IFLDMHF – Chapter 4

IFLDMHF | Chapter 488258cf10047feed

Episode 405cbb3ab891d3005

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Having been a slave his 274f887d51 whole life while harboring a acf4862a10 secret about his birth, Richard 1522479731 was a character with such 3265f53833 an emotional void that he 45c52447e1 was deeply twisted.6cbd2736f45435e1

For the first time, he b331ec0a10 experienced someone’s care when he 6dedf5c1c2 met Melissa.2dc4245313bd91fb

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Perhaps it was such ca05e2ef3f a precious experience, even c35fd721f9 if it was mere 4da9f5bb5c sympathy.664a3d4882cbafbc

After escaping from the annex fef07e6a1b before Evgenia’s marriage, and later 6d7e65be35 taking control of the underworld, 1d997836ba Richard revealed both his thirst 94dc93005e for revenge and his obsession 15f46a3917 with Melissa.9a9c7a99c417660d

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‘That was a pretty grim journey. He didn’t hesitate with kidnapping 81288f8a9c and imprisonment.’7eeafd5a54882e7c

I was firmly attracted to 0b5a910c3d kind men, so Richard held cb75c419db no appeal for me. However, he had a 7cf1b3d375 substantial following.c111b0de71d3b85f

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In reality, he was a869bf6c43 the kind of dangerous d388c2fd38 man one should avoid, 62f2b5f6d3 but in writing, his f047575ddc tragic past and obsessive 38ba9440e1 traits appeared quite attractive 6c82efe9a8 to some.6708b6384e879962

‘But what really matters is Melissa’s feelings…’e7f7f6c9219efeb5

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Even Melissa, who had pitied 6c02b5d2a4 Richard, clung to him in 27fd99581d tears, pleading to be returned 68e506d2f0 to the Duke’s estate when 54e88122c0 she was imprisoned by him.56ff35bf479277f5

Despite the dire situation a8fe416e5b at the Basilia estate b6fef8bdd0 caused by Evgenia at cf31fd1048 the time.9a3fb152a5e662c6

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Seeing that scene 397b0cae10 left me with 6cccdc043a a strange discomfort.e924c8b12f151fbe

Even though I anticipated that 108ca00c88 the heroine wouldn’t be dragged d15f26cc7a into misfortune and knew that a0f5cf93bb the crown prince would ultimately bb2c08bafc come to her rescue, it e98f4b5c4b still made me anxious.991b3ebafa5a82e2

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Perhaps because of be761ce1a3 those memories, I 141d12184d felt a slight 49cf1568c7 bitterness in my c6848971e9 mouth, knowing that 165ac6095c Melissa had already 627d5354c7 shown kindness to e4521eb513 Richard.b51c6d339ee968b6

If only I had b97d2e2039 possessed this body a c2cad875cd bit earlier, he wouldn’t 68defe318f have been brought from 6412e6deff the black market, and e742885e7d even if he had a2064f6337 been rescued, I wouldn’t f7af19ceb1 have let him meet 119471deaf Melissa.76cc4ddd6d74fd16

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With a brief sigh, I 77a645fb6a quickly made my way down 8842efd7dd to the basement, feeling that 588dd34481 I couldn’t afford to waste 1b85009fc4 any more time.9877e3266108e8de

Unlike Melissa, who had snuck 11deb2c93f in, I, as the owner 309ef16132 of the annex, didn’t need 7574140d7f to be cautious.279c39d5c40fe2fa

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Striding confidently with the 8d262006f2 sound of my heels 13b984cd4f echoing, I entered the 779076b74c prison, feeling the damp, 05ec6a7b4a musty smell and the 7176714fd6 chill characteristic of underground 9c1f359d14 spaces.7c73fb969f762890

I was already e0f9ef8591 cold, but the cb36d276cb eerie atmosphere caused 2e722de0b2 my entire body 6eb636e230 to tense up. Then, as if f4290cb932 by instinct, I f62eec0ae1 halted.95ead0713ce75835

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“…!”519a6f0c8c8666d7

Our eyes met—Richard’s doll-like gaze b6c3e3b3c5 staring right at me.2338472cc3270095

