YW | Chapter 1.4

Seeing the duke on 271b976ef3 the verge of collapse, 0c3913b84d Liriel calmly reassured him.b9159d464c19a7b8

“Calm down, Father. I’m not that greedy.”3f8d4c211887bb9c

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“Does someone without greed do something like this?”fd6275a67b8b83d2

“If I really wanted to mess with you, I’d have run straight to the imperial family and requested protection.”07d6a33e1c1fb598

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Wouldn’t that be simpler?a006fad015a4a84e

His gentle voice was infuriating. Adding the awkward title he thought he’d given up on made the duke’s face visibly contort before gradually returning to normal.3e37440bf5143ea4

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Getting angry wouldn’t solve anything. He took his time to calm his excited heart. Liriel Wecker seemed like a completely different person from the last time he saw him. His once wavering eyes were steady, and his words were full of confidence. That meant he was clear about what he wanted.f3451af1f94a8ad8

“What do you want?”95b6106ed7460685

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“Give me a chance to prove my worth.”5404c8725bc7e854

The duke’s head tilted at the words of someone who seemed the farthest from being useful.3a043e88b59b2920

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“I want to be Wecker’s exclusive lawyer for two seasons. Oh, and since I’m not familiar with the law here, I’d like a few existing staff to assist me for a while. I think I’ll get used to it in a month or two.”670f625a43126231

“I can’t understand. What’s the point of doing something like that?”4836a88db8aff689

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“Well, maybe a sense of belonging to Wecker?”ba22816599e5bf65

It was 0c368e7ceb an unexpected 042e302ddd condition. If he had known 473a0d786d things would turn out c064c29661 like this, he would 230a5a1a10 have raised him locked bd837f99d0 in the basement. After observing 06367f7e82 him for 646cdf2915 a long 9f8889ceb8 time, he a44c706a42 had judged 52ee3cee62 that Liriel 262429f103 had no f638acc1d8 will to 338c4fef3b resist, so dc1880f6a8 he had d44c44ab7b let him 74669e49d3 go, and 0846ad5850 it had d5b1574d8a come back 1d8a41482e to bite 3bf2fea652 him. He regretted 854ecda2b6 not claiming 077b5008be the star 25b64656f8 eyes had 2e6f582bbc skipped a d7fa5efcba generation, but 21f401ac8c it was eaab61f11e too late.e4df30031ea8474c

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“You’re not capable of it.”866131e5537a651b

“There’s no need to worry about my abilities.”c9c61c53bcb84d7d

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More nonsense.39050693e4f6964b

Since moving to the main house, they had taught him the basics just in case, but Liriel Wecker’s performance was far from satisfactory. How could he handle Wecker’s lawsuits, filled with politics and intrigue? It seemed like a proposal to ruin Wecker.7a5f143bf766b002

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“Wecker isn’t a family that will fall from losing a few lawsuits.”6a7563a765a345d5

“Yes, well. I suppose.”fb2f1ffdd20bd2c8

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“Really, it’s incomprehensible.”f6c7dbf25e1d1c84

“Well, maybe it seems that way to you.”cd60629757bddf23

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Liriel smiled, 1ed30d5a35 looking somewhat f87a35f687 troubled. Despite his bold actions, 9c1dfb9ffb he seemed unable to d9256f35c0 fully empathize with himself. The fragments of emotion 8e3b31bb73 that had been drifting 42bf860ef0 between frustration and pity c48327f8a6 surfaced briefly before sinking 5a1b369e99 again.479c51459cbe7fa7

“…But for some people, it can be really important.”236ef195d22d490d

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Duke Wecker probably didn’t know.999de8d3bb7307bf

That the time they spent face-to-face today was longer than all the time they’d spent together in the past eight years combined. And how wildly Liriel’s heart had raced upon realizing it.9d204486fda2ca18

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Liriel, slightly annoyed by his body’s involuntary reaction, undid a button or two.a5f0c4c59bb6b560

