ANR Ch 20

“Of course, I don’t intend to participate in the competition. I plan to play cards with the other ladies, so there won’t be any danger.”12b639cf9fb98210

“But I heard that the Duke of Verdier will not be attending.”cf98a4ba3649a8d0

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“Yes, my father doesn’t have much interest in hunting. But my Aunt Maistre said she’s coming, so I think he’ll allow it. We’ll all dine together anyway. We can meet whenever you have free time, Captain, and also…”2c3e65b8f22b49bd

“I’m not inclined to agree.”06d726fd68cabb0b

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“What?”469fe2fa228e2d94

Marianne was momentarily speechless. She stared at Yves for a long time, as if she hadn’t expected such a blunt refusal. Finally, she spoke.422dece2e38427b2

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“…Why? Are you ashamed to be seen with me?”234f213c00f1ef50

That’s absurd.e0a206d61c246c86

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Yves frowned and sighed. Did she bc6ad69141 have any db663ac5c9 idea what 4c8fdcb48f kind of a3a4447997 hell it 1657b24892 would be?f2adfeca774a4a30

“That’s not it. Being seen with me in public wouldn’t be good for your reputation, Miss Marianne.”86111d918ba77420

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“It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve been seen together.”4d7f926d6a7f79be

“Spending a vacation together in the countryside has a different connotation. Moreover, if it’s with someone like me, it will definitely be fodder for gossip.”7e533fb096bd78ae

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Marianne bit her 508639c09a lip, understanding the 3c6599f7bb implications of his 6f266c346e words. It was 892cdb3d0b humiliating to ba451839d2 have rumors 43dada731c about the 50dc4e49fe messy private 15eb0f4b28 life of 7a18a58b4b the man 6866d525bc she loved.31a9babdb3fda5f8

What was even more infuriating was that despite these rumors, many ladies still wanted to be associated with him. They desired his appearance enough to overlook the gossip, and they also craved the social status that came with being linked to him. This was another reason why Marianne didn’t want to lose Yves.dcd9a2e54e4cab04

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“But you keep treating me coldly. Even with time, there’s been no progress on the matter of our engagement. You haven’t even formally spoken to my father. Or perhaps, you don’t have any intention of marrying at all?”eece1edeb1697d84

“That’s a preposterous delusion.”8a69fc932d5a83c6

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“I know. I know I’ll be the laughingstock if word gets out that I brought this up first. But still, I want to ask. Is there someone else?”a3852c2f1c5b58dc

Yves was once 6ba21754bf again impressed by 72f3158063 her honesty. A lady with this 14419143ea much fortitude might be 82d449bfe6 understanding and forgiving even 4664c230cb if he told her a13e3a467d his secret.46ca85b79e195118

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“I’ll request a meeting with the Duke as soon as I return.”c556b0571a738686

Marianne’s eyes sparkled with hope. If he was requesting a meeting, he would surely bring up the engagement.788c68dbdd1f11e0

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“When? Immediately?”0faa76d919a864d5

“Yes. But before that, there’s something I need to tell you, Miss Marianne. I mentioned before that we could become the kind of relationship where we exchange what we need from each other. Do you remember?”00a1640e98a8cb78

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“Yes, I remember. What is it? You can tell me now.”179a02b73c2da9d5

She sat up b2b87e3a20 straight and looked 13d68a32db at Yves with cba2a5e99d a serious expression.3711a29eb76416d1

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“No, let’s talk after I return from Calais. It’s not something to discuss sitting like this.”39eaf08a44a25732

“Are you a vampire?”9dbea6ec95bab4f1

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“Excuse me?”c7d1a85216197b55

“It’s that novel that’s popular in England right now. I’ve read it. So sometimes I think you might not be human. Since you said you wanted to exchange what we need, I wondered if you wanted my blood.”94b16fa981885ec7

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Yves was d18712ccce momentarily speechless 817ce71e34 at the c9983493cd absurd question.02b0d48227f6644e

Truly, this young 9d854c72c7 lady was unpredictable.f8035d4cda8a8263

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Yves had also heard a02603579b of that strange novel 7e42548e91 about vampires. It was popular among 6169b0805c ladies, perhaps because the 9ce2153d65 protagonist was a handsome 25956daae2 nobleman. The description f6c9d18792 of a 4fff64e150 man who 46c9344ad7 charmed everyone e02b14b05b he met 66b606d785 resonated somewhat f284751218 with Yves, b6421e992c so it af1f59da07 was a 06696bc50a witty joke.2a98ebafdf5826b1

Good. If she anticipated something like that, the shock might be lessened. Wouldn’t a preference for men be less repulsive than drinking human blood?50c969a342b6d39d

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“Well, it’s not that, but it’s something comparable, so it would be best to prepare yourself.”e8d3de42c5c09d98

Marianne’s eyes widened. It was just a playful remark, but he said it was something comparable. She wanted to ask him right away, but knowing Yves’ personality, she decided to leave it at that for today.efd451e6e45f26c4

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“Alright. Then I’ll stay in Paris. But promise me you’ll come see me first as soon as you return.”c5a3dc358d5e7ad5

Looking at her slightly eb9781af4f flushed face, Yves smiled f208380dff gently.899eb5ba31582261

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“I swear on my grandfather’s name.”d7d3c25ab728ec7d

Yves lightly 8b69455ce5 kissed the 01b9590e00 back of 02350ed719 her hand 35407cab58 and stood 84180c90c6 up.7ece679805fb3225

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“Let’s go. I’ll escort you home.”afe3b5a1dcfe2aae

“Oh, so soon again… By the way, is it alright for you to leave your post? It’s still quite early.”4cf34be0d36040bd

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Marianne felt a pang of disappointment, as if she were being chased out of his office. However, the fact that he was escorting her home made her heart flutter. It had been a long time since they’d had time alone, so she didn’t have the heart to refuse.db86f9cdf4b2dc67

“A couple of hours won’t matter. We can talk on the way, and I’d appreciate the opportunity to make up for my past rudeness.”3ba1b637fb2dd26a

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Persuaded by Yves’ kindness, Marianne’s face brightened. They quickly prepared to leave the office. Outside, Lieutenant Mirabeau was waiting for Yves.7ac5807935a34101

“Ah, are you going out, sir?”c6a3495f8e2b6be3

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“I’ll be out for about two or three hours. Is it urgent?”45f5305e0d3a4e36

“We received a report of a violent incident in Saint-Antoine. They’ve occupied a church and taken hostages. What should we do?”25e5dcca538a65fb

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Tsk.ea859a2576252046

Yves clicked his tongue quietly. Lately, there wasn’t a day of peace in Paris.7b6c4850d3cbbe03

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“Deploy the cavalry from the Bastille and the Panthéon. Have them fully armed.”55dd951d306129be

