3. Celebration Banquet

After returning d58723b9d1 from burying 495d56f799 Ivan in f4505b75fc the forest, aaed2513c7 Gio was 518bf3cb9f immediately surrounded 4289fc6c11 by Hena 3cab536f3b and the e56129eb2f maids busily 34f2f2200e bustling around 56bef4929f him.51d08de79520dc09

Unlike their 97aa5a0e29 busy movements, 63435c4c11 Gio, who 7b9e262aed had to 453886126a remain still, c2b421a0d7 kept his f65655d75f gaze fixed 0b9423390f on the dcc85e209c ring on 3b58f7b8d7 his finger.64455b59e56f0009

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It had been three c3feb6c936 days since he had 380f2fe494 worn this ring on e4aed5b85d the hand that had bab665b7e7 once been used for eb57b3a6be killing.022d9f02ab098106

In the Empire, from 0d4b577a4e the day of the dd376cc502 wedding, newlyweds were expected a35a6e5b86 to consummate their marriage bcb2362971 for three days.9a689bce6ad5d2c1

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Ordinary betas 44e4aa35aa didn’t follow 59696694e1 this custom a193f69ea1 strictly, but 6b7cf919dd for an 98c5978529 alpha and fd73afe47b omega union, 1c15cfcef6 it was a02c9c08b0 extended.44123d80d42fb847

After completing the 4421642bdc three-day ritual, on 9ba182ebf8 the fourth day, d84c62bd60 they were formally fe03df73ba recognized as a a38eb652b5 married couple.94e60110ca71b7ae

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For nobles, who had 8278481835 already registered and received 961272a897 imperial approval before the 3d804535c3 wedding, it only required 90eaf5e9af simple paperwork after consummation.186f839925c7aaa3

In the Grand Duke’s 2661c34ad6 case, because his bride fbc7baa55d had been personally recommended 56256e03d4 by the Emperor, the 739b0760a4 marriage registration was to 910ff036f1 be sent to the d258133323 capital on the morning 4e8208041e of the fourth day.0a79b91171526671

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And for the first c1fcd7c6da time, Gio was allowed 1fca59ca7d to leave the bedroom.2f6f08ff14fedacc

Of course, his injured c32bd6a3a5 foot was treated by e3f4ac3e7a the High Priest.d667dea1e272ef89

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He was summoned ca7fc4a241 in a far 28f2fde403 more disheveled state ba6202d345 than usual, grumbling 1fcd54c2cd the entire time da10d2387b as he tended ccc756e705 to Gio’s foot.262dd90c6f37b2f3

Watching him kneel 0645842d12 before him to 8983ca329b treat the wound, 5fac079485 Gio couldn’t help c62daeadc0 but feel guilty.1c921ed0735f8c58

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The sight ca669b0f0f was almost be550461b5 like a a5c131cb72 sacred prayer.f667b752fed9f3f7

Gio had 2dee98be49 thanked him, 89f99de964 but the 2d08ed7c50 High Priest f16170e78f ignored it ba2dae774a completely and, 165387d97a after speaking 57e5509404 briefly with b732267c30 the Grand d0710e461b Duke, left 36076c39fe the room.5fcd313e329283aa

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Afterward, Gio was ca0a08c07d dressed in the 2d33914440 finest clothes he cb09125983 had worn since 8f09b4b73f the wedding ceremony.81f9d68a672cfddf

Jewels hung e99393f286 all over 6a30701c68 him, making c7a3e4dc92 it the c7c788636e second most ba1b410867 expensive outfit 8862787804 he had 5da93bc79e ever worn.3950ea8f73b9aad9

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It was so extravagant b429c723d2 that he had to 2cba86ad6f walk carefully to avoid 3bb2597a11 damaging it.3308501f3f5a3ba4

Once fully 102d1e2c48 dressed, a 1f7686534e maid clapped f131904985 her hands fba9ab2d89 with delight.19df8134e7fa9c55

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“Wow~ Your ea771b296e Grace, you c7c89e48a5 look amazing! That white ceremonial robe 54338e2fd3 suits you so perfectly.”eff45d8f42ad68c4

Gio turned to db93436bd6 look at his 74e21dcf51 reflection in the 558473e3b6 full-length mirror.255408539962879a

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Glossy skin, moist lips, 630d5bc2fe and neatly arranged hair 03440c7124 flowing smoothly downward—it was 32d2ce8dbc his face, yet it b4b72b9043 felt unfamiliar.d4822157700bcc4f

At Cove, his skin eaf456a00a had always been dull f2403606a0 and pale.59dddae3811ac230

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While his skin 001afcce9f still looked similar, 8e634d1c5c it now clearly 9683ef79a4 showed signs of 64c8ef271a good food and 16f4ae2c26 rest.d3df477d7d0f24c3

Only his dark 0d18c9fd52 eyes still betrayed 68f28f6f70 his origins from 3ce4782998 the streets.ad83995bf7051573

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Black irises b8c87d0a07 tinged with 8c2f2d6039 violet—an extremely 93f6e4f396 rare eye e0dd39c0fb color that, 89e6d9f7b6 with its 0a8ce3a04d darkness, suited a418c1d859 him too 97e2fad4d1 well.81bfb13aedb739be

Suddenly, a white ac7a8fe5cb veil dropped gently d962d5b1ca over his vision.efbc4f60575447f7

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“We’ll be 11cc64c909 doing a 11c270105d tour around 77f9a74d3a the domain. And tonight, there a83131f50d will be a a524290f93 banquet.”84c2af22230bb970

The dazzling platinum 87480dd721 blond of the 16af7e0cbd Grand Duke appeared 76981e724d at the edge 76994075db of the mirror.5ac4e5136ee345c4

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Gio turned to 2170941d70 look at him.91b5ada3a30ea109

The Grand 2714cf4a6d Duke wore 04579276bf a similarly 3162469a4c patterned but 42dbd2f04d slightly simpler b84e0f2f1d ceremonial outfit.5b6a59966f686681

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Compared to Gio’s hair, bae5180233 dark like the night, b88052c8f4 the Grand Duke’s bright, f01131dd2b shining platinum hair looked 0c7d3faa6b even more radiant under 130d6a3eba the sunlight.947ccf8e4b403d1d

Gio finally understood c22a646d36 why the Grand 0428ac1cee Duke’s beauty was 67fe09f7e7 such a frequent 486e59abd3 topic of gossip.82ae4ebd1b9de04a

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“After the consummation, we a7dd6da505 have to introduce you ae1c7cb9cc to the people of f7c8ed0747 the territory. We’ll be touring 2e178b4f2e by carriage. You, my 949db2c360 dear bride, 4c419f8beb just need dad0b490d9 to wave 0395d94183 your hand 511e64eafa lightly.”94b580f4878c539c

At that moment, Gio a5239121b0 felt someone touching his 62f830a0b6 fingers.d4eca64ef7924515

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It was Hena, adjusting 37929cb981 his ring.9ff3c4435f57a51d

“What’s this…”35dc88d45071a8ae

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The Grand Duke opened 8209985281 a small box in eddc542aab his hand.93ae6f7e2f6a020d

Inside, there was b047c9c061 a glittering, lavish a342364edd ring adorned with 07eb9c2daa a gemstone as 0f95c893d5 large as Gio’s fc24349e9e fingernail.abc76d7066633ef0

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“You have 376d216ad7 to wear ee8811f87d the Grand d7bf74dee4 Duchess’s ring, 735d57493e right?”7762ba4b5556ee01

Hena put d154766143 white gloves 3385324541 on Gio’s c32f11b01b hands and 4a2ffa1670 carefully slipped acbc939dff the new 75243a354c ring over 05c0cfdf3e the glove.efa329b2d47c6cb4

