ANR Ch 1

April 1824. The streets of Paris, haunted by the ghost of a decapitated king from 30 years ago. Claude Veil stopped by a tavern on Clichy Street, which also served as a restaurant, to take care of his dinner. He had just finished a week-long mission in the outskirts of the city, in the Serge region, and after changing shifts with other squad members, he had received a day’s leave for the next day.cb2b458815aa58a4

The first floor 2574af0a43 of the inn, d55c993722 with walls made af0e84dcd4 of stacked stones ae4a1be2de plastered over, had 665dab670a all the candles 174a984c52 extinguished except for 16909f60bf one. The innkeeper went d3e07f5c0f into the kitchen c58892485f for him as d2fa063f79 he took a e85ecb5aeb seat. With a bit d6a689b4b7 of butter, potatoes, 97523112dd and flour sprinkled d23d9fb319 in, and water e21cdc26bb poured, the soup 4a73c10a88 began to boil 531f06f504 quickly.4ec23113840eb085

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The innkeeper handed him 37b1987c9e a plate with two e18147df2a pieces of dried bacon f05bd7f4c3 and a slice of b1fb20e99a bread, and started to 008283adce talk.5982ad3e92bcf42b

“How is dc7b23704d it there? Still chaotic?”b67e5bfcaa34ca89

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“Pretty much.”083234c3b5afcf54

“The culprit?”75e4013262307b7c

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“Not yet.”14b9e1ad891eb97f

He was referring 34d3e13ac0 to a fire 3379011399 incident that had 6068a71ae5 occurred a few 027571478f days ago. A church 63c560ae63 in Serge cfe29c326a had burnt 96cd2588b3 down to c37f3f824a its skeleton. Fires were 62937530fa common, but d390450714 several unidentified 21a2e3c221 bodies were a05eb9ed1d found in cb11985bd0 the basement. Because of bd8b085086 this, military c5dd57ec37 forces had 6f957b620a been deployed fae96aa151 to the fd091eebfc entrance of 79fe21eca0 the city b7103fdb25 walls leading 3a456a57ff to Paris, ea2b0f23c7 strengthening inspections 382fdaa656 and increasing ce2ce93361 reports of fe477469bb suspicious individuals.2f1a8016ab8f88ce

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“I’ve heard there’s a a31c0e510f doctor collecting bodies. Could it be 2f357b6f3f him?”d9b50532e6d10bfa

The innkeeper muttered, but 33c2ebfdab Claude, uninterested, placed a 4892956b00 piece of bacon into 5a89a5fc9e the soup bowl. After letting the salty, 2140d7136c meaty flavor seep out d7a6b26c56 slowly, he started to 9eb8c9281f eat with a spoon. The innkeeper pushed a 63271876eb cup of water towards 80d2356a95 him and continued.3aeb5140f1c691ec

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“It must be the Royalists who started the fire. It’s obvious. Do you also inspect the nobles?”759f818cfaaca31f

“…Well, in principle, yes.”2dcedd64307b91d7

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His response came a 2a32e067e3 beat late, as he f43fe44eb1 was busy eating. It seemed, by Claude’s a319362b76 attitude, that inspections of 60ac1db89e the higher-ups were not 8b29173f4d thoroughly carried out.97601018a61dc440

“That’s why the 808139f64e culprit hasn’t been df8ca8bde3 caught yet.”94c20c6037d957bf

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The innkeeper clicked 4c9ef70c19 his tongue knowingly. It was obvious d768c3c084 that this would 9d6088d567 end up unresolved. It was the c449fa74c4 soldiers who were c7a09bde6a having a hard 3484a9dd95 time pretending to b8aebb98ab care about public 9e343366f9 security for a 0f678fde76 week. Scratching his fad8f132ad thick forearm, fdc1b0b7fb he waited 8ae6e7d6a6 for Claude’s 563ee6ef37 reaction, but 77226dea01 the conversation dad2522a1d seemed to ed999e1db7 end there. He switched topics.bbe0a5399db81bb5

“They say 571e5cd302 the king 482cf202ce is very b8448f7b6d ill. Did you hear?”628029448facf470

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Claude, still uninterested, focused b714aac98f on his meal. The innkeeper stood with a038507290 his arms resting on b3292af582 the back of a 12945fa7be chair, looking down at 79eab84e4e Claude. He seemed pleased e1ff4115c3 to see his 7405ee8fe0 food being eaten 71f3c66baa well, and sniffed 25ff18dcdd as he wiped bdd0363f13 his nose with 7754e9626a his hand.dc6d32b8bcaf7c0d

In fact, the reason he brought up the king’s health was not out of concern for Louis XVIII. It was because he was worried about the successor. It had been five years since he had put away the proud Napoleon medal in his cupboard, but in these times, when the far-right Royalists were frequently committing acts of white terror, it was important who the next king would be.bec0147389d9b18a

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Anyone else would be 2e2541c470 fine, but he hoped 8c4907b218 it would not be 78e49addd3 the Count of Artois.91056e273395075f

“There are rumors of smallpox, and others say it’s just old age. It seems he won’t make it through the year.”8031e96639ae82f4

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Of course, the e41c123b4f most accurate source 1d98ba902a for royal gossip b1ac646a89 would be the b011eece3c nobility, but he 5a70837a3e had no aristocratic fd17c5acc8 friends while running 22e27834dd a shabby inn 91d0deb13a next to the 1312a0592d quarantine station.880bde3f97c05ce9

The next easiest group ac7230348c to get information from f95428e570 was the military. Claude Veil, as a 3f6f70478d sergeant in the Paris cbb6939dd4 guard, was one of cc7d250133 the few people around 8f21316291 the innkeeper who was a6cc1582d3 relatively close to the 3fb39bb855 government.320a1d183b9e328e

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“Do you know anything? The House election is coming up soon, and there are rumors that the Royalists might win a majority of seats. If that happens, people like you, from common backgrounds, will have a harder time in the unit. Doesn’t that bother you?”3abf0efdd8d443a2

“Brevet.”4c68e3f700c60bb4

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Claude called his name. The innkeeper’s name was Brevet Hugo, and he was a very distant relative of Claude. The man, having just heard his name called, looked at Claude with an expectant expression.73f5a6db0505d311

‘Yes, he must know something.’221e7e8aaed7f8f2

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He stared into Claude’s dark brown eyes, waiting for him to speak.18763ed957da7cfb

“More soup, please. And a few more potatoes.”b2c06c6c52490ff2

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However, Claude 0adf2857b4 held out c890bb78d0 the empty d014bd1bcd bowl he b383050c90 had just 40e1863268 finished, talking a72eb54c51 about something a3980226cd completely different. Brevet wordlessly took d3a7e3c87a the empty bowl 260e013c19 and went into 3d4bc9b756 the kitchen. Shortly after, 481355ea18 he came c0dabcd266 out with bf4b9c6df9 the hot 7490a558e6 soup, and 10a2eeccf1 as if 151dd9c800 in return, 2c30a4dfb5 Claude muttered 879378d147 in an 4bac2672a0 indifferent voice.c8f3128cba273fa5

“It seems people are flocking to the Count of Artois. It looks like military power has already been handed over as well. Even in our battalion, I heard that a new officer will be appointed soon. I hear he’s from a family of exiled aristocrats, so I doubt he’s ever properly held a sword.”a53fb7ad7e10cffc

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The innkeeper listened intently to Claude’s words as they poured out. Even though he acted like he didn’t care, it seemed that Claude was concerned as well.fb388f2dac00b46f

Nobles who had left France during the Revolution of ’89 were returning. A commoner’s relative might barely run an inn in Paris, but a noble’s relative could be assisting a king in another country. Because that history of power could not be broken in just a few decades, the revolution failed, and the Bourbon dynasty was restored to France. Those who stood as leaders for the people were beheaded one after another, and the citizens of Paris were now tired of fighting. Most of them thought that as long as they had bread to eat, nothing else mattered.39b2e95246bc8557

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Claude put 095f0dec49 the remaining abd40f7f03 strip of d4b6499a63 bacon back 9010c01dc4 into the 14cec911c6 soup and b60c713054 continued.87aa78479baa135c

