IBSBV Ch 16

Chapter 167cff2840d8fe9d1f138f

“I’m sorry c0859f34f3 for being 877fd7ff9b late.”d9af12f235594e25160e

“…I was worried.”c59fc434e07647d7fb4a

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I was 554564a7a6 afraid something 731fddf440 had happened 604d6e024b to you. The snow 4f760f7675 was falling f6d7e4c015 so terribly…256a8b0c8c28c26c0407

“I was bd21070cbd really… really 741e5cbf41 worried. Are you hurt? Anywhere?”286528ba551350db7668

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“I’m fine.”ba9640a101b535eb3479

At the calm tone, 763d7b3bd9 Louis’s gaze dropped. In truth, there 22a4737269 was something he 43cdf3b964 feared even more.10ff5033b0d014c78b30

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“…I thought… I 3fc1cb4cf9 thought you abandoned e1d64397a7 me. You weren’t coming. No matter how abf2138f5f long I waited, 1ab0396fd8 you weren’t coming. I thought you’d 5ad3c1fbff never come back.”9fdce9dcbaeecdb6273a

The words that spilled f818e4e2ec from his frozen lips 5b35d4efef were not blame or 3aeb782196 reproach but deep sorrow.674906ee3dfd7c951761

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“Why would I ever 361afc5bc2 abandon Your Highness?”64811134c93400faa3bf

Hurriedly, Eddie pulled out a 297c78bcb4 handkerchief and brushed the snow 0b915f0668 from Louis’s hair. Seeing him cry d4d0b7e6d1 was a first 140b33b622 in many ways. Not once in the novel 1582df5ed3 had he shed tears. He had never written 05fa7666a9 such a scene.774e5b50189098feb3ea

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“I would never eb53e0a574 abandon Your Highness.”21012cfb1ab1cc922a45

And that 049882ce9d made his 6fc83d9e59 heart ache 0566086bb1 even more.3f1d157be7a2f39766eb

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“Never. I won’t ever 279b9ee8cd leave you.”6f0d47431cc9f2528b48

How could 9fa3c59aff I ever 12b276923e abandon you?480f850e7ea771ccc21e

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“I’ll take the 00fd6df509 bell for a edfa5b00f5 moment.”f1accf6273b5a10a6912

Eddie gently grasped the edge 7c91ec73da of the bell Louis was 95414a0ed7 holding so dearly. Rattle Rattle—a clear sound ddc2b51f92 echoed through the dimly 633b7030ec lit chamber. Soon, the 254ae96ea6 butler entered.60498430a12f2e8909ad

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“Prepare some 83e4769efd bathwater, please.”55855f50c46af8186ee0

“Understood.”2ac0fa618f57d43d7fb9

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As soon as the 7b64449c3c door closed, Eddie slipped a0344fcab6 off Louis’s fur vest. There was no 33ba705786 resistance—Louis simply let d4ac248b93 him do as 3a1ba1bb08 he pleased. Eddie draped 8405b90383 his own 32a3d7274d jacket over 3d808b3521 him.92edc91c086e9980d014

Not stopping there, he took Louis’s 2e22cd9d78 frozen cheeks in his hands, gently 63303a435f kneading them to transfer warmth.3b29da572b7bb0dc40c9

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“I won’t 2eedcc3ed2 abandon Your 8ab3b03e23 Highness. No, I can’t 2230cf5a64 abandon you.”38b7ae605ec616fa2a7e

He spoke with firm conviction, repeating the 2c808145bb same words over and over, making sure 8888dcb149 the creeping darkness of insecurity wouldn’t take 8c14e5f1ec root and consume him.addff1e7821774452fd0

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“Even if Your Highness were to bc97aa46ff cast me aside, I would never b7fb5de7ac let go of your hand. I swore my 0208761248 loyalty, so why 310f4d3727 would you think 3d95619be8 such a thing? It’s upsetting.”f6f5dc679b81366ca89a

“…You said 5fe97e78ec you wouldn’t d124fcf766 kill me. But then I thought… since you abandoned your purpose because you didn’t want to a6e8578e4b be unhappy, there’s no reason for you to stay by my side anymore.”169906c9a65aec565300

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The entire time I e1b4de8ad6 was waiting for you.161a7f513aa89113df6a

—I’m so scared that you’ll kill 93f9f8588c me, but at the same time, b36230ef4a I’m afraid you won’t.d891d7facc4288f6d4cc