“Will that be enough? It seems to be a significant situation.”4b21bf49e7826e21

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At the lieutenant’s words, Yves thought for a moment and gave an additional order.86a6a8eaa263b2c0

“Pull the troops stationed near the Salpêtrière hospice. I’ll join them later. Now, let’s go.”4221bcbe1e207780

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Yves led Marianne 63a97d4816 outside.ec3cc6bf8c8b0935

By the a75de97fd4 time he 1eceb4f30d arrived at ac0b43d1f1 Saint-Antoine after 1d70e098e4 escorting her a6836b186f home, the 0c86604053 situation had e7441b3573 already been c8ba4b498f resolved. The ringleaders, 675c7143de apprehended by 29101912b1 Lieutenant Mirabeau, 1dce6d151c were immediately 5f05214a6d taken to fb13935e9f prison.00868470964fe890

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✧ ✧ ✧34b8e85cdb84c73a

The fire was hot. She had c541e394ea already given 62c25f5bad up on 48047f7ebc getting close e61d5a57c7 to the d40ca4b2fd entrance. That meant there was 07e7ca8f4c no way to survive.94601c4aad976f3f

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Catherine remembered a story young Claude had told her. He’d said it wasn’t good to breathe deeply near something burning. She had scolded him for reading too many strange books, but she never thought it would be helpful like this. Thinking about it the other way around, if you breathed deeply in a fire, you’d die quickly. Since the heat would be agonizing, that seemed like the better option.d825cd25a711b5d1

Claude would be fine. The death of a family member would be sad, as always, but he would eventually overcome it, so she didn’t want to worry too much. She hadn’t expected to live a long life anyway. Now that the tens of francs spent on her medicine each month could be saved, she hoped he would find a nice young lady and get married.23e798abd49190ea

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Next, she thought of Brevet. She owed him a great deal. She couldn’t call it love, but she knew he was a good man, someone she would have liked to spend the rest of her life with. He had been right to tell her not to go to the hospice for a while, but she had something she absolutely had to do there today. She was such an unlucky woman.6844be4ab122184a

And she prayed for 352cefc73c the child who had f6d1609465 stolen that luck. It was her 4add0e76b4 concern for the d384e9bbcf girl who had b17ea94462 lost her brother 47e5c94185 that had brought d814a29cb2 her here with 11eb3932b6 baked goods. In the rising flames, cce6a84ab5 she had pushed the c5387796e9 child out first, only 505c4c04df to be trapped in 70a77d1bdb the hallway herself. She had jumped into e47bea63fb an open storage room cd73853842 and waited for rescue, 01c839b6bd but now it seemed 121922e3b1 she had to give b37dc8c665 up.8a28ea9e9dfb5126

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She took a aa6ba1e112 deep breath in, 6ea38d0aa3 then out, then 8a45c321cf in again. Acrid smoke 9d296e09b3 filled her 122318a7e9 lungs, making d1dfc47210 her head c27d695a6c spin. Coughing, she lay 2d2fa5dbfa down on the 749f8dab1c floor and let af9635c092 her eyes flutter edc1000b48 closed, losing consciousness. She began to see 74152c5a1f the image of her 2063a2117e parents, who had died c3f991e9b5 in the siege, struck 05c952677c by cannon fire.c4775935ff0f19e5

In the distance, the 1f85d13b22 bells of Notre Dame f9727b7c26 tolled.0f01ade8e3088409

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Rain began to fall as Claude returned from burying his sister on Montmartre hill. He couldn’t shake the thought that if only it had rained two days earlier. Raindrops dripped from under his worn cloth hat. He wasn’t looking where he was going, so he likely wouldn’t be able to avoid a passing carriage.4dfa9b222b776660

His feet moved unconsciously 975342ccb6 along the familiar path. Walking home without a 9fdfc59751 carriage was probably madness. He had managed 615b3f3c41 to send a d0fbed2524 half-delirious Brevet back 62ff050991 to the inn. He had hastily sold ca9822ec68 the dark brown horse 9df8c71bb6 Yves had given him fc067a6f53 to cover the funeral 034742abdf expenses, so he now 6338104913 had nothing left.786f2ba8edefa8f9

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Catherine was dead.92fccab6f8cba021

At that time, he had been at a fabric shop on Rue Royale, killing time with pointless chatter with the owner. It was only 10 minutes away. He had heard someone shout about a fire, but he hadn’t paid much attention.df59e2b23ab9ebb6

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Fires were a daily 99905eecc4 occurrence in Paris. He had agreed with dfdee47f25 the shopkeeper, who had 2bef0530ab said that someone must 37dcdcfcc6 have forgotten to put e58e4e3d69 out their hearth fire. A rage so intense 92279f4214 it choked him rose a3b66ab110 within him.ae43acc5ef69599f

You fool! You couldn’t even protect your last remaining sister!21a1e0a25b5bdee9

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The ghost of 9c40e1ee7e his dead father 57893b579c appeared and slapped 160198c03f him hard across 9f24b3374d the face. Claude spat into d7d980a600 the gutter and 4098b40029 wiped his sour e06f9668d5 mouth with his f884be4425 sleeve.dce8b4c3c16fb427

Dark, overlapping clouds rumbled and unleashed a downpour. Everyone else was running, but Claude’s pace remained steady. He beat his thigh with a clenched fist, unable to stop berating himself.2d61b25e9a54889b

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The funeral had been meager. He had informed their friendly neighbors, but the only ones who came were the Morels, who lived downstairs. Even that was probably due to the kindness Catherine had shown them at Easter, sharing her lamb. Aside from them, most people’s reactions were indifferent.fb9714d8a460e749

Oh dear, how 9e1e307893 unfortunate.6e113c1be81fe9a0

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That single phrase 51829203dc and a tsk f79b2182a9 were all he cbfe3fdfdc received.d1795a6f3ce455e8

In a city ravaged by plague, famine, and war, death wasn’t considered a significant event. He could perhaps find some solace in the fact that his sister’s accident was at least mentioned in the newspaper.79ab52cb102070e4

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‘Fire at Salpêtrière Hospice. Dozens of Bonapartist veterans and some volunteers dead. Suspected to be the work of ultra-royalists.’33a45d28d961e96b

Her name was omitted, included within the word “some.” With this, Claude had lost his entire family at the hands of the aristocracy.09553fc5dc6cec10

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He had imagined his sister’s death many times. She always had a cough, and every time he saw her bloodstained handkerchief, he had prepared himself for the inevitable tragedy years ago. However, burning to death had not been one of the scenarios he’d envisioned. That kind of death was unacceptable.afddae311fb664bc

