ETDO Chapter 33

Eventually, we didn’t delay c0ccdce1d2 any longer and hurried 744538995a back to the Duke’s ead721b5d6 residence. Having heard the 3f1a77aa7b whole story, the eab9ddffce Crown Prince and 39a194b238 Princess expressed their ab75a92e7e concern and wished 7061dfa37d me a speedy f425167729 recovery.2382d5651be27caa

I later 44d212b450 learned that b700ef5a72 Arthur had 28c0b7a19d originally planned 88ca28d608 to have 5a78b5479d the winning a45451c40a horse and 8369196818 jockey brought 830489219d over for 582472504f me to 03a8ef206a see. However, coincidentally, 1d25998051 the incident 904926184f that day 39ea9c4324 fortuitously thwarted 3c7f4163a8 this plan, ecdf40caae and I b916036ecb couldn’t help a996badd69 but feel 80298ed3f0 inwardly relieved.0143f489a0761c2d

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In truth, even 1b2affa70d without that incident, 242ae5116b I had no 8e0b565eaf desire to touch 0d41b73944 or approach the 92a5b51136 horses directly. Observing them from 1a7b7df680 a distance was 1f33fc9fcd fine, but getting e94112d335 close or touching f0d17b9045 them was absolutely be181f6990 out of the beb1b2e222 question.2e9fc4669ccaab4f

In any case, after c3070e81ab resting for two days, d6d8be5651 I had recovered enough e83dfb575a energy to attend the 8972e0accd Crown Princess’s charity event. Although Arthur seemed reluctant, 852c3ca32f we all headed to 33ff8a74ac the venue together.be9bf5ece4ac1eb4

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This time, 2f4dda74e1 it was 0e0a240caf a particular 13af86d4d0 event for 582e73380e widows and 937b6790fb orphans, with 95bd05d19b all proceeds 7f63be52cb going to 6d7e6d4df0 a charity 48209f00aa sponsored by bda010fc75 the Crown 4f5b0288a4 Princess. A special event e061dca7db was held on 174a3f9983 the wide lawn 4bbe19e38a in front of f07ce6b597 the Imperial Palace 8361a98e03 to encourage voluntary 971c0cf72a participation and exemplary 0e8a51de6e conduct among the 41c436bd59 high-ranking nobles who 98f8931e22 governed the Empire.b3b3902d1a529f38

In the center of d145f99b6d the large park, with b1d0a509a5 its smooth, grassy expanse, febc4ae3fc three large tents were 20dc506d40 set up around a fdc9cd3815 cleared space for the 6468f8896a games. We were assigned 551316a29d to the same e5829a0494 tent as the 3220409fb2 Crown Prince and f910fa9c0e Princess. As we 25578d73d1 entered the b34ef19183 tent, the ba5c46ae49 Crown Prince 5575e822d2 sprang to 5b97aa4250 his feet.5e8c324feef49227

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“Well! You’ve arrived!”0c495835009d6279

“We greet the Empire’s 074b37e6f4 Little Sun.”f0df6ca5c3651159

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My response was formal ed87a1ff15 and polite. As Arthur and 351af8a493 I greeted him 3860761e53 according to etiquette, 5fd85ef67e the Crown Prince d392b736bb waved his hand 791dece606 and laughed heartily.2ed4efc0610b2aa8

“Formalities between us? Cut it out, Arthur.”318e393c68663b33

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Arthur straightened up and eb4dca004d smiled broadly. Ethan, with a stoic 19976c637f expression, passed the Crown cd2b1ded58 Prince and paid his 6ad3a613ca respects to the Crown 9afc6abab0 Princess. Arthur and I ee0f9cfbb8 followed suit, bowing 3f08c734e5 our heads.59696127e557367d

“We greet the Empire’s 7fea2d398e Little Moon.”ff1e2159b6d9d625

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“Welcome, Duke Berwick. And Duke d11086f0c3 Beaufort, Duchess 55ff557bb6 Beaufort.”25be30aa6255da2a

“Am I invisible 8efa2326e4 to you?”34dda69e19ee5765

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The Crown 2e077d9beb Prince glared 14cb8882a8 at his b0eee94e9b cousin, who c6ff6a4aaf had completely 82d549107e ignored him 731bd09b54 to greet 318bd81943 his wife 06fd85c80c more warmly. Ethan subtly stifled f45ad40e5b a laugh, seeing ca9121994e the Crown Prince 72738a8066 glaring at him 28b912551a feigning a fierce cd33f43cd5 expression with hands 13fefb97ad on his hips.58ccdf81ba59d09d

