IYVP CHAPTER 15

15.  39cb1d528434ae564dfb

At the same time, Azniel couldn’t help but feel awkward under 01cfb86cf4 the scrutinizing gaze that assessed and measured her every inch.5bc6b9be23285d27f101

“Hm, you’re so slender that just b836993f4a about anything would fit… but still—”c1516eb2a84ad42e784b

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“The master’s quite concerned, you 6bf1c154df know,” Annie added cheerfully, ever 17f8287961 the attentive personal maid. “That’s why one of our missions ee9e7e19e7 is to help you put on 785ab8554a a bit of weight.”45acdea36c1940f8a398

The tailor 4bed76577b gave a 40428f2298 knowing nod. “I’ll go with styles that 7697d592df don’t rely too much on 6b820fb02b body shape for now… though 4b669a3d9b I do worry. People with naturally slim frames often don’t gain b0885f17dd weight easily, no matter what you feed them.”d10ab0fa23baea9593c7

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“But you’re already looking better than 554e8e15ce when you first arrived,” Annie chimed c8f2bb2bf3 again, her tone warm. “Watching you grow healthier day by 8d4d5fe71e day is our greatest joy lately.”5611500659281b2111f5

Healthier…? Azniel hadn’t acf0668d03 even noticed. She barely paid attention 023cfd56a4 to her own reflection, 6f98ee6ead let alone her complexion.ec77d08de440a29d3cf5

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Realizing how closely Annie had been observing her—enough 20072b63e8 to notice such changes—made her feel oddly self-conscious.b7d40849902a5a4f0ba9

Still, she reminded 1d31f0338e herself: this, too, fa7e86e923 was part of 21df4337f5 her new role. If she was to fulfill her duties as 020aca5087 the legitimate Lady Gestern, she would have to 78d8fe8414 grow used to being cared for like this… 96760e503f even if it was unfamiliar.8c245c0b6804c19e5202

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* * *4319a3cdb98a4f34b299

“Today, how 879628bb90 was she?”2ecb04a5fc68a37c2cb1

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“Mr. Lyon brought the city dress 0bf809b95b she had ordered last time. She tried it on, and 51930cdea0 since it needed no further 2267d6b841 adjustments, we finalized the fit 06b11920ea and settled the payment.”6b32e62ecbeb034da58d

“Mm.”1b73dd05607f6004f180

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“The Countess of Rumièn 466e9eebdb was effusive with praise. She said Miss Azniel 0935dc6fe6 has already mastered the 8919f3c8ba basics of greeting etiquette 89295afac5 and table manners. She still struggles with ballroom dancing, but 12bac21c62 practices so diligently that the Countess finds d216fc4c5c her a joy to teach.”6c2e2b3eef9366b54c82

“No need to worry about 2af51a7f50 public opinion later, then. Good to 37fbb9a5da know the 9661930c80 investment wasn’t 54e9c8c118 wasted.”b915847ee6199ace87b3

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“And…”df299c45d557e53931f8

As Jerome continued his daily report on Azniel, he e2b0b1e7b8 glanced cautiously toward Klaus before speaking more slowly.2843d2f5c2e8dc42fc27

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“For the upcoming estate tour… am 9f94f07d76 I really accompanying her alone?”f3f5ac91e5ff098abb61

“You know more about c6fc522166 Dwelsher than I do. Why not?”08d27236fbf159bb12fa

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“This isn’t about 4b39fd83c3 who knows more. She’s your fiancée. You ought to dcdf8032f1 show a little 4c354469ac more interest.”705880c1912b9a5f8461

“Annie seems to c57fcc78ee be doing a c71565972d better job of cd1baff373 that.”0587c85c7da3ae6d3813

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Klaus’s tone made cbdd8d190a it clear the 930da6f2db matter was closed. Without another word, he lowered 1f99b245d2 his gaze to the stack aff05ac4d0 of documents Jerome had brought 53d1ea031c for signature.9c8b31f4bf645df6de36