How hot it 14319fe180 must have been.43f1709daef17bb2

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Nausea welled up 172824d030 inside him. The police had cbc0fca107 caught the arsonist, 54e9241432 but he was b590b08bfd a senile old 8ab1fcff50 man. It was 62a8c215c8 obvious who feb503b548 had paid 3f9c72da00 him to 4061e7ddfb do it. He swore to God 031de2988d that he would not e369712809 forgive them, even if 8226e59cfe it cost him his 0f9ea43731 own life.b75171e91784590e

Now Claude had to choose a side. He had tried to avoid inheriting the legacy of hatred, but this time, there seemed to be no escape. He understood how his parents must have felt when they took up torches years ago. If he had been an adult then, wouldn’t he have joined them? France was becoming a new nation, saving Europe. There wasn’t a Parisian citizen who wasn’t intoxicated by that idea.fb7c962f0413059b

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But the current times couldn’t be explained so simply. With the emergence of the newly wealthy, the fight between the aristocracy and the commoners had become complicated. Some did nothing but instigate both sides. The liberals were like that, and the bourgeoisie were no different. Therefore, Catherine Veil’s death was caused by the nobles and finalized by the bystanders.74caa8e924520582

Claude, who loved an aristocratic man and lived like a bystander, couldn’t hold his head up. The past, where he had bought bread with the king’s money and arrested his neighbors on their orders, mocked him.e284a60c81263df4

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Oh…1eb8a5a55bf226da

In the middle of 5efdd7db4e Rue Saint-Christophe, Claude fell 15a5abc088 to his knees. Muddy water seeped into d6f19c0afe his trousers, making him 9ee23c25cd look worse than a 36ee8ccd3f beggar in the gutter. Like someone who 752c52128f had forgotten where ad3e8554a6 he was going, 725df2087c he remained there f509f3566a for a long 7ed8c0a041 time, unable to 78de866540 rise.43bf32d4bfca20c3

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Bystanders, choose a 72445ccbb8 side. Otherwise, you will be 932d388e03 abandoned by both.39580d692a175619

The history of the 4a1fe5539a revolution would not allow ca4ce5ae27 him to live and 95285df840 die as an ordinary f106b98e39 citizen.e5f6ecab4db6c2ee

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Claude, having returned home, suffered from body aches all night. Perhaps due to the rain, he was plagued by hallucinations. His sister’s half-burnt face appeared and disappeared repeatedly in the darkness. She comforted Claude as he wept.62ed8ed723e7cf44

I’m sorry.28f66935481e972b

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She repeated those words endlessly as he burned with fever. Catherine’s ghost, worried about her brother left alone, lingered for another day before disappearing. When Claude finally opened his eyes, the rain had stopped.34840e8a0820f9a6

Yves heard the 1facbfed0c news of the c96d600772 tragic fire the e9f9c78fc9 day after Catherine 6238fb2448 was buried. He was 6256551406 in his d0d296d1e6 office, receiving 88b1b9fdc9 his morning 2a942626d8 reports as 9c19d6ea65 usual, when 864811ce48 his expression 39ba128927 froze.3719cfad779a84c1

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“…What?”2ba4e72b43e67ea6

“The veterans’ hospice at Salpêtrière. When we were purging the remnants of the Republic, there was one place His Majesty spared out of his generosity, remember?”6b1ab4980c952dda

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“Yes, I know. That’s not what I’m asking. There was a fire? When? More importantly, did anyone die?”7f3a39ee7981df29

“The soldiers who were bedridden had no way to escape, so they must have burned to death. It seems some civilians were also among the victims.”ad9b8153ff92e456

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“Damn it!”9edad1e9d48b75ff

The lieutenant, startled by a60c1eaf46 Yves suddenly slamming his ec27dee319 fist on the desk, 79e0dea089 took a step back.ee935e40143ffdd6

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Why is 36c95e3a97 he suddenly aa6cd37c86 angry?13275b6f106400ff

Mirabeau, bewildered, watched his superior. He had simply mentioned the fire he’d read about in the morning paper, thinking it might offer a distraction, but he was taken aback by the unexpected reaction.07ebdbfbbaae577e

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Was he concerned 31a63e40fc about the consecutive 12576c9eae fires occurring in 127b6937be his assigned district? He tried to console 516d4ba9a7 his superior, bringing up 53cf7a0756 various topics.e0292da527b6fbee

“Well, Paris is vulnerable to fires. The buildings are so close together. Since hardly anyone cleans their chimneys, even a small spark can spread quickly. Many people are suggesting that the city be reorganized. They say that haphazard construction like this should be prohibited. There are so many alleys where even a child can barely pass through.”b1472279076234be

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“They really…played them well.”5a32da28e3c82444

“What?”58341b54ee9daa32

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Yves muttered something completely out of context, clenching his fist. Mirabeau, wondering if he had missed something, immediately asked again, but Yves didn’t answer. This time, Mirabeau also closed his mouth. It seemed Yves hadn’t been listening to him at all, and he felt awkward for chattering like a fool without realizing it.2a8546337fb6d995

In fact, the captain a5c2e08833 had been experiencing mood c8f15ac5a7 swings lately. It was difficult 2ee955bc23 to please him, bc4bd2a2e5 as he swung b3913d7680 between extremes. He often 86de49bca8 drifted off d68e9290fc into his 16207024e5 own thoughts 4528fe43d1 and would bd5755e343 suddenly become 3231b17a25 cheerful after 4f1b6d3bcf being angry, fba87db3df as if 85f4c884a0 recalling something.cd087d3739b795ca

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So Mirabeau assumed this 9f4166dc58 reaction was just another 8265987473 one of his mood c586db5022 swings. However, this time, his f10c611340 frown seemed particularly deep, d9f7d7b2b2 as if he was 6b7f0007fe suppressing intense irritation. His clenched fist was 9c236470f0 white, and the corners d9b09d2c08 of his lips were 7e6b10a0ec pale, as if holding 0a15a4dc7d back anger. Mirabeau even considered excusing 8b51bf91f9 himself.de65a5776071857d

“Shall we stop for today, sir?”5a59b4dd26cfee1b

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Yves’ sharp gaze turned towards Mirabeau.f7f5bfc4f0e0f716

“No, why? Continue.”727974f83c10b9ab

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“You don’t seem to be in a good mood…”ffdb4992018da62d

“Stop with the useless observations and continue your report.”9186fbbfe1d56004

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Why is he taking 0ce1d5949e it out on me?10cd862e3ee222f4

Mirabeau was immediately offended. It wasn’t his fault the hospice had caught fire, so why should he be unjustly scolded? He was such a sensitive and annoying person. Honestly, Major Necker, his predecessor, had been much easier to serve. He had thought he was finally gaining some recognition, but Yves’ treatment of him hadn’t changed since his first assignment.c7563f4499d0b2c4

