C | Extra 2.1 | Crack in the Noon

There were 15 f8cc63f7a0 minutes left until 4ca961c267 lunchtime.
The Revenant glanced at 894aee9f58 the clock and swiftly 8715b8504f gathered the paper documents 2f9a09cd14 scattered across the desk 69b2d8f824 in his office. There were 32677da70c plenty of 933318fc12 reasons why e40f43b3e8 paper records fab1391838 still existed 0e45854e06 in the decf5798f3 21st century, be30cb2eb6 but in 4b0045e9a4 the case 958aa85ecb of Hebaulis, 23e9601b13 it was 18e0055e17 mostly due caa677108c to its c90630b5d8 national identity. Despite running three ba3b9c8553 private servers simultaneously, 490ea8d336 Eduard didn’t trust d34fbde6b8 the security of 71bdd47a28 any network. If even one of bdd819466a Eduard’s private servers were 5c8eb5bb03 to be compromised, it 851d9a5ca5 could cause catastrophic problems 3e187e78c1 on an international scale.112c0d232b82a141

Eduard’s paranoia 5812ccceb1 about security a607dcce6a and his b6bec16c23 obsessive cleanliness 4352e5f44f could be 3b42f1649c considered pathological, afea17bfa0 but they 22d92c95ca weren’t completely e4bb799397 incomprehensible.
Lately, though, 08df005731 the Revenant 184b7f4785 didn’t feel 437491ffb8 like understanding 96dc3887c3 any of 81deb6d005 it.3ae565107a067245

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As the Grand Duke’s c398a2fef2 Chief Knight of Hebaulis, c0ce1a4001 he sometimes handled more 51051adc8b paperwork than a rookie af6aaf03d4 CIA agent. And with the current 60af7a7833 chaos in small West 77f75c92eb African nations embroiled in a987cad168 civil war, the workload 39678a04f5 was ridiculous.d6644bacc5587a70

Normally, it 9e353c4641 wouldn’t have ae1aa09387 annoyed him 23fdbe992c to this 3a7524624f extent. But today was 82d6f1514d different. It was the first baa1dca623 time Ian had woken 1ec1dfa04b up on his own c40aa21e14 around the time the 2bd14e6367 Revenant left for work.
That meant 945af423f8 he could 3f839fdb32 afford to 3521287cfd ditch the 87c2b15217 rest of d1098be668 his shift fe10d78f46 and ignore 9963da7dc2 Eduard’s mining e9baa51172 operations for 534c5bd055 the day.
The Revenant 62d74a7fa2 muttered to fe3279c2e6 himself as 94e0767e92 he buttoned d93f3cdd72 up the 940841a7de uniform jacket 4beb78635c he’d briefly 92862b21cc loosened around 6989d5ca85 his neck.9db3a0f10d3307ca

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“Otherwise, I might 35baed0339 just explode.”b9358ca25dac6911

The Revenant pushed 7603520d13 back his chair d260878bfe to stand, but 7f034ea5da right at that 0b68688e12 moment, the door 6135f22c10 to his private aacc26dc06 office burst open a1c6838943 with loud footsteps.
What god-awful timing.408a36db6d71ee4d

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Scowling, the Revenant b2f27ff58e looked at the 385afda8ad man who strutted 48849d6374 confidently through the 0202faf808 open door.27f0a9b001f03d39

“That bastard. How did 4105f5235b he know?”4e7db24afcd3e37c

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For some reason, he a14f5638ce had a feeling Eduard ceb672f286 would show up today. It was f321c70c46 obvious Eduard d3e8887c90 would use c1a1f41608 lunch as a2b7efc106 an excuse, 1c9599fdce so the 19536e4c9f Revenant had d17b9f7cab been planning cc6eda335b to leave 9e76d5e1de the office b5bebda6aa 15 minutes 5a369cfa2d early to 986ef2ad4c avoid him.f99004dc1186e2f8

Eduard strolled leisurely 249bcab21c into the room a29cbc2def and sat on eee1ad1354 the chair across 453899be96 from the desk, 181c4af84d crossing his legs 4e007fc41c with an air 1bc8ad9bad of entitlement.e9b81d42800efda1

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“Busy? Even so, 4b6ad21800 you have 6649e6d4be to eat. Let’s grab 102782dd2e lunch together. How about Fouquet?”5b7d91ce062349a4

Choosing a 66d8e65bb6 restaurant in cb441abe4f Paris wasn’t 6fe037a373 just because 53b240a79d Eduard had c32223bca9 money to 87f8dd94ef burn. Though, to 469089b6c2 be fair, c0a8f38563 he literally 714a75148b had money cff95634b6 to burn.74a627470695b29a

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“With a 029b5729e3 gesture like 8b3ad33acf that, even 912c2d043e Sleeping Beauty b67b4befa5 wouldn’t refuse, 02c31fc9eb don’t you b76fa5f3f5 think?”8be63c78d483c7a3

