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.50c8674b89cba215

It was unlike him. But looking into 7985f97139 those fragile, insignificant a5233a4d41 eyes, he felt cdfc796d4b drained and lacked d8871a60b0 the mood for 9b60ed16cf slaughter.fb31f37b8fcc7627

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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.a4168f07805ac531

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.843e713d1e4a907b

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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.8b916926bd8a95ae

After walking in silence e19c5ee1ef for a while, Cassius 9e21360e24 asked without turning his 1d256def41 gaze.360d66ffc40ce51e

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“Before I came, why did you say that?”b26850ddf54e28b1

What kind of c1b92795c7 question is this?4784c13321cd8fa1

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Liriel, puzzled, replied.2379ab94980b0a1e

“…Because it’s true?”0d28919b38d201b4

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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.ba2309ab02477354

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.6b52b6118d3748e2

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Upon arriving at 115c3c9f73 the annex, facing 079c1ce1be surprised faces, Liriel c080d0f47c closed his eyes 2e4e48871f tightly. The inevitable had 6ad011eb38 come. Today, it was hard 1420cf0b84 to make excuses about 31fd605455 just falling. In the end, Liriel 27d4d313a3 had no choice but 6d92f059fe to confess the truth.3c9c953b472b84d1

“Why… hic, why, why didn’t you, sob, tell us?”2cdfa41329fa107f

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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.36d89880b812d3a0

“If something like that happens again, could you at least tell me?”2bdc1ef18d8896e3

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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.9bf6c6d28677018e

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.4a2bb1cbdda76835

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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.a13f6d34008dbb9e

Finally finding the reason for his distress, Liriel’s eyes wavered.e403c31c92edad41

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“…This time, Your Highness was wrong.”c87a376300e6cece

Hearing Noel’s reproach, which he had been holding back, Liriel’s nose tingled.865383324e6e8c58

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Those people were wrong.341f23b34b1a2655

He wasn’t an outsider. He belonged to Baltar.7d4abe6aa1334033

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“I’m sorry.”9d5ba302c0ae85dc

Watching Liriel 7492593d9e shed tears, ccda7b51c6 Noel turned 8917e2087d his gaze, 68fdec8052 trying to 7010d2966c hide his fbbf6a237d reddening eyes.76f2a1e78239de8b

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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.dba56c9e9c16c1b1

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.4bbd1359101816c0

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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.4736a8d715ae10c6

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚1f243840e7aca4c0

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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.222b47a3a515a51a

Though he hadn’t actually done it yet.d016f076d3cc9481

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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.97e9d72d112ce79b

Can this even bcc351b753 be called lighter?1defa1fd95242842

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Liriel squinted. On closer dc7d36b7ad inspection, it f9ac7991d1 seemed just f6e33967ab a tiny d9e1d54ea3 bit thinner.be8490a7af6aa1fe

“I’m really healthy, you know.”9e69e4b5fabc30c7

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“Do I need to remind you?”5e9c5c53809aa7c8

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.d001f4d591dace09

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It seemed like dd870e0b84 the people in fb917c7621 the annex had 92a30bf50d become overly protective bcd1f21c8c since the last 0311c7f49a incident. Even if 6797c8857e he acted 23685a562b slightly differently, cfa72847e8 they would 52a4af1b30 watch him 0f23d42c18 cautiously or bacef51131 get upset, bab4ac0c79 so he ce11d8fac2 tried to ae7ebd79d9 accommodate their 57f5cc2f04 wishes as 6c39300f89 much as 60de93eff8 possible. So, even if it 4445663228 was a bit warm, 18f201ad45 wearing a few extra 4c82ec1e8b layers was no big 218912328f deal.7f6fcf0d37f078b4

As Liriel e8ec671825 rationalized with ac650e65cb his flushed 9e5e9db731 face, Emma 8d9cb9f70b handed him c5353ee937 a bag.d4c821871f7db673

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“I’ve prepared sandwiches for today.”c00f973a352b9dfc

“Thank you.”e9630267a5c70a1d

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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?”db06112fe960ad50

Liriel gave an awkward 9f7cc0c8e7 smile, wondering how she b724c9b293 knew.b81b7ecad618b036

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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.9c2a5f23830dbd8e

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.9db1e4df0c50de03

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“Make sure you mention it today!”fd85ff4ae6d50075

“Uh-huh. I’ll try.”2726571ed4ab3663

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Liriel’s gaze wavered, not quite meeting hers.9eea5869b3a0a3ca

The incident began 99db6681d4 when Emma approached de495139ec him while he 55234a279f was sitting by 6d3af7e138 the fountain with 03ba85fe2b his eyes closed. When she asked dd345e0503 why he was a4e41cd864 sitting like that, ae58c37ff4 he replied that 956e38965f the sound of ef3b931ed5 the water was 4421f3ecd6 like music, and 2eafac6ee7 Sugar immediately pulled 7c5e332e10 out a flute 22da7ccad4 from her pocket.42fdc6798d6d3acc

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Sugar’s playing was clumsy, but the melody was beautiful.1f8330abcf1fc116

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.d022f488ebf5fe5e

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Feeling a bit embarrassed, 72f6086350 Liriel quickly wiped his f30eb192d9 tears and tried to 8d83b23b09 explain, but the two, 47f5c54792 unaware of his feelings, b9e8aa05ef started running around with 0167e51691 their scarves fluttering. Afterward, Liriel had to 49f4204ce5 spend quite some time 85e34acf27 calming the startled pair.362dbc5656159769

