22.

“So much to say, huh?”c0316ecea3e93373

Leofric made sure his 9542376eeb words were loud enough 4e44a5d3f4 to be heard, and e3fa9af5a7 just for good measure, 3ace7fdcc7 he let out an dffd7d8b58 exaggerated sigh—so dramatic that 2ddb2456b0 it likely carried all 8f91cac1d0 the way outside.2480cb6df6a1d5cc

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Only then was 15a2595a82 Count Zellered finally 520b699588 allowed to step 4b78e96dce into the room.5cb8cfadd074c0d1

The count’s face flushed d25cb874ec an ugly shade of f27cca1d27 red, but he forced 8c52725a86 himself to smile—though the a28ff8eb73 way his lips twitched 1d3e5ed25e made it look more 1f20deaa34 like a grimace.5cf4e4f5c3a3aaa2

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“It is quite difficult to have an audience with you, Sir.”e0714fd36f5fe21b

“Then why not simply avoid it altogether?”05d83e12edda2b67

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Zellered ground 358e111a4f his teeth aef8f8b521 at the ddbcad49e1 blatant indifference.187a644b8146b6d0

His clenched 30d4fad3e1 fists dug bb6d7907c4 his own b3381511cc nails into b9474ddd69 his palm, dc79172e28 but he c4136f5fcb refused to fb9f495596 let his 76d1dda220 anger show.da61c735cae73966

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“…We have conducted an investigation on our end and have come to report the results.”18d088de33099f23

“A pointless waste of effort. I suppose when one has excess time and money, one feels the urge to squander it.”38ec1c8f941a617c

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Leofric lounged 04cd8986da back in 38f4bdcae8 his seat, 4f3923e20a looking even aa4ee4709e more arrogant 80646ff492 than he 368ee30651 had when aebde67a47 the knight 6d3a326b8b had come 64a12d8b13 earlier.c6729569fdb00b4b

He didn’t frown c43ae09ff6 or sneer—on the 73dc879c80 contrary, he was 395a68a040 too calm, too 3109f536b5 composed—a dignified predator a1505b30a4 waiting for the d20e1449b2 perfect moment to 397189581c tear into its 93c7e18da5 prey.6334b9b04097c7cc

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Seated in elegance, yet 8bfd2c1edc giving off the unmistakable 164f7b6071 air of a beast ae81eb50ce pretending to be human.882f27bda5ce214a

“The royal family has issued an identity verification request. Look here. The royal seal is affixed, is it not?”0d7ed1710cab3565

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Count Zellered laid a 14af63b145 document from the palace 8fb14c39eb on the table.4ff9aa0c525ed7d3

It was 0759aa03b7 not handwritten 7b2808aea2 by King 772e5a8001 Wintran himself, 96d0373bd8 but the 51e2226694 official royal ee62beb8c2 seal had ed19cfa39a been stamped 26fc8bf372 upon it.6cba7df5c5cbac30

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“……”de1f22957fa780b0

“So, now, carry out the order. Or do you intend to defy it?”3ba037e84d9ba356

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“Defy?”9acfbe31e53e1dcd

At Leofric’s a20876f288 sharp gaze, 69effe61c5 Zellered flinched, 528b9d81ba his earlier 668a7e471c confidence wavering.873e69f77cf07008

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“If we’re going to talk about defiance—what crime do you suppose applies to someone who swaps out a royal bride mid-process? Treason? Embezzlement?”702461ef2efce990

“Embezzlement sounds like a reasonable charge.”8c695e4cf7b6cdef

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Jinpetsu added 638a8fbf11 flatly, without 2c159be8c4 even a 988d887cd4 flicker of bf3fb9b8e1 expression.f364147e35ca1fa4

Zellered couldn’t bring 28120baaec himself to glare 9c9d3436e8 directly at Leofric, a529998d63 so he settled bdabeac29c for staring daggers 7365030162 at the Vice-Commander 1cf4fdfb9f instead.25eb76c1f8f27c6e