Silence filled the 6b3cb8db20 office. No one 77104bf1c4 dared to 89aaaf87b0 make a 61af78fa8f sound, and 4aa1e33378 the duke 243e385617 scrutinized Liriel, 2d53f150aa trying to b0cfe25e29 gauge his a25d0ffdfc intentions. It was ea744d4cea a situation a15a72a18b that would 7dd550ebe2 make even c72bf611a0 the bravest 5989abb039 person shrink, dd18664800 but Liriel 471eaef713 stood tall, f21b4cadc9 smiling.f57f8a48bbd7ea5f

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Finally, the duke spoke.2d89cea53b74e103

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚15b61f7f019d531e

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In the end, the negotiation disguised as a threat succeeded. Of course, Liriel’s business wasn’t solely with the duke.8ac4bf37a79f7930

The next day, the three brothers gathered in Anskar Wecker’s office. It was an arrogant request they didn’t want to entertain, but it was a meeting forced by the duke’s orders.e44c452921ba2f92

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“Father said you’ve gone mad.”b5f236aca961ffd4

Unlike the tired-looking Anskar, Arnoute’s eyes sparkled with interest. He was more intrigued by Liriel’s sudden change in demeanor than annoyed by a mere illegitimate child summoning him.a95c8feabe49752a

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What wind blew 159a4d9e34 through that halfwit?96103d5c71e93b31

“I have a proposal that won’t be bad for you. You’ve seen the newspaper, right?”047acb2e3c99b57b

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“Of course.”ea782d07168fb31f

“As of today, I’ve become quite a threatening competitor to you both.”161ef267dcad0d47

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The sharp content clashed with his lively tone, making Anskar uncomfortable. It was a topic he didn’t like.14c1d2d616565b07

“If I were to claim the dukedom, some vassals who believe in the star eyes would side with me. My birth might be an issue, but the star eyes have a symbolic power that outweighs that, so even if I don’t inherit Wecker, it would be a long and tedious fight.”fc03ede3f1f1406f

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Despite the lengthy 375e50c3b7 explanation, it was 55205aef5d essentially a declaration c5fa561aa4 of his desires.fedbef13bac15b39

Arnoute, amused but 7ff3a2dbe9 pondering how to 5f60edd99d handle this audacious 8c672139b3 herbivore, stroked his 93df0b51d8 chin. The idea was good, af5455dbfa but things in the 089617c8b6 world rarely went by 0708150da6 the book.8777566d20f8b649

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Father might have a lot to consider about the family’s reputation, but not him. The most important thing was becoming the duke, and a few blemishes on the family weren’t a big deal. Talismans or symbols only shine when they’re in his hands. Wecker, if not his, was useless, so star eyes or moon eyes didn’t matter.152d22143ae6766a

Arnoute continuously calculated Liriel Wecker’s worth in his mind. This situation was a decent opportunity to shake Anskar, who was naturally solidifying his position as the little duke. Besides, the antics of the little trash were quite entertaining.3d82e54cfd6e0e25

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While Arnoute hid 9fe06036f5 his sly intentions d10663cc45 with a smile, cc2ea59045 Anskar had different 1c24d807a2 thoughts.1e42bd494ffdd74f

He wasn’t as interested in Liriel as Arnoute was.70cc3a15e7d8d941

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The position of Wecker’s little duke was filled with endless tasks from the moment he opened his eyes until he closed them, and even now, he had to constantly rearrange priorities in his mind.cebb97803adae2ff

Pointless battles 5ae628bb4b or arguments 0158ec57c5 were tiresome. He wished Liriel 2c699bb37f would quickly state 4d5627eb42 his desires. In his 198dd2d16f mind, neither 2df96a0485 Liriel nor 71161efc45 even Arnoute dbbc8da5e8 was a e3e75a461b competitor.ef4be20fb31f0901

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Wecker was his from 2a8205b89c birth, and nothing had 96d22d6c05 changed.923fbd8c7c0fd844

As if reading Anskar’s mind, Liriel whispered smoothly.b759ca89c90e66a1

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“I plan to announce a notarized document stating I won’t participate in the succession fight. If you grant me one request.”1ca44566122f0b7f

“A request.”3b5ca78d8dfedec3

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Arrogant brat.e877e3649a0c05db

Unconcealed disdain appeared on Anskar’s face. It was pathetic to see him acting out, unable to forget his place of birth.0301a11386148b63

