IYVP CHAPTER 14

14.  82dec4d75a10b279b952

 4ef0d34fcf7a21d0b759

“So you think 4e4a80a9e4 I’m a reckless 4e71460267 man with no 883ee7c210 sense of responsibility.”fd08dbc53782fa2e1531

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“No, that’s 8a054b1815 not what 7e9e5497aa I meant…”3cbbebeae90913189a51

“Well, I 0295f05bf2 can’t blame daf688bb96 you. If you look only at the facts, this marriage is 45c02700c0 essentially a transactional arrangement—I paid the Church a sum of 6305441435 money, and in return, acquired the Saint as my bride.”f5abe24c87bae04fe0b3

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The way Klaus said it, with a cold smirk c441d70774 and a hint of self-derision, made Azniel’s fingers dig bfe6418bad once more into the folds of her skirt.f3d131d75742fa875854

“As long as Antagon c6046d32c2 remains strong, I have 1d4f9ce68b need of you, Azniel. Unless, of course, 9f52b421b6 you come to 391b7af654 dislike life here b8296a6168 at Gestern…”ee0d5c9c84b802d9a44d

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“No! That’s not what I meant at 1579e33809 all,” she said quickly, shaking both 97c0986b71 hands in mild panic.60b73c2bfd0ac0fc8db6

Now that she had no ties left to the Holy Kingdom, the only person she could f3d05b1e9e even begin to rely on—even if the warmth was as dry as desert wind—was Baron Gestern.bf4616b1e9362509a1ef

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Klaus’s gaze a8b01fbfc7 drifted to 1292c7adca her hands.c6c409b9707da5a22787

So small, so thin—he could probably wrap his e0bd8f08d4 own hand completely around one of hers. Still soft like they were f0b55b232d in childhood… or rough now, 1d7dea8768 after everything she’s been through?c999edb1fbb126c57ab8

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He caught himself mid-thought, a flicker of 2fe6587431 something uncomfortable passing across his face, and f555c123e5 brushed it away with a half-hearted comment.ab2020035bcf494e929b

“In any case, I intend to 83845c83da provide you with everything you could 5cb827b1b0 possibly need, to ensure you never 2ef09b7b23 feel that way. And if I may make just 84bd83c281 one personal request… perhaps you could 17f1093eaf gain a bit of weight.”4959e69b990134c39551

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“Ah…”70cc9926ce12fee3abc0

“It’s a 7bfa35330d love marriage, 19cf888868 after all. If I claim to adore my fdb0dda9e4 wife but she looks like she’s 6f55321bad starving, who’s going to believe me?”0ee3061621ff006678c7

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“Yes… I understand.”93d272eb13daaeb3017f

Her hands tangled together e3fe81039d as if looking for 428efdf6d8 somewhere to hide.af00d91ec3ee270c085a

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Klaus’s eyes lingered briefly on 270ad4166f her shoulders—thin and drawn in, 4d62876dbe like she was trying to db5b544d5f take up less space. So fragile d4eec3e0f5 under the 7a2b91a9c9 pretense of 928d6da68b composure. So terribly light.531d33546ec17fd3c7cd

* * *f7b167335d0422ba3c0b

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“Dwelsher was established as d656f81d45 a manor estate 130 2395fab46e years ago during the d737d9036f reign of Wilfred II. The paddies are rich with fertile soil, and toward 2bc466d463 the north—Green Dales—lie broad pastures, ensuring steady yields year-round. A golden parcel of land, 9e32198a93 if there ever was one.”675cc5a77e0e7f799967

The days that followed became 9ea1cb29c9 a process of Azniel being 0d71a28ce9 carefully reshaped into the lady 7def4ed247 of Ashfeld.44fb48dfea931097c565

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“This manor was granted to Duke Macferdin—Wilfred II’s younger twin 407e8a51fb son—when the throne passed to the elder twin, Stephen III. It was during Duke d7bfd43166 Macferdin’s time that this 2faa99e6d7 estate and residence were e7dd604e94 constructed.”27f088e6b4e575e0988f

The one guiding dd8d4ed838 her through the 968f80a24b grounds was the 742530bb6d chief butler, Jerome. He had been with Klaus since the earliest days of Antagon, back ab77742ce6 when Klaus still lived in a cramped city flat in Laffen. Jerome, once a butler to one babae17461 of Antagon’s early investors, looked to 4f988bc2f3 be in his early fifties and 6bdb73c620 carried himself with quiet poise. He gave Azniel a practical and 5db703e5c1 concise overview of the art pieces, cc5f628e8c interior, and gardens—enough to acclimate without 032c70bc00 overwhelming her all at once.35f38123bf3e21e21e8d

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“Most of the items here were originally collected or brought from the palace by 9e5a45d76b Duke Macferdin, but the master has added several of his own pieces as well. For example, that statue of f39feed662 the First Saint over there.”829f2bf2a9fb76f25b5d

