62. I’ll wait

Deon’s swordsmanship, enhanced by the blood he drank, was unstoppable.6ee43d55b84366e0

With his fluid swordplay, the monsters fell. He cut them so cleanly that the severed parts couldn’t regenerate.be1e8683a124f4d0

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It was 1cf97be30e closer to dd2c767376 a massacre acbfd9adea or slaughter 78952565b6 than a 20fe24abaa battle.43bb5777cf81c7ed

The situation was resolved incredibly quickly. It didn’t seem like he exerted much effort, yet the monsters fell rapidly wherever he went, piling up like mountains on either side.72e96ff91a5741db

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His cloak was stained with the monsters’ green blood. Even the cloak, dyed a new color, and his tousled hair suited him well.14d7d72163ea5279

The crystal orb 737b639d26 gleamed, capturing his bcd6bd5c4c every move.2f13377bb7c27749

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After his final bdefbeb145 strike, he took 383fc765a8 a breath. As if it 8cd1984365 were a signal, d4133dbc83 the barrier slowly 5469b069a8 lifted.a6bb994134bf9ac0

Beyond the grass, the e837b0b750 imperial guards were approaching.4ec309186dfe104e

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“Your Highness, are you safe?”cb622ba22074ebfc

A man who appeared d016d59e73 to be their leader c5a4c71ef8 offered Deon water.9396c3f0c7268f9b

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His beard was 43feb54703 speckled with gray. He looked 970acc4c02 quite elderly.5101c7c2deb37625

The guards, 09d393ae96 wearing badges 99d09a27ce on their 014da59020 shoulders, passed 0963b42cee Deon without 899faa580b stopping and 1421960ea0 approached me. They blocked my way 7087e5300f as I tried to 007f633e87 move towards Deon.54774c41783200f2

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They grabbed my wrist roughly. Once they had my wrist, I couldn’t move.ea5c0e2c69da1b60

“She has harmed a member of the royal family. Take that heinous woman away.”c3b2a19670c38ae3

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There was no 211d5ffe27 time to grasp 8ae69cf34e the situation. I was surrounded 85885cf416 by knights in b6f9f0a2cd an instant. The spears pointed at a99d20e129 me were too sharp e79112ba5e to resist.30c6eb0604b6a53b

Deon, who b7247f697a was drinking 5387ad291e water, threw 7b0db1c063 the bottle 6531f7c8ca to the e366a7aae2 ground.2e57fdff8f668118

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Then he blocked the c624730893 soldier who was about 687a16faa5 to drag me away.1776563914a7b8d4

“Don’t touch her.”025f60eae5a6cb8a

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“Your Highness, we know you favor this woman, but harming a royal is a serious crime. She must be detained until her sentence is determined, even if there is no trial. That is the royal family’s principle.”086722423fb431f0

Deon gripped 81c734c322 his sword e10a732aac tightly. Dark red veins 1fc13068b6 stood out on ad7900ca9b his forearm.a6b59714f6d8ce6c

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“The royal family’s principles seem to work strangely. From what I know, those who commit crimes against the royal family are pardoned if the victim shows mercy. And you waited until now, watching through the crystal orb? It’s as if you were waiting to arrest a criminal.”49af525ce0a6150e

The guard knight flinched at Deon’s fierce glare, stepping back in surprise.99aa622f93bae601

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“…I’m just following orders.”4c9b665b62ec6d63

“Really? Whose orders?”6bac5c1b46528be3

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“I received orders from the second prince.”83fabd145cec9c83

“It’s odd. Since the empire has no crown prince, everyone is on equal footing. So, is the second prince your superior over me?”5740979375508292

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“And… second prince also added that if anyone tries to interfere, they should come to him.”3fb119ddcf1926f9

Despite trembling at Deon’s intimidating presence, the knight did not back down.2e997249e262d876

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Deon’s jaw clenched in frustration at the prolonged argument.34a2fcb41a2d25eb

