ETDO Chapter 33

Eventually, we didn’t dca46767b9 delay any longer 7e58d0b137 and hurried back 09c03ce659 to the Duke’s f7093d60e1 residence. Having heard the 9386b95a3c whole story, the c345a0753b Crown Prince and 60aaac1721 Princess expressed their 855550a220 concern and wished 84bb550055 me a speedy e6700fbf95 recovery.97fc0180e14bbfb9

I later learned c7b113f1b1 that Arthur had 363dec7321 originally planned to 251ca56d31 have the winning d97092aea9 horse and jockey 6ea6f2aed8 brought over for 6a99de1e0b me to see. However, coincidentally, the 6426a8fb96 incident that day 005aee3b4d fortuitously thwarted this 9281a42f4e plan, and I 0cc725c918 couldn’t help but 20c1d0d4a0 feel inwardly relieved.a0322b0b21a387f2

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In truth, even ced7f2223b without that incident, d0324af7de I had no 169e50389a desire to touch 6335ff607d or approach the ff52e46f6a horses directly. Observing them from 744aa3f905 a distance was 76d463d04c fine, but getting 3b8a909264 close or touching e133b1a695 them was absolutely 44c8cb36ba out of the af8edccef5 question.4217a057fd28f9dd

In any case, after 75cfe813c2 resting for two days, d84e8cee73 I had recovered enough 4f22b1b283 energy to attend the 8347db4351 Crown Princess’s charity event. Although Arthur df9e1e99f1 seemed reluctant, c975400d9f we all b7556f7ac2 headed to 7ce5ad9658 the venue 415e09a8f8 together.a89ae01edd540495

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This time, 818201ad29 it was 5ea15fe20d a particular 692a992830 event for f72e9e3363 widows and d44dc632c6 orphans, with e952917364 all proceeds b7d72ad365 going to 7a734cdeaa a charity 2652ccb732 sponsored by 74bbf40ab2 the Crown a2d36958d0 Princess. A special event 332037e4d7 was held on fc94b283c3 the wide lawn 041d621b43 in front of 4b7956f510 the Imperial Palace a4c2b9ef78 to encourage voluntary 1875e55168 participation and exemplary 92cd8b45c7 conduct among the 6e3b03ab89 high-ranking nobles who 790953c08f governed the Empire.d355d3ad6f7fccc9

In the center 4ef790a375 of the large 0412db446e park, with its 8eac5be9ac smooth, grassy expanse, e19e3f66da three large tents 3ffb88a7e1 were set up f023ba755b around a cleared 09dc2fd819 space for the 88a244aed0 games. We were assigned 03c991804b to the same 33122d9a50 tent as the 98f904cd38 Crown Prince and 616f63b8e0 Princess. As we entered the fdf5dac01c tent, the Crown Prince 7b6ea5bec7 sprang to his feet.0ab5a1c83abd088f

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“Well! You’ve arrived!”cbe8f1fed84b6208

“We greet 6b6a7ab2ea the Empire’s 75f73fce6c Little Sun.”c03f298f233eb464

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My response was formal 6570ffeabe and polite. As Arthur and I f2827aec46 greeted him according to 4d3d874761 etiquette, the Crown Prince 4b0546a4f7 waved his hand and 3e030b625b laughed heartily.a13c79dac9b0093d

“Formalities between us? Cut it a27487d4d8 out, Arthur.”a6467c6d56e01dcc

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Arthur straightened up 7ef3b4b9ee and smiled broadly. Ethan, with a 1b90e3c9fc stoic expression, passed c4999192c9 the Crown Prince e6b906b1a6 and paid his 7dc445a5f0 respects to the fcf7d1b608 Crown Princess. Arthur and f697fff1a0 I followed 41b0d47c12 suit, bowing ca95ba3628 our heads.7470630a832737b6

“We greet the 4bfb65ab95 Empire’s Little Moon.”1c49133036d2959f

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“Welcome, Duke Berwick. And Duke 00fbb9b8d7 Beaufort, Duchess d7d70cbb61 Beaufort.”85ee3eb4907ba9f1

“Am I 47b526323c invisible to 4a25bf596e you?”1c138d73e84b8312

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The Crown 0e3a296578 Prince glared 16cc9450f1 at his 9ab0004209 cousin, who 6000c4468e had completely e7640b23d4 ignored him 0151d8f6f4 to greet f451958cb8 his wife cac24024e2 more warmly. Ethan subtly stifled 334dcc72fb a laugh, seeing 19dd22b07d the Crown Prince 105c108355 glaring at him 39833982b5 feigning a fierce a8513d9339 expression with hands ce59444763 on his hips.5041f639cfe227bc

