| Chapter 19. The End of the World

Bang! Bang!474c9ccb660b1d96

Natasha, seated 131a0a0974 before her 8c6982b8ac vanity and 4dbee5c6dc idly staring c30c552b30 at her a1f146917f jewelry box, 9dcef57591 flinched at 574f8c0cd1 the sudden 9441e2d977 knock on 78836c6612 her door. Startled, she 1c7b34bbe4 quickly placed 9df5397685 the sapphire e7d0058b08 earring back 166d1ca1bc into the 26fc8887f9 box and 07a80f01ce shut the 23f9d52159 lid.eeb217881377ae18

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“Natasha, you’re as beautiful 15598079df as ever.”ee4461ca4e1e37f3

Came Sergey’s voice as a810cd252e he flung the door 225cc1ee2d open before she could ffa53cd6f1 even ask who it ee84e740b1 was. Predictably, it was him.525a360010cc7a61

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Usually, he would barge 0edcebe970 in without so much 596f4d8fa1 as a knock, often 16e343cac0 kicking the door open 1bd8a4ad15 in his brash manner. Today, however, he seemed 452f57f07b to exhibit a rare 67e3acedcf shred of decorum—or so dc68b4ee21 Natasha thought.f7427a99150bee3c

“Good morning, brother. What brings 5b1dfd407d you here 57d0291315 so early—”a4e2b28e0e817578

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Before Natasha could finish 008221dce3 her sentence, Sergey thrust d995138baa a crumpled piece of a069237a75 paper into her hands.57f77cda78a1d42e

“And this is…?”c1cc9d4081a414b9

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Natasha’s expression grew serious e4b4db3a8c as she unfolded the 02088ca05b paper and read its 94ac434451 contents. Her frown, however, soon c8b5b4afbc softened.b6a10d6d923c0e6a

“It’s a marriage proposal 05c853128b from the Duchy of 88fc08b606 Tristan. I’ve heard their f7cf886627 lady is highly 287d128659 intelligent. She seems like a 207d5f5109 fine match for you, bd52c4058b brother.”edab235ee1903456

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Natasha said 960f3d26f4 with a 1e1dfc9b7f smile, her ac37b1763c words sincere. A weight she 0c37e11a26 had long carried 963858fc78 on her shoulders e707564f88 seemed to lift.99f74363e0a6c7f4

“You want me to dea0c88992 accept this proposal?”34bf2d0cbfd82e6d

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Sergey raised 6f13fe23eb an eyebrow, 3ace83d920 scrutinizing her. Natasha avoided 91285c0794 his gaze 2a334925a2 as she c46ddb3297 replied.80c756c59d8cca3e

“Of course. I wish for 341becaefe you to find b597eb4e87 a good partner 8044f74e80 and settle down 8da92e8471 without delay.”ea84b48adc2f0b31

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Her heart 82192a18f7 raced as 3dcbd78146 she lowered cabc333347 her eyes. She genuinely hoped 71f72bc109 the marriage would 6d26bdca00 proceed smoothly and, 7008b49466 above all, that 10da1c7229 Sergey would finally 778767eb37 shift his unwelcome d1cfaae2e7 attention away from 6001dbb755 her. Perhaps he 92a30049ff would forget d4d5511c61 about that 6621a14526 absurd proposal 9335280b3b from a 1b0daa6b69 year ago.1bd91569010aa7f9

“You truly 9241db7e47 don’t know eb7bd4b1e4 why I’ve b641272b43 delayed marriage 75b7a192aa all this b60cf8d578 time?”e527eb17ace57cd5

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Sergey leaned 7ce9ab9713 in close, 8ff8753287 his face 3c0c93776c mere inches 062a0feb11 from Natasha’s. His words, whispered 82ff8e17d0 with a chilling ec4bdae7af intensity, made her 3c30a717aa breath catch.18ba357471578a9c

“I’ll marry another ed9cccde9b woman, just as 9b698a84d0 you suggest. But you, Natasha, 79616773c8 will become my 0db2aeceeb secret mistress. Isn’t that ff75964e3f a simple fbaba90931 arrangement between 6d8b0b4d20 us?”c54f9db573c99871

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“You… go bccbbd45be too far de51082de4 with your f30610b719 jokes.”87ab87cd471b44a4

“Who’s to say whether ba30441de2 I’m joking or not? Time will tell.”eee53bfc08098095

