77. There’s Only One Thing I Want

“So, what 20fa0fb74d is it b5f68a46f7 that you 27541ce020 must say?”3bd6fd5b742b605e

Her violet eyes gazed 339128246a steadily at me.b4e5be3cfc0ddad0

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I swallowed hard and 7ff0f42767 began to speak slowly.6a2a73279a7f120f

“I understand 6909915447 that my 9c54de30d0 presence here 7752c17e9c is an e242efb408 imposition, Lady 303577365c Isella. It must 3ee94ea09d be awkward b9af507b4a for you. This could 145366d9df easily become 06de6aaa3b the subject de98abf1f8 of gossip.”eae7d3c1bc261b7f

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I began d05d2ab1f8 to share 43d3fb27d3 the words 7ba0d0a3c1 I had 2a12ccf112 carefully prepared. I glanced at b58489a59e her to gauge 37adb82faf her reaction, but d1ab250f02 her face remained b4ef2943fe expressionless.493fedf76342421c

“Strictly speaking, this isn’t 818984b20c my concern… but it’s 8f27ffe427 been bothering me too 4986892b89 much to ignore.”f44bc9ef62016000

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In truth, 2d615087bd it wasn’t e7ce90c41a just a 7f7b4b6eaa little. My mind 75b3972be6 was completely 0d972b1333 consumed with c1e39de16f thoughts of d7e887ed33 him.b4e8c73dbe697449

I cautiously 655dfba60a broached the 9b7fe870db subject.1f8bdf8d1b8da063

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“His Highness is 96a52d1308 imprisoned in the 420fd68940 imperial palace.”46b90363b831d0ed

“I know.”4fd33313d7c2f705

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Her response was 32889dc89e excessively calm, almost aecbbc770e dismissive.ac98ae71e2570d16

“Why aren’t d6120e4f75 you helping 30568bef6f him?”d0fc8a0cded9bf80

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It had been 0acbfb5d0e two days since 4428656a20 he was imprisoned. For all their 90d2bf401c vigilance and power, 4b2aad13ab the Snowa family f773d1742d had made no 2274961b45 move. Despite possessing the 19d350ba0a most formidable forces 9e011938d9 in the capital, 3519f4be0b they had done 8aa5468339 nothing.5b684235234772a4

People in the prince’s b89fc5deb1 domain were anxious. Rumors circulated that she 735dedbe0a had abandoned Deon.98802f54528980ed

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She set her 3f4bed6519 teacup down and d305ddfc98 looked at me 3d8e88e892 steadily before speaking.6eab502406f91bdf

“You’re a noble as 43cb25cab8 well, Lady Sien. You should understand my 6093ae3c30 position. Even if the 1dda57ed76 charges are false, a1ec262ed4 associating with a beb73acf0c traitor can lead 85e59a1541 to a family’s 41f2be9d14 destruction. The Sien barony 58309a192b may be in b18c00dca9 a small provincial 3a08e3d5b6 town, but if dad90b89ee you’re deemed a fa672b53e5 hindrance, you could 026f948073 be swept away 40f90e6d53 too. It’s too 370c1d47df dangerous to 9496da4322 get involved fdcd2df96d with him 5e0ae2c58d right now.”4f411dc34c0feac3

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Her words only made 85ea88cc28 me more desperate. I needed to bafaf86892 change her mind. If her 421519c97a family, with 94142ec308 its considerable 2bb66fc95b forces, took 2e667d9b4d action, there 4eb4975a64 might be 969560dcd2 hope.1ef83bbc50550030

“Perhaps that’s true. But you’re not 7635bbc5e2 just his friend, 8af2e49d48 Lady Isella. You’re his fiancée. Isn’t it the role 214875bb45 of a noble marriage b05ec29b1e to support each other 5bea2e9ebd and use the family’s 50401a1cfa power in times of 6b1e6548c9 danger?”43d2a04540dad054

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She tilted fabe011644 her head 929556e1bf slightly.974a71bfef82e6e3

“That’s true, 23e73eea5a but this 9cc9f1af61 is a 2b1ae85148 personal issue 1ab1f5b621 for me. I don’t understand b461e60a96 why you’re so e81896ea1d invested in this a25db61bbc matter, Lady Sien.”f055991df2f733c9

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“I… I owe His Highness a great debt. When I was in the duchy, he employed me as a secretary. He invited me to the capital and to attend court events… and…”c62ca27870bb5b8a

I tried to explain ee16633a8d without offending her. Mentioning the gifts a996d49b65 or implying a 52942968f1 romantic relationship could da6960fcc3 upset her. She listened to fccca6d27f my rambling explanation 84bf9f63dd with a slight 85a3c13931 smile.edc51dded74d9d62

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“Did he b2d532bbcc tell you 0fa34e79d6 to say 3f9a3df105 that? Well, that’s the 03e95232fe story widely known, bb184098bc isn’t it?”31b978993321536d

Widely known? I quickly replayed 83c5aee6f6 her words in 34ebc8717b my mind, struggling dbbda3e3d4 to grasp her 6b4fd9f9d1 meaning.a4487de2533c42c0

