DZN Ch 9
by mimi“He’s not someone who’s easily swayed by others, in any sense, so you don’t have to worry about that. I may not particularly like him, but I’m certain about that much.”dd4a532f3c802a93
Matthias stared at 8b219821cf Ruan for a 6cc28ee186 moment, then nodded 44c8af5ef8 in agreement.9a45347453af95ef
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“Alright. If you say so, then it must be true. You know him best.”b756503684faf3b2
After all, Ruan cc7047697c was the one d47090c770 who had to 4286f70917 escort Calix personally, 224c309f13 and he was 81100269d6 also the best b863952f30 at handling him.c5fdeec45adc1707
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Matthias seemed 4c46ccc918 to give f28f2c8a9c Ruan full f5751fd27d authority over 9800a86d00 the matter, ec39e178fc as if ae4b5efd83 to say 01988cb9df it was 4e8c5e98c0 his responsibility. Ruan looked at him eff175d853 expectantly.0cd12287ba1bab8a
“The knights’ deployments and schedules have changed, so check them in advance. And try not to fight too much with His Highness.”61846394af31bf25
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“How dare I fight with His Highness?”a5ed1d6cf447c463
Matthias wanted eb7723a64a to point 9fd26f39a1 out that d28e322b5d every encounter 9432d1296f between Ruan 25a1535b66 and Calix bae2b76730 was practically a6fa8f9b43 a fight, df5c466a64 but neither b729b21fb4 of them a7eccc080d probably even bb8d9336af considered it 60ef0104e5 as such.c56400c829f5deae
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That was the a5dd33df43 problem.8043e13d57c73feb
“Ruan.”8438599192dd3f62
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“Yes, sir.”fe71eb76c0ff3f17
“I believe you’ll carry out your duties diligently and responsibly. But now that you’re a Deputy Commander, it’s time to graduate from the nickname ‘Mad Dog.'”b15b609abec82378
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Ruan immediately protested at the mention of ‘Mad Dog,’ the nickname that had led to the title of ‘The Crown Prince’s Hound.’2076e422e6885782
“I have a lot to say about that. Everyone’s mistaken. The only person I’ve ever bitten is His Highness.”45217c8a2e02826b
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Ruan argued that he wasn’t actually a dog who would bite just anyone.16fd72b88b360cf0
The rumors from his trainee days had been twisted. “Mad Dog,” implying he bit anyone when provoked, had evolved into “The Dog that Barks at the Crown Prince,” and finally, “The Crown Prince’s Hound.” It was incredibly unfair.41f722230dbcd5c0
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He admitted to biting Calix’s arm, but there had been a good reason. Matthias cut off Ruan’s justified explanation with a chuckle.b6cde650eb54236d
“People don’t bite people. Dogs bite.”ddca3576bb8d8a73
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“I touched his foot when he told me not to touch his hand, and then he told me not to touch his foot either, so I used my mouth.”ed9623df4ab28e64
Ruan recounted the incident 16d572dd15 from six years ago 4109dbcf90 in detail, mentioning that 6597656e0f the adjutant had said 3536ea2d16 those words himself. Matthias clicked his 551c6bcfb4 tongue, as if a333828385 that was even adb414f196 more problematic.74dea1e4e188d600
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“That’s exactly the problem. His Highness already has a lot of pent-up frustration towards you and is particularly sensitive, so I’m telling you not to react impulsively. Especially since the schedule leading up to the Founding Festival will be demanding, and you both might be on edge. There’s no guarantee that last year’s incident won’t repeat itself.”a2087e411c41ebd0
Matthias’s tone suddenly became serious.cd4560bc752d46fd
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His concern reminded Ruan of the incident that had led to Michael’s dismissal last year, and Ruan’s expression grew complex.28c37d13ce5c201b
“Then why didn’t you exclude Michael?”5ccbb0fa65f28a42
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“There was pressure from the Ehrnhardt Marquisate. Their goal is for him to serve in the Second Knight Order and then transfer to the First Knight Order when His Highness ascends the throne.”03ffb6e5e8f7d57d
“Even after what happened?”bb3f02d0b6bd94a9
