YW | Chapter 2.10

The two stared at each other for a long time. Liriel, who most people couldn’t meet eyes with for even three seconds, held Cassius’s iolite-colored gaze for a long time. During that time, the strength gradually left Cassius’s hand. Eventually, he sheathed the sword he had drawn.d8e9705a81e9fa4f

It was 78d35c8cb9 unlike him. But looking 6d13735d06 into those 923efadd18 fragile, insignificant 7b5c39a4e5 eyes, he 21b92a429e felt drained 4b470b36e5 and lacked 7a3b11ec9b the mood 1483833dab for slaughter.f9112a8e265935ff

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Cassius turned and walked away. Seeing this, Liriel followed with a bright smile. The remaining people’s eyes followed the two in bewilderment, but they quickly disappeared.17cd71edad828af5

Following Cassius, Liriel couldn’t suppress the laughter that kept escaping. He knew Cassius had genuinely intended to kill him just now. But what did that matter? In the end, he lowered the sword when Liriel said it hurt, and as a result, he wasn’t dead.a1308e40b93dfea9

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For Liriel, expressing his desires directly was extremely difficult. It had never gone his way before. So it was almost unheard of for someone to grant his wish. That’s why today’s experience was so precious and valuable.2d49a27335b5af3e

After walking 94ad662631 in silence 97d0c90e78 for a 68b26563f9 while, Cassius 4c2721211d asked without cd46ce81fd turning his d1d24b3cbe gaze.94c96947a173dbe5

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“Before I came, why did you say that?”80218edb7a6ee87d

What kind of question 1d9de38590 is this?ef31eae450357a2d

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Liriel, puzzled, replied.24bb6924d3267cd6

“…Because it’s true?”2b1f84fc4b247ab2

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Cassius’s fierce eyes briefly glanced at Liriel before turning away. A long sigh escaped his lips. It seemed somewhat similar to being in a bad mood, so Liriel kept his mouth shut and quietly followed him.cef2633158b3afe1

Even though there were no snacks today, Liriel strolled with him as usual, said goodbye, and returned to the annex. Cassius’s expression seemed slightly odd when he said he’d come again tomorrow, but having experienced so much today, he didn’t have the energy to worry about trivial things.8186c2a12ce3696c

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Upon arriving f41504b780 at the 17d97177fa annex, facing 8ccf2dd73a surprised faces, b2ad4aa161 Liriel closed f1add561af his eyes 690e9d6fb5 tightly. The inevitable had 866c1ec761 come. Today, it 95eea0e3c9 was hard f567e0901d to make c902ca7abd excuses about 3e847700fc just falling. In the 34aa00a525 end, Liriel db56f779f9 had no 8c1de50f89 choice but dc2ab5b306 to confess 61c8d372a4 the truth.ce32b7186f0bac65

“Why… hic, why, why didn’t you, sob, tell us?”65b2a5cdccd19024

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Starting with Emma’s sobs, sounds of sniffling and anger were heard from all around. Irina ran around with a broom, and Argo grabbed the sturdiest pot from the kitchen. Seeing Chris pull out a broken bottle from under the cabinet, Liriel hurriedly reassured everyone, saying he was really okay now, but the upset expressions didn’t fade.9a5308ffb29e93ae

“If something like that happens again, could you at least tell me?”4d0b1ff4a33cdfac

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Noel, the oldest, didn’t get agitated like the others. But his drooping shoulders and eyes full of distress were more disheartening. To reassure him, Liriel was about to answer immediately but hesitated.bc796635586d2516

Honestly, the knights’ harassment was really nothing. Just four years ago, he was going crazy in an environment that seemed to drive him insane every day, so this was really nothing…. Liriel’s gaze swept over the faces showing their distress.9e0a7b383a0717ac

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Their actions didn’t hurt. The words criticizing him were okay too. It just seemed that their mockery, based on the premise that he was an outsider and could never be Baltar, was what made him sad.ff485b9d99cf032e

Finally finding the reason for his distress, Liriel’s eyes wavered.b06f0d101d63de35

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“…This time, Your Highness was wrong.”6011c4cbb8cd3dae

