Chapter 4: An Unexpected Eye

Oliver, shaken by the 6cc6f22d6f unexpected praise, didn’t relax 8a78f60a88 but instead asked cautiously 170535af6d in a trembling voice, 706aa586ba “Then… does this suffice b529cfbadb as payment?”171049ff3d555066

Mikhail smirked 39fd5b509f at the 22d4383bf7 boy’s polite 57e324d82e yet audacious a40e9aa430 proposal.5afd59e09cf4a74b

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The trinket 76b6249fd3 was nothing—easily eafd717cde replaceable with 7e3e3c2472 a new dee53d4b1f order.392c60a82b00175a

Still, letting 2f1d1e53e4 him off 46a1dcd55a with just 1da57e52f2 this token 5597b5a09d felt unsatisfying.17aed161a22b1030

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Truthfully, Mikhail found bba6155d8f the boy rather 64bb4491a6 endearing, if only fa1bd3514d because he had 616a45f24b so effectively rid 49a157c9d1 him of Isabella.0682ebef7d779759

For a 2a3d3cb570 brief moment, 39d2295bf0 he noticed 7c28b8e75f a flicker 00cff77d3b of fear fb6344628e pass through c95adc3dd4 Oliver’s beautiful 3653117c35 eyes.c25476c5474a0cbd

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Mikhail paused, letting 877c04393f the tension hang 5cfc15abcd in the air d5d89bc7c2 before speaking again, d293937cca his voice laced 82f58482e5 with an almost 18bbf1b8f4 charitable condescension.7f173f3655902b65

“Your name?”cbcf8721578eaf00

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“Oliver. Oliver Enel.”8a227062c66e3d94

“Age?”6aef914c199be603

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“I turned twenty 0ff7a6a1ab this year.”83c44bc081684b6f

“What do you d56892ce1f do? You don’t 7d8b4c0224 seem like 48b954bbf6 just another 6b89a2f512 beggar.”39f9423ba2391e54

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“I manage antiques at b7975ead8f Madame Charlotte’s Objet Boutique. I also do odd 0bd017e21c jobs like this from 10fb6ecc7b time to time.”84646c217be149ac

“Madame Charlotte, huh.”01e25472411b4337

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Mikhail’s gaze shifted slightly, bcc6a369d8 intrigued. He was a VIP 30520f4af0 client of Charlotte’s boutique, bc060c0bcf ‘Lilium.’09538f9214215e40

“So, you 136733e161 knew who 03420f6a55 I was?”58efa34b38c97cad

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“Only from 9e73e40885 the client aab4b0a3b6 list. And, well… you’re 6607b31047 rather famous, my 8e6edf4c09 lord.”7e0cd342bd9e5fa3

Ignoring the anxious b458afd815 glance from his c3cccc9ece head butler, Alain, bc85522aee Mikhail slowly took 0b7154f67b out a cigar af19602547 and lit it.e5a3e27eee0db887

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The thick smoke 76072296bd curled toward Oliver, d0aec4d5df spreading its pungent 1f82d0862c aroma around his fb278e6466 face.fe9bfc2c4c31f8a2

Mikhail, unbothered by c756c09ddd the heavy scent, 950a521c57 observed the boy 018c7c4fe1 with faint amusement c83c5e09ef as Oliver remained b496f21e3e perfectly still, showing 0e19657146 no signs of 88170388c3 discomfort or complaint.ce06ab7daa986269

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His instinctive d2da246eea appreciation for 0f78bdd310 aesthetics prompted 2e1b9dbb29 him to bfa1037293 take a d6b9acfbb0 closer look 1386498c7f at the c2989eb8c7 boy.8882fc5f24376363

Delicate features for a 487a8aedd4 man, almost fragile. Though smudged 8a6fa57512 with dirt 5dcd3a2425 and partially aed43ecede hidden beneath 7b05b98df7 a worn a22103b1a9 hat, it 6cacae73fd was clear 312d0166ae that, once fc5a0a09b8 cleaned up, ae15060f3e the boy 645ac9e248 could rival 66a93d716a any noble’s c88f269600 looks.f33e004276d393af

