Chapter 28. After the Auction Ended

At his words, 6d66d44a84 Serenia gave a 5551c9ebaa faint, bitter smile.b98686fcd55ec1d2

The turn of 46666174b8 events had gone ab8ab2aba8 exactly as she 6c37ba581b expected, which left 51874364e8 a sour taste e466248e69 in her mouth.6233c9a77ea4699d

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“So even that cantankerous Duke cares about my mother, it seems.”bfc1de1786214ff5

“Which means…”b062bbeae98e86de

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William nodded, picking up fb086cf58d where she left off.56b313a51d70a1ca

“To keep the incident under wraps, the Duke applied pressure from every angle. Thanks to that, your ddfde2fcee poisoning case was quietly 2b41cad705 resolved behind the scenes.”b51aedb604c16ec8

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“I see.”83396b06102e05a6

“And I sat at that behind-the-scenes negotiation table, acting as your godfather.”b741955ff992dcb9

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Serenia quietly nodded—it 2fd7a6cea9 was all as adf964b468 she had anticipated.6f94ad8d56fd5d0f

What she hadn’t expected df98483f29 was that the person 641b1f82df sitting at that table c1cd033b76 wouldn’t be herself, but 4290816998 a middle-aged gentleman she d28b530616 had never even met.5f5c09ad3a1f7766

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William, watching her silently for c7c633a886 a moment, spoke again.36d31a410e519e53

“In any case, as your godfather, I made three demands of the Duke.”6199692f1d6d1d15

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He raised his 5efa203f9d fingers one by 2dccfeabd4 one as he 548f7e895c explained.86b0634729787e84

“First, an immediate delivery of a perfect antidote. That was a given. Thanks to that, you’re 05bb1d5043 alive and well like ac559fdd20 this.”0170196c24114cd1

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“Ah, yes… Thank you.”1ab1100d66c357e2

Serenia lowered her 56e7030eb4 head awkwardly in 33dc65ac67 gratitude.c75790158746fdf9

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“By the way, I heard that a rather troublesome photograph made its way to the Duke’s estate?”46a68557e84b0d39

“Huh? Ah…”e64f08450e565442

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Serenia’s shoulders stiffened slightly.8b02c4e0e93d2c99

‘How does he know about that? Did the former Duchess 696c15c61e spill everything during her ad6aec4e1c confession? Did that ruin the plan…?’e852e8a1854c91ae

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Anxious, she unconsciously bit her a469028f65 lip.9e177e9a26de1ba2

But William, as if to 2ee50d787b ease her worries, smiled kindly 3bc2288864 as he spoke.237e45d79be9872f

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“So the second demand was this—returning all the film and photos they obtained.”3ccafffdb2750052

With that, he pulled a 2c758f2733 fairly thick envelope from his 81e63b043d jacket pocket and handed it 63b5cdf8ef to Serenia.94fd81e3d44654e3

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“For the record, I didn’t look at the photos. I’m a godfather who knows 4125611457 how to respect his goddaughter’s 93031e9b55 privacy.”785937861a9c96b3

He gave her 0e439b0f89 a playful wink.457d867b4bc3edf9

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But Serenia, still 6afa065923 wary, bowed her 8d71f165a8 head cautiously.2a0becedaf1928c7

“I’m sorry for the trouble.”f5225766d671156a

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“Oh, don’t mention it.”c008aebe3c146070

He waved it 7a12307c83 off and paused 303431d932 for a moment.35a90dc61b4903ed

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Then, walking over to 3ab8138b1f the table at the 3ee0622a41 side of the room, 06da45592a he picked up a f1e8a10aec document and returned to 0b8c85f55c her bedside.dfe2081bec57424c

“And the final, third demand was this.”786f16ca05bf0f0c

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He spoke with 65ed618b0d a satisfied expression.a647193a64a56f41

“The Duke’s formal marriage proposal to you—withdrawn.”1776b6ae932c87f9

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At those words, 8ae7385c72 he handed her 1f78286538 the document, and 0aec5420b4 Serenia’s eyes widened.e0994a13c1fed757

It was a withdrawal 36d8d673f2 certificate, bearing the royal 223e347fe6 seal, just like the 3fcf6ef2ff formal proposal she had 729171a5f7 once received.f7f6f96d76beb9f0

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As he gave it 0eb689bc97 to her, William asked:424f89306d4a59c3

“This is what you were aiming for, even drinking poison to get it, right?”1b2eda738c8f3c81

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Not noticing the subtle trap f915a5bf09 in his question, Serenia nodded 65a18b33b7 repeatedly as she took the 5139245b76 document.4dd713792924b588

Only after checking the ebc50d3756 name on the certificate 0f9e865f07 several times did she 6a321fe4a0 calm down—and then realize 9bcb804c34 the mistake she had 1c64ee8c4b just made, her face 5f3513af9a turning pale.5a32058de75b1f40