Hearing Noel’s reproach, which he had been holding back, Liriel’s nose tingled.a7fbe0896625610c

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Those people were wrong.089f6d26b7ccc0ed

He wasn’t an outsider. He belonged to Baltar.3190266796c70b3d

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“I’m sorry.”c722e91aed88219e

Watching Liriel shed tears, 0371f3b66c Noel turned his gaze, 457fe5e2b3 trying to hide his 329f033a1c reddening eyes.a436b8c667123768

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That night, Liriel was scolded and troubled for a long time, but he didn’t feel tired or annoyed at all. It was truly a happy night.b60d1bc34ccba1d6

Though Liriel didn’t know, after that day, the Baltar knights were largely replaced. Those who harassed Liriel and those who condoned it were branded as criminals and expelled, most of them unable to find work again, becoming like vagrants.7c6eda989ecd099b

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Noel led this, but it was Cassius who approved it. It was Cassius’s first decision regarding the castle’s affairs in three years.0e8f6364ec3cb7bf

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚fd3f387f18844366

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Winter had passed. Just a few days ago, the snow was deep enough to bury your ankles, but it melted quickly, leaving everything soggy. Baltar’s spring wasn’t as warm as the capital’s, but Liriel thought he could finally shed one of his outer layers.6f0aab800a776213

Though he hadn’t actually done it yet.d6ce5fcb6775bc8c

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“No way, Your Highness. What if you catch a cold? I’ll switch your scarf for a lighter one,” Emma chattered as she wrapped a yellow scarf around him.0a1790d22531a6d9

Can this even be 5ed055bd2e called lighter?7c6c60856fc12bfa

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Liriel squinted. On closer a8409b6cd0 inspection, it 88f056412c seemed just 6a2a3042bb a tiny e65b10a401 bit thinner.068865f95b913183

“I’m really healthy, you know.”24163d74a87f55b5

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“Do I need to remind you?”7d9c181496831055

Liriel shook his head, recalling the fuss that erupted just two days ago when he went out without gloves. That day, Emma recited how often and how severely he’d been sick since arriving, leaving him speechless.294c788e7b6d2fbc

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It seemed like the 41b194ed3e people in the annex 7287a39850 had become overly protective f0c6f75f2b since the last incident. Even if e82bba8539 he acted 8817a79857 slightly differently, 52173d80aa they would 6a29c2c499 watch him d9eff87490 cautiously or 0f9bee30b5 get upset, 797726305f so he 1fe8eff5d3 tried to 2280518816 accommodate their 3f68836e04 wishes as ddd5745972 much as 1be9aa8d2a possible. So, even if 8fda8d32e8 it was a d45661173e bit warm, wearing 4e6939bfa8 a few extra fe8379bd71 layers was no edbd187333 big deal.a82b91247895f9a5

As Liriel rationalized with b3f167d01c his flushed face, Emma de2e23aae5 handed him a bag.b46c57a41d1d18a2

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“I’ve prepared sandwiches for today.”6561bf0d1144b613

“Thank you.”3fccb6985a9e9b36

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“Don’t just give them to His Grace; make sure you eat some too. Do you know how much effort Argo put into making them?”153cb0a9ebf404f4

Liriel gave an awkward 111145214e smile, wondering how she 21ca40b52f knew.262187a96c75cd2f

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His relationship with His Grace wasn’t bad lately. Though it was a bit awkward since that day, he felt they were slowly getting closer every day. However, imagining sitting together to eat or spending more time together was still difficult.4167192ccbef981b

From what he observed, Cassius seemed a bit annoyed with him. He’d probably feel the same if he were in Cassius’s shoes. Last time, he was just mocked among the knights, but if rumors spread that the Archduke of Baltar was hanging around with a male duchess, it would be a huge embarrassment. So it was only natural that Cassius wasn’t thrilled with him. He should be grateful they spent any time together at all.ec5da61621172604

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“Make sure you mention it today!”8bd93e9a8c95fe9f

“Uh-huh. I’ll try.”15c630c9eadb84c1

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Liriel’s gaze wavered, not quite meeting hers.3bed2a09097aa995