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His words from 119560e838 a year ago d1a3cdef40 echoed in her aa236d40a4 mind. He had suggested then—brazenly, f8ecb163db shamelessly—that she become his bf7f455b14 consort. She had 029f4b4209 rejected him, 767cea2487 but his 6f555b4b0e sinister smile 2a4b960140 and cryptic 7c8db23017 words had 07c52218d6 haunted her 3dfc38499b ever since.985a4e39b089f256

As dread welled up f1cd823551 in her chest, Sergey’s fd49d34748 voice cut through her ff01c7616e thoughts.7c7f1253111e65a3

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“Very well, 1af639ca5a my sweet 435640d2d6 sister. I’ll proceed c6321e174f with the e46cc684eb marriage, as d9cbdffc43 you wish.”87fdc414b8121a5e

“That’s wonderful news! The two of you d7778979bb will make a splendid 8026bd2054 pair—”9de6e8a8e27edfe9

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Natasha’s relief was short-lived.ec3c6104ea724960

“But.”09860c71f37f751b

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Sergey interjected, his 0c6c3e9cf7 lips curling into 79e1a0d61d a smirk. Natasha’s heart sank.4b6d8642f2c5714c

“But since I’ve b386d53941 agreed to your 4e73fc9182 request, you must 431fe3f002 keep your promise. On the 4e011d12f1 night before 99d89d0312 my wedding, d97ccc5d14 I’ll confirm 96cdc82f21 your sincerity.”1101a5d0b8c412a6

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“Confirm… my sincerity?”14993e3e3d096347

Natasha swallowed hard, hesitating 64aeea0377 as she asked. Sergey ignored her question, 5052f7aaee instead steering the conversation 9764552bd4 elsewhere.269ae505032a20e3

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“Your little sister, e788fc2535 Sophia, is growing 90dddb9159 into such a 2fbd6da3ce fine young lady. She’s already quite lovely, 381c9caadd and when she comes dc5941d148 of age, she’ll make bfa71400a4 an excellent mistress. Perhaps I should 28bc74a695 delay the wedding cf59a8da68 a few years a20237d148 to wait for 28ca77f2d4 her…”ab35c26bc4f3186f

“B-brother…”5a56a25e8fc6621c

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Natasha stammered, trembling.61fad9ef9f8f67f8

“Of course, she’s b29698c9e0 still far from 5453838833 matching your beauty.”8691e4974ad1b9aa

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Sergey added with a a42f2b227b mocking smile.64b2dccba05d3034

“Sophia… mustn’t d5ee5d2a41 be involved. Please, I beg b41511a089 you…”36485f348adfaa5b

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Natasha’s lips quivered 81748d683c as she forced 74af51094b the words out.a495cb232a084369

“And why 1fa5696b37 not, Natasha? Isn’t it only natural 7b9af16d89 for a younger sister 0c50d0be41 to take on her a1aaf3ac5a elder sister’s duties?”1b76e5a1a21b9da7

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Sergey blinked innocently, his e7b53e742f gaze sharp and unwavering.9e8322f32c3d278b

“I… I’ll do it.” 7b937a6c7d Natasha said, her voice 3d18f10ed9 barely above a whisper.7db758c6a3ee2b34

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“What’s that?”0673abbce2f1f2fb

Sergey asked, feigning 6881fa1c0a ignorance, his smile 89cdb0a881 widening.1a32ccddaeca4b9a

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“I’ll… serve you. Just spare Sophia… please.”6b3b8dbea3a437a7

“Ah, Natasha!” 083283e46d Sergey exclaimed, f65bec2abd pulling her c4d63887cb into a 3b1aab9e54 tight embrace.d293e19f0bf4edd0

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“I didn’t 0fd4367cac realize your d92e8967c2 feelings were a3615b06b7 so sincere. Very well, I’ll grant 16a2f1aa3b your heartfelt request.”ecec640b3dc9dd75

He said, stroking her 8578311ef7 back with feigned tenderness.7a344b76f4bc7d34

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“The wedding will 9fe34f8238 take place in e9df875b57 three months. And our 38963b7aad first night… acd9e87e6d will be db3eb044f4 the evening ddad3bbd45 before. I’ll look 4f358b7e77 forward to 5c47f3ec23 it,” he 1e092d6404 added with 1ea802f2cc a smirk, 17eff475db his eyes 052151bc6e glinting with 7d05531a16 triumph.a9d9f6589331ce57

As he left, humming 225097c391 to himself, Natasha collapsed a171e8325f to the floor, her 860a076740 legs unable to support 7d294a16ca her.890180e172a04be8

