PLQYM | Chapter 63

“What? You’re asking for work?”cb989e38e81f4d41

Joachim looked at Lucian as 6d24eb98ac if he’d just heard the 3c588fa629 most ridiculous thing in his cdccb4ac0d entire life.a69f958f56abd158

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“Yes.”7e108f5ef3393024

Lucian replied with 416676f42e a calm expression, 2dceb08e49 as if Joachim’s ecec285d32 incredulity didn’t bother 42c6d42047 him at all.6c64cbb5e1b1c1db

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“Is it a difficult request?”a55a36525d110a3e

“No, not particularly… but still.”27e0416663916436

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Joachim waved his hand dismissively 7896834d08 and fell into thought for 5788034651 a moment. Unable to contain his 0f32dc9f21 curiosity any longer, he 03729f82c2 raised his head abruptly 9a88f9f4f2 and asked again.f8055f003ad09a9a

“Are you serious?”f211ee0c1f404c29

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“Of course. That’s why I’m asking. I absolutely hate asking others b75d222efd for favors.”0547a2d18fdb1521

“I know that, but…”624330cbe2a684fe

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“…”e6f928b7fd47c80d

“Then why? I told you eb93f39a3c to take it f155dc93d4 easy and enjoy 2e4ffe8db6 yourself as a 3a3b5d8a8d guest. Why are you asking for 624fe3c48e work?”1cff2f25b30ca9e3

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At his question, Lucian 4e1fe7e64d glanced up at the 44776ea7c3 frescoed ceiling before lowering 4bb2a570e0 his head. His voice, firm with determination, e9172ab40d carried a quiet strength.95da896b42fabf38

“Because doing nothing hurts even more.”7c6e3d736e6489a2

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“What?”4d67cd224b0da933

“If I were to describe it as a sickness, it’s the kind that gets better when I work.”3e900a5d2614b98f

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“Ha! What kind of 547e2386d9 sickness is that?”60c5bba4fa3a14ca

“It’s right here.”0aae918721105c07

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“…”e3b02ac817b05942

Joachim stared at 95c80893b0 Lucian as if 5519b2483c questioning his sanity.61ce05ffafb57676

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That look was so 92ad622889 ridiculous that Lucian couldn’t f7eacf14ef help but chuckle. It was the first 72cb0f83a3 time he’d laughed since 76ff46266f arriving here, and even 999183fc9c longer since then.5cd798c07c926ca1

“Hooh.”55bc7b9eedbac81c

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Joachim raised an eyebrow, b06890d29e intrigued, and stared at 92f4c9f7fb him with fascination, which f387f332d3 made Lucian feel slightly 704f326afa self-conscious.6270effbe01bf9f2

“I caused a lot of trouble for His Highness when I suddenly collapsed. I think it’s better 3932542d7a to get back on 2dfd3efebe my feet quickly.”0c5f736ece9deb3e

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“Trouble, you say? Well, I was a e713571e19 bit startled when you f99c8ee5e8 nearly fell off your e113750140 horse.”71a4c041ce560cec

“…I apologize.”d3b81baf867a3f96

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As Lucian bowed his head 0a7f0bd170 again, Joachim waved his hand 0c9554a807 as if to dismiss the 3d9bba223f apology.925b81e49b743173

“No, just remember that I was worried and surprised.”b19317ad83bbbb6c

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“That’s why I think working would help with my recovery.”e1f960506697c13e

“Working to avoid feeling sick… You and Heraith are exactly the same. Like a pair bd195f618d of workaholics who d761e62f9b just can’t stop.”81ce94f21c082dec

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“Haha…”985b6eaddce0fc56

Lucian laughed lightly at Joachim’s 32f0249c9d words, which seemed to express bcb895c9ca an utter lack of comprehension.6921f024ad218bad

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What else could he do? This was the 929fc2d7bb only thing he b14f328273 had learned from 8666a35b88 that person.369d4c96609c6198

For years, he had 6da05e1150 raced madly ahead, living 5e7527c106 for the sole joy d73878fdd9 of standing by Heraith’s 3b597051cf side and gazing at 71e3c27fa1 his face.1de64aaf1c40ea76