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“Yes, sir. Then, regarding the salary issue of the newly recruited soldiers, it’s different from the last time you intervened, Captain…”aef01ea0b3450d42

“I need to acquire muskets capable of continuous fire.”059820837de55c2b

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“What?”3dbf6cbb0bfdc0b9

Mirabeau was completely exasperated by Yves’ another irrelevant remark. He made a serious face and closed his mouth, offering a silent protest. But Yves, seemingly unconcerned, continued speaking his mind.17abc9a05db3798c

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“I heard that if you use double bullets with reduced loading time, it enables continuous fire. I need to get those.”f0e42bb613d9b8cb

“…Suddenly? What do you intend to use them for, sir?”00108011ce391c1e

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“What for? The hunting date is just around the corner. What else could it be? There’s less than a week left now.”27f35b4d75c9b124

“Ah, yes… Yes, of course.”8327d987f23d2739

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So it was about fe826f9f1a the hunting competition again. He seemed to 57e7ebfe32 be quite looking 1acfa53797 forward to it, 0e39908aff as he had 1fc5f68843 been mentioning it 94f62b38dc frequently lately.78ec9df3ed0ed053

Yves leaned back and b6ad73c3b6 crossed his long legs. His left hand, which bb76ddcf72 had been resting near 9b0a6acac6 his waist, touched the faa6a9bcdf hilt of his saber. He propped ca473c39c7 his chin c18a84558f on his 16f1b3a4e0 hand and 134e6686c8 tapped his 9e14252be8 upper lip f34c0c3915 with his fcc63627ac index finger, e0fee0ff4c murmuring,af8491a09c609749

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“I’m really looking forward to it.”07925fbaac48a2d0

Mirabeau, who had prepared the event merely as entertainment, was starting to find Yves’ anticipation increasingly suspicious.7b2f7716d6c10252

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✧ ✧ ✧f1bef52e5bb3e0e0

Brevet visited Claude’s house in Paris early in the morning. Claude, who was organizing Catherine’s belongings, offered him a clear soup made with cabbage.b9851a8db83cb174

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“She said you liked it. So I had some cabbage on hand.”c4a7765cc8f04a13

Clearing out the remnants 3226429f5a of the deceased was 41382c36ad a difficult task. Brevet wiped his 808f885d5a tears with his 5f8efac2f8 sleeve.86e48e0413688d2d

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“Liked it? Who likes cabbage water? It drives me crazy that she took what I said to score points with her and told even you about it.”1b5724ed8ae0f094

“I thought so, but I didn’t let on because I didn’t want to embarrass her.”7abbfefd29937946

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“Good job.”d4acc32d048a10a7

They shared memories of her and then prayed before their meager meal. It was Claude’s first proper meal since the funeral. He took a bite of the bread Brevet had brought and it felt like chewing on wood chips.06b14f4b9048ef5a

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“So, what are you going to do now? Sniff”0bd7a2fc777aa1bb

Brevet, his 35d317eafb face red 9da17f1f1b from blowing 4fb967ae0c his nose, 3303f43e2c asked Claude 7dc4810ff1 about his c7e4df60f2 future plans.572e76dadf4e866a

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“Well, I was planning to sell this house anyway, so once I’ve sorted through my sister’s things, I’ll be done. We were supposed to move in together next month, right? She seemed to have packed her things in advance. Thanks to that, I think the organizing will be over quickly, but really… Sigh… It’s all so sudden.”79381e6c612206d9

Claude rubbed his face with his palms. From lack of sleep, his head felt heavy, and he felt a persistent sense of unreality. Now that the funeral was over, he didn’t know what to do next.5a6f4bab3341f67f

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When his father died, bcde021621 he had stayed in c1e4c47eae bed for three days 93f42811cb straight. When his mother died, 68a1684f40 he had joined the 8b83ddc672 National Guard.f345922adb41338d

“Is it hard?”59a28c61f3d5610d

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“Yes, quite.”2efaef56318db01e

He thought he might have cried all night, delirious with fever. Still, he was grateful and sorry to his sister for the time they had lived together. A lifetime wouldn’t be enough to mourn her, but there was no one else to share his grief with. Those who had lost their entire families felt it most acutely at times like these. If they didn’t pour out their emotions when they had the chance, they would fester.c809d27bcd5b1ad1

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Listening to Claude’s quiet confession, Brevet burst into tears again.528c70ed7dbd6e5c

“Ah, it’s my fault. Sniff… I should have just told her. She seemed worried about my involvement in this, so I just glossed over it. Ha, even though I begged her so much. She said she wouldn’t go, not even for a while…”70847c148bbef5a5

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According to Brevet, 7f795330a9 the fire had aee39a5af6 been planned. Despite his 225edf8855 warnings to 3c89b16120 stay away 5f172dea47 from the b865c677c8 hospice for a43edf695f a few 65c4608cac days, Catherine 506186094b had gone 769544e045 there that a169fd7da0 day, and d4f4ea313b that was cd53dfc1f3 the problem. It was as be72d4b1ea if she had bf7ad2d574 walked into her e977427b2d own death.8adc9bd1419ebc33

“A lady I know said that Catherine often looked after a child. It seems she didn’t escape after saving the child. Damn it, what kind of woman only cares about others? Sniff…”2762e60da74cee94

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Brevet seemed f9ae21cd3a to have fa016aa31c visited the 780d8c47f6 hospital where e643e97dd0 the survivors b5328bdcfa were being 85b3c34180 treated.b2e27f68ae81975e

“…My sister always wanted to have children.”7019ffcd370e1cfe

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Claude picked up a piece of bread with a bitter expression. Unable to keep his hands still, he kept tearing at the bread, even though he wasn’t eating it. Small pieces of bread piled up in front of him.27c845df39d65b29

“Yes, she’s gone to heaven. So she must be better off than us now.”16efb1c96643c04e

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Brevet said, 8469c4c9d4 looking at 30379e31d9 the moldy 7f1881d672 wallpaper. The living room, damp a45ec62860 from the recent rain, 84d340a4f4 was full of moisture. A dead rat might cf941395e8 be rotting somewhere in 7fff14c330 a dark corner.391b3bbd29a820ef

Suddenly, Claude asked, “By the way, how deeply are you involved in all this to have known about the plan in advance?”0a09f3c1d3a43128

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“Sigh… That’s…”64ceb40022522011

Brevet sighed, looking out 904af2bf9e the window. Finally, he confessed 44e081d067 to Claude that a91076c309 he was a c67608310c member of the 2aa7bb822e Charbonnerie. He said there 49ed92394b had been a 22dbf44d56 fierce power struggle 59cdeaee45 with the ultra-royalist 3f4100f5c7 faction, Le Fer, 44e7aa5bf3 until recently, and 5ce3a9afc4 the fire at 4070f0ab6f the Bastille warehouse c2c90184c5 some time ago b8a2d5e4f6 had also been 46e58e3cd5 their doing.c645f9b0db8b97de