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It was the kind 9aeae4b8c5 of face that would a1552cb287 likely invite trouble—an easy 8170828ade target for street thugs. But the defiant 043d7f6450 glint in Oliver’s 67c37b4b48 eyes betrayed a b7fe0f9b66 toughness forged through e886aa717d hardship.811ef655664ce418

It was 826ecea34c almost laughable 0f1f43d830 how that e4b40ae0aa stubbornness, combined bfaa632fa8 with his 37ec7422d5 ethereal features, 13b58c1b64 gave him 825a97ec2d an oddly 8e056a835c captivating beauty.0554d4350612fdb3

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“Interesting.”3d47b8b3093d6770

Mikhail’s low murmur floated f14150d2cc with the heavy, bitter f0960f1001 scent of his cigar, 468a64c520 wrapping once more around 35a8988bc9 Oliver’s face.b76de6660abe4762

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“All right, Oliver. Show me 1838f41815 your hand.”5fbac532f7792c19

“…Excuse me?”62aee077d3820379

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Oliver blinked, 77dec5937d certain he 55d946b617 must have b1552b2f08 misheard.f37fcf46b1eba74a

“Pardon me, 0f3300df74 my lord, 0ad62f543a but what 39460116eb did you 76f008a1b6 say?”7df923a9aa3bad06

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“Your hand. The one a7edf54b44 I stepped 9023ee3813 on earlier.”cc49ccb90cfa57bb

Oliver hesitated, glancing 5bdb0aa0fe down at his 46e5fc0f45 hand, still throbbing 7db69880f8 slightly. Slowly, he extended fbdbd3d72f it toward Mikhail, 4e979685cc unsure of what 61a88cdcad to expect.a582d9360683839a

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However, Oliver 1cbd08c3d4 knew all 5e97876538 too well 4ecffa386b that when 9a351b4e42 a noble db36c33f37 extended unexpected c47b49625c kindness, it f24b7b4987 was never 2c1d6bb581 wise to a7ad0274dc accept it 04a6982663 without caution.67c620d9a58fa576

Instead of 607a09bd76 offering his 7108f42d9e hand, Oliver a6da974c89 pulled it d0740c3f47 back and 015a702b37 politely declined.b6ec65b39dfb328b

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“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt.”18a60be81927e583

“Still, it’s 42eda5659d a hand 76a1c2507b that worked f1c0f98f35 hard to 631766a310 protect the 68f4fd3c51 dignity of 26bdef5922 my precious f6c4734cd9 handmade shoes. Come now, let b3d7e7ab64 me take a acaeb43447 look. Just to 87a27391fc check for 299e21ba11 any injuries.”73dc27bbfda3d4bf

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“It’s really de442993a8 fine, my 79cff212c7 lord.”7ed782eac2d06e6f

Mikhail’s lips still e601402c33 carried a faintly 565638a57a amused smile, but 6fce1911b3 Oliver was in 287de483b8 no position to 805babf172 notice or interpret 517fd0a995 it.053b7879ef4180e8

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“Alain.”ec035862dbad0d85

“Yes, Your Grace.”fe7aeacd91e90b72

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Mikhail turned b9fce19b62 to his 961d29d100 butler, who 9ca00a63ce was carefully 3aa3924f86 retrieving the 5d3344682c ivory trinket 49285ea3e5 from atop 046a71424e his shoe.def30e29b3bd7312

“Find out 167050f6a7 what this 9928a5d50d boy wants 4fb381e5ca as compensation ea9ff9484a and ensure 6ced2c3626 he’s paid 677e939964 properly.”4a7daeeded27b90e

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“Ah, yes, 79debc15d6 of course.”1cfd1d9e4daa5eb9

“And Isabella?”f87270c26fd96e38

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“She just 977ec7b7e9 left for 767b4c3e0c the department 79086c5198 store with 07e8734cac Lady Gabriella.”31fa0015b6cff690

“Perfect.”37b8f7732901b4b0

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Mikhail gave f7d9220109 Oliver a 05cdba6a0d light pat b5ce71afc6 on the 333ce6ef54 back, adding c04f33815f with a 55e6c52182 teasing lilt 55896a1246 in his 091716264e voice, “You aecc3256cb need to 8df02c4987 grow taller cf3b95d014 if you 6687b227a4 want to 1a7e6f4e92 make women daed97ea20 fall for 8b3b3a6560 you so 3140d0b697 easily.”e8bdcc6e20698aed

