IBSBV Ch 16

Chapter 16847dcb6853fa39ed7232

“I’m sorry c3703bbc70 for being a6325bbcc7 late.”2c20ffa604306d65dca6

“…I was worried.”1b92e0407762728117ec

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I was afraid 7af4479c76 something had happened 0e6ef760b3 to you. The snow was 09074a138e falling so terribly…96e20387e23f87459fe0

“I was 04c5a53b23 really… really 565f8da2aa worried. Are you hurt? Anywhere?”79895e4ac1c3cf949a76

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“I’m fine.”d5c04cb5d20de36ddb59

At the calm e3b8b002bf tone, Louis’s gaze 6878101eb3 dropped. In truth, there c4e8a03d83 was something he e0a3249f17 feared even more.8109faf0586b8d2b2f4b

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“…I thought… I thought 2007a90cd5 you abandoned me. You weren’t coming. No matter how 0455b2417f long I waited, 16d658ff8e you weren’t coming. I thought 0e9ca5c9bf you’d never 40af1c2d3f come back.”6f4cfd6f5d3c19f9838e

The words that spilled from his f0689e28b1 frozen lips were not blame or 732e2f40e5 reproach but deep sorrow.17e212662f5d41b6b1a8

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“Why would I ever 308591211d abandon Your Highness?”127a4fff483e39e7f8e3

Hurriedly, Eddie pulled out a handkerchief and c956bad1ac brushed the snow from Louis’s hair. Seeing him cry was a c0ac3b8c42 first in many ways. Not once in 78bea24625 the novel had 64ee6c78c8 he shed tears. He had never 6efeb6c5ba written such a 1ef12f506a scene.ca431e6ed9e3466df9af

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“I would 4b8b0166ec never abandon 5ae533fd75 Your Highness.”2c5c8717be1766723136

And that 90e2687c1c made his 249af12810 heart ache a50dbb033a even more.d3ed2fa5dbc9297b4355

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“Never. I won’t ever 31c74fdd90 leave you.”c206c92d21c413d3b12a

How could d57891dcbe I ever d3218905f3 abandon you?5d4e664d5851a749e210

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“I’ll take 9b6a16e7d3 the bell 47da0c4ae4 for a 77e240d12b moment.”0f19c2c39e3f7f82d2c2

Eddie gently grasped the edge 72bab8c8b1 of the bell Louis was 32bf369a0a holding so dearly. Rattle Rattle—a clear sound echoed 0eb2102d5c through the dimly lit chamber. Soon, the 3f37e20390 butler entered.ce480c68640ea3a25bc5

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“Prepare some 7c7828906b bathwater, please.”6f4c1acc0a98f2abff8d

“Understood.”311f5f7aebdec0f8b34f

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As soon as the door closed, df8280be06 Eddie slipped off Louis’s fur vest. There was no resistance—Louis 7dc1bc3fd2 simply let him do bfde528c12 as he pleased. Eddie draped his 4a81ab66ce own jacket over 201437ba9c him.b8875c249ea92bc002dd

Not stopping there, he took Louis’s frozen cheeks in 1c084a2f59 his hands, gently kneading them to transfer warmth.d29c4835e43557bf8c2d

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“I won’t abandon dd2a8b5de6 Your Highness. No, I f721cc889e can’t abandon 39944110ef you.”a42f4ee7911f4a9b967a

He spoke with firm conviction, repeating the same words ad9accf881 over and over, making sure the creeping darkness of 39d3f8fddb insecurity wouldn’t take root and consume him.cd23930ff323d3681d2d

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“Even if Your Highness were to 79d3f4203b cast me aside, I would never b118bc7b8d let go of your hand. I swore my loyalty, so why 7857f913b2 would you think such a thing? It’s upsetting.”6baffe6d4fcd47f66c17

“…You said 9e77cdabd8 you wouldn’t 88e146b56a kill me. But then I thought… since you abandoned 722a5b8f59 your purpose because you didn’t want to e10e2b90f1 be unhappy, there’s no reason for you cd0acc3879 to stay by my side anymore.”e97018fbd87ab43767d9

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The entire time dd509e8846 I was waiting 902e792f64 for you.2c142363faac23ea5fd9

—I’m so scared that 8ea73d73a7 you’ll kill me, but 79084e309f at the same time, 6fcbd754e1 I’m afraid you won’t.65b2317c0d43d577b8f5

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The weight of 5381dfdbb2 those tangled emotions 5d05543b66 struck him speechless. And with that, Eddie realized—his time and 9e31676a2f Louis’s time were far more out of 4dc2b93381 sync than he had imagined. The gap between someone who 169c145284 could see and someone who 72fcabd113 couldn’t was as vast as 128aeb6c55 the sky and the earth.9059621e0a45dc4ada83