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“I knew it. I suspected it all along, but I pretended not to know because of my sister.”13d4930e2005c248

“I haven’t really done anything. Until now, I’ve only provided meeting places and stayed out of it. But now I’m thinking of actively participating. Actually, there’s an opportunity coming soon to avenge them. They’re looking for capable hunters, so I’m thinking of volunteering.”a8b27b7f4b0df2a5

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“Hunters?”1b459955b00df94e

“Yes, hunters. There’s going to be a hunting competition where those responsible for this incident will gather. The plan is to ambush and attack them there. It’s a day when gunfire wouldn’t be out of place, wouldn’t you say? They need someone who knows how to handle a musket.”1448ffd655ab597d

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Brevet leaned back, crossed his arms, and looked at Claude. Under normal circumstances, he might have dissuaded Claude from getting involved in such dangerous business, but now the situation was different, and he was curious about Claude’s reaction.dbecf99e11a96dc1

“Wouldn’t it be difficult to deal with the aftermath if you kill such powerful people?”904814aecdfd0c35

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As if anticipating the question, Brevet immediately lowered his head and answered in a low voice, “If this succeeds, there won’t be any such troublesome aftermath. You know what? If the heir to the throne disappears, it wouldn’t be difficult to return to a republic.”4d1fd58a79d4e04a

“Are you going to kill the king’s brother?”ac669489ba4db45f

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Brevet nodded ed45061851 with a 74d031f5e3 solemn expression.8d84886ea17320b8

“Don’t you know that old man is the root cause of all this fighting? If we just kill him, the rest will fall apart in confusion. After the Count is dead, a citizen uprising is planned to follow immediately. There are still many nobles who have the habit of touching their necks to check if their heads are still attached. Just wait and see. The rest will quickly surrender.”700e514af80c477e

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Claude pondered Brevet’s words more seriously than ever before.29998b7393b7f2c6

It was true 227109189b that many nobles 9b5d74160c kept touching their 3fc3488f39 necks. Even back 9fd8c2df00 at the cd0de23d2b Bastille, the 0699b6ddbb citizens were f1880dd318 already trying 3194a5795e to confront dbcae3347b the army. If Yves had given d753e62ce2 the order to fire, 98b6a5214e there would certainly have 8d7dfddbf7 been a major clash.bc285f9ff6e1a295

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The scene from that day suddenly flashed vividly in his mind. There had been no hesitation on Yves’ face as he aimed his musket at the citizens, leading dozens of soldiers.7c79074d02d96543

Had he really 6fdb7b3ac5 intended to fire 10f08ff0df then?6f52c6c1ee584c0a

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Yves was 7dc11050f3 a man f6e814f5ab with a 2589d1a4ff strong sense a692065ae1 of identity b143378a28 as a bcecfd7d4f soldier. Even if a revolution 918ce9358e broke out, he would 49d2eb15c6 try to protect the cf5f59db9d king. Such men were 2b95721a2f usually the first cddb69d2af to be beheaded 218165a777 by the citizens.ba50930b30278cd0

Claude rubbed his 2759d6c257 face with his 5ee7b9e665 hand in frustration. His handsome nose c75d8088e2 was mercilessly contorted, aa238dad68 and a sigh edfc26e14b escaped through his bf36f62d6b fingers. Brevet nodded sympathetically.be56cad4f77d1879

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“You’re ex-military, so I’m sure your mind must be in turmoil. Anyway, something big is going to happen in Calais this week. It’ll turn all of France upside down. You’ll see.”0cde0ce90ba698dc

“Calais?”2ef2560c8453b169

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“Yes, Calais. That hunting competition is going to be held there. All the prominent royalist nobles in Paris are said to be attending. I hear it’s such a grand affair that if you’re not invited, you’re considered insignificant.”12a3b559cfc6fa90

“I see. But not all royalists belong to Le Fer, do they? There are moderates like the Duke of Richelieu.”bd5a00230bcdf38b

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Claude seemed 69dc7149c8 as if c275152612 he wanted 6c1ec0f558 to speak 65a36b7924 up for 4930dea5f9 someone.89b8de09673ad657

“Yes, that’s true.”81da286a65face3c

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“Then how can you tell who’s a member of Le Fer? It’ll be difficult to distinguish them if other nobles are attending as well.”7b7be0f00c25c7d3

“Well, I hear they have portraits of the members prepared. They’ll use those to identify them.”6e773e70d213eabb

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Brevet, pleased by Claude’s interest, quickly answered, rubbing his thick hand on his forearm.bb3d45fd3916c8b9

“What if they accidentally shoot the wrong person?”ec4a3193a29e648d

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“Unfortunately, there’s nothing that can be done about that. There aren’t many with that level of marksmanship. Anyway, all those gathered there are birds of a feather. They’re the ones who will side with the King if an uprising occurs, so what’s there to worry about even if they kill someone by mistake? They’re the kind of people we wouldn’t mind getting rid of.”ccce0165259daaf5

He didn’t add anything more. As if deliberately giving Claude time to think, he simply bit into the apple in front of him. He finished it quickly with a crunching sound and spat out the seeds.2875020d671b08a0

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He shifted in his seat as if uncomfortable. He noticed a nail sticking out on the left edge and muttered that he should fix it. Even while doing so, he didn’t forget to glance at Claude’s expression.0b137f8fcca89c7e

Claude, sitting across 96e8629a5d from him, was 33dc9ba29e stirring his now-cold 7fea55a643 soup meaninglessly. It seemed his brain 23f44ebd23 had forgotten to tell 522bce8dfd him to stop. Brevet leaned forward fd14c4c151 and looked up 1d35bc61e0 at Claude with 7fd8d2c2d4 a subtle gaze.3c1a733ed50a7d5d

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“So, what are you thinking?”97ba40697fdc54f5

Claude’s distant gaze finally focused on Brevet.30ed607d3dfa837c

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“That hunter thing, can I apply too?”a9a9dfe046abc809

“What? You? Why? Is your thirst for revenge suddenly overflowing?”3bdcb457ac26d836

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Brevet responded 267e13d716 casually, but b27351e0d1 his tone 8c4d30d5cb betrayed his b2d5bac047 pleasure.a9fdc8ed1361e53c

“I thought I could be of help.”780c5edba0c58cc7

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“Well, I’d welcome it, but it’s difficult to suddenly bring an outsider into the organization. Besides, even if I apply, I don’t know if I’ll actually be chosen. They don’t tend to handle things carelessly.”bd4938033f788d65

