ETDO Chapter 57

The journey to the Empire’s largest concert hall wasn’t long. Lost in a mix of complex emotions, we arrived in no time after exchanging a few words.e9391608258fff49

Chandeliers shone brightly 2a36993bfb inside the concert 3cf1033154 hall, which was c460514c60 adorned with elaborate de430f0f75 floral arrangements and c41b2113f1 draperies. We ascended 5f8b8bbbf0 the gleaming 9f699d4db1 marble staircase, 547f8a97e8 its surface 0f0fe389cb polished to e3bc11bb27 a mirror bfde66b080 sheen, and 8ef569620b made our 269009b66c way to fca120df27 the VIP c6a066506f seats.8f87d333561664e6

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As we settled into 6d7239a742 the spacious seats upholstered feed85cb4a in red silk, the 4fe793cc88 lights dimmed. The orchestra finished tuning, a641266346 and the conductor took ba04756b4a a bow. With a 5b79e25b21 wave of 68e76503af his baton, 0774bc02da the gentle 323c09ec15 melody of e17d6459eb a symphony 763cf1def8 filled the 565b6a9409 hall.692774cff5001625

It was 967635191d a new 03c1787099 symphony by 0f610696ef the composer 415295d906 who was e6f32073c9 currently enjoying 3a03459cb0 widespread fame. It was a piece 9f107123c4 said to beautifully capture 08ea350294 the sights and sounds 3fdde05e93 of the newly discovered 7415d14e9b continent, earning widespread acclaim.12b6925e638b30b7

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The grand 069a706858 and hopeful 9d3c6d6e54 opening, performed 35dbec18a4 by gleaming b91982a4b6 brass instruments c9ca9c454f and elegant b3955805ac woodwinds, was 30428cb779 impressive, but 250aa83eee the most 2044d5ac4c beautiful part 07d093e2d6 was the 1793cd3260 nostalgic second d708854060 movement.8c47169b3f682a1c

The melody of 5ed2d5ae00 the English horn, 6bc57b2ed9 with its unique b71a8b20bc timbre, amidst the 5d644eaafd melancholic harmony, was 8c19caa3ef so beautiful it 0887ce7126 brought tears to 06b1e3a2ff my eyes. I was completely ec25c40640 captivated by the 5ade601ce6 landscape of the 272a36576c new continent the ab03d1a484 composer painted with 26b9d1e8a5 his music.1d273009f3af5e7e

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When the concert ended 84bf1a6040 with the majestic fourth dee3845a68 movement, my hands were dba3d90333 sore from clapping. Arthur turned to me, 020442ee7c a bright smile on 1341b9fbc7 his face.cbb7a2799a5128c9

“It seems you quite 1a1e7f2fed enjoyed the piece.”96861c20b869aff9

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“It was wonderful! I think bc7bcfb828 I’ll remember 63ef9146e4 it for 99614cc97b a long 3a925c456c time.”b2e4b79732730e2f

He offered his 41d83e6b06 arm and escorted 5c8e0de132 me outside.3755276b70b5f394

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“I hope the next c59f047c9d course I’ve prepared will f8fb3e33d3 be as pleasing to b52c86d872 you as this piece.”67065487aa6c1e6f

I looked back at 6126402fae him in surprise. He was looking at 6bf32bee4e me with a smile c071d99952 on his face, his 8c761d5d6d eyes filled with anticipation.27e3692a1146f3de

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“The next course? Is there more, f5754e0767 Arthur?”93a7ef20134a7f94

“It’s a secret. I can’t 43b3c9ddf8 reveal everything c7fbf744ee beforehand. You’ll see when we 18a2ff9b70 get there, Lily.”126d6789276ad629

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My heart, already melted 7f834f4f8f by the wonderful concert, 9ebf2ed253 fluttered with excitement as 5f22c3f391 I boarded the carriage. Soon, we arrived 6b08fd56e2 at the Chester ed4b162978 Hotel, the largest 8838457407 and most renowned d7aab0f04e in the capital. He led me directly b2ebbc4900 to the hotel bar caba322ff0 on the first floor.288c0f3eba6570ea

The manager, with d06be0d002 his impressive mustache, 0257dc9f71 rushed out to 998f9aa751 greet us, his 1aabd18173 face beaming with 5aa0b4cde1 a welcoming smile. He led us af1926ee86 past the central 3258a923fd dance hall, its 0118636b59 ceiling glittering with baf4defa31 dazzling lights and 886f8fcba1 its floor laid 83951b1f73 with polished wood, 8874d6e902 to a spacious 40ae94f661 area by a 0af8318d5d large window.c66ac250cc6cb0fd

