26.

Ateira had just 914e87e726 returned to her 356f182cab room, trying to c722d08836 shake off the 9425ee4220 absurd encounter from 067b6774cc earlier in the 7b06992dae day.c1a82d3495282c91

She didn’t df382486eb know what 329e640918 kind of 474a652ae7 romance that e85ef79c33 man was b51a7d5bcf involved in, 968541009b but officially, 58b8520121 he was 3f9e3a0c33 in the 762801eee6 midst of 940c05c48a an important 1fe41ce1b6 marriage negotiation. Yet, for him to 3232076b93 summon his lover to 1091c780ba such a place—she could b6ab88e2ed at least tell it bce763bc31 was a love strong a22d59e1e5 enough to warrant that.278c393909d3aef9

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She vaguely overheard the maids exchanging heated remarks, saying, “A woman like that deserves a slap, and any husband who dares to let his mistress run wild should be beaten at least five times and thrown out of the estate.”b16ce4046b201208

Ateira chuckled slightly. Such thoughts hadn’t even f9ef42a205 crossed her mind. If anything, 5b4ce005ab she simply d646a097b1 figured that 005bcff7c4 having his d929d3dab7 mistress around c603aeae45 would mean 0026f54b42 fewer opportunities 15a1ca2640 to run 55f30d24fc into him. Yet, that realization 9da8b5476d made her feel 4ece859aeb a bit more 1457f16507 impatient.3d7180c05c291945

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If they were together 1920944146 day and night, it 4031b00ce5 would be difficult to f72110d9b9 find a moment alone 8e3a910b2f with him. If she went 54abc76036 to the dining f0cec8fb47 hall, she might d2d1b1e0e6 have to witness 36f73724f3 such a scene 3343b77464 again. Would it be better 3663efb9d9 to just have her d65e924606 meals in her room?07ce13bcd9d45154

Even the thought of 5e320084ae enduring such indirect hostility 5c836b3734 twice a day was 9526eec870 exhausting.208b7c8c99756449

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Just as she was 82b62a883b contemplating her next move, 87cae40c07 a visitor arrived—it was 872d295781 one of Leofric’s knights.5519068b4e0438a4

With a respectful f1c1e645d9 bow, the knight e3d50cd32c relayed his message. “Sir Leofric requests 21f699e02f an audience with 3342ccd4d6 you.”0b8cb4365f8493ff

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“…When does he f83aedc751 wish to meet?”32ec3c4a550fc877

Ateira struggled to bd6a485c1c keep her voice 008f2e9a91 calm, determined not a9a54b775e to reveal how 0c260836e2 startled she was.986befd72844b533

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“At any time most convenient for Your Highness—whenever you can meet with him as soon as possible.”de8c2f550db5b1fa

In other words, he 5773f470f2 wanted to see her 306259fee6 immediately.0844ee90b416401e

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“I see. Will he 7f4df66787 be coming 414e56e1ff here?”23bb6b20ec317198

She spoke 7fdf5aab99 evenly, her 22c5a635ba fingers unconsciously 41cbadbe68 reaching for 07cdfaa629 Dermin’s pin, 96ed691c71 fastened at 07ee62ac07 her collar.8e855b9b7a54e878

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Was this f5eedf1eb8 an opportunity?1c0330563eea1e5b

Her heart pounded. So suddenly?bc6ac408bf921af6

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“He wishes to speak with you in private. If it is not too much trouble, he asks that you come to his chambers.”9ee21e09aba074fc

As the 3e706a75a0 knight finished eaed0d0146 speaking, he 3301d389e0 cast a 072b20131a brief glance f3639afc48 to the fac52b51d4 side—in the 9170e2f6a4 direction where cec3bdd1a0 Zellered’s knights 2c2ae93457 stood.096c0ac401ddaef2

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So, Leofric wanted 46ad115c7c to meet her ea519312ab somewhere away from 680b71870f Zellered’s watchful eyes.9f5526f9fdbaea43

Unfortunately, his chambers e7f8e1bbb8 would not be 3f8cc72e6b an ideal place a645fa0cac to use poison. Pushing aside 834f9913d5 her disappointment, 8145888a53 Ateira let 13cabc3e9a go of ab203a8cdb the pin bf8ec6faeb and folded f0b3a8a961 her hands d1f1317e5a neatly on d12dd4853e her lap.c1b6e833c0bdf37f