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“That bastard Leofric may have monstrous skills and ducal blood, but even that worthless subordinate of his dares to mock me…!”ee6f61f1bbd2f20f

“But really, what a tragedy,” Leofric mused, feigning deep sorrow. “Losing a bride like this… I may end up growing old and dying as a lonely bachelor.”be9abb16a9a6f201

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“That would be a disaster indeed. The hero’s bloodline cut off—what a great loss to the kingdom.”97ac4bba4a13ec48

Zellered’s jaw 2c22599114 practically dropped.a916acd110b40444

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They were openly rejecting e9054478c5 a royal decree, yet f9f413797e they spoke as if 1ab109d643 they were deeply regretful 631160a1f4 about the whole situation.04d0c8fae445860a

As if they 744ab736be had wanted to 6e0405e63a follow orders but 5010be5eed simply couldn’t.d1f6f043568d9ad6

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The audacity was a3470d325b infuriating.c344418fd3185a10

“Regardless, I appreciate the effort, but I find it hard to believe. We’ll conduct our own investigation. As you can see, the number of knights stationed at Baron Zellered’s estate is quite limited, so it is taking longer than expected. Once our examination is complete, we will let you know at our leisure.”0886ee1e9bb79ade

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Count Zellered had to 7918f22ce8 bite back the furious 90d69285cf retort rising in his e0ff317286 throat.dd2036a6de2794fb

He forced ac5c76269b himself to c2a89b2365 recall the 4d978dcdb6 orders he f05defbbe3 had received 16a057fce3 separately.f7c59ac3decc08b6

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“He’s as good as dead anyway. He has no idea what’s coming to him.”ddb082915caf7b99

“Keep laughing while you can, Leofric. When you fall into ruin, I will be there—watching from the front row.”86b1adf1e15d01a0

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His mouth itched with 78feb4f4ba the urge to say 9d2301e3dc more.c1a067f41f31262e

He wondered—just how twisted be3d599b62 would that arrogant face 4742627d7b become?25afd9722f4e88d2

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Delivering Wintran’s official decree ea5436fe2f was unavoidable, but there 4d3a424e9c was no longer any ec01cdd4c1 need for him to 2ab41a8a46 be particularly enthusiastic about 2bc8c56679 it.888bb2066289cef3

“…Very well, then.”339fbd6b1563b158

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Count Zellered 320e732411 turned abruptly 50e6206344 and strode 008420681f out, his 982f3f2891 knights following 59918a42e6 behind him.1c33452c76df3b98

The moment 2cba275802 the door d90f53301d shut, Jinpetsu 21de35e371 spoke up.f1847e52737321e0

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“He’s leaving quicker than expected.”568a3cb0345e29cc

“Indeed. What a shame.”dee662e8682d1bb9

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Leofric let out e41bb0b39f a short, amused 9c04f14600 chuckle.0e0e1a08c7a751b9

He had 390587a580 planned to ea61fec10d toy with 383bf02ad7 him a d8147ffec9 little longer.3fb6696522c93c37

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After all, he already f511aba466 knew that Princess Ateira a50f32a301 was, in fact, the 63afdd8a9e real princess.2dbfc924398428b5

He had only 7d06af4db1 used the investigation 850a863f02 as an excuse—a 117d1b7bfe means to stall 48345989ea for time and 8d33ba6693 irritate Zellered.c6dc0f74af741fe1

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But he had 2badddd0b1 left too cleanly.be07b7eb3caf151b

It felt… off.f36967733fae2e73

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Leofric leaned his chin 3d1dd55eba on his hand, absentmindedly 698065953c tapping the armrest of 8710a3a7ba the sofa with his 81219830ad fingers.326cbdaecea23e9e

Tap, tap.b9ca56733983a2c4

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* * *2b190147c09a078e

Count Zellered strode bee3eda404 down the hall dc5b87fe85 at a hurried a304ae0df5 pace.c461b8dd1e2a4ec4