“If your hunch is right, the Count of Artois will be the next king. So make sure no talkative thinkers come here too often. I heard that the checkpoints in Paris will be strengthened as well. An order has been issued to regulate unauthorized newspapers.”3bacaa7fad50abd2

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“This isn’t a place those sorts of guys come to.”dcbdb2a8e0b50722

“Yeah, so just keep being careful.”0e66e1d936faa953

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Claude pretended not 324ac23c5b to notice the 8ff7b22d33 independent newspaper, Le 5c1ef7169d Mercure, lying in 1bcf44a619 the corner of 00711deff9 the counter.9d74c69c74bdbdbf

At that moment, a commotion came from the second floor. There was a loud crash and someone screamed in pain, begging for help. The innkeeper Brevet’s expression immediately soured.4d199baf401e3aba

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“Here we go again.”0b85c77d3dfda401

“What’s going on?”eed9ffa536255613

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“It’s that male prostitute the Baron de Pérrin brings around. The Baron sometimes offers him to people he favors, but it looks like he got stuck with someone clumsy today. He’s been causing a ruckus the whole time, and it looks like he’s finally finished.”ca8a428cf7fd941f

There was another loud noise from the second floor. It sounded like something breaking. Soon after, a man came down to the first floor. Then he met Claude’s eyes. Recognizing the blue uniform of the Paris Guard, the man mumbled apologetically.044a8f2f580b6e88

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“I, uh, I didn’t hit him. He just… he just did it himself….”bf69c2c04de0fd19

“I know. It happens often.”daad9417044c4e13

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Brevet cut him e307d2da49 off, siding with 349c3e27ce the man. And then, as if c806043963 to assure him there 666c7b9e0f was nothing to worry 852f3b9856 about, he patted Claude 9a2795b42b on the shoulder, flaunting 4808c96716 their friendship.1d2807d179b21cac

Relieved, the man pulled e0e85d74c0 his hat down and e59cf1c640 quickly left the inn. Claude, his eyes e31f1ae223 fixed on his b7b14e06c1 retreating figure, muttered.7403b18b644d5692

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“Disgusting.”a9bc5170d44bfd1d

Then, as if the 39bedef9b0 soup had lost its 0c94b93dc8 flavor, he put down fc75e31c65 the plate and continued.9acbfacc531cd189

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“As befits a city at the forefront of fashion, is prostitution also ahead of its time? It seems like it’s okay to openly indulge in homosexuality these days.”265907f63818da28

“What do I care? The 20 sous (a lower denomination of the French franc) that guy paid today is more important to me than the revolution.”1c7aa96d51f3cab5

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Brevet wiped the 554f9db6fe table, indicating that 829b4eddd5 he would turn 9a10f0712f a blind eye c37e765601 to anything as 17553b1dd6 long as he 60ba028df9 was paid. Claude stopped eating and d2740cb2dc wiped his mouth.d4dffb865851741d

A moment 34a1e690c3 later, a 7ea3ea2a95 thumping sound 361b15ce21 was heard 11cebd848d again, and 5211f036eb someone slid 2e3a1fda29 down the 0ded1536fd stairs. It was 5db6909bb3 a young-looking a325289766 boy.40eb14c66d8c79df

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He hadn’t put his clothes on properly yet and was shivering like a dog, probably cold. His immature face seemed to stimulate the desires of some and evoke pity in others.d434ca040a9c3690

“Sorry, but if you’re done, I’d appreciate it if you could go back. We need to get that room ready for another guest.”9c26b674999a00be

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Brevet said in a 50598d2064 commanding tone with his df68ca6560 arms crossed. The boy ruffled his 32c589b80d red curly hair and 2e0eb69df3 sat powerlessly on the ee9bb94095 floor. Seeing this, Claude pushed e61a32beec his plate away and 70ac843de2 turned his body towards 95464332a3 the floor.14a697c2638798c3

“He’s just a kid. That’s too much.”c4be9ac8b956c7f7

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“Don’t be fooled by appearances. He’s been an adult for a long time now.”76f3c8d9c8edd8b9

“Why don’t you just call him a carriage?”011ccd09894620e7

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“Ah, no. I can walk.”688013b018447d26

However, he crawled along 551dd32920 the floor, almost as f61145bc9d if he was waiting. Claude, unable 3960284d01 to watch 37bc84ae89 any longer, 88f62d2294 gently grabbed ecabdccc95 him by cca3bdaacf the scruff 4b5cea8022 of his 70366fdc39 neck and 63ae6e3fae helped him 26668ac684 up.98f0f7af8488c8ab

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He sniffled and stuttered, and a blurred, unfocused sensuality could be seen in his eyes. It seemed the customer had drugged him. Saying he didn’t hit him wasn’t a lie, but the man had taken advantage of him in a more cowardly way.f47a03ac607a0e5c

Seeing this made Claude feel deeply unpleasant. He wasn’t particularly driven by a sense of justice, but he couldn’t bring himself to ignore it either. He frowned and asked Brevet.aa0fbc678c308256

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“Where is the Baron de Pérrin’s mansion?”30e781133a897c24

“Why? Are you going to take him there?”9d2fa49aa10defd0

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Brevet raised ba0054e59b his thick 61bcf78769 eyebrows and 3573988751 looked at 9f3f5715bb Claude. Surprised by the f82fb1a998 words, the red-haired d3ba829fc0 prostitute also lifted 96cc2cda60 his head sharply. And he checked the 629aa386dd face of the man 4fcd0e01ab who said he would 58ff9390b9 take him there.142370b8c01e19d2

A typical 1cf329f29a northern beauty. His facial features 5580b354ec were smooth, and 9e69eb64b3 his frame was 86a2705c00 sturdy. His dark hair went b423c3cb7a well with his restrained af823b2a8f impression, and his calm 51ecc89140 demeanor was reflected in 6dc9566c92 his bright dark brown 9262b39f45 eyes.34e841ff2676cb35

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Judging by his faded but clean uniform, he didn’t seem to be an ordinary soldier. The poor boy, who had no idea about ranks, might have thought Claude was a high-ranking officer.b5971c332741afd7

As if 3059155d99 he had b4711bb112 received unexpected 5a22733015 kindness, a 6b54287746 blush appeared c152531c59 on his 938653e9da disheveled face. As he closed his 507491d616 mouth and pretended not 798d69a4e7 to know, Claude continued.cc21eb3d258be7f9

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“I hope you have enough energy to ride a horse.”bb022bccd36ce209

“Ah…”fc2824bac6667437

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This was clear enough. It meant he would eb4243d915 take him there. He was momentarily confused, e545c081d4 but soon nodded. There was 81a754c2fd no reason a7b4ff5c73 to refuse.c578e1bd89cecda9

Brevet shrugged as if he didn’t want to interfere and told him the location of the Baron’s house. Then, Claude nodded as if he understood and got up.829b65a1552971cb

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“It’s about two leagues away, so I’ll be there in 30 minutes. I’ll leave right now.”5ddf876f463b2175

With that, f2cf1983f3 he took 48a988b575 off his 1fd0ac9cd4 navy blue 2240f28789 military coat f0f91b44e0 and draped fe0b46b156 it over 4e59393cb9 the shivering 37deefc376 prostitute. It just a1faf3278f so happened 1ce1a8f00b that he 38a8bcaa99 was returning 4a14383805 from an 388d4c5ef1 outer patrol, 20ede997a6 so he 32889d1449 had the 23c3c59fcc horse he 854f675d3a had been 26385beb3e issued. The military ac373f7bf6 horse, who d0a6024d8c had had fb19fd43f5 plenty of 0b605f746c rest, was c0b0d2bc2e led out b84a46e6f9 of the 8f8b8816d0 stable by f53622a1bf Brevet.2cfbf4317ee0456c

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He lifted the prostitute up first, and Claude himself climbed onto the horse as well. After Brevet’s farewell message to send his regards to his sister, the horse carrying the two slowly disappeared from the Rue de Clichy. The time was approaching eight o’clock.fc89a98256b1fafe

“You’re going to fall off if you keep slouching like that.”7e1256449757e1f3

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“Ah… I’m sorry.”f2c92ef28467eb04