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***a775489a919da1bf

Correction.74b8d3732fda0b1a

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The reason behind Richard’s 58abd0e3e6 large fanbase was not 40a736240b merely because his backstory 01f9584f55 evoked sympathy or because 1dc1312821 obsessive men were popular.aea816c2189ad68d

‘He has the complete look of an idol.’645a805e78a8fb79

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From his delicate b0e4e44240 frame to his 68ca1aa2f8 fair skin that 2ed674aece gleamed despite the fd6dca1e32 lack of proper c8da0329f2 hygiene, his soft, 7b0d25036b pink cotton-candy hair, 00a7998142 and his adorable, 8cca78e87f fawn-like features!1c3c2cc078831f2a

Reading about him in 063411431f text didn’t quite capture 3723849f16 the allure, but seeing 0013e21b68 him in person made 6237516f47 all the difference.f7350414fc0f01ad

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After seeing Richard b3e1ba2430 in reality, I 67871d11f6 found myself marveling d762ff01ff at his captivating 6ae04179b3 appearance that could e19ebd9293 easily captivate anyone.954d76d7b058fc6f

‘Of course, my heart beats only for Euclid.’c2c115939f71c7b2

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Euclid’s appearance had 42496ce028 little to no 5d51454c1d description, but outward 32799078fb looks weren’t all 9cafbb78d2 that mattered to 3960e8a1d2 me.e7318574d9eb0448

‘Ah… Just the thought of meeting my favorite in person already has my heart racing.’f3fe4c82267cd344

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Barely managing to calm my 0df550d8df unexpectedly racing fan’s heart, I db91b654fd began to observe Richard slowly.bd787e52ec518493

Richard, slumped weakly 19fa6ce3d2 against the wall bad1dc9992 with his eyes 0911c01bdb open, likely due 0f236fa295 to Melissa’s recent 586d80ab74 visit, appeared listless.9fd93c015598306e

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His face was blank, 72e2a90c1b yet his widened eyes 90aa4d1764 gave a hint of bde30028ac surprise.1d41af3d197ab26e

Clang.7385110d7e207263

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Then, with an irritating noise b84d4ecddc in my ear, Richard stood 42cca9003d up, moving closer to the d22df82376 bars.1ca996614b4d67ae

Absentmindedly searching for the b20b4557ee source of the noise, 120b0b8f32 I noticed the shackles 5d2b2f201b around his feet.3d6d6cdbabd8545b

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Shackles connected to the 9d55759b9e wall, with some items, 03cf442900 likely left by Melissa, c19ac90b10 lying in front of 2742d42901 the cell.bd90909a72c8af0c

After confirming it was bread fbb9976cf8 and medicine, seemingly smuggled from 64852d53a4 the kitchen, I looked up 1c71698edf again.b0b8719de30f0ae7

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Unlike before, where 47fc345a68 I was looking 40b0bcd699 down, Richard’s now-upright 97ce007bff stance brought his 783962d58b face to my 92c1bdf9b3 level.96a251aea2a7b1ee

At that moment, I furrowed ee1b9b310b my brow.ad866490ae5f3da6

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His red eyes, 9663271cca which had seemed 0d7305644f beautiful from a 54ef49c82c distance, now filled 252546e29a me with an 8ba931991b inexplicable sense of 0d3c991c2a repulsion up close…69edf93eb9dd8aae

No, it was 97cf1e77a6 more than just 5d9e40371c repulsion.6a89b908f2e9f3d8

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The thought of the Crown 0eb624748d Prince—a man who allegedly she 36369230d5 bought Richard as a slave 82ebae7842 just because his eye color db5cb23679 matched the one she adored—suddenly bcb0b39b50 filled me with intense disgust.86f48585fb611b87

Even though Richard wasn’t 4e744dd727 my type, I still a947534c56 pitied his past and d3d3f4defb didn’t feel any particular 2503b7325b dislike toward him.575be211772fa9ab

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‘But it’s as if I’m facing my archenemy… Ah!’bd4d077a373f3204

I stopped short, 6e07232574 meeting Richard’s gaze, 5640fb486c which was fixed 78eb0a9505 intently on me.1bed27b351185e0c

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In that quiet night, I 245a6915ea remembered why I’d snuck out 9aedab8a38 here, going against even the 4f4275163f Duke’s orders.1e2d802934230468