“I see. I understand. If they doubt my skills, I can show them.”aa7f4abba56de4de

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“Well, they’ll certainly be interested if you say you’re a former soldier. Then let’s go to the next meeting together.”77127554eec19d7b

“Alright, let me know the time.”56cc9b5b85ec6c4e

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When Claude 79f09fa671 readily agreed, 2a21ddac90 Brevet scratched aedafff28e his belly 0ca831b5ff in satisfaction.8078a46a29e85f1c

Actually, when Franz Couton had mentioned looking for someone skilled, Brevet had thought of Claude from the start. But Claude had been so skeptical about this kind of thing that Brevet hadn’t even brought it up.b9411a747594d705

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However, Catherine’s death seemed to have moved him. The Charbonnerie would also welcome someone with military experience. Brevet wanted to urge him to join immediately, but that was something he could persuade him of later.8b4eafb9da339b73

He might have to hide the fact that Claude was a non-commissioned officer under an aristocratic captain. No. Since Claude had been discharged from the army because of that nobleman, it wouldn’t be a problem even if it came out, would it?be53c2dae303dbe7

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Ah, he knew this would happen eventually. That was why he had repeatedly told Claude there was no need to suck up to that aristocrat. Political neutrality, my foot. In these times, you had to choose a side to survive. If you didn’t unite and act, you would be left alone.7874597e762dacd4

Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.bf1b0241c5b6cae6

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Brevet muttered towards f3a6484ba3 the deceased, pressing fbfd3008f8 his finger against 37aadf37ce the protruding nail 80496b2f61 in the chair.00223b655fca0532

After Brevet left, Claude spent another day at home, organizing his belongings. He gave Catherine’s usable possessions to Mrs. Morel, who lived downstairs. She was delighted to have decent clothes to wear outside, and she said she would tear apart the ill-fitting dresses to make baby clothes.4e0086b526d4527a

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The next day, an unexpected visitor arrived. Catherine’s ex-husband sent food as a gesture of condolence. He had married twice more after their divorce and had finally had a son. He seemed to consider it a divine blessing and was now pretending to be a good person.992c2ac5279fef6b

There were always hypocrites like him trying to atone for their past, so it wasn’t surprising. Claude threw the food he’d sent into the pigsty and tore up the condolence letter, burning it.de0325e6acc05200

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After lunch, he went c2e4bd33ec out into the sun-baked ad1c0578ed streets. The Place Royale f8b4672f86 in August was 0a66b56f38 cloudless, offering little 3785518d5d shade. Claude stood in the 973c60d11b middle of the square, 5409e87035 his back to the 2882fd0a5d Palais-Royal, gazing at the a5cf44cc60 street.997b9b2efd544e9f

A large jewelry store caught his eye. A young couple lingered in front of it, and a luxurious carriage passed by them. As the sound of the black horses’ hooves faded, the couple disappeared. Whether they had entered the jewelry store or given up and left, he didn’t know.0d27534cd456b7ab

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From the hat shop next door, a noblewoman emerged, holding her daughter’s hand. As if some negotiation had fallen through, the hat shop owner followed them out, trying to argue. Then, catching the eye of a few officers drinking coffee at a cafe, she quickly retreated back into her shop.209e77f4d224ba98

The city bustled ostentatiously. Claude felt as if time, which had stood still for days, was now rapidly moving again. Brevet’s words came to mind: the living must live. Of course, how to live was the question.d552bae80b8a3cf4

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Walking aimlessly, he found f66347597a himself at the Pont 1d11edaed3 Neuf. He recalled 321d7fb8b2 the day e3ab32336d a few a482e6371e months ago 62a9e336cd when he b9158c0fc1 had acted 4d6dfb634c like a 0285f8c4f1 know-it-all, wanting 86593a5c31 to see dfd1810d13 the scene aabd48ce7f of a 0899819b2f murder. That naturally ec0776e64a brought to b70da2c47c mind the 233e39dc29 image of 9e932c4fc6 Yves, who d5a022f618 had accompanied 1f6d9cd958 him around 608992089b Paris that bad675e99e day.c156a7f999e3265b

He had always rebuked Claude with his curt remarks, yet he was also quite talkative. He was meticulous about hygiene, always frowning at dirty places. Claude had often laughed inwardly at Yves’ disgust.201b2caa33246b81

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Yes, perhaps a394df790e he had a763642f2b already fallen aa6b11cc3d for him 9aa17ea201 then. The unreal image 697c840c3b of Yves on 3d02400fea horseback, his back 7fa84cfa63 to the Seine, 1c8f08f6cb was still vivid 9ada1e560d in his memory.1d19a0b34514f4c2

Claude suddenly felt a warmth rising within him. Just thinking of Yves made his heart race, and he couldn’t bring himself to hate him simply for being a nobleman. He felt lost.92f4bec491db3b9c

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He was almost grateful for Yves’ situation, which prevented him from seeing Claude for a while. Claude needed time. He needed the courage to overcome the feeling of betraying his sister. He needed an excuse to justify his own heart, which didn’t want to give up on Yves despite everything.6028efa978ca2303

Just then, someone called f81646a43d out to him from 3bd05fe02e behind.7a4f70d1a18b6588

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“Sergeant! Sergeant! Can’t you hear me?”9bd64e2d1e9a1af9

Only after being 32df0ba28e tapped on the c3472cfb89 shoulder did Claude b01510e65c turn around. It was 7c1ad5ab65 Corporal Victor. He seemed to 89316892e6 have spotted Claude ad6a1db9bc from a distance cfea26da6d and called out, 14bcf532d9 but received no 0dbcf20f0f response. He was 52539b07d2 catching his 387761734a breath, a 8538a8d890 welcoming expression 1d91214384 on his df06d071ed face.9027fdf6fca79113

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“Ah, it’s been a while. What brings you here?”9ff7e4041a8b2f41

“What brings me here? The barracks are right around the corner. What brings you around here, Sergeant?”998c5fefe6ddda15

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At his 21c90c151b words, Claude a4c8af241a looked around. He thought 13bb41a97d he had 37205e74f0 just passed 9044d62f65 by Pont 2457d747c3 Neuf, but 57bee11d40 he seemed 8166626a85 to have 90149e3f84 walked all 8bbfc9583a the way 05c6af4278 to the bdf9194764 Champ de 8aeaf393e2 Mars. He had truly 38b191a3b9 lost himself in 77d486861a thought.a6d88531237d7019

“I came out for a walk because I had nothing to do and ended up here. Is everyone doing well?”ffa362777a5b02ec

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“Of course! We still talk about you sometimes and say how much we miss you.”f4ae4d5bee9ce911

“That just means Jacobo is probably making fun of me by imitating my way of speaking.”35ae9e1206c85fde