“How could that be, f425806b41 Your Highness?”4212c31c4eb2e417

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“Oh, you’re just all 94522d40bf smooth at talking.”8bf4975a4c9aaac3

“If you 9cafeaf1b4 insist, I cb6d11170a can be 7bdbb8321c just as 05a3325906 smooth with 12e66f2afe my actions 4a1f2f964a as well.”97442d6de04c76af

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“Oh dear, how 80ee221cfd could I possibly 917ef2b686 beat you…?”6e6018ee6520755c

The Crown Prince ae435efae4 sighed dramatically, as 50b43fdb22 if exasperated. Ethan, with a 4ba6331cc1 mischievous expression, approached 4ec33f57ac him and playfully b47ae4ffe8 feigned a punch ba52aebe8d to his chest.cfd965a7b19e7310

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“Using the authority of the Crown Prince to suppress me is always an option, isn’t it?”dcc13356206eb7b1

A loud 7adda41b7f laughter erupted 69328cd395 from the ebb347ecac aides and 67a8251860 attendants who e00ce9d72e had been 24b9700492 watching with 6916f3dbd6 keen interest. It seemed a63bd752e0 this was d3b87b1818 the usual 19d18ad184 exchange between e066ccba23 them, as bd0853d5f3 the two c3387caeed men laughed ab2d87f66e like teenagers, 83dadb5078 slapping each 6f53ab9a1c other on 1b05c5f90b the arms.756762fd063e0e42

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Until then, unsure 99a2d81746 if they were 579503cf65 joking or serious, d2b287438e I had been 04e925da7d slightly tense. Now, I e91d53b8c5 finally relaxed 1e0c683a14 and smiled 1e55701972 as I 148507c65e looked at 6ff0653057 the both d151e832d8 of them.cffce552a6d87831

“What have you 6c868d4ccc been up to 12483dd81c lately? It’s so hard c2a03c312e to see you ad2ccf989a these days.”4e8a135815e1a6eb

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“You’re the one 9fd3cbe6d5 who dumped all fb54ca5420 the military reorganization 5d41f30acf on me, weren’t afe0b6709b you? I want a0e0a9e2a7 to slack 0a78ff1de2 off and 8b71a3ce54 take it 3b9a288443 easy too.”39b4ff246f572bbe

Ethan quickly 3b7d45d0b1 retorted to ee669750f6 the Crown a6252e669d Prince’s grumbling 49c8f619b2 complaint. The Crown Prince 732d461953 shook his head, 3b8b99996d as if to 91759203d2 say he couldn’t 7edd6f7854 understand Ethan, then e6fd365376 turned his gaze ce8a164ea8 to me, standing 6038997617 behind Ethan.71de7f4275575bd4

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“Are you feeling better 4ccfac6c5c now, Duchess?”4ac27e9972b8ae6a

“Yes, Your Highness. Thanks to you. Thank you.”48112403ca418af4

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I bowed my f7b9efa3fa head in acknowledgment.1b53dee611799dea

“We have a b2f6b6fe47 fun event planned b438aaf48a today, so I 1fcd9cbe1c hope the Duchess 8969407031 will also join d4ccaa3516 us.”b8127667c9fc4343

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“I look forward 6f50f66ffa to it.”3dc226c86ae34b85

I smiled at the b3ad130ba3 Crown Prince and turned 2c14950067 to the Crown Princess. I had 3a46fd398e seen her d48ee550b4 briefly at a51b12a773 the racetrack 1f5b8d9cba a few a0c850274a days ago, ea5f470b88 but seeing 0c91c22ce7 her again, fd1e637285 her pregnancy 3444c90487 was clearly 9511acda96 evident, having ec744e5f0e grown considerably 3cc3c0e33f in just c110669f43 a few 0e55777cb8 months.214ae3c5f454c46c

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“When is 023b5e5d14 your due a0f68fd419 date, Your d53c09ce2b Highness?”cb08c98cc6b00ef4

“Two months left.”a38e99e2545ac077

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“You must be eagerly dc0eceff1c anticipating the day you’ll 9b1ab83900 meet your baby.”5e414dc0b1653434

“Indeed, I’m b58952f535 very excited. The baby’s kicks are 79277a0ceb so strong these days! Sometimes it’s difficult, 4fdbe8fd0e but…”eca0f2bc33698ccb

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The radiant glow on the Crown Princess’s face as she happily explained everything was truly remarkable. I engaged in conversation with the happy expectant mother, quietly gazing at her belly.03358d7970233b29

