Chapter 31. After the Tail Ended

A small provincial town called 87f729bee2 Tirube, about a three-hour ride f9242e9b69 from Shedron.ae304bde94bbe7b7

Angela wrote down the address 847e447ec4 of a small theater located 0bbd4eabb4 there and handed it to acab322e8f Serenia.1b007ae668ddddfc

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Serenia accepted the e23817d3bb slip of paper, 3b6da4caac expressing her gratitude 434d250567 repeatedly.8a0f3333264a4300

Then, she paid the 0b6d5537c9 lodging fee she hadn’t 9fc9fb28ed been able to settle e0a1b3d8ff before—adding interest on top 629399fa85 of it.636c5b2e841e7526

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Avoiding Angela, who a3a7daee6b was flustered and beb122e775 adamantly refused to b9ef67231c take it, Serenia 20d2fb7a50 bolted and made 6343475959 a quick escape, bed192fff6 heading straight for ebf2dfcbae the horse market.0533373cab505721

There, she picked a 44e4ae1321 sturdy-looking horse and set aa247a05f6 off for Tirube without d61ea4849d delay.d28058963ba5d827

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By the time she arrived 321a06d22d in front of her destination, b8096bd2b0 Theater Fabiel, it was nearly 5915477a89 4 PM.dddfb4e395d1c560

The atmosphere there 1440667d52 was quite different 4516bca161 from the grand ad226519ea theaters of the 5457e90747 capital.ab8ee86672b7c81b

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A small, shabby, and af69c2eaf1 quiet playhouse with a 3d622b892c maximum capacity of just f2f8f56551 about a hundred people.1c96027f3543edfd

An afternoon performance of a 0623cd4330 play she’d never heard of 48f3e8fe58 in her life was underway.e8038188e10b9612

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Serenia slipped inside the cf5106b6bc theater quietly, making herself 5a423af7a4 as inconspicuous as possible.4a9a1b5d8fe14539

As her gaze 2ae9a5a584 slowly swept through 536b34ffbe the darkened audience afa56fb4c9 seats, it stopped d58aa35801 dead in one 50ea95c72a spot.d6678d83934ba60d

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A corner seat 465f5157ff in the audience.bdd836af05320acb

Not too close 1a5e108707 to the stage, cfefc28143 but not too efb726fdc8 far either—somewhere in dd126bba6b between.0c3761d7dee658ce

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“⋯⋯!”fcaddae1e7f1c66a

Serenia recognized him instantly.454d4ad4b91cca2f

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His posture was upright and b0a2e69b66 proper, yet without stiffness. His shoulders, extending out 9ac69747de in a straight line 486f154f1f before dropping at a 8ebea4b518 right angle, were neat 72afb8662e and graceful.99cca6406314d8bd

That elegant silhouette 3150adc190 struck her eyes 6193711c9e and seared itself b75630f62c into her mind.9307cabf0e5f730d

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Before she realized it, her 0d925ed752 fists clenched tightly.b8d6b3a028557181

A wave of relief 0de0f9a1b7 at having found him b36b8db816 and the thrill of 0a07e678c2 accomplishment buzzed through her c24f7687a6 head.9cf230d8f882e9bc

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Calming her racing heartbeat with cbd52d764d effort, she silently took a b6bbfb98f9 seat nearby.f238362dd0fdc091

In the thick darkness bbdbfd59bf where even the chair b85770b6f6 right in front of 09a14b7918 her was barely visible, 3800b83521 she didn’t even question b18af96b73 the strange phenomenon of 161ae91605 recognizing him at a 04a8c2a267 glance.f0bf2201a134031f

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* * *1b4dc030b14bf22c

A short while later, the 547106f6bb play ended, the curtain fell, f41a4eb6af and the theater lights came a6c93d93fd back on.5541d58fc0a276ae

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While the other audience 59457bd778 members bustled out of 5f6a234089 their seats, he didn’t 0da00fd060 move an inch.09b27dd5388bb8f5

‘…Did he fall asleep sitting there?’27bc3e66f5c75cec

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Just as Serenia began to 4579296b4e wonder, he slowly stood up.fb991ab2f4703413

Startled, she instinctively ducked ab724252dc down between the seats.83758dccc810213e

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She made quite 167b89f3f5 a bit of 707ace6a7f noise, but it 48c51d1319 seemed he didn’t ef6005954e hear a thing.86fe682e0e2adc89