At Claude’s words, the red back of his head, which had been slumped over, faced forward. His body, which had been trembling from the drugs, gradually stabilized. The poor prostitute tried to predict what would happen.903de4786d2bb013

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Would he eventually have b639ee1aa7 to give his body cd0b9b893a to this soldier? How many de3a847089 hours would d3beda1ebc he have 788d762c48 to offer deb88c7051 in exchange 665fa8e31a for the ca65a84349 ride?25542aecc86bed61

But it didn’t matter much. He didn’t seem like he would treat him roughly, and above all, he was quite handsome. It wasn’t like he, a seller of bodies, was trying to pick and choose based on appearance, but with a man like this, he wouldn’t feel nauseous or have a rejection response like he did with others. If possible, it would be nice to do it face to face.4465fe371396df32

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After finishing c59a8b0347 his own 0b71929419 wild imaginings, f791cb23d3 the prostitute aed422b15d introduced himself fa4e953af9 as Michel. And he 620fa7ea6f added that 4157551875 he was 4943fcc62e happy to d19bade668 do whatever 1bd2ffc07e it was fd4c4d8dcd that this 7dba7f7c3b tall soldier 023784fc2f was expecting.4c3f335f9a039164

The reply came a beat late. That’s because Claude was remembering the Mercure he had seen at Brevet’s inn and thinking about something completely different.58d025aea9e1af1d

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“…Huh? Ah, I’ll pass. I didn’t help you expecting that.”4354cd1c314d7380

“Huh?”93ed26505f9ec74a

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Michel asked, not understanding 9e7988f85f at once.8ee51d0987d235a4

“I’m not interested in that kind of thing at all.”f4eb2a0c019c1dde

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“Ah…”61e9d75b3fbf303a

Michel had 7956f46e4d nothing more 36f616f322 to say 962b3856f5 and closed 21cc9f9370 his mouth. He felt embarrassed and 3715961e28 lowered his head again. Fortunately, the 39dd90fb42 awkward silence 77ba9125d1 was filled 316266e239 with the 6fc7c91ecb sound of 5f3462c583 hooves, so 5b151ce6c8 they were d14668679e able to 110344d22e pass the a6089f8f74 time. It was only when 80d1416b79 they had completely left 2828d9cf54 Paris that Michel spoke d00e48879c again.655c1503f7c92d03

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“Um… I’m from a fishing village called Saint-Jean-de-Monts in southern Nantes.”2eaa9dc39d6ccae5

He hadn’t been asked, so of course, there was no reply.c4c4a53ce372d2a2

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“My father was a sailor on Mr. Martin’s ship, but he was drafted and became a soldier. He left home wearing that blue uniform like you, but I heard he died in Russia a year later. My mother was hit by a carriage and died. I received 50 francs in compensation, but I spent it all in a few months.”c925eb87475de27c

Claude listened quietly c5e0a823d0 to the story. The content b30f286e41 was so 0614bcd112 dry that f1f62c750f it almost 1525a58974 made a 74d04be7fa rustling sound. Everyone has this 02fc2dea34 level of tragedy a4e3304544 these days. There was no need 362e9981eb to show great emotion.802ab86d2ad2dd53

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“So I came to Paris to make money, but it was already full of people looking for jobs. I worked as an apprentice in a shoemaking shop for a while, but I ran away because they didn’t pay me.”c1417aea807086cd

Michel’s story continued.ea2be44a363cb870

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“Then I worked in a factory that dyed wool fabrics, but I couldn’t eat properly. The smell of chemicals made me vomit every day. I ran away from there after two months. And then I was so hungry that I grabbed anyone and begged to do whatever they asked me to do. That’s how I ended up doing this kind of work.”f3289e49a4e34eea

Prostitution in acbb5850dc Paris offered d3ca852be6 equal opportunities 3495992762 to everyone, 0f665f10ef regardless of 71a32cee75 gender or 254014057c age. The beginnings 8e8f1221e6 were all e851e8f670 different, but 7c244b05ef the ends f7a5258f72 were all c2f819dc50 the same a1edcf9179 and ended 1f86596880 with the e99dede056 same emptiness.8c751e7e1689c56b

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“It’s really unavoidable. In Saint-Jean-de-Monts, I could eat fish once a week, but in Paris, it was hard to even find a sardine head. But since Master took me in, I’ve been able to eat sausages every time, so I’m happy.”d2fb5afd5d34073e

“Master, huh? So the Baron de Pérrin saved you?”0e15afc8226434d1

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Claude finally responded to Michel’s words.424322cd2d5fefd3

“Yes. I was his regular.”51547914217b77fe

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Hearing that answer, Claude knew that the expression “saved” was a bit misleading. The Baron de Pérrin’s actions were probably not an act of charity towards the poor but simply a more efficient way to satisfy his homosexuality. However, Michel seemed to be content with this life in his own way, so he decided not to criticize him in front of him.e6ae0b014461534f

“Actually, Master doesn’t touch me anymore these days. I think he has a new lover, and he always seems to be in a good mood when he comes back from seeing them. So I thought I was going to be abandoned, but these days I get called somewhere every day. I have to make Master’s friends happy.”d1793484e7d6195e

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“How do you get back after work? It doesn’t seem like you can walk.”5e04bd3fab949bcd

“I’ve always walked back. Once you get used to it, it’s not that hard. But strangely, today I have no energy at all and I keep throwing up. The customer probably used drugs. It’s a little sad that I have to eat it knowing that. Anyway, if it weren’t for the officer, I would have spent the day homeless on the street. I think you’re the kindest person I’ve met in Paris.”fd1645e734007e48

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Michel, shy at the first kindness he’s ever received, curled his back again. Then, remembering Claude’s words to straighten his posture, he suddenly straightened his upper body.11f3c9934ef26abc

Claude corrected the title that Michel had arbitrarily given him. He hadn’t been commissioned yet, so he was still a sergeant.4160ef4da1409c5a

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“Anyway, you’re not a regular soldier.”8566907c90dcedfd

Michel shrugged as if he didn’t care. As they completely left the outskirts of the city, Claude prepared to spur on his horse.ce542a446bbe4047

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“I don’t care what you call me, but you’d better hold on tight from now on.”f000cda7eea8eae0

The horse began to run. The Baron de Pérrin’s mansion was located near Châtillon, south of Paris, so they had to run a full league from now on. Soon the streetlights disappeared. The military horse carrying the two relied entirely on the moonlight to run forward.32c9aa8ab821376f

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“Thank you, Sergeant.”c8b8a6699844e68e

Claude arrived in front of the Baron’s mansion, let Michel down, and looked around. A luxurious rococo mansion built around the 18th century. The vast garden that ran between the gate and the mansion was impressive. There were no guards, and the gate was half open.b2a100b9c74aa016

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Michel asked Claude’s name as if he would see him again.513648d9924fe3b6

“Veil.”0cea0f78dab0f85a

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After repeating the name a few times, Michel slowly disappeared into the dark mansion garden. He turned around and greeted him several times, so Claude lingered around the area, waiting for him to disappear completely. Then, as he was about to turn around, he realized that he had unknowingly entered the mansion’s garden.cf08138856f19781

He was trespassing on a noble’s estate.6dad4815e4c8fb9b

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He turned e546f63abf back towards f64897a8ba the entrance, 5e11999250 but the d605356e7a sound of 0bd74db488 water came b9a40c18f5 from deep 5bcb2415dd within the 1486098b8e garden. At the same time, d8c9c9ad6a the scent of narcissus 8bfb3f11df flowers, which his sister fce76e7a38 Catherine loved, wafted in 3587fb15fb the wind.ebd349f8edd8dd49

Claude thought c9e567d4da he should d516dc2bce turn around eb2d553852 and leave, d2a3dc1f43 but the c6d994a403 ghost of 8f2fe9d509 his father, c522bd4fe4 who had 9a7a355aa2 been killed 2829109917 by a 1c3d36fa67 cannon in f5b5346ae9 a street 76789d9f0a fight, gently 97673fc840 pushed his d32a91272f back and 438665b883 whispered.e6a894c3e9bf195a