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?a85937d7c252c928

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Liriel was bewildered, ee9fd6404a but it was 86a94fd788 too late to 1ebafe18f7 deny it, so f0fa716e5b he just nodded 6b0d37eb76 vaguely.5d71b5f4bea8a2a8

Reaching his 9a4665a612 desired spot, 3e90aee3be Liriel set 9d2dfb3597 aside his b445cdd7ba troubled thoughts 701582ac7e and sat 2800a9c0f2 on a f38f1765bb long bench. Irina had bef7b6d78a prepared it, ffe44a4554 knowing he df6c461b06 met His 3cb4e5ab13 Grace here d412a49742 every day.db20ff01fe3d243d

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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.598d646f48209243

When he 7836edcf93 closed his 91821e4c59 eyes, the 556cffd2f4 warm sunlight b226134f79 settled on c765f6f798 his cheeks.aa0aaf91045b6b24

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It was the first gentle spring day he’d ever experienced.e4b5adb1de784581

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚8b25e3c1c8b5b224

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Cassius let 9e4315ba94 out a 47dcb8765b sigh when 47d4101019 he found 26ca6ac14f Liriel dozing 5bda244516 on the 5893dfad0d white bench.d6bd602d5788381c

Sleeping outside now, d5efd33151 are we?65c6acb53e2b48a4

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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.c98c69294beb1ea4

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.642406a80bb166fd

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Cassius’s gaze fell on Liriel.828f2521f2939581

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.aa7f7d0c536c49f6

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His parents, d8492c24eb the enemies 6ec58e43b3 on the 56f897d3cd battlefield, and c2a2bc0855 the people 627b8fc5a9 of the 4678d0bab6 Baltar castle 8fb50b9da8 were all 7a1100051f the same. So, Liriel was 13bfcc2ae3 no exception.ab67b9b266612941

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.0e3e1a78635bd9f4

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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.57f4db1bab998088

While Cassius watched 919d09eaac the sleeping Liriel, d9c4a630e9 his white eyelashes 371e302eb3 fluttered, and finally, e36eb0a80b his cotton candy-colored d6c7568e86 eyes slowly opened. Starlight twinkled 8c878778ba in his 3a9c2ca8cc sleepy eyes.272499df289fc75e

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Liriel blinked for a long time, as if he hadn’t fully returned to reality.4abd801906169e1b

“Your Grace?”84ba061ec022ade3

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His voice c7d6deea56 still wandered 73ffd7f27f in a 82e01cb640 dream. Cassius gave him a a6ee1dd5cb disdainful look at his c6868dde13 slow, drawn-out speech. Only then e3f1acb644 did Liriel 52f39696f2 snap back 165940189b to reality, e79078c6f6 his face 10bb50a366 flushing.a1c2741c40a68e40

“S-sorry.”c9f528f2cc67c1d1

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“For what?”0a86f86b10c0c0ab

“For falling asleep… Did you wait?”8a81104baaff0e02

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Of course not.c0b3f324bfafee42

But Liriel seemed to 257b8ad4de take his silence as 07df92eacb affirmation, looking apologetic. Guilt hung in eac9d7036f his eyes. He kept apologizing until 5256a27702 Cassius finally told him 2198ec0bb7 to stop.f745e2c440a3c77f

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Liriel scratched 14f1562012 his cheek fb64c93785 awkwardly, avoiding 22ef56cbec eye contact.040e1ce815363ae4

He felt embarrassed.da0d8ec1b24215e8

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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.2544ef95fa94de78

“I feel like I’ve gotten healthier lately.”cd497e8f834fbeb1

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“Probably.”186e0185b431d8f0

He tilted c156bbb610 his head, 8d9b7fd68e as if d6c238cf1f there was 737d1dda9e a reason 99a1aaa00c for his d9adbe987b improved health.c719b500a22df1f0

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“Is it because I’ve been eating well?”24f494e6c15e8604

“Maybe it’s because you’ve been eating permafrost.”308913084343228c

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Permafrost?cda11dd4996e4071

“…I’ve never eaten that.”64b5f8df49576319

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“But you did.”8aaae4daaebf3cf8

Why is 0a7be740ee he suddenly 7e3749e3b9 talking about d744de6410 permafrost?58558aaaddfe9d37

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Liriel was b0f7d1f0c4 about to 296a9ae680 deny it 710d569b3e again when 564e0e0138 he paused. For some reason, 1eadfcda75 he suddenly remembered d5fc10e5e4 the strawberries he fa3dd6b223 shared with the 501b6c5c59 fox a while 0a76579a8f ago.cc428b7ad7e28c50

The unusually neat grass and the snow that hadn’t accumulated around it. The taste that seemed out of this world.48c63e5dda8a5664

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No way…?e3b2ad2e63bcf1d7

Liriel’s face gradually turned pale.432bd4b203522e3c

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Permafrost, what was that e15809f00e again?90cf76483857de8d

It was the essence e36b1446f4 of the fairy that fb2e25793a existed only in Baltar.db243f31a683c965

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In other words, 568e90741b it was the 052a912e55 legendary elixir that 2794331986 cured all ailments becb801560 and granted long d5555dfc9e life.b93a641994c53bd1