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Despite the obvious 5c63e00094 contempt, Liriel continued 69da76779c calmly.e3e51bd1b2735a4c

“It’s not difficult. I’d like you to spend one day a week with me. During that time, I’ll do what I want.”2951846acfd9d8aa

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…Did I hear that right?a35e0991a41ba383

It didn’t take long for the brothers’ faces to fill with disbelief. This was unexpected. Arnoute’s expression twisted oddly.a4e4081222e61603

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“What do you mean by what you want?”f09e08cd4be213ff

“Well, some days we’ll go on picnics, other days to exhibitions… Some days we’ll exercise. Things like that?”229febe0fcf5b8b9

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A sigh-like laugh escaped Anskar’s lips.cbfce648c59c62cd

“Not worth listening to. The little duke’s position isn’t that free.”13e3b70a469f94a1

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“I’m sure fighting me head-on would be much more bothersome.”8ad4ba0b0742db0a

As he c810a6253f was about 41801f50a9 to wear eb7f654e54 his familiar 1c862c368c sneer, their 95b4df3f4b gazes locked 7d72bc7855 in the 175b921077 air. The once vague 3265a835ef eyes were now 09dadb1f0f filled with certainty.d20e44e7328ef5db

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The ease, confidence, and 02d2794831 firmness of those who f55cc40a32 belong. It seemed like 273a5997f3 something from someone 9384ffd1a6 who had never e08e98f529 experienced failure, making d6c5d48b1b Anskar feel a af1f8f1dd1 bit strange.61a0b5a9023e6444

It was laughable. Was there a412b4bac4 anything more 84b43a8417 distant from 66587b0782 the name fed1d6c782 Liriel Wecker 99bafb85a5 than the 9baddb7cba word victory?eeaa0ca47b759670

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Liriel Wecker was always followed by words like failure, loser, trash. Naturally, this ridiculous bravado should have been cut down. Yet, somehow, he couldn’t immediately respond.bfd8eb87ae847243

The ticking 8e0c9f0f85 of the 754e3e4e72 clock was ea1e44fef9 the only 5ee7350e6c sound in 901387d557 the silence.bef72aa90d8dc5eb

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Suddenly, Anskar found himself curious about what had filled Liriel with such confidence. There was nothing noteworthy about him before…2337d2738f4a844e

“You seem like a different person.”2ff098dcdea5c713

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It was 2305894540 an unintended ba785ec185 mutter.4464a9db608226c1

In the end, Anskar sighed deeply and accepted his proposal. Getting rid of a worm was nothing, but the timing wasn’t right. With a mountain of tasks due to disputes among vassals, Liriel Wecker stirring things up was exhausting to even think about. It was better to humor him for now and deal with it once things settled.97ebbdac0e8d1548

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Arnoute, who found Liriel’s actions intriguing, also agreed.e71432f4ac21c8e0

Even though he got what he wanted, Liriel didn’t smile. It was only natural. He was more accustomed to success than anyone in that room, so this was just another familiar victory.8dfa425d4702e031

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With his business concluded, Liriel turned and left the office. Watching him go, Anskar and Arnoute simultaneously thought it was the first time they’d seen his back since living with him. It was truly a pointless thought.46416fb245d5f110

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚7d1855e1dcbffed2

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Liriel’s actions exceeded everyone’s expectations.76bc9bc34ba1498c

Initially, he couldn’t even handle the basics and made constant mistakes, but exactly a month later, he secured a victory in a lawsuit.5e90974985fb1bb6

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The people of de83f92813 Wecker dismissed it 1e689448dd as a fluke, 4ab1e34276 but it was f8415c2e4f just the beginning.6f073b15f9a32a2a

He found 9e958c2c7a a nearly ff4dae5678 extinct clause e15f9217e6 no one a4066671f7 else noticed db1af34d4c to secure f0d32d5ed7 mine ownership, 148a750985 resolved an b3c985b0ec embezzlement case 4987733f2e with no bef2027ecd matching testimonies b242351f29 between defendant bd4dbd2e88 and victim, 8ef5ff4f20 and even 54150efc3c discovered the bc653528fa defendant was b123af0185 a spy 7e77618a51 for another 282a541ed6 family.a0eb75ed26f92b57