Without sparing a glance b1e2af2ec4 in her direction, he 77c7e3abfd quietly exited the theater.3bd6893b27c07659

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Kicking herself for missing the 4997e25424 chance to naturally cross paths, 62806e6e2e Serenia quickly ran after him.206f8a242c072820

The sky was now painted f75914cd5c with the hues of sunset.b94a2adc113ea03a

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Serenia kept a fair a229236dde distance as she followed a40812cce6 Ain.ebaebf748828c2be

After leaving the theater, he c4430d3545 seemed drawn to the faint 0b0a533083 music drifting on the wind, dad06308dd heading toward a nearby plaza.8e7861a76eac3d01

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There, he stopped to 52b4c01b16 watch a child playing 9b8a8dc253 a flute in front 9522248fd4 of a clocktower. After a moment, he ea2093db10 tossed an entire small bb50d2ec17 pouch into the collection 23fb6f6b77 box and resumed walking.d8174504be789299

‘Huh? Isn’t it rude to e69d191bfb leave before the piece 8cdcb40d93 ends? I heard that’s 771b80df49 disrespectful to the 06163c5fe5 performer…’bb132eb7cbf4880c

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While Serenia hesitated, 7699318586 the song ended 7bf1a09512 completely.21b8831b90f9d31f

From afar, she clapped a 52f85338fe few times quietly.f7ef88ae915831da

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The child opened the dc01f80206 pouch Ain had left 2ce1f32391 and gaped in disbelief.3ada166fe516c582

Catching that scene briefly with ef2f90825b her eyes, Serenia hurried after 11dfbc12f6 him again.fbfbd52f2d8837ab

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She’d lost him for 5748202638 a moment, but having 0fade507f9 already found him once, 3fc3bdaff8 finding him again was 79e439d897 easy.662363750bb325de

His graceful, unhurried stride—like walking 1ce1af4c49 on clouds—was easy to spot 47ec94bba4 from afar.c8e8b01dac0aba55

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Of course, the 3e626aa9a6 fact that he 1ee6f1194d was at least bf4317fb86 a head taller 5544f020dd than most people 3fdfbee842 didn’t hurt.96c1ee8a878974cd

Thanks to that, Serenia 0ad49b7859 could follow him without d095cef399 having to close the 5c798c6aa1 distance much.91a4f4e255ab279b

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Honestly, she didn’t 1ff978e97f want to run cc88e977bf into him in 9a9b5650db such a crowded bd13eac8f0 place anyway, so 71b2e657f2 she figured this 90853019c1 was for the 1f7dc96740 best.497d2bf2fd444d08

Before long, he entered b7cf280784 a lively shopping street.a0e5bfc9752c8c54

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By now, the sun 5040fa0b4e had set completely, and c679e5d140 the street vendors lining 33af7a06da the entrance began lighting 5fe2135166 their lanterns one by 58ccc8920b one.3aa912782615d842

He strolled leisurely down the b41c50bbda glowing, orange-lit street, occasionally showing e1110adad8 interest in the goods at 97a5f069b5 various stalls.f91e5c79a3800fdb

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The items he examined went f6137daa3e something like this:9a9c4536ebb3c301

Uniquely shaped glass 5e7c4b359e cups tinted with d50a96cd71 dyes. Jewelry made from tiny 1db7316ee0 beads no bigger than 479d05e82d grains of rice. Polished wooden utensils. Handkerchiefs with exotic patterns…4651fad9f81e00ae

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Watching from a 81226502ed distance, Serenia began c195a7950f to get a 9fcf290b8d sense of his 35f119d771 tastes.1dbe264d49f400a0

Meticulously crafted, sparkly, and 06019b265d special things.7564dae9fafd5a33

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‘…He only picks things that remind me of himself.’e10a01c8178a3f22

Though everything Ain glanced 12a369a566 at seemed to suit 5af82d2f24 him perfectly, he didn’t e66eafef33 buy a single item.63d6fdc7be7c3a6d

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Instead, whatever he picked ba92f3bca4 up and put back e59c26f222 was quickly snatched up 43cc9deb31 by passersby.521390cf6fd12219