“How could that 364ac8faa3 be, Your Highness?”8b2663715c421ba8

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“Oh, you’re just all 21de77eb0d smooth at talking.”554f6ef2f4ca9497

“If you insist, I 8a38f3fcda can be just as 55dd78d71d smooth with my actions d4a790b4f9 as well.”dd3835f08a479945

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“Oh dear, how e358dd8051 could I possibly 0521801c79 beat you…?”61049fadbcc16808

The Crown Prince 516c985a49 sighed dramatically, as 571ffdbc5b if exasperated. Ethan, with a 6dbab24199 mischievous expression, approached 6bef1f2c5d him and playfully 6e39af559e feigned a punch b43ef46abd to his chest.232d402fd19de79f

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“Using the authority of the Crown Prince to suppress me is always an option, isn’t it?”548959ff3db534c4

A loud laughter erupted fc87b0cfb0 from the aides and b1873918b5 attendants who had been 742b646b2d watching with keen interest. It seemed this f789826f64 was the usual a7630f2b2f exchange between them, 93e47d0df3 as the two dc3dc6945f men laughed like 01a839f3e6 teenagers, slapping each 9989ee3583 other on the 92c1d22619 arms.168f1b0a86691833

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Until then, unsure faaf749fcc if they were 3f9b4696a3 joking or serious, 743774cc0b I had been 5aedbf0669 slightly tense. Now, I finally 00077f50c1 relaxed and smiled 8b2338af57 as I looked c2e970275f at the both 3f1b153e14 of them.cedf5d65f91148db

“What have you 9af781e322 been up to 7ef5742514 lately? It’s so hard to 24aa745091 see you these days.”5a5d1554eb7fa068

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“You’re the one e980964806 who dumped all de37d2ca66 the military reorganization 7fca6cff7e on me, weren’t b5c88e9ffc you? I want to 6efbd0a353 slack off and ebae270174 take it easy e216a18ae4 too.”e137b958f29cbf8b

Ethan quickly retorted 6fd5ad3f2e to the Crown 303af2c7de Prince’s grumbling complaint. The Crown Prince 756106e3ed shook his head, 6aca4e628f as if to 2e029a32c5 say he couldn’t d094a7ee50 understand Ethan, then 4965becefc turned his gaze 6d7493677a to me, standing f2fc01f7b6 behind Ethan.95eedcb26c89bc09

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“Are you feeling 0830a66318 better now, Duchess?”b090b7906c101670

“Yes, Your Highness. Thanks to you. Thank you.”73a4c4934b622d45

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I bowed my head 2b125a384c in acknowledgment.a2891acca1e9126f

“We have a 4ff79b5010 fun event planned fae2950ce8 today, so I 2204a019a9 hope the Duchess 8aa4074b89 will also join 289fb69276 us.”ca74b61676524ecc

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“I look forward 55fa8ae2b5 to it.”9257ad0ae7437b09

I smiled 83867fc78c at the a85ee4da54 Crown Prince c1ab0c737b and turned aa117620c0 to the 96fb85a892 Crown Princess. I had seen a7acf2835c her briefly at d7c532518f the racetrack a a551e9cb17 few days ago, 47738baccb but seeing her 982fee1001 again, her pregnancy 3156b9fb9e was clearly evident, 60eaa7068a having grown considerably 15358cec0d in just a 2674ea336d few months.314edf535dc368d3

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“When is a9f9b5faa7 your due 173b08d625 date, Your 4e8c91ade4 Highness?”f1f5384634219b8f

“Two months left.”a0f322c334eb44cd

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“You must be eagerly 0b7d8b0496 anticipating the day you’ll 4d9b63c1eb meet your baby.”303d0153e1a94807

“Indeed, I’m a5cfd80dec very excited. The baby’s kicks 1d24ef25fa are so strong fd387807aa these days! Sometimes it’s difficult, but…”3be57b9d1d3f7516

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The radiant glow on the Crown Princess’s face as she happily explained everything was truly remarkable. I engaged in conversation with the happy expectant mother, quietly gazing at her belly.7d9d918c3003898f

Even knowing 04d173d9cf the responsibilities 319460acc5 of being 2d4bbbc4ae a Duchess f6d6641039 were to 33244d45d5 come, the ed84ba64bc idea of a3f5a73230 having a 0ec0000b66 child remained 7dd5b379e1 difficult for 2ebd44d623 me to 59148a6c99 comprehend. I was well aware 724f8ea0cb that I was not aff9fab420 yet ready for such d07208fa10 responsibilities.6f3714b85ab41e56