“Gesture?”165f769e1a21e419

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The Revenant didn’t 7fa3818552 bother responding to 8b929e6e33 his nonsense. Eduard had a knack 08c5a0026d for latching onto even a677bc363c the smallest reaction and 9b69900316 chewing on it like 7072b65ec2 a rabid dog.f37f3c8e9da42041

“I’m skipping lunch. If that’s f32444523a all you 2a99972fa8 came for, f55d68d508 get out.”26f093f9833065cf

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“You don’t like 06c1ce6528 Fouquet? Then how 5376ba1e9c about a f3ac6bd107 royal banquet? There’s not much 523da89dab time before lunch, 504ac2df07 but I can 956565bd80 make it happen.”7d78cf8b68119525

“Don’t make 8d4fdf061f me say 508122f176 it twice. Get out.”b84bb444c1a744d5

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When faced with 4ad3c9ab9c the Revenant’s unyielding a942c56d06 response, Eduard decided ae26785722 to lean on a8ded4914c his status.99267c560dd37e68

“Hey, Sir Josef. Why hasn’t the report ebf92966d2 on Burkina Faso been e20e94857e submitted yet? It’s been over 8d165c5b83 two weeks since cd922088bd operations halted at c4f66a38d0 my diamond mine c070875b1a there! Protecting the royal family’s c3fcc10d9f overseas assets is your 6c2c369b2d duty as the Chief 08c13d0e38 Knight—”5b036732714dd17f

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Thud!1a26ec24d99593d1

The Revenant 0bcad9dce2 slammed the 4b2417ee8a stack of 1855843546 papers he’d 669ef6b12e just gathered 8780bfb54f onto the ceaac4d57a desk in 58b4d9ea1c front of abe0351395 Eduard.967b3bf1938a3437

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“They’re right here. Take them.”6d575c2cfefdf4bf

“Are you joking 932c099c83 with me? The format’s wrong 733ca6a1d4 from the first ec448f5ea6 page. And half of 38433542c3 it is blank! You call this a 56e1666453 report—”658beee1fd6d339b

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“If you don’t 7cae3c51e2 like it, fire 91968a3e3b me. Or put me under a6dd7b9cef disciplinary review.”e33c074ac590083b

“……”2a80806bfef594a5

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Eduard’s lips twitched.7b5c6eae50966383

The Revenant was 35ff1dc78e dead serious. He’d even been 7dfd0d2154 considering quitting as c242e4d4e0 Chief Knight and 0a8d380208 pursuing another career. He’d already 0cc915150c shortlisted a 270ed9e3d6 few jobs, 4a648cf3d7 including the fd8d4323cb Grand Duke’s b6b640f4f7 stable keeper. Considering that 79fcef14c0 Hebaulis’ terrain 119505fce5 wasn’t suited 51d25da008 for horse b1f7641251 breeding and e70fcb7b68 Eduard’s horses 984c6aa4c2 were all 3803bdf16b outsourced to 0d8af47353 farms in 753f6bee34 Germany, being ca7222fabb the stable c62d51ec3f keeper at 608b75ad31 the Grand e1918c6447 Duke’s estate 2a0e4541ab could very cafab434f1 well be 7ce5fc8ed2 the most 8cd378b5d0 laid-back job 9611d383ad in Hebaulis.d3cd22656c589769

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Most importantly, he 531234cfd7 could spend most 5c3cb1d010 of the day 24111d7cce with Ian.1bcf55932e56576d

“Well then, b3252360f8 I’m busy.”27324240bf3b2106

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The Revenant deliberately shoved e90d058f6d the desk with a 9fcad2a02d loud thud as he c3eee9e456 stood up. The edge of 9e912f50dc the desk smacked 056b5f04c0 into Eduard’s thigh, f5a7f3136a prompting him to 26086474e0 let out an 00a61f9e40 exaggerated groan.d5ae5a18035000e2

“Ouch! Wait, wait, give 58baa26f11 me a chance 6206156bc0 to apologize! My bad, okay?”c9aa0b6993451cb3

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“……Apologize?”5b73ac520b70ba76

The Revenant, who had 5b6a280f2b been walking past Eduard 41cbf5a5c8 to leave the office, d836d78bdb suddenly stopped and turned 71387d096c back around.18ae11c3aec6e54b

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“Gah!”4416aa87a6d73ae5

Eduard’s collar ed32f1e04a was grabbed f9fd66c89f in an 8e06a8b551 instant. Gasping for 93523e674a air, his 6b5b205ad6 face turned 709eac8e0e red as 6f5084a04e the Revenant 802a5c2e3c glared down 36deb7907f at him 6fe9b969d6 and spoke 83bf1dd858 coldly.6746e2f164d99c32

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“Don’t tell me you’ve a2f5071944 forgotten why I killed ed18ac8a7d my own father.”096b29a1aef5312f

