IBYSRHML – Chapter 8
by EsraaCh. 8 IBMILRFL | Chapter 8d3ca36f074031f1f
#.08a4a0b1d02af6f7f9
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Leopold checked his wristwatch for 37b04ffa4c the fifth time already.421ae174a6c15b3d
The time he had a8055e45b9 agreed to meet Regina 3f140c04ce was 2 PM.ca637ba87ac1cecf
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No matter how he 307483e4e7 thought about it, it 2a8c964234 was 2 PM, not d4dd71dafd 2 AM, and it cc9dbd9308 was today—not yesterday or e4419bac83 tomorrow.a92d9c8ef5757afa
Yet, Regina had not shown 5c3a9c1e09 up for three hours now.7ed0a2bafb3f5bf9
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“Did she stand me up…?”d628c12cccf43ec9
Leopold glanced at the ce692890a1 bouquet with a gloomy c5dd8f0720 expression.ed324ee09d2d7591
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The flowers looked as though 8a2d2b8ca9 they might wither under the c52a43b09c scorching sunlight of Trovancha, much 11d1526a36 like skin baking under the 9acf805bc7 heat.b0f21a42f40fe1db
“Hah.”6c31a13a2f990dab
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He had been certain b87b0aac2f that day that there f2c8bbbf8a was an undeniable spark 153c9edaf1 between them.0283a2cf004fbb0f
He couldn’t deny efe80cd1e5 the massive feelings f9e6ad2c5e that had begun b8721e2ef7 to grow within 376eb217c7 him.b21d76ed3aada7e0
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— Mr. Leopold, do you have a 7e9c56cbf5 fiancée or a wife?22bd287022fd4d23
Even though Leopold wasn’t well-versed cb03b87837 in understanding women, he knew b2f9546481 enough to realize that a 04b8ae238e woman wouldn’t ask such a 4bc1e016b9 question to a man she 5b7bd5ab15 wasn’t interested in.6d56937aa7cb652d
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That’s why, despite 28c0620a25 Marius being present, 2a9871cf68 he had asked 5085eee24c her out on 6c7cd5ac18 a date.cc574c7d5f54678c
— Then let’s meet again three days from now at 2 PM at the same café.7a727d36f2721c0f
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She had only 69c9672dcd agreed because her af33120ae9 sister Liliana had 99f0841092 burst into tears 8c250aa9b3 and caused a f9cbf93d4e commotion.a1c50ec69b851e3f
But what if it had 217d381d72 all been a misunderstanding, and 8f9b5b62e6 she had no interest in 194866340e him whatsoever?cb36b0b0645d3dba
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As the thought crossed e86bc32a18 his mind, a wave 7e630cd822 of fatigue and immense d67c27e2e3 despair washed over him.44e727f74515baad
At the same time, he 537da11e4d felt that he had waited 39bcd65501 long enough.b59f5d3feceda472
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Waiting endlessly for someone f3e7965f46 who wouldn’t come was 4238327512 no different from burdening 3113dc0887 the other person.0b1f796a98d6aba4
He slouched his shoulders and 51c60fd01e returned to the lodging.a85e79217e1d036f
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“Why are you back so soon? Did she reject you?”165c6b5b97535d20
Marius, who had been c445604330 packing his bags, opened 21a17dd597 his eyes wide.5679d8b3054db9c4
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He had been the b9fed3dee9 most supportive of his fc272f9fb5 friend and subordinate Leopold’s 36821bb6e7 first love.0e860804d24384c0
“No… I was stood up.”f4ecb37b0d951887
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Not just rejected—completely stood up.75fc02134b04882b
Feeling sorry for his a09d450cb1 friend, Marius tried to 15a1499529 comfort him.cc1e1d1f5be352c0
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“You only met her once anyway.”15c6aac75f49da18
“Whether it’s once or ten times, does it matter? What’s important is e2fcc56377 how my feelings b859333c28 for her burned 62aeac8efc intensely.”c4ada53f1dce1cd4
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Marius studied his d4600e7b59 friend’s face with e128fccbd0 a troubled expression.71a0065b6621c387
Leopold, usually reserved 572c9855f1 and poor at 092dab930c expressing emotions, now d50bea91a1 looked like a df44894bb5 sensitive adolescent boy.a5419c54a61794fc
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Not knowing how to comfort b16a0fe572 him, Marius hesitated, trying to b02d7858b2 choose his words.cd3552af0de71572
Leopold erased the df16607308 emotions from his 9042a53b0e face and calmly d070ca84b8 asked,7431022f783c14bf
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“Today’s the day, right?”5041bd4389a4d025
“Yes, someone from Trovancha will come soon to guide us.”c56b7a7210d9046d