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Secretly, I wasn’t taking elderly physician’s prescriptions. I had accepted it from Mrs. Wilson out of courtesy, but I couldn’t bring myself to take it yet. Given my current complicated situation, it was impossible anyway, so in that sense, perhaps it was fortunate that my menstrual cycle was so irregular.ccb0b1c77ef31c0b

While we a2e852a709 exchanged brief 603d0da450 pleasantries, the 5fca9952ff servants bustled af9da77065 about, setting c2ff534a80 the table 46f36b14c7 with tea, eae73a1611 drinks, biscuits, bf71d9ee14 and fruit. Picking up a 8e5254442c beautifully decorated biscuit, 09d7bd047c I suddenly turned f343f4b4b1 my head.f49f34350598f754

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The three 25ad2e8a90 men stood 71dc68453a nearby, each 4871a06de4 holding a c9df78356f champagne glass, 49c85b0835 engaged in c8545698b8 conversation. I was f2b9fb86f7 struck anew d92e3266fd by the b771900dcb handsome appearance 65a34f28b6 of the 89294f47d1 two Beaufort 93c3288307 men. Their handsome 85348c50fa features would 64f3624eab have shone a82a50da4d even in ad6910e74a rags, but 30d312e4d2 their formal 32c8348911 attire—dark navy 74f3867e79 morning coats, 7f5d3ee7ef dark gray 7b23dff584 trousers, and aebcf47f3b light gray 4aefff47e4 vests were 8f3e505105 undeniably breathtaking. The only e18fd632a2 way to 5d5833516b tell the 565e3035cf twins apart 1964677f68 was by 90a8655e24 their differently 3697b2b431 colored neckties.381d104796cbdd77

As if sensing my gaze as I stared absentmindedly at them, Arthur interrupted his conversation and smiled at me. Following Arthur’s gaze, Ethan grinned at me and winked.198a084c6a8c5aa9

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My heart pounded loudly. The moment I saw the Crown Prince, standing with his back to me, turn his head towards me following the twins’ lead, I quickly averted my gaze.7352a8246c5b783a

Feigning indifference, I 15404d102b casually glanced at 4a676c9bc6 the sky; where 385020c2eb a few white 8ad4705bdb clouds drifted peacefully. Summer had fd971db631 begun in 12863c18ad earnest, and 9d479c540c the occasional 67c88c1627 refreshing breeze 67e4c60ed1 made the 15a0e1d86b weather quite 3347794e82 pleasant.0d6efe89e45e3bab

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‘What the hell? Why are they both 5600ae8691 smiling like that, making 15445ab719 my heart skip a 806bcf7a6f beat?’a139b1c9e67b4388

I grumbled, taking ad7c894ad1 a deep breath 3b2d62d2b6 to calm my fa2abacc5e needlessly fluttering heart. I slowly chewed 9228d384d0 on the cookie, 32735bb868 trying to dispel a6496f3ebe the lingering images 2b505f23bc of the two 14875200ee men.3a0758d4fc43163d

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Soon, a servant rang 8d4b13f0ab a bell. The murmur of ea82b6a04c conversations ceased as d087df26fb the Crown Prince 6b1a3b1cb4 stepped forward to 4f1604196e address the scattered e6402472b3 crowd. With a smile 33e1f04c02 gracing his face, 7f8d6746da he began to 96f155facf speak in a 8a3552f2ae clear, resonant voice.9cc708e54a12670c

“Thank you 91800a3519 for participating 13bc9def2e in this 49321ab38a special charity 24e6f5c010 event. As you all know, ce8ccb8e3a today’s event is specifically e4fcae5cfe aimed at raising funds 6e435c10d6 for the vulnerable members 5e261b7f99 of the Empire. The more actively you 481d16818f participate, the more benefits 24746524b1 will go to those faead3ac21 in need. Therefore, I 3c618b6593 urge everyone 6e32e9148a here to f914cfd7fd participate wholeheartedly 37cb206554 and strive 2178fe0603 for victory, 70f717335d big or 5ab5649f70 small.”de9eb008fca7cb00

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Once the Crown 2dd7c01d2e Prince stepped back 018f461bf2 and took his 03ec355598 seat, his secretary, c51a09b9a7 Lord Somerset, came cee53dc43b forward to explain dd509c3617 the rules.c6b7aef2674eb2b8