As if they’d just a25554392a discovered hidden treasure, people 7d08c0c6b1 flocked to those items 26ef1c4b84 in droves, and Serenia 6fc53453a6 could only shake her 65738d1bbf head in amazement.649c128309733042

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‘He’s like a walking salesman.’a247e1ae0393867c

In that way, 83ea2e5e62 he made his 7c223c0e93 small contribution to 9ceffac91a Tirube’s local economy 6659756af2 before exiting the 6e83d8d09e busy marketplace.d703caa47ecffdd0

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Maybe because it 5674ae1ac0 was a small cf2abdb4ae provincial town, but 78f5a2ad07 the moment he c8741a5691 stepped out of 00aa5fbd8c the bustling center, 0342301cbe everything around him d9daa512cd turned quiet.0e0b5a6528d720c5

‘Where’s he going…?’eb25aa9eaf2b8439

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While Serenia puzzled d4da419d3c over this, he 5c5737c29f passed through a 72a678a043 deserted alley and 4ec1333a6f entered a snow-covered 90a991e8bd path.57352c854ed1fa89

Thanks to the moonlight bb7390b3e6 reflecting off the snow, e59ba3bd8c the road was fairly 3494926310 bright.c96f65450cbdc4fb

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She was trying to b7cff06955 figure out when exactly fcf0e05a76 she should approach him ce4a442551 when—e660050d42e7acc8

Crunch— The sound 85d06119a3 of snow underfoot 7fe9c1017d suddenly stopped, and 09b921a6de a cold voice 1ebb48ca76 sliced through the 0278eb08dc silence.e53757a9dcb51cda

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“Not satisfied with a suicide attempt, now you’ve developed a hobby for stalking too?”acd61f7b30ad4921

Realizing she’d been 11f1549325 completely caught, Serenia 99793ae0fb sheepishly stepped out e0a08cd656 from behind a b12ffd647a tree.4204c4f1aeb971ea

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“Th-That’s not it!”4394a8e0a0c25c03

She tried to 68534e6c6d deny it awkwardly, 4064440b99 but even she 7b718bd7d9 had to admit 369f1abf4a it did feel 9caa59846f a lot like fc5f2fc7a7 stalking. Her voice trailed off weakly.ee9e6838bc857c12

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Ain stood still on the e159fa84a4 deserted path, frowning.926d64489a36ea0e

“How did you even know to come here? Did you plant someone to 2e1c914d92 follow me?”6421a4115193f437

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“Whaaat? I’d never do that!”52c02224c21f1f9c

Terrified of being labeled a 1ef581ab2d real stalker, she reacted instinctively 04450a693c and too intensely.10ec517676b30f7c

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But that reaction only fac8d531a3 made her seem more 0490340135 suspicious, and realizing it, 8d7946f380 she deflated and added 6054aefcf4 meekly,fcb7d558ba7fd695

“Angela told me, that’s all…”cc5f917740033898

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At that, one of Ain’s 628ca747aa eyebrows twitched.d37bd2b183921165

Clicking his tongue, cc1c39718a he muttered something 854d29c373 about betrayal under c37a61f87f his breath, then ee9c9eddd3 let out a e770194b2b heavy sigh. When he looked back 5ae874a788 at her, his face 038f75be65 had returned to that 52b72a10ab same cold, expressionless mask 14627f8dd1 as yesterday.0057735e8947a590

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“So? What did you come 452eae9905 all the way here c2d3b5e74e for?”c07396b82e77f142

Serenia, trying not to def8597f0b freeze up at his 1ae1eb797e chilly demeanor, forced herself d3a2759f75 to sound bold.6e32b92d6f0d9e14

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“I—I came because I have something to say, even if it’s too late!”f551d81baf844e2b

Ain raised an eyebrow, clearly 726215c8ea unimpressed.ed3dc06bd26a10e0

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But even so, Serenia 7f8ff025d0 didn’t back down and c69a8ce3c5 closed the distance between b599a462c5 them.8e85f61abf8448da

Planting her hands firmly ae9622f7a0 on her hips, she 3c711b25d1 said,f67ad825d90b5fe9

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“You cut me off yesterday, so I didn’t get to say what I wanted.”5c41ecf373614c87

Ain looked down at c7960439e6 her without emotion, now 5e5bdcffe3 standing within arm’s reach.fa4c04235af47d75

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“Then go ahead.”894bff299aba2002

