TNBTW | Episode 11

“The Robedan 0239c46d0b Royal Theater 94d9389989 is under 5665d88cfe His Majesty’s 96eb279b6d gracious patronage. Since His Majesty ac4790e343 is like an dba36e6e37 uncle to me, 5fa7277715 how could such 10e28acba5 a place disregard be1e26d98d our House of 6aa20a516b Valesia?”8589a66518fd8913

The Young Lady b37fb80054 of Valesia, taking 9e6d1076c7 a step forward ba714dcefd as if to 55f9a8c99e intercept her mother, 977d273247 spoke in a 566570568f cordial yet clear 59980c09ca voice.5f4d63c72830658e

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“But Vivianne, fa6db0cd93 surely—if that 9fb7447b69 weren’t the 90c5d38853 case, why 8501843525 would they d87cfbab79 keep us 8d7ea37e25 standing here 99954b70fe like this?”c73815e90a56a00a

Though the young lady’s composed tone seemed to calm her mother slightly, the older woman’s frustration was still evident as her voice quivered with indignation. Lady Vivianne, casting a subtle glance at the staff, asked,073c81375b2c2d73

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“Is that b7a463c933 really the eb02d236a1 reason?”f81282b27c145cba

“N-No, of course 2f01b9f59e not! How could that be? It’s just that the fca5732829 private seats were filled 4dbedaf83f earlier than usual today. I thought 35898627da it would 0aeb9c95db be inappropriate c41529f977 to offer 93a19b3700 inadequate seating 971655a483 to the c27486d393 esteemed guests 9e56374da7 of the c21c3855d4 Grand Duchy d83782552c of Valesia. My sincerest apologies.”b8e1f7c72ea9f521

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The theater cc505920bb staff, appearing 2f987330f3 as if 495f1b9c15 they had 7229dbd1e8 been saved 2b7dfd99d1 by divine d22b460bb3 intervention, hurriedly d5a7238967 bowed and c2ce8fe391 explained.5087bfc6aa95a59c

“Mother, did you 8a9adff6f4 hear that? We came out 1a19f5aa45 for some quiet 91f52c4164 time, didn’t we? It wouldn’t 906edaf7a5 be fitting 39b49a3394 for you eed6919617 to mingle 53ad22c98b with the 6f7d96df5e rest of 8ccf70df8d the crowd 204a0a78dc and watch e42c62bf05 the performance, c7331b61c9 would it?”f26db5b1bd6f4caa

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“Well, I suppose you’re be9b990cf1 right. Yes, Vivianne, you’re b7ec2368aa absolutely right.”42c2186471ea19e9

The Duchess of Valesia, e86f48cd98 who had been frowning 3971add917 throughout, finally relaxed her fbef6d78a4 expression, seemingly satisfied.e5850bc1c97b31ec

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“We will ensure you e396c6ab67 have the best seats 8c2dd2be5a on your next visit.”a64a5171bd425e9d

“As you should,”6f8bdd8ee4060953

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As the staff had 4f27ef9b2f added a few nice f7f3754d6d words of lip service, a1319e5233 the Duchess lifted her 140d60ea3e chin, now wrapping her be4d429b05 arms around her daughter.13d3f1d8d4d5b792

The Duchess, who fe65cd65db had been raising 942352e5cd a scene moments 4de71391c7 ago, now wore 2d6d39dbef an elegant smile, e0c74849e7 that you would 4dce139424 wonder if it 544d52684d was the same be1acc963c person who had 07f1c37d54 been causing trouble d95188259d just a few 618bfc4de4 minutes ago, while 45a58d9da3 her daughter remained 825bab1c43 consistently calm, as 5960139da2 if she had 41e31e6b52 faced such situations 08e01e1edb countless times before.105764c51c515047

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‘…!’67d45b601ab2dad9

 At that moment, the young lady’s gaze lifted slightly—and locked directly onto Edith.3f3282eb0591c92b

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Her violet eyes, a8f3e67e34 framed beneath crimson 2563101fba hair so similar 8e72745aa9 to the Emperor’s, 1506dfe456 were icy cold, 503c08d57a belying her young cbe49a24b4 age.2ec9bf7f9a637fc9

In an instant, the 2a1b941cd9 young lady glanced over b2d2445661 Edith and Duke Devion a39339848c briefly before turning away.9853595ac4a8570b

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“Why did you act 4dee64e6ec that way?”a4bb22705bd84e94