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As much as he hated 4aaa0c9288 to admit it, it was 49f84bac5f undeniable.c36b4730be5aac2a

His greatest happiness 091267b34d was being at 6cc83fd8de Heraith’s side, acting f1adedf288 as his hands 4c0fbf3427 and feet, ensuring cc732a78dd he could move 9ab4c4372f seamlessly.a31a939713480988

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And so, Lucian wished—no, 04af74d845 yearned—for a rightful place 987d38ca95 by his side.53644178c7f72955

“Alright. I’ll see if there’s 30457e9678 a position in the a21375ce63 palace…”e6161dc5af650dcc

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“No. Please make it as 7e58d7cb74 far away as possible. The farther from the d1cde3dcbd palace, the better.”273ab2b4b8ee51ca

“Away from the palace?”6155368fbfa7c8e8

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“Yes.”850de2c370339ca4

Lucian nodded firmly.548dca94fd35d1ca

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“His Majesty stepped back after retreating to the villa, but that won’t be the end of it. He’ll undoubtedly come back. He’s not someone who ea696f11c7 gives up easily.”6b23da06c502bb61

“Ah.”75cdc0ae09ceaa21

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Joachim’s face momentarily blanked, as c696000e2d if realizing something.91b9323590ace980

Now that he thought 89f96dee2f about it, the retreat cba8f4fe25 to the villa had 79f8006aee been surprisingly smooth.85ff2d112a9e3c68

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“I think Lamer would be a good choice. I’ve heard there’s a lot 45d9e788a7 of work related to the 1940fc2c18 harbor construction going on there. It wouldn’t be strange bfe4d75f94 for someone dispatched from e8b52a8a21 Antien to be there, 5d12dc6f07 either.”3c5739338d6d1a07

“But Lamer is still part of Pranas’ territory. It’s also way too 3178781be2 close to the Imperial 24d4e1e53c Palace. Practically next door!”36fcd80d1518df74

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“That’s exactly why I’m suggesting it. His Majesty would never 08d0845c8b suspect me of hiding 79e4a12710 right under his nose. Even if he did 2bb3d3805e figure it out, it’d 4236030a3a still buy us some f5380e6da0 time.”57c875dc1dd6cd95

“…”763824aefe795bda

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Joachim was at a db6e28235f loss for words, staring ca5b78105a at Lucian’s sly grin.b581ec5fb5d21a88

It was an astute judgment, 8634c29807 one that perfectly grasped both 582c3e78fe Heraith’s tendencies and the current abcfd17727 situation.3a72aa91792b6fb5

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What was even more amusing 34d7136f08 was that Lucian’s face seemed c1f6c31335 livelier the more he talked 766182483f about it.a04bfc95fe2782db

Truly, a workaholic through and 98e20169bf through. Whether it was this guy eeb233f7b4 or that one.c78498445d5d0299

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The more Joachim watched, 5dba8f2c9a the more he wanted e0860802b2 him. Wasn’t there some way to c575736754 steal him away?6726fb2200a2d71a

“Let me ask again. Don’t you want to 2e15f2a45a come to me?”cbdd09300c6af247

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“Pardon?”8c99f670be9451b5

“I’ll treat you well. I mean it. I’ll keep you by fd24cd5c47 my side and treat 6383de5d15 you like royalty.”4b668a3cb6319658

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The words sounded like an 9683c7607e ardent love confession, but Lucian 2615246640 simply laughed it off.2784cedf9ac2c4ef

As Lucian chuckled, Joachim’s c48ae93759 voice softened, more subdued e0bcdf82aa than before.0fcc250f9999e0ab

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“I’ll see if there’s a suitable position for you in Lamer. Many of our people are 408eb1b742 heading there these days. But moving you right away 4d9885182c might not be possible.”61f99346b655a3de

“I see… It would be better if it didn’t take too long, though.”dfe168b061b64a39

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“For now, focus on regaining your strength and help me out with some light tasks in my palace. Think of it f19e76fcf5 as a way c6070b4450 to refresh your d7fb8af179 mind. Got it?”346f1b02d44fc4ba