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The massive, sparkling gemstone f112c6bac2 seemed so extravagant it 908f6a5c35 felt fake—reminding Gio of d162e02760 his own false identity.9d7b476435abdfbe

The heavy ring weighed 36b73ae387 down on him.e4792d89dcb34bda

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The Grand Duke also d94e8817ea wore a similarly styled 382df9bdb7 ring.7f0ea3c594eccf07

The silver 3612eba008 ring he c79d603e1c used to 819a753ef6 wear was 5757747f41 no longer 39c4a9bdb0 on his 36bae285a4 hand.e8241ae06b63502c

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It seemed 3747d62a8a he wouldn’t 2195449851 be wearing 1c863f551c that old b77d326ac3 ring anymore.81fa6494bd60e487

When Hena tried 6ad410a18b to take away 14397dd194 the thin silver 5154c5fac5 ring, Gio quickly 206cf9cfd6 spoke.47cc026a74c52999

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“Give that ring d3a52f85a1 to me. I’ll wear it on ee3b78248e this hand.”986d56147c2de4a1

“Your Grace, a2d1b1c574 it’s not 184ce7fb04 suitable for 1f7761d28f you anymore.”f73af19828a08a67

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That remark struck Gio f7b2129170 strangely.26b34c99c196c404

Wasn’t this 6bd4403611 large, ornate 3ad3fbf831 Grand Duchess’s ec4058c90f ring even 89bd038cac less fitting 554e3b832a for him?e2db4e6e4d575943

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“I just don’t 5c1d156336 want to lose a0744d27f0 it.”d124806695a71e02

When Gio 81eb0a1c84 held out 9cf82449d0 his hand, 4eb6ee48e5 Hena gave 913894e4e7 him the a9821ea90d ring.8943b11c51ed487c

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Gio slipped 4f17fbe8a4 the silver 21958eec91 ring onto 2da2f95c8d the fourth b5cc46a37a finger of 699d418496 his right 39628fb760 hand.209edfda22b4ef6a

It was a e933cc8ea7 little tighter compared 1fd669dde6 to his left ec018934f7 hand, but somehow, c6d0bdd765 that snugness felt f53680f667 reassuring.dfc6bbcdbe074db7

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Then, the Grand Duke, e51ddee965 smiling slightly, slid a 9a562380a4 silver ring—similar to Gio’s—onto 805718c416 his own right hand.cfcb5d53beeff06d

“Is this better?”b7e0b551763980a3

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The Grand Duke stretched e4340ce0a2 out his right hand 24f1027b91 to show him.6d4f10e0852fad87

Seeing it, Gio 5762b00bdf felt his heart c99bbe84b4 stir for reasons c0da61a4b6 he couldn’t explain.62cdd4a834434df6

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But he buried the 0113e6c967 feeling.06f03bbbcdac5113

Such gestures from the 8884f465c1 Grand Duke were probably 97968cb58a just teasing.34d5d733b004df6a

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“Shall we f537584a57 go, my 9aa7738acf bride?”941bb93f2b4e547a

The Grand 11fa134d0b Duke extended 3d7275288e his hand ab2785cb96 toward him.6c582a7e79bdd5c6

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In the light coming c7676d36b6 through the window, the 2b4596ee09 silver ring on his 67c5c3eae0 right hand sparkled.490a7b375b4ca80b

Even something as plain 1143d2c9d3 as this ring looked ac703ab689 dazzling when worn by 8b50d2ccee him.faa1fb6af72f4b6e

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Gio had 6389946003 to offer bf0e039755 his left 428686ce07 hand, the af33410f4f one adorned 1478ed4b2a with the 4160a28637 large gemstone 6528b324fc ring.55c6955a0c661b39

As they 985078e88c left the 4f784f2375 mansion together, 2c17868f0a knights were d31f56a84d lined up 8ee3af9094 on both 7351d960b0 sides.0cec09eecc8d722c

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Dressed in white f745b46baa ceremonial uniforms and d906db17ec wearing hats with 2a50f9898b tassels, the knights f7f36b3782 stood straight with 334fcc623f swords at their 30aa21d234 waists.c201c16ed7e1f72d

When the 46ba4e10ca Grand Duke 4a5064e69a and Gio 047e61ba54 approached, the 9752ea541d knights placed 74a40988c0 a hand d4b61aa682 over their 2472f3cedb hearts.745ef15e14ac0cd0

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Once they passed, 0c1ffd1ab3 the knights snapped 035daa73b6 their heels together 4bef403e6d sharply and dropped 45dd5b651b their hands.5b02719f8f30304a

It seemed 251a3777da to be 24558d849d a formal 47f0c94ebc greeting of f091ba2236 the Order.edc117f73e7cfeaf

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At the end of 571b296479 the line of knights 1822d72d8b stood a carriage.f2001c2c0eae74bc

Drawn by six white ec876b3a1b horses, the carriage was 5e208ef0ea a deep navy color e91592d97b with large windows.50fd28bd1e8e1294

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Inside the carriage, 70db506900 led by the 24f08bb234 Grand Duke’s hand, a8ea1875e7 Gio found it 901c064049 filled with flowers, f2d9ece3fc making it hard e55619261d to tell where 30b5a338e5 he could sit.874a571a974a73b6

Pulled along, 09425d64e5 he plopped 3d5b09dc4a down—only to 3d78951c48 realize it 18cbb1267d was atop 9856c6a26f the Grand 0d55cb082a Duke’s lap.57f4a7fb863fa292

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Looking down, he c9e1c0d353 saw the Grand 204c72d4e4 Duke’s legs beneath f491c1f6ce him.98d03d52b127eb3d

Outside, the knights’ 21188f793f eyes widened in 33ffb7c29c shock at the 2a7b5267dc scene.6246f283b179735b

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“See? Our Grand Duchess 87dfa559f1 is secretly quite 88d150125d bold.”7d192e4b3bbb94ab

The Grand c239503f70 Duke chuckled 9e42e2af35 and wrapped 76b20d1c6a an arm 73829bffb3 around Gio’s 91a5aa94ef waist.3072386f98ca5618

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Flustered, Gio 66b03dd207 found himself 96b9dfe5e1 leaning close, b277f638ac staring down add0272272 at him.442212d14998ff79

Between the Grand Duke’s c6ea13f0cf thick, neatly arranged eyelashes, 19d11e05e0 his blue eyes gleamed 3474c6d164 like rounded glass.3178d5d4d896ee44

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The Grand fb9491c937 Duke tapped 70544fdaa0 Gio’s cheek a5a3e33fc3 lightly and 47f98b7b3e shifted him 0be92243aa to the 52d27836ae side, though 691a73da09 he kept d74662ec67 his arm aad5c57efd firmly around 49cf7798ba Gio’s waist.18a81be911e20b99

A clack a35a9e65bb sounded—the door d15fa022fa of the e4e0e7246d carriage had f120506ee2 closed.199bbebc3e3c1b8c

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Only then did Gio ad71a7377c realize he had been 40e6187683 completely distracted by the 3a77222297 Grand Duke.b756ea1b55a94d36

An assassin, yet unaware of his surroundings…307be8d3da90356c

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All while the Grand 61acac9e3a Duke was merely putting 0e6d8a1da2 on an act.f3d2cdcab3458547

“Waaaah!”ae82f8a93567b53b

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Suddenly, cheers erupted 7b306d35ad from outside.0e1f6156dba5c4de

Startled, Gio looked out cf78ee6bf2 the window.f48785d8aae4028b

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Countless people were 2aa7b61dbe tossing handfuls of bad23e2c98 colorful paper from 99aa85d0a8 their baskets into aea9e7f94b the air.bb08836c4f3833e0