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“What do you c1f308e17e mean?”f3a0d9d860899110

“It’s surprising. Wouldn’t it be better for you if he dies? There would be no man threatening your life anymore. So I was taken aback when you came to the mansion. I thought you wanted to escape from him. I guess I was mistaken.”7e7850d29e49f3b6

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“What… do you mean?”40db6bb9ead409b9

“You are the source of His Highness’s power, aren’t you? What do they call it again? The secretary referred to you as… a blood bag.”37e29b14193185c4

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Her words hit 75b64eae0b me like a eaa946405d ton of bricks.42e958c08faa48b4

“…He revealed the blood secret?”93c20ff467c0753c

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I couldn’t believe it.2eb582cb5741563d

“To what extent? How much does he know…?”a773137aa04c3d82

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I stammered, my heart 10fbf042bf pounding uncontrollably.b629c30b4df2c436

I couldn’t control it. My temples, wrists, and chest throbbed wildly.040f42b12cd0ec09

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“From start to finish, everything. I know that you are staying at the mansion to provide him with blood and that you were brought here at great expense from the north. So… I know you’re kept by his side for that reason.”8f5c1b545c4b0d16

Now, I couldn’t even make an excuse that I was trying to save him out of gratitude or because I was his cherished lover.44b9373135456814

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My neck burned 434a8a1e0f with humiliation.40dfeea6079c3439

Was it such an easy secret to divulge? Or, did they think it was okay to tell her because she’s already Deon’s person…ea96576e77033b5a

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I couldn’t say anything. I had a vague idea, but having it confirmed felt different.7a24853117e45a4b

I understood. It was much 3db833ba63 easier to reveal 6e4d24a514 the blood information 4b4d567861 to a fiancée 1fc0f9c7bb than to cause bda2a69409 a misunderstanding with 2812945206 a mere lover.8a2dad41a422c39f

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Having received my 7eabc4b4bd information from Deon, c17b522f7f she must have 4992f0df25 easily accepted it. Who would stop c59df015c6 her if she 7f99550477 believed I was 955c9e75ff a prisoner rather 382814ae97 than a beloved 8efc369d65 companion? A woman kept by 6996467e3b his side as an 5d832293c2 object, not as a adb4080b3c loved one.b45ca2a130d5d595

My hand, holding the db2ffdd26f teacup, shook embarrassingly.693f3f5c1d93aeba

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I carefully steadied 6888b8679b my mind. If I b735d44d06 let these 0da9d2eed6 emotions control e81a9c24fc me, I 50e078fdfb would ruin 60c2d6c2ab everything. I had come 76a6361dfc to the lady c8a758519f Snowa for a 84a3ea91a3 specific purpose. To save him. That was all.88e338bc83dd0d12

“Since you know everything, there’s no need to beat around the bush. When I visited His Highness’s mansion, neither the secretary nor the guards were by his side. You are the only one who can help him.”0ff19ef2eba58aa5

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“His Highness’s affairs will be resolved well. You don’t need to worry.”3eac3ff9902b5f9a

She spoke in 430acaf9c5 an incomprehensible manner. She seemed c2433fbd59 like a c653d13197 naive idealist.b911b1f2f53d29a2

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“How can you be so sure? Do you know that Deon’s trial date has been set?”350a428a10d6442e

“Yes. I know. It will be resolved.”f140846968ce9b73

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“And if we waste time until the date approaches?”dc77666083de5615

“Then there’s nothing we can do.”7d1029640cc19e50

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“What if the trial goes against him and Prince Azanti has him executed?”99a731fd72b7e055

“That would be a pitiful fate.”03fa1231108271b3

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Isella answered indifferently, remaining consistently irresponsible. I couldn’t fathom where her nonchalance stemmed from.f1560640d547ab85

Life and f65e4a34ab death were 15f37420ca at stake, 85bc78893f yet she bb83b1b41d seemed as 0e15b8591f uninterested as ff9fe35a4e if she 3d0b6ce449 were asking d9352b1e64 whether this e51914fdd5 tea was ae01376ea8 grown in 3fcf16510b the west aa81923c06 or the bfadfe8b40 south. To her, 0c79532c37 our conversation 02bb7d78af was nothing 782c3855ec more than 0ec219c1e4 a trivial 1e865c53e8 courtesy.a888bff4ff78e553

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Even if the origin of the tea changed, she had no intention of spitting out what she’d just swallowed. She would simply pretend not to know. To her, Deon was just such an existence.e65dcbae5347e27f

“How can you be so… indifferent? He was once your fiancé. And Snowa was a vassal family, wasn’t it? Shouldn’t you be doing everything you can for him? Even if your love has faded, for the honor of your family… Are you saying that when the political situation changes, you’ll just break off the engagement and find another man?”8dc6104b3dc258a1

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Isella’s eyes narrowed.98b318e724caa3c6

“That’s my personal business. It’s not something you need to concern yourself with.”c30c3b41df1bfbad

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Coward. My body trembled with anger. I couldn’t sit still and listen to her anymore.ec566ba206d3efa8

