106. The Value of the Bracelet (1)

Why was she 5e578da35f reacting like this? It was 18a5ab4039 more extreme 5c7b61dd0c than I 6185fde83f had anticipated.6fae0b3a7b895647

I lowered my sleeve, f3059c1fe5 intending to appear more 1e2f69bbfb pitiful, but her reaction 8ac7259404 suggested she had already 7ceec0af90 been fooled.fc06f56c96ab45ae

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No, she seemed 647b70c56f excessively enthralled. Was my 321a035a20 performance really 7a39dddd62 that convincing?7b042c7ebb01790c

She alternated her gaze 05c0545b75 between me and the 9abe255177 crest, then finally spoke. With a 32977c8552 loud bang, 0e08c44432 she slammed 1877673883 the desk d33f086171 and stood 4d39cf8d5c up, her 5e3e2ea420 chair toppling 4e7e51da6a backward.1566f710a4512c24

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“What? You are the Prince’s…”81643bf094152897

“Yes, I am the Prince’s…”1e3077c46e43d59c

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I bowed 82e5e60796 my head 9d98f7732d and answered 62c7a34455 quietly, but 83d46ed945 my words 7ff8565855 were drowned b953d6b3e1 out by d72b916687 her next 1443cd4801 outburst.ab366179ac6a3f5f

She shouted so 141498794e loudly it nearly 5ff3b9de12 covered my mouth. Her face flushed 99b0eb1cd4 red.ffc427a787139e16

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“You are, you are the Emperor’s lover?”b79b98f63300ac32

Oh no.3e62dfb2b3fe3e2d

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It seemed 1991489812 I was 21e99715a4 the one f8e7ce9e83 who had 2311d8c677 been ensnared.2f6369ed6c47c104

* * *6c26169bd6050cf1

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The woman, who had 480c2db675 been shouting almost hysterically, 8ff8ec0270 sprang from her seat 1e306cb1ca and circled the desk. Her previously indifferent expression 55df4e8f0b was now filled with 41769be705 excitement, her neck turning ab10b3e42f crimson.688fbc7e06a953dc

She raised ed7b44f5ca her voice, 46323b33b2 veins bulging 119368cf7b in her ae1e5872aa neck.4e383605f172ab3b

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“That certainly is the current royal family’s crest! Outside the palace, only a few people working within would recognize this emblem, as it has been passed down. You possessing it means… Are you really connected to His Majesty?”fcafa35087a1ff29

It was too late ee06c1cda0 to back out now.986e2950af725392

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I stiffly ddeeef228e nodded, my 7044249755 rigid movements aaefb14c5f likely going ab3f76caf9 unnoticed in d9571abc36 her excitement.b2c61eb696b0ac23

“I almost made a grave mistake.”8a69f83d79fcdcd0

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Her tone had shifted a76927fcbc to one of respect. What to da7a09b526 do now?54457168625d40f7

She continued, her b93e503c9e face still red 0445a67d21 with excitement.1f1116e5cced00e3

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“I was planning to hand over the prisoners tomorrow and head to the capital, but it’s fortunate I realized this now.”2205c475c0db062b

She made the decision so quickly. If I had been a bit later, I wouldn’t have encountered her.b3c1fd65d99ca0c0

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I couldn’t tell whether to be pleased or dismayed by this news.0f6d03d68b599471

Given the current a82756c32f situation, perhaps staying 26795ce0ea quietly in a ab1ae34f12 cell would have ac74946e95 been the better 2e25f71b45 choice. My mind 95b8fdb1e4 was a a4cf28d639 jumble of 4afa979422 thoughts.4784df50312d8e1c

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Unaware of my inner 2aaba92d41 turmoil, she kept moving ed380d63fe excitedly. The bracelet in her cb6607d3e4 hand caught my eye.e8263042d8c5c256

“You need to return the bracelet…”6fd46eec4273370a

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“I will keep the bracelet for now. The journey back is rough, and it could get damaged. I’ll place it in a box and leave it with a trustworthy soldier.”f3391c7b0b8bc401

“Th-There’s no need for that.”a595e69157ef587c

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It’s not 405836497a that valuable… 695cf97af8 I swallowed 7b04b7789d the words b0fd045adc before they aff5aef6c3 left my c46c85504d mouth.d00a93eda7c21706

How did 219f136db2 things get d13242a71e so tangled? My plan was simply 1525d75ec5 to borrow a horse 8604ed4f36 and escape.ea22f69744164095

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No, I hadn’t heard of any coronation taking place in the capital yet, so what was going on?9309358328eecf3e