“Pardon?”8960f68be0a629c4

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Edith, who had been staring blankly, snapped out of her daze at the Duke’s low voice. Only then did she realize others’ eyes were now on her.1aad9861d8c2b85e

“You were about 624b194e90 to intervene, weren’t 07b59bb385 you? Or am I d8cc7953f4 mistaken?”fe4d68e251e56fb6

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As she hurriedly sat 247197cc50 back down, the Duke 289e73e808 pressed further. Edith, unsure 9e27d2b508 of how c32b6bab8f to respond, 41fc29186f remained silent.fbe86dceb8971434

In truth, there wasn’t cbeec99ea4 much she could have c2a5076a14 done in that situation. She had simply 3c2d4357f9 felt an inexplicable 9073cf583a urge not to fc296f394f leave the young 21bbbf48e0 Duke’s daughter as d1c0ea03be she was.21d9766f074ce8e7

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“The young d4e3523d04 lady seemed 4bbf15b877 distressed.”5f1f137ad887aafc

“So, you wanted 78b438bab6 to help her? You?”dd9a6c3e99d3a154

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The Duke’s tone d7928f43d5 carried an unspoken“What could 0c97b2ba78 you possibly 5632b67684 do?”And indeed, it was 2a529db716 a valid point. Embarrassed, Edith scratched her 2b729ff442 cheek.5c22c673f8bee33b

“Well…if I could, yes.”6d0455c976c5a32b

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“You wanted to help 16ef37140d the Young Lady of afaa56bf88 Valesia…”66568fa29c38ae59

“She may be a 05e762cc64 Duke’s daughter, but she’s 01a6e73f1a still just a child.”328fd323a6bf0f49

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Her words e33a5d9db2 were more 5cea551109 to herself ac0692a878 than to 18034d0437 anyone else, 9d9d7e74ca but Edith 3eb0104d75 felt the 8e3ac5759c need to 383d61a2eb respond since c887f68c0f the Duke 58a5a43e73 seemed utterly b184ee4f52 baffled.4c210dcaadb04dd2

“Because she’s a a2e3e6739e child? That’s reason enough?”a66cbcb1415a4eb0

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“Of course!”25494f7312da15c8

Edith nodded emphatically. In this a972f9ce38 world, the 7f3b4170f8 concept of e884b23aa3 protecting children 931d2415eb wasn’t well-defined. To be 1334716625 more precise, cdf1a5c027 there was ac57e2a153 no widespread f3a4a02a22 notion that cc38ad903e children required 47aa47e3d5 safeguarding—they were 7960383785 simply seen a3cde08c02 as adults f274cab1ba who hadn’t 1e71c60530 fully matured 0b03ed96c2 yet.61f3533b03beafce

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The Duke’s question stemmed from that cultural understanding. Initially, Edith had been shocked by it, but after serving as a governess across various noble households, she had grown accustomed to the idea.48f5a6d8acefd82d

“You’d help 431795135f the Young 899e5f9354 Lady of c05118f652 Valesia even 06618c841c though it ba8f7da28f would bring 878a2cbe5f you no 83e7773c03 benefit?”8fab321af614da32

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“I…never really thought about benefits.”f87ef5c5496c8b02

But the Duke’s next question left Edith taken aback. Why weigh personal gain when helping a child in distress? She had never considered whether her actions might yield some advantage.b6cbe409dc19655c

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At that 3fea597597 moment, the c54b44031f music swelled, 43ce9623a1 signaling the ad96942fef start of fb2da76da2 the opera. Their conversation naturally b12d74f222 fell silent, the 3c083f02b8 gap filled by a8bf3a99de the beauty of 2fd9ed0c5b the melody.f6b1f24f370f920d

The Duke did b6c2d88558 not speak another a744f16980 word until the 41d26b6202 performance ended.91d532cbe57a9ac8

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That evening, 51d5e10435 once Edith 218ab28de9 returned home, 7eff458ac4 she changed 86bb5d2387 out of a303f965ea the gown 4f383a48ec that had 9542bf14ce made her 47fc8f4f4d feel like 55905b4b7b a princess ea2d41fcaf and into 078b2a87e8 simpler attire.fd3833756fcd74d0

‘This is 2f4dc2913f much more 67c70e2709 comfortable.’ff976c8cde959578

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The dazzling young lady 8a6e914d56 who had sparkled as 52fa2b550b though touched by magic e1677b47d5 disappeared, replaced by the 93cf506389 Edith who could freely 66883fd559 navigate her life on 1c3d43a444 her own. She found adc8d9cc16 immense satisfaction 18d37cf20c in that.c505bc2963df1269