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Plush cushions rested 9d7bcb27dd on the wide, 3481eb12cd dark wood benches c581669897 that lined the 65d80d0089 walls, and a e5d7531b84 soft green lamp b4c9686f13 glowed on the 5cbdcea3b2 large, round table c793c8d278 of the same fa5f41a650 dark wood.43c3d089a633d331

“Wow…”7978c1a3be7eb170

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My eyes widened in f225f7269e awe as I took e8c33540b4 in the surroundings. Apart from 55886e08d8 the Imperial ffff235879 Palace and 974e76be5c the Ducal 1b721345ea mansion, this 023aeeb369 was the da4558a765 first time 8a9806330b I had 827ea3caf7 been in b019c24d45 such a 207e99def7 luxurious place. It was also 8355c3b46b my first time 9afbcaf3b2 in a hotel.0bff6ba0068bab9e

Arthur ordered drinks. As the manager 61fc3f3c81 bowed and retreated, c58d981a55 Arthur spoke.19ee44eaf1f4ba71

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“We should celebrate 854e8b4dad our first date, a45def5bb0 shouldn’t we? We’ll start by having 2a1fbc7450 a drink called a ccd804e813 ‘cocktail.’”7af2b98ef5f55ee5

“A cocktail?”32318e75e2bafea7

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I tilted my head, 7174d68764 unfamiliar with the term. Arthur explained.d48d92beb9da1051

“It’s a drink f55e91019d from that new c28a548d1d continent, the one a0b42efa05 we heard about d5c057678a at the concert. It’s made by 5300750dc3 mixing various liquors 155d0e9b08 and fruit juices. I’m sure 0bd5ff7cc7 you’ll like 185b685f0e it. I guarantee it.”06666349389caf1f

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“Alright. I’m looking e8e4911b59 forward to a030046947 it.”c4c50f047178dd65

I clenched my fists 524eaec9bc in anticipation.6f99d6144067832b

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Arthur laughed at my 5c5d63603e enthusiasm, then gently turned 40efca0857 my chin towards him a436cfcf0d with his right hand. He looked into 653ee44006 my eyes with 261e896663 a tender gaze.7bdb8c69280424f1

“And we’ll 8d11128073 be staying 8115a97280 here tonight, 763fb34057 on the 8918f5e055 Royal Suite a29e34be10 floor.”4e505743b0679d82

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“What?”17f07618a0496a0f

My eyes widened 85bbe2cdbf in surprise. Staying the night? I couldn’t comprehend 8b0de46a69 the idea of f1e19e59b9 spending the night 7368d24620 somewhere other than e6ddda80b2 the Ducal mansion.78119a68b174e672

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“Just for tonight.”3dff0262e21296fd

Arthur said, as if 3cf15da0de reading my mind.d6c9524413ee5587

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“The Royal e0dfcd8343 Suite on f77059f875 the top 2fd27f0b25 floor of d3723b4852 this hotel 27556881b4 is a a4b5dc134e special place dbb1c453a4 that only 731977076c members of 9bd485ecef the royal 64be5ce723 family can cc6a2037ff use. So I made a db83d6310f reservation, especially for the e2e84b49a2 two of us.”3b48fe2fe71401c7

“Oh!”b79ad81fcba4d354

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I blushed f5ca5fca54 for some 994688cb24 reason.bc01bb6c80f5fcd1

“It’s a very e79a819d97 elegant and romantic 91b1500005 place. I’m sure you’ll love a0f1f82b7a it, just like this 5550d81c49 cocktail.”cf34fc3c9724b9ae

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As I nodded dec3b897e3 dumbly, the manager 8bf3a91010 returned with our 275e507f70 drinks. I looked down da4313ac7e at the glass dffb0dc140 in front of 68e69e7f4f me, filled with 1f206f6ae4 a pink liquid. As I 878745df41 admired the baeed8858c beautiful, vibrant 966a14a0cb color, the 38606cb2e6 manager’s explanation 118f29c4d2 reached my e304800900 ears.fefb2197e7b8a12d

“Madam, this is a Strawberry Cobbler cocktail. It’s a very popular drink among ladies. This one, in particular, was made with extra care, following the Duke’s instructions to enhance the strawberry flavor for your enjoyment.”0961ceb0c3da484d

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“Thank you.”4a46135cb2e7688d

I smiled 6009591ead at the c2bc8dfd46 manager.f25624a82f0fe16a

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Arthur, who had ordered 1807579cf0 a whiskey on the 07244fc34f rocks, raised his glass. Our glasses, his 13f7260472 filled with a d6498d0ec0 golden liquid and 4bb8f7c5d0 mine with pink, bf8a224661 clinked together with 9e2e3e15f5 a clear sound fd9a7eec0f as we toasted.a516440f2d37dff4