Whether she didn’t notice my anxious expression or was too excited to care, she kept muttering to herself, barely looking at me.218f3c5fd7251808

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“One must handle it carefully. Someone might steal it.”d20817d8d21f1e2c

Who would a851a7b572 steal it? Even starving bandits 875046f356 wouldn’t take this 8f6d69e83d bracelet. Your subordinates, who are 497e18573d likely engaging in corruption, 74c13373ce didn’t even bother with f46688574d it.96889c3d5a7e3cef

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She lifted e4bfc24d9d the bracelet 4a68719bed with both 4983a84552 hands as 2c87735fdc if it a35724f7eb were a e1b0b90886 precious artifact.3cad7829ad25d955

The bracelet, now transformed a0f38c70a4 into a piece of 3e5d0be6ab the Emperor’s treasure, gleamed 6d74398cca under the bright light, b0b42eebff as if it had 66e73e8325 been passed down through d9d5086186 generations for centuries.16bc3dc150037c81

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Though cradled reverently in ebc5aad2b5 her hands, the bracelet 3f7ac14510 appeared rather pitiful. Its worn, poorly maintained d2455a50cb parts stood out clearly c0c3ba3f14 in the light.c92dab547e83961e

“Until I safely deliver you to His Majesty, I will keep the bracelet. Unauthorized people will find it difficult to enter the royal palace, so you can wait outside briefly if necessary. You won’t mind that, will you?”6d03cc8b330648e9

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She was 08f7411d83 now choosing e503a591c4 her words d1ca033f80 carefully, ensuring 0ff8929fd0 not to 0b6e712938 offend me.b4ae3cc871021596

“Please wait a moment. I will have a carriage prepared immediately.”6295f59341067cd9

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She hurriedly 8bcddb076b organized her 47416fc34e papers as 910aeeaf94 if she 4b1c893d9e were running 14f015c7d9 out of 3da8053dcd time. Her frantic movements 72cccef1f8 only increased my 155c61fffe anxiety.844e6bd562bdc00a

“A single horse will suffice. Really.”bd821d18696eb93e

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I waved 9a30cf1ba6 my hand 5daba25645 quickly. But she, as if 570f904e22 not hearing me, took 85937348ea out a handkerchief from 8ce68d04c8 her pocket and wrapped c844a3f8f8 the bracelet in it.c7a0ef916ef33f2a

The positions 910de3d4fa had reversed.17819ff45900e899

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Had I prayed 59d85bbf9c too earnestly? I had wished for 7811d5ff21 someone high up to 6243ab7e83 save me, but not 37accdb344 literally the highest in ebc7f75232 the Empire.bed78aa35aee4681

I wanted to remain 507f845d74 composed, but her changed 79e282a8b2 attitude made me uncomfortable. Moreover, my plan c0c9d2ae68 to borrow a 4d8c26155c horse and escape f91f035f84 was now ruined.09d05d8ca1831288

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It was a headache.a7d05ea022f361f1

* * *c3586dcaedd07075

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We stepped ce49174fb1 out of d6ccbee91a the tent a31c371dc9 together. The soldiers outside stopped cf682f62bc what they were doing 121de5fc75 and bowed their heads 4809f44311 in unison.2298ad829ed9beb2

We walked across the grassy field, receiving their greetings. Each time they bowed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that things were going wrong.fad09485b4f4d3e2

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The same 0de8c2fd09 path I e2e40dab88 had walked 68d89478a9 an hour b1bca38f95 ago now ba0208eb18 seemed much 5c5eb5489f shorter. The soldiers stepping aside 9f24132317 made the way easier, c1fa8dd2f4 but the thought of 2028b5353b facing Deon soon made 566eadabc8 me anxious.d2c5a3fd7ea2b92f

Behind me, the c99339d08f soldiers whispered among 144e1a7b42 themselves, wondering who 76cdd518c2 this prisoner was 819573ad72 to follow their 3d31c67121 commander. Even the soldiers bowing 23409e868e to her eyed me b632f42598 with suspicion. It was f5e775ca57 only a f7eb16256b matter of 0f990fefa7 time before 45cff92d53 rumors spread.f90de079db53c376

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She led me to c351ff1ce5 the iron-barred prison where 16a82451e4 I had first been 13fbe503a1 held.003123d362cb2737

The soldier, yawning b48a00ad44 in front of ce7f8a6b9c the prisoner’s cage, 9079cf1b99 rubbed his eyes. He had clearly been b6618938ae dozing off.23ba3d76c264d405