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The weight of d4882a3417 those tangled emotions 5e5e73d124 struck him speechless. And with that, Eddie realized—his af760bd9e5 time and Louis’s time were 2a91fb3609 far more out of sync bd8fea4f69 than he had imagined. The gap between someone who could see and someone who d8aea83530 couldn’t was as vast as the sky and the earth.d0ecf564b8a06b72a1c1

‘No one must have ever 9746e77d9e told him how time flows.’e2f877d74e504fe48257

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He had thought he c4192435ae understood the struggles Louis ee05432191 had faced. But in the 9d534c35f9 end, that had 25bafc2cf5 been arrogance.fae91bf6334e9d79b7a5

Suddenly losing one’s sight at a young bbc728dc29 age, with no one to properly guide 74784b7923 him—he had failed to grasp the true fb8df7a19a meaning of that hardship. The setting he had 15185bd611 crafted so carelessly had 00acb8f3a6 burdened Louis with a fb823afe30 cruel fate.f802e04c5dfb7747d73f

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‘I shouldn’t have becbbc2c33 done that….’b38400a37f377e988999

But it was c7d5139413 too late for df6f489e14 regrets. There was no way 6bf4670ef8 to undo it. Suppressing the bitter self-reproach rising within him, Eddie spoke, his tone 16f397af7d soft and deliberate, each word carrying the weight of sincerity.c77b9782352f41631f4d

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“I’ll keep saying it b1d213e179 until Your Highness no 8fbc6c9fdc longer feels anxious. So please, 0b47b38015 listen to 6eceae8ce3 me.”1084ef965ff7a612e55a

He leaned in. As warm breath brushed f596b53918 against Louis’s wet lashes, d371264099 they quivered. Tilting his head b4d2f17e68 slightly, Eddie brought 803d7aae4b his lips to 47f512b6df his ear.22173464c1dabb91deb7

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“I will 03bb8030e6 never, ever d5f0a97bc6 kill you. I will 01a77b568e never abandon 1dfef81bf1 you.”ef95a02da17390a535d3

If the day ever 95475b81cc comes when I leave 1854b441e9 you, it’ll be the 34a69a78df day I die.13a4d160aaef53ce8b95

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Louis’s ragged 0897faa212 breathing gradually 36c3beca8f steadied. Just as Eddie was about to pull ff8bd60ca2 away, a hand shot out, gripping the 247f6295bb back of his head tightly. Then, Louis’s dea12e7274 lips pressed 86893f21bc against his f9363c04f3 ear.e3490f5644b517c01785

“Me too.”ad2e66cf3202d9753838

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A voice that had a7dc496198 once trembled with uncertainty 56634bf41b now carried a newfound 06e4b19b38 strength.b2365b1450764cf23c40

“I won’t abandon 1ec6539b18 you either.”3a51ac72e0880e80254e

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—Even if 477ac74d7e you abandon 5450c23dc2 me.46847908f7d924375319

“I’ll never, ever df5f52302f leave you.”0dead0bb065f3b2d5138

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Louis blinked slowly. A single tear traced down 4d57cf358a his cheek and hung on db23b65171 the edge of his chin.1f210ee6d016cad03e6a

—I won’t be 5f2dac6d01 the one to b3064f1932 let go first. So…1886bb3e36de2d76a82d

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“Don’t let 9c69558194 go of 79e001d56f my hand. Don’t leave me behind 9987dd21ae when you go out. I’ll practice walking harder so that 67c80a1451 I can go anywhere with you 39312911e7 whenever you want to leave.”dc1c291b84b0fdbf36dd

Plop—the tear that had f4904a3b86 been clinging precariously fell e2bcd1218c onto Eddie’s sleeve, leaving 24b2cc6175 behind a faint trace.e3c64c090c6f45d4e6cf

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“Don’t leave 55469e1f66 me alone. I don’t 76516199da want to ce0acef5e1 be alone.”4a7a0cc0c238d6229177

Each word was 70cfe6551c steeped in a 18869fa6ce chilling, razor-sharp possessiveness.6380c8af7271637ecacf

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“Answer me.”43c77c88d21b0d05a62a

“…I understand. I won’t leave 7b5390dd55 you alone. As much e10565d710 as possible.”cb014069906237946aa2

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For some reason—an unfamiliar, creeping b45dcd508d tension slithered down Eddie’s spine.133b4465ac2b8081de26

 2d7458846b627e88d979

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***3192b2e909d430319378

 3e82c0b89f612243f609

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After finishing his bath, Louis was 2193bb98d3 dressed in the new clothes that 56430d877b had been bought for him. The calm navy color f3d094ef27 suited him well. As Eddie was drying his hair for 1b0e9bc060 the final touch, the butler approached.3bf2d970d9de72d78a39