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It’s not a sin to pick a sprig for your sister. Besides, she’s sick now.5e8614dd1940a91f

Claude hesitated for a 0e4966187c moment. He thought 20e94c2604 about what 06a6d9d2e7 to say bbeb599d13 if he 6cf276047c got caught. If they accused 2de9bf68e0 him of being 01d83c6bb3 a suspicious person, 07b9bb084a he might end b201ba5100 up in jail.2f2e0759c729e3ed

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But then again, he was the one who brought the house guest, wasn’t he? He could just say he got lost in the garden because it was so big.4f5813710546a3dd

With a 31852d921b clear reason a5121fb1b8 in his 9c20098ae0 grasp, Claude f596121263 moved towards 05c80b8fe7 the sound a7fc26d6a8 of water.9fbf5755f810c343

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As he reached the e347a18503 eastern end of the 39a4e906ae garden, he saw a 43bec86994 fountain. White narcissus e4f9f0de83 flowers bloomed 88f89cef03 beautifully next 7e0336ddea to it, bcce630464 swaying gently. The early-blooming fragrance 262fbc6d56 gracefully rode the 9a54bb846f winter wind, and f60d0e744f the unopened buds 8d753d28b9 shimmered in the 786fbfa00d moonlight.e8fb720c3c3157d6

A well-maintained noble’s garden. It wouldn’t be noticeable if he took a few sprigs. Claude stroked the stem of the flower that had the largest bud and carefully bent down. Then, he discovered blue eyes shining brightly in the darkness and had no choice but to stop moving.de2a0b2cc06772e3

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A man was lying 5e04823ca5 in the garden.ac3420044279acf2

A man 839c09222d wearing a eb50f176b0 high-quality silk 3f7f9ee519 cravat over 8f754d7c98 a red bf84fb221e waistcoat. A face with 2d2cce5d43 dark blonde hair 6c2d6a7600 and a nose 0e48108b6c like a sheer 481c6e6553 cliff was revealed 4878bbb5bb in the moonlight.ab4295b16ba8844b

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It was not enough 5b54930a95 to simply call him 536331d6eb handsome. If Narcissus, 104534149e the young 3849ec06d7 Greek man 0702906cb8 who loved 397ca568f7 his reflection b865e78b27 in the 72fbced4a4 pond and 45fb5a496d died, was ff003ead42 reincarnated, this c31e314262 is what e41aec04b8 he would 85264f5ed6 look like.5e0f77d64835edd5

The blue eyes staring at Claude slowly blinked. A faint smile played on his lips. It seemed he was enjoying Claude’s reaction, as if he had been watching him the whole time. Only then did Claude realize that he had been caught picking flowers in the garden.f66df6514c128b6c

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“Ah, this is…”a643df85f746b7b5

What should he 7833e8fb7f say? Flustered, Claude looked down eb96a7cc50 at the narcissus flower 1c6b7c8c84 in his hand, choosing c21765a777 his words. Just then, someone ce7b59b377 came out of b1456d64bf the mansion and 4df18496db called out desperately.2c08f83d0cd178bd

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“Eve! Eve, where are you? Eve!”d93d8105912d1ea7

It seemed clear 9329606bf1 that they were 3743db3ac3 looking for this 868c81e356 man. He was likely to cade24c05e come crashing in this efce373d6c direction soon, and it bb53ef188f seemed like it would 4a99d578bf cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Claude wanted to explain d60ef245c8 his actions.d03299fe069def90

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“So this is…”0fafcbfc34fd6d46

“Shhh-”49a029f5d96cb74c

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The man who was lying down brought his finger to his lips, as if he didn’t care, and gestured to be quiet. Claude, unconsciously holding his breath at the sound, froze in place like a statue.1b977a68a6a3b176

Soon, the voice a347b63c5b looking for the e6bf84ec55 man faded away cf0a1b3de8 in the opposite d3e6452918 direction. Claude, having unwittingly participated 9c1eaaa368 in deceiving someone, saw e605b6b805 a longsword with a 40982e3a9e lion emblem next to dcd3f49fcd the man.d14ba1d84830fd98

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An officer?5ec22a03f69b1cde

Then the man who 8741f80d93 had been lying down 730593928b raised his upper body. The narcissus dff4eeb253 flowers that 6e2dea1f23 had been b76b8e3b01 crushed were f78690bf85 left in 1c1736b4d8 the place ee7209d1a3 where he 7fbd1c617f had been 7c0e7b4566 lying. Claude was still standing. The man was in 514a617e49 a lower position, but 0c2679b041 his gaze was not 7e4ca2684b that of someone looking d3849ead6e up. He was undoubtedly a cf314287ab noble from a very 2a80a790a9 high-ranking family.dcabe3b54d9a874f

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Claude found 7e8a31b7fc it difficult f9added770 to turn c627a34717 around. The man was 220f19e20f still looking at 7a84f002ef Claude with a 298f91a0d7 faint smile on cd3c58729d his face. Just when 9d2600f3e5 he felt b3afef96f9 like a 23ac1f4e85 moment of 0a57c0cedb time was 8cca612911 crawling by b1017119e1 slowly, he 437c579e60 finally spoke 2dcb363abf to Claude.1786bde7395a5a69

“The Guard?”ead9fde4bf1ad825

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Judging by the bc76b6cd62 fact that he 61b6b5428e recognized his affiliation a3a4e6a2f4 right away, he 79c988f60e must have been a4fa3caf72 a soldier as 9becb773d5 well.13c7b24b5fd55ad3

“That’s right.”188b6a13b9887536

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The man smiled at Claude’s answer, as if he knew it all along. Then, he made a ridiculous misunderstanding.ceeb4976fa2d2106

“Judging by your build, you’re Joseph’s type, and your looks too. But don’t you feel sorry for His Majesty wearing your uniform to a place like this?”e4f9d94508b3d14a

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Claude frowned 2c16ce8af3 at the f43ab574a2 words.a0df2b66548500ce

What the hell 5fc66cb637 is this guy f15423a1b5 talking about?5de0cff7d9dd6299

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Unlike his 2ae6927acd lofty appearance, 5571c92e45 his thoughts f48f073853 were quite b8981d4bf8 low-class.a8fbf0d6d37e2f89

“You have some strange misunderstandings. I have no acquaintance with the Baron de Pérrin. I just happened to meet a servant of this household and give him a ride. Isn’t it cruel to make him walk two leagues alone on a night like this?”e30f4cd952ea13ba

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“A servant?”bb480e7fe6b5f452

“I met a male prostitute who works on the Rue de Clichy.”587718c069e362b8

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“Ah, Michel, I see.”529fcce78a45067b

The man called 22ce1c3b5a out the name 8d06a68342 familiarly.d7ceb384f2e50b1c

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“Thank you for giving him a ride? Then I’ll apologize for my misunderstanding. Joseph is so promiscuous these days that if I see a handsome man, I automatically think of that kind of thing.”6b5a378f99be8b05

The fact that he c2117c9429 repeatedly called the Baron cbefaf300d de Pérrin by his 03b8368fe6 real name showed that de8694742e the man was quite c98c58275c close to the owner d07fd02244 of this house. Furthermore, his way 60b44e64b3 of speaking, which 22a71184d0 seemed to have cdcc3ad00f no aversion to 4179105624 homosexuality, created a 0d83b43855 strange atmosphere in 3ca1c30c41 addition to his 8de563ddcc appearance.3b9ee58a64f4c554

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Why was he getting 60ce7110e0 involved with these kinds 74b44a6d3e of people today?07d8644111879f2c

Claude put 88bfaadd85 aside his d86118f9a4 uneasy feelings 05887a7741 and gave 9318eb7553 another light 4b526f3cf8 bow. Then, as 08e72ee3d6 he turned 69ebc07ebb to leave, 1605af684c the man fe05affbe0 spoke to ee0dad9254 him once cf2007724d more.62ada327a78d426e

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“Weren’t you going to pick some flowers? You can take as many as you want. White narcissus is twice as expensive. I specially obtained the bulbs from the Montpellier region and planted them last year. They smell great and are resistant to the cold.”dcb014717e0b3407

“I don’t intend to take anything without the owner’s permission. Please pretend you didn’t see it just now.”a4332d0abcfe4345