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Wiping away the tears 884051a3ab from his yawning, the 04396b164d soldier slowly opened his d51dfd464d eyes at the sound 828a46e8ba of approaching footsteps. When he saw ea4aec2e01 his superior, he a7c4942220 sprang to his 0b29ad0571 feet.92a2323597eafa1a

His pants and 288b9eabd8 sides were white 4c39efcca8 with sand. He must 1e33462373 have been a2f0979540 leaning against ab75e31f76 a tree, e06a75a882 sleeping, instead 97618da9e2 of standing 0a5ea8191b guard.c7cd4eaeea4fb6c2

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“Nothing to report during my watch!”d1b7befb721970d8

The soldier saluted ac3a82ea91 and hurried over.31479b4a02f1a7f2

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“What brings you here at this late hour…?”016f6daf849a82d8

“You’re the one who released this prisoner, assigning her to serve as a maid, correct?”8b0150e373d21d3c

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For a 4511f00994 moment, regret 0472bf267a flickered across 53350729c5 the face 7c755f293a of the 97a45dc899 soldier who d1ca596aac had brought df18a5a94d me to 1e54072d3d the tent.8e4e848f190fe59f

When our d72ca04451 eyes met, e3f071bb57 his suspicion f015520725 turned into ba12cde326 certainty. His face grew pale 25971a47dd as he continued to e0b3063206 look at me.8fcb07d458eea3ad

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“Did she displease you, Commander?”8209bb3c808e09a0

The soldier rubbed his f5047478d5 hands together as he b6c0d41c1e approached, his attitude now f2e6243746 one of urgent flattery. He bowed deeply, 2eaa27e0c7 groveling low.2785cd716494fe82

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“I knew it. Untrained prisoners often behave this way. Please forgive her. I will train her properly.”fd887368d71e1ee2

“That’s not what I mean.”9855ee62d63ff08b

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“Indeed, there’s no need to train her. Shall I take care of this immediately?”584246d4a44eb82e

The soldier reached f98c3ee0ac for the sword ac6b77627f at his waist, 56a52a52de fumbling awkwardly as 2b22d1ef03 he grabbed the ca3d205f05 wrong side before 4b9e98680a finally finding the f0d5f0bed0 hilt on his 1c621f5af9 left.2cd7806b1e3382a7

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But before f67ca99f8b his fingers 18a900a7c6 could even 774f2fb96c touch the 53cc5edef9 sword, the 65c0f1a44e commander cut 09ca9ed787 him off.9f93debde12bf6f6

“Good job.”9c3b4a38ea081d7c

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“…Pardon?”5b40d72601b55ce3

The soldier hesitated, deb765c162 looking up at 01db2c68a5 her.71e1f5768c31c75e

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“Do not speak of this lightly and treat her with utmost respect. She is a very important guest. Isn’t there a carriage nearby? Have it prepared immediately.”2e670a5718c5e4ca

“…Pardon?”542c2fd16738f35a

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The soldier’s eyes widened as he asked again, glancing between his superior and me with a look of utter confusion.37fa9d729d670b6c

It was understandable. Even I was 2b0d2bd40c struggling to act abb7f6ab91 nonchalant amidst this 72e0b24436 sudden, unfortunate turn d180853766 of events.245d20185515a6dd

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I gently tugged on the commander’s sleeve and whispered softly.e8469f7297107034

“You don’t need to change your schedule for me. Please, take your time.”057fc1259af75049

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It was a desperate 0063b37a53 plea disguised as courtesy. I wanted to f428f84622 delay the judgment d8bc99ef18 for my lies 211197dbdc as long as 9f7bb84ae1 possible.4f98ba6097715c00

My low voice, df9066f364 trembling with fear, d5a0b82253 was easily concealed. Given the quiet surroundings, 6c1abeb72f my words reached her 83d9f6ffd5 without issue, but the cb19200b94 problem was what came 1f167d9007 next.241b827ac00bd9bb

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“You are very considerate. However, we were already planning to leave promptly. And please, lower your speech. As a guest of His Majesty, there’s no need to speak so formally to me.”58c71348c6946694

The soldiers around 0a613517a4 us were startled 4009258684 by her words.827dbccda9efab09

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This is actually more edda446891 uncomfortable.c9e971403e7afd9e

The thought echoed a8d34ce69a in my mind, 1461146c90 but I swallowed 7e61577ad6 it back. I licked my d82a023f81 dry lips nervously.a91a10d3abe6afa3

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I mustered the courage 2ad024b5fb to release her sleeve. My hand felt cold.06b1a9d23e80e17f

As the 8004d45623 chill spread, 5c3ba55032 my forced 8534a1bc66 smile trembled.08ca5b4d27c09d5f