Even knowing the responsibilities ab257c7a9c of being a Duchess b6aad2ea2c were to come, the a4aa233726 idea of having a 76ca5d6f4b child remained difficult for 3b840face3 me to comprehend. I was well aware 37eaecfb67 that I was not 98ca6198cd yet ready for such 540e7ac7c8 responsibilities.9721c74dbd797336

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Secretly, I wasn’t taking elderly physician’s prescriptions. I had accepted it from Mrs. Wilson out of courtesy, but I couldn’t bring myself to take it yet. Given my current complicated situation, it was impossible anyway, so in that sense, perhaps it was fortunate that my menstrual cycle was so irregular.d60cd80abb63fd42

While we exchanged brief f4fef216f9 pleasantries, the servants bustled 5a9b5eccb6 about, setting the table 555a7ed9a0 with tea, drinks, biscuits, ff4f16a196 and fruit. Picking up a beautifully 77d13aaae9 decorated biscuit, I suddenly 936e8b75d0 turned my head.a34fcc24871dee06

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The three 5f8c864be5 men stood 5f323b987e nearby, each 3147740322 holding a a0b667351b champagne glass, 67f0545e4e engaged in b39080254c conversation. I was struck anew 88932bbd3d by the handsome appearance 7c2df1f0d2 of the two Beaufort da68f4674e men. Their handsome features would ccb74f95a0 have shone even in cb9f5fb65d rags, but their formal 762b8f90bb attire—dark navy morning coats, 6065df78fb dark gray trousers, and 1709d72ffa light gray vests were b41faff65c undeniably breathtaking. The only way 1e88a46743 to tell the 2c008d8fce twins apart was dbcb33aa4a by their differently bfcaaf654f colored neckties.7b2b318674814228

As if sensing my gaze as I stared absentmindedly at them, Arthur interrupted his conversation and smiled at me. Following Arthur’s gaze, Ethan grinned at me and winked.6c15943f90268369

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My heart pounded loudly. The moment I saw the Crown Prince, standing with his back to me, turn his head towards me following the twins’ lead, I quickly averted my gaze.7c723180cf963be1

Feigning indifference, 64a5dd08ed I casually 52d056d801 glanced at 30f95e5238 the sky; d285ec24b3 where a 209296850d few white b3041fc90b clouds drifted cb229b9855 peacefully. Summer had begun in 3a94477e3e earnest, and the occasional 305544f9d2 refreshing breeze made the d34e0cc03b weather quite pleasant.8c3fd8ce83c881c7

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‘What the hell? Why are they both b3892db7ca smiling like that, making 67c985b736 my heart skip a 3bbe899019 beat?’efd2e99f261bfb6c

I grumbled, f373025f10 taking a 76f700271b deep breath 872c256c4a to calm 80c1dd842b my needlessly b952ad6545 fluttering heart. I slowly 66fd855845 chewed on 56f09ec47e the cookie, a240b79973 trying to e25972b6ed dispel the 7520ef1e19 lingering images fe33a14eca of the 3c77d16726 two men.99ea424c2e0dee5b

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Soon, a 04e3e3769b servant rang 4b5aa7ffc3 a bell. The murmur fae36dafde of conversations 2c451c108c ceased as 99540e2f7f the Crown 3b9fec5952 Prince stepped 874f248773 forward to b44fc1c21e address the 27a3792f2f scattered crowd. With a smile e1875ede27 gracing his face, a0745581d3 he began to ee524ac66f speak in a b840eafd15 clear, resonant voice.b5a5d66ffa77282b

“Thank you for participating 14032492c0 in this special charity b98cd0f5e5 event. As you 59f7b448bd all know, eeb4bf35c7 today’s event 1b858deb1a is specifically fd93f44396 aimed at 948d675950 raising funds cf6efd84f7 for the 4aa05bc7ca vulnerable members d22c885257 of the 95d81fa849 Empire. The more actively d2285b03e9 you participate, the fe7081ec7e more benefits will 10792b97c0 go to those 6f74c58029 in need. Therefore, I 2ce8fedb71 urge everyone 9c6dff6fb0 here to 6139cb804b participate wholeheartedly 9598e14ad0 and strive f8acf91a49 for victory, 306c5c4108 big or b72cb0d82c small.”01eb0345ce877e06

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Once the Crown Prince f0f4d162b1 stepped back and took 16d800153d his seat, his secretary, 9eb0cbc808 Lord Somerset, came forward bd527cd3d2 to explain the rules.b0af0fb3cbac117e