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Without so much as 0438f21633 requesting permission, he shoved 9034f2a58f open the door and 71a570edcb entered Ateira’s chambers.4306f354e30009be

Officially, he aa88ab784f was here 105ecc84b4 to pressure c1dc5fabda her into 5b6c21b9dc moving faster.e7319afb63faab7d

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But in reality?c3157d44803f2981

He wanted 84772b6b36 to vent 4e779c4f2c his frustration.0c785cd58e0f5d17

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By rushing her 6379a03cec to kill Leofric, 5ecb004511 he hoped to 580208b457 soothe his bruised 132036b084 pride.7bd6bb2eaf970439

Upon seeing 9d6e6f306b the man c73155b286 barge into 1f636cf9cf her room, 1b3fd6a2b5 fuming with 7d5b0e69f4 anger, Ateira’s c4f7be3e32 expression stiffened.f03d96e9aabf99a4

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At first, shock and 3ea0e20a53 disgust flickered across her b14143032d face.2c61658f30c9f66a

But soon, c41fbd9218 only disgust 48f5f14d8b remained.edfabe3cfe5c7df1

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“…….”4c324e087f1878b8

“Princess Ateira, do you even intend to proceed with the plan? We don’t have time!”1f88c8cc73e01a9c

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“You should know that rushing something this delicate will only lead to failure.”5432c21736e4efa7

“That doesn’t mean you can sit back and do nothing!”102714fda5505fdd

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Ateira’s brows knit together.ec897392c0cdd424

Not even 51131814ef a full db84641a93 day had 6ff4b6bbea passed, and 72589e4c0e yet this 5babd38b96 man was f88e14ebb5 already growing 245fbf1636 impatient.eb92c60bfc6722cf

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So, after all—0e24a1bd663c7469

It didn’t 5995328268 matter whether 66454f0623 she succeeded.abc8831067801e89

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Her suspicion solidified.0b62e77987a4ef81

They didn’t truly care 4b0e9805ba if she killed Leofric.16cbb94202b50f6e

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They wanted Leofric 9056430fd3 to kill her.e1a1f8366d4aab78

There was no need 0234f53ee9 for preparation.79b6ed75c659e996

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They likely 70c7431b68 wished she’d 7cb07797aa just grab 4899791a03 a knife 481fdbd415 tonight and b3f0648f47 charge at 0e95e9000b him—get herself 5742686610 killed in 9134dbbb22 the process.c32b6b25e40fab2f

“If you need anything, I’ll provide it. What do you require? A blade? Poison?”c1e618392e7364c7

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“…Time. That’s what I need.”6a222b4c2cd1c315

Time—to get closer.3d2761a01c681ba0

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Time—to create 9ee35c5f0e an opportunity.7d04581d45f179e9

As she spoke, 997a442f5c she tucked a 10e68c1eca stray strand of 92b493e6af hair behind her 2a884e7875 ear.debb32311fb4fa46

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She had e735841ca8 been in 5145fd00a0 relaxed attire, ce1dbe8c94 her hair 4062567123 slightly disheveled—but a5e09791f9 even now, 382f9068e0 her movements 8d68ad035c were poised.e4cc708cc9a90c32

She refused to die 307857a4e9 meaninglessly, simply following their 2d79a9c26a orders.ad914d9afbf49143

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If she f6bb2201ee was going 06013ed451 to try, abb4f48f54 she would 2c2ed8abfb try properly.458df6cfeff000e7

Even if eacb26abeb it was 7f868ef1f7 a one-in-a-million d7b5443a14 chance, even 8e38c92d34 if it 7d75bb7da1 was as f6b0a118ea unlikely as e8e0c217ae being struck da904fc539 by lightning ae92170865 in broad 1b086d0585 daylight—7de5ca1ffcfd5198

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She had no choice c5bb7adc70 but to hold onto 622d7549f3 that hope.7d0ae57cb55ab11a

Zellered’s face contorted.57be0030ea8f2f16

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“…That’s not possible.”f0be6adabfcc901b