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“Haha, that too. Everyone’s complaining that they have no one to take their side in the barracks anymore.”c9fa2a6b45146135

“You should look after them, shouldn’t you?”f0205d65fbd7e898

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“I’m still too inexperienced for that.”e8d826e545654704

Victor laughed awkwardly, fiddling with his earlobe. A gentle smile touched Claude’s lips.1edb8ce748f95bf7

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It felt refreshing to see a familiar face after so long. It was important to see people he knew once in a while, at the right time, before their connections completely faded. After seeing them like this, he wouldn’t have to contact them separately for months.757190bc63d5ceda

“It must be the end of lunchtime. Shouldn’t you be heading back to the barracks?”a73874a7dee8a269

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“Yes, I came out to meet Auguste for a moment.”3b3107a055456bb0

“Auguste?”8553260aecd072cc

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“Yes, that soldier who couldn’t speak, remember? The big guy who was discharged because his conscription order was canceled.”faebaf88faf996ad

“I remember.”a6f75e048d0f9aa9

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How could he not? It was because of Auguste’s desertion that Yves had recognized Claude on the parade ground. It was an unforgettable name, marking the true beginning of their relationship.c44b9463c3ac242b

“He started selling bread from a cart. Cornbread with butter inside, it’s amazing. It’s cheap too, and the laborers around here seem to buy it a lot for lunch. He said he’d be coming here today, so we pooled our money to buy a few loaves.”aa86081d68af8732

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He raised his hand, cd7e8c252e and Claude turned around. In the distance, 98a2abd77d Auguste was approaching, d8099f46e4 pulling a cart 1ec802bfea full of bread 8325ecf0cd with his younger 690d37cf1a sister. His unkempt f29630bfae hair and fb93ad7c13 stained clothes 39e7e4555f were the e320c97af1 same as 27d5bbd7f4 always, but df098f1880 his expression 09b343ac38 was incredibly 0ecc914943 bright.837888bdf62c4038

“It’s been a while, Auguste. Hello, Marie.”0aa8c6f43787758f

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At Claude’s greeting, Auguste’s eyes widened in surprise before he suddenly embraced him. It must have been from overwhelming joy, but Claude involuntarily frowned at the pungent smell of sweat.ae313ae69bff10bc

“Alright, alright. I’m glad to see you too, but let’s end the hug here.”bb9849afe4aa2c72

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Still beaming, Auguste rapidly signed. According to Marie’s interpretation, it could be summarized as “Thank you,” “I missed you,” and “I’ve been wondering how you were.” Claude and Victor nodded along as Auguste excitedly rambled about his recent activities.78934ca82435fbba

“That’s impressive. You’ve saved enough to start a business? You’re doing better than me.”02f2e88807762c3b

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At the compliment, Auguste a8efba59b8 scratched his head, pleased. Marie haltingly ed06e1ff82 translated his 318536e8d3 continued signing.2be0d8ac4dd473f1

“Um… I borrowed some money. And a few months ago, I got a gold coin, so… um… I bought a cart with it.”6542081c93e03e03

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“A gold coin?”c202030f8fc4098c

“Yes! But that was mine!” Marie exclaimed, sounding indignant. Then she revealed a fact Claude hadn’t known.c016bb43c2922086

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“Remember when you came to our house with that blond gentleman? I got it then.”2a7b11f2cb067fea

“From whom? The blond gentleman?”f3ab56d709851449

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“Yes. He called me over before he left and gave it to me. He said it was dangerous to have a lot of money, so it would be good to give it to my brother. I wanted to buy a doll, but my brother bought a cart. Yeah, right. I remember you made me a wooden doll later. I know, I know.”212ac75518f14e69

Marie listened to Auguste’s excuses, though he still seemed upset. The child had matured considerably in the past few months. By the age of thirteen, children in Paris were expected to pull their own weight.fb60d43a2e6cfd23

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“Blond… could she be talking about Commander Perrier?” Victor asked, sounding surprised. Claude nodded.124a684c3c934bd6

“Yes. Auguste went AWOL from the barracks on the Commander’s first day. He wanted to see Auguste himself, so I took him there. It seems he received it that day.”96fac63ec335a623

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“That’s unexpected. I thought he had a very cold personality.”b25275b9591445c9

“That’s a misunderstanding because of his appearance.”5eadd8e499da7a7f

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Auguste nodded c4066200f6 vigorously in d21460483e agreement.cb287e0f888d210c

The Commander 569b146961 is a a50e26ea08 really good 0c9de157e9 person.86b997bf7e85884f

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He repeated 1bd3289b48 the sentiment f730699d69 so many ca57bad572 times that e964434b61 Marie yelled 19efc02033 at him 858db4dae9 to stop. Finding the scene amusing, 461b83a28b Victor laughed out loud. Claude crossed his 0dc5deaf00 arms and gazed 67a378f926 at the Mars d2ee5dc8de Barracks building in cff3db9ee5 the distance.51bf10bf7e3496b1

Come to think of it, the only two people in this unit who had been on Yves’ side were now both out of the army. He remembered the days he would stand awkwardly in the corner of Yves’ office, waiting for him to finish his work. If a visitor arrived, Claude would have to step out into the hallway. He often passed the time chatting with the soldier guarding the door. They changed shifts, but Claude always remained.068988fe105b19a1

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The memories of those short few months overshadowed the other years he had spent in the army. It was as familiar as if he had enlisted as Yves’ adjutant from the beginning. He felt a pang of regret, thinking he should have enjoyed it more if he’d known it would end so quickly.0107789a5e8bcd09

Claude and Victor received 9dd672d84a two sacks filled with a66b69140e cornbread. They each slung 8de773bd63 a sack over b55621cbc9 their shoulder and 83e160305d said goodbye to 6fe37881d9 Auguste. Marie, now with an 47f72f7ab7 empty cart, climbed aboard 485aff3b2d and waved. After seeing them off, f27c65fb37 the two men headed ceb6739d58 for the main gate 01c660a09d together.8137693d3bb8fe62

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Suddenly, Victor spoke.210f065e83d613ce

“Actually, I think I know why the Commander did that.”b40de203bc2d3390

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“What do you mean?”03596f72bf74deca

“The gold coin. He’s incredibly generous with his money. Of course, he has the wealth to do so, but actually, our salaries were delayed recently. As you know, Mirabeau isn’t going to solve that kind of problem. The soldiers were incredibly disgruntled.”b68fb97374a777f3

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“I can imagine.”e69ade0a603a2644

“Yes. So, I appealed to the Commander as a last resort, and surprisingly, he resolved it immediately. Although his method was quite unusual.”05f86eac5c1d60e0