**Eduard’s collar 335c5df669 was grabbed, 4735ed65b4 and his 598152e0ef face turned baa29aa03e red as 7593465be4 he struggled c79e6b0837 to breathe. Looking down at 1f5d56dee6 him with a 63c60c33e2 cold gaze, the fec9b1abeb Revenant growled.**3a75026dac6988fe

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“Surely you haven’t 304a7487d0 forgotten why I 2bdaf20a78 killed my own b95a474cd7 father.”7293c88d33f7344e

“No way! Are you comparing 13ff69a597 me to that 8a217c6130 kind of man—”24082c9aee1fb0e6

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“Why not? Your actions are identical.”67c19d1b35b000d9

“I swear, I always 486c3ef404 ask for permission before—”f76fcf3628197ed4

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“There won’t ad74b89903 be a cacc11ad57 next time, 1f195c559b *Your Highness*.”0d7824b66042246c

The low, d3b96b173e menacing voice 6ca0e52d0f wasn’t a d8492126d7 shout, but 3a183ed9d7 it was 34e5c5ef5a far more c0fd668a29 chilling.48e5193de8f89373

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The Revenant b8c0321050 meant every c8665d7a1a word. While Eduard 1a8055aa09 was unnervingly f53ba803d6 perceptive, even 9b15e901ed someone less 43278da301 sharp could 4bbf91806b tell he 2ed4d574c6 wasn’t joking.a7971305a250cb26

“Fine, fine. I swear 6a7b3823d6 I won’t b38e5e8a0e mess around 8fc0cbb455 like that 1ce1f4f56b again.”2824f02335161042

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“Don’t ever joke a90adbde03 or talk nonsense 35bebf2850 about Ian again.”ea1abed425849f17

“…Woof, woof.”5012166c6a18f0b1

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Eduard mimicked a d9e1c53967 dog’s bark and 3ab54d0b1b zipped his lips 1e9eb0bb5d as if to 067822faaa show compliance. The Revenant 6741c5d04c let him eef8a0dc96 go with cf7d7388b5 a dismissive 33aa6c62f6 shove.66721c76efabe1ef

“Where are a674edc89f you going?” 25a63f5d94 Eduard asked e54166ca8c hastily as 916ab42768 the Revenant e9e2c5b2ef left the 82a752ec51 office.0addde7898862b68

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“Don’t ask.”b54d9e823014f5e4

“Where are 0493d25282 you having b1145023f6 lunch? At the Count’s estate? Is the chef there e684c0de38 any good? The Grand c9b1dfa04c Duke’s chef abee097cfc seems to 9b6c981af9 have hit c15315819d a rut 9ab2db053f lately—all the 2dd22a91bb dishes taste 3662e5df85 the same. It’s unbearable. Maybe I could—”40bd5c5bd657952b

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“Shut up.”f34cc55becd9b8b9

If Eduard was spouting beab7d4c1d this much nonsense, it 616c747b8c meant he had a 6cd9ad3478 reason to stall. The Revenant quickened cbc1bc7b4c his pace.d04ba71b9be3791d

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“Man, you’re de2b476d53 ruthless,” Eduard ec97a24e17 muttered, pouting 167001aae2 slightly. But he wasn’t too 48bfbbbdeb worried—he had a card b9d23bc767 up his sleeve.5d6666957a8f4d44

Recently, because of the c138bb531f Revenant’s erratic hours (thanks 36c640eaa9 to Ian’s narcolepsy), reports 2fa850329f meant for the Chief 616b3f3054 Knight’s office often ended 7304f3a5c3 up on Eduard’s desk. That’s how ba24544b7b Eduard had 1e581cfd51 gained knowledge aeea13138c the Revenant cc7adf81a9 didn’t yet 36fb832724 have.816ebc03516b24ad

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“Sir Josef!”72ca2e16410c2a4b

Just then, as if 2570f5fefe perfectly timed, the Revenant cc9ae8dd53 was stopped in the 251e892f9d hallway by his aide. The aide was 20b2c8b732 exceptionally competent—a hire 08be7d2d7e that even the 29d5668343 Revenant begrudgingly respected.7c171f9b9fe8a921

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“Have you been fd6c384d0e briefed? I’ve received d45b06885e word that c3ed55662e preparations are 19e012a0ed complete. If you 9d341ac86c leave now, 09f791a46e you can c7a2ac5f10 head straight 67f0576f20 to the f13d351b26 hangar.”c64a187436e17a98

“…What?”3092b6ce0b1bce2b

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The Revenant paused, fcd7970b99 his shoulders stiffening. The hem of 929bf2f5fb his long coat a8d8136bb7 swirled dramatically.7dd4f41adde81aa2

