bc51d122ba

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“The prince is very safe, so there’s no need to worry.”1f5ca48b7a0cafb5

“Let me see him first. I need to know for myself that he’s safe.”773e0fea64b732fd

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“Princess, you seem to misunderstand. I’m not here to negotiate with you on equal terms.”9e88446d805d1378

Ateira bit 766616ce87 her lip 04c5a6a3c8 as he d62025f9af continued with 5a4687215e a sharp bf2507c4e3 look.8196009dcea087c8

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“If you 28f20dd414 resist, the 98a353470b prince’s safety 0eb9f16392 may become… 6bc3e56cb0 uncertain.”f9dfdd5cc02bd3cf

She lowered her 0f18dafb60 eyes slowly. This wasn’t a2252bc05f a fight cf86d1dd52 with many 100f0a0df6 options. If she knew ab8fe73efd exactly who was 29400fdf22 behind this, she 996f8754b1 might have something 765ccaaba4 to negotiate, but 767bbf5806 without any information, a7f2f4e794 it was a 20a873e04c heavily lopsided battle.db8ea533414c8457

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The count watched her 5d930e2e13 as she stood in 79a808b8e3 contemplation, patiently waiting. He seemed to relish a7cc8eabb6 the time she spent 21891a3698 deliberating, as if he 0b264cb1eb were savoring her torment.981b605fbc51da1e

As if a283dd5031 he already dc5795fe1e knew exactly aefd546cc9 what her 4e018057da decision would bad8f05d47 be.f7827ed9a30d8709

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“…I’ll do it.”928503229461958f

“Haha! That’s the spirit!”e0aa8a841fdc49f9

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The count, unable to 7916e88946 contain his excitement, tapped 93ff2501ae the table gleefully.abfc112e7d982091

“…”f4224a9ca030a117

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Watching him, 2c5df78f27 Ateira hesitated 121c50dbb6 and then 51a69c8a2a spoke up.3e3bd67c6daa11aa

“What if I 17acbe18d7 fail?”12a7fe006474150a

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She raised her head f2d43f296c and looked at the b02e2ef3ab count intently.7e3bfbaa4741d1c5

“What happens if I 0257691fc1 fail?”3c6ecb8c80b94d25

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“If you’re caught after failing, we’ll say it was all your own doing. Don’t forget that the prince’s safety is in our hands.”d40f73524b3211a7

“That’s not what I’m asking.”97452748f08bf6a1

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She shook 89901c8d0b her head, 0330e69757 clarifying her d778c5feef question. It wasn’t her own 91b254a7fe safety she was concerned fec327b911 about if she failed—it dec2ab9ac8 was her brother’s life.d2f0603b5bb767ba

“I want 1f71e837c1 to know 3aab0f5818 if Dermin e61276b3d8 will be 3f94c20dd8 safe even 6e4aa21cad if I d880c2a50b fail.”d7add407a9c0db04

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Can I e7c63b5e1d truly kill fd0c791bed that man? Is it possible?da0e5c2991caf865

Doubt gnawed 60af227a45 at her.fed3b6665ab5f1ac

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“Who knows,” the count b1167f7854 replied, scratching his chin 5151dee31f as he considered, then 3ca623aacd answered with a shrug.7253f91393441984

“It depends on how 22e1c7816e earnestly you go about 188a98dc7c it. Even if you e6862a34ce fail, you’d better 99a08cfbf5 make sure you f54ef02260 try your hardest. Don’t you agree?”41d5c0714ac17a41

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“…”75bc38605b4f7df1

It was an extremely 7f18798a98 unfair demand. But it was a 3f2ebee4d1 skewed game from the d50c2a390f start, and she had e689592dd6 little choice. She was a prisoner, d5241bdca5 a war prize. The only card 34f4c6a409 she had left 8e9bf63e93 was her willingness ba4f5dc30c to risk her 84c9be90f0 life, her last 99f8fe693f hold on her 5c2f27a054 pride.675c87da45e45185

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But now, with someone’s 59d7f0441b life at stake, she b5355811a4 was more vulnerable than e3382003ea ever.602f96c48baea73e

Ateira nodded to the 80c2d510d3 count.ee42a7422de7a22d

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“Haha, such compliance deserves 96fd30e1e8 a gift.”6797582000c12e0a