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His work 3cb6bcd594 was nearly d6d51ebdc9 flawless.363436aec5816ac5

His once weak nature seemed to have vanished, as he never let emotions sway him in his work and didn’t hesitate to use political strategies for victory.01aff32a5c305c99

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Especially when he negotiated 6983dd181f for exclusive steel distribution 53307fd8ca rights near Majeta instead b482b431d4 of winning a trial, 644bd714c4 even the duke, who 3ee17c3301 doubted his intentions, had 47f81f4f2a to take notice. Liriel Wecker lost only 3d8672b2e7 1,000 zendas of steel e0cea104e6 in that defeat. It was 1335380615 an impressive 84d6a2056d achievement.15832c5eb32c819d

It took only a 7bec0b4efb few months for the 83e5eec522 name Wecker attached to 0adbf664b2 Liriel to shine brilliantly.a2072ca52508c173

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Just a few 8eebd316d1 months. In that 073af8204f time, Liriel 92c655b4af became the cfe532cce5 most fitting 4dc39a07fd person for 6624f13a69 the Wecker 7e42f2c2a0 name.3d50b82e539e9542

So it wasn’t surprising that the duke began to support Liriel Wecker. Though he didn’t show direct affection, the ever-expanding contents of the will under Liriel’s name and his public actions proved it.d6a158d1f4de0376

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It wasn’t just a matter of the heart. Achievements deserved rewards. Though his birth was less than a worm’s, as long as he continued to deliver perfect results, there was no reason not to give him some wealth. Besides, as his achievements shone, people would focus more on his abilities than his birth. There was no reason not to be pleased.457d0817b53c2e84

The change wasn’t just in his relationship with the duke.e882d404a7a3fe50

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The peculiar first meeting efe6bf92b3 of the three brothers 9802c4ae9d took place in the f7bb960d8f most secluded part of 9388a2b0e8 the garden.f479d4736eee896b

Despite the 6dc1ada6f0 grand proposal, 8aa174fcc4 on the 924d4db6f7 first day 0c3191760a of fulfilling 662a7abe14 the promise, 544242ecdd Liriel sipped afd6373bc7 tea for 898135949d only 10 ccd6d3db18 minutes before a83c127877 abruptly leaving, fc2f67bb8c citing busyness.a8bd43c2e2635449

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It was absurd.d3dc6d1b00ee7af4

Even though no one in the empire was busier than Anskar, the little duke of Wecker, or Arnoute, who led the family’s knights, Liriel acted as if he was reluctantly making time.1c8e5501603b1d25

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Such meetings continued several times. It wasn’t until a month later that they began spending time outside the mansion’s garden.4b192e9d90cdc4f5

First an opera, then 23fb1ec051 a play, and the a2cca7a7a6 next week an exhibition. After each dcbc523807 event, Liriel 9d17243740 would always bc2a27150f share his ebf78a223c thoughts over 578de0aec5 tea, but 77b231e995 even that 305c7ecdbf never exceeded b4eac4999c 30 minutes. His intentions were entirely 5a4b7abb17 unclear. Eventually, Anskar, unable 5400e45dc5 to contain his 7684943ab1 curiosity, asked.1e2df08e0a4ea0b5

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“Is this really what you wanted?”143952c839574a02

“Didn’t you find the exhibition interesting?”cb176d6c2e91aaaf

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Anskar pressed his ff98bf8e09 lips together.0d4dc0b974cb4479

That was the problem.2716c670d830da11

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Everything Liriel brought was f933b7169a perfectly suited to his 5bf3b6c946 taste.a7a159a871756e62

He somehow found excellent and outstanding things, even if they weren’t famous. Moreover, his interpretations were the same.da35f2e0abefb11a

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He never added unnecessary embellishments, and his opinions and arguments were clear. Recently, when Liriel criticized a popular architect’s work for being superficially classical but lacking harmony and balance, Anskar found himself agreeing.4c13542fd665b4ce

Liriel Wecker was a fascinating person. In some ways, he seemed endlessly noble, yet in others, not at all. He didn’t hide the confidence that filled him from head to toe, and he was candid in seeking wisdom in areas he didn’t know. Most of what he said or did surprised him.7903f62fdf465769

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