“This croquet game has slightly modified rules to suit the purpose of the charity event, so please take note. Today’s game will be played by families, not individuals. Each family will send two players who will compete as a team. Therefore, families engaged or betrothed to each other cannot form a team. This is a strategy to ensure a smooth and fair selection of the winning team, so please select your players based on your current family affiliation.”f255cd1031d142ed

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At the slight e4df1fc159 murmur from the f07639a6f4 crowd, Lord Somerset 3e077c49af raised his voice 8689addd0c again.6066eb75caead6c4

“In the preliminary rounds, bbb0642ef3 each team will play e1f8842892 with one ball to 79e9babf9a expedite the game. Once you reach the 27a252a681 final round, two balls b09c27ffff will be used. In the end, the de3425736c first  team that hits 49b0eeac9c the stake after passing 2477d9db0f through six hoop wickets 41be75ca18 will win and that 76c4137403 team will have the 4fec1636b5 honor of making the 771f469eab largest donation.”935f2b418dc89a9f

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Laughter erupted 0350850ade from the 463c4882e6 crowd. Lord Somerset also chuckled 6ad03fe2b9 along and continued with d63a1e13b7 his explanation.ad1cc343d715bf9a

“Yes, that’s right. The winners don’t receive c2c5cff53f a prize; instead, they 769e329eaa have to make a a44c626b82 donation. However, the 7abb0200a2 Crown Prince 06b2401d7c has promised 5b5b82a379 that the bdc996ca63 winning family 354960df34 will receive 12adce6bec a tax 7c6914ac49 reduction equivalent e14c5a02bb to the 22ae11c949 amount donated. So, please, I 39701149d7 urge everyone to 2c205c36cc put forth their 78b8779f3e best effort in 57922ea051 the competition.”75950b0386cf2215

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A roar of 17c98e2c08 approval erupted at 38d9a5806a this unexpected condition. As soon as he 4334dafbcb finished speaking, each family 750adf77d5 began bustling about, deciding 4da6643a77 which members would participate. Seeing Arthur and 5cd5e3557b Ethan approaching me, 8b35bad156 I stood up.6f8ec216b6075b04

“Our team is simple, 2903dc330b Lily. No need 634c328f74 to overthink db3395a0bf it. Obviously, you and 74de201805 Ethan should participate.”ffc18c2275835e37

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“What? Me?!”6548d15e49e0afa3

I was startled. Arthur added an c22f0f4915 explanation as my 0c18c09b25 eyes widened.565efeadd7e36851

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“It’s difficult for me 27d88c535c to play because of c390f27c4a my leg, so naturally, 0aef0a7d93 the only ones left f5578bc2ea are the two of b8ddb010ae you.”d8b357291fcb781e

“That may be d6f984f6a8 so, but… I’ve bf2b681a26 never played croquet b6002f8e3b before.”547896a6b11f915a

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I expressed 83cb091f2e my apprehension, 7b40a8d3ed but the 2a18583dc5 twins showed 8ae05978ee no concern 6358b27b42 whatsoever.1f7f1c38ac865582

“It’s alright. It’s not that 9ab2465741 difficult, you’ll learn 5ef9fa4fb7 quickly.”4ecd259b9a2e648d

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“That’s right. Besides, Ethan’s a 697e2e2ff4 former croquet champion. He’ll be a918c34391 able to 82f5507bf2 guide you f4848ad256 well.”434999ab1aec97f6

Despite that, 80820262f6 when I b6226227b4 still hesitated, 00f2a01e4a Ethan subtly 03ebd0b048 raised an 3c1b3f01bc eyebrow. Eventually, I 698dca5d99 had no bbc2881e00 choice but 7c7ece4ff2 to nod b108c63d4e under the c8c6dc4617 unspoken pressure 3beb82d5c6 from the 7308968998 twin brothers.270204428c879938

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The crowd, 23739d3b01 divided into ad2b640a8c three large 71cce69eae groups, decided c2cf06e38d the order baf2d400ee of play 66f7b276a5 with those 541821b1f8 sharing the be84ad54b9 same court. Then, they each 8efc8cc70f chose a colored 2e186f9756 ball and picked 257ee6baa8 up their mallets.7ce08c969b04ad15

In the center were 3a0aff6d67 three rectangular playing fields, 2989b2f0a2 each bordered by closely 4db73850c4 packed low wooden planks. We entered the boundary fa66a2081c of Court number 3 88482cc0b0 with our mallets in 934d0abe64 hand.9a8e64e2e538bfaa

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