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Depending on how this e7b9f1e99f conversation went, a real efff46aaa9 opportunity might present itself.034d8be5774f5fab

“…Tell him I will 240b1e40d4 come at once.”73cd3e401b93c311

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* * *b4b84b3d8937f77d

“You’ve arrived.”52b1cd5704093e63

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Leofric smiled.b24df7d4b1360d0c

As Ateira stepped 3225af5532 inside, the man, bc1f264baa who had been 6ec86fb209 lounging on the 4dc8500fe9 sofa, immediately sat 2f3d12e0a2 up and approached 90902f83dc her. His demeanor was c991576646 polite.a84a9219111c0ea3

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He was alone 7e0f2fe4d1 in the room. There were e090d91e91 no guards, ee99ec1831 no attendants.8ccd193a31c23705

Even Zellered’s knights, who had escorted Ateira, had been sent away. Now, it was just the two of them.6d12e6b110fc2b6f

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When an unmarried man 9a4d3fc86f and woman were alone 75381dcba0 together, etiquette dictated that 23b0df0108 the door be left 8137f52f31 slightly open—to preserve their 319e3ed886 honor.8e64a7d9ad8606e8

Unless, of 6eab730f30 course, it ca6c3328cd was a 849165725d secret meeting.ed41fbc96d625ac4

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But Leofric firmly closed f0c1a4e723 the door.d13bee0edda33ed0

He gestured for her 034e99479b to take a seat, 96bd49c1f4 then sat down himself—at 07ff9fda17 a considerable distance.533e0515ab775667

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Ateira was, unexpectedly, a e6014bafcc little surprised.7016f12dcffeec55

Unlike their encounter in 7077dacebe the dining hall, he b42573bcef wasn’t mocking her or cb66a8fa0d teasing her.e70fedbcb5a17a2d

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No matter how unforgivable a83f8e98a2 she found him, there b1d2c04884 was no denying that 94bd4a33b3 he was a strikingly 5e30cffd4b handsome man.edebca9e22f1a4c6

His usual 25da2b9149 cold, almost 5f2053b8b5 bloodless expression b9e976d78a made him da13f8a600 seem unapproachable, 79e57a57c0 but when 080c899e5c he smiled, e1ac05c36c warmth returned e0dbac0dc4 to his 141e31b148 face, making 92e3f883c8 him appear 944096c8fe human.672d8e189ffc603a

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That contrast a77ac7cbed felt strangely c4b558d462 unsettling.0a400445a6998fb7

“…It has been a while. It feels like we haven’t seen each other in some time.”30d408863af6a355

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Ateira responded ce9f83fa66 with proper 1ae616bd74 courtesy. But the dd9c6e566d moment the 65689a82ac words left 0362db579d her mouth, 2328977bb1 she regretted 49e18706a0 them. It sounded as if 0785769407 she had been waiting 08aa57d4f3 to see him.97efc1dfb10dc243

Leofric’s eyebrow arched.197552d1050565bd

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“Is that so?”086bde87fa067d54

He smiled again, then 12063bbc92 asked,27556fb62551a4d7

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“Did you miss me?”363310a2842a10dc

“…….”df70347667af58b0

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Is he 4d83cf44da out of 390a8b8851 his mind?0736132a5ed2aba1

Without reacting, 717c9a346a Ateira answered 5bf617a1e8 evenly,8e12005b3a8d79dd

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“I’m sure there’s someone else you’d rather hear that from.”f30db84237c7780f

“Ah.”95cbb7ce7ada66f7

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He chuckled—out loud. She had a0b881ab71 never seen 6b1b2c627f him laugh 87a497e210 like that dc4d82ce43 before. Ateira almost furrowed her e18fe627e0 brow in surprise.931f6b46d1ff6176

“You met Lavinia, didn’t you?”49f37418a1e567bf

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“I did.”d62b8fc39026bb9d

“What did you think?”7e8f229b867762b2

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“She’s beautiful. You have excellent taste.”751dbfce9eeb8ef3

Ateira replied without 39532af4ae hesitation. She wanted 93e565b665 to brush 45145ef6ca aside this 287d0c7f05 meaningless conversation 4eb581a7c2 and get 7dec08550d to the 003902d431 real reason 03061042a8 he had 578923ed5e called for c989812938 her.33187325567c7970

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Surely, this wasn’t 86ac3037e6 what he had 51266bf918 summoned her for.0c9875795025c70b