“Your Highness, the state of your cda7bbcbcb bedroom is not in good condition bf97da0413 and will need to be refurbished. It might be best b8e09de313 if you sleep elsewhere 80403d8be2 for the time being.”8979cd7d5689485a5fbc

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“I’ll stay 78e7b9376f in Eddie’s 666f088797 room.”147a86662939c335c665

Before the butler could even 48c05925ef finish his cautious suggestion, Louis be7b5816f9 responded immediately, causing the butler’s 71d9c131cc eyes to widen in shock. Eddie’s lips a9eda96eef curled mischievously.f393fcbb949e8addfec2

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“Are you going 6a5a376c63 to sleep on 973abd0f76 the floor?”2308cb847f0060fbac78

“…The floor?”7df1f9eb2b7ce5a54d26

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“You’re not seriously suggesting we 1ee498bffb share a bed, are you? I absolutely do 446a87e58e not share my 1939deeefb bed. I’m too sensitive 42c269b8ec to sleep next 4c1a19b5cf to someone else.”d8769892d22579f1ef92

— Uh… but we 0e7e96fcc6 just bathed together… and cb891f74b8 yet we can’t sleep b43b51d3b6 in the same bed?da612372825744b1e65c

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Louis’s pupils wavered, as if 73bf8b73d9 he had never considered the ec14fd2d56 possibility of being refused. His brows bd10f9279a creased slightly.022af419529fe3cacd08

“Besides, my room isn’t 3c8aa4e2e6 as spacious as yours, 455e50cba8 so bringing in another 59137efe9e bed would be tricky. And since I refuse to sleep 946b1b24fb on the floor, you should just 6aaa7493bc sleep in a new room. A good night’s sleep 6dc0cd6c15 is important for feeling 93ef3f5a0f refreshed the next day.”5a6a666260bcfb0f8fd6

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“…I don’t 52565ed295 want a 35aa3edde7 new room. It’s scary.”fe8ff4f6696122c6071f

Eddie fell 864dc10228 silent for 070d3884e0 a moment. Louis, who had been hesitantly watching his a13c5cf66d reaction, timidly reached for Eddie’s sleeve.75ba19486d7af12e84ed

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“I don’t want to sleep acc3a55eac alone in an unfamiliar place… edc1e9282f It’s scary, really scary….”2a4a3f996191e858b182

He murmured weakly, 16254aca51 his shoulders slumping. His eyes turned red, looking 2574108d2e pitiful like a lost puppy. Seeing that, Eddie a95b088e90 couldn’t bring himself 6fc3a14d95 to be harsh.dbbc858887a718a75aba

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“If you’re wondering, there 726e86f827 are no bedrooms with 94e57d8a92 two beds.”7e4ba3b4803e2931675e

The butler 54c83dceb3 added helpfully. That meant if they cad0756231 were to sleep together, f279244ae6 it had to be 9278576f76 in the same bed. Eddie’s nose cf4c2fc03c scrunched up b739d754bf in displeasure. There was no 88b189a151 other choice.f27b1bfbfede9c9f2433

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With a deep sigh, 140192e480 he grabbed Louis’s wrist 9cfbaaee38 and led him to d523b19900 his room.8746258d521130972f0c

“My room isn’t equipped with mana cff85b29d2 stones on the walls like Your ac25f42238 Highness’s chamber, so the air inside e140f03d08 will be quite cold. Keep that 6898f5d1a3 in mind.”12c3cedc89eb6049127e

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That’s fine, then 8f944cabf0 I’ll just stick 64a6658beb close to you.73afa66e00c8a2fe7739

Louis responded softly and immediately c2f8bbfad6 laid down on the bed 0b39075627 as soon as Eddie sat d3f260f268 him down, claiming his spot.6c6d7397051bbb950264

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“Have you eaten? Did you 7daf1084b2 have dinner?”8e1a4fa1aaefc26809e2

“…I did. I did eat.”d8ef7a6f8fc14a7c5f4d

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Grrrrrrr!22f168c4aa718b8e3329

The loud rumbling 52f8016a00 from his stomach 5b10390db7 contradicted his words. Eddie clicked cff8bfe10e his tongue b6617299a2 internally. That sound could b9b9121eec probably pierce through 3553940e71 the ceiling.4f3bec1de00e79b9d3ea

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“No, I really did 2dd131a5c2 eat… I swear….”93221d3d6947a34a83ac

His face turned red with embarrassment 92c3303912 as Eddie pulled him up. Then, he handed Louis some 40dfa5c5cc snacks he had bought outside.04b6afef73810d9fa8ab