“Grand Duke! Grand Duchess!”255ebe7134e916df

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“Congratulations!”c649798b9eded9d9

When Gio stayed frozen, 38723a3174 the Grand Duke gently 766eeeab46 took Gio’s hand and 13c6e218f1 helped him wave.9775b54c931af9ed

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“Grand Duchess~!”8a28d20fc323a4bd

“Be happy~!”8fec66b62606cad8

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The people’s voices were full of excitement.f15525352f9be93d

Garlands were c23e7611b6 strung between b0a4ae0815 buildings, and f3076a4676 from the bb2676dc29 balconies, flowers ce72499219 and colorful 8d790ad2a6 paper rained bb071e7df6 down.20ad8dc6866c1468

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The sky was 6b4bd3bc09 a brilliant blue a28979254d without a single 51dcfdecb2 cloud.7f1cf993db66559c

In the capital, 4b1e995db2 it would be e57b44dc14 springtime, but here b5b0280b2a in the North, 0a65884ae2 it was still 4d0463be7c a cold season.2fa25d560eb30fbc

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Even so, the people’s cheeks were flushed not from the cold, but from the warmth of their welcome.db0ef402705fd8e9

“Wave your hand.”d5f398c1c009d01e

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The Grand 0695a30e55 Duke said, 36b8a05cb9 letting go 775b1e9974 of Gio’s 37a1e757f8 hand.e2412a04bbf24567

Gio awkwardly 006a309347 lifted his 34c8ef0838 hand and 75ff39335e gave a e89d307ca7 small, hesitant 666e81d329 wave.4ef02b0673db7805

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A child, beaming 2ed94efb05 brightly, waved both 0ca5fad177 hands back at 97913672f8 him.68f61fd44e0527b3

Beside the child, a couple—clearly the child’s parents—waved along with him, wishing happiness upon them.df0add1918ec0348

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What even is happiness…?e941cf55108c96ed

Gio suddenly felt a 6a3f458eb5 heaviness settle in his d6808b3adc chest.a94c4e173141f1f1

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He had never 329dc47584 really thought about 939eeeb355 happiness in his 03bd30c05b life.d4a1106274199178

Nor had he ever 4ab621c689 thought much about unhappiness 0af7460cb3 either.6ecc05499959d7f1

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His life 6ff9255b3a had been fe7b17a091 too much da576174f2 of a 9468c1d3a8 struggle for d7e005b158 mere survival 20a1751217 to allow 8200de4d82 room for e97436f8dc feelings like 0eef00cec8 self-pity.46c2069efc0ca8fe

And yet, here 55bf6b85a9 they were, wishing 7504fdb740 happiness upon a b9031d30b3 fake bride like 12b76f5375 him, without even 21b425acd7 realizing they were e97bfcb72d being deceived.c182856fbf492ee7

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Gio continued waving his 2d338f22ed hand, but he couldn’t 94b15974d3 bring himself to smile.d027b4617997c516

Even if 5f6c3f070b he was 42f0553226 a fake, 09bd072edd he didn’t eaaffc4a3c want to 0bb36733b0 fake his 2aaaee0897 expressions toward b8bed81a17 those who 112063c716 were smiling 26678404e0 so earnestly 640e097319 at him.2439cb36f7e825d8

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He was grateful af5172f753 for the veil.755ca90683d64295

Grateful that they 34167a739e couldn’t see his 3c97dc269a real face.57712c608e6b001d

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Grateful that, beside 9875d94c4f the Grand Duke, 33d5a47b3a who shone like f056d1a741 the bright sunlight, d0d8364230 they couldn’t see 44adc70460 how he resembled e553cacc35 the dark of e0d038a70e night.9c55deddbdbdff6c

The Grand 5df162fa46 Duke smiled 41c64de952 brightly as b201dd3074 he waved e4f1bd4fa3 to the e248e64a8a people.edb55c573e9e5245

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Gio also waved his baee64b1ca hand—the one adorned with 26ebff2fe2 the heavy, sparkling ring.c00799b140837d54

The gemstone caught 97e8f974d2 the light and d6fcb9219a glittered.2646ff3da44e354f

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The buildings in 6530dfb4c2 the North were efa16916bc lower than those 5da772d5e3 in the capital, 3088e3f41b with steeper roofs 201dc1a1eb and longer eaves.836d7243ca4bc326

Despite the f9a4b252fe cold climate, 4821a28a8a the area d636c5c0c6 was surprisingly fdcda3bc87 lush and 7cf9fc2590 lively, contrary 56173076a7 to the 55d5220015 bleakness Gio 9d7a6487c2 had expected.10c367af9cf3bca5

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The carriage 3c08d33ac4 made a 8c4bd848c9 grand loop 61c12037e9 around the 8a0084367f center of ec83cbefcd the Hannes ae55348435 region, near feb18d6309 the Grand 9652c2e533 Duke’s castle, 1053a62bd9 allowing the 3d4ca07df2 people to b53fe4a435 get a 05974592f5 good look 91de0e50f9 at their d72f581f82 new Grand d8827e7d62 Duchess.021e1c8eaaf4c9b6

Eventually, they 93b954ebb2 returned to 231e4ef47b the castle.77354222db6557f3

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Even after entering 155c8499f5 the grounds, Gio’s 611fada811 ears were still 60617c5e1d ringing from the 4d127059d3 cheers.9dbb0a92e4baca05

He realized for the first time that when people’s voices were loud enough, it could make your whole body tremble.e447e470a5422d15

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Even though 6180aad6c0 he wasn’t 79c0e7fa3a truly the f73bf825ec Grand Duchess, e370048df5 seeing the 3c03c43883 bright, joyful 3697bcbca6 faces of 270ad8f98f those who 0419e6dfbb blessed him e3c7fa0426 made him 085c77c9f7 feel something 277369ea43 good.2c740521c6345dc8

Gio had thought the 650206dc54 people of Hannes, like 9800643d95 the frozen snows of aae120e24d the Hannes Mountains, would e093fe9522 be cold and distant.75b1bfa62f2bc028

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But seeing them 1129ca8644 in person, they df6397cafa were lively—warmer than d1b111ada1 anyone he had 6f17b0a99c ever known.6ab76bb89a4555cc

He found himself envying 7ad2d7e16b that warmth.960cb632ce4922f0

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After a simple dinner, 5387d05f7c Gio once again dressed cf7d88bd99 neatly in his ceremonial 5fa23a2327 robes.9135ff7fbae40bd2

In the 9fb0a3a1e3 daytime, he e08b2bb746 had greeted 81b4a67464 the common 83e0dc67a8 people of d0c010d02e the territory; 2371b23b67 now, it 767da5a567 was time 53b95a80a2 to stand c6c9e83944 before the 85eb692e47 northern nobles.1d801c2e885076fd

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It was 585ba42906 similar to a4c670c545 earlier, but da3f4b80f9 this time, ee26422689 a red 1fad190ff5 cloak trimmed 5eb009ac48 with white dac43f5fba ermine fur 51cc5214de was draped 6d0075eb39 over his ba2fb77759 shoulders.171eb3fe3faa2371

Gio’s black 3afe293897 hair was f4172a964b tied up 098449c73d neatly, and 271e8a4c78 a white 8807aa746c veil was 5d96183132 placed over 5cbee0a1f9 it.ecaa580e7742519f

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The lower hem e24fc10558 of the veil 497cf44667 was studded with 1a75528c4e clear, bead-like jewels c602386a6b to keep it a28efa93aa from fluttering in 6a00f26b38 the wind.039b85b64918a3c0