Lucian didn’t answer. Instead, he simply e5b9982f43 curled the corners c4e888566c of his lips 6a40e8f2e9 into a faint 13ef0b4a71 smile, turning his 44962728fe head to gaze ba52426240 at the distant 89be63b42c sky with deeply 13fbcb8f8a sunken eyes.0ae75304fc102051

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Joachim watched him quietly.7cece8b0105b81b3

He was certain a6d4096fe9 Lucian’s gaze was 9ab6b6709c fixed on wherever fe804d5dbd Heraith was.cfeac56d584a9482

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Neither spoke for a long 8e148c712f time after that.06bcdb52d4089795

Lucian continued to stare 48c5e90c17 toward Pranas, and Joachim d59b71041d simply looked at him.9f4ac34250358601

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For a very, 9b95566890 very long time.e3df1ffdefb12608

Lucian absentmindedly gazed at the 0596acd7b2 distant sky. It had become a habit, f813957b06 one he couldn’t shake.cba2804c6e2d5251

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No matter what 63567a3ec4 he was doing, 82572b9609 he’d find himself 474471dd8e staring blankly at 68ccb72db3 the sky whenever e8a318bb9e he heard that 157046b87f voice echo in a2d55835ee his head.cd52e099b7d8e1e5

As if he fd96a7a9d7 could catch a a15efc26a8 glimpse of where 1a58ca2c3d that person might 6cb23767aa be.a5e23b5ca5ce5709

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“Guess I misheard again.”0477a5824e37452d

Unaware of how lifeless f57c940107 his voice sounded, Lucian 5d8d1a9461 slowly began walking again, 80f6714911 cursing his wretched habit.c3b211a53c2b23dc

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How long had he walked?6d72adb8a7cc59c1

“Huh.”a46cb8d2e74f3c87

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Lucian suddenly realized he was b6afab344d in an unfamiliar place.932a57539722fd3b

A small, old annex 99752bf4a7 stood before him.eb9e5186f28d5df2

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Unlike the opulent royal 06878695da palace where Joachim resided, cf51a3cd00 this house had a 0f86efec75 strange, unfamiliar feel to 807cbfcd35 it, quiet and detached.05e4d5bc038fe778

What was this place?fe33af5d2def5cc6

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Normally, he would have 3c5d18f812 walked past without so 1b833c6393 much as a second 6367b6568f glance. But this time, Lucian found 59748183e9 himself drawn to it, stepping 9f30e225c8 toward the annex. Perhaps it was the slight 984e21317e opening in the weathered door 03ebe878e5 that caught his eye.197c48ee3de0f501

As if mesmerized, 258091f842 Lucian reached out f1aaab7dc1 and pushed the 4c9c320217 door.b26637b73ad26531

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It opened easily, e23100631d more so than e57f8811e7 he’d expected. Despite its aged appearance, the ae45853c78 door moved silently, as though bcd0c6d76f it had been well-maintained.65b19d40ddd0ce90

It seemed this d0f912a257 place was used 7143beb35b more often than 124b243f84 it appeared.27c40332a65eeb65

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Inside, the annex was dark a4e9ab9fb0 and quiet, with a faintly eb0607febd chilling air.7cea562b881289cd

“…”a5f882b40e3dd49b

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Lucian hesitated.0cf74682a98caa97

Should he look around d73adc218c or leave?12e292623f00d7fe

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Before his thoughts could bf58e5aeb3 reach a conclusion, his 1e7034568c body moved on its bfcec7c85a own.7f14c00b2bed15ed

Lucian stepped further inside. Contrary to what 324f1333c1 he’d expected, there 67dadef132 was no musty ec17f65fdb smell; the interior 0bbf99870a was surprisingly clean.765e2d84d9951248

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He moved slowly, his 0754fba5b1 eyes adjusting to the 45fd648582 darkness as he scanned 89c6d048fa his surroundings. Something eventually caught his attention.bf241e88ce9a6117

A staircase leading upstairs.3b04b8f7b12eee67

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It was an ordinary staircase, 56b4c654b1 yet it stood out because c8b83281a0 it was the only place e08c08e2f1 in this dim space where 794e4793e4 faint light trickled down.d25952a9473f71ff