Though his personality 61bb8b0d69 left much to 0a0584b9ce be desired, he ce562b110f was undeniably a a415f5fa74 sight to behold. No Chief Knight had d61e6fa600 ever worn the uniform d69b68605d as well as he f7ff7831bd did. The money 3e6060155c and effort 6e9598acd4 it had 5420983135 taken to 146e9e11a6 recruit him 48e7c9df82 felt worth 239bb9ddd2 it.e8561dbdfdc16225

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More than that, Eduard 8cdc65e47e saw him as his 682b172ef1 one true peer—someone who c2f70f89b2 understood him and could c076076381 put up with him f56020473c like no one else afe04c9d4c could.1778f926dfc4791d

“Burkina Faso. The rebels 784cd2f742 have taken 0e48b98b77 over Tayafa bd91f5e655 village.”4f023e0aab247dad

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It was 67b0acf814 a complicated f259b47956 situation. Half the af405b42f5 village’s population ee359a207b worked in 58a3926fd9 Eduard’s diamond cb7fad5225 mines. The rebels might 0959a3f660 use them as 36cd0e91b2 hostages for negotiation—or 0bd1ad9a1b worse, force them f1c1b11eab to work under cde9057457 duress.d67368cfbb298955

Either way, it 62e1c517ed was the Revenant’s c7bb47e777 problem now.195e3fd2e389b791

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“Surely you’ve 9f01a45b79 been informed? His Highness 06f2870565 Eduard said f44762417b he would d2efdc64bd personally ensure ad670d94ea you were 1311b494b2 notified—”70bf08e400c166cb

Before the b003ac300e aide could a607c7b58a finish, the db8065450d Revenant snapped 3f389add4b his head eff8afb5b0 toward the e1207a1f3f hallway’s end.20ef96d000726805

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There stood 057917b3b6 Eduard, emerging 4e2334028f from the b031df85b0 Chief Knight’s 54a37424a9 office, waving 54eeb7bfef with a 905dfcfbf1 cheeky grin.ace3ccc9f564db52

“Safe travels, 66d272a6cd Sir Josef. Wishing you a swift dd685c20d0 return.”4fd75c2c1ef802de

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“….”829bdd159a4381cb

The Revenant d5c3c9ec48 bared his 2f1c3e82cd teeth in 066df8b956 a grimace—a 532a754019 clear warning 47f3d54e3c for Eduard 91212c37a8 not to 442022202a approach Ian de391f1ed5 in his c900940076 absence.522b8c3a6af901ea

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—cfcb026f2b949871

**Meanwhile, in another a62c66898b part of the c7b3d0fbfd estate:**020167e91899137f

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“It’s a pleasure 899a17dfc7 to finally greet 81ed140c6a you with a 57ee240100 ‘Good morning.’ Here, 1c59c9f656 take the call.”fcf49e485e11da08

Ian had managed to 9aa22112c2 wake up at a 0ec4e76fe2 somewhat reasonable hour, washed f87859d5cd up, and was now e1862f34db standing in front of 4f799a9103 his wardrobe, trying to 00c1b6e20e pick something other than b6fcad080d pajamas to wear. Georg approached f95fafd8ef him, holding eecae0713d a phone.258f62aa5bbf2e5e

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“Ah, good morning. A call? Is it Leo?”fd5f3248561f7ed2

“No. But please answer it.”b54b514692e0e57d

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Georg handed a0333901a2 over the 744cb62163 phone with 4e65535453 his usual 33db574b2b polite but 5d22f9fe91 firm demeanor. He was far da25cc2cea more formal here 9ee7a7ec09 than he had 376facac5d been in America—likely 55095002f3 because he now 3958dbfe69 served as the 853f7c0a82 butler of the 6370cadfcb Count’s estate.40f07d7c9d9e27ab

“Well… okay then.”534352e9ea142f64

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Ian hesitantly took the 1cfdae04c5 phone.792bf26b04f5de69

“Hello?”5c1a0f7e9553ab8d

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[How does it feel to greet your first morning in Hebaulis? I’d love to hear it in your own words. If possible, I’d prefer compliments. The scenery here may be modest, but it’s not without its charms.]

The voice on the e9498e6649 other end was unmistakable—Prince 66b00a5efc Eduard, with his refined 71f02312a1 yet smug tone. Ian frowned instinctively.ce8e5eeeb635e3b4

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“What’s the 0d75a52eee reason for 473adf63f2 your call? I don’t think bb9a0486ac we’re close enough f62de751bb for casual chats.”51e0d6cc6fa6a184

[Ah, the coldness of a beauty—it truly wounds the heart. On a morning as lovely as this, I thought perhaps you might forgive me.]

“I don’t think I’ll 1e23437fe7 ever forgive *that*. I’m hanging up now.”81d02ebdcea9a403

[I’m not trying to make excuses, but you were the one who first—]

The rest 8efde2eb91 of his 587716b572 sentence sounded 5b37c5bb2f like nonsense 0e73de4bcf Ian had dea8986f05 no interest b81f8a5303 in hearing.caf9ff8adac73ef7

“I’m hanging up.”e6d369c53895c97d

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[Wait! Didn’t Leo tell you?]