‘Thank goodness. At least Evgenia f41e73e980 hasn’t taken out 14b8f5cee3 one of Richard’s 46c9c95e63 eyes yet.’7738f6ac3b2c64b2

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I was worried I c22895033f might have missed the 02b61ba83f chance to stop her a23d7c34fd in time.2a9a3d14b62f6034

Yes, that was it. That deranged Evgenia would soon 4d0d47a86c make Richard one-eyed.0fef299a55e04fd2

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Whether she craved d55cb39e06 red eyes like 683de830c2 the Crown Prince’s 5b0de01dbc or couldn’t contain 59f84b0724 the strange fury c7b97acc6d that had consumed 4b74813f83 her, I couldn’t 8bffb5afb3 tell. The only hint was the c713e891c1 rage I imagined boiling within d1112446ee her after hearing about Caiden’s 085426cea4 marriage proposal to Melissa, or 1cd709cdde perhaps even the rumors of 1228a1c80c his forced engagement to another 647cb1d46d woman.2788272105c15f0b

Regardless of the rigid b12b9f117f class system, and despite b81261bd3a Richard’s status as a f582449ef4 slave, how could anyone c617298b8d starve another person and 3f0c77a16a then go so far 5a4a703376 as to disfigure their 4e22661069 body?3c14d2430ef8fe87

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Evgenia’s wickedness twisted 23678098fb my face in e6fca0273a distaste. And perhaps it was 34cb86d94b that same cruel figure—the 047f937631 villainess herself—who now stirred b700befdcf discomfort within me.300bd474d2e424a3

I’d rushed here 6547a9205f to sever the f93d9bf1c6 ill-fated bond with 04e7621385 Richard, intent on 7bfa4cb83e achieving a rosy c2e1fe36a5 future, but guilt, b4e4c98870 even shame, gnawed 848cb4ab9e at me.a6cf439a8717596e

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I had to shoulder all 6b49f8a72d of Evgenia’s sins now.2942fd40bb13ba61

At least this way, I’d 1b9c488c3f be able to see my 52d0dec4dd beloved and even grasp the e0086b6f51 fortune of marriage.3f51448fe5bb74ff

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I brushed aside fe929d4703 the last traces 82d4218d37 of resentment lingering 76cff6ac65 in me.266c83fc7f8ba89c

With this weight 2722e150d9 of apology, I 899847835f no longer felt a256968274 the intense emotion 71770290d9 I’d had when 283149f3f6 I first looked ea363a58a3 into Richard’s eyes.132717934a975dcb

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Just as I was about 260e9472c0 to speak, relieved, a soft, e42598cbc0 unexpected voice reached my ears.4ed687e303ca67f3

“I heard you were in pain.”1e81d667589bb670

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The delicate tone 8a026c13d6 caught me off 87fb8ac9a2 guard.894ac6b9b5c71fdc

“That you’d fainted… And that’s why you wouldn’t be coming for a few days.”b5e77f8315236230

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Murmuring in an emotionless 9e70ac5dc1 voice, Richard tilted his 65d2c9177d head, almost as if 4cc0219afb questioning if I was 574b242220 real.9c50bbc506634f87

I was slightly flustered by 124945cad9 his reaction.78991a031c6bf260

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Honestly, I expected him ad06966454 to display hostility as ff635df595 soon as he saw d2269afb5b me.9d1f5e18a6d3e86b

After all, I was fad07fec8f the woman who’d purchased 967c8b7fd4 him as a slave 4ad7b06a81 and locked him in 26c4e4a431 this underground cell. He had every reason to d6d214f6ff feel far more disgust than a0895a50c2 I ever could.fed38e791fc653e7

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But no, he didn’t.07296cc08f36a10a

In fact, his blank 49df6dbc00 expression seemed to hint 6ff3e4d3d6 at something like relief 5591fdfba8 and worry… if that 9eea18cdef made any sense.eb5cd19f69fd7120

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‘Ha! That’s impossible.’1359c1b4160bae7a

I scoffed at 4a73b05254 the ridiculous thought.0579ba0b2d3c588b

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But no matter how hard 7e75ebb57a I tried to dismiss it, cc1913b637 there wasn’t even a trace 98240d1eee of hostility or fear in e27a97a6fc his unwavering gaze.10b149040b385280