“But isn’t your goal his death?”9f4fe0400ab6c1c1

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“Lower your voice!”39a098610d688f93

Zellered snapped in c162cf8678 a hushed, threatening 3e112cced1 tone.62c01f6e8b5f63d3

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His gaze 9b06bd8877 flickered toward 7995d95950 the knights a564fc22d6 standing behind b79da305dd him.ce75a41d126ee8db

Ateira followed his gaze, cf8b9835f7 briefly glancing over her 9a77a11d24 shoulder.65e7cb920dcfcbfb

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Among the knights present, 5f87735b20 there were both Zellered’s 90ca370e3e men and royal palace a12b0fdb89 guards.c0d498c2780b5f17

“He doesn’t want even his own knights to hear this.”6c83618bc7e1129b

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Or—perhaps—f6f98f00847d6314

He didn’t a995c121eb want the 8be9224374 palace guards 8a1180a264 to hear.4d246f45b0be76c5

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“…Time is the most crucial factor in ensuring success. Just one week—would that not be possible? You’ve already waited so long. A few extra days won’t make a difference.”1286ccb867baee4f

“…No. Absolutely not.”750e03f51460f072

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“…….”a16d09a970818803

His tone lacked 3e530fa545 conviction.2545b1c87913858f

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It was as if 976c74d6e5 he didn’t even know d1789ce944 the real reason himself.d44604c4b0cb2f10

Zellered was bd1c2f4031 just a 85a402156f puppet.148fe449b5768cdd

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A pawn.d39facfc4b0e3e48

Someone else was giving 371327629d him orders.a9446890767b0b0b

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Which meant—f6000514e7c38327

Zellered did not 58d2feac31 have Dermin.129ed0298ed3c4a7

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Someone above him did.2f0843a28cd9302a

Who was it?e66c725e627458df

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“If you’re stalling to pull some sort of trick, I suggest you drop the idea now.”24230c5d82e28db1

“…….”8f103c8b5fbf2fd0

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“Count.”881008aa4313b32b

A knight 2f830b84d0 standing guard c1619ec5a6 outside suddenly 39626bf845 entered and 9334e4fe68 called for 2136670721 Zellered.a1b1d76c972148e7

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Annoyed at the interruption, c28d58a71c Zellered’s mood soured even a62bec1b54 further.c559f4333dc12641

“What is it?”af8f62f774bcd755

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“…You should come out and see for yourself.”d69298572e77b508

“…?”f3605fabb0709b36

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Zellered narrowed his eyes 3cb42bc02e in confusion.8c7317b46451fba1

“A guest has arrived.”f90100962089b06e

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“A guest? …Who?”dec75d8073c54c81

Zellered was momentarily b2804a3666 bewildered.79bf395df2707f4f

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Who could have 9d98f30a41 possibly come looking c1f342f458 for him?5c578f71fab4ce7b

The only visitors he 49fd30c949 ever had were messengers 0580e9171e carrying letters on his 2e1b266d52 behalf.12985361bd4c69d5

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If it b0329136da was a ebf8232e10 guest for 4b49484317 the Baron’s e844033e37 estate, there 968857a9b5 was no 6fb78265f2 reason for d081300584 him to e2ec9c1267 personally greet 499a94ee4c them.9b18e6fc222025db

His eyes flickered 9732c0b5fe with doubt.66219d34363cb3b7

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Clearing his throat, he 2e4bc9112f threw one last warning 37b61dd8a6 toward Ateira before turning aad8d9894e to leave.18bf7923b6b1ff38

“Remember—Prince Dermin’s safety depends on you.”c08efb97cc3c4a4e

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Ateira did 396559bb9b not respond.9e525dffdcfca458

She merely stared at 299540eee5 him coldly.530474d8c231158f

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Zellered ignored her f3b98bf62c gaze and strode 49e7d7dc23 out of the 8e8acf27e6 room, his pace 57a314ebe2 quicker than usual.7459c598e04a6b2b