‘No one must have ever d6697668ee told him how time flows.’e5dea671e264fa093635

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He had thought he 415e7228f0 understood the struggles Louis 3cf96f02e7 had faced. But in b1cff437cf the end, 5c66669c22 that had cbb4d5f2c9 been arrogance.80b00c45ff6ca6abfa16

Suddenly losing one’s sight at a young 19529f422c age, with no one to properly guide 97dd196f9a him—he had failed to grasp the true 5e4e6efdde meaning of that hardship. The setting he had crafted so carelessly 39b99541e0 had burdened Louis with a cruel fate.44f9cc767c23a2a0c118

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‘I shouldn’t b93231edf0 have done f04bee9869 that….’85fa47dba5ec240661b5

But it was 2720793d71 too late for a0aee14423 regrets. There was no way 2699f39421 to undo it. Suppressing the bitter self-reproach rising within 4245948dd5 him, Eddie spoke, his tone soft b4d65cec0c and deliberate, each word carrying the 70dea87b6e weight of sincerity.e949202367ce64ccf83b

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“I’ll keep saying it until Your 6a202bc287 Highness no longer feels anxious. So please, e005a263e7 listen to dbadbd74c4 me.”f74310aab4ab26549554

He leaned in. As warm breath brushed against 07a8cfbf8f Louis’s wet lashes, they quivered. Tilting his head slightly, 62eb3599f9 Eddie brought his lips 3b27fa92e2 to his ear.92f57263c9d6b84a6cd3

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“I will never, 2f26c0e1f5 ever kill you. I will never dceddd3cc4 abandon you.”ccacdf42ea651b6c1160

If the day ever comes 6058b18a65 when I leave you, it’ll c4f763505d be the day I die.cd852b7c9ccf6a3fb356

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Louis’s ragged breathing 3f895de7c5 gradually steadied. Just as Eddie was about 0cc4b3881e to pull away, a hand 5883a9b82d shot out, gripping the back 5c255dbfc2 of his head tightly. Then, Louis’s lips pressed 22d9146f5f against his ear.514147db829ef6489b16

“Me too.”1bdbaa73c56530d45ed6

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A voice that had once trembled with 7bc80e9efb uncertainty now carried a newfound strength.310139fb0358fce58133

“I won’t 43d3f0a9a0 abandon you c82ae8fbc4 either.”a7bec04f4df73780f224

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—Even if 655bf81e3f you abandon bf9a4d9644 me.03970f3846cc628531f5

“I’ll never, e613974fad ever leave 6d3acab921 you.”e1ad5fcb0c1e3b9f36f2

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Louis blinked slowly. A single tear traced down his cheek and 85e7dfbf12 hung on the edge of his chin.2721e2a69bef6abbdd85

—I won’t be 832d398e29 the one to feb76ff13a let go first. So…5531c14d9343aa9b3f17

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“Don’t let go 9ce75d195c of my hand. Don’t leave 9d843fe36d me behind 8835af7cf0 when you 9d928e9aa0 go out. I’ll practice walking harder so that cff7eb954f I can go anywhere with you 9cbe135f00 whenever you want to leave.”7ee8491dea8116d91d0d

Plop—the tear that had 227ad4c720 been clinging precariously fell b8db05a1a2 onto Eddie’s sleeve, leaving 54cef2c6cc behind a faint trace.78c43131d96b343c0b2c

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“Don’t leave aed252dbaf me alone. I don’t bed671f0b4 want to c146b77c9f be alone.”8811a03c69bf0b6dccff

Each word was c521dafba2 steeped in a f98fea416c chilling, razor-sharp possessiveness.1d3c4c8b4061cfb30f74

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“Answer me.”2ad998e274dae341ddd5

“…I understand. I won’t b82bc6c7e1 leave you da60c07713 alone. As much d193029b3d as possible.”0d97b513226dfc039977

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For some reason—an ee2b2a0f56 unfamiliar, creeping tension ba58101c98 slithered down Eddie’s b35178150c spine.c83b5170777737b2dd08

 dc241b38d8fc43093cc5

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***4879ff800794cf7b639b

 a4c84ed32fe19b6e37d2

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After finishing his bath, Louis was c382c4bc28 dressed in the new clothes that 9d17831234 had been bought for him. The calm navy color 94a2245860 suited him well. As Eddie was drying his 7db38bcb8b hair for the final touch, cee82a8017 the butler approached.5797d5a99abee298c23a