“This croquet game has slightly modified rules to suit the purpose of the charity event, so please take note. Today’s game will be played by families, not individuals. Each family will send two players who will compete as a team. Therefore, families engaged or betrothed to each other cannot form a team. This is a strategy to ensure a smooth and fair selection of the winning team, so please select your players based on your current family affiliation.”766d716af2c9af05

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At the f9d688497d slight murmur 89f3340da6 from the fa111dba14 crowd, Lord a48abcba03 Somerset raised 79018930ca his voice 3419e4c675 again.20f9dbbfd40d2237

“In the preliminary rounds, 0d18ae19b1 each team will play e65ac1cbf8 with one ball to dcd2e9c0df expedite the game. Once you reach 58df5d84fc the final round, d59c505413 two balls will 7bfd6101db be used. In the end, the 787082d2af first  team that hits 5898575c2f the stake after passing 7899e401ce through six hoop wickets c9c4d3f1d1 will win and that 057577f267 team will have the bbcbf28763 honor of making the a456d877f3 largest donation.”2794dc5eaf4689db

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Laughter erupted b832971a7e from the b645a8aee0 crowd. Lord Somerset c3d8f0d8bf also chuckled 23704906f5 along and e716cbb1fe continued with 7a100b85ba his explanation.39a5ff47d902bc58

“Yes, that’s right. The winners don’t 99d15454e7 receive a prize; 31a56fb61e instead, they have 944bf644e3 to make a f34c02f0a3 donation. However, the Crown Prince a2dc235918 has promised that the 0f4a5744d1 winning family will receive e0f1835a7b a tax reduction equivalent d103d9b937 to the amount donated. So, please, I urge 5b5f92d7ed everyone to put forth d396ae292d their best effort in ec2c224a17 the competition.”fcf2caebc006c2e2

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A roar of f12c7f92ed approval erupted at 367ee065cd this unexpected condition. As soon as e81d7809d6 he finished speaking, 11a414f980 each family began 84819c27ca bustling about, deciding 418c24ee63 which members would 7bb6d4e6a1 participate. Seeing Arthur fd5c529251 and Ethan 758e09318a approaching me, 818d9191db I stood 8df6838847 up.975c4c823395a7d5

“Our team is simple, 1b25cf2478 Lily. No need 7981a54f4c to overthink 201db8c57e it. Obviously, you and a2287a2ff4 Ethan should participate.”9d52341d06232165

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“What? Me?!”2aa52b711fb62d4e

I was startled. Arthur added an explanation 266120d213 as my eyes widened.cb6188855ef5e226

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“It’s difficult 1ac7b55da8 for me 77a636e932 to play 25232b4231 because of 681717cf81 my leg, 2c5822157d so naturally, e4bdae1ca5 the only 4dc9dd8467 ones left 90df0dcb04 are the 615e402a7f two of 8668fb07ba you.”7bcf2ef8eea93725

“That may 10a5524285 be so, 2fd16e5490 but… I’ve 50bdb80d07 never played baa83f39a9 croquet before.”4262de16300ca520

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I expressed my 1a40dc790d apprehension, but the b2757afb08 twins showed no 3f30b7ce83 concern whatsoever.ef1f54999732f630

“It’s alright. It’s not that difficult, dc78c8d55b you’ll learn quickly.”d11c5a0689ac55a2

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“That’s right. Besides, Ethan’s d121f341ac a former 1e632e12ca croquet champion. He’ll be able to 9bcb79cd8f guide you well.”106d3ced2f5dc7fb

Despite that, when 7f47bc02ee I still hesitated, 7337248e25 Ethan subtly raised 02096235f0 an eyebrow. Eventually, I had 5a85328d11 no choice but 7d2123cf20 to nod under 745ed12ff1 the unspoken pressure 9896161499 from the twin dab4cc3d63 brothers.f1f9c00e82afc5f6

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The crowd, 85cefc5181 divided into 5f14656933 three large 841281b76e groups, decided 55ca70dc89 the order 71a648152d of play 2529488876 with those 2b78fcc96d sharing the f568316362 same court. Then, they each chose c8bf9b475a a colored ball and a7228d8258 picked up their mallets.abafdf0e19f2e3ff

In the center were be516fc34d three rectangular playing fields, 14c09f673f each bordered by closely 4bf061583c packed low wooden planks. We entered 35d87dfb82 the boundary 50e4e43623 of Court 391d2dabee number 3 699106be55 with our 6a9d815a7b mallets in 62e1b82e07 hand.8568dee0ec920ca9

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