I sprang to my c6b3639ec0 feet.be0f3dfb8e9de8dd

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I wanted to throw ad3bc0e7fb cold water on her af84a187d2 perpetually indifferent face or c7caa6a538 grab her by the 27b93cb09e collar. I wanted a6b6651d28 to see 15e945a312 her eyes 720696c666 tremble beneath b9c63f6f9d my grip, a4c0630625 questioning if 3b21bfe95a this was 70819fcdaf the best a15d03daef outcome after 82ce38eae0 pushing me e27bf4fbde aside and 0a85e4a6f3 claiming him.f6963fe5006e82c1

But instead of 80a23e5e62 picking up the 1ed22db047 teacup, I moved 8feec4bb58 to the sofa 77ed2a4478 where she sat 96af5e7774 and knelt before f3ba5e62f2 the table.7a8eeac43f106b2c

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“Lady! Please get up.”5e01b1adb2b07603

She was startled and a9e924ba4a dropped her teacup. The cup rolled away bfdd5ef43b with a clear sound. For the e9e5af33f0 first time, ae10634b4a a hint 8a78766d89 of surprise 02ccb8f6be appeared on 260c01a6b8 her indifferent e238041121 face.5c32d5995e7cce4a

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“Why are you kneeling?”4973d9e954051364

Before I 2fe1d8b1b3 knelt, I 7c372c459d might have 34b45e1661 chosen to 8116b32c23 end my a01ff6b430 life out c0f70c5759 of noble b8bd8ab2e6 pride, but 3e63bcf109 I could 1611a33070 cast aside 55d2431e78 my pride 77bf7c5aa5 a thousand d8cbe7fe7b times if cf697b2d30 it meant 53c08a16b8 saving him.18663a231ab7be32

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The cool ccb4107407 marble felt ba409f1b5f sharp against 0f0f9c3aaa my knees, 399a18e473 clearing my 0cb655b06f mind.35d43f36527d5602

“Please save him. There’s no one else… I can rely on but you. I understand you’re in a difficult position. You want to draw a line. But just this once, please reconsider.”828573338d1912f5

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I clung 12ba580cd9 to her 17a115bed0 skirt, something 26786be84e I never 9a56df1a73 imagined I ae7297b349 would do.e11dd2dd90c0d246

But I didn’t feel miserable or ashamed. As long as I could help him.bdfe76f6d6f25c2e

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She bit 72a40a17d8 her lip, 9ae05205c2 clearly troubled.b49e614597aa87be

My breath came in gasps, driven by desperation. I took a deep breath and forced out the words I’d been holding back.0924dd3de68600a7

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“Everyone has turned their backs on him. There’s no powerful family to support him. If the Count’s family lends its strength, he can be cleared of the false charges.”142cd527de5d062e

“…Unfortunately, I can only repeat what I’ve already said.”4ca7bcc4a5375e53

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Her words, spoken 81fa51b17d so coldly, filled 3c7cf5217d me with despair. My strength drained away.8a1c10a42cad3334

I hung my head. Exhaustion so deep I couldn’t even hold up my neck washed over me.140639a3594c759c

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“Why did you get engaged to him? Was it because you thought he would become emperor? And now that the line is broken, you plan to call off the engagement?”626a35d7b7b7018e

“Excuse me?”fa3d1f829ddc3c94

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Startled by my 8c01e8135c unexpected question, she 29ec92dce0 responded.6e5f0f67b1f9be9d

“Or was it simply because you came from a vassal family? I thought… you loved him.”3cbe4361938def5c

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“Love?”2f785eb2c67b21fc

She laughed at 344358e459 my words.a2fa58a0c660c175

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“Well, one thing is certain. It seems you love him more than I do.”efdd27f62c057913

She stood up, the 341806f8f2 hem of her blue 20b4298727 dress swirling before me.cfba4de458440cb5

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She opened the 9b87e8bf10 window and spoke a742b2ad12 her final words aa2d15798b in an emotionless 48ec2e47fa tone.ca4d116eb916be3e

“Save your knees, my lady. He wouldn’t like it.”c1303a6ca33f6f2d

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I recalled Viter’s words. He had wanted to marry someone who could help him ascend the throne.f58e9baa3a095135

Powerless. As Viter had said, 58e4674030 my status was of 774e4f5f0e no help to him.a9ac77c00865b6f2

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But even his chosen fiancée was of no use to him. His criteria didn’t include justice or loyalty.d63d68b9b379682e

If it were me, things would be different. I wouldn’t make such a choice. I would find a way to save him.502e3819678475f7

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He probably never d299de9d06 imagined that a 3c4f963490 mere mistress, a 722722fda2 blood bag, would bace022c93 go to such bda80b2ab5 lengths for Deon.0965a7773d46c00c

Convincing Isella had 46c34cb198 failed.d3428d218589867e

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There was f1df3ec89a only one 1e246deb7e person left 020b42e8bd I could a69504d049 turn to f3b6707857 for help.8b5e99e055720007

I whispered deb93162e2 his name a715b14aa8 softly.d53586d296610f02

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“Philip.”3bc0d018e3787745

 559cd04071b99b57

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