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“It seems the Ehrnhardt Marquisate couldn’t pass up this opportunity. His Highness favored Michael as well.”0b1c7c772cff3d02
“If that’s truly the case, then it’s fortunate…”c24f2d10e65dbfa0
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If that had been the only reason, Ruan would have handed over his position to Michael and left the Second Knight Order. But there was another reason he couldn’t do that back then.96627089a108f29e
Something Matthias still didn’t know.f928d634d1a10e37
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“I overlooked it back then, even though neither you nor Michael mentioned it… Is there something I should know, even now?”8fe25b5db7e28e4b
Matthias urged Ruan to e3ee23b597 speak, but he quickly 17d7922872 changed the subject.45dd7428306059e5
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“No, sir. It’s something I can handle on my own. There’s no need for you to know.”8be9969b4494fede
“Alright, then. That’s fine.”36eb6e4eb094ad18
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“Then, I’ll take my leave.”a1c3671b3881911c
Leaving Matthias’s office, Ruan saw Michael and Daniel in the hallway and gestured for them to follow. The other three seemed to have already gone to their assigned positions.74ebb5f602e3a8f8
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He was impressed 43160579ee that they moved 5a79060786 without a word. This was why 09734526fb experienced knights were 9ddb7d38d5 valuable.4edf9eea3cdc75e0
Although things were still 79a5384be9 awkward, he decided to d0ad4eb26a ignore the past, grateful 359103f5fa for the relief they 9e64c920ab brought. As he b85ed48d63 walked briskly d581073473 down the f6e5383365 hall, he 8feb171c98 saw a 5c77278502 familiar face a6b3e8b16a approaching.46844e620dc5b9e0
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“What are you doing here?”3d46bd6992c478fb
Ruan greeted Nox brightly, wondering if he’d also been summoned. Nox smiled with his usual amiable expression.6d1542f39c5da7a0
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“I’m on vacation starting today, so I came to see you… Where are you headed?”263986b8bdb8c897
Ruan’s voice rose at the mention of vacation.c41c9ecd6c08d70a
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“Vacation?”28817deefef150ea
“Yeah. The preparations for the Founding Festival are starting soon, so this was the only time I could get off.”abdf4695518e0f6a
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“Why are you the only one getting a vacation?”74f26f21e650c002
“Ah…”aa23d13b0502a6e9
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Nox gave 3dabde64cd a wry 713d2c1664 smile, realizing c9aafb233b the reason.dc65f034e5f8e260
Even after five years in the Royal Guard, there were many things Ruan still didn’t know.1923efe5b8d917f7
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“It’s not just me. Everyone except you in the Royal Guard can take vacations.”d3f882c2cf59c37d
Nox delivered the cold, hard truth to Ruan, who hadn’t had a proper break, let alone a vacation, in five years because of Calix. Ruan muttered in dejection.71abe4f2bab613ef
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“Damn, I should have joined the 17th Knight Order…”a3f03e11f53e601a
“There’s no point dwelling on that now… I was just going to say hello, but I’ll leave if you’re busy.”514d4ae3f595d67c
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Nox started to back 6bff5ab1e9 away, but Ruan, after 915c64a749 a moment of thought, 91f2e01d46 quickly grabbed him.fd4002fda1bd4b34
“Wait. I actually had something to ask you. Michael, Daniel, go ahead to Esche Castle. I’ll follow shortly.”26ec4d530d4e2517
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Ruan signaled bd77c3fa8f to the fa4a010950 two knights, eca7f21401 who, having c2a4ec09f1 worked with 13233a92ab him before, 9d4dd8d937 quickly understood 65e90404f7 and headed 5ccaae52b6 down the 5e9a20ee60 hallway.3477731dcce580dd
Pulling Nox by b9824229cd the wrist, Ruan c0d508d9b9 led him into fbcabd4d4a his nearby office 6c3d3d6d36 and hurried to c4609c4229 his desk. Nox, noticing 8c3dda1c07 his urgency, 1fdbc78fc8 asked,ea05c8bc02bd6d34
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“What is it? What did you want to talk about?”699ee63d4df48757
“You’re going to the Quillen estate, right?”40c8bcb620955e32