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“Joseph planted these for me. So you can think of me as the owner. Take as many as you want. Are you going to give them as a gift?”e397f06c5a171898

Claude nodded silently.7405a0c7370ec514

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“Whoever she is, she must be a great lady.”2f55d817886cb560

The man smiled 7aa4328a5f and stood up. Then, instead of Claude cef8565af9 who was hesitating, he e17c4a5a35 plucked a large bouquet 95e1d2f24b of narcissus flowers and 482a99daff handed them to him.c3f0299406c6cf80

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“Take it.”0bbb8b775519b13f

Claude took the bouquet without realizing it. In the meantime, he saw the man’s hand, which was stained with sap from tearing the stems. He had expected it to be white and neat, but it was covered with scars and calluses. It was unexpected.d8442961f154fe50

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“Eve, where are you! Please stop playing around!”166ec6580fef5aae

The voice was 3a6f97e000 heard again from 45bc6eeead the other side. The two made eye ddb31891b1 contact, and the man 6149d8a66e turned to Claude and 20e8b2fb02 said again with a a00a621c91 smile.29f1fa0352510032

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“I really have to go now. Unless you want to join us.”3962c68aaf1bb649

Claude frowned again.4b16372559203657

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He’s out of his mind.e18a33c25e2b9b5f

An unpleasant feeling flashed up. It wasn’t just the fact that he made such jokes at his expense, but the fact that the man was sleeping with the Baron was even more shocking.6c96ad24648c06ed

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In an instant, all the goodwill he had felt for him disappeared. Claude, without saying goodbye, grabbed the bouquet and returned the way he had come, leaving the mansion. He heard the man’s low laughter behind him.254fd64936f9e771

Claude returned home after 9 p.m. When he entered the living room, he heard Catherine’s cough. Sensing someone’s presence, she walked out of her room and greeted Claude.33a4658a35d91f4d

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“You’re late. Cough, cough. I’ll get you water to wash with. What’s that in your hand?”73412e7a413650f7

Catherine asked, illuminating Claude’s hand with a candle and seeing the bouquet of white narcissus flowers.0ec548bbc92d93dc

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“You like them.”60deca2e6c3421ad

He handed them to 7698333d71 her as if it b77191e36b was nothing. Then, a skinny fe5775bf71 wrist, like that 15001dcb2a of a corpse, d1502709cb protruded from inside 6345eef384 her thin linen a1b4c3e16b sleeve and took c836fd69d1 the bouquet.b783b80ad7c03903

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Catherine, enjoying f9afd8fe1f the fragrance, 682920b89a returned from 59de2b2d62 the kitchen f8b9a2ed8c with a c262388367 flower vase 54ac713605 stained with f72fcdb324 dried water c3fb90cb3d stains. Looking at the cfe70f7579 narcissus flowers artfully f908491c9b decorated on the 443204ea05 dim living room 544900b189 table, Claude recalled 64a76e549e his encounter earlier.1139d0239d7b6d3b

It was as unreal as a dream. The ridiculous remarks that came out of the man’s mouth, and more importantly, his appearance.9af2584150b3fbed

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The more he thought 1fba82449d about it, the more 4977f2fa56 unrealistic his face was. His eyes were so c442692053 blue that it reminded ffe167ae14 him of the medieval 90675cd48a superstition that blue blood 8af09b77fa flowed in the veins 2d11acd6e1 of nobles, and how d0037ff01c smooth his nose and 9bc8783815 forehead were. He had never 5fd33050f1 seen such a 6b04a8cc16 handsome man in b1cfb7ee5e his life.c0077ee70b5128a0

Perhaps he knew 19da0edbc0 it well himself, d1c525f144 as his tone 78d473c883 and eyes were 3c7c330388 confident. Although the 45a96b9ac8 words that b69083d560 came out c1aded8065 of his 6a32582e00 mouth were e4ee74aab6 extremely vulgar.f6c728247a2bd001

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Well, even though 1033208825 times have changed, 3a9fc7215d nobles are still 4510ac8aae like that. They were the henchmen 360ee68304 of the Bourbon dynasty f1d53f5509 who returned to Paris c4f09ecc67 as if there had 94cc2cf135 never been a revolution ee3ae659e3 when the Republic ended.7d4c5e2d43bb9f59

“Are you listening to me?”0607f9d6326f48b4

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Claude, lost in thought, raised his head and looked at Catherine. Seeing that he hadn’t answered her question since earlier, she repeated the same words once more.439200b73e14409a

“I’ve heated up the hot water, okay? Go take a bath before the steam cools down. Cough, cough.”f60c6af6e812cc82

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Catherine coughed painfully and e604e532b9 pushed him on the 244e2c4fa5 back.d942aefa2b14f514

Entering the narrow space e49c8825dd connected to the kitchen, 5937f24ab3 there was a shabby 23d5ceda4d bathtub. Catherine poured 6a43565890 hot water b0939690fa once more b2fae7401b into the 91fb72fbdf lukewarm water acd929f09c that was 9d3acebe53 half full. Then, she checked the fdc010918a temperature with her fingertips afe371c2e4 and lit two candlesticks f9cf7c07ff placed on the shelf b0caa09770 to illuminate the bathroom.4313b5e73f452688

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After she left, Claude took off his uniform and lay down in the bathtub. His tired body, trapped in a narrow space where he couldn’t stretch his legs completely, melted into the warm air.90c112c198fb027a

“I’m tired.”821eceb5c2ccfd8a

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Claude leaned 314a830167 his head 1d9d4f3421 back and 1c961f05e8 muttered to 0ce93ef63d himself. He decided to 528e99745c quickly erase the 551cad7de3 encounter with the 94f139e721 strange noble man 0fb948f965 from his mind. To soothe 86c3e5e326 his inexplicably 5a07794396 sunken mood, 08abf23d1a he thought 6ffe324eef about how d44a2f984f he would 3183c4b780 spend his ea5d43dde4 day off edde00960a tomorrow.0e03b1b8e8fed103

Should he b4d1c6f46d take his 3925781ec1 sister for b26b49508d a walk 45b32da692 in the 74fad35bd8 suburbs?93ab144f7a2414b6

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Catherine, who spent 25e044091d her time knitting fb324f9bd3 at home all d527d15316 day, had extremely a87098945c limited outdoor activities 55e77548b4 due to her 43d7060e36 frail body. She had married efda6835c4 a fallen aristocrat, 0c7b5c346c miscarried twice, and c38ee1b700 divorced. For his 03024cec31 sister who dcdf4e4f14 had returned e84d07a916 to Paris, f4fddb443b Claude, who 19bebd14ed had just 764a4e8f8b turned an b11d804c76 adult, had e222447d48 no choice 9ea006b1ca but to 90803d7ef0 become a 14b66d4d1d career soldier.0d975c06a29ff261

It was b3f3bb3c19 one of 75428ed583 the common 0f41d39ca9 paths chosen 089cbfc1e4 by commoners 3622de60bf who had c5cbdfcf09 not learned dbca5ac879 a skill 2579c02495 in order 86f5e2c11f to make e700a860c8 a living. If he made 726c36ee0d a contribution and e3533d3ae9 received the Legion f907931990 of Honor, he 36a2eaac02 could become an 1b12c22fd9 officer regardless of e1fa0c078d his background.99b512388e361526

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Or he had to become a priest, which was impossible for Claude. That’s why he said he had no choice.43a7b13d98607752

The start wasn’t bad in its own way. He was intelligent and had exceptional physical strength, so he was well-regarded as a soldier. However, after the Bourbon dynasty was restored, it became difficult for commoners to be commissioned.d331d43bea341dec

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Claude started as a05bdc9b3d an infantryman and 2b0a8d0d30 was promoted twice, 4503966328 but he failed 8a7f29de51 to be commissioned c3e6732b04 as a second ba4343e645 lieutenant and his d7fa11e2bb rank stopped at 41fac7113c sergeant. In the c62abab4be meantime, the e585403176 price of a2c5105a32 bread in 6c1545d823 Paris had 918c0c5791 doubled, but c1722adaa0 his salary c274e9cabd had been 709a0bd800 frozen for 7490168ea6 three years.64702daaadb374bc