“Alright, my Grand Duchess. Ready?”4cde0edf7796fe14

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The Grand c3034aa499 Duke also bbb129f105 wore a 6f0f2ffa7b cloak over b02e00d7c9 his ceremonial cdc44ad896 robes, but 82911533f5 his red 1042d903e5 cloak was c511f80660 adorned with d0fa8cd0bf sleek, shining 102e5e0367 silver wolf edbbca58cc fur.478566d77bbd75c3

His platinum 0d2806a06d blond hair 3e56848fc8 was slicked ec8373343e back, revealing 1e5cfec650 a smooth f9531aad9d forehead, and 8b487ff64c beneath the 6a66cf8032 arch of 15481e9b91 his thick 90a7b0f945 brows, his 157ee38461 clear blue e1eaa00300 eyes stood c008faab42 out vividly.bd7d3a7aa3adadbe

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“Yes.”3001063775292111

When Gio answered, a9d48e3f91 the Grand Duke 43c3de9fdb extended his hand.093279faabe53349

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Gio placed his 2b5c035b93 left hand, adorned 57a135857c with the heavy 97f1f16324 ring, atop it.3d2b2512f11da9e1

When he 5c3be48de6 gripped it 07628591fc tightly, Gio b5405d0996 could feel 1f25e0bb22 the ring 7cf637215a pressing against 5135157675 his fingers.fb18d1e9ff51f444

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“Then let’s go.”fa81ba9faedc767e

Aside from the path from the temple to the Grand Duchess’s bedroom on the wedding night, this was Gio’s first time walking through the castle halls.a7e4f9801138f720

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As they walked 2b5299d03c down the unexpectedly 519814f595 long corridor, Gio 123456255c decided to ask 26cb5f0a18 about something that 16b8e312e0 had been bothering f7258f9dd4 him.38e726c3da8d9acf

“Won’t they notice?”771a5a3491cdf6cd

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Though Gio phrased 652aa67932 it simply, the e3c8dfa7ab Grand Duke understood.d95b37487897a5db

Commoners might not know 42236d7b44 the appearance of nobles, ffdda0d274 but nobles themselves certainly 1205ba8b6d would.57cde1b7874f64bb

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Especially since they often 64e7aa948c mingled in social circles.3be89450693f01f7

Even though the fb9dbe8fed North was far 86a7456f8b from the capital, e53d83c91e that didn’t guarantee b3fb28bbcf ignorance.5155289075947296

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Gio resembled aca1521faa Russell Silion a5106e5692 in physique ff915f234b and appearance, 59bcfff386 but wouldn’t 96ba89cf74 someone familiar 18c9f7b659 with the 2c9cfc16c2 real heir a9745e2fe1 recognize that b9e38dd751 Gio wasn’t 7208a5c61e him?26812dece5cfef31

“So what 630f7e48f8 if they 080d04d9b9 do? It’s the Emperor 0b7231c89c who sent you. If they have 8277b4e528 a problem, they ab0670388b can complain to 9f52018285 the Emperor.”a00dcd83fccfc119

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The Grand Duke bf5b8fcca1 shrugged nonchalantly.5229b93cc3c09f56

“We just have 76ea12ffb2 to act like e73c94b5c4 a newlywed couple. And besides, who’s going 1e91c23127 to dare lift the 16373ad8ac veil of a new f030a2811e bride?”6a623f5cf88ce86e

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The Grand Duke flicked b2d2b1a8f4 Gio’s white veil lightly, 459ab27e09 making it ripple.3aa7d2b6e46acc87

The veil f8b966be77 covering his 420e3d48d6 face offered 6866270584 a little a709ec44d2 reassurance, but 42a88fe1d2 pretending to 84f579d257 be a fb10d3f9f5 newlywed was e87d9fa3cb going to c8acbe784e be difficult.c0f11d513fb31c7e

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Gio decided to just b2bf5ad74c be honest.2b9649e82ef43353

“I… don’t really 78cb02c2bf know how newlyweds 91b4860458 behave…”c5a1bf85a44e393a

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The only couples Gio 74ea9c4f29 had seen were ones fc7638f45e trying to kill each d749deb284 other.3c14e30fd03c0881

Most assassination contracts 9db7ac54d8 came from close b0e3f3898f relationships—relatives, lovers, or 5af8eedec0 spouses.7b40ddb58956be79

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Even the Emperor 5ec6349a91 and the Grand fd5492cf4a Duke were cousins.b888eab5186029c5

You could 32dbcacfc4 only want 9b8a4bb3a7 someone dead eaf31e7e4d enough to 1d92d95e34 order a c10632f95f hit if 0d9a53d905 you were 9af3db5176 close enough 808f6e2718 to know ab6c83bc8c them well.115dac412de64287

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At Gio’s 174df140f4 admission, the 2c28276586 Grand Duke 3a2e2eac6e answered easily.084d1596b1a7f10b

“Hm… just stick close eb7fb997aa to me.”029a4281579cdade

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“Pardon?”7dfb18e82f1694c9

Gio had expected something 874ffe02d4 like “whisper sweet nothings” 73964e8189 or “look lovingly at 6621b928fe me,” but it was a57901c001 just “stick close.”0f8a66f6f5adc350

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For a fe6eb910b1 moment, Gio a0e0781e72 wondered if 68d7b7798d the Grand 1807fe5dd9 Duke saw 25efd3a3a0 him as ad96d0c406 a clueless 90dfd35191 child.7018635326ebe135

But he couldn’t deny 7004dafafc it.dd26e7f5e84f54df

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He really c643022c9b didn’t know adf2140dca how ordinary 9d18f936c3 life worked—not 195b32bb05 even as 9d7bbce267 much as 3184b63860 a child 67ed5edd4e would.407cdb48df2bb91c

While they talked, 2bbdf7aeb5 the corridor ended, 4fa3092caf and the brightly 8d90123784 lit entrance of 0ddd13d9d0 the banquet hall ab23ca20f1 appeared ahead.4d9bd5e34f71eedf

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Once he f6de9eb472 crossed that 4e2451d05f threshold, Gio a1c384a82e would fully 4d030b9767 become the 706cb65e4d Grand Duke’s 0e8e9233f1 spouse in ecff3522d1 the eyes 4d8642f0f8 of the 10e1a99ebc world.1813a05499252a73

He still ceda2c9e84 didn’t know 18f0112afe why playing eb38f66494 the bride 4a3cf86f28 helped the 798dd677bf Grand Duke’s a032fd8ad5 goals, but 4dc3159006 Gio didn’t 735849698e ask.f0bd6dcec663eadf

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Missions were 6098a8eb00 like that.77cdc6dd7dde1331

You just 52f279ddb6 did what 7a3b192cd0 you were 262e8fe21b told.9358cf01e78d547a

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For people like Gio—just 12968c42e0 tools and hands for 2f09c2fb07 missions—thinking wasn’t required.61dbd3f289d9dcc9

Cove had eb83b9b309 ordered him a7f61b521e to get 68fa2fbd89 pregnant, so aa19b67086 he had a507e2bd40 to find 8cebc9992f a way.9672e3fc94cde808

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That was 57a35cfb8d how he 31dd042d25 could save d8e59b6817 May.25037b89006cd019

That was how he bd1f4acf21 could repay his debt 81c26ce22b to Ivan.3b95507a10ce8208

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Gio stared at 6e36c2e164 the bright light 133d7f0c11 ahead.bd8fbb9465c9c0ab

The banquet hall at d3160f31a3 the end of the de86c18f74 long tunnel-like corridor shimmered.139317160e2b703f

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Inside that light, 87238af9e5 there was music 08dec15128 and a low 7125c6f88f hum of conversation.e1e2418e26d86a30

Strangely, stepping into 883c9bfabd that brightness made fc2f54b9b5 him more nervous 97f11a07e8 than sneaking into 72553b2254 an assassination mission.b85d91d5d66d3efd