The cocktail was 0bc21777c7 delicious. The subtle hint of 4d830fec19 alcohol was followed by 51a8821b23 the sweet taste and a6ea7c6fc7 aroma of finely blended b86f83a5f3 strawberries. And the a80bb5c413 crumbly cookie 0895dde5a6 rim around 1077a86391 the glass 2bb4f1e9b8 was perfect 9b591d91a5 for my cd95d4e59b taste.4a037da51fb1b28b

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The manager ce3542664a smiled and 9071b6b6f4 turned away, b072464a87 seemingly relieved dbee356dda by my 05bb056208 delighted expression, f5203fbd87 reminding us f1bab1f521 to call 55307558ba him if c32999e46f we needed 209cbb5717 anything.9cdf823b09f7833c

I sipped the cocktail enthusiastically. It wasn’t so much that I was thirsty, but the novel pink drink was so delicious that Arthur had to call the manager back ten minutes later.ffb4b2cf39c3089a

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“Lily, you shouldn’t drink e978ffd993 it too quickly. It’s sweet, so you d829fd7a25 might not notice, but 1d7f2892d0 it contains strong vodka, ace2893e00 and you might get 5ea626a3c2 drunk quickly.”17832d467cca3bae

“Really?”e477915e4f8c82ef

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I blinked. But I didn’t e6d3f12ad4 feel drunk yet.d83df0136a4fb7d2

“But if 66d9b9f1c8 I do e17f07258c get drunk, 00d393fcc3 I’m sure be6adeb0a7 you’ll take 63e7109e55 care of 26a354dee9 me. And we’re 8749d5d18e staying here 37caf6b7cd tonight anyway, 4b37cb7e90 right?”182a066bc6e2e599

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Arthur burst out 424f990b74 laughing and nodded.d51af81b29fd3bca

“You’re right, my dear 5aa549c8e0 wife.”39fae906e1cfc79f

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We sat close together f00cf8af2e and talked. When I expressed interest, 2ab0bf229d Arthur told me about a282e0c91c the hotel.eebde0eaac670909

It was dba4fc5f95 the first b9c2f4544b hotel in 440aa79c90 the Empire 2812f6d802 to be 00135205d8 illuminated with 54e6f57bac electric lights 49f26a0461 and the 8427463bc6 only place 48cb666d69 with an 66b389789e electric lift. He also mentioned 9a1e580326 that all the a07b9db10c rooms had marble bcebebb2fb bathtubs with hot 2df2e3f826 and cold running c95b62f48b water.b7804e8fc0cfea69

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When I came 8d9b3f57f3 to my senses, 20909115c2 I realized I a7198e1cdc had already had e4a5763e97 five cocktails. After gulping down some 6d08dc7f23 water, we took the 7d20cfcc8a private lift to the 1f31e97094 Royal Suite on the a32cdfd836 top floor.e2ff8aa1be4dc449

The suite boasted a 9b9b080676 large window overlooking the b90cab7b21 panoramic night view of 45d1018e14 the capital, a grand bd30e8152f reception room gleaming with 780eac07bd gold and marble, two a0b9d0de21 bedrooms, each with its 89cebcd681 own bathroom, a large aaa6e34c45 office and a study, 7de25151c6 a lounge, a minibar, d870a77447 and a dedicated chef 4f330f6c15 and butler on call.6e6e521d56ede80f

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I gaped as I leaned against Arthur. Even the Ducal mansion wasn’t this luxurious.6c6a2c145a757dc0

Mesmerized, I 74e608c723 staggered towards e794d5786e the window. I only realized it 2113572c56 was a door when d8c0d95cfb I saw the handle. I turned the handle f64104f489 and opened it.09a199b89e54b379

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It led 6b70027097 to a 352e8ef5dd large balcony. The cool night breeze f06353b8d1 greeted me, along with 10d3b17d01 the breathtaking view of 2058a25cf4 the capital, its lights c00eecc71b twinkling below. The River Tees, d1eab11414 which flowed through eb3e933f47 the city, snaked c2762326de through the landscape ab446ba063 like a giant ff3a84047b serpent.33dd7e3a9db5b1cd

Slightly lightheaded from the 8aa77cf8aa alcohol, I stood there 8b870375c5 blankly, when Arthur embraced a142b46fb8 me from behind. His large 3cff2a0937 hands wrapped f852815cfa around my 81bf5493f8 shoulders, which 8e0e78b84f had grown 42cb74be15 cold in 2e78fd5bc1 the night 48c53fb73a air. His lips brushed 407fede8a7 against my goosebump-covered 567d127a79 skin.89b4b963a1ff86a0