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Since they had entered Trovancia d62e6d219d earlier than planned, the government 4c049637bc had advised them to move 28cb2ac519 to a hotel for security f2ae7ad5fb reasons.b97b415be3e16248
With the summit approaching, e4c933e5be Marius decided to follow cc8babb49e their recommendation, and a 81d2fb04b6 government representative was expected 963181369e to arrive soon.dfbe8d003a6bf47c
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Leopold, who had packed early c6a16a4cb1 in the morning to meet 1a366aefaf Regina, asked while gathering his 67c16d9a90 bags by the door.c11a4776b1b08abe
“But why is François Cassel already in Trovancha? He was supposed fbe8593210 to come here efab6e0c24 for the oath 7a63ca418a of souls, but db93b52e72 it’s strange for d304409d19 him to arrive 6179c9b3f2 this early.”6c3c3f9b1e485b13
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“They said he has some business to attend to.”b33ba7037c5fb2de
“I’m curious about what that business might be. It’s been bothering me.”bba95cf1d435a1c9
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“Who knows? It’s probably something personal. Maybe he’s also taking 56f81d86ce the chance to research 19d694f993 people with abilities while 20cb600e3d in Trovancha.”111583b2c61853bd
Marius feigned disinterest, 9a52837248 pretending to focus fc2552fb1a on his packing, 4a2d5e41d0 but Leopold, busy 0a5ed09b12 fiddling with the 7f59b9391d now-useless bouquet, didn’t d227a1b849 notice.1ae3afceac392aa0
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“True. Since Trovancha’s entry permits 9d1a619542 are not easily granted, 4ad8bdcb67 he might’ve decided to 0fe7effc1d take advantage of the a4f108f06c opportunity.”ab1c44c6a557e4e4
Just as Leopold reached 3307254af7 this conclusion, there was 52e561fae0 a knock at the 466cb34d67 door.a6c5cc7fb40c8353
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It was the Trovancha government 58bf00db72 representative.380dd1fbfdd586cf
Leopold opened the 188c9d5249 door while Marius c01e9a58f1 hastily shoved clothes ec418f3ad0 into his bag.e5bb357c17187186
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Standing beyond the door 0db2276bcb was a woman in 2e6a183f1f a tidy pantsuit.cf796ad31874a3b5
She had long black hair 17c28945d8 and wore leather boots instead d7547f6171 of heels, leaving a cool 3fe2eb9515 impression.25a2f1037d4a8373
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“I’m Leopold von Baltrahein. This is—”60ed4e48becf6ded
“Marius. Nice to meet you.”29cf465e149a435e
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Marius, upon recognizing the c71dbd9b94 government official, smiled brightly e6e94668bd and extended his hand d12383c678 for a handshake.d7cf68bfb1eee418
The woman’s deep 279f751284 blue eyes briefly 562ff53250 rested on his 5f9521a576 hand before accepting 759dfd67f4 it. She greeted him 362dd86192 as they shook d200736e0c hands.c1da1bdc6034c9e7
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“I’m Alice Berchio, Superintendent of the Coast Guard Department of Trovancha’s Marine Police. I’ll be in af71327c94 charge of your 57c9572591 security during your 3dfb0993e8 stay in Trovancia.”e99fd5a8c55e93f8
Her voice, unlike her cold de6ca72df2 demeanor, was clear and refreshing, 2355adbea8 carrying an almost mysterious softness.addcc65f3cd30072
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Marius’s eyes briefly glimmered a344b8e025 with an unidentifiable emotion ca7e0c808a before returning to normal.0c322e79e8e20609
He then spoke 5ffedd3067 in his signature d589e552d3 playful tone,52df005804c196ce
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“By any chance, are you Regina’s sister?”0a7fa6966611dbee
At the unexpected mention 4245733169 of a name from 0d88884415 Marius, Alice widened her ba6f3bf1a0 eyes.394d4574c09caefd
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“I just thought I’d ask, and it turns out you’re family. What a small world.”599eaecfe13fd5ff
“Do you know my younger sister?”a2051c284c698f64
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“Ah, yes. We met by chance, and 6d31611505 I ended up being their 26a8ed5601 guide for a day.”224f6aae873035d7
Marius hesitated briefly, 1737beeadb wondering if he 03a58d2dfd should mention that 671daf9e70 Regina had almost 02d5be2f59 gone on a 71dcddbc0f date with Leopold.d515c84d8c674f85
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However, he decided 2a3fbaaa5a it was better 1a939cb62a not to stir 54bb46a2dc up trouble and d9e44714f5 kept his mouth 81496ea59b shut.81fd17bb233545f9