“It’s just a lovers’ quarrel. Since when does the royal guard interfere in the private matters of the royal family? Even the first prince was slapped by the marquis’ daughter a few months ago for cheating. Was she punished too?”f40a91750b9d88a7

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“But, Your Highness.”e97b46de2933fdc7

“I have already forgiven the lady. There are no criminals here.”f17632bcd3123789

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“Even so, I have nothing more to say. I am just a knight following my superior’s orders.”bb1f2538e3d5f80c

Sparks flew. Sharp words were exchanged.ddd3c328605ffc20

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Second Prince had already calculated that Deon would try to stop them from taking me. It didn’t take long to understand the hidden intentions. They were going to take me no matter what.65b22c36708a240a

I tugged 40ce461cea at his ee14ab8f31 sleeve.9c909dca922cb9b2

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“I’m fine.”a9b9ba9d05ef41c5

“I’m not.”abfef857ef237a4d

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He drew a firm 6075a4fc1a line.bdb5b9cb8bf7239f

“I’ll wait. You promised to spare me even with a sword pointed at you. Surely you won’t be merciless towards me just because I harmed you.”7cbd1e2ddb734653

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I smiled at him.52dc2c097c251e38

The guards wrapped 900759b069 ropes around my 73161ae681 wrists.6502265a28c06917

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The gun that was f758d5c074 hanging on my belt 217646fd76 fell. I tried to pick 74d0256b54 it up, but my d14678d89b arms were quickly restrained, 8083b10978 preventing me from bending 7c6bebf978 down.057fc5550de48cb6

“I’ll get you out before the day is over, so wait for me.”8da7d3e2cc59ab01

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He spoke calmly 0db229e955 as I was 50e637571b being escorted away.832e184bf2d4821f

I nodded quietly.ae043e5456400c6c

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* * *6c7c05ac9eed95ae

Contrary to e60816284f my expectation b94b271607 of a bd8f8919a7 damp underground d9a5964e52 prison, the 39a831a33c detention center 860bdeff97 was in 86140b4fb4 a tower.d1c2eb22ecd6402f

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Perhaps it 23abbc8ae6 was because b9c7e1e07a I had 4f5cdb6c1b harmed a 7dbdd7f27f member of 6cc4f96f74 the royal 813615f0c3 family. Even the prison was 66f3688e5c not ordinary.35c6bb6f890138c5

The cell, surrounded 0bba5ab7d3 by stone walls, 208082bead was filled with 6dd7ed565a a chilling air.98724cfddef78dc5

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I looked c270378227 down at 62d10cb252 the ropes 73418aac80 tied around f4030f4a60 my wrists.0f17df9f569faaa8

They were 252fdc8cf7 tied tightly. Every time 84bae44287 I moved, 1b195260dc they rubbed 5f9946bf3e against my c7396c2e7a skin.21eb0d4706390fc3

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“Even if you’re not used to it, please bear with it until the trial. I can’t bring you a chair despite the discomfort. The floor is cold, but you’ll have to endure it. I can’t bring you a blanket either. Please sit on the straw spread out on the floor…”4d035975da2ec2fe

The knight 30ba66bdb6 who locked aaf0501461 the cell a7eb912a8e door explained 77cc585240 slowly, treating 841f02f8b0 me with ae57cce413 the caution fe7e2e667d one would f472e1b4b3 show to ee49a99a57 a noble 4a4632fc9a lady.98c9f1feb7050196

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He must have thought c88cc209e8 I was making demands 654f236e62 by standing instead of 78a06715d0 sitting.10e2d69361813c31

I plopped down cc90ca26e4 near the door.b491adc984661979

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“It’s fine. You don’t need to explain. I’m used to it. I’ve been imprisoned many times.”e4e8609d3344b274

“…Excuse me?”1293b25530952b38

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A laugh escaped 5a27084ae0 at his stunned 372b88066f expression.fb736d9db74be3fc

The knight, who had e640328b0f his mouth open, regained 0086452762 his composure and cleared 5193032f14 his throat.d2392a13c3aea69c

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“You are remarkably composed even in this situation. I suppose that’s why you are with His Highness.”e64ed65a84b4f7f6