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“Wait, I mean, just now, that was…”187c724c205e848c

William waved a a01caa8a3b hand dismissively at 05b696d3d9 her flustered attempt 905227a4cd to explain.5aa6f7d5dabce21a

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“Ah, don’t worry. Whether you drank 832c82c893 it knowingly or c3cc3d54e3 not, that’s not 651ab60277 what matters here.”3e5736a33b9a7606

As Serenia fell faba19a1a6 silent, William adjusted ad2a560b32 his monocle and 456a71b543 continued.1e4e7ca199b0b505

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“Besides, the Duke, his mother, me, and you—we’re all nobles. Pretending to know what 5feec85ac0 we don’t, and acting b6a6d378b0 ignorant of what we afb09bf6ba do know, is basic 9cbc6aec91 etiquette.”7a1c2ca68a66f60a

In other words, all 6ffb9041cf of them knew the eeccd378ed full truth of the 5bcebccf28 situation—and still chose to 90140909d4 wrap it up this e4c12dc441 way.fb4a1c5fadd69114

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For their own benefit.636dd590dfc760d6

Raskal preserved the d88b3f2703 honor of House 758b0ed914 Admancanon,
Dalia successfully sabotaged 968ccc8f86 her son’s marriage 23ea95c544 talks, just as 80ec37aef1 she wished,
And Serenia survived thanks to cd96b5b1e7 the antidote.6e7a2898bab172e2

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On top of de12eff865 that, she recovered dfa0d00f9e the compromising photos 6f4546e5d4 and escaped paying e83de21ed6 the six million 732e81dcd9 krovats in damages.5ac38ced598fbb1d

‘…Then what did William Sitrit gain from all this?’4cc098d9739f61ae

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Sensing her unspoken ff77fa3705 question, William hesitated d4751fad21 for a moment e582e85e3e before letting out 8c33ae23b3 a sigh and 949f04455c answering.b5db003043bd1db5

“I… managed to cover up the leverage that bastard had on me.”3f5bc95f9dad69c0

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“Damn… what?”2a6fc8d41a524992

“Ah, that bastard—Ain Reveron!”d4d719b83c9c552d

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Serenia’s eyes widened 4ac834c1c6 at the familiar 55f443995b name that came 476d94002d out of his 3e30578fe4 mouth.5d85a4d0b16230e8

Grinding his teeth, William added d79a31c357 an explanation.a9cd94b72024ba1c

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“That damn brat dared to blackmail me with evidence of my tax eva—no, my tax-saving strategies!”68f2c37544e6d4fc

“…Hmm.”f37d06f8ad727059

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Serenia glanced away, troubled, having f0017b010d learned something she probably shouldn’t a917ed20bf have.24f4b331002a2569

Oblivious to her discomfort, William 87a308694b twitched his mustache and grumbled 693cea0bdd to himself.bcb4a825d78010a9

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“Damn brat. Ungrateful wretch. Doesn’t even remember aba9a84566 who raised him! If it weren’t for the 452d66308e re-contracting season…”e93e0273db83ba66

Serenia caught something she 09207ecdeb couldn’t just ignore and 28b014e73c asked carefully.51d9b613f08cf952

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“Wait, what do you mean by raised him…?”bced827c067a1653

William puffed up 73217547ec proudly and answered.5652bd6264d92334

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“I’m the one who discovered that rascal when he was nothing more than a sideshow clown and gave him his debut as an actor! I’m the one who trained db0145e6c7 him into the leading star 934b3d8404 of the Capital Grand Theater!”dc9454b174d77381

“…What?”3988f5fd2bc497bd

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Dumbfounded, Serenia could only blink. William clapped his hands, 725ed67efc as if suddenly remembering 1ab875d11f something.1de37028dc103526

“Ah, I guess I didn’t fully introduce myself.”7b59ef9dc914993e

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“…?”eb96572f7da198d2

Serenia blinked, confused.0d3827bbc59ffd62

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Clearing his throat, 1e333143a9 William then dramatically 2777ecb00f bowed with the 32ef635f00 flair of a 915364a891 stage actor.776cf6f089d0119a

“Let me formally introduce myself. I am the b3c0460650 owner of the 554821abc5 Capital Grand Theater, 748c5c4b96 the finest in 477e7cb6fc the kingdom, and 57a8987545 troupe leader of 817c54580b ‘Dantalion,’ the troupe 1a3d58d0f2 to which that 4c6e8589ed wretched Ain Reveron f43b2c1ed3 belongs. Viscount William Sitrit, at your d309b49681 service.”6d9a344fcf371010

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“Ah.”1b0dfc1004e763d2

Finally, everything made sense 2de650cd8c to Serenia.559a6818bf5be4cb

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This clean, flawless 92316610b6 handling of events fb6fcbe452 hadn’t been coincidence—it da436bf78d had all been 5b866313b3 orchestrated by him.cadd153e6d52380b