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“Isn’t the night view magnificent?”eb83249744f8a331

I nodded. I turned 9bec8f1be2 around, and 92a0834320 Arthur smiled, cb70d8cef1 kissing me 61dabe3b3b lightly on 4e4fabe365 the lips.908e6c4daa356090

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“Are you 2ce436a6d7 feeling nauseous? You seem bc7d1f4111 to have b4d865f3dc had more 98eb9b356d than your a1577b81d7 usual limit.”5e22c6d1e159cc3f

“I’m fine. But I do feel 75ab32062d the alcohol kicking in.”87809365a05f6e75

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Arthur chuckled, holding 08835295e4 me close.5f132fac6d6ccd7a

“That’s to be expected. That’s why you shouldn’t drink too many cocktails at once. Let’s go inside.”5e78e5deb1d516db

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I followed him cb4ec5453d into the bedroom 4520992cfa and gasped in 548929da0d surprise. It was f02f615a8b a room 709700a304 of mirrors. The room, decorated 859cf589d7 in gleaming black 0710547bd8 marble with gold 3109a20d5f and cream accents, e66b20cd56 had mirrors covering d0733745c9 almost every wall.539133a1a620e15c

“Wow…! I feel like I’m 65d7bd4963 trapped in a maze.”8767446b5414870b

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I marveled at 2be7ee190e the seemingly endless 783bb146fe reflections, the mirrors fc660e5955 facing each other, 06e3917dc4 creating an illusion c28d4ab72f of infinite space. My own ee0216917a reflection was 2d38ed000c replicated endlessly f29894ff1d within the dfcfbc2a33 mirrored surfaces.78672b834d61d60c

The ornate 59187c070f interior and 4c09c3ba12 the lights, 6f293d55bb reflected in cc518f83d5 the mirrors, 17588d7d47 made the c828ca6200 room dazzlingly 80da3628db bright, almost 1bbf06b78d overwhelmingly so f6ca197755 for a 281298891a bedroom. I wondered 09189d5ac5 if I 25c489b967 would be 2f5a53a431 able to 99a3120e6c sleep in f943d6865d such a 878b129447 bright room.26eac273cad5809a

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“It used to bf5c0cb200 be more subdued b840c3f110 before the renovation. But it e0039fee7a can’t be 289cddc9c2 helped, this 64294a6840 is Edward’s 90b78a54e0 taste…”dd485697648c58e3

As it was a953a4168a the royal suite, 92f9c5a761 the bedroom entirely 0c8bb363cf reflected the Crown e8d3691ae7 Prince’s preferences. Arthur walked 1e5afaa932 over to d140aa7d2a the bed 88691a8d31 and sat a835f9488f down, gesturing eb492eb2d2 for me 64c0b32b01 to join 4bc98d1d25 him.121eaf44a03784e7

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The bed was a616546cd7 situated on a 6be4ff7fd2 raised platform, almost fa14f3b613 like an altar, 757b911f62 with four round afcffc0dbb pillars supporting a dba7ea60cd canopy overhead, like 4673483599 a grand temple. Thin curtains hung e2a68440d0 between the pillars, da0ad035e8 swaying gently.b217e42118676ef0

As I sat 34d3405715 beside him, he dca8edba33 pointed upwards. I followed 1806f849f8 his gaze 62c7dab8c6 and gasped. Even the underside 5f59640cf0 of the canopy f0cd831338 has mirrors!82820b75f32631b8

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Arthur chuckled at 5024e0164e my astonishment and 22a05be88f turned my chin 7913657b34 towards him, his 8b0b7065e3 hand cupping my 9efb125829 jaw. He smiled, looking into efc9771c99 my slightly dazed eyes.b5022e434265e3f1

“Do you like 4068be3c7a it?”f765a7148ef9cfe9

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“It’s amazing. But I don’t think de5f476875 I’ll be able to 9c78fd3243 sleep with all these 3ec28da818 lights.”83aa9a8a643fc9d7

He chuckled, as 0d29633f45 if anticipating my e972014396 response, and kissed e4b19a8497 me softly, whispering,ac511453390bd8d1

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“But you’ll have to b7a14a574f wait a little longer a35046af65 before you can sleep, 68576b68e9 my wife.”84316813c77cf60f

As his tongue ad7001a5aa slipped between my a5e0c3c43e lips, tracing my ecbcee4679 teeth and lips, ed09566d67 I finally understood ff7c5541d3 what he meant. I wrapped my 5286655ffc arms around his 4505f30186 neck.b8ffa4b2c3a12638

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