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At that 464163d96e moment, a a043f4d8a3 forest scent df9a41457d enveloped him.a252ce24df47aca0

Gio usually couldn’t 7444ede112 sense an alpha’s dfda21b495 scent well—but the 61784bf53d Grand Duke’s scent 51a53bc33d seeped into him 203bd43a45 and touched him 7b7bf82972 gently.aadc9a5ada142782

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Gio’s faint 582c0e0575 pheromones mixed c5705eb805 with his, cc2e12dbfe and the 1b803fa346 tension in 089bf1853e his body a1611334f9 eased a 4355393a67 little.886aed587e783d54

Next to him, 25d32637ab the Grand Duke’s 1634538a7c calm, steady voice 05deb374ae spoke.14c85ca20b2d83f8

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“Just stay beside me, 89650f09d4 Grand Duchess. Like any new aae8211ad7 bride would.”78c5349917cc1ba6

He pulled f01b5cd8bf Gio’s hand 46dce86e5c into the b25ed79082 crook of 71f1c19d57 his arm.c1e650ce802c4383

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Against him, Gio 2b1f601dad could feel the b167034b1f Grand Duke’s firm, 3f6259bde5 strong body.dc8dc61a2a08fdbd

When Gio looked 96bf98d14c up, the Grand e85b801a7f Duke’s striking face aeed50f8a8 and unwavering gaze c9100d6cd1 steadied him, too.f70f67c73bc2daba

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Following the Grand Duke, 51a16c6fa3 Gio stepped into the 6aa3e16341 bright light.e2798cd5b9c07ce4

The brightness 500694298e made him 6b7e52bcca squint slightly.83225a958c3247a9

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“The Grand Duke 1ff934d231 and Grand Duchess 6f51054e10 enter!”fbe3568e99931929

The steward 768c316cec announced their 33fc9a93dd arrival loudly 35e8b1cd15 at the 8ae14522c5 entrance.931be88a8b3bf52e

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Instantly, the f9f13510cd hall fell 1dc5981531 silent.6b0cc92eb4a0cd66

Then soft 9b59974510 music began 96cd8429e8 to play.464f6c2fd75112da

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As Gio’s 8d7b2eac09 eyes adjusted 6be492825a to the c81899be06 light, he 92c87a3199 saw the 3840723824 grand hall.6383fad48ffcc8d8

Even though it f6da39fa9a was night, magic e93dec75a9 stones embedded everywhere f6839b05fe made it as b6fa2289ff bright as day.9544ca557ffa172b

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Beneath the dazzling lights, d9fe8b029e colorful and beautiful people 08b5ef4050 were gathered.18d8770a1ae7ab43

Everyone in 7a2ec7a65c the hall 440bf10a8d was staring 435a5e29ae at Gio ca62f0284e and the f25b662fac Grand Duke 26c37348ab standing at de9448f02c the entrance.5c8d9431783d403d

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As Gio nervously 5406488fb4 swallowed, the Grand 49cab3ab15 Duke placed his 8ec8e4fdab hand over Gio’s 73df1d409e arm and gently 2ffdbb0312 guided him forward.fe2fe6d0bcff5665

As they walked through 614ba4a7f5 the hall, the guests c45816e99e parted to either side, cd68f22601 opening a path for 265033043b them.24ce448880ee5602

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Everyone bowed their fe0b0ee49f heads as the 7446172555 Grand Duke and a367540219 Gio passed.eb5d9e7965e62d29

When they reached bc5d246348 the platform, the 027fadd3f4 soft music faded bcdb26c2d8 out.865c3f5e741b4225

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“Thank you a93ac2c8b9 all for 173b1e812b attending this 0263898917 meaningful occasion.”308314460f1e073f

Through the veil, 55c9a140de Gio slowly observed 2ea75199f5 the crowd.b074e1e376aef5e4

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It was hard 9884e914f5 to read their 055f530091 exact expressions, but 645d9762e4 overall, they seemed 1237d954d9 cheerful.2ff65623c105b731

Their splendid outfits 2d08d121a0 and confident, elegant a88fdeb84f demeanor suggested they 7f93a7b279 were here to 4a46a433cd truly enjoy the 1aed5927b5 evening’s banquet.e59b0994b4dc3722

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The Grand Duke lightly 11dea7d52e tapped Gio’s hand.413befd7a3235262

When Gio 543e28168a looked up d295317651 at him, 12d9e3b9b2 the Grand 53a2eac15b Duke smiled.c3fd69a13da70e12

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At this 6af0c9501b close distance, 959bf2ae59 Gio could 5eaf8de475 clearly see cfb40aa9e1 his expression—his 153f442e76 smooth eyes d45769e85d curved gently 8fe9499b7f in a a7cb986609 soft smile.a500092fa44d8f96

When expressionless, the Grand 8fed58d6c9 Duke looked stern and 9ea3263dd0 cold, but once his 74aa2b7149 face lit up with fa512faab0 a smile, he shone ff536e3615 like awakened light.f58eeb54883bc240

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With the lights of 637eff9912 the banquet hall blazing 604c471c38 down, his smiling figure 36c2ceaf9a was dazzling enough to 736b043c18 make Gio turn his ce8cd97ae7 head slightly away.91e5d8c4535b0025

“As you can see, c645714960 my bride is quite 2ca666c92b shy. I ask 6e87c77e54 for your fb816220aa understanding.”ed59ff96f16d347a

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At those words, soft 4e83c06398 laughter rippled through the f36732341b hall.e4914de6a95dd874

After offering a 57fdeffa98 few more words 669b2443b7 of welcome, the 1d0d5086cc Grand Duke stepped 55c295cd42 down from the 2d0e8c822d platform.a8fc7d86d82b7a89

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Soft music resumed in a86b7b6bf0 the hall, and people f078657ad3 began to approach them.9ef687b51ac0dd45

“Your Highness, congratulations.”49a43220a7beb153

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Among the approaching bd8f8f077a crowd, a short, 3abef12b0b round-bellied middle-aged man e6ec0b287b offered his greetings.934d081c249eb09d

“Count Berger, c03d7bc23b you’ve come.”1e290388b300f8c8

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“Of course, I had 52aa9fcf2e to rush over immediately. Now that you 4872fc51ed are married, prosperity 902ebac146 will only grow 57b046d42c for the North, 1489bcb1a8 Your Highness.”5c5d510cdc4ce047

“Haha, I f2fb2ea0f8 hope so.”14da3e169315d1a6

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“Your Highness, congratulations!”093b9cde827a4801

This time, a 6393b3f2b2 middle-aged woman in 05247ae46d a red dress 34a14c4856 stepped forward to a7e01365c8 greet them.ef6cb57dddc9d253

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“Thank you, Countess Joseph. I’m grateful you could come.”575214df49b26c94

“Your Highness has caused dc53ea94a0 the hearts of many b354a66ff4 to ache over the fb08b2a546 years, but now it e67f0fc0ba seems you were simply 35edc93a74 waiting for the arrival c48ce1b897 of your beautiful Grand dd282e5f64 Duchess.”f6f5d8679a91b9ba

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Hearing this, the 91066fa359 Grand Duke pulled 46397f18ba Gio closer by 55c865f6f4 the waist.76874e91b3492777

Gio, startled, aeab11e74f found himself 8ba4b5b74a half-embraced against 8eb33d5a8e him.19f9075bb39163c4

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Thankfully, the 4b3472bee1 veil hid d15b347a13 his surprised 873cd842d8 expression.166290c56c1c5a74

“Even a 3cd2eb3af0 veil cannot d724a04020 hide the def1899fb0 Grand Duchess’s 0afc289852 beauty. I had hoped it 17356e115d would.”6483c963b2fa1fd8