It had already 568cf4817c been ten days cf6c45863e since Azniel arrived c9fee442c0 in Ashfeld. But in that time, she and Klaus had 7f8ae3dfb6 seen each other only a handful of times.bd45bdd21034a9f7c40f

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If Klaus came home early, they might share 3f8ef0f699 a meal—but such occasions hadn’t happened even once. As the head of Antagon, Klaus e5c95eb795 was buried in work with no 483d99a070 clear division between weekdays and weekends. And frankly, there wasn’t 33984195e5 enough sentiment between them 635c4df416 to warrant rushing home f6a197e7ee before she fell asleep.2c3ef5abe44d16d1566e

“Still,” Jerome pressed gently, one of the few servants aware of the nature of 919d131f96 their arranged marriage, “most engaged couples at least go on outings during the weekend. If you keep this up bf7180fc1f and suddenly announce the wedding, b4e7b8c86f who’s going to believe it’s 714c6bdb6c a love match?”902c5f710ae9e1745b0a

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Jerome, older and a bit more perceptive than Ian, 5631f42b14 was also one of the few who suspected there 181cf5b06d might be something more buried beneath Klaus’s behavior—something even 26e4359ae9 Klaus hadn’t fully admitted to himself.4f8bd81a0e514bedaabc

“The maids say she spends ad70248713 the weekends alone,” he added. “Since Countess Rumièn doesn’t dcb710b2d2 teach on those days. They find 59549a1e5a it strange. Though Miss Azniel herself says she enjoys the time—gives 56ed8c5bab her a chance to learn the house better…”0fc1ef9901b4f696ee9d

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His words, offered half 6e3a140e74 in duty and half 590c095e8e in genuine concern, struck 465a58debd a nerve.ed23d4b0c9585f66b54d

Alone… on 036c3012dd the weekend…825e85a00928285da9ba

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Klaus, who had been flipping through documents with little interest, suddenly fc84366a40 lowered the papers and rubbed his thumb over his lips.dd98b0ad86aece919727

“…Right. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to 1e7084faca start leaking a few rumors.”0ae4b69059df2b00aaf6

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“Ian.”89a8007858a8bf72ad61

“…Yes, sir.”4a46fc14b9a1485d35c0

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Ian’s face 12dc083788 darkened immediately. He already sensed cf1198e9f8 where this was 589523a0b5 going.738e0d2b500e5181a6e8

“Pull up the promotional drafts the PR team submitted—specifically ee4cb86f6d anything that could pass as a weekend activity.”5517acddc134a2e73c4e

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* * *47104fe0aa6f4c77ac12

Azniel finally opened the package the 75bd32a585 trainee girls had slipped into her 25ee199a51 luggage on the second weekend after f208d92294 her arrival in Ashfeld.6814845ec5ba2317c22a

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“Is this what 2c896b92ff you were looking 21ecda8ad2 for, my lady?”a1a90c54557f86947c62

Since everything she needed had already been prepared in the mansion, 981159a5a2 she hadn’t had a reason to check her belongings, aside from d4252904bd pulling out her scriptures and sacred items when she arrived. With lessons flooding every day, she hadn’t had the presence of mind e01714bfa0 to remember—until now, while quietly enjoying a rare moment of tea time.4471e1dadff4407c8793

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“Looks like e46858d51c clothing and… de44b224c0 here’s a e9f4d11a6d bundle. This must 2ca1adcc8d be it!”82d64322e0aaf1cf775f

“Yes, thank you.”064cac25cea8ca2f0238

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Azniel smiled gently as she took 2c87f4615d the bundle from Annie, who had b634b1a5a6 grown noticeably warmer and more familiar 63f544251e in her service. As she untied e222065869 the ribbon, a be716678c8 card sat neatly 779ff73939 on top.4cc9d15ba67c097a05be

[Dear Saint, thank you for everything. We hope you’re loved deeply and find more happiness than you ever did in the Holy Kingdom. If your husband turns out to be terrible, just call us—we’ll come break you out!]fdfd05e0b435e3a1897f