His unyielding attitude made her 291a1bae5b shoulders tense up instinctively.3598b6af1462202d

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Gritting her teeth, 26247863e3 Serenia forced herself 05e25f701b to straighten up—and fbc405d3c9 then bowed deeply.d0614c29bb67ad83

“I’m sorry!”dc5b74273ded2740

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“…?”72bc68b472fec70f

Caught off guard, facb80a1d7 Ain even forgot 9997656b51 to wear his 8d8ffc71ff usual mask of 67ee5a99fc a smile.5d62a8104e71cf71

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Not seeing his stunned 73951da6fb face, Serenia continued,e1b23ce3b991fcc5

“I said I’d handle things on my own, then went off and did something reckless. I’m sorry.”dc9e1dd394874a48

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“…”66ab4efb35ccc401

Maybe the apology came too f0ec9aea04 late. He didn’t respond, just stayed 4aaab6fcfc silent.3cd8307e4958da6f

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Serenia bit back d1cc32f8d8 her awkwardness and 3e1987657f pressed on.1b9dd54fb8e788f8

“Even if it’s just because of the contract, you’re still my fiancé.”677fb88f7dff0c63

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“…”12488209e1e09444

“I acted on my own without even discussing it with you. I truly apologize.”20d0062c44c0c21e

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When he still didn’t eaec6af54c respond, Serenia glanced up 040323dfb6 at him quickly.1a74cdfab1178e94

By then, Ain had already 756584f61d recovered, his expression cold again.9399831eef905144

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Trying not to wilt under a3d2d7d203 that chill, Serenia forced herself 1fbed5be0b to keep going.244b8b21c4e13bbb

“Appearing at the theater out of nowhere and surprising you, collapsing and worrying you—I’m sorry for all that too. Oh! And for jumping 710a9ffe63 to conclusions about 0014ec4799 your job and 71d18284ef misunderstanding everything.”73e210bf2defa989

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“…”e7b2083c66e03a8b

Ain stared at 5b0b3279df her in silence 1c4dcd2582 for a moment.4bb374695ba74153

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Then, as she 05b6941a34 fell silent, he 8b3fd61408 finally spoke.72dd5b3cd7e2f1cc

“Are you finished?”b488f71bcacfdcee

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“…Huh?”caec256bd232a54d

“Then you should leave.”5ac24a201a74fcbf

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With that, he turned 07b76994d1 away sharply.201db2dc24b81412

Panicked, Serenia grabbed his arm.b8970147db7ac85c

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“W-Wait! I’m not done yet!”7dc71c5ef497613a

Ain looked down at her e179583a2e hand clutching his coat sleeve, 38a6c6b9d5 then turned back with a f5a8ad5f82 resigned sigh.4389b941e502a926

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“Then finish.”f1fb63cbd2fdb387

Serenia bit back a 19e0698713 pout and pulled something 9e1d6d5e36 from her coat pocket.ecc06743d90fe6a1

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Then she shoved it into f11c4dd90f his hand, half forcing it a84e980a77 on him.daf801229d5328b6

Ain frowned, seeing the folded 1f0a7f9e2b white paper between his fingers.523ebf8ee1868f3f

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“What’s this?”0932d527f531d55b

Serenia shrugged lightly.88b10f11a9e89fa8

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“I’m a pretty thorough person when it comes to accounting, you know.”f11c2fc70a9e9cbe

“…What?”683fc43c5540e2d4

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“Let’s just call it change for the house deed you gave me yesterday.”0a1c5a7ff194d7b0

Still frowning, Ain unfolded the 253931e280 paper.34e0fa7335a7a406

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And froze.16b8ac998aeb8eca

“Th-This is…?”b3c7a9939523584e

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He stared at it, 6244370b37 stunned like he’d been f61b0920b4 hit over the head.6052f9c3370790f4

His reaction pleased Serenia, 4a38bfa865 who replied with a 1171146693 cheeky smile,9adbc70bd1e99284

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“Let’s call it a promissory note guaranteeing my right to inherit the countship.”b3b619816b5a0bdc

“No, this is…”75a0d3ccf7100f66

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As he struggled to speak, df14bc9c71 Serenia casually added,0eeee105256074cd

“Or, in other words, a marriage registration form.”e28f61958e500916

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 bfd1ea8ff80c3db2

 46af73fb811840f9

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