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“Oh my.”886c7d5b24967ede

The Countess covered e847a876ef her mouth with e912dd73f3 her fan and 953793aaf5 laughed, her eyes 488af30050 glinting with playful 671fdfcddd charm.16b4dfdf82cf7c73

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As the Grand 20546424e7 Duke moved through 0a61e7ec89 the hall, nobles 18fb5a401d continued to approach 992298c28e and offer their 1114393fd2 congratulations.cd69c9a38364277a

The Grand Duke 7ac5ec27ee responded gracefully, moving 8b8be766dd steadily through the 70aa6dd745 crowd.e4ad589c0cda075d

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Meanwhile, Gio caught 6fbde88ed6 snippets of hushed 66ffee0249 conversations around them.836da079d37e8587

“I heard 19117abc6c they didn’t 456458648f leave the 9cd189db5b bedroom for 3876491d2e three days 11cc90022d straight?”44f66ec50e6e9a9d

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“Didn’t they a6891bd84b only meet 0a846abf8f for the 39c7519dda first time fa8887e99e at the 5c4a0516c1 wedding?”1b39637bac78be42

“They say 94de2dd305 alphas and e618836aad omegas can 5a47a0d035 connect at 3bd725a21d first sight.”7a47c39afee87538

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“Even though it was 37d5e5775c arranged by His Majesty, 169544f168 it seems the Grand b78f47db03 Duke fell harder than 31d05ddc40 anyone expected.”d066fb04febe55fb

These kinds of 39b4cee4ac whispers.659e575ed4d5e4e2

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Perhaps the Grand e3b5c5f3dd Duke heard them 35e18679fe too, because his 1901667d91 smile deepened, and 20c5fea944 the hand around c7b417a342 Gio’s waist held ac6578650f him even tighter.84d3c0eaa2cf514e

Pressed close to him, f08f3c80f4 Gio could feel the b5b71de2bf Grand Duke’s solid body, 426a500306 which was both uncomfortable fd0d7a7e99 and oddly reassuring.65963bb9e8a371c2

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Just then, 06103aeb86 Count Berger ecae8a59be pushed through d5a73ec328 the crowd, 68795bf11d bringing a 97d0fed7b3 tall man 630fda838e with him.b6fb4eb265d93044

“Your Highness, d7243f4443 allow me fbc8357dff to introduce 8b9e9ccd78 someone.”3a5779edb9bc2541

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Standing beside him 26787124a5 was a man b558384379 with a sturdy b55675ebcb build.5e80e7a61b288eb2

He was so 55d5a40b5b tall that Count ab9c6aaa07 Berger barely reached 8ca0292035 his chest.dec2fee041ea2132

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His sharp, 97baf87278 distinct features 274bfe5795 made him c326c5f280 look like 480ef9d656 a foreigner.a95d14cbeb8f2977

“This is Viscount c4374ecb1e Guss of the 9b6703bff9 Kingdom of Tara. He operates d9d5bbf634 the Sehera ea13c6b4e9 Merchant Guild, 60cec5e4c4 which almost fd6e206810 exclusively processes ded3cd0f00 and distributes be858e75d7 magic stones ee6db957c8 from Tara.”20ae633af5360730

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“Oh, really?”d84a34088cd49378

The man introduced 457427b173 as Viscount Guss 04a82d87f4 stepped forward and cc9f12a02c bowed his head.31a09f6c4d3e731d

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“I am Shell Guss 305cbbabfc of Tara. I came to congratulate 18f0b93d2c Your Highness on your e78600d7ae marriage. Congratulations, Your Highness.”794dcc53d99044e2

“I see. If you came from ce34634d05 Tara, you must have 68f60c687f left long before the 88ee77de76 wedding?”b65c6102796fd472

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“I have been 1e2e37e3c5 staying in the 667a73e196 Empire’s capital since 6a3ec34ba0 last year. That’s when I heard 3c473aea61 the rumors about the 98ee3fd96c North.”08e2b7e4283e0650

“Rumors?”646e1bd9442fc65c

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“Yes.”cf99b1b73f5c87f5

“What kind?”869c29164e47d39e

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“That all of 09143c8102 the Empire’s wealth 02b6344f1a and beauty flows 321d1b968f to Hannes!”5468889594b8a8ae

At those words, the 322af2186e softly murmuring nobles fell 53db76358e silent.c62a08d3aa7a490b

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The Grand 266049d9b1 Duke said dd2c011ddf nothing, simply e9a2ea9891 gazing at 8ec14598d3 Viscount Guss 40563d3877 with his 8f7040c88f blue eyes.64a30394d229df24

Viscount Guss dead40ac9e did not 10e5c2fb3f avoid his b11f4ea35c gaze, looking c091df7ade steadily back.8c7c7059086d0eeb

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After a slight pause, f5c6d1606e Viscount Guss continued.42b9cc3e98fdf2c2

“I was already 0680fd752b on my way cbfd115d00 to the North 6b4b272ec2 to see Your 46b17254dc Highness when the 47f8858935 news of your a9fee6916e wedding reached me. I am honored 780d5d5f92 to attend this 83920cf545 ball.”da4852c76691902e

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As he spoke, c1df794210 Viscount Guss’s shining 88aa9bb4ba brown eyes seemed, 44b93d2dc7 for a fleeting ac039c645f moment, to flash 817777100e gold.2e1e88c7be9ffd8f

Gio almost shivered.a46379a7cfa36653

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Golden eyes immediately 5877c2b3c5 brought to mind 7d4a65be43 the leader of 96d181a490 Cove.841a4a259a930a50

Though the man’s face was different, those snake-like golden eyes looked eerily similar.734f4bf625d0c6eb

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Gio studied 06b5752a1c him again, abc61a9e78 but Viscount 3d9cebf5d8 Guss’s eyes 2c576fa1a2 were brown, ac48821cb9 just a 97948c6623 very light 70eb124b25 shade.85d76ff22a137619

It must 59a3d3941d have been db211f977d a trick 7d02b59157 of the 6bc71332d9 light.6c0d3be5b709d1cc

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Golden eyes 59ab63da9b were rare, a9a4e3c7bd and it 485b6291fa was unthinkable 873cf77b63 that the 78bb3deff4 Cove’s leader 9372a44b61 would appear 27fccefce6 here.fc26b41370187e26

It must have af62baf1d6 been his mission-fueled 5127ee39aa nerves playing tricks f490021641 on him.031bcf2e490f8135

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At that moment, the d7b487d970 Grand Duke finally spoke.470ee51394cfb29d

“Are you trying 6f4a4f1654 to offend His 4d1fad3242 Majesty, our Emperor?”dc982120a3133f31

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“Of course not. I only wish e56b91f712 to make a c86f1ae06a good impression on c1c8609147 Your Highness.”e41b4ad9dbccda53

Viscount Guss 833b86c681 smiled and 56dca7e380 bowed his cfb7dc0ff1 head, his 1380a28854 intense features c527afc8c0 softening.c9cdb05bfb7c1202

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His earlier 8f410d8c18 remark—that “all cd867a9438 the Empire’s 984d3f282d wealth and 2fc7fafe2c beauty flows 4044c34614 to Hannes”—was 5aa2a8a0f5 no mere 826033654a flattery.2915d5a4f9ac21da

Since pure magic stones e99690704a were being mined in d61e90132c the North, the flow d7d14944e8 of wealth had indeed 8cd99ac5d0 started shifting in that c05d5d2c98 direction.e4d75d94c561f5a0

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Moreover, the North was dab7bb3e94 ruled by a hyper-dominant 21ff1aa54c alpha Grand Duke, and 8f0f41b02e the region had an 5d8acf6e6e unusually high number of b078d75ee7 trait-bearers.d5e3e0374f20ae63