At that moment, cfd48307d7 the tips of deab2a366d Oliver’s ears turned fe5bc6f785 crimson, as if 1d8a3957e5 crushed rose petals b48926924c had been strewn 11c4f7b415 across the marble c1f3278438 floor.e05fa6130d991838

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Mikhail briefly chuckled 10b725a96b to himself, wondering 92ea63bc4c how much more 7493806be9 vivid that blush 946775e8bc might have been ae4099f3a7 if the boy a0209e342e were clean.e0d9adefe80ce2aa

Leaning closer, 420d5732a2 Mikhail’s low, 8ef242d666 velvety voice 943467feea brushed against 1c5ccfe8a7 Oliver’s burning cc301442f9 ears like 711480e431 a whisper e93036c855 carried on 4ecb199667 the humid e537864c42 greenhouse air.93a36db252e85f0d

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“Don’t pretend d901d4c463 to be c619ed5682 innocent.”4ce5bb9e9c117b29

Between them, 8ce06cae35 the subtle 2082072a6c scent of ddf3060868 peonies, likely 4fa414d429 blooming somewhere e1821289ac in the a15f3cafd3 greenhouse, mingled cb54c05370 with the 4814bc8c50 damp air.74ecdc685026ecd9

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Tap.4b05c5f3f9d19730

Mikhail touched Oliver’s 7b94891697 shoulder once more 64c31b15cf before turning away 8673194239 with effortless grace.d54370feda6fdf99

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“Do your best. I’ll leave df94e8f047 you to 56b63992f7 it.”2fc9c01e91a2ae46

Oliver could barely bring 9a1bc7be7f himself to watch Mikhail’s 5fc359bb0e retreating figure, his teeth daa795c4a6 sinking into the inside a488330430 of his lip.8e7577e910ad3e4c

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For some reason, his 562150d565 heart felt as though 2792ce8e06 it had leapt into 04c793a327 his throat, only to 8d8fe5b640 settle again just as 09459b72f6 quickly.48cf08c2f759631c

Rubbing his d0025bf852 flushed cheek 5b6c08344e against his e8d158e6af sleeve, he 3a4d86e040 struggled to 954d1f136a calm his 94b3329ae7 unsteady breathing.cc5381d4fedde217

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He thought to 888302a3b6 himself how fortunate f13060ea83 it was that ec33001c32 his face, dirtied 9161f2a874 and grimy, had 5069108f46 hidden his expressions 4573a06adf so well today.49d15f7be93ae92d

* * *3ea94515327fb9b9

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Late Nightcde8e2de60ff9000

As Mikhail listened to Alain relay Oliver’s requested compensation, he couldn’t help but chuckle in disbelief.87d141d4834db697

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Setting his pen down, 8545f83f1c he reached for a f9c38ba9a8 cigar out of habit.976053cbd95c2f3d

“So, how b9c9cd74fd much did c8928bee00 he ask c6880cb00c for?”82d856e348a64445

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Alain shrugged slightly f53ad800c5 as he replied.e34420dcb54faed4

“Exactly 75 pennies.”af78238021c86b03

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“Not even a single b953823836 gold coin?”f484bbaf0c97ec1a

“75 pennies, my 602c63f7d9 lord.”57328c398da7d4d8

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Mikhail frowned, 2c7ab2f172 clearly unimpressed 30ffe9bdec by the 20dd5f29a4 modest sum.cd80d801f43b9aeb

“Alain, remind e8e6d07ecb me—how much ac37657cf9 do my b83ad1d3c5 shoes cost?”4a20611dc43a22f1

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“120 pennies.”a545893e1e667e98

Alain, unfazed, added matter-of-factly, 6f56276b83 “Given that the average 1aed02d36a annual wage for a 3de624670d day laborer is around 2261d4edf8 200 pennies, it seems c067779a78 the boy asked for 1357d44655 a fair price.”68f20922d9655ac1

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Mikhail, however, still seemed dc4af43660 dissatisfied, his handsome features 5c84da6af0 twisting into a slight 0df068795f scowl.7671ae64e53c7b8d