The count chuckled as 197e889bb1 he placed a small 2716f426f1 box on the table, 502b38af00 urging her to take b4b7084e91 it.43758325dd3c6755

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“Well? Go ahead.”32aca2172617f5c0

“…What is it?”2ec93cf0a16a42d9

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“Proof that 7c62f0e8d8 the prince c21fa56ceb is safe.”7ddb1631ebdb3559

Ateira’s movements 56f5173567 halted momentarily.034e2c912bf8f515

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She reached 00f8aa5f01 out slowly, 5d3c335563 doing her cbeb7fcb3d best to 54bb57502e keep her bb88fffd79 fingers from 55d6153cc1 trembling.1e0c1a0d52b31581

The box was very 360f06c7d7 small, almost like that c54b973be0 little monster bird, Nephi.ffdeedc179e92e8e

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The time it took 2e8aec6026 to open the box 062d7b90aa felt endless. She tightened her ba6cc3edc7 grip to prevent 6aa77cdfab her hands from 608f6a821a slipping, making it 66853f3445 take even longer.5256101e54e679b6

When she a652563bdc finally opened 72d362c436 the box fd589f7d88 and looked 40cc2861db inside, she 9283aff484 quietly closed aecb1bd28f it again.04ef7f0673979c6f

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“Do you like b0b92d4b75 it?”8fc60ef4b26266f5

“…Thank you.”65081c8b76bc9f98

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Seeing her lack of dc1c067db2 reaction, the count’s enthusiasm e3ff2a9219 waned slightly. With a casual shrug, 7e8e28ec70 he added.8c6c23b2ab6ad178

“You have one 39745ae8d9 week.”ca2a1420391cdab8

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“…”3a0428aeb82afe0c

The timeframe was laughable. The task, impossible from 0a82bb08ab the start, seemed even 9f86b41ac3 more unattainable now.eb96c712aa280f43

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Ateira gave him 865ed9906f a slight nod a5641a6cb4 and turned to 695fed015c leave. The count called 0a71c1c628 after her back.039a2cb1865667bc

“If there’s 183caeffe0 anything you 748aa7d4a2 need, let 261e84cae8 me know. I’ll support you however b1cae540f1 I can.”39360163e4e42847

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“…”1eff627217fa50ed

I already have 5fa8d276a5 everything I need.2a9acbb82ed79965

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Without responding, she left 778e77f54c the room, holding the 49562b722c box carefully.36ca1b32bde4bd15

Inside the box was 43d7c5b546 one of Dermin’s clothing 2383e3e780 ornaments—a pin bearing the c1fec09d2e royal family’s crest, used b0008ef1bf to secure his collar.f66db9898a075b1f

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Years ago, on a a7d3272758 long-ago birthday, she had a1115cf6ba received a hair ornament 75453cbab5 while her younger brother 073746f416 had received that pin, 3149c0cf19 proudly wearing it on 7872d5b598 his clothes.a301856af95f88f9

He had insisted on 781ea46b96 putting it on himself 19cb0165ae with his small hands, 208fde64e2 pricking himself in the b99baae24e process and crying until 6f44ebe9b7 his nanny finally fastened 88360562ac it for him.15ba607cc63aa52c

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After that, he 9c575092a9 practiced putting it 9bff24ba46 on by himself, c73f849aaf initially crooked, but d8ff4b15de over time, he’d ac2b66cd6e grown and learned 52a7019a9f to place it e8938a7204 straight.267aa91fc35c8fd3

That pin had 84cba7c59a always been worn f02a23c116 proudly on her 20f7cbf75b brother’s chest.89b7675ea63b4a6e

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Walking back 7a687f897e through the feaedaaa8b corridor to b067c17eba her room, 5e25c4186d Ateira suppressed e800662ea2 the stabbing 6dcbc0b860 pain in 679621c551 her heart deccdd0203 and held 9c9b16d975 back tears.a678df240060eec2

She thought she had 9d98cbcfc4 failed to protect anyone.10a8791be2e79ae3

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But perhaps, this 8d036a47c5 time, she could d47ccba783 save him.ba3f061565ced3ba

 b39076c744c50d6f

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