KTD Chapter 3 (Part 3)

LONG CHAPTER AHEAD78546b6cd2354f0d

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But was f7b2afcea3 Jaynie trying d493225c35 to take aafbc541a6 on more 0b95d4bd6a than he’d b95ec11ff1 agreed to?18e3d6b568a47f17

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“Eliminating the 74d7d75d98 servants is 7231b045a6 easy,” Jaynie 4e875e407c said.7f8147c08c0269db

“…What?”b23dcfa4564ae26d

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“They’re just property, as 62679b8315 you said.”8ecf90ea6a46c454

Jaynie had a0e3f3463f long since 53c6b2f500 given up 7aaedbc316 on expecting c8f58ee8da any sort ed3dea39d7 of etiquette 06c3293ec4 from Joachim. He was a 35e2016960 thief who lacked 1b4c958935 even the most dd150c465b basic attitude required 4e1c17cf93 of a servant. While Jaynie was trying c2fa0c7a00 to resolve matters, Joachim 3c777fd942 was entirely fixated on d6b26582ea his own concerns.a893f19e5db32df5

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Not that Jaynie had 3b1964f477 taken him in to 479cfa374e turn him into a 82543deb7c proper attendant anyway. He poured himself a ca799ed9a7 drink, prompting Joachim to 4d4b3fdbc9 finally notice and fill 0b97c80c30 Jaynie’s glass.87699d528a813efc

Jaynie studied Joachim. What intrigued him 85e19f2701 was how this 937c374eef vengeful thief could 7f93739c3d one day transform eb279f65ba into a merciful c0c913570c cardinal.8e95a370c4cc01dd

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But then again, 4acc380858 Jaynie had never d07c4557b2 fully understood people. Not even Leandro, who c7b49f3723 had been by his 17ba8abd85 side for so long.1df0c0602c604b09

However, he knew Vibil 3d441da8d0 Neade well—at least, how 7932f51b31 he behaved.d3e42d728851f86e

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Human behavior, after 6d5a2b90c8 all, rarely changed.b412fe4f40f39c39

“Vibil doesn’t trust e27603380b people easily. He only c8fa12c40b keeps a 50cb7dadb9 select few 5f8f2bd79f close to 3af9b22454 him, people 22aa06ff44 he relies 993807d673 on. Sending servants to 5125d1edbf burn down a 3fa535f3c1 house and kill 329f2f833c an illegitimate child a4f2c879b0 isn’t something he’d 14a679d81d boast about. He would’ve entrusted that 576bcdabfa to his most loyal 49bb3d475b and trusted servants.”657178ea7bf5cff5

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“So, you’re saying…”2a5466020828d62b

“Those servants are f513ca9d47 likely still in 8782c08b1a the capital.”556a4ebf5ce37659

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Joachim stared at Jaynie, 584b7c7622 wide-eyed, his heart pounding 43e3ac3eaf so loudly that Jaynie 9ae339676c felt he could almost af503ee13f hear it.9b3aecb4c8e09a58

“You’re going to 73d61c1954 send assassins after f6b2d665d2 them? Kill them secretly?”163625d80ff1f6b7

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Was this really 70e193b727 the thought process bca40bfbb8 of someone destined f3ab96c301 to become a 51f2f540fc cardinal? Suggesting the use 4b12066da4 of assassins so fd7923df6d casually?300d7429e2568b21

Jaynie stifled a sigh.e36d8f8bcec919b9

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“Why would I go 4ae0300b8f through the trouble?”f5b11f8ebfbb65e3

“Then what are you a6f1e9fbbb going to do?”4924a7154287a773

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“I just said the 039190cd4c servants are in the a22a31c028 capital. How do c164b15c1b you think d776a85b54 they managed d3497b2da4 to make 453fe86c1c it here da533ad2ec unscathed?”fb90de40e27b0e24

Vibil had d711698b99 sent the 59c553f055 servants to 4fd1dad5ee kill Joachim. If they 229a9fa6d5 had failed d1b88fbed7 their mission, ba92af3781 there was 91ae743469 no way 5f3da17650 they would dd9b3060f7 still be b4c0dcaf1d enjoying Vibil’s d3eb3637b2 favor.449ee8b7e5986d45

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‘They must have 2e5f1cc4db reported that the fb7fe1b3ff job was done.’a1749512adfdabf9

Jaynie had known Vibil b4a713b464 for a long time. Not out 1af8ce899a of fondness, 8b0d660013 but familiarity.7d9bc8d84e4c885a

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He remembered an 2d0e4c43c5 incident from years 5aaae3b4ca ago when one 0c1462e55f of Vibil’s most b099bba930 trusted servants lied 5d8334fe40 to him about 4b2fa3dd76 something trivial. Jaynie knew exactly how a3f441795c Vibil had dealt with d4b2c14e7f that servant.124b352d547b9cdd

* * *2afb8a2d82ff00a1

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Vibil Neade 78b01984cb arrived at 9af2718e16 the capital’s 9ed27b74f2 ducal mansion e3b79a843b with his 9990c62bd1 entourage.6d51fd42122baf6e