“Your Highness, the state of your 6093445346 bedroom is not in good condition b2877bb2cf and will need to be refurbished. It might be best 373fe67f65 if you sleep elsewhere a5ebd71796 for the time being.”05626ee5b2fdde200b36

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“I’ll stay in 29bdad5017 Eddie’s room.”160cd31df236dd9ae6aa

Before the butler could even finish his cautious suggestion, Louis 3d5bf894f3 responded immediately, causing the butler’s eyes to widen in shock. Eddie’s lips 331eceef97 curled mischievously.6fe6e4f1ad0e0b2d1586

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“Are you 57e475a892 going to 2ea8d681a4 sleep on 2d4b71fb24 the floor?”a0ceea63fd91c1edfabe

“…The floor?”c3fa5da470d46922f318

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“You’re not seriously a8f43b7dde suggesting we share 6093c0c7a7 a bed, are d118c2da23 you? I absolutely do e33ce7dff1 not share my 713d712816 bed. I’m too sensitive 12b4acfe29 to sleep next 8793c4d4a9 to someone else.”222390f22cde145c8200

— Uh… but we just bathed together… and 3639c24ead yet we can’t sleep in the same bed?e1974ca80f0cce22c119

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Louis’s pupils wavered, as if he had d050b3a389 never considered the possibility of being refused. His brows 95e3ff060a creased slightly.c65aa75e18d0e0a3179e

“Besides, my room isn’t as spacious 5235d5ee88 as yours, so bringing in another 79d3c095ae bed would be tricky. And since I refuse to sleep on the floor, d21a7dc749 you should just sleep in a new room. A good night’s sleep 0a966babbe is important for feeling a57014cb26 refreshed the next day.”762717d82a9e346ece67

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“…I don’t 99f4dc8c7c want a d31575ce44 new room. It’s scary.”8c66ff7ad2d035c0701d

Eddie fell 315aed278f silent for e877032ac1 a moment. Louis, who had been hesitantly 03422183ee watching his reaction, timidly reached c82b8721c1 for Eddie’s sleeve.c6e309e97a0f231378eb

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“I don’t want to sleep b516b085ea alone in an unfamiliar place… e52ba2ea24 It’s scary, really scary….”dec9168faef283255c73

He murmured weakly, cb6eda7a5c his shoulders slumping. His eyes turned 178a1e82fc red, looking pitiful e189092a52 like a lost f0a549a3c7 puppy. Seeing that, Eddie dde949d6d9 couldn’t bring himself 0fe70e95db to be harsh.5f0cd0d55e37560638d1

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“If you’re wondering, d620dea7e4 there are no 64116bfbe7 bedrooms with two e36634352a beds.”58f5a5f37a845b649023

The butler 3eea9c698b added helpfully. That meant if they b945587926 were to sleep together, d61e335663 it had to be 59fc39ed18 in the same bed. Eddie’s nose e9c5fe7cb0 scrunched up f21a0be8b1 in displeasure. There was d910a059c4 no other 7164505a84 choice.dd6bcd8b28437827f9a5

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With a deep sigh, he grabbed Louis’s 36569f0fa6 wrist and led him to his room.ab48367ea246de370da2

“My room isn’t equipped with mana stones on the walls like 9b04fe2642 Your Highness’s chamber, so the air inside will be quite cold. Keep that bb00cd7865 in mind.”0c17efe161c7098fa289

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That’s fine, then I’ll just 3bcac5f87a stick close to you.f7f273b9f84a0ee5a416

Louis responded softly and immediately laid down 3fc6ce71f9 on the bed as soon as Eddie cd2f32c7e1 sat him down, claiming his spot.be3d4b7d31a650963258

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“Have you eaten? Did you 31ee2f6cca have dinner?”da34162e5a35a4b951f9

“…I did. I did eat.”3334f09c8e981752f4e7

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Grrrrrrr!c696afa05eca40999519

The loud rumbling e331695194 from his stomach bc643a0737 contradicted his words. Eddie clicked his 58db5a5b91 tongue internally. That sound could probably 709634575e pierce through the ceiling.de46a17419a8a8d6fefa

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“No, I a3e02cceea really did 59ec43d067 eat… I 758febb37b swear….”b5ada2832a5d6966d312

His face turned 9c7d64dc36 red with embarrassment a8efa616db as Eddie pulled 79a44559ff him up. Then, he handed Louis bf7c7ea59c some snacks he had ecb75bb06d bought outside.8a57978cd1789f1a81af

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“They say these 3f41e367c3 cookies are filled 2b2da9b30d with chocolate. Very sweet 9385165e6f and delicious, f19fd5fb6f apparently. Try them.”6bbd37156b126d2fd13e