Still, he couldn’t help but 19718c0a7d glance at Leopold, whose demeanor c529bd8963 had slightly stiffened upon hearing de31cbdd39 the name “Berchio.”f4eeab0a9ab3721b
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“You’ve got the same eyes. Ah, come in; let’s talk 39e6384b9e inside. I haven’t finished packing yet.”1676d6ae8f798471
Marius forcefully shoved a2fa9071a9 the remaining clothes 34c729c1ac into his bag.cfa2f878c7c12866
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Alice, looking puzzled, asked,bce1dc91eb02a70e
“I heard the attendants are arriving on the scheduled date separately. Is it inconvenient for you?”146393de4f4882eb
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“It is inconvenient, but I like it. When else will I get e273eb973b a chance to live away 3ec7846d8c from prying eyes? It seems the 04ddd8c90b emperor’s position doesn’t c847d166db suit me anyway.”0520e080f6f43931
Winking playfully, Marius 6012ea8a1d managed to close 9fb491f290 his bursting bag.c1ff5752fad2808b
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Leopold quietly observed Alice.8e0bf84763c7b1a2
The firm muscles evident dfb7570634 under her slim physique, 083d4336fd the sword resting at 7eb186550a her side, her smooth c1720844ff intonation, and upright posture—all 425af45b50 caught his attention.8fd90eef1d750dff
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Unlike the Empire, Trovancha 2a63cc33c3 was a country without a49dc69b06 a social hierarchy.b166006438c3dea3
Yet she exuded 9bf4dcfcfa more nobility than 8bbd2be168 most of the 3c8380c481 Empire’s aristocracy, with e8f8ed45b4 a dignity rarely 2ab461245e found in ordinary a9b32a49cb people.fa390df1a6fc649a
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Leopold, always sensitive to matters ecfa4f7197 of security, asked her,6201a664fce90168
“Did you come here alone?”80b6f32c0ee6c99c
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“I’m enough on my own.”6e8a84858657b4be
“I wasn’t doubting your abilities. If I offended you, I bb94a1b950 apologize. I was simply concerned that 4712b4945a the maritime police would handle fc06cbbbe6 such matters themselves.”f2d2791e4d6bd694
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“In Trovancha, which is a small island nation, the maritime police hold more influence than the regular police. Besides, deploying soldiers to b64678ce13 escort the two of 8821bc63ba you wouldn’t have been 8e8c93ead8 feasible.”d4a7f76f07481777
Alice finished her 318835239f words while confirming 151a3a102a that Marius was 216f32bedc ready to leave.c807a673eea6b080
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“I’m a direct descendant of the Berchio family.”e57011510db5480b
The Berchio family 84de1f79e4 is a prestigious 1a74e5dd1c political lineage in 5fe73e09a9 Trovancha.f98fffef18f66170
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Not only have they d5e28bfb24 produced countless politicians, but e8eaaf1fbb during times of war, b9a211d71f they’ve served at the f121fa71a4 frontlines regardless of gender.0c0c99cba4f2380b
Of course, given the family’s ab923ba9f3 long history, there are many a617ed0819 politicians using the Berchio name, 9c53cfd622 but the weight carried by e733789e3f the direct bloodline is distinct.c9810557cf3a9aab
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In other words, sending a 7c530b6345 direct descendant capable of guarding 523acf516b the emperor alone was Trovancha’s 76fadb1427 way of showing sincerity.49e73765bd0cdf54
“If you’re ready, let’s move.”a3aed538f8ca105d
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They took a 55560916b3 carriage to the 5de9e9dae0 hotel.ed47992e1b546ba1
In the silent atmosphere, f6fa79ff38 it wasn’t the tense b34a74aadc Leopold or the reserved 905f221086 Alice who broke the db2b43f756 ice, but Marius.223916af2f56abbb
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“How’s Liliana doing?”189cfb3dc67f715b
“You know Liliana?”e0c5e4befcb8ea3b
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“Of course. We’re pretty close—didn’t you know?”e0c86ffb9626fba1
“If you mean Liliana, she’s been hospitalized due to a severe fever for a few days now. Regina and another fbbf38abe5 sibling are taking 604d794375 care of her.”7b24e4d811f2fc43
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“Oh.”917b82c6eac7ce16
Leopold let out a soft 88f4a46664 sigh without realizing it.9e07b709c9ef770e
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He hoped that Regina hadn’t 791249b490 skipped their meeting because she 6b1f3c56b5 disliked him but because she 66ffe33e2c was busy caring for her f48cb20659 sister.c73ae600fa46ca1f