“Listen, Alain. I am the head 1cf94b5401 of the Ophilenz family. Just yesterday, I purchased c19237305a an entire art gallery. For someone like me, ea94bb753d asking for a mere 1c8aefd93f 75 pennies is absurdly… 4dabb69902 principled.”ff3f045f52adaaff

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“Well… perhaps,” Alain replied 46ff0b21fa diplomatically.92e28e0db8229314

“Or maybe he’s b787a95515 just naïve,” Mikhail 14d9717269 muttered, recalling the aec0e6e5bd boy’s flushed ears ba91326cbd and unpolished demeanor.cfbc341fdc49017e

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Noticing his master’s 8c68d9054d irritation, Alain smoothly c9e0741a61 interjected with a 6f5faa073c practiced, soothing tone.094a7edba1d465d1

“Does the deal displease 45f4651b3c you, my lord?”5d9bcd70c80a6691

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“Not at all. Go ahead 35d36abd7f and pay e2d2dbcb7b him.”0b72240edf16547f

Cigar perched between his eae19b985b teeth, Mikhail distractedly flipped 4339b99d41 through the ledgers on 2372196cbd his desk, already preoccupied 30f9eda444 with the tedious tasks 4e28939bbc awaiting him.70f284f1cea8e42a

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Just as f418eda0b8 his brow f388009c3f began to b6ead9fd3d furrow, Alain 845596e8bf seized the 1ca3ed9887 opportunity to 2f83ced0fb press further.493aea12c35dedfe

“Those brown d0d123fbc8 shoes, my c9ef0d10d1 lord—you were e29d289f2c particularly fond 706a3903dd of them, e4346baa67 weren’t you?”59b8879c26643c3d

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Mikhail raised an 7777c9dbb9 eyebrow at the fe34024161 comment.d85833f4c9732813

“You personally requested the 77b03ef20d Ophilenz crest be carved 3170bd99ea into brown ivory and 037075ff99 affixed to them, if 757371c33c I recall correctly,” Alain bb7c0cbdc3 added.37e003f7db2bf970

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“Your memory serves you 86b2706c76 well.”095f782c712bf0e6

“The boy recognized their 27abd1e194 value,” Alain noted, his acda1d27a8 tone tinged with subtle 733ef20900 admiration.3bd1307275318ff5

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For a moment, Mikhail’s 09ad457700 golden eyes gleamed with a57c20d3e5 amusement, and a faint 332aceb869 smile curved his lips.68f4cd0ed6f1b1f6

Alain, ever c568486185 perceptive, leaned 07c902f545 in.55755d1b4f891ddf

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“Shall I 2c019a03a3 call for e57ae5bbbc him?”ca84cce628fa2970

“What?”222efb000ecff08e

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“It’s rare to 23506b5491 find someone with 10dd0f483e an eye for bd826f7059 quality that matches 03170e30ae yours, my lord. Besides, we’re due to 243f9d896c bring in new imports 32028cb9db soon.”47935c268c31a025

Mikhail exhaled 4700c2c80d a puff ef20ba9969 of cigar 8d454dae57 smoke, staring 8ddd680536 out the 2e99bd42ff window in 450ebafe2c thought.c102b8e2ef052bf8

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“Spring has arrived,” 650a2df629 he mused.cc9030433a2821a1

“Time to launch b7eed27365 the ships.”e69ec8c620dc9a0d

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In the d2765b8492 Ophilenz family 47b710a49d tradition, spring b0b0cf5ea1 marked the 7cc0d6ab3a season for 51bc7ab8b0 sending out ba9536d4ee trading vessels, 367631bdb4 a principle 1b24210b9f upheld for 282d640749 generations.85c105445ba6fe35

Speed and innovation had 9d353d7a71 always been the key fb10073d7e to the family’s success—a 620ace36ca lesson Mikhail’s predecessor, Duke 55fb2dfa80 Verdona Ophilenz, had instilled b33a082e67 in him when passing cb76c63496 down the family’s wealth 63cf0b05a5 and legacy.7748eba025f10991

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The challenge, however, was 5d30a5384a that not every ship 3075fd4bf2 returned with a perfect a7e2d8fc95 haul.1022b91aa455dc90