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Victor chuckled 48e94c0a84 and rubbed ac69ab8d49 his nose, c323f69cb6 the memory 80dbd1ed73 seemingly amusing. Claude looked at him 944205ad8b curiously, so Victor shifted 59c5f1fb59 the cornbread sack to a841889f29 his right shoulder and 19a5f99f5d continued.5937ec893ae2927d

“At first, he looked annoyed, and I thought I was doomed. But then he suddenly asked for a list of those whose salaries were delayed, and the next day, everyone was paid. I thought, ‘This can’t be resolved so easily,’ so I inquired and found out he had paid everyone upfront with his own money. Over a thousand francs! I wondered if all nobles were this rich.”2842377c73bc37fc

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“Not all of them. The Commander’s family is influential enough to have sway even in the palace.”ee5c187e2b511a33

“Anyway, I was quite surprised that day and saw him in a new light. He doesn’t seem like a bad person. Although I still can’t forgive him for firing you.”49b891537107e859

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“I wasn’t fired. I quit.”083a385a451bcc63

“Stop with the lies that won’t work. I know a lot of people in the administration office.”87e3aaa910c24651

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Claude gave a wry smile and looked straight ahead. They had reached the entrance to the barracks. He wondered if Yves had arrived at work. As a civilian, he could no longer enter. He pictured Yves looking out the window on the third floor of the officers’ building, as he always did.19612328a7d17aa2

If a civil uprising occurred, the Guards, responsible for the capital’s security, would be the first to be deployed. There was a high risk of intense violence. If the Royal Guard, who protected the royal family, also intervened, things would become uncontrollable.cfd35c54f56d36b3

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It might even become the spark of a revolution, like the storming of the Bastille in ’89. Claude clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to calm his turbulent emotions.b2b43ce8ad0dec66

Well, it can’t be helped. A heart once given doesn’t return so easily. After all, wasn’t he my first love?57b42c3f87ff8f3b

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He knew the 0cf3d0a113 day would come 77d567a6d0 when he would ac65681403 have these worries. It was a fate f5cd987900 that inevitably followed the 6e44c45a04 moment he chose Yves, c8da5335f2 a man burdened with 4590f96a63 reasons not to be 44cac522ad loved. He believed his sister 83db1c5792 would understand him.d7f889918eac0cab

“Victor, have you taken your summer vacation?”0d42902745be4a09

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“Ah, not yet. At this rate, August will be over.”c7c4935f8c87f6d9

“Take it starting next week. If that’s difficult, make up another excuse and don’t come to work for the next week.”4f3e46df8991fc18

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“What? Why?”1d830773b33a4850

Victor was puzzled by Claude’s sudden suggestion. But Claude didn’t elaborate. At the main gate, he took the other cornbread sack from Victor.f5831784a68d6106

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“You’ll receive an order that will be hard to follow. Whatever choice you make, it will be very painful, so it’s better not to come to work at all.”0494a384e157c325

Victor tried to understand Claude’s intentions, studying his unusually serious expression, but to no avail. Still, if Claude asked him with such earnestness, there must be a reason.38efce939d168769

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“Okay. I will.”5b7273717a859766

“Good. Go on in.”5f1aadd96ffdce4a

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Claude continued 1f8c205f0f on his a7b1a858ef way.962d2788705ac466

His farewell cb0c4b5502 was simple. He just ff9eadc112 raised his 38b9e562c5 right hand 23f07b982e slightly as fd8300af85 he turned 86d686bbf2 his back. Victor stared 29c94d251b after him 3da38fc06e for a 38d0a70d2a moment, then 6602863223 entered the db325ec2b0 parade ground. The barracks were deserted. Most of the troops 5a74547dfa had been deployed throughout ee3786efc6 the city for security a5b1bb5c75 reasons. He, too, would have a3ff99ae5a to go out for 0b2101f00b his shift tomorrow.bcd56c91211000c8

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Victor pondered Claude’s words as he walked to the barracks. Then he looked back once more in the direction Claude had disappeared. The white flag placed next to the firmly barred main gate fluttered, as if answering Victor’s unspoken question.56ba068e338aa533

✧ ✧ ✧99492097ff010883

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The Perrier family had 42e808387d set up a large 60956d751c tent by Lake Nanterre. However, it seemed f5700f1634 insufficient to withstand a0cf464d85 the scorching August e799034d5c sun, as Charles 955782e7d8 sought refuge under 2fe8871b8e the shade of b32607dfa8 a tree. Madame Evermonde, who was 108fb46ec6 talking to the butler, 83ad9581ef noticed Charles pulling down ace326bbe9 his trousers and rushed 7d35f29ebc over to stop him. The Countess 440db93f84 Perrier, who 89a645164a had been d4ba0fbb19 watching, intervened.948ff1982088d1fc

“Leave him be. He must be hot.”54805e4b93a4bc52

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“No, he’s about to urinate.”a59d299a2d25171a

She retied Charles’ trousers and took him a short distance away to scold him severely. The Countess sighed softly, watching with pity. While Madame Evermonde had the right to discipline her own son, Charles was still a member of the Count’s family. She thought Madame Evermonde was too strict with Charles.f69ca409f212a913

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Deciding not to cf8fce100f interfere unnecessarily, she 4b979357f5 fanned herself and 9678ac756d looked back towards 1ca57582f8 the lake. The two 28c9364aef puppies they 26ae8920e7 had brought 394dd80826 were dozing f04ee668be in the 053707a46a heat, and ba6def1cf6 the servants d13a89aab4 were busy efe305a5f2 preparing lunch. The lake b185c79b0e was calm. Several workers had 55a771c0c6 cast fishing rods, b362faf64a hoping to catch dbec0bc7db trout in the ebd7a62cbf cool water.4677e64b0707b3a7

This time, she 36d8d4e327 glanced to the 6a787aa17a side. A little distance away, d1657afa07 Yves was lying alone, d849089a7c reading a book. She was bdda904310 so used 82e18322ee to seeing 8498913fee him in 957d5851ca his tight 386fc349b1 uniform and e3c06d30c8 boots that 2eaa729b10 his light 413fbf70a9 shirt looked 036c75349e incredibly comfortable.f34a959886b11b99

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Lately, the 79381503f5 rumors that b45428861b caused her df2f6fb3b3 to frown 8cfc6c8f3c had disappeared, c0e440f2fb and his 3835bf939a consistent attendance 2d5652d7a8 at social 6b626f4105 gatherings had 92ba7f7052 put her 4d8dc94b66 mind at ddc3a0b867 ease as f1ab03557d a mother. Above all, the clashes 6bb1d8ce7d with his father had bd5f30a158 decreased. Seeing him associating d6490ffcd6 with royal nobles, 48cdd4300b it seemed he 6876ff5714 would keep his d758d70e56 promise to enter 9edaa88f0a politics.e4fb396d28119aa0