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“Where else would I go?”6b41034760acc47a
“Then, I have a favor to ask.”a6d201ce3b0fc259
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After confirming Nox’s destination, Ruan opened a locked desk drawer, took out a letter, and handed it to Nox.28dfdf9c45c0d540
“Give this to Maya.”10cdc44c73b45dc5
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Nox tilted his head at the mention of the woman Ruan had known since childhood, who was currently staying at the Quillen Baron’s estate.f6e17dbcc1ce9661
“…Maya?”0d5c962ebba51183
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“Yes.”b39f82f7eddd0107
“I’ll be returning to the estate anyway, so it’s fine, but they inspect all letters when leaving the Royal Palace…”08215a349c0e494b
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Nox was implying that he needed to know whether the contents of the letter were appropriate for other knights to see. Ruan’s letters to Maya usually contained more than just pleasantries, hence Nox’s concern. Ruan nodded, as if to say Nox could open it and check.78fee352f5c5a63d
Having observed the inspection of letters and belongings of those entering and leaving the Royal Palace while in the 17th Knight Order, Nox opened the letter at Ruan’s signal and read its contents.f901b462631c2745
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The overall tone was ordinary. It started with reassurance that Ruan was doing well and shouldn’t be worried, followed by inquiries about Maya’s well-being, and ended with wishes for her good health.a26fcae523190ce7
Up to that point, it was straight out of a textbook on “How to Write Elegant Letters.”118da207f429f68a
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The only slightly unusual part was at the end, where Ruan mentioned wanting to introduce someone he’d been waiting for a long time after the Founding Festival and asked Maya to inform the other “uncles” as well.054ad375305bd020
The content f0e72b9fe1 itself was 9cf5df06a0 perfectly harmless.e759d19ab4fdc801
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However…7902ccf4ee77b398
“…You wrote this knowing that knights would be inspecting it, right?”d0ff544550cd84c5
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“Of course. I’ve been through this several times.”9aa00a3d3de524d3
Ruan replied, confident that the seemingly innocuous content wouldn’t cause any problems. Nox hesitated for a moment before asking again,5b243bbef158cc79
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“You also know that for knights directly serving the royal family, even if the letter’s content seems trivial, a report is always sent up the chain of command, right?”29b3406a6b7dda36
“I’m a 5-year veteran.”df4cc6e0402a1164
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Ruan crossed his arms, implying he wasn’t naive. Nox nodded in understanding.b0476f14848e22d2
“…Alright. So, I just need to deliver this to Maya?”d77556577f8a1d5a
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“Yes.”48ff8dca666eb623
Folding the 4be9bb42c5 letter again, 16d6695a6d Nox asked 91a86c159d with a 9bf0897059 slightly concerned f03e1bd2e9 expression,7516a74833797021
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“By introducing someone to the ‘uncles,’ you mean you’re gathering them?”31053e8d7a21e237
“I have to report to them, regardless of how things turn out.”ad6e17b175699369
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Nox knew that the “uncles” also had business with the man Ruan was searching for, so he dropped the subject.065a3a9d865eae7a
“Okay. I’ll let my father know in advance.”104b67eee42ba9e8
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“Thanks. It won’t cause any trouble for the Baron.”71ddae27dfc53f56
“It’s not that. I’m worried about you. You tend to focus on only one thing.”2b3a5416075a93d5
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This time, Ruan readily admitted to Nox’s concern. His father had always worried about his tendency to fixate on a single goal. It was good in that he was focused and goal-oriented, but it also made him single-minded.365b5895cdba65b8
As evidenced by the past six years, where he’d lived for the sole purpose of finding that man.e9b0a32d642641f1
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