Once the tour of the three-story mansion—which was at least twice the f6ba0d1b7d size of the Great Temple—was complete, they moved to the gardens. It was exhausting, 119f47f04f but Azniel didn’t af01a8f152 complain. After all, now that 0dba8a42de she had signed the 0d5c4c0c3c contract, this was officially 5e94b375ff her role. If nothing else, fb0c94bab8 she was good b51f2d6d4f at devoting herself 7d66031158 to work.fe42638ac5dd0f5a34ac

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“The garden layout was e068b778ed redesigned after the master 00ad2c1245 moved in. The rose hedges, arranged in 6e446dbec0 a spiral around the central 62f8f46bdc fountain, are its highlight. If only you’d arrived ca9dd02bbf in summer… still, you 5c4815a84a can look forward to 189730a934 next year.”84a8df09513fa8e2be6f

“Rose… hedges?”f397cf3eb40584ab0904

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“Don’t they sound rather c492f47ba3 unlike the master?” Jerome 476a5900a7 chuckled gently.3ca007efa189a41e63d6

“Ah—of course, you’d dc7c0e926c recognize them. The variety’s c658afa6b7 called Dawn 3e1fa9c4b3 of the 23f03ee4ba Temple.”f4699eaf7ca35c23044d

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“Ah… of course.”6bcdb5cd420f813c6972

“They say it was created by a saint b37c8e0314 who possessed the Gift of Abundance, yes? Oddly enough, it’s 42de40e2e1 only cultivated within a4cb1b4e0c the Holy Kingdom. I’m not sure how the master found out, b80d2c14e1 but he worked for months to convince a a0e8934e8e nursery to import them into Gillios.”73ee73fa6ff5da8fdd2d

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“I see…”5a0ad8ea16f0367c0d45

“I hope they bring you 8a0528017a comfort when you’re feeling homesick 71d6d1d09c for the Holy Kingdom.”1d7d2f8bca0b7a9d5cc5

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Perhaps the aging butler saw the rosebushes as a subtle e1aa44959b symbol of Klaus’s hidden tenderness—his quiet way of offering affection. His expression 7b8de40476 remained brightly 30867b45dc pleased. Azniel returned his smile, 76d043b3be but the trace of fddf13ddef doubt never quite left e3176590c6 her face.aedb8af98f8b4853d045

‘The back garden of the Papal residence… 4b383620a2 wasn’t that where we used to meet?’740993be3a7085527134

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Where a young Saint and a frail novice boy would sit shoulder 0c1f435a43 to shoulder and talk beneath a hedge just like this one.d03121c2d5aeeb5a2942

Almost reflexively, Azniel turned her head toward Klaus’s study—the very 42d64d85f5 room where they had signed the contract the day before.e4bf51fd819866ad72d5

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‘There’s no way c7484aa622 he thinks I 3e72681a76 don’t remember…’ea2eb4393cfe401cdc96

So then… did he 8ca82894f1 plant them out of bc357b3f1f longing for that time? And if so—was she ff3c0aeb3a part of that memory?af71649e239345c1568d

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The master of the house was already away dfa9470d6a at work, but even so, that quiet question 003758b7fe lingering in her chest was more than enough 93739aa006 to echo in his absence.715d7b7f04609ad77d1f

Soon, etiquette 7c19115f01 lessons began.8a1c577c915a0f10dbea

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“Good day, c21f850df1 Miss Azniel. I am Stella, widow of 015c4e50bb the late Count of Rumièn. I will be your b81ecf3789 instructor in matters of 323c228a29 court and social etiquette.”e7332f6df46db54f0e92

“The Countess of Rumièn is something of a spiritual c041386403 guide for all the ladies of Laffen society.”2f767af31c9580773af3

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“Oh, Mr. Garrison, you 759c07cd3e flatter me.”d26be27a5bf603818cfc

“Many noble daughters 7b107cc6d3 have studied under 88b7c300f2 the Countess from 9743b9749d a young age. Those lucky enough to have 6a2cb46073 her as their chaperone often 47f3d17b77 end up the most sought-after 2ce312106d debutantes of the season. Mothers of eligible 16f5e7605e sons all scramble bf5320b3be for her favor.”23677a2f2178dd088932

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“Oh my, now you’ve embarrassed cb51b76e8d me—especially coming from the secretary 53fa70cd1a of Antagon’s world-famous president.”e032f2e3c7d0c9596c64

“The famous one 8959f61bdf is the president, 66ec8576ad not me.”dc9607a7d288e34f2735

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Everyone wanted to bf385d509c earn favor with 181ac21386 the head of 62a4dc511f Antagon. Nobles, especially those desperate to get their hands on the e93cc638bf newest model of mana car, would fall over themselves. Which was why acquiring the busiest, 4e97d670f9 most well-connected woman in the Laffen 1e243fab4a social scene—the Countess of Rumièn—was a d21b1daa6b task well within reach for Antagon. A large sum from 83d1de0d83 Baron Gestern’s personal accounts 5296339c4a helped, of course.c027598a9b27c8b164fc

