Layana
Stories
7
Chapters
114
Words
190.3 K
Comments
12
Reading
15 h, 51 m
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16. "……Yes?" Azniel looked at Klaus in surprise. But the man stepping into the mana-powered carriage simply wore his usual calm expression. "Ah. If there’s a book you’re having trouble finding in the estate library, you can ask Jerome. He’ll handle it with the budget—" "N-no, it’s not like that…" Azniel flushed bright red and stole a glance at the man sitting beside her, as if trying to defend herself. It seemed the Saint, who had lived her whole life…-
25.8 K • Ongoing
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15. At the same time, Azniel couldn’t help but feel awkward under the scrutinizing gaze that assessed and measured her every inch. “Hm, you’re so slender that just about anything would fit… but still—” “The master’s quite concerned, you know,” Annie added cheerfully, ever the attentive personal maid. “That’s why one of our missions is to help you put on a bit of weight.” The tailor gave a knowing nod. “I’ll go with styles that don’t rely too much on body…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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14. “So you think I’m a reckless man with no sense of responsibility.” “No, that’s not what I meant…” “Well, I can’t blame you. If you look only at the facts, this marriage is essentially a transactional arrangement—I paid the Church a sum of money, and in return, acquired the Saint as my bride.” The way Klaus said it, with a cold smirk and a hint of self-derision, made Azniel’s fingers dig once more into the folds of her skirt. “As long as Antagon…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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13. “I… may I say something now?” “By all means…?” Klaus’s thick golden lashes flicked slightly upward in surprise—he hadn’t expected Azniel to respond so quickly. “I… I’m not sure how you’ll take this, but… Pilgrims who come to the Holy Kingdom often go days without eating, waiting outdoors in endless lines. Things might be a little better now, thanks to your support, but if possible… I was hoping you could show them a bit more…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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12. Ian still couldn’t quite understand why Klaus had brought the Saint here under the pretense of a political marriage. ‘Is she some kind of first love?’ he had wondered. But seeing how Klaus treated her—coldly, with the same indifference he showed everyone—it was hard to believe that was the case. And Klaus had never once explained his true intentions clearly. Instead of prying, Ian brought up a different topic. “I’m very curious to see how the royal family…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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11. When she was young, Azniel had wandered the streets—and had grown up hypersensitive to the moods of others. It had been so long ago she could barely remember the details now, but back then, she’d had to read people’s expressions just to avoid being beaten, or to secure a scrap of food. That little girl grew into an adult who could read the subtlest signs of tension in the air. Even as one of the most respected figures within the church, her nature had driven her to push herself…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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10. Baron Klaus led her to the waiting mana-carriage. “Your luggage has already been loaded.” “So… this is the mana-carriage I’ve heard about…” The mana-carriage—Antagon’s masterpiece, the marvel that made the entire continent yearn for its technology. It resembled a regular carriage, at least in form, but the front was entirely different. The driver’s seat was enclosed with glass, and where the horses would normally be, the lower body of the vehicle protruded…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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9. “Yes? I just…” “I’m asking if you’ll refuse this political marriage if you don’t get the answer you want.” His words rang out like a threat. The answer was already decided. Whether she agreed or not, the situation was already in motion. It was a warning: know your place. Know the arrogance of prey daring to scrutinize its predator just before being devoured. “No, I… I didn’t mean it like that.” Azniel instinctively curled her fingers into a fist,…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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8. No, no—that wasn’t right. Even a moment’s rest would cause Azniel to start replaying the absurd things that had happened to her, over and over. As if trying to shake off those thoughts, she forcefully shook her head and turned to greet the next pilgrim. * * * From that day on, Azniel continued the healing rites in the Sanctuary every single day without rest. She didn’t exchange greetings or even small talk—it was more like she was wringing herself dry. She forced her…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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7. ‘You will be free—without fail.’ …Ah. Azniel let out a faint, powerless sigh. Back then—had that boy not just been trying to comfort her, but actually made some kind of vow to himself? Or… had things simply ended up this way by coincidence? With trembling eyes, Azniel stared at the handsome man before her. Klaus’s black eyes, meeting her gaze, were so dark they seemed to swallow all light—so much so that reading the truth behind them felt…
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25.8 K • Ongoing
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