And that wasn’t the only 8aadb8fbf6 thing that seemed strange.678d80b8cfd8b050

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I lowered my gaze b00c470dfa to the items Melissa 31d2186755 had brought over earlier.7a5648c63ca884fb

There, laid out in the 6b701369fc open without any effort to 69468a6c29 hide, rather than locked inside c4aed438d8 the cell. And from what Richard 54bbbd3b59 had said just moments 9424789dfd ago…b5c1aeba2268821b

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It didn’t seem ead1e46281 like he was b762f3f225 expecting I wouldn’t 354ce9e8f6 show up. If anything, he wasn’t even 63ec5d32a0 trying to hide the fact f94189b59a that someone else had entered f7ef078fc1 his cell.1a030a8463d95c9e

Why? He surely knew 167e9ecf69 he wasn’t supposed 3a47d807c9 to get food 3ffbeec67c without my permission.6304410ebc0272fa

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Seeing someone bring him 319e50872b meals and medicine—he knew 020dee93ef that would certainly make 0a7e624e43 me angry.51ef57bf512d9a1d

Melissa could even 3ce98deeb6 end up suffering decc49a8bb repercussions, yet he 09dbc3e3f9 acted with such 5c69d7c396 indifference.0c3741c10c251e90

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Curious, I began to 4e63e5fffd observe Richard carefully, from c2eb8360e2 head to toe.fec0b787750d8204

Though he was slightly 59dfd12643 disheveled, his appearance didn’t da039a31bd look all that bad.a7ea21c2d7766d3b

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Maybe he hadn’t been beaten 6a6b3b7f61 after all, I thought, only 262523c521 to be reassured too soon.a84ac43aa86735dd

“…!”55314d7a2f8e83bf

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I caught sight of 012a5ef3ee the scars extending from 06fdecc62d the back of Richard’s 3fb046738b left hand up his 39a2a10f0a wrist, and I held f400d6d180 my breath.a1a0a5565de8b2fa

Could I even call this 3ee50bd116 just a ‘scar’?929078c10bdb461c

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It looked like 165ea81ebc a burn mark, cdab88cec4 maybe from something 455bdd35bc scalding being pressed 981ded260c repeatedly…340f984271c39e0e

Clenching my fist, I d0a2b4bde6 stared at his hand, 117ebec31f knowing those scars would c7e7589200 likely remain permanently.37ca090f9afc5434

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Seeing this, all further questioning 65e3dad60d felt pointless.1035b44794673bed

I immediately took 14c3b816e5 out the key a7b0d36def I’d brought and 1ca726774a unlocked the iron 4bbe2a7339 door.fb2bec25b07d2e23

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A faint crack appeared e1a05c6fe2 in Richard’s expression as ad9869177a he watched me, astonished.2a5cba1817c42569

“What are you… doing?”973427b77b3bc828

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“Come out.”d0b5056eb63df26d

At my command, 250a42a88f Richard hesitated but 8f661cf305 slowly stepped out c288042de3 of the cell.4e9a28ecaca4c906

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The moment he stood 9869d37cb7 before me, I held dfed8d840b out the set of 55d6e93764 keys I’d just used f33f045bae to open the door… ff1cde4595 Clatter!77ccdf3bdee66497

‘Ah, I meant to hand them over nicely!’309407eae5e0c5c8

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Maybe because I’d just escaped 171cff706d my room with the help 8a55cf35cc of a rope, my hands 3361d4995d had no strength, and I 27d889d8fe dropped the keys.c770ed8a95ae685c

As the keys clattered c6d28a5426 loudly against the floor, 87f02aab04 I swallowed nervously, feeling 61536cdb51 Richard’s curious gaze on ad49af2d24 my face.6649fb96e627c47a

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“Take them off.”6c4a73ccd6bf44f2

“…”379be7d52225f49c

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The silence that fell seemed dd2d62c31c even colder than when I’d f981e00b4f dropped the keys.d7417cb3070e191d

Blinking, unsure of the reason, 998056fdfb I gasped.fd29f95d33a3304e

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What was I doing? Did I just sound b1785ee715 like a villainess?742d4e965bcf1d41

• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •By Esraa• ❁ • ❁ • ❁ •ae97aeb3301f2267

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If you want to becdf836b0 support the translation and a3d7803724 the translator, you can 719630d112 buy a coffee~2196a54b5d3aed94