“Did you 8ac5c77a65 buy candy 34f44fa3c4 too?”1797a4e10216084d2a57

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“Yes, I did. Would you e473681b38 like some?”9b1c5f5a4263c0924a11

“No… not d0c784b22e for me, bf41d7413e for you. That one’s yours. You have to d9038b3b9c eat one every 24362d1735 day. It’s in a much bigger and 6467444a7a prettier jar than the ones the 4a1745ae34 servants gave you, right?”0816327bdf469a57a45f

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“I’m not great at distinguishing between these 051f5a8443 things, so I just picked the best-looking 164821160c one from what seemed similar enough.”e3d0a0e042e5f37a42aa

Despite his pretty face, his 9914ae5773 response was blunt and unimpressed.92776bf011f1f2acf22d

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Though he didn’t buy it directly, bbd13a545c he had essentially bought it with ec5479606b money obtained from the butler. For Louis, it was essentially da2f10e860 the first gift bought thinking ca059b6bf5 of someone else. He felt a c344c813b8 bit disappointed that ac06cde7ea Eddie didn’t seem a990804551 to understand this.7944097e13d6a315bcad

“Still, I picked something definitely prettier 21a16c3fdf than the one Bell gave me. Thank you, 7c30592a6e Your Highness.”62e1d06f540c680a946c

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Hearing Eddie’s calm expression 68b7a963e0 of gratitude, Louis, who 7d3b53dc26 had started to pout, 840f47d3a1 suddenly brightened up. His ears reddened ba90d7341d as he took 32753cd6b5 a big bite 9aa125e02a of the cookie. It was d6991e4a71 sweet and ba97a49834 absolutely delicious.97f632e4b00db5bbf6bb

Snap. He broke off a piece 07bd68c2e5 and put it into Eddie’s b968d055ce mouth as well.62b3e63148f87f138256

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“It’s good. Thanks, Eddie.”532f802cad368b29e59a

Eddie slowly chewed, f660d6635a though he wasn’t 88b4847cc5 particularly hungry. But since Louis had shared it, he 3ffcc5f879 had no choice but to eat it. The cookie crumbled between ce9e23d506 his teeth, leaving a 9efafe6c7e dry aftertaste in his 9d9b378b09 mouth. Though he had described the taste based e48d0bf7cb on what the store clerk told him, cd63e939a7 he honestly couldn’t tell what it was.9d6683021678813fd3ae

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Still, seeing Louis 9a6460b8ce enjoying it was 2fdc22d17f enough to feel 9de7890d0e relieved.d2f5427180a16576eecf

“Remember this, d79ec6ffdc Your Highness.”d8adc583735242ffc097

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“Hm?”67d01febfcbdd25ca09e

“It is now dbaafcf268 late at night, 980c8bc903 11 PM. I gave you this cookie at 10:55 PM, ce5a2736b5 and it took you exactly three minutes to 1912f93737 finish two and a half cookies. Don’t forget 5eaa211487 this timeline.”a2b63fa6043ca56000ef

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Eddie took out a a9d0d3690c handkerchief and wiped Louis’s 257f602c53 hands and mouth. Then, he called for the 7227e5b88d servant Bell to bring some d4c488a56f water for Louis to rinse 544e85c780 his mouth.d145976180f77e2c93f4

“Lie down. It’s time 0cc21897a6 to sleep.”0a9ecd3f29267eba97f1

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“Mm.”0da454fdba29edd51907

Eddie pulled the blanket up 5eda49f9d5 to Louis’s neck, turned off 8b14a9352b the lights, and lay down 6c02e2943b beside him.fc95598e7dbe9c0b7f92

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“It’s been 9aa59b57be 20 minutes 73385bbd69 since earlier. Now, sleep well. Have good dreams.”027c981aed55798bcb7a

“…You too.”4db6556dbd2fb3df6418

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With that response, 0b831e5346 Louis’s eyes slowly efee2445b1 closed. Having Eddie beside him brought 25daa29dab him a sense of security eb3650d5f3 unlike anything he had ever 8dbdd4f0f9 felt before.148a8e3471ed1a740036

His heart pounded. He didn’t know f12f85b8cb why, but it cefee51715 didn’t feel bad 39b9ee7a92 at all. Carefully, Louis intertwined his fingers d482ee3b6c with Eddie’s slightly cool hand 908933418a and drifted into deep sleep. 34baa575f21c4542b696

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It felt c3213383b8 so good.e730a393df49860e14ce

 b5fa0baebdbf4f33350f

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