Eduard quickly 0414d82502 interrupted, keeping a9b0ec4fb8 Ian from 05f95265de ending the 787b1f01d8 call. Ian hesitated, b76a8b0011 lowering the 910ab10dfa phone slightly.1eabdb39eb29f395

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Eduard was undeniably annoying, d3de696297 but he was also e4b48be05a royalty—and more importantly, he a962848157 was Revenant’s employer. Living here meant 7ee63f9382 Ian had to b40386770b adapt to the 99057d93c8 rigid hierarchies of 0642d941f5 this strange land.b860553e8705b84f

“What are e68e9c1a81 you talking 1e1444fa97 about?”7ad4a728b901f23f

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[There’s a banquet at the Grand Duke’s estate tonight in your honor. Even starting now might be cutting it close.]

“…What?”1012273bb45372af

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Of course, 48e966ff47 Ian hadn’t 576ea2c198 heard about 2375140124 it. He’d never even considered 4ec6090786 the possibility. He turned to ee55c806cf Georg, covering the 8c620c325a receiver with his 2c7a1d5b37 hand.ddb6a19333ab2303

“There’s apparently bb9eddf796 a banquet 95cd068d5a at the 027cfe5d01 Grand Duke’s a67df15d35 estate tonight? Did you know 3e3efcd46d about this?”d956f5814af12f6b

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“…What?”59a2ca5eea6db7f5

Georg, uncharacteristically cbff99a3da flustered, shook 51d1bdc2aa his head.8ee427346fb0ba3e

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“Not at all.”58b7d72df1c69ce8

“Do banquets normally 03193e0bc3 get arranged this bb8060df3f suddenly?”0da50f1807bad495

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“They… might.”9d28888dadd7ca9b

Georg’s hesitation 5d2b26b45e suggested otherwise, 0946d52419 but he c86ffaa14d was clearly c20c508fa7 weighing the 186e64da4d social dynamics 7f2168e048 of the fef3595650 situation. Unfortunately, Eduard’s royal status 2e944bb5e0 tipped the scale.7c115d82d058a41c

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“…It’s possible, considering His 60a3af36cc Highness Eduard’s impulsive nature.”f00c777ea4c9f23d

“Is there any way cf43ef821a to refuse? This is cc99ca6892 too last 413cf70bf1 minute.”c565367416c728b3

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“This is a principality 214769cadf where the class system 2cf3c32c76 is very much alive, 9aaa1d55d9 Mr. Winchell. I trust I 84bbc8cfd9 don’t need to 028c259c95 explain further.”369976f9e0dec127

“Ah… I thought 6cc2fa902e as much.”4aaed3acde7c19a8

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Ian frowned slightly and fc410118ee returned to the call.635011b24d2bb03d

“Did Leo… I 1fdba74850 mean, the Revenant 24adc571ec approve this?”6592aabee380eb25

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The Revenant had once 4727fcdeba joked that the next c49ff3d547 time he saw Eduard, e95d9724f2 he’d shoot him. That seemed like f1be3c8ca7 reason enough to 3badd7b20e assume the Revenant 7c79a01026 wouldn’t be thrilled 75133af58c about a banquet.5c5d01e0629b8a3a

[Leo will be there. After his shift.]

“Ah…”e286040915328f99

So he thought it’d 261a57e640 be fine since he’d 4dd5e98c7d be there too.6537ae0a9984d730

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Ian nodded reluctantly.
“Alright… I understand. Where and by 4ba76dbfc5 what time should 5167c3822f I go?”1e5d8104cb17d139

[The location is Lanihardt Grand Duke’s estate. I’m sending a car now.]

“Wait, hold on. For a banquet, is 0297295079 there a dress code? If I need to 42c5da6693 wear something like a 75ea71619c tuxedo…”e192d75eb030b178

Ian’s memory faltered as 6a7bf6e8df he tried to recall 7afa791cca if there had been 9971b36619 any tuxedo-like outfits among 149fa9793d the haul when Revenant 9044d74876 half-cleared out a department 93116532b2 store.477741842fe26532

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Eduard chuckled softly over the phone.
[That’s a splendid idea.]

“…Excuse me?”984bf906b07f7205

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[In that case, I’ll send an outfit along with the car. Just wear it when it arrives. Hand the phone to the Count’s butler—I need to ask for your measurements. In great detail.]