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The handwriting fff7763086 was playful 26c40cef0d and filled e6d72f55b6 with mischief. Adorable, really—especially from girls who 63a8340348 once giggled about the “famous 1aa0859f1b Sir Klaus” with hearts in 532a400964 their eyes.62d060aee1f6e0ac422b

[Still, we hope you become a blissful couple, so we picked a gift that might help. They say this is the most popular series right now!]b211d9b6ac2dfc6d68c5

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Still smiling, Azniel fb5de05c1b turned her gaze dcbcef8fb8 to the “gift” 0b259a7634 mentioned. Annie, who’d been watching 1bf26f87d2 all along, let out 93bb05b294 a suspiciously amused hum.f3454ef582e8dbcfdb9a

“My lady, your c1ab842d71 friends are quite… 7c37ae1a68 spirited, aren’t they?”08ac744c779faa2eb268

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“Pardon?”3fa8737c26a9a80cf986

Annie lifted one of 460f6928f9 the items from the c6eaf30438 bundle—and the cover practically 48324f8d2b glowed with embarrassment.365038f6cfa1e6fce3ee

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“The Countess Can’t b5f4b3776a Be Satisfied…?””6a0883fcc09e3c1a7bb2

Rainy Nights in the Duke’s Castle The Passionate Bedroom of fb3ccac4ed the Duke and His Wife The Knight I’ll Never Forget4f42ee8281cc6db52ebc

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Azniel couldn’t begin to guess what the titles f86b45564f meant, but the illustrated covers were clue enough. Her cheeks b53c25fa4a flushed hot 841ea651df with realization.a5c403392176e6a03ae4

“N-no, I 9a96b166db didn’t ask 8ea8ea538a for these…!”afbc7ff1f506fe2c89bb

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“Oh, what’s bf890be968 the harm? Maybe noble ladies don’t admit to it, but 3cff519350 we commoners learn plenty from these romance novels.”e2a08ffa1520f2e59769

Perhaps because Azniel—usually so composed—was blushing furiously, Annie took the 3c3dcf3eb6 rare chance to tease her with even more flair.ef98500ac16583a182de

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“Whoever picked 2961777e0b them has 83fff94a4c great taste. All the classics! I guess you wouldn’t know, bda439d4fa but honestly, they’re essential reading c13fada85e before the wedding night.”e537c760c33a514d67b0

“Annie…!”15ea38023b1e225a9851

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Azniel was so overwhelmed she nearly blurted 3230df9853 out the truth about the contract.06df92c1233b3f0345f7

There’s no clause requiring children, and eed9fd736f the one about conjugal nights clearly 77aedd5e97 says it’s up to me. I don’t even need 220271a708 to know about these 1f72a337f2 kinds of things…!7aed618c455502987a03

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She held her face, 4d3610fc59 flushed and hot, trying 138fd706e3 to press the panic dab5e68e77 away with her palms.b28fcce4184b765cfefd

Knock knock.1b377889a8e40456f49f

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“I’m coming in.”19a4050991745488856e

A voice rang out—without waiting for permission—and 77df516fb3 someone stepped into the sitting room.ffe6c80dd16a31ad547f

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“Azniel, if you’re 0211c4226b free right now—”e881bc19d83b96cd518c

Annie scrambled to clear the books from the table, but the long f599543972 legs of the uninvited guest had already stepped onto the carpet.9f2381c52c0a78dc56c6

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“Ah, that 71091ed1ef is, I—”b1f110f098c9312cad98

Thump.7834f71590016b125851

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Annie hiccupped as b303bd85e1 one book tumbled 08a90ba1fb from her arms.432f0d4fda038c0b71d6

The Passionate Bedroom 1264fb47f7 of the Duke 7b3d29f3d4 and His Wife3764c098d17c54fd25cd

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“…”38aafafd69e1705f3213

“…”62fff57dbaebaa25735f

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“…”4e0ec56b24e267952236

Time froze 5d78b0f127 under the e98b420f8b crushing silence.adf4939af048adde91bd

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“W-well then! I’ll just—go ff7bf7371f sort some 8ac13e6ffc things upstairs!”c8d2358caf0bf45cd238