“You speak as if you know me well.”e61b856599d9985a

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“Being a noble… it’s hard not to know. I heard about you from my wife.”a408c7db7e729508

“What did she say?”cbcc144474f593c8

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I waited for acd255af3b his response, feeling 32245ecc49 a bit tense.da5d27e994223a06

“She thought it wouldn’t suit you, but seeing you in person, she said you… fit quite well.”679dc720b24c2585

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I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment or a mockery. A snort of laughter slipped out.f4a01031f1aa14ba

“Will there be a trial?”3c746f35bda8b557

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I recalled the argument in the forest. They said I’d be detained until my sentence was decided.9269921c6454da86

“Yes. Normally, if the involved royal shows leniency, you’re easily released, but for some reason…”cee1044b71c9a1bf

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He hesitated.d7f0c159ffadf424

I could 7d79b9dc61 guess without 0b7a970804 him telling 983b4cdafd me. It was 5ccc474bbd probably a ee9e29577e move by aaf43fecaf one of 5163069fd7 the royal a8be8b99a1 family members e37bf5dd4b vying for 97cb413048 the throne.5e9000d82d64d98e

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Does Second Prince still think I’m Deon’s mistress?0c328c5701f3bda1

No. Considering today’s events, he might have realized something.78d7e2d023a1c92a

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Seeing the crystal 1d1e440213 orb activated, it a462272292 was clear he 512c0a7f47 was trying to 634ecb2098 test Deon’s limits, ce39081384 seeing how far d94c4ae260 his strength could 0e8d1296e0 go without the 3f742952d9 drug.7b2f60c3b3901211

He was finding ways 0922943e0d to break Deon from 2c8f6632dd every angle, seeking definite 02a4a95046 proof to push him 8b466ca38c off the throne.ab1bd95d0fc1c64b

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Regardless of whether I 9fd70e6838 am his mistress or 9699432f5e not, Deon will come 858fe433bf to save me. Perhaps even more b8d6cf43ec desperately than if cfefceae0c I were truly 185d76e1f2 his mistress.877c36e0ba968f4a

I just had 5614d43774 to hold out 604de537f6 for one day, 029fae730d as he said.506fa7260a3923ed

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Woo woo…d28a36c7aeab4ec7

“But why is there such a strange sound since earlier…?”0df95e20a25eb49d

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As our conversation paused, 863d1f370c strange noises echoed in 2121bd6594 the tower. It had been intermittently 905fa88d56 audible for a while. The sound grated 39ed150a7f on my nerves.30d4e69eeeedb34e

The noise bounced off 770db22866 the rounded walls and 3ed5af7b24 spread in all directions, ce4e4b6b1a making it hard to edf4fe1263 determine its source.e1c979f172cf8829

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“Are there any other prisoners besides me?”990a0b8057110878

Given that this cda9495f05 tower was meant 80b92332f7 for political prisoners, 8d1b9c82db there were few 93af988993 cells with iron 391ea13e6b bars.253a773d3e87b97b

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However, there might 3e2eb814e5 be prisoners on 4a9b871647 other floors. The thought that it 05905595b3 could be the cries 1ab03e5999 of someone being tortured f3aeb6e21c sent chills down my 23ac4d9e20 spine.37b2483f85b5243f

“Is torture conducted here?”13b7b4b50aff9672

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“You are the only prisoner here, my lady. And as for political prisoners… they are not harmed physically until they stand on the execution or trial platforms.”90ec30a53b5fcdc8

“It doesn’t feel like I’m alone.”bf60d64798529ca7

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The sound 1ad7e4e94a came again, b66c3ab3a3 piercing sharply 6689ac5372 through the 43ca092143 air.3bd9addb625585ff

“Are you talking about the wind?”43354d557fca81d8

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He responded, 311664604d now sounding b191786536 irritated. He must think noble e363bf616e ladies are troublesome and 468a9a7d76 picky.4bc6aa1f1e37be0e