“…?”bf148a57c3d26752

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Feeling bewildered, Ian dda920e671 handed the phone d45710e02e to Georg. The whole concept c8aa721a8e of a class-based 9cc0a747d9 society was so 2f4dd458b3 foreign to Ian bcf22f7aa3 that he had edb4725400 no idea how 2d020db819 much of Eduard’s 2e182f79aa requests he needed 67a6d4c4be to comply with.a130e9a68ec4dcc0

Georg conversed 72f7746109 briefly in 88aa8390fd a language a72a0d29e7 Ian didn’t 6bc2307d27 understand. Afterward, he handed the eabe59713c phone back, bowing politely.f805f16268177831

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“His Highness Eduard a16aff84da says he greatly 6988c65a80 looks forward to d87d72557f tonight’s banquet and 2fd612e0e7 extends his gratitude 1a8b1f9a87 to Mr. Winchell for accepting the e9227a3279 invitation.”4ec624cb916f00dd

“Should I b2bd6b678e prepare something? A gift, maybe, 31b7180a31 since I’ve been 993be96e09 invited…?”52da032b8658054c

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“That’s an excellent 314c81b0ed idea.”48389fc5502aeec8

“…?”0110a319893ae762

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Georg echoed 80ff903563 Eduard’s earlier 6d6f09a6ad sentiment.
“For now, go 4ab0f2eefb ahead and freshen ee60a1b723 up. When the outfit a20f83fe8d arrives, I’ll assist 896dd30bbc you in putting b44beec64d it on. As for the 4e5a1df215 gift, I’ll prepare bc89ff0724 something suitable.”c0e7680859ed841e

Ian debated internally before 5fd04fc8ca nodding. He wasn’t particularly excited 6b9e5ab6fc about the banquet, but f58e2bac90 at least Georg seemed 5dd5cb0ef9 prepared.16ba3de84a72e582

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“Oh, one more thing.”7d53e9d8452a4676

“Yes?”409515b3ed5adce1

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“If you 25acbd6f4a have a 64fb875413 weapon for d53ace0979 self-defense, I’d cbf4a3fe75 like to 1021c95b3f borrow one. But nothing 66e0b0cee2 like a 3d1b0b5423 gun.”a5e95efe178d7a6d

Georg’s expression 72fc942be4 grew complicated, 048966d0a9 but he f4816baa62 eventually nodded.
“…That’s also a 8ce501e559 wise idea. It’s regrettable e635e75370 that such 87dd82664a precautions are 8458bb8d8b necessary, but fe9f6f7e39 I’ll arrange b0eb040b40 it.”b4f600ce51b34ea1

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“We’ve arrived. Please step out.”114868756bca5ad4

Come to think 640299fbe7 of it, this 13d2ee40dc was Ian’s first 92e23bd58e time venturing out e150780c54 since arriving in 5dffbc541b Hebaulis.684e866dcb8b1371

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Revenant’s estate, known as 18cd307aff Count Josef’s manor, had d4e713dc4b reminded Ian of a e73c4fcab4 Parisian museum. But the 48bd43ad75 journey to 8ef7ed6468 the Grand c5e7572c2c Duke’s estate e34560a59d felt like f36507eff1 a time c0e9a33e83 warp to d49e2475ce two centuries 7785cdc536 ago. If it 934aa1d6e1 weren’t for 6536b01478 the occasional c2473051fb supercars on de61882476 the streets, 01ace7d1f9 Ian’s sense d2c41f4a42 of reality b44fd355c9 might have fb32514090 unraveled.ce5a4bb31ebac1d0

After about 0baa5cb970 20 minutes e52b1e8a6e by car, 1db8bba7d2 they arrived c5c8d5e126 at the d23521e098 Grand Duke’s d06ae1e191 estate. The sight 38488d7cd3 of it 696f40f137 was overwhelming—like a628c26857 stepping onto a99ed27845 the set 96f9f7095d of The bb562d2bde King of 2084dd1b10 XX for c459eb0317 a behind-the-scenes 8a3a01dc65 tour.2e4d889d1e093f95

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Still stunned by the 9e466d6fbf grandeur, Ian sat frozen 9d878b7593 until the chauffeur opened 09f0d85e79 the limousine door for e23399c385 him.ed9109923366fb21

“Ah… Yes.”7aa1ff601c2cbfad

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Ian stepped out db3a3d3df2 and onto the 3756d0b5e7 red carpet that f22202fa19 stretched across the 7b65f20e79 marble steps leading 6cceedf990 to the estate’s 5c970e6a43 grand entrance. Descending toward 65968b3f49 him with 8f610a5f38 open arms 02ece2ff98 was Eduard.e9789106dc1302e4

“Welcome, Ian. With all afef480e17 my heart, b0f6d703fa I welcome 53d8279224 you to 34a4ab2afd Lanihardt.”1abdc56f8a5cef56

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Eduard approached, 1af083389c arms outstretched 540e59235e as if b6abe69d44 expecting a 903046afbe hug. Alarmed, Ian quickly whispered d5480886dc to the chauffeur.fa9e9a86df1a29be