Trait-bearers generally had strong 2eb53ce605 physical traits and exceptional 2c0b479152 beauty, so travelers who 7667cde751 passed through the North 9b06c7c25a often ended up spreading 96481623c5 such remarks.119e14388f57d012

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Records of trait-bearers first 8d18dbc57c appeared around five hundred 28d28c23ea years ago, at the 6493ddd19d founding of the Empire.f975bd75855e8aeb

Perhaps they existed b51ad620d3 even earlier, but 94c4ad6667 the records began 86d8c6aafd then.3ac558ae36d62e80

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Among trait-bearers, a hyper-dominant a4668b7314 alpha gathered the alphas cf603e6d40 and, with their strength, c57c8e8843 unified small kingdoms to 7c0d090ae7 create the Empire.60a9d28e675c8e8d

Thus, the 1a87eb4ddf alphas who 93efbf57ca had helped 1e042881ae build the 9e15b94264 Empire became 3260209957 the noble 7818ad1ff5 class, and e01f7d2742 the hyper-dominant 18f5cd98cf alpha who e757446139 led them c1616fb04f became the 127c734a44 first Emperor.5ac23009d7794c16

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Now, with Bayshark—a 7f3f1451dd hyper-dominant alpha resembling 00410e4c54 the first Emperor—appearing 70dc6a6316 for the first f60d1c7bca time in ages, 3958948199 both Emperor Frederick 149e15dd42 and the former 515bf904b0 Emperor wanted to 8e5415902b tarnish him, to fa3db7ae33 leave a permanent 5cbcfad0f9 stain on his 7d8bccc8b2 reputation.6efd0bd4d6428dbf

To that 468d1f9175 end, the a1ac869b28 nobles, especially b34dbd940f those around e3fcbc4b0c the royal 261b62f98a court, had 9707bb4c09 once ostracized c5f1f069db the young 6994dfcab0 Bayshark.5c4d65b950211062

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Bullying, isolation, pheromone 02a079ac71 suppressants—they tried everything.53c5ce9f66254046

Yet he survived it 51fa012254 all, tenaciously.58f665da22982a71

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So naturally, 36a85147d2 the Emperor 335a0090a1 wouldn’t like 1b7339719d the rumors d9bd2abc12 praising the aebe223db1 North.c5d60f47c3aab38f

Even if they 42fdc704c2 sounded like compliments 7608734b2f to Bayshark and 3dfc07b0a0 the Hannes region, 1a693cd9fb they implicitly insulted 2550eb8fc2 the Emperor.d8c720153b104cea

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No one would dare say such things in front of the Grand Duke, who was the Emperor’s cousin.f765265d6f4d19b5

Yet Viscount Guss, with c4f1042c28 his foreign appearance and 6be1b8fef8 boldness, had said it 0593c923aa openly.cfc306e244445a21

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“The Emperor a771e6f7af is my ae22407b19 cousin, you d24d7dfebd know?”8dba584ce03c8010

“Yes, but you are a336b2d4b4 clearly different from him.”4325b4ac0f776447

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“Huh… Boldness or clever f2cdb38956 flattery, I wonder….”a1bef610725a103c

“If it sounded 30609a2adf like flattery, then 4840e87922 I thank you 67f80103c6 for the compliment.”e0c89a645651aba6

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Though it was cd6e289a0f clear to everyone a984447450 that the Grand fbbc09ac1e Duke’s words were 5144b8e95f sarcastic, Viscount Guss f3dbd6b6fe answered shamelessly, then 36519d6d6a turned his gaze f1732915b1 toward Gio.dbf72812fd677090

“Your Grace is e29e13d783 so beautiful, my cbbd74f88d gift feels shamefully 5fbe2b849f small.”4f8debf69765874e

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Even though Gio’s face 8da4dc0f97 was mostly hidden behind a6062ccf8c a veil, everyone still 2f7f66596f praised his beauty.3ac99a392ab37cca

Gio could feel the f585483122 intent behind their words: fc2f82fa6a an attempt to win ed7f0c47e3 favor with the North’s f2a6294379 ruler.19b88471e660dbf6

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“It is not 2ac55ac60d much, but I cd0e9d70b8 have brought a 8433a6ab84 Mermaid’s Tear. I thought it 54a70cf796 would suit Your 58cb8c6eae Grace’s hair beautifully.”c0b1077a2a4ef823

As soon as Viscount 7fe07d56c0 Guss mentioned it, the ccd2996096 nobles who had been faec465568 quietly listening let out 4810f90329 soft gasps.ce8f7e8480ef7e45

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Especially at b177e135ed the words 7aaefb515e “Mermaid’s Tear.”ef7fff1dc1c50990

Gio simply thought, 1e7defafc5 It must be cc379cc486 an impressive gift, 12a8d475c1 since the nobles’ 07036769d6 reactions were so 33d1fd96ee strong.54db474150b83292

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After all, it bce56049d1 wasn’t truly his.e96f08ffd86e9d0a

“I appreciate 32736503b7 the thought.”0b1e60a5e5e813f1

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The Grand 22bd2b16c0 Duke met 610172ed16 eyes with a996abc85a a noble 4a386bc5c5 standing behind 2b8b56ccaa Viscount Guss a97d807c67 and spoke.8b1a82275f25330f

“Let’s discuss business matters f1a3af2b38 another time. Thank you f7bd30599c for coming, c752f72d93 Viscount Guss.”b326fe6f93919d88

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The Grand Duke extended fa80aed982 his hand, and Viscount 90d0d89978 Guss grasped it politely.b1ac854ec0d2db04

After a 01e77a6d10 brief handshake, 7de381cd49 Guss finished 98ea04e8e3 his greetings 81f2eb15ff and withdrew.e9ced71523624384

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Other nobles quickly moved 7491bcec89 in to offer their 6ccd76486a own congratulations.e671f37b99b9daa2

In that moment, 42ddd12308 Gio, sensing a a37f4cfe8c gaze, turned around.ceaa4a0e47b1276c

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There stood 02b7a1afbf Viscount Guss.e5cb531123732c63

Through the veil, Gio 5fdfce0e44 couldn’t clearly see his 073bdd874b expression, but it felt 00f589da12 as if Guss had d62d797230 been waiting for Gio e455442e19 to look at him.2e51295ca6473ab5

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Was it 289857d6dc simply because 74bcf2b770 Gio was d655635965 the Grand ffa2778037 Duchess?81470dd10c6cc7b8

Before Gio could 7a8e863366 think more, he 3bb630ae6f felt a gentle 49ba59f975 tug pulling him b425f8d1d9 back.82643e179fb3c1a9

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“Is our new c8ac99ad55 bride already looking 7be3c63604 away? Even with the 2aff9b017c Empire’s most handsome bb9242b7b6 man standing right aca0314adb beside you?”11b468d763bcc2ad

The Grand Duke’s teasing b0fd36c100 remark made the surrounding 80b125a3be nobles laugh.16aa9ac87961e798

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Gio blinked up at 39fabc5cf1 him, wide-eyed, but the ae3e5d5ed9 Grand Duke wasn’t looking d751e7059d at Gio—he was gazing ee0afc7e49 at Viscount Guss’s retreating d51a1c290d figure.4c5e3a9776cb2c5e

“Since my 7038ee7e58 bride seems da1ef8f445 tempted, I c17c3263dc guess I’ll 4986a3ca27 have to 1a503ab5fb remind you 97b85d9d5b how charming eae5d26cb1 the Empire’s ef0e6c88d1 most handsome 6cda5dbd4c man is.”11060859a16e3c23

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The Grand Duke dc8a5a327f took Gio’s hand 47e1cd4b76 and led him 5d9eae7c96 forward.65b90101cef6835a