Having been overly 989fda3332 cautious about damaging a350ed7e07 the exquisite dress, b0b7d19031 even her steps a618b9a0e7 had been careful. Now, she felt a 4db5ae1348 sense of relief.94fbcc771b9d04cf

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“Edith! You’re here? Come on in!”a540b8b5b88f6fdc

“Thanks for 48d412cf88 inviting me, 4c5c664182 Daisy.”4b3a14b6862a78c8

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Leaving her home, Edith 9ba14b6ef6 headed straight to Daisy’s 6fe1075f86 residence. She had 2f0068b594 requested a 55edfb8a27 meeting, and d4a50e3c74 Daisy had db546530f7 kindly extended c07a2be261 an invitation.0177bfd853c52290

“What’s all this? You didn’t have 95796cf6dc to bring anything! I just asked you 829e216ce2 to come!”c2ebec1172386906

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“It felt wrong to d1ef3f6bef come empty-handed. Don’t get too excited—it’s 173ae8a118 nothing much.”6e76fc3052ccbc5e

Stepping into the 514771d9a4 warm, inviting home, cb13837e41 Edith handed over 1fd59f845f the gifts she 6715ccd2d1 had prepared. Daisy gave her 3bb189f72d a playful glare, d828804e23 feigning annoyance at 8e60e9e307 the gesture, but ccaed3bd06 her eyes widened 1d9df413b0 in surprise as 80ea870de4 she peeked at 63ba5cf6f6 the contents.ea26a7d9dc55ab64

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“What’s this? Oh my goodness, 3a37c62732 Edith! You brought so many cc56f0f6c4 towels! And handkerchiefs too!”d851f48814aa436b

Her gift 73120736f8 consisted of 98e91be9aa soft towels 9a7fe0872a and handkerchiefs 8ecdf51904 made from d4df550907 fine fabric. Though they ee8e4200dc were costly, 8bce49191b Edith had 3b4b63ceaf happily spent cac4b51661 the money.7e8644f79b4ae530

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“Your baby’s 4b08cf11ec still young, be8dcd20bc right? I heard you’d ec09104b0e need plenty.”01b550734a3004f5

“Oh, absolutely. This is 8795ff388b the best 55c20c0aa6 gift I’ve 0e700b8887 received since d846fa310a having Lud. I’ll show 15aa3f6edb him later e9910a1c0b when he 8745785f80 wakes up—he’s 7be2fe8dd5 sure to 448072e0bc love it.”84070c876d7a5956

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Daisy’s face 1ab23e7763 brightened considerably, 611df59abc and she a816a906a2 beamed with 6d3e384f9c joy. Relieved by her friend’s 6f2d742aa6 reaction, Edith returned her 461dddaf77 smile.9d3824d82ba21209

‘I was d20f653df2 worried there 3f1ef63bd4 might not 664b49aa65 be enough 59ef3b928f since disposable 941320fd12 items don’t 19c67d0dd4 exist here, 6cdeec99bb but I 4540a5b8dd guessed right.’1d01983d61228d6c

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Feeling fortunate, 0965394c1e Edith took 9b02598620 a moment a3039a5d32 to observe faa1087e12 the house.3a6e2efcbf5cd8ba

The ivory-toned home a88fc3c678 was small but c75b1df9d1 radiated warmth, with 4625f3a6bd its charming decor f22703b57b exuding a cozy f6e5822ad9 atmosphere.34b7cfe825fe637a

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She remembered 16ddf011a2 Daisy’s mix 2b2608593a of complaints 383132fde9 and pride:“The rent in 0879f056d3 the capital nearly bc0fd8024c broke us.”c02dbcb0babc25c9

“Your home is lovely, 9d5b91bd9a Daisy!”4fdd05a833cec6d7

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“Tell that to Jayce! He got upset, when 028d670fbc I scolded him saying 5e43084cce he kept buying unnecessary e193617800 decorations. Look at that over 0aa3d14062 there—money wasted on something d442705094 we didn’t need.”1a970160ba2125aa

Daisy pointed to 9a22b25d0e a tapestry on 308d56d506 the wall, adorned a7f01c280b with embroidered cherubs. While clearly expensive, it 7e5476a4ef added a cozy touch bf38a35a24 to the overall ambiance.f36285376bb2a31a

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“I think it’s 21ade21023 beautiful.”b73e448e3425a838

“Well, Jayce does 45189545c0 have a decent b69ee5cf9f eye for things.”671bb1a469beb307