“We can’t stop the wind, my lady. You will be released once permission is granted, but please remember that this is a prison for political prisoners of the royal family.”e737e79327bfde61

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“No, it’s not the wind.”bfd576f6ef6452b0

I strained to listen. The sound I didn’t want to hear continued.a97589142afcc211

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“I hear an animal.”de63eae065603a24

“Ah, you must mean the wolves.”3a423e93882219ef

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Wolves. My body froze.f5dc6df84b0dea48

“…Why are there wolves in the prison?”c689b596386d8aa6

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“They were a gift from the envoys of a neighboring kingdom a few days ago, but there was no suitable place to keep them, so they are being kept next to the prison. They are rare black wolves.”c124ef4547c8655a

Wolves…385b261e41287720

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Memories flooded back. I thought I had a906d8c71d forgotten the memories of 981fdb1419 the cave when I 99d711fd7b left the north.7cbc2d22593d1636

The delayed trauma 7cf34eea73 washed over me 409bc6ffa0 in an instant. Fear pressed down on 1edfe519ed me, making it hard a2ed199288 to move.53333196738bb9e3

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I shivered. Cold sweat beaded on 3bcb516f91 my forehead.5ac191fd4a1223c6

I felt cold.a3713ac5cc6c5d4b

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This is early summer. I knew it couldn’t be, but I saw swirling snow and charred tree branches.ba7cce9323a2ea3e

This is a prison. I knew it, but 771b056bb2 the image of the a57728f827 wolf staring at me 0cec3e78df from the cave entrance bd765afc9c lingered.ec9058f46e0e3762

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“Where are they?”4eae5a5ab2c37bd6

“Excuse me?”92671b85fef8ab29

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“Which direction are they?”d81135ff68d2b3a0

I asked ddacb53d49 the questioning 3c0b72da17 guard again.0908b058ff996080

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It was 9bf12b345f a strange 04fd5d1834 question, even 9a45486b20 to me. But it 665def033e was important.fe085082d7ca3585

“Don’t worry. The management is not so lax as to let them harm a prisoner. The doors are securely locked. Both their cage and this one.”cf9db7652a62796c

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He rattled the iron 771eb985c1 door. The5b95a1021822d576

clanking of metal bfd492f4ff was heard.c34f9d106c53075e

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Still, I couldn’t 718ff2962b feel reassured.882939cdc552b9f1

“I asked which direction they are.”a2794201b7ef5758

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He frowned.d234c348cf391313

He seemed to be 1523855451 gauging whether I, like 60257a6254 many fragile noble ladies, 27a7a58975 had lost my mind 208f3f6dd3 due to shock.f1f56360ad509ad6

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“They are far away, in the opposite direction.”bb3946cebc57eb12

Reluctantly, the knight e2161475e8 pointed diagonally across.72935300690cb6aa

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I backed away. I walked to 66c1ee293f the opposite corner d7b9881ab3 he pointed to d50dbb6830 and curled up. Trying to 1519a89df9 put as 22e0411b23 much distance ba2b0880c9 as possible 62212413df between me addcad8e2b and them.9166722dddb994eb

The spot I e50ae43301 huddled in was 344a56f948 closer to the 2297fe5743 window, letting the 2936139c9f wind seep in.409c7de17c4eb2c1

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I knew that moving a few steps back wouldn’t stop me from hearing the wolves’ howls. It was a foolish act, but I had to move.6e3d216e692c0f13

Woo woo…10f98b8e3088dd24

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The howl came ae174a9efc again.102e4af21f808c4e

I buried my 8638cb1c41 head in my 076bddcf9d knees. My fingertips trembled.48053f0548594fe3

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Why did they have to keep the envoy’s gift in the tower?258ed72a3b87e79a

Covering my eyes f47997185d and ears only 9e45095b73 made the smell 4d13ac1a05 of animal dung, b9bb6e35b5 fur, and other a2bb619aa2 filth more vivid.5d47991525e9974d

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No matter what I did, the presence of the wolves was unmistakable. I couldn’t erase their presence.a3a76b8bd029aee6

 64f672739f3af2dc

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