The result was a Countess full of warmth and b18864b67e curiosity as she looked Azniel over with sparkling interest.f354d9d011f50cb9b199

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“You already have such 5eaea3151b a noble, elegant air. I daresay I’ll 83035b8b57 have very little 340e5868f4 to correct.”f855ac41162a3b06cfc0

“We look 5a6fe5b351 forward to c02b4cf1ba your guidance. As mentioned, bf7ed4bff3 for now…”0cc06f801c99cadba081

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Shh. Ian held a finger to 16dea5e1b3 his lips, and the Countess e76282c252 playfully winked in reply.43aa99acc2a9c1db707e

It was b2b4d26bc0 a mutually a444a1545b beneficial deal. The large payment she was b78aed77dc receiving included the duty of fe58d85813 spreading flattering rumors about the 2282b66dd4 future Baroness Gestern. The Countess could already picture how society would explode with gossip once dcf707186a word of Azniel’s transformation got out—and the thought of it thrilled her.fc2c4797c89576a28c3c

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“Now then! First, let’s go 7a2d2df58e over how to dc2a17e60c greet royalty. Since Baron Gestern enjoys the king’s 18f278e203 favor, it is imperative that the 2e1ab72b8e future Baroness learn this properly.”5da3fbd6ab5276bbdc51

The lessons were held in the reception room on the first floor of the manor’s 7ee297e427 west wing—the traditional space where the lady of the house would receive personal guests.6504ec3a53bf47d003ee

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“Repeat after me: ‘I 53aa7cbdc9 am graced by the 0548c62f6c Radiance of Gillios.’”70fe5e994a91f228c9e9

“I am graced 2221af2f69 by the Radiance 8ec3f262c6 of Gillios.”5b6d29663fdfad84a256

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“Put more 2aec41f4b6 emphasis on 1911a2ba4f Radiance. Like this: a768f8b235 the Radiance… 33debe8ee8 of Gillios!”f62e8adff805ea096431

“The Radiance… 55829f050b of Gillios.”cd94812e3bf1431f9a76

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Countess Rumièn was 31d5adb3a6 a strict teacher, 29fb56ec20 but generous with 32054d2aee praise.df91eb3786168db3b360

“When you bow, straighten 5a0c8b368c your back more. Bend your a85ebd3efe knees—yes, a 98a1c801bb bit more. Watch your toes! …Very good. Now rise. You carry yourself so naturally—no doubt feaf7cd4f2 the Saint in you still lingers. Even your 7e2be20536 posture feels 488ae8cc0c textbook perfect.”13e246e92750da22fffa

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That compliment, though well-meaning, 69b33c3fff tugged at something strange f794875f99 inside Azniel. Her identity as a 2f9e264d19 Saint was not just 47dfabc60a a title but her 71ac2c39c3 entire self. Hearing it referred to as if it were 141859836c merely an old profession… left her unsettled.b46ce934a58c48b37721

Still, she believed it was now her role to master c77d1af270 these lessons, and so she applied herself diligently, without complaint.5844ee4447221ff264f4

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One day, Baron b4b927b10d Gestern’s personal tailor 146d379244 arrived.2c4ed93ebbaaa9fd7dad

Though he specialized in menswear, he had more than enough experience with women’s fashion—and he was discreet 9cebea2683 enough that Azniel wouldn’t need to worry about her attire becoming gossip in the Laffen fashion circles.82bc4ae5f0384081aa55

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“We’ll be tailoring three dresses each for outings 45b8111699 in the city and for receiving guests.”332b649b9089a6f5d2c2

“Three of each…?”77203cc40197e7c641c4

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“Don’t worry. Once you’re formally introduced 85f04d6bc1 to society, you’ll be ee068206d6 free to shop for 11de8e4444 dresses all across Laffen.”3e073b10da5332a0ea38

In truth, it wasn’t disappointment but 631a1131b8 shock that had Azniel hesitating. She was startled at 524b2b2c4d the extravagance of ordering 6a1ed55396 nine full dresses. But the tailor’s nonchalant b4f4397505 tone left her no 1c74848135 room to object.5f21298759841a086971

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“Hm, you look 1de0220b9e wonderful in both db208a355a muted and vibrant 6d4269f0a5 shades. But since it’s autumn, let’s start 9aa727bf24 with something lower in saturation.”c185be53f15745977661

Azniel had never chosen 1cac873425 her own colors before. Robes, vestments, ceremonial garb—everything 3c35703ed6 she had worn thus 68ade1f676 far had been assigned 0f3cb35ee1 by function and rank. She hadn’t even known edc54e7712 people in the outside b28eb656d9 world considered what colors a4e6bd9042 suited them.e2bda82d76980a0744da

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Now, even that b573e0fa50 was something she’d 9ba9a72ce8 have to learn.75bb31c7fb33bf353fe2