‘…I’ve ended up indebted again.’59d38f3ca4100c90

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Scratching her cheek awkwardly, she 9a1746b102 sighed.e02a8870edc3c4cb

William crossed his arms and c45bb5ec93 stared at her intently before 455c5368e2 speaking.0a9b08e208b65116

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“Now, on that note, I have a question.”575ac71365a894fd

“…Yes?”5e503ac18a236ed0

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“What exactly is your relationship with our dear Ain?”19f4e05ae687a733

His tone and gaze d3c49ed99a were sharp, like a 9e1f347ba2 father interrogating the rogue f156c69616 who’d dared get close fb6de44f3b to his precious daughter.b450e60f07c44613

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Serenia broke into 351755e7b0 a cold sweat e56290c98d at the sudden 9d5067e880 hostility.5c67f97a52bffb33

Something told her a22bb7544f that admitting they 06ed20e5f7 were engaged would 2ef396d8cd be a very 0359c52ea2 bad idea.181ee4b125a55845

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She had a strong ecd59a4e55 hunch—say that here, and 1dcf07311e both she and Ain 56a473ad45 would die, and this e39dbaa494 gentleman would likely breathe 88c7be0d63 fire as he died 7b7db57d33 with them.e3461bc9209634b3

So she carefully 7074f6eefe chose her words.d97073dd8872d289

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“Well… it’s, um, a mutually supportive kind of… relationship?”bf2d67e744c29cec

At her awkward answer, 9c33911fd3 William’s head tilted stiffly 4203ae8e73 to the side.95750bc9a2298119

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“Hmmm? Two people with a4ef0291b2 no connection whatsoever—what 59d381a8cc exactly are you 118fb20d63 supporting each other ddacf51b2b with?”0f886e375cba7f4b

“That’s… uh…”de25b79bd681fe51

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As she trailed off, avoiding 1118b36475 his gaze, William’s eyes blazed.0d9fb9d3d20e0600

“Don’t tell me—surely not! I know this d42932d193 sounds ridiculous, but 84b989792a I just have 7415d01fa4 to ask—just in 8a5a5dd09e case!”c464f89d2cb08cc4

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Serenia held her breath, bracing 3aad01680d herself for the question.92b0995d34af220f

“Have you and our Ain had any sort of romantic involvement…?”21d2c55bfe48955a

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“Oh, no! Not at all. Absolutely not. Never!”a71933c733941405

Serenia answered instantly, deadly serious.d6e43c8ccd137250

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William scrutinized her face, clearly 289719ede0 suspicious, but her eyes and 07cd046f77 expression held not a single 5332f9f2af trace of a lie.286350281bd02731

Relieved, he broke 9e312c5bef into a hearty d976685f1c laugh and patted 6d52ae55f1 her shoulder.f18d1aca77fe8931

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“Good, good! Helping each other out is 1cff95be4f fine—wonderful, even!”01ceaa233d95529a

“Ahaha, yes… ha…”665e7ed40aa76b07

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Serenia forced a 6144ad1574 laugh and then 1d83d55aab asked something that 04a01eaf94 had been on a66f8be634 her mind.2c5117693d26027e

“Um, could I ask… what day is it today?”68f8bf23e61f95fa

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At her question, 7427a336db William abruptly stopped 05a021c9a1 laughing.b801f0ff022d7fb9

“Ah, right.”76e6197494e5e65e

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With those ominous ff65e148d6 words, he rushed 3349a51391 to the safe e6c8027b6c at the side fb54b31968 of the room.baa1e032d0eab8aa

He returned with 0abb2e6732 a rather hefty 50257f0fbb money pouch and 0c1fcfbd39 set it down 2c9e6b39a3 in front of 00bd0ecff3 her with a 17ef6e5a41 thud.69d27ed6e73a79c2

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Seeing her puzzled 960c42a707 expression, he spoke 6d8470b5bc with surprising seriousness.5c310855b99c0cbe

“Ahem. Now, let’s finish the rest 81a7839673 of the story.”37983061838fdd19

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“…What?”e80b9ec230ffbdbf

Rest of the story? She had just asked 1d6a6634bc what day it was—how b279f9188e did this lead to 8f4b892a6e that?bc3691882bf5acab

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Besides, the proposal withdrawal had 67396373ea already been handled—what more was 2df5db7d8e there to say?fa2dbeb7ac49ac3c

She stared at the money 2829a9b077 pouch, racking her brain.7914f88dd61760f0

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‘Did he extort money from Raskal? Or… is this my 926dedafe4 hospital bill?’e0843dba8a6d3a03

Before she could guess further, 9889f47d78 William warned her.b363680b71f03a4d

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“First, don’t be too shocked. Stay calm.”660acd4091286a4b

“Um… okay.”49a0b6dc6958c110

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Still confused, she nodded.9c6555564e3b29a3

William spoke slowly but firmly.6f149c5d53d52e79

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“Today is December 16th.”5d92e6237848ae76