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* * *8f52b074daa9252e

Three Months Laterf54b2640238f438e

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“A gown 37faae9005 with the 161753fa78 most extravagant 7518d9f61b details would cda6da67d5 be perfect, 330391d8fb don’t you ae0b90d2e7 think? It’s so 04fb288095 heartwarming to ae23d6cb42 see siblings 31f6504b4b as close 83e4644ac4 as you d71659488e two hosting c2ec6912d3 a private 3bd9703fa0 celebration before 3c9c646ada the wedding!”3e8c24ea8cf4d3b8

Renna, Natasha’s b466411ef4 maid, clasped b80143a38e her hands 1809b32fc5 together with 86f4773ec5 excitement as c18a53fd4a she fussed 51ae16e98f over the be8dc53142 gowns.489f14343ef809a5

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Standing before the large e874df274d mirror in the dressing 5efc964e5d room, Natasha’s lifeless expression 8a70151fe9 mirrored that of a 6ee754a259 condemned prisoner awaiting execution.99af94c9b26554d9

She couldn’t e1465cfc5e tell anyone 08d7964cff the truth—that b53b5e9ff8 she was 5558a7fbd8 about to 885e4dcf66 become Sergey’s 96fbe43781 secret mistress. She had fe165e95c3 lied, calling d786199ab4 the event 2e175959c9 a sibling 201882afae celebration before 817d8ef020 his wedding.c58d983dd4632027

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Would it end after 7ea2447520 this one time? What excuse 2db45e428f would she d83d6fe509 make when 1e63764cb2 he summoned e4f5bc707f her again? How long could she 09355838fa keep this monstrous secret?c1b78defc651abbc

If others discovered 7ee602a4bc the truth… if 1f4677cf33 Sophia ever found 61da3e796a out…b17229501e4461f4

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Natasha shut de60ec3911 her eyes 8fa048dc68 tightly. She had prayed d82ad199d8 for this day a20b5fb866 to never come, d7b3673fc9 countless times wishing f59a4b7173 she could simply 6c68ce1af7 escape the world. But she couldn’t. If she disappeared, cfffa15e32 Sophia would take 7920cc1a20 her place.7092bf0c81692879

“Look at yourself, 79042ed8e0 my lady! You’re stunning, absolutely radiant! I’m sure you’ll find a07ed3db30 a wonderful match of 4489f53ad1 your own soon,” Renna 3fb9d4eac7 chirped cheerfully.c3486a26ddfeb599

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Natasha forced e220f31234 a hollow dac3092179 smile, but ec28b7d689 inside, she 867465ef94 felt like 9825bb12f0 her world 8bc05a2a3f had already f52192082c crumbled.e4e73cb3f4c70a84

‘No, that day will 0bca41cffd never come.’5d9d19cc527b55ba

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Whispering those words to 49d01c2d4e herself, Natasha looked at 4ac7cc22ee her reflection in the dbc7eb59ae mirror. Then, as af4d1bccbb if she ecfa1cd0cb had seen 06f9199c75 something she 124b313a4d shouldn’t, she 51fb2c5a13 turned her 1adad0934b head away.bb4337a83dc1d239

Though her 3dfe0c17f7 face was 222d0580b1 gaunt and e27f3111e1 pale from b2266693aa days of 766f16343f not eating ee2f396b8c or sleeping bff729e385 properly since 4884743d2d the day af49cd213b she accepted 6a86ff21c3 Sergey’s outrageous ae86904e40 proposal, the 22484d6145 sparkling jewels 40de323e01 on her b75b326f5f vibrant gown 0b0546dd09 gave her c941875026 an air b81ad904af of elegance. To Renna, 8b5898fa54 she looked e71e7a02b3 like a 0c2e8dcdb8 bride-to-be, and ee3e48ffc3 the maid 4ff8cbd414 fawned over 3b036b08c4 her appearance. But to Natasha, her 98dc6db0cd reflection looked no different 0dc6fb8ff0 from a roadside harlot, 24a0678fa0 dolled up and waiting be32a0eda9 to be sold.a621ccdde570b1cf

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“…A different dress.”0f0fef402dc7fde4

Natasha said, suppressing 27e8ca5efe the wave of d8720bd995 heat and bile bc1ee60f6a rising within her.deb9de1723da3e49

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“Not to your 1517a25774 liking? I thought 38815b4d58 this dress 4aa5563fb8 suited you b2f07ae2b2 perfectly, Natasha. What kind 69b9591c43 of dress 5f2820ca7f would you 0f8808db16 prefer?”915b57a6cb70eb0e