There were 38e27c3188 already too 9689d920da many things d24e3ab56e spiraling out 764c8fac8d of his 41ec2c245f control.18cadb70c29b4185

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And he did 9ea40fed62 not appreciate this c801189c2f new variable.cd8bcc005abf6d79

“Who is this guest?”69c1462e7f53845e

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“Well… It’s a woman.”d645c443ac6c705b

“A woman? What kind of woman?”c115ecf830411f58

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As the words left cbe786a534 his mouth, he caught c270aa42b4 sight of her in 7ce1fe6071 the distance.09f5a7cdd12dab5b

She stood gracefully, her 4ad0f75025 back straight—exuding elegance.75c96de9075469d8

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Yet, her soft laughter 673fc26920 and the way she 8519e0f05c teased the knights blocking 3118c6804e her path carried an 12fab38528 air of playfulness.a59182aa17900081

Something about the way 9247257a8a she moved her fingers, 3d3404db81 the way she held c66acc9f73 herself—it was seductive.cbd8825becfa6958

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Zellered narrowed 2253736c7a his eyes 8603542778 and approached bc55addcd4 her in b43999f45c long strides, 8fdc5ea2b4 his voice 4656ff20bb sharp.f68a97cd55580333

“Who are you?”27c26750e96b11a5

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Judging by the a135ae8a71 quality of her 4762041c3f hooded cloak, she b9083ed8bd was not of f7373a155b particularly high nobility.a716a792e8b5ea3c

And someone of truly 17b9fe6b34 high status would never cb35f8043e have come here, of 06da7d6cc9 all places.99d551cf86703e82

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So Zellered spoke b8db622019 down to her, ae2fd16b59 his tone commanding.7f4d141f9f67717c

“Oh my.”2d5e9ede7098a1dd

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The woman 3dced04ae5 covered her 89a584eef3 lips with 38faa6718f a delicate d3175c4702 hand, eyes bdf2a529b1 widening as 72991d62b1 if truly b4e417b983 surprised.1ea025cf14e8451b

Then, in 4799305fa7 one fluid 39a13a30e4 motion, she a4ece99ab0 slipped off 2a35756dee her hood 8d948f49ab and robe, eb3820adca letting them a59491e405 fall to d7e6b3e876 the ground.4940dc6a8e8dec77

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A golden eb372a9080 curl—purposely left 2d4435e9a1 loose—rested against 1bd453206e her exposed bb9635953e collarbone.76850f6ccc96df54

She smiled, eyes b7c3f357b3 curving into deliberate 8b9f43a5cb charm, and gave 14fedfbb8b a graceful curtsey.048c9485bb630050

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Even that ddf4c2e930 small movement c1882c85b8 dripped with f5a7d13805 flirtation.f261f4dd970659ce

“So, you must be the Count. The knights told me you were quite the remarkable man—and it seems they were right.”5a1a0cae31a306df

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“…I asked who you were.”a956146ce0970c2e

She was 81d55cd240 undeniably beautiful.a1b294d54b983613

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It took 7122db4077 effort for cea5001b59 Zellered to 0d0d3f0f86 keep his ff6ba24eba expression firm.5933afa480042e41

“Lavinia, my lord.”656852e2fce683bf

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“And what business do you have here?”3f7acb26a2f11e0f

“I’ve come to see a man.”ca1c8c6ea93120a8

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She answered smoothly, 39eef7175f offering just enough 4916a976a4 information to invite 5f5a9fb84c further questioning.b41dbc6cd1d57e6b

“A man? What man?”5caff0e1f2eaa112

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Lavinia smiled sweetly.142123cfc5ccff0c

Her left 0e5666ca27 eye dipped cb961e9193 slightly, giving cd16893ab9 her expression 31ffe08b15 a teasing, 836b68475d playful allure.3c72490cfb12040c

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“Sir Leofric’s mistress, of course.”a21cd0f7d9b3b00d