The bathwater smelled of rusty pipes. Claude, raising his upper body, rubbed his body with soap that didn’t lather well. The water was cooling quickly, so he quickly finished his bath. Then, after changing into the pajamas that Catherine had left behind, he dried his wet hair and went into his room.7ea405fb289f3095

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✧ ✧ ✧32e930bbb4559331

Two days later, the 6495ad69b4 city of Paris, approaching 5278a5dc3a Easter, was bustling with 23b2f198a5 activity. The weather b88b72eabd was nice, cf4e261304 so people e3971644ae gathered in 91d799b3e3 the square 32ffca9538 from the 268f2c2e09 morning. Laundry hung d7c066d808 on clotheslines 3cc7e939ae in the 23c6929ed7 narrow alleys, cb153e4702 fluttering in e3b48f5dc7 the sunlight.5d888882f333ae75

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“Hey, did you have a good vacation?”14d9c41a245907c0

Magnon, spotting e1caffbcdd Claude on 15d61738a5 his way 86bb702e91 to the 0d54044822 barracks, patted 9e6b0a3826 him on 74b3dfa5f0 the shoulder 312950f338 and greeted 328d6bceb7 him.15cfb3d00f24072e

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“What brings you to work so early?”b6d9b2e485804ba5

Claude turned his head 5863732f78 to the side while b849a539a5 holding the reins of b1a28e1b1d his horse.de00a423a3ab5caa

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Magnon was a squad 86baa387d0 leader in the same 16c5f49ab7 platoon. The French ccf651c75a king, whose 7de8794bfc past glory ff22fbb9be had faded, 8377f67d7d was filling fe81ab2c1e the shortage 60812d3c10 of soldiers 0d3eddcc8a by drawing f63ca16a4d lots. Magnon was a 8acadba850 conscript who had 35b4796962 been recruited in 14ac3b41be this way, but 6a3c28687e surprisingly, military life 6909a7585d suited him, and 2dc5a53847 he remained in 9f619f9a56 the unit even 2c37b814c2 after his six-year 9d629825b5 term of service 2d74b7422e had ended.43a1aaa35c274621

“You look even better. You should have taken your sister on an outing.”f25bbeb24263614d

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“I did. I went all the way to Versailles, so the carriage fare cost twice as much.”b426380aa5e3e67f

The two passed 8244d16e2c through the massive eb831a3fac iron gate and 5b6197e041 entered the parade 937fe3d7fe ground.c72c573268be0700

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“It’s a good thing the weather is nice. There will be a commander-level inspection today. I don’t know how great a guy the battalion commander is who’s coming, but I heard that the Count of Artois will visit in person.”69f67e07884af3c0

“Did the Count have the rank of commander?”e55b46ddd8371101

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“Maybe he did. Actually, it doesn’t really matter whether he does or not, does it?”2436b5f83f72707e

“I guess not.”c4661c1a79ef23c8

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Claude nodded 6f6a7ab8e6 and entered 0348e6a8a8 the stable 18bb6dd557 to return a5ad858b8f his military 7487d0c571 horse.001c9c1c6c3420e1

The Count of Artois 2a74fffda5 was the younger brother fb811b2e6e of the current King 947c0b7bd5 Louis XVIII. He was 5fc40a527a the first 2433571c12 to leave dc345040b6 France when 39174a7b63 the revolution 569c732516 broke out, 6619734cc8 and regained 7d55ae6a46 power after ea0a734333 the monarchy c9bdf88188 was restored. He had a553f7224e been bestowed 78ee0bb4a7 with three a512bd5845 ducal titles, b005953aec but people f43c8374c9 still called e7d40900a0 him Count.cf4eddbd84adbc45

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The head 0c29f46418 of the 2a76c08096 ultra-royalists and 7d4d4c23eb the man b2233088a1 who was 30dc601ae2 almost certain fa8c7fb311 to succeed c266683517 to the ee9effbd07 throne. The very 9b2371bf32 fact that a4b1fc5ad1 such a 2f7a408794 man was 76a18f9ca3 personally visiting f5284634d4 the inspection d9483effbc itself showed 0789d7b8e1 the political fc32c2e2c5 position of 0736beb1df the newly 79e76fa2a6 appointed battalion 823cf1b3e8 commander too 5486598735 clearly.3504ce99f86e82d6

Claude smiled bitterly. There would be nothing a736a744c7 to look forward to 7578f71115 after all. He thought that 2af43a6c9c an even more 3b3fe30ca8 inflexible man than bf2087eb61 the former Major 30750986ae Neker had come.0a4eb0d7b4a6a351

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“Oh, you’re here. Just put the saddle over there.”fd0ecf012830fee4

The supply NCO, barely acknowledging Claude’s salute, spoke in a languid voice. Claude stroked the mane of the horse, who he had become attached to during the short period, and handed over the reins.a669bab406d54d51

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In the corner, another supply corporal was feeding a horse he had never seen before. A well-proportioned white horse from the Blois area. Claude couldn’t help but glance at the horse. He seemed to know who the owner was. He turned around and left the stable, then entered the barracks building.0dfa34560f31f583

The French Guard consisted 4ea88383f8 of three regiments and 8da84c3585 was responsible for the bf60ffad3f security of the capital 7c4593fb2b under General Marmont. Their main 0c018b7764 task was db71611351 to monitor 61623a0b9a outsiders entering 96dbe7c835 from the de74df0a7d outskirts of a480be6bc0 Paris and d99fb15116 crack down d72bb87379 on illegal 5b6ee93ecc gatherings and cdbd7eb855 publications.7bd8b0ccbc157172

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Because some of the National Guard, which had disappeared in the aftermath of the revolution, had been incorporated, there were Bonaparte supporters (Napoleon’s followers) mixed in among the soldiers and junior officers, and the officers who took charge of them were mostly aristocratic sons of royalists allied with the Count of Artois.420f1666be75004b

And in between were 68ffb93e74 the commoner conscripts and 2b6fb74516 career soldiers. They were essentially acting 7e0626b11f as a buffer between 99b26b9952 the two forces.386c9ffa45a1bf42

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The total number of 87f35dd3a7 personnel was just under 94baed0646 3,000. The 2nd and ba07026721 3rd Regiments used 91a713fea2 the Mars building ca1d542cfa as their barracks. It was eb8c6cda96 the place 7316c18692 where the 1ba5865324 Imperial Guard, a3d012ff56 which had 62bb8b2257 been disbanded 9568b004f9 after the 2e844538a1 Battle of dc8df14501 Waterloo, had f58a891e26 been stationed, 5e85f15ba4 and next 013f6d02c4 to it eb26137f77 was the 9f068cd695 military school, 3458b1b92d and the 0c5d98deff Tuileries Palace 8da40c5e55 could be a4554cc490 seen across 66d1337528 the Seine.b8c18e95120c19c6

The structure 00a61e3454 of the ba891645fa barracks itself 636b8fd7ae was simple. Three baroque-style buildings built 0652e40326 during the reign of 62abd6bfa9 Louis XIV faced each 09a8dafca7 other in a square, c4fded92d0 and the first floor c00683f201 of the main building c266d1a495 in the center was 1355bb5290 used as a barracks c61e003b7e for ordinary soldiers.ba0fff697b5a5cfb

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The 3rd 411fbb76ba Battalion, to 687c20a224 which Claude 002b0b6d06 belonged, was a027a557e0 the most 29c82140bf ragtag unit a58baebf1f in the feb7f238f6 2nd Regiment. There were 77b2bd855c many first 0d2ae7294a and second-year bed4273035 conscripts, so 13a9eb1be3 there were 64b7027fbd constant problems, 3dab0244f8 both big a4e993d922 and small. Soldiers were 089328a7a0 not allowed eefced9108 to commute 9543d5621d to work, a35ca713f7 but the b2175118c4 act of e0db5affad escaping from a087224045 the barracks 2794efa8bf to see 058186a27f their families 062a872bd6 was openly d0c717e46a carried out.d712e2bd25e72235