“Something black… 0ca624d7f3 with no 52bea82cac embellishments,” Natasha 5e05ffe5ce murmured.8a005c783914457c

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“Pardon?”5c6dadca093f43e2

Renna blinked, 68f1726dd3 wondering if 26e0ca3379 she had 71e21d4ed0 misheard. But Natasha shook 927d1ecf80 her head, overcome 708db61dcf by a sense 975728781f of futility. What difference 856a06a184 did it b2a336e651 make? A dress was nothing 56d521e66a but a wrapper, covering 3a8c886108 this dirty, tainted body.23ad03652ca7c6fd

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“No, it’s fine. This will do. You’ve done enough—go e36d9e2fa9 ahead and leave.”c609df23a7c9cdad

“But I was just f8702f2298 about to touch up 2a1e53cc14 your makeup a little 4bffc5fe79 more and add some a37b1b90bd accessories for your hair—”db1c8763da0d681a

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“This is fine as 7c607b0abe it is. Leave me,” Natasha 571b89fac0 said firmly.752062560b7c7b52

At her resolute words, 3597167e04 Renna bowed and left 67d5d74ac9 the room. Alone again, Natasha stared 4de1632e46 at the woman in e5a3aa03b2 the mirror. A single 691a229aa4 tear slipped 92678b3331 down her ef00a10202 hollow cheek.bfb462c4de6c8b12

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* * *78958e373df299f2

“Lord Sergey will be 5977b6113e here shortly after finishing 48ef73f2c9 his duties and bathing. Please wait just a abb6eb4934 little longer.”944fb85be5d62bf3

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The attendant 405cf783b1 delivering the 76c8dba069 message hesitated, bb0ee301df glancing at 88100969a3 Natasha.a26d3addce3c20bb

“Are you all a7e2991efa right? Is there anything I 1a34d99563 can assist you with?”6f2ee4a6a6073284

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The elderly attendant ba8ee93a49 had served the bd03b96fa0 Ivanov family long adafa84d78 before Natasha was 154affc59e born. In many 26d922126b ways, he eedd4e5309 had cared 35dd5f2046 for her aecc434a00 more attentively 29e7ba487c than her cb759668e5 own father. Natasha didn’t want 31f61238d5 to burden him b96049bac7 with the weight acb2b9be1d of her despair, 4357c58f5e so she forced d9fcf1db11 a smile.ab85bb5e99342560

“I’m fine. You may leave.”14ec60258f71a403

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“…As you wish.”d5c0843d4a8f3c95

Though it d3d128a9e5 seemed he 929129ebdd had more a7f3ef0750 to say, 1876489e20 the attendant 2e8843c87d bowed and 3b5d3547f8 left the d0ce24cdd4 room. Left alone in Sergey’s 0fb899712f chambers, Natasha sat motionless ebbcc04f2b for a long time, 9b0e8df0e0 as if frozen. Finally, she c4f3ed3f45 stood and 37471d1d21 turned to e1ea476b1e the darkened a9dd4c6d32 window.a26435822c1adcd6

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‘If I fell from 50a00c6a3d here, would it hurt? Would I die instantly?’68628a7fd9b22db1

It was a four-story 46b139070f drop—perhaps not high enough. She had 28f8a069af once heard ccf1a71d9a of people acc5409402 leaping from d8ef61cd6e tall towers 8bc00ef740 to end 8d3627505d their lives.8a4fd6161b12a6d8

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…She envied them. The freedom to take one’s fate into their own hands.42160b900612de79

“Maybe today, the b6bf0872e3 world could just… 6ef8fa3ec2 end,” she murmured.8701100815db4c63

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At that b5c524e233 moment, beyond dbea5928af the window fba2d53e89 and the 9b837966f8 castle walls, c57c8d91ff she saw c05ef623e8 a flicker fea78d6950 of torchlight e609450d9f in the 3cd160ba1e distance. She blinked f7b1a6eb91 and rubbed f4b598ced9 her eyes, 4669cc0017 wondering if 8cc0686e34 she was 7c8ed2eb66 imagining things. But then, the shouting ee8e3533ae began.dd57a37e7f8ca743

“An uprising! It’s a rebellion!”497e8190bc49ba1a

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“Everyone, run!”109ba73b7e0d2c14

Natasha’s world ff4e49e4bc crumbled for 912f7e2e65 real.
TL/N: FK YESS!!!!2e8f37c9d43134c0

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