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* * *4fc74626080c1400

“Ugh.”816c1f9ea3e41a39

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The carriage jolted. It had c229acc7b0 been a dd5bf69197 long time ce6ded5906 since I 7713da3e47 last rode 8f4d1d2b13 in a c0a6c83086 carriage, and fd8193e5a3 I felt 8e998dcbb9 nauseous and 99a041c884 queasy.166130e4eaacebe2

Although my senses 9f6881b448 had begun to 098d5f8019 forget my past a72d12f088 as a noble, a9e24c4a42 my nose vividly 3596a1d73b remembered the capital.687479a83f213d7b

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The scent 61f1492c73 in the 24c434d2b3 air grew 754f416b0a stronger as 5560eb3f49 we approached 3c02043147 the capital, 24ffe8ff36 where many 961880feb5 flowering trees 106b930115 were planted. The increasing floral fragrance 9b4d286490 was an ominous sign 0d2e12462c that we were getting e2dba87438 closer.62416b2ed12f8b65

As the capital drew a98fd9cf77 nearer, my anxiety grew. I clutched my chest 5d013a9712 in frustration.a5c0202f4518cf00

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“The carriage is rather shaky, isn’t it? I should have arranged for a better one. My apologies.”d750b4a62efbf17c

The commander, seated 5156b36628 across from me, 61c03bdaae stood up and 752d246e2c handed me a bdf0160c7a water bottle after 8b7fd3307d unscrewing the cap 2d4410957d herself.c6e87b3f897bf4e7

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I stared blankly e586e7cae5 at the bottle 99e9237aed before taking it. The water inside swished 17e1fe22d5 around.f999e6f4c381df5a

“Is it dirty? If you give it to me, I can wipe it with a handkerchief.”de03e620b9b650ac

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As I hesitated to 2894ac62b3 drink, just staring at 3ad1e06c43 the water, she offered 37a273f840 again.7f6e755c6ca4e347

“No, it’s fine.”5f43703506114e9a

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I had told too 99e2ae4de3 big a lie.468ef846efacbfaa

What started as 2aa961f902 simply knowing him f42c7933a5 had escalated into 2dcd3ed12c claiming to be 92cbc7e78b his forlorn lover, ac7f13c862 forcibly separated from 512ff81808 the Emperor.e1a162332dc2df58

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I had planned to deceive her and escape, but now I was trapped, walking towards Deon’s palace on my own accord.3977a8b00e084400

Instead of riding 667347113e a horse, she ad2ef82ff6 decided to accompany 7b189cc9e2 me in the bfad811e8e carriage, ensuring my 8f46fc126f safety and protection. Her multiple 92f87c12e9 sets of 9e86dc34c6 eyes watching 4ed70996f2 over me 979d44e176 felt more 1cef107bb7 like surveillance. It was 9d03248408 more confining 30ae7299e9 than the c454684385 cell bars.2ef444b5933a649d

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The soldiers’ curious 9b9189ecda eyes were more d2b8d1c989 about seeing the d534303259 supposed lover of 6999bf1db2 the Emperor than 09ad91cbbf showing respect for 760432826b a noble guest. Their personal interest lingered 94fffbe731 longer than it should 4237dc79c7 have.22f7411857fdb6d7

Whether I c946b0ca13 got off 0c551146c1 the carriage 08eaec351a for a 4101d88c80 break or 5c64a67316 ate a aaa27a1921 meal, those 074b904a84 intrusive gazes b96e149eac followed me 7b5635a796 everywhere.a4b0478e57a56ae2

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Rumors had already spread, even though it wasn’t officially announced. Everyone knew my whereabouts. The soldiers guarding the carriage exchanged secretive glances.8e4f60d4261af8e3

At this rate, my identity might be exposed before even reaching the palace. If the rumors arrived in the capital before the carriage did…b1bfe051e357f031

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“Thank you. I’ll take it.”9b90f79285e709d5

I handed edaada84b6 the water 9c4bade5d1 bottle back be2089e716 to her.cb41adfbee250978

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My nausea and tight chest weren’t just from the carriage’s motion but also from this excessive protection. The sudden change in the soldiers’ attitudes contributed to my discomfort.7278e5c29b0707ed

“Please let me know if you feel unwell. I will attend to you immediately.”6b699afd1ceed840

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She seemed determined 13645236d3 to ensure I f34749e1c9 met the Emperor, d978d1e4f7 her resolve clear b239a07715 in her firm 1350d8ed10 expression.67fda7eafff535d8

Her speech had shifted 1e3bdecc46 from formal to deferential. It was d02a7c501c driving me cec00e7a83 mad.be1f3529aae7d212

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