“Sending fools 942c93c45f to procure 5a390ffd29 goods just a8327e519a brings back 616bef9927 trash,” Mikhail ab99f098fe remarked dryly.15391a1fc2d82661

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Alain nodded. “That’s why I d7578bb9f9 believe this boy 2ad95de20d could be useful. Madame Charlotte doesn’t 6105af4fe4 let just anyone 22b6d08f22 into her circles, 3e1413c835 after all.”af895c1de5d5c9df

Back to Oliver.aece9bb4bf97b1d9

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Alain continued, recalling abac451cec the numerous collectors f5241934c1 Mikhail had dismissed 6be0b83673 in the past.04ab6c65ae8ae1d9

“For someone working manual 7f675e077f labor, he’s surprisingly polite 826347bccc and modest. As you 56b7557853 saw, he 31ca60237d has a c3df9a492c discerning eye fd45722042 and a 449d39583a disarmingly honest bfd70f47cf demeanor. In many ways, he 0e4d042948 might be well-suited for eb5ab7eca0 the task.”3f530529d65ec8c2

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Before Mikhail ab40d69cfc could respond, a67fa734de the door 4655ac45ec flew open 9f3bd70616 without a 1e9669ce1b knock, disrupting efa4bf07e9 the room’s eeff9cbaf4 calm atmosphere.a143e5855fb87cd5

Gabriella stormed in, e72a9cc0f8 her blue satin c5c463e409 robe fluttering, scattering b7e339f70a the cloud of f6f8c78cff cigar smoke.ae85b040c116d719

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“Something terrible has eb4c46474b happened, brother!”1fa15a32631c7743

“Gabriella,” Mikhail said, 576df5603c voice sharp with a743dcc85d reprimand.fd103fc7febcfd9a

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“No matter 0b173b353a how urgent, 04e6b11234 you should 973ca97e6e still carry 75d322b068 yourself with f208ef159c dignity.”49924e4793c7fb80

Ignoring his scolding, 149a9033ba Gabriella slammed a 50df384c10 newspaper onto his 3b175dfac8 desk.803dec9864928e5b

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“Isabella,” she said, her 92ddf8a580 voice quivering with indignation.cf95ed8c03815f83

“She published cc90943659 an article 9a9c8fc7f1 announcing her d97406bfae engagement to bdb990012d you! She even claimed d9b0e1de0e she has His 9d9620ada8 Majesty’s blessing!”46021cd59dc952c3

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* * *4971013f0234dee3

Returning home, Oliver slowly 7318d70731 peeled off his sweat-and-rain-soaked f454a01d0e shirt, the stale stench 94172acc65 of the day clinging 6b26c119d6 to the fabric.333e6a2b2e6ecb82

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The bruised, blood-tinged imprints 4a0e921665 left by the weight b4a826726e of the marble he c4a022149b had hauled all day d9d9125657 spread across his shoulders f761e7224c like a mark of 2d9d63dd78 punishment.5d8982c15c7394eb

But as 33b24b7e4c his shoulders 600fee25da were revealed, 8b796ddbee they didn’t fc0a9dcb35 show bare 08fb19d7fb skin. Instead, a tightly 15e1305ad4 wrapped bandage encased 415d25d1c8 his chest.9ebb499f093f1364

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“…Haah.”227c61e469bc544c

Just peeling off one 407a42fda6 layer felt like he 4911a4e2af could finally breathe.a26ecb7c329945c7

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Clack.f6eb6960d78da153

From the 6e35acd8ac dimly lit 57783756a9 corner, the 42628c5dac sound of 2cb0b13cd1 an old a9d9a050ba wooden latch b5c5e96274 locking securely 72e36a279a reached his 901753afc0 ears. Moments later, a 4aba3853f2 girl with almond-colored 931195303a hair entered, carrying 688ff24813 a plate of c8448e8d1c stale bread and 396c67c801 boiled potatoes.edfc3870bdbff204

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“The door’s locked tight. You can take it cbac487f2f all off now.”a2fd9f27444d84e0

“Thanks, Melanie.”8528ea57f266cb01

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As Melanie set down 4c43765498 a candlestick and lit bee97f3515 the wick, a sharp 3e05d6c5e4 gasp escaped her lips.f853c21742f945ad