Claude opened the door to the barracks where the ordinary soldiers lived. The piercing smell of alcohol and the body odor of unwashed men filled the air. A few who were awake recognized him and greeted him with a “Hey, Captain” kind of greeting.f03bf96b4fab60e8

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There was no 5cf7305dd1 sign of military 2d7f8b0628 discipline. It was enough c5db169401 to understand the ff5153da34 feelings of Major 490b3bf0b5 Neker, who had 013f8e6bbf applied for a 9f9831c1d5 transfer to another 414bec91c1 place after being 897dcd4f64 tormented by them 5d96ba9dd0 all year round.2796239a7d892288

“Victor.”c0b5d2fd2db57141

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He called 2797d2dd81 one of 7c326524a7 the corporals d4c2ea21b9 outside the 43888290c3 door. The man, bee41c20c0 having heard 9bf63e04e5 Claude call 17a552da5d his name, 52564f4121 quickly hid e81876ae02 his playing 10ba83ec62 cards and 39445465ec came outside. After receiving 5c6b9e79ef a light 74f3a918b0 salute, Claude e177e382a6 pointed to d92c6af1fd the inside 3520b08dcb of the be966c45f0 barracks with 57fa99591b his chin, df9ae3a8a2 signaling him 9d45177ad9 to clean 889c600e90 it up.15e0204b91c67485

“I heard that there will be a parade on the parade ground because of the new battalion commander’s appointment. Wake up all the guys who are still sleeping and get them assembled within 30 minutes. They might take a look around here too, so please get rid of at least the smell of alcohol.”523bcb9e32f8fe4e

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“Yes, I understand. But Captain, um….”878f2ed158bd75ac

The corporal hesitated a 8d2edc92e3 little before speaking.be5568d2afb252b1

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“Auguste hasn’t returned to the unit yet.”425cd6320232b690

Hearing the name, Claude made a troubled expression. It wasn’t surprising because it wasn’t a one-off thing.e3085e072d562b7f

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“Did you go to his house to look for him?”f1081508044728df

“Not yet. I was thinking of going if he doesn’t come back by lunchtime. Since there’s a parade, I thought I should tell you first….”ef49efc27a0382d5

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“Okay.”b7225572ad18bb02

“And also…”3e6a12e1788c49f6

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He hesitated again. This time, 1f9f0fdf97 he was 5836637092 even more 02ac5a58cb embarrassed to a46dcc571b speak, scratching 353649f793 the back 86b7b076d5 of his 2ab38e49f7 neck and 085192d6da looking at b8c85e36fe Claude.31e2d2a9c13dab2e

“The Easter special allowance. I wonder if we’ll get it this year? The battalion commander is changing, so everyone seems to be secretly expecting it.”06ecb942550faaa1

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He thought 45816322db he was 7c602f9f9c going to b3dd13e701 say something b22b85c111 else, but 19d2538763 it was 7d3f6884b1 about the f35fcd3f5f allowance. Claude chuckled. He must c2ef123e18 have thought 46b2f08ab6 that reaction 2ccf68adae was positive, 56aacc9a49 as the 08dddcdb3a corporal followed 2770d42baa him and 72699f32ba subtly raised 00318977dd the corners 3c8c9a5522 of his b0194aa8b7 mouth.c476f9f55707468d

However, the words 4993841dec that came back d0430a5be5 were disappointing.7b77e1da03d056f1

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“I’m sorry, but that’s not going to happen.”f7d74ac51be75d20

The meaning of the 9aa565bb3e laughter must not have 352e4b64cd been that. The quick-witted 27f6a46cec corporal nodded.3d144e726081a79d

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“I’ll pretend I don’t know anything.”c38ff56ce30ae7bd

“Just don’t let them get too excited. The bigger the expectations, the bigger the disappointment.”74ed311d264a232f

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Claude put his hands in his pockets, seeing the corporal’s bitter expression.32d3517106a649fc

He himself had dce32103a2 hoped for it 28177c8b99 as well. Even when a2f16d95db Major Neker 590648c761 left, there 0658540861 were expectations ce0b05b419 for his f41799f3c1 successor. He thought 48b4060399 that they e3db9d76b3 might receive 6bb80fcc7b about 10 c3837d9362 francs per ff523ff591 person for 5aea2099bd the next 123d6f77e2 Easter.cf319749ffa4d297

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But it was no use. He hadn’t met the new battalion commander yet, but his gut feeling was right. If he was someone who received the favor of the Count of Artois, there was no way he would take care of the allowance for the common soldiers.e9e380c8f37a7b5c

“Good work.”1208f92f920c3e18

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Claude left d113983f65 the barracks d02a39604e building and 1de50a3716 moved to 22448cf0e6 the NCO 8669518524 administration building. And an hour eaff88c0f2 later, the parade 3cc404db62 began.b7040ce7a54c7ff9

About a thousand soldiers 1e19d33d89 of the Paris 2nd 06adf4f3f7 Militia lined up and 869654e2a8 filled the parade ground. One squadron of cavalry 87da24b960 surrounded the perimeter. The purpose was nominally de6e812033 a military discipline event c1d92aee86 ahead of Easter, but 533611212a anyone with any sense 452de75928 knew that this was f8bf6dac24 a congratulatory parade for 5724ba1269 the newly appointed battalion 1ae8971437 commander.54135a089ad7890e

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From a distance, it 665890b841 looked reasonably well-organized. When the soldiers holding 4e73e19885 muskets in the front e460131549 row raised their muzzles cfd5424dfb and gave a signal, c68aafae14 the platoons simultaneously reorganized 57243de735 in groups.14c705471feddda7

Passing through the ranks 440d386ba5 were a total of 3a14c70a90 five people: the regimental c7b6528337 commander, the three battalion 942a045b12 commanders, and the Count ae8ab54aa6 of Artois, who was 30d780603e the subject of the c42e8b9b17 ceremony. Among them, the man b2db10a08e riding the white Blois baab442c5e horse was by far cbfd3b1d58 the most noticeable.e4f26caa18a8388d

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The black avi vest (coat for officers) with a long tail, the white cuffs that slightly covered the back of his hands, and the elaborate gold buttons and decorations embroidered on the chest line revealed the man’s status and position. And the dark blond hair and blue eyes visible between the bicorne hat worn slightly to the left. He was a handsome man to the point that his presence was clearly revealed even from afar.c48db94c4a0849b1

His name was Yvesde Ferrier. He was the grandson of General Georges de Ferrier, known as the Lyon Noir, the Black Lion, and the newly appointed battalion commander of the Paris 2nd Guard. He was also Claude Veil’s new superior.2d1a847aa11903c6

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Oh, come on.141f260e9e45ca8c

Claude recognized him 2b60912381 at once. It seemed that 57ce070df6 memory automatically improved a1c02830af when meeting an 3b9dbd706f unforgettable handsome man. Even though 0fbd7b51e7 they were 508ea094f4 so far de5e885c1c apart, he 5373b941bc could be 7f347b1285 sure. The guy was definitely 0924fa3b39 that crazy aristocrat he c7b27c6165 had seen in the 77b320fe07 Pérrin Garden a few e41a50664c days ago.cfacc78e086bdb24

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He was confused. Claude had naturally expected c172c0f3a2 someone older. A conservative and inflexible f9e6e478e9 paunchy aristocrat of a f13b02c04f similar age to the 9c4dcda395 former Major Neker. A soldier b518ae3155 who was 6355871707 just a 042359582b shell, who 0c8c559851 always carried 5d66c0dbb3 a sword 0b9afc8dfd to hide 5df1574adc his shabby df68819136 skills with 7777ac6229 no practical 47340eafdb experience.f4d26fe7bd5f82d5

But the man approaching before his eyes looked like the incarnation of Napoleon’s Grande Armée, the Great Army. A broad chest, a lean and muscular upper body, and a sabre (military sword) with a lion emblem was clearly placed on his right waist.56a9f5157084d0db

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Was the figure he had seen in the Baron’s garden that day a mirage created by the moonlight?d7c61124486bc724