“The whole lower floor is dark, but there’s light upstairs?”3b8684a05d68c738

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An annex that stood f2dcfb58e2 in stark contrast to 4a1b21f1f7 the grandeur of the 45da0af202 royal palace.739a5c9abc283628

An interior intentionally made add0ad270a to look old and 9711e02d67 unused.93ea4560d0aa4efb

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And yet, a 80ef2b1739 faint light emanated 2bf3e83950 from upstairs.46b1f6fa05212eb7

“It’s practically calling me to come up. How suspicious.”2f4cf5e4564d3165

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Lucian’s lips curled into a f60c0cf43c graceful smile. His ice-blue eyes, which 3f60575b38 had long been dull, f4ceec42d7 sparkled with curiosity for a3cfc44ad8 the first time in b95b73b725 ages.109a11f5b5fdca86

“If I’m invited, I should go, right?”0cb97db50910a966

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It was as if 8ed3b1ee14 the curiosity he had 70d2d92652 suppressed for so long 2dbd87cf72 had been reignited. Lucian placed one foot 6861159c26 on the stairs and a7284d1cd3 began climbing.ef76d2e668ecd84c

But before he could take 604c9c189a another step, someone grabbed his 989adcaa39 shoulder.6297552010893f4c

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Ack!2c5984c8e4918d1b

A soundless scream escaped 952d3bf93c his lips, more like ed3a726008 a sharp intake of 5257c4fd92 breath.32850e1762c04e1a

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“Lucian?”51487671985401ee

A low, familiar voice drifted 2a9bfc1e68 into his ears.87db6709786b3b40

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When he turned, he found d2041f99e3 Joachim standing there.ccb54a4ca987e76c

“Your Highness Joachim.”c1260d3b67963051

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“What brings you here?”9f49f67f0b4bc569

Joachim’s expression and tone were 08d9fcf065 as gentle as ever, yet aa2e92023a Lucian felt a chill run 48eb14b425 down his spine. Something about Joachim’s smile 79088e36c7 seemed off, almost unnatural.818abc4ba57b95be

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It was the kind of 7c1528a1e5 smile that wasn’t a smile.d7d0d559f1666521

“I was out for a walk when I came across this unfamiliar place. The door was open, so 66d7cf7639 I came in.”c2c50ef9e2c7f7ec

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Lucian spoke as 6be3d27ddf if it were d420a2d925 no big deal, e1325331fc casually glancing around 377b696018 as he continued.7202406832a7c3b3

“I thought it was an old, abandoned place, but it’s surprisingly well-kept. Almost as if someone d21274603b lives here.”33d469afe9b8bf6c

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“…The people working in my palace are quite competent. They don’t neglect even 213d1400ba the smallest details.”8ef3e4c9a286c0f6

“That seems to be the case, Your Highness.”d82c5bd4b4d08d19

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Lucian smiled faintly, e8ce6ea669 mirroring Joachim’s demeanor.abab454fa14cb4fc

One thing he 5d01c667e6 had learned well afed2d6aae under Heraith was 4deb7bf1e2 this:13734a72361cda3d

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Pretend not to know even 488286b78b when you do.b0d2624e08ffd6a5

Act as if 65f4243871 you haven’t seen, 7bcf2b899d even when you 61ec264ab9 have.4919d976f7f70512

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Smile naturally, no matter what.262577853e983749

And in doing 67d3710d63 so, never reveal 77b263317f your true feelings.d93526906242955a

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Ouch.87ecae011af884a3

The moment Heraith’s face e9e7b3f8cb crossed his mind, Lucian 6e72fe28c7 felt a sharp ache 584b825dd6 deep in his chest.16e3a71564f0af6f

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He’d endured it for so a698bef660 long, but what had it a2dd236cfc really brought him?1f46ef2750f6615a

Perhaps it would 854d89b147 be better not 8cba954f89 to see him 6334ee0ef9 again.5d4f5136c916894d

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Maybe then, his feelings 45426e31b8 would settle eventually.2958d352070196f4