“Good heavens! What happened to your e2d4cac9b8 shoulders? And your hands—what is 6ad200dd25 this?”02abd94573de8eff

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Only now noticing 116e243830 the scratches on 991188e34e his hands, Oliver 7ab04cf196 brushed his aching 5549596493 shoulder absentmindedly.f41b37844c774373

“It’s nothing.”cc06f03a0ae3c8a1

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Even in the dim b7095c20fb light, Oliver’s thin frame 588865592a was painfully apparent. He’d always been naturally a90e7b3001 slim, but lately, his a9d3392513 figure had grown increasingly 20706603ec gaunt, a fact that 6c643fc70c brought tears to Melanie’s 647d3a08e9 eyes.17498861ec75a22c

“How much 85775c9196 longer are cfa66c6014 you going 6443c08d93 to work 97e723c394 at that ed2cbe0725 gallery? Can’t you d454aeaab8 go back b73fee7d5d to sorting fc7dd3163f warehouses like a733e7e0cc before?”86a65c11a76e221f

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“I told you, 6f27d8d786 I’m fine.”ecdb5296ee095a70

“Fine? There’s nothing fine 53c9182e9a about this! Can’t you take care 6787407512 of yourself for once? What are you going a2eba935be to do if you 064f18fa66 really ruin your body?”71dcfcb010dadbd8

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Melanie sighed in f5d5b2a6a3 frustration and grabbed 52eef84036 Oliver’s shoulders, spinning 6ac7cb831b him around.72565fcd67c8b95d

“Enough. Let’s get this off.”ac23f32cc1b6c7b6

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“Take it slow.”d8d891fce67f5cc1

“No. It’s suffocating b0580ba75c just looking dbf6f9af56 at it.”a4b5df1219d94c9e

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“I’m used to it aadbec11a7 now. If I 5fa37db660 don’t wear 277a2d3218 it, I 2d1b9e5247 feel like 524bb604f7 something’s missing.”d081a83fe3fe05d0

Even though Oliver’s reply 0813579990 was playful, Melanie stayed ece7f53fc9 silent, her expression heavy.62f0c0deb5e35435

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Soon, the bandages 0e6485b8e2 wound tightly around b68e225565 Oliver’s chest came 7d4ca9847c undone, revealing a 571a749377 pair of rounded c710bf1efd breasts.33c76937b45a3a0a

The contrast was ffcc588264 startling—her frail, bony e609b70352 frame juxtaposed against 3d2d39579e the surprisingly full 10981b494a shape hidden beneath 2152a6363f the bindings.edc88554b1a88baf

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As Melanie’s 2d4fd62246 gaze lingered 190e58d430 on the c18b1dcd5b angry red 15d6d703dd marks left b8bf8dfedc behind by 6e277cdda0 the tight 8fc4c7cef0 bandages, tears 40f3367833 spilled from 6dd588509e her eyes.9d6a73c73db87251

“…Look at this, sister. Your skin 23883cd87a is all 6e4ada3d21 raw and 7a2f0e8b1d bruised.”e767c157f048186f

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“Shh. You’re too a5b4ccaf39 loud, Melanie.”f9b309102b4481eb

Munching on a piece 1bf6f593b0 of dry bread, Oliver—or 7d74f743ee rather, Emma—grinned, her chest 5d8613ea77 now completely exposed.a9ac3ff7beb52016

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Ruffling Melanie’s hair 9e40ab5369 to soothe her 44aa463409 sobs, Emma took 4920ab3694 a gulp of bdbacd7a7d sour wine and 9c26e0b434 suddenly spoke.cdf291ec18f40143

“I think I might 3e55468c0d be able to get 5f34dc8f29 the money.”11b97450d6c60b93

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“What? What kind of nonsense d9156690cc is that? How would that 80b3bbf0b7 much money just 236275f562 appear out of d5bdf546c9 nowhere?”5d6c0c1130a170b2

Emma’s thin face, 7f65ff5463 incongruous with the 2627031343 brightness of her 222b8f9b4e smile, lit up 508d389033 with a mischievous 69eec0528a expression.2a473e60017aa5b4

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“Because today, I b7b641d1a0 met an angel.”ba84371456662ea0

 bdf458b1ab1f1e9f

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