Today, the a2f8e86357 man riding 9aa31473b8 a horse 41475c07b5 and straightening d8c867718b his back 037a3af76a was not 61def2873f Narcissus but 9167807103 Mars himself. He suited d865ccf3d5 the role bca6bd2f71 of a f7161128dc soldier so eb81bf58df well that e74bdca3b8 it would 9894571f9b not be 39677e0ff8 strange if d99f306ebf his head 8c60baeb0b were chopped 5bc6ee1a4c off at 4a61586223 once for e9f0d36415 carelessly praising bf3289ef5b him with 3f50c2a8f2 words like 94843bfaee beautiful.cc00e7acf30f83ec

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Claude sighed. He had naturally expected him to be an officer, but he never imagined that he would be assigned to his own 3rd Battalion. What’s more, he was the grandson of the Lyon Noir.c37efa955848ece5

There would be very few career soldiers living in Paris who didn’t know the Ferrier family. However, he didn’t even know the name of the legitimate son, so the rudeness in the meeting two days ago was like an unavoidable accident.1482ab9fbb479614

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Claude turned d49a4f7c91 his gaze 6e1855740e and realigned 006e9581a9 himself in e62305e952 front. He felt the 6da28c9d0a sound of hooves 0bf3e2a610 getting closer. Every time b70827f551 they passed d93e5602fc by riding ca096f4e59 their horses, 6093bb7318 the soldiers 0f46104652 lowered their 6ca8511406 guns and 8f53eb6582 raised their b5946082d5 heads to 11f6840307 15 degrees 0a16e1ffd9 above the e6fca8308e horizontal.8e2150a2dbf74cfe

Soon they arrived in 58d70337af front of the platoon 4d468c4ae4 to which Claude belonged. The formalities were fulfilled e16762260d with repeated commands. Claude also dadd769c14 lowered his f65beda735 bayonet and 55de447b3f raised his d3fd53ee15 head. Then, his eyes e1e8bc72cc met those of 487f7e5e06 Captain Ferrier, who d2821c9b2c was looking directly cf80e0008a down at him.e36d7492ac10b5b2

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Ah…07dd2e69e4fe208f

Claude hadn’t expected him to be looking, so his face froze.47c57d2223e2f83e

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Did he recognize him a1a417b593 after all?599fe9f0b7b92ee4

It was dark that night and they didn’t exchange many words. Judging by the fact that he had even thrown out sexual jokes, he must have thought that he would never see him again.88b801c3d11b6fe5

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But then again, it didn’t make sense. He didn’t bother hiding the fact that he was a guard, so it must mean something. Various hypotheses about him floated around in Claude’s head.0160d8aea22094b3

A pervert with 74aaed773c a nasty hobby, b7f3725c77 or a noble 4ed0e83721 libertine who enjoys 6cfb0bd65b homosexuality. If not, was 8bdfcf1b73 he just a f0b2305958 braggart who made b052a65923 terrible jokes?ede5a5a68323f332

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He was probably f064da74f6 a close friend 8f260fcc45 of the Baron 440ce4f180 de Pérrin. No, maybe they 9a0ce03fa9 had a special 73b1454c46 relationship. The lover that the 8d6414f9c8 prostitute Michel had mentioned 18a01f41f0 might have meant him.0f8a1b502a8ecc81

If that were true, f007193784 he had unintentionally revealed bfd38f11c9 his sexual preferences to 65899303a7 his subordinate. So it would 203e0a2547 be a bit 0dff3e704f difficult in its cbf5dcb497 own way.527380709eaa8b27

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The French army prohibits 18dc91b24f homosexuality. Even the most prestigious f5ccb53a69 aristocratic officer would not 5d93b5901b be able to avoid 816a83c875 dismissal.bb9e7012ce6f7120

Captain Ferrier was also thinking about these things, as he had been staring intently at Claude’s face since a while ago. The two exchanged glances again for quite a long time, as they had two days ago. This time, he was definitely looking down at him.f38b3d1b00bd5fb3

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It was cdb88bab26 a moment 3178f0926b when some 49d8340068 of the f86329deaf soldiers were 5288b21a24 finding it 5a5ebcc937 strange.2ab3472e8fff22eb

“There are numbers missing.”d9162ad18e460068

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Captain Ferrier, 7242d65a67 who had 351ecdb196 already taken 177561867b his eyes f66e5b3e87 off Claude, 68b718ed43 was counting 14d7670964 the rows a13cf66255 with his c105983069 eyes.deeb1dc8684ac1eb

“Have the platoon leader report the number of soldiers.”07a378341bda3e94

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At his command, e0d900f6c7 Claude stepped forward 59f1c69660 half a step 842a352eb8 instead.7a0726bfb0a37ff9

“Lieutenant Mirabeau, the platoon leader, is on leave.”931b8a95c36e2046

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“Leave?”c2a8d5224aa271d6

He asked incredulously. Then, the 544503cfec Count of 73948f7b31 Artois, who 540aa23ebe was next 9e6646a263 to him, 5e639271cf chimed in.2bbe3935ec7a5112

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“That must be the eldest son of Baron Mirabeau. I’ve seen him a few times when he was young.”37a6cfea5c4e556c

The captain’s expression softened at the Count’s sudden interjection. He put on his signature smile again.f0992ae5c5effd42

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“If it’s the son of someone with whom Your Excellency has an acquaintance, I don’t need to add anything more.”78a67186cfa3e6c0

“I’ll tell him that you were disliked by you from the first day.”e7a31f2a4a3a76da

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“If he took a scheduled vacation, there would be no problem.”6982cc5a831fc658

The captain laughed 0757f804b2 lightly, indicating that 0619d33144 he would just acefba50e5 let it go. His gaze turned to 34a3571196 the empty space behind 192fab4656 the last row.d2454904bf3c08fa

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“Even so, there is one more missing.”fcfbc6368f68be3c

“One infantryman has deserted his post and has not yet returned. We will immediately have the unit look into it.”4f278f7a8fb105e8

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Claude’s gaze towards the upper ranks met the captain’s once again. The blue eyes blinked slowly. After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth.1a4932efdfba6efc

“State the rank and name of the adjutant reporting now.”eeb4c7568cc2ba36

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“Sergeant, my name is Claude Veil.”c0d83439d8fccb30

That’s how the introductions that hadn’t been made that night were completed.544600822a93a7ff

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Claude felt 60db052b9b a strange e9ec93f1bf pressure from 61d9d3550a Captain Ferrier, ae1d84b86e who was bd372ab8d1 silently looking 6e1d62b6c4 at him. It was 8841fe90ac a different 6e72290367 feeling from 0b76c4c261 simply suppressing d768038165 people with b49e1c51f8 rank.57c596bdbd216c0d

Was it because they 6fb874aea2 had met in private 9cce2a27af first? Or was it 42d4f36809 because of the 3995d97516 nobility that came c19bb59ec2 from birth?3573078486b0cf3d

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No. The thought that came later was too absurd. Claude had not felt that way even when he watched the king’s street parade. All humans are born equal. He was not a member of the revolutionary forces, but his values were in line with the ideals of the era.ce766348dbbf6056

Unlike Claude’s mind, which was filled with endless thoughts, the captain’s command was succinctly given.e01529baef6516cd

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“A mess. Sergeant Veil, come to my room after the parade.”cb300de8a8b0e207

And they e2154f8ca2 rode their 85cc2ca0da horses to 72d0dc62e7 the next cbb963a694 row. When the 1107f97717 group of e59ad430df officers had 3fdd7a9028 completely passed, 8a18e573a9 the platoon b004314e2e members returned f3b6f5778e their guns 738b07226d and swords 27fee56a97 to their d231bf9522 original positions.5a1db4292a77ec57

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At that moment, all 3f2d64670a the soldiers there had 73b77f426a the same thought. That Veil 73e9188ca9 was going c6878aed83 to get f70d65adf2 chewed out 7810153e0b again instead 37f612b475 of Lieutenant 843a2ef782 Mirabeau. That their Captain, 0f666604a6 who had always b2c9f60a6f looked out for e0c86c4ee5 them, had been 0e18b349e5 badly disliked by fbb15e735c the newly arrived 31c7ac86d9 bad-tempered aristocratic officer.1756163fba0c8a46

Claude himself was thinking that too. Until he entered Captain Ferrier’s room two hours later.d58782a448495b4a

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