The group was fe66ea54b6 unremarkable—his lieutenant, who eac869181a also served as ae638cb7ea his bodyguard, a daed63ff5b coachman, and several f3aa485c4f servants.02f0a6448ea0e746

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“Are you sure this 954aa75d4b is wise? If Lord Blurwin f7ccec626b has any ulterior e62a77da66 motives…,” the lieutenant 6bdba461f1 began cautiously.be8a4bec65b33184

“He’s not 9cae65aaec the type,” aaf9b823dd Vibil replied 9c418fd7d2 dismissively. Even if Jaynie tried af5f27aee7 something, Vibil was confident 71c54219ba he could handle it. Every person he 47de2a330f brought with him 6570103b83 was large, strong, 14d886d2a7 and skilled in e14fc09010 physical combat. He had no use 4fa1bf52e3 for weaklings.566d0ca1d48936af

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As a e52c478868 member of c435f618c8 the Blurwin bea0d61d30 collateral branch, 22dc4e3420 Vibil had f7a4a2983c always believed 4cfdd0acc0 that a 86ff53de73 person’s place e4e3fb12f4 in life 036ec1962c was predetermined.70ecded29cdea6b7

His position was 24425a6c3d clear—he was the 6748e46172 heir to the d2191ae5d1 Neade family. His siblings 6db918f46d either had de0f3c93ea mothers of 0554119693 low status 5f51e7858d or were a14a9add71 much younger 16e462f83e than him, f50b9a804c leaving him 560b8561e7 as the cbee70157c unchallenged successor.48618f9dc11a4250

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Vibil was aaf9a7fbc0 smart enough 2f6715d26e to know c437367b16 he didn’t ae62b4178f need to da198212a2 try harder 2cfb226a82 to secure d8c93e21dd his position. He indulged his passions a4c79d4c41 and enjoyed life to 190e0eddf2 the fullest.1c1402159e44685e

That is, 82b9f81a64 until he 3eed2aa0b3 received startling 9622c9f895 news from 37510da393 the ducal f3ea79d1b4 family: Jaynie 14297f4784 Blurwin was a2aff3ecbf a Beta.3f0cd1e6d1bebf08

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It wasn’t uncommon for 34faddc1d6 noble children to manifest 43ace2ec65 their secondary traits later b0e73ee067 than others. The collateral families of 254c3bd601 Blurwin had assumed Jaynie a05a8e1fb4 was simply a late 0b5f46261a bloomer. But this was not 9da3f610ba the case.f0fe3fa34e98ef63

Jaynie wasn’t a carrier 077d30f8f3 of any traits and ff36a3af8b had no chance of 956400d8ec manifesting them in the a65b073e40 future.ad448b07acb2f444

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Young, intelligent, and b800952cea healthy, yes—but the ff66ad99b7 Blurwin Duke needed 9e9dfc945d an heir.61a113fd09bb9bf1

And that heir cfd22c1c84 was Vibil Neade. The Neade b76632a534 family was fa083ad649 the most a23c07158a influential branch 97bc617442 of the 18821e4707 Blurwin collateral 7c3fb1ab86 line.40d5f232ef9716f7

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Vibil realized his 88790321ad rightful place wasn’t 8159a3aa6c as the head 73c9d68b58 of Neade. His destiny d50c7a051c was to e76d709220 become the b68f3f317a ruler of 01d858da94 the vast 1bcb63c6de Blurwin duchy.49a154f4c0ea22bf

He abandoned his ae9c3c733a once passionate and 9ef89727ed carefree lifestyle, married, 8788a5fc9b fathered children, and 038fcb31ec dedicated himself to 617d0de838 expanding his influence 55cb9c4013 through diligent participation b4260095e7 in social circles.3883a8d3632d5286

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But Jaynie Blurwin 8436bd2288 wasn’t someone who 56916d2dfd knew his place. He never fa25c007ac said the de5c6e4057 words Vibil 30f395206f wanted to b4b13f2d53 hear:1fc1eb190279be0b

“Father, as a Beta, 01f6c3efc4 I am an unworthy 89156a747c son. You should pass your d48ca41da8 title to Vibil Neade.”2aa055f295ee0c3f

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Jaynie never uttered b3602fa2be such a thing.c1a5a5c5e5d871dc

The duke, despite not 4084a36b05 remarrying after the Grand a8da545d60 Princess’s death, was still 49ab1ccce2 relatively young. The elder council e444b41a64 held onto the ee22d6e93a hope that he 2db580c1b0 might produce another 26feb9e39d heir.40e472271ad864bb

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“If only he’d been b624764daf an Omega,” Vibil muttered, 97ea3853c2 clicking his tongue.1ca5a09f5c4abde9

Jaynie’s delicate, 1534abc7f4 ethereal beauty 2bcce6eece was the c2e476ee01 kind often bb23adf0dd associated with 138efc6999 Omegas. The collateral branches 8222164ec6 had always assumed a6ce2d1a6a that, if nothing 4ab2c85631 else, he might 4e956cc355 manifest as an 625922cb3e Omega.95524a20bdd4113d