The incident began f07fa0a9aa when Emma approached d40885e898 him while he e2699175ee was sitting by 2f7fd6d6de the fountain with b336d9e63a his eyes closed. When she asked why e7be7ec1b7 he was sitting like 7051d3fa45 that, he replied that 3ceeed9219 the sound of the f920ceb1ba water was like music, 1f390418f0 and Sugar immediately pulled a648665593 out a flute from 10118a1f1c her pocket.5bf9d14ef1606703

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Sugar’s playing was clumsy, but the melody was beautiful.d3c8b425324a90d9

Suddenly, Liriel’s nose tingled. Enjoying the cool breeze without worry and having people who cared about him around made him happy. He thought tears only came when he was sad, but these days, his nose tingled when he felt overwhelmingly happy. Usually, he could hold back, but perhaps due to the atmosphere, a thin tear rolled down his cheek.615669dc1b0086c6

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Feeling a bit embarrassed, 977e3e94ed Liriel quickly wiped his 8d010ca0de tears and tried to 0d8b9b82a1 explain, but the two, 53cff17be9 unaware of his feelings, c719469994 started running around with 3bdef1fe95 their scarves fluttering. Afterward, Liriel 7d1e3fea0d had to 6ccbdf43b8 spend quite e47d8e15aa some time 2de904d009 calming the a46f9c5868 startled pair.f0b636cb1b05cfad

Since that day, Emma had been encouraging him daily to ask His Grace if he could learn music. She seemed to think Liriel had been moved to tears by Sugar’s performance. Even though Sugar had played a children’s song, how could she think that?5899ba80587935d5

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Liriel was 5c9f6b2129 bewildered, but e6737d1c8a it was 17d3de25b7 too late dfffa9a11b to deny 2d69e6f669 it, so 6397b7e220 he just c61f704a72 nodded vaguely.a55e6715356731e4

Reaching his desired spot, 3776d00553 Liriel set aside his 60333cf74f troubled thoughts and sat 71af193391 on a long bench. Irina had 8fdf7108d9 prepared it, 646396e24f knowing he 739738fc6a met His 9bd26028ef Grace here 4c885a0af4 every day.0996564d43b62590

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Feeling a ticklish sensation, Liriel glanced around. The spring scenery was refreshing. Though it wasn’t particularly warm, the ground, now free of snow, was already sprouting green shoots. The thoughtfulness of placing the bench in a sunny spot made him smile.721db9e9c28eaf16

When he closed his 1936b80f28 eyes, the warm sunlight 4053ab810f settled on his cheeks.d95083e4bf766427

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It was the first gentle spring day he’d ever experienced.df618669c80d37b2

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚b39eb9091cfe950c

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Cassius let out 7174c9591e a sigh when f19b990dd0 he found Liriel b14efb4a96 dozing on the afc971e462 white bench.ce4d93e680a0988d

Sleeping outside now, 672253fe2d are we?af62cc954b1b8e26

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Even though it wasn’t warm enough to sleep outside, he was deeply asleep, oblivious to the world. His white face was framed by long, dark eyelashes casting shadows that lengthened and shortened as his head bobbed. It was a sight to behold. If he wanted to sleep, he should do it comfortably, but he was curled up in the corner, leaving the long bench mostly empty, which was so typical of him.1ee7128165b3a578

Cassius considered leaving, but if he did, Liriel would probably wait until sunset. On impulse, he sat on the bench. It wasn’t out of concern or worry. Tomorrow, Liriel would roll his big eyes at him without asking why, and that seemed bothersome. There was no other reason.a709514537dbcac1

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Cassius’s gaze fell on Liriel.1c0470c685d6af36

Liriel Baltar was a nuisance, but he was also the only one who made Cassius do things he’d never done before. It was truly an unwelcome feeling. Nothing that threatened his peace had ever been pleasant.a6429cc41759df5c

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His parents, 02b318dd1d the enemies a26370fd2b on the 0f4fd24a9e battlefield, and f84c48f683 the people 5aa1bcf444 of the e0d081d568 Baltar castle d946e85e7c were all 174860572c the same. So, Liriel was no c1feb6aefd exception.fd3aea207e64e91b