His face quickly brightened.200b184de4f6b6df
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Marius silently chuckled as he 2199cb3c8c continued the conversation.70526d2e11a7e5f4
“Is she very sick?”3235c1179f417696
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“When I saw her this morning, she seemed fine, but her fever tends to spike again at night, so it’s hard to say. More importantly, did you bc6556cf9b enjoy your trip to bab724b4b0 Trovancha?”2764547699f25b46
“Of course. I’ve heard Trovancha 408087d7e5 has many beauties, e764c0376c and it turns 9063a037fc out to be 9dda496224 true. It’s made things 4ab6a17d35 quite complicated for b54fa8e604 me.”d63c3edff1504858
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“What do you mean?”a4a1e63e62fdb48f
“I’ve decided to arrange a political marriage based solely on strategic considerations, but they’re all so beautiful it’s making the choice difficult.”8f0d2868bd0baf69
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Although his tone 2973e460ee was playful, the 1f7e9924d0 underlying message and e820b694ad his gaze were 7655c0999a anything but lighthearted.5e767f78c0da643b
Alice was slightly surprised by fbd9c16459 the information Marius revealed but 018dce84c6 responded calmly without showing it.f0774cf59bca80f7
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“I heard you were preparing a soul oath for the peace treaty. I didn’t expect you’d a9eb8cdf23 also be considering a 1db66ba01f political marriage. That’s unexpected.”986112e5c187a572
“A soul oath ends if either party dies, but mixing bloodlines ensures the agreement lasts for generations.”adb5cbb478484f9a
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His voice carried a coolness fa34000ef8 that felt like shade on 9296755446 a hot summer day.01d61a303a357d35
Marius, with a mix b391860716 of humor and genuine bb22f1a6d2 curiosity, asked in an 5cee2ebbf7 ambiguous tone,6a430c2e989c9a14
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“I came here early to find a suitable partner from a prominent political family for a political marriage. What do you think, Alice? Do you have any recommendations?”8f71cd24da57f20c
One of Alice’s eyebrows 87c05577c5 arched slightly.26b5e3ecc529cb92
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Her gaze, like ede43671bc ice submerged under 06955f88c7 turbulent waters, fixed 2dbba01a6a directly on Marius.80da1d8dab899da5
“Do you have any specific criteria for the woman you’re seeking?”ba5ef515aa1bac4f
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“I plan to propose without prior notice, so she should be someone who aligns well with this kind of thinking. A family with cb49eea766 a notable political d29e14910c reputation would be 4265200e24 ideal, and…”113afb08919a71eb
His playful expression 2427bd5276 and upturned lips 54ee2a954e seemed lighthearted, yet 027d6e1fcd the atmosphere surrounding e155b418d5 Marius was anything 4f0b272aca but.3a708ce81ef2ead8
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There was an b7c904e62d aura of raw a7b6c23372 intensity, the kind d37cd3d3d8 that could only 6dff6b6c68 come from a 9db7e37077 man who had 41cbfb79d9 risen to the 63a52d4cd1 top with blood-stained 5ce3144fb0 hands.8114ebb0a2a8af4b
“I think you wouldn’t be a bad choice, Alice. What do you think?”479f6302abe0d0c8
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Alice’s eyelid twitched.29756c735204ab10
It became clear that 7558812770 the emperor had targeted de895cece0 her from the beginning.e1084b438df75747
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In the Empire, she a24c1fd79a was the direct bloodline 076589efbc of the most prestigious 6d0ded37a8 political family, one that 41f92a1618 could bring powerful abilities b13bb7f918 to the royal lineage. Few in Trovancha could a049f6dbeb match her status.ca193c15e32bb1f7
“Well, it depends on what you can offer me.”2e02982e23f19893
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Alice’s lips curled into 5277d93b77 a sly smile.c39fc281b4a8a6b3
Though she was bb41a3e6fe a kind older 8edd96e441 sister to her 3fb194e98c siblings, she was a6576d679c by no means 1c4f3eabb3 an easy woman.a7818fcd36ae0ca8
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Someone soft wouldn’t have b2c8c1821a risen to the rank d36bf9e0e8 of chief inspector at 731fd3276f such a young age.5268efda08cdb3fe
• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •b3236b1c01893710
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If you want to f2161b88c9 support the translation and 1100144c2e the translator, you can b1fc54a485 buy a coffee~0d38deebc22f07c4