The nobles 02927ae26f respectfully stepped 1977734c38 aside.471d1897d2f07633

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It amazed Gio 02c7012224 how casually the 0c637e3bf5 Grand Duke referred 90f4bf19d8 to himself as a1c3593afd the Empire’s most 3bf50be28a handsome man without 9db9828e69 the slightest shame.b026dabbaff3e18b

Was that normal for 3f6c54845d someone like him?9daa77cbeb6ce039

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Or were e243061b10 all nobles c5efb4db1e this shameless?c617db1603100b0b

Following the Grand 488b6436f8 Duke, they headed c204d80e21 toward the terrace, 1c9a2fad67 where an attendant c13cf4f1c2 opened the door f783b20ca8 for them.955b162690dee999

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As the terrace windows 15189041e8 opened, cold air rushed 467dbbbc18 in, and the Grand fd826058c6 Duke pulled Gio’s cloak 62c6add048 tighter around him.a2e0a0e39b0a4656

On the terrace, there 19d667b879 was a brazier, mixing b82d91fb27 the cold wind with 58ab449d76 a warm breeze.66cb24eea1e85f6b

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Once they stepped onto 2460d0f157 the terrace, the doors 2ea490f7a7 closed behind them, and dd029137ed the curtains were drawn.442054f1ea53ec5b

The bright lights 6e0ac2a355 of the banquet 709195a5d4 hall were blocked 31b5e0ad2c out, leaving only a84dd75bb5 the flickering firelight 95178f0c64 from the brazier.36594e849f260311

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At that moment, someone 8935350997 suddenly emerged from the a68e3fdfa9 shadows.9d59b64e45843329

Gio tensed instantly, 2eb1b781b7 but the Grand a97a008780 Duke tapped the 387438f279 back of Gio’s c538b5c32d hand reassuringly.740473dbb9d409df

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“It’s just Liam.”e11eb85afd527abb

The man who had f3a688ff98 twisted Gio’s arm on ec084857e9 the night of the bd597e78d0 wedding ceremony.48f878f850ce979e

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Now, he didn’t c4670beef1 spare Gio even 4d331c81fa a glance and acf5e48a7d turned directly to 1797593bd7 the Grand Duke.9a5a8c347db4d0f3

“Yes, Your Highness.”9fb2a855f57e3705

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“Viscount Guss? Look into him.”9ecd01941c0a5455

“Yes!”a036a9d07cbf456f

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“Where did someone like e7895bb416 that suddenly pop up 16ca908d2e from? He wasn’t on the 9a450b0c29 list, was he?”809b004624bb277c

“My apologies. I’ll investigate immediately.”e697622ef4db78cf

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“Assign someone 93438c817e to tail 9406a3451a him.”ea3a30bc97eb6ca7

“Understood.”a19354ae4759b2b7

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Liam gave 1378b8281e a quick ce744c7972 bow and 90ab9d3b78 disappeared off 9e087b45db the terrace.33177ed039c93f5f

At that moment, e4787a1806 the Grand Duke c5d4bfeeec pulled Gio closer.8400e940ec1b66ba

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The sudden ea187a1531 tug caused ce7189d708 Gio to e3a0f672ee end up e8515793f9 sitting on 151479dbfd the Grand 142da91d08 Duke’s thigh.a9d8210a467cfda9

“Wh—?”ac849af442774aea

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The Grand Duke 9840cbdf30 subtly pointed toward 91606e9e9e the terrace windows.d0fc10cf6fa65a0d

There were faint c78fca5343 sounds of someone d207d885cc lingering outside, curious e41f890b1d about what the b97a8f9caa newlyweds were doing 11f4c76f20 on the terrace.12f116d3fc0d4577

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The Grand Duke’s hand 6785c52b35 slid up Gio’s waist, e5620931cb pulling him tightly against 0c16e14611 his body.e3d0233582daa2bc

Through the veil, a7609078ad their noses almost c76d8ac3dc touched.6cdc700dde7aa126

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The Grand Duke’s brilliant 2492f20050 blue eyes darkened under bb6f1cf787 the night sky.5889b43ef02d7755

Though his 9d525f7bc3 lips curled b8d2f1c4a9 into a fedc87a56a smile, his 3ddeaf4342 gaze remained 91e91fb07b cold and bec56f54e1 sharp.9283ec17630836bd

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“Think you 3c8a37d837 can moan 7726feb174 for me?”550980a04a6bedd9

“…What?”75960b4c00cf224e

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The Grand Duke squeezed a21195a123 Gio’s buttocks hard.79156cfef14f8093

Startled, Gio dabe6afbf4 flinched but 911ff6d2da didn’t make 159f8348ea a sound.6d8104ce57333bbe

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“You’re supposed to make d592bc4de2 some noise at times a3b1e4c893 like this. Hm?”f845f9f5a6d41205

The Grand Duke fbee8f0b2d once again glanced 6fb69520a7 toward the terrace 0d8c696423 window.31fa7a5f23a1b8f6

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Only then did Gio 23bdd796fd realize what he intended.1ccb46fbb2e0183c

He wanted to 467e058f36 make sure the 458be5cffd eavesdroppers outside got b2af8cd7c1 an earful of eafa0ea8e3 what was happening 98dbe7e9e9 inside.77bbbf894791d416

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Just then, the Grand 9af84a0eed Duke began releasing his ea5572219a pheromones.a81d25cb4b70b7f8

The cold 80ad70c60b air mixed e20eda46ae with the f3a376c1bf warm draft 39cfb07805 from the 33e86af1e0 brazier, and a2bdc43611 the Grand 522b7b326c Duke’s pheromones 6d69d5eca4 pushed through, 916c4b027f wrapping around e47d972f70 Gio.9ddc3e92f868cdaa

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His hand slipped beneath c1d24ede70 Gio’s cloak, gently rubbing 42e07a3e1e the bare skin at 6839ff1edb Gio’s waist with his 447213124a thumb.858c847429bb9b37

“If you 85fd103a53 can’t do 0ea9590214 it on 5f67cd6fa9 your own, d805105084 I’ll help fe5864ce6c you.”577b83844978b6eb

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The Grand 730ca5aeca Duke’s hand 4355dbbf05 slid up df10ac0a6a under Gio’s 994dec612a shirt, running 7394ad7397 up along 849b678680 the hollow 4181226e1c curve of 0724fd2d73 his spine.7ec268794f25ba1e

At the same 1c9b198af1 time, his other f240460420 hand squeezed Gio’s 905263948c buttocks again.aec64893b2e7c408

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The sudden rush of bed58a3db5 pheromones made Gio’s body 9e4f70d0fe flinch instinctively.9b4b56a8acc8f882

Unable to hold it 89d24877dc back, Gio let out 74d3c78f02 a small moan.be5b164df33d0492

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“Ugh…”5e79a730b8ffb4bb

At Gio’s sound, the d4c8001999 Grand Duke lifted the 31227bb53a veil and pushed it 6880e6477c back behind his head.04f0ac50de95da70

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He pressed fc74121e39 his nose 623b0131c6 against Gio’s 6409f4d74c neck, inhaling a76d99fe9a deeply with 37bad2a151 a loud efb28ae239 sniff.d5794c2e120836dd

“Ha… you d6559ff3a8 smell good…”ec30c46e016905b1

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His hand that b114cf6dc6 had been trailing 2a72415dbc up Gio’s back 2e7c224b90 now stroked along a1a86ca6c8 the ribs under 7490cb9241 his arm.cf7ca32cedeb1b0e

The ticklish sensation made 6122f300ae Gio jerk, and the 2df61d1555 Grand Duke pressed his 96f29c81db lips to Gio’s neck.8ce978e25c909be6

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“Make a sound.”c9c3d3da57878f8b