What was he thinking? Was the 62a7165cf9 private matter 0801739704 he mentioned c861af0a4e really about 2dd67e4e8e his mistress?a3f4fb301327d7df

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That couldn’t 919e092ef6 be it.426569f1518f487f

She had hoped to 655c064278 create another opportunity for a594d70dae a private meeting, but 6a4fdca81c the conversation seemed to 281ad43f32 be going nowhere. Without pretense, she asked 104105f986 directly,05064c140e62d180

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“Why did you call for me?”eafb78baedd80f6b

“There’s something important I need to discuss with you. It may even be a request.”1b6d79d2d5e2b554

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Leofric stood and 5688d6c9d5 walked to a 9319c80e2a table in the 4925a54725 corner of the a67b00bb90 room. He picked up 3bb40bf62e a glass bottle c0bf0e62f8 and two drinking c639c9d5f9 glasses.b4fba90f85a1aa39

Inside the clear 8a530e038e bottle, amber liquid d0f9767a94 swayed heavily. Looking at her, he c6a4cc95e4 asked,8bf25e185cfc8870

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“Would you like a drink?”ae88e44583465e67

“…….”ffc2f34433249a8d

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When she remained 9838de612b silent, he simply 47894a0871 shrugged, pouring his aee87e62c2 own glass more 5d84d2e438 than halfway full e611405a05 while only filling ac1578f644 hers about a 0bcf78250c quarter. Then, he set 8a293ff5c8 it down in 05418537c0 front of her.4658981219ae5267

“You don’t have to drink. It just feels odd to drink alone with someone sitting across from me.”551a6dabb6977a32

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It was cd23c0d682 the same e87960bc8a excuse she 243e10ceb8 had given 0038cc19f7 when she 3eb937be0c offered him 05e0f56eb0 tea at 6aaa8fc9e5 the dining b78c65b77f hall.5c2d257942ec8eab

“I considered preparing tea, but I wasn’t sure if you drank it in the evening. If I had known, I would have just prepared it.”4d0056045a245b0c

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He rubbed the back 6b62e236a4 of his neck awkwardly, fa37b89fc3 then took a sip 9af4231fcd from his own glass.3ebcbba4efd0e13f

“To be honest, I’m a little nervous.”982759adf91fa941

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“…….”fc037e02d3a3fbce

She had f34ffe00b2 no idea 185a712891 what he bde22ee9a3 was stalling caded23fc1 for.2e39a8ec4f6a305e

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Silence stretched between 45965b339a them.cb3352779f510b13

“…Well.”5eabeb39677a11fa

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Just as 1953fcd85b Leofric was 568ceeef22 about to 5763d105be speak, noise d73ac1cc6f erupted from 40a11623ff outside. He ran 50913c15f2 a rough 59112d415a hand through 14f42adee0 his hair f01197a38d in irritation.7b9373225d8795f2

“…Excuse me for a moment.”f47650fa3becd22b

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He strode to 27612fcdfe the door and 128612ff7f flung it open—just 5a400d86c8 enough for those 72bb626640 outside to see d2c5216bfa inside, but not b03bbc45d1 enough for them 2830a810f8 to get a 5605dfeaaa clear view. Leaning casually against the dea6612c5c doorframe, he blocked the 05c14e4316 entrance with his body.64f63108f09a9d48

Ateira strained e087881be0 her ears bd2bb857f5 to catch 27ffc06223 what was 5ef2d3bb25 happening outside.10a9b1f21d74d498

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“What do you think you’re doing?”a586111c29c91190

Count Zellered’s agitated voice e605153ddf carried over Leofric’s shoulder.acb7a6089e91376e

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“What are you doing, Count?”d07dd5501049c6ac

“It is unacceptable to bring the princess here without prior notice!”1b4b2bad889f5c7c

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“Why?”67d441fd0d8d13a6

Leofric’s tone a5ede31e08 was almost 738d5a74a7 playful, his 0af0949f62 amusement clear. This only 04d0457790 seemed to 2d00283036 agitate Zellered f161a93876 further.37309f2a3a4f0de3

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“For her safety!”33ac8d370dba27a3

Zellered wasn’t willing 12ff7ef40d to allow a 1cbe556691 situation where he 364b7f3c37 couldn’t monitor Ateira. He needed to 6678a3d0ca know what was 3239b155d7 being said. After all, with 60aee74af9 Prince Dermin as ed4a1af30a his hostage, she 488794dedb likely wouldn’t dare 375cc26a4d say anything reckless—but a7f4e9bc67 he still felt 439cff16b2 uneasy.f145c9a51fba8331