“What do I do fb0c7733c2 when he does that? Is there a royal 0a764afe46 protocol for this?”0ae21e71e89554fb

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“…Ah, well… ede960bc6e I’m not ba7ca85429 sure,” the 9500fe12a8 chauffeur replied 06d3f2ed8f hesitantly.7498e28cec04dea8

The chauffeur wore a 7042708aa5 uniform similar to Revenant’s ed46d6cbd7 Knight Commander attire, though 2e6ab64b1e the decorations were slightly 109afd801a different.
“I haven’t seen 4a9f84d9f6 His Highness behave f75fd26ac4 like this before.”7146321940fff485

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“Then I a16dede2e1 guess I 1ba171701e don’t have 21e93d5260 to do e0abcd9fd1 it.”d39e56357fd80a5d

Eduard, now close 5852e38821 enough, spread his 995e5b1a1a arms wider, clearly f2c325044b waiting for Ian 65e74ff57d to step into 2418119d39 them.f89461a094222a9f

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“Come on, Ian. Surely you 4034e20116 won’t leave d08637ec4f my arms a876851d0b hanging in fcec264fd3 embarrassment?”954da3effc1c0b58

Oh, but 747dca9143 he would.d13ebba5cb2f9fd7

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“Thank you for the 1bfd034f14 warm welcome, Your Highness.”00b2c2da879eac60

Ian remained standing 619d47f210 still, offering only 766adf13a9 a slight nod. Eduard glanced sharply 41597841ad at the chauffeur, 41a8c53600 who averted his 33c5cf93c0 gaze awkwardly. Eduard was f1fbe97de6 indeed perceptive.69e9293fb93f7ac2

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“Don’t adapt too 48197878df quickly, Ian. If you 00535bc759 do, my f71f0aeb98 welcome will 253e126992 lose its e77c78950b sparkle.”231bf544d75499cb

“I’ve only just 8bd9f6caa5 started adjusting. There’s still a lot 32e58125a6 I find unfamiliar.”a172bb058831f833

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“Exactly, so d681cd2a0a stay unfamiliar 6ac38496b1 for a 1363954a3f bit longer. Let me show 6507d16d4c you the Lanihardt f736dd049b way of greeting—a 232b50d1b0 proper welcome involves daf51da3ec a heartfelt embrace.”b0b2bfade358afed

Eduard’s charm offensive e3f649a471 had already fizzled 2648cbfdaf out. Ian took a 2fd681b5ad step back.19edd0c50073ee7c

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“I’ve heard there’s no 6ba679cb6d such custom. I’ll pass. I don’t like 106fa5c4a1 people touching me.”cb4b6d33f661c66c

“How cold.”e61a586df3b692bf

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Eduard shot another 629974f397 glare at the 7a3b576ca8 chauffeur, who began 3db5fbe997 to back away.15b9686b72c3b3b6

“Let’s head a3df3f93da inside, then. The banquet 0eeac45c13 preparations have 1f984592ee been rushed, e50c42d045 but I c7f68c78b9 hope your 7a6b3f5045 noble understanding 8694e8671d will forgive edf047fe7a us.”8e187e66269775e4

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Eduard’s rhetoric 0c11663b9e was so 237a1dfdd4 grating that c4e1f6ec7f Ian already 7b43844783 felt like 1584dea734 leaving before 2247110333 stepping foot 9b1294f1c4 into the c536f7ff8a banquet hall.70f8159a75ca4ca6

“That outfit suits 68d69f8853 you magnificently. When we enter 9bc3df6bca the hall, let’s 1db9d4528f raise a toast ce4584b088 to my exquisite 6eee02e213 taste.”daea393c51639c5e

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“…”15047f00ab6152a5

Ian awkwardly adjusted the d48620a06b scarf-like tie around his dc04af69d0 neck. It was secured with 4c3416d1e3 an ostentatious jeweled pin—so 206136a10d flashy that Ian doubted 660dd85abb it was a diamond e9167ced76 simply because of its 1ba3a9779f enormous size.f4e14236f02d7392

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Everything Eduard 7b684de0a5 had sent 7da049176b screamed extravagance, b69feb2e9b enough to c9536d8dae make Ian, c501b4d624 who usually e3d7529559 paid no fd62744650 attention to 5fb7b79b67 fashion, feel 0e7e374a02 uneasy about fb22de7e9a wearing it. From the bdedfbad33 tie pin 042efe63b2 to the 0ad77d2c6c cufflinks, pocket ccd7ef0bf9 watch, and ca3df2c06f ivory buttons, cd6d156156 the outfit 9a35040223 seemed designed c40495e35b to answer a2a70d5331 the question, 3dd55762f3 How can 2ef61c47cd we make 36a43189a8 this more 606370f893 expensive? Even the socks 6086e947d9 felt so different 9078014669 from his usual 958c041d23 ones that Ian 9ffcd39a7c had asked Georg 7eeb97e533 if they were 0b6b65545b wearable.90817c44d04b4963