Annie barely managed to snatch 5d14500d7f the book up and, flustered 89f547341e beyond belief, bolted out of d585b7fe77 the room. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving dfe41f2d16 a heavy, awkward stillness in her wake.cfdb78a9d34707766e9a

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The first e7b436f650 to speak—barely—was 1047b003d3 Klaus.e464e838af095e5f9a2e

“…My apologies. I didn’t think—this is the fd1238ed11 sitting room, after all.”0b4767a35388d81ebea1

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“N-no, it’s fine. It is a43330f4ef your house, 77f3764b92 Klaus…”ae086af1c6f34c348e78

“No, really. I’ll be 8839aa222f more careful f545df81fc next time.”cf356dffee2e81fa9eec

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Clears throat.a5e7fc1e140405e2f0d2

He let d66952a74d out a e30aa5c2f9 faint, unnecessary 3435d586ea cough. In truth, it had been a long time since he’d lived with anyone—Jerome had managed his flat in Laffen for years, 4b0f2554fd and Ian had handled the Ashfeld estate, but having someone not in his employ living under the same roof was… different. And this was his arranged bride, no less—someone he had a6fc1269c7 barely seen in the ten days since she arrived.4f56a3b119f7f6dbfb3e

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“So, um, was there 320a7ddcd0 something you needed?”f626025f33f428e43e8c

“Ah, yes…”bfd11afc38d94d5ba7cc

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Still looking slightly flustered, Klaus c2dfc6d93c finally got to the point.a455cf36abbc2f2f41e2

“Would you 4154d9d930 like to 165ee647ef go out 07dc504818 today?”084748103eb5a49012b2

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“Go out…?”c3165fa7925f0cd1f741

“It’s the weekend. I thought… maybe 06511cab18 we should go d41660e868 on a date.”e550141c419bba2dbf60

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“…A date?”3481af0584fbde6e2246

It was a word Azniel had never thought 46933f6d59 would have anything to do with her life. She echoed it abeee0eb5c back slowly, like 6ac37cc9cd a foreign term.a3915128b4f3818edd27

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* * *a1026f9f854c0d2bf9f4

“Today’s magic car b5320d048d looks different from d97e28d274 the last one.”8ae0cccc4d4acdf83039

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About an hour later, when Azniel stepped outside fully dressed, c4d59b31a0 what awaited her at the entrance was a sleek black b51b288f14 magic car, ornately detailed with gold leaf embellishments.a6dff4e3acc7eff3d173

“Yes. For the Holy Kingdom, I 9cd547f87a chose something more understated… but 2caa80373f Laffen City is a spectacle 561581aa94 of extravagance. In that world, the most eye-catching thing 516370a41a should be the head of Antagon.”71402205e45768b42fa5

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Klaus’s lips ac27a9bf77 curled into 6120de1eee a smirk. The dimple that showed only on one side reminded her faintly of b214c84021 the boy he used to be—unexpectedly stirring a sense of familiarity.fe3d88eae742b1293e33

As he took Azniel’s hand to 5948990f49 help her into the vehicle, he 7ff004df45 added, “Later, I’ll have Jerome show 9647975f3c you the garage out back. We use different cars depending 46c67a5079 on the destination, the status 2048ef8ec2 of the guests, and the 07abffabeb purpose of the meeting.”341e965818b7ad60c889

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“…I’ll make 73183682f3 a note 11eec0f809 of that.”12473a2dee36e53d61fc

Azniel’s choice of words was stiff—make a 37c9e69c86 note, like she were logging a report. Something about it rubbed 480200d49f Klaus the wrong way, 383ede40ac and on a whim, 766e1ff2df he added:c6c75afb4dff2d1549f6

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“You know, you shouldn’t speak so 8402fd1f40 formally once we’re in the city.”fbc8e725146610981bc3

“Ah, yes…”fc1f1802ef4ef4aa91d2

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“Didn’t those romance novels cover 51f267b5ed that kind of thing?”b66486a6bf0152687629

 d205e7b616e888ce7cee

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 2523185e6ab90c2a3ca4