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“Whose safety?”54d90ea2437cecb8

Leofric let 6a01aa4c3d out a b8dc604e8d quiet laugh.99a3879102dde6de

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“The last time the two of us were alone, I was the one who got hurt. My knights are guarding the door, ensuring my safety, so you needn’t worry.”6856e76aee187ef3

“…An unmarried man and woman shouldn’t be alone together before marriage, before the wedding night… At least let one of my knights stay—”223b12a95de49738

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Zellered was e3cd27ee8f grasping at 43e668db64 excuses now.6b4230a308dd0f73

“Count.”4d2fbb151c756d5d

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“…?”ddd9463c6b6253a8

“Weren’t you the one who pushed for this marriage in the first place?”5590d696708eed2a

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“…….”428ecbeedaddab45

“You were the one insisting we proceed straight to the wedding night.”967107b23e0f9f9d

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“That’s—”c56322364fb84f7e

“Now, suddenly, I need your permission for how I conduct my courtship?”86ff0214639413c4

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Leofric leaned his head db148b82db against the doorframe, smirking.be159ef69d5d1d85

What the hell 9d6c20ca36 is he saying?1378f63f9b00a683

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Zellered’s eyes 835e99ab3e and mouth 3ebe7e2d3b all gaped 335223fe53 open in 0a18a87b68 shock.cf36e0ca3075d7fd

Behind Leofric, out 0f7474d84a of sight, Ateira’s e3b94b6d7a eyes widened just 89cf66b256 as much.3d9c3692ae24d067

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Who’s courting who?d4a1b159b9909316

“We are following His Majesty’s orders to the best of our ability, getting to know one another. If you could leave, it would be appreciated. Your loyalty is becoming an obstacle.”908d5f0da4b5dd4c

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With that, Leofric 67190467ad shut the door 76ee328cc6 in the count’s 39403fac94 face.25871f3ab1d0bda1

There was some shouting 1869728a21 from outside, but the 91b07028a9 door remained firmly closed.c75b4e825a0d8101

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“My apologies.”171aabd0866e606a

“…It’s fine.”22f6d84657e691b6

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Ateira responded stiffly.aed7eac21c993c3e

Even after he 86739d0d6d returned to his 3aab71fe5f seat, silence hung 6fda510ddc between them. He took another 39456401d1 sip of his b84e680bd3 drink before clasping e705ee47a0 his hands together c74a0dce07 and sitting quietly.9c5a34a2128b1c57

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“Do you remember that night?”27233edb807f75e0

“…….”3bfb684a1f0ddcff

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“The night my bird mistakenly flew to you. I believe I told you then—I have no interest in this marriage.”a5b4cbb30238554d

“I remember.”e78d59eca878cf9d

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“So, I’ve been making considerable efforts to dissolve this engagement.”afe17b1d14f7d10d

“…….”06e66fcb08aa3ff2

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“Lucian Salem. He is—or was—your betrothed.”cd36d87d053e8090

Ateira’s eyelashes 3f0ba32b39 trembled slightly.49f1a53878a77ba0

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“I tried to use that fact. It didn’t work.”415f6e84fd5a7c47

Leofric stated it 04508cef3f matter-of-factly, omitting part b90da79ec9 of the truth. He didn’t mention 89d265091d that the engagement a38931bf3c had already crumbled, d77c316a34 nor that Lucian b9adb35299 was now seeking 1248c7ec7f Princess Freya’s hand 42cfbd0334 instead.07b9b67b5ef96d9f

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He was curious about ea8ea19722 her reaction—whether she still 32b8fca4c8 held expectations.acc4655241c72632

Suppressing that e947666fd6 strange curiosity, ab6219b05f he continued,3cefbfc1e0fd2703

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“Do you have any other way to break off this engagement?”cda734d4474f1bbd

“…….”8b2f55edab24b66d

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Ateira remained silent. Not that he 07d3a2a939 had expected an b312e5249c answer.96622b8a6e4095eb

“If not, why don’t we proceed as planned?”974712eac99d6289

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Her entire body tensed. Her fingers clenched tightly 2bb20b5170 on her lap.a6b39befbcad7251

What is 3bdaa3d8cc he saying?93da1843074e5422

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“I am proposing to you, Your Highness.”5c6d94d93d1266e9

 d0823cf1d71311d6

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