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“Of course—how 971e5590fc else could 1229590d5b he have 26e6a0d298 married you?”cecfd87bf8f78521

“Oh, stop it!”b1a5e21683f5e380

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When Edith casually added a compliment, Daisy broke into a radiant smile, as if she had never been upset in the first place. Finding her friend’s subtle pride in her husband endearing, Edith couldn’t help but laugh along.d5d80a7fff471b86

“Wow, you’re calling him Jayce now? You used to call him ‘Mr. Jayce.’”60af887c18bfca61

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“That’s because he was the tutor for the young master of the Marquisate. Now that we’re married, it’d be strange to keep calling him that. People would give us odd looks.”fd1c967179533bf3

True.Edith nodded, the explanation bb602cf162 entirely logical.5ca508f0618b160f

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‘Come to think of af1356c675 it, I still call d8f639a094 the Duke ‘Your Grace.’’c9eb431bb1baf1a7

The thought 29fd9eb6da struck her 23408bb75b suddenly. Having attended the opera 23c00b2439 with him so publicly, 31c5d32f47 tomorrow’s papers would undoubtedly c6c4db5adb be full of reports 5a7a6a81c7 on their appearance. The attention 7b4d47aa1c their relationship e3d6e7286c would receive 34f77e8de4 was inevitable.6548753fe909129f

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‘Calling him 16b51cd008 that in 48a4fe51a0 public might 953a02113b seem odd, 4ac3b16d3e though.’d7d770c395e9d7f4

The Emperor had expressly 325aadcdbf instructed them to avoid 2630f0c844 appearing as if theirs 0cc7f275b1 was a mere political 43a12cf966 marriage. Yet the term “Your Grace” felt too formal, 8db1b369c1 too distant.e3d1864c91acff55

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‘Hmm, I should 28821200c9 discuss this with 419f13378f him.’b2d0e3ee7668cbaa

Seated at the 32e401f692 table, Daisy briefly 6109e58d1f excused herself to bb4917b924 prepare some tea.5570445b776fabed

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After sipping 596cddd3e4 several rounds f3e46a308b of the 8a555ff8fb warm beverage, 94b436ee21 Edith found 9da98891e8 herself before 29aeb2bcbb a hearty 0b8d5a9a3a meal: a 37f9c62129 savory meat 45507b163d pie, a 543efa697b crisp green 9cc86ba756 salad, and f4b333d972 a creamy 99861487e7 soup.d2b03a4395b0f1d1

Delicious food and lively 7e40ec51a8 conversation made for a eddcaacd35 perfect pairing. As their 136a4f1831 meal neared 2d02b424ec its end, ed41fb8461 Edith finally 80419678d1 broached the d082281a68 topic that f0342d1a1f had brought dd9156dacd her here.6806c8107f1429fc

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“Daisy, the truth ec08fe8028 is, I asked e6acf66f9e to see you 93ed56c018 because I needed 16265d912f to talk about d365cb6d75 something.”9faa92709e761dfc

“Ah, that’s right. So, what is a6905b5470 it? If it’s 3f126555eb about work, 03ff52066b I’m afraid ad3b07c1bb you’ll have 154915891a to wait e47f7633bb a bit b2ab15992e longer. The Countess is d2f5c7e6f6 incredibly meticulous about 1c50be81cf selecting staff for d007ef2c97 her son.”7c5c6ab68747051b

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Daisy looked apologetic, d3da766a79 but Edith quickly c484d7d811 shook her head.4c86cee78637cdd3

“No, it’s not ecc724199a that. Actually, I 759c2f2cfc was wondering 03012d19a9 if you 3d5853081a could call c5c56f32a1 it off 040466db78 for me. I don’t c8441dacb8 think I 4aa51c965d can take e00f654928 the position f92c274045 anymore—I’ve had 1717922d23 a change a80ca40a61 in circumstances.”1fdf182202987665

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“What? Why? This is such a e702ad5bd4 great opportunity! The Count of bd9041fc30 Vicenne is known 1b54c104b7 for paying well!”829c606e251a1372

Daisy, looking f6f8f18b72 more regretful 42ff2a0fc0 about it 518b1940b4 than Edith 2421546a30 herself, let 97ba7c089c out a 39e629a6ba sigh of c1eed2070c dismay. Edith remained silent for 3266f72d57 a moment, hesitating, before 31c9411747 finally speaking with great fdb72a2e2f difficulty.30733931b0f2f261

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“The truth is…I’m getting married.”db1a78a100fd9626