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“They say these 1aa46fa150 cookies are filled b3d8e2be31 with chocolate. Very sweet and ab70545524 delicious, apparently. Try them.”f7ec34ab8ce5ff51b4a2

“Did you 33a922ecde buy candy 7bece2bb53 too?”de2bf93a927f532254cb

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“Yes, I did. Would you 4bcb7c3105 like some?”14716f6527fb35e3fb66

“No… not for 8c3f5bbe8c me, for you. That one’s yours. You have 04972e2953 to eat c86f9d2661 one every 51d9706591 day. It’s in a much bigger and prettier jar 2343d8a06e than the ones the servants gave you, right?”5d9a8e71f100d5e6d082

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“I’m not great at distinguishing between these things, so I 395e85c124 just picked the best-looking one from what seemed similar enough.”ca27268f1767f35eb873

Despite his pretty face, 8087667fbf his response was blunt daff88af85 and unimpressed.01e5e039dabd06f39008

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Though he didn’t buy it directly, adb407052c he had essentially bought it with 81e1d22056 money obtained from the butler. For Louis, it was 95f63edb65 essentially the first gift 5c14190199 bought thinking of someone e3bd369da4 else. He felt a bit disappointed that ae0bdedbba Eddie didn’t seem to understand this.4a00be4319de47e41cd1

“Still, I picked b4204e45c0 something definitely prettier 2fabfd2950 than the one af3961eb9f Bell gave me. Thank you, 461964b6c3 Your Highness.”3e2f5f8b952300f50531

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Hearing Eddie’s calm expression of c9743518cc gratitude, Louis, who had started 268a8d922d to pout, suddenly brightened up. His ears reddened as he took 5ca9c35951 a big bite of the cookie. It was a55c4fe576 sweet and 5722afd215 absolutely delicious.c7ff2055f77da577ed07

Snap. He broke off a 33b703c66c piece and put it 5df2783afa into Eddie’s mouth as 91222ea630 well.18c164985a296c2b32e0

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“It’s good. Thanks, Eddie.”e6b83d061acb2f426c40

Eddie slowly chewed, though e74186e15d he wasn’t particularly hungry. But since Louis had shared it, he 2de3e84883 had no choice but to eat it. The cookie crumbled between e3dac34857 his teeth, leaving a f56d08a211 dry aftertaste in his 77908c8bab mouth. Though he had described the taste based ee286065e4 on what the store clerk told him, 34d30c34a3 he honestly couldn’t tell what it was.4030612dd8bbaf0da4b5

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Still, seeing Louis 7187df6d95 enjoying it was e70a47c15f enough to feel e747e14a10 relieved.b77a561572d830c88f23

“Remember this, ad76c4b734 Your Highness.”26a571e2a019612843b9

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“Hm?”ec5ab9f8283cec45b704

“It is 82f5cf1fb1 now late b433881baa at night, bf7b1c3e9c 11 PM. I gave you this cookie at 2ea16ee3e8 10:55 PM, and it took you c98094bec3 exactly three minutes to finish two 401aaba05a and a half cookies. Don’t forget e640e0c26f this timeline.”e0d66b0e41cc4cff93d3

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Eddie took out a handkerchief and 8caaeda356 wiped Louis’s hands and mouth. Then, he called for the b7f33b13a6 servant Bell to bring some e8a0b83a27 water for Louis to rinse 2ce46cc53a his mouth.14bd3870c45c731a16ad

“Lie down. It’s time 90a10412aa to sleep.”c787927a6fdad61be1f2

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“Mm.”bd105084d44e7837c9dd

Eddie pulled the blanket up 1b74fc92ae to Louis’s neck, turned off b0933c232d the lights, and lay down 2684671eca beside him.4f5f54fb137e9f9c1170

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“It’s been 2c28d99391 20 minutes dbe3ef12a2 since earlier. Now, sleep well. Have good dreams.”b0e82801180ac1cf2fc6

“…You too.”662157b5d85521d8e963

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With that response, 6d3ad4045c Louis’s eyes slowly 9c2f20987c closed. Having Eddie beside him brought him a sense of 44447bda87 security unlike anything he had ever felt before.67bf57427793dd33a068

His heart pounded. He didn’t know why, but it feb5433fae didn’t feel bad at all. Carefully, Louis intertwined his 0cbef6919f fingers with Eddie’s slightly 809d3f703b cool hand and drifted cca217948d into deep sleep. 46f3e6b43c8cebece8e2

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It felt d235aef2fd so good.0493e5b28c58eac3b5bd

 aee44da00efc461a7a46

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