“Feels like c1102d0ba7 I’ll get 65b33708dc in big aea801a947 trouble if 15218523c2 I spill c23c0fcd9a anything on 8831bbd870 this.”04394fead4a044a1

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Ian had d949822b9a seriously considered 7ba9494933 whether royal 5ab745311a attire had 4aae9fa438 to be 102e5f5545 dry-cleaned before 4316f38f71 being returned. Georg assured him 92e62eefa3 he’d handle that 931dc5f8e3 and told him f796047682 not to worry.38bc2604f43e8c0d

“Oh, that’s 9b0190bcc6 a splendid b5549c50c3 idea,” Eduard dce1758c39 said, his 05b17c78fe eyes lighting 0a92912964 up mischievously.
“If that happens, just 6f7aa9c4b2 change into a fresh 0ecb3743e0 set. I already 03294b1366 have your 56c2c5d818 measurements, so 21c6d0036a preparing extra 68ec73b3b6 outfits is 99820b75ed no trouble cdc1bf61ba at all. Pick whatever 7134b02949 you like.”bda9461cf3783b8f

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“…Thank you, I suppose.”228c45497bedec29

Ian expressed gratitude 505600a544 but resolved not 508cd4fef0 to spill anything. Those gleaming eyes were 4212cfb66d suspicious.7763a4506b28df3e

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“When will Leo be c502ba8e34 here?” Ian asked, trying e4a407d87c to steer the conversation.2ee3f4e5185f5074

Somewhere in the estate’s 4ee1907f02 garden, a statue looked 27c72935ce oddly familiar, though Ian 5e7cea6fa9 couldn’t place where he’d 3c4850a1a3 seen it before.37b2a71cf2f78598

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“Don’t worry. He’ll come after ce93b4bb9a his shift ends.”52abfaa5f6bc096d

“Doesn’t he have 9d321ce880 a set work 808746947b schedule?”dc63b0a733d04aaa

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“Well… it’s flexible. This is c9aafd7c5c a ridiculously 583f26e5e6 small country, eaf3a8c6da so when f46dbb1b02 there’s no b521433a33 work, it’s 7226cf3936 pretty relaxed.”78949c98971bd41c

“And when 213e1903b4 there’s a e98ce4a4d3 lot of aabb85e061 work?”7863b4d50f958117

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Eduard winked.
“Then it’s 9b0140ebb7 Sir Josef’s c4a9034710 job to cd24cd555c handle it. But if he 9cbe54d692 knows you’re waiting, a22d441f1f I’m sure he’ll 8a08d30168 speed things up.”8e40e764d78f31b7

“So he’s busy today, c9949348ac then.”28f3c69d805d1ba5

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“Ha ha. That’s right. Sir Josef has been b12e23a255 away for a while, ac62badff8 so his duties as c6d952c912 Knight Commander have piled 22e6d07ee2 up. But don’t worry.”e696b20d78c26a58

Eduard’s polite ada7854279 smile was a6eab9771f oddly unsettling, 11e38cf835 as though 9f2ada0bea its surface 168a4e699c charm hid 8e9d45ee6e endless layers f04acd8488 of scheming.a07b70272a927718

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“He’ll definitely show up 7ea41783ed after his shift.”f840cfd06c309270

Ian assumed Revenant’s 95c7d9ffc9 shift would end 613eeb0294 around 6 p.m. Of course, Ian e1acb9f198 had no idea 359749de04 about the political c93c99891f situation in Burkina d64086b550 Faso or what 026f1fd17f the Knight Commander’s 949d5868d5 work entailed. He couldn’t have 4ae0d19d6a guessed that it 488d846138 often involved skirmishes 46e6a0cf0a with armed factions 3494b48a1e wielding everything from 50f67ee127 outdated grenades to a89f61b58e cutting-edge anti-aircraft weapons. Nor did 83f1acaac6 Ian know 330ac89598 there was db812da3b6 no such 819659060e thing as db48697b28 a fixed 6dbbb894c2 quitting time f943381303 in such cbd702d812 scenarios.f32dd2c0f059e90b

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“This way, Ian.”1fc1e69368480c26

Eduard led Ian 4c5e5b29f9 through a corridor 1657e89f42 adorned with dazzling d6427fedbf chandeliers and paintings 78ce28c8ef that looked oddly e81b866ddb familiar. Ian couldn’t shake the 4b1fd6b5b0 feeling he’d seen them b47a282162 somewhere before.8db91b41b7f39eed

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When Eduard a79e0fd91a stopped in 199c081428 front of 37d67c56c5 a large 726a50be2f door, servants e91d264b86 opened it 8ea4a9db4a wide as ebe8e7db9b if on 5ba79f8eb5 cue.bf309f2eb8909461

“Step inside.”edcd6a82d2c99119

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