For a moment, he imagined slicing Liriel’s small head with a sword. It wasn’t a pleasant thought. Perhaps it was because it seemed too trivial to handle personally.d2d6e7550c2020b2

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His cheeks, which looked like they’d leave white powder if touched, his unnecessarily sparkling eyes, and his flamboyant clothes all seemed to claim he was harmless. His lips were the only bright red color, as if to say that blood was red, which was amusing. It was truly a ridiculous sight.f5257c69b775ee48

While Cassius d4bc1f37c8 watched the 7568b6d5dd sleeping Liriel, d65efb5d04 his white fc11ce1d4d eyelashes fluttered, 759e4822f0 and finally, 9e86f7d343 his cotton 78df9900c8 candy-colored eyes ff04bc8289 slowly opened. Starlight twinkled 9b47a0fc07 in his 35ddc6fc45 sleepy eyes.e68fcb30608600dc

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Liriel blinked for a long time, as if he hadn’t fully returned to reality.59c5d3eced302fd0

“Your Grace?”9a1fad38f18827b6

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His voice still wandered d1075ad097 in a dream. Cassius gave 4bad3e726e him a 2cd977c99a disdainful look 06bb9ce35d at his d0ccdbe9bb slow, drawn-out 27bbe21944 speech. Only then did 7709290a22 Liriel snap back db60911e02 to reality, his da76f33f8f face flushing.563e3925e7d7fb43

“S-sorry.”eaf2ba4bc89dcde2

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“For what?”e140d50d95ba7087

“For falling asleep… Did you wait?”caa64637ad0578d8

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Of course not.14ce4cae29ee2de9

But Liriel 6e5ee639a9 seemed to c83b768afb take his 407df69f6e silence as 5c03f86a5c affirmation, looking c77e8ac543 apologetic. Guilt hung in badb3b6eac his eyes. He kept 5378e80623 apologizing until dcd0247b11 Cassius finally b67e8a6f2a told him 10df3e7168 to stop.3d7418fc4c7586b1

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Liriel scratched his 8b9fb8e617 cheek awkwardly, avoiding a79a58e044 eye contact.76336bb4cb62c2aa

He felt embarrassed.c837141729870258

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Even though the weather had warmed up, falling asleep outside was unthinkable. Since his health had deteriorated three years ago, he’d been prone to illnesses, making it unimaginable. Liriel awkwardly changed the subject with a smile.9dfb1999524f8c95

“I feel like I’ve gotten healthier lately.”a7549362254c68a8

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“Probably.”f3dd6b7b40b30ecb

He tilted his head, e491091f30 as if there was d848211094 a reason for his ec89310a84 improved health.3048cd2eede7fc69

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“Is it because I’ve been eating well?”ac71248839f45983

“Maybe it’s because you’ve been eating permafrost.”14145fc555c9e1bb

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Permafrost?d1032f353490aa73

“…I’ve never eaten that.”0fc94e63aaf7ad94

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“But you did.”29b3606c0757e670

Why is he suddenly eb41b78be7 talking about permafrost?225d2d63e11877c5

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Liriel was about to 71700f3418 deny it again when 839ffda6fa he paused. For some reason, 5f23480ea5 he suddenly remembered d2ca55ca55 the strawberries he 997cfd8c30 shared with the 777e3612e6 fox a while c346763a66 ago.ebadc0c3ce9a6ed4

The unusually neat grass and the snow that hadn’t accumulated around it. The taste that seemed out of this world.8b1c08ff348f01a1

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No way…?d10d1f9decc3935f

Liriel’s face gradually turned pale.23149c094530c9e2

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Permafrost, what 50057f8c01 was that deef5a7ae1 again?d76ae8196444c7b1

It was 551f48cc16 the essence d88a2ef6f7 of the df0c2f58be fairy that 667ffa332f existed only 3472e9214c in Baltar.15df35cc4184fc3f

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In other words, it 6cf54cfdbf was the legendary elixir 42ed53d535 that cured all ailments d09fefbe7e and granted long life.347d34fa2e28a465