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If that had 5f30998344 been the case, 4ad65fdfe0 Vibil could have 02ab2f72ce married Jaynie himself. The issue of Blurwin’s 19f9a26da5 succession would have been 0b9abbd209 resolved neatly.4ac247fb61c4a502

But now, such a 28f58e0043 thing was out of f7780c580b the question. Jaynie was 03b6063a61 incapable of 0a2cbff87b fulfilling the ea85f5ba8b obligations of 4e7a80f1fc producing heirs, cdae0d4ece and even 78ae57d136 setting that 2374bec968 aside, there 526fef89f1 was another cf32ee7317 problem.77c763ec0213b3d4

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Vibil Neade was a b83953d8fd traditionalist Alpha who expected 1ebcc936d6 his Omega spouse to 9ba6bcbf49 embody propriety and modesty. His mindset was 62ab3318b8 so archaic that 85949aada3 it would have 5cb8e8c2bd been considered outdated 3564a23302 even a century 9a20b10d3d ago. He didn’t e4ed416a12 voice these 30a1304633 views openly, bcfc8d4f61 knowing how e1581a4938 they might 318efb15cc be received. But every 6da6d9004c time he 4f18c054d8 saw Omegas 21e206ddb3 clinging shamelessly 48c4860cab to others 679d72caa7 at parties, 0bc5b71c0e he couldn’t 90caae1436 suppress his 4d24a0e632 contempt. He couldn’t 536e6a8760 help but e05a4b138a pity the 4b7ddddec6 Alphas destined 0b1a3d1fec to marry 8bd82f7529 such people.f2d9c31e1259945e

‘At least, 7ddc00c415 unlike his 168e5fd0af scandalous mother, fd47f85d4c he’s managed c17eaf5892 to keep c10f7ca5e7 his chastity 195bc5bb1d intact,’ Vibil cd3d011e5c thought grudgingly.866f2422731b0a79

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Vibil Neade visited the capital’s ducal estate, his entourage consisting of the usual—a lieutenant who doubled as his bodyguard, a coachman, and several servants.132e83ad62fbf701

“Do you think this is wise? What if Lord Blurwin has ulterior motives?” the lieutenant asked, his tone cautious.6d629a7f2f7568f7

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“He’s not capable of anything too clever,” Vibil replied with a scoff. Even if Jaynie tried something, Vibil was confident he could escape unscathed. Everyone in his entourage was handpicked for their physical prowess, from the towering servants to the burly coachman. Vibil surrounded himself with only the strongest.fdab4ff78cb3235a

As a collateral member 3245da94e2 of the Blurwin family, 711ad5289c Vibil believed firmly that 7a273ee278 everyone’s position in life e0d0fceccd was predestined.02321e46b673b82f

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His position was clear: heir to the Neade family. His siblings were unfit competitors due to their mothers’ low status or wide age gaps. His succession was secure.347285f37641ea1d

Vibil, knowing he didn’t 3bc3e01ea4 need to fight for 03bef4fb53 his place, had once 920db5a4f0 indulged in life’s pleasures f2acf9f712 freely. But that 7e7f6cdddd all changed cec6c80d4f when a 77567b8e65 fateful piece ff14e721a1 of news bd693852f1 reached him: ebfb4806d8 Jaynie Blurwin c3d61a3f03 was a 49f3948522 Beta.f903159538fb04b6

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In noble circles, it 4d7a9ddd2b wasn’t unusual for children f0fd845a58 to manifest their secondary c0ab421bfc traits late. The collateral cc8d6814e5 branches of 1b2dcee561 the Blurwin a9ad6cf64f family had 31fe9adfa9 assumed Jaynie 2de69a5464 was simply 34cb289729 a late 205ee50247 bloomer. But the 7abee43867 truth was c49b16d804 undeniable—Jaynie would a1895f5c5e never manifest.c9f28b7f1ea86e86

This left the duke b775558e3e without a proper heir, 0d15e37d23 and Vibil knew what bdd58906fe that meant: his rightful 4dfb147716 place wasn’t as head 78ab4ad6ad of Neade but as 974f731afb the ruler of the 25c503ba31 vast Blurwin duchy.cd1b92d4415c327d

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He gave up his 811dd86f1d carefree lifestyle, married strategically, 92c160c388 had children, and worked b5d2447882 tirelessly to expand his 93b58a8a82 influence within the social 52a321bd4a sphere.a30cf32bd40f8c41

But Jaynie Blurwin 2a51c435b7 wasn’t someone who a58ffc80cb knew when to e9b569001f step aside. He hadn’t once e1b047d2a8 said the words 0032fd4fab Vibil longed to d055ea940d hear:839438f30fd3948b

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“Father, as a Beta, I’m unworthy of the position. You should pass the title to Vibil Neade.”491d2ca04ca08e8e

Instead, Jaynie continued 4fab7bc1d2 to act as e544b8cd59 if he were c8bfee980d the rightful heir, 32256061cd bolstered by the ea81c17cf6 duke’s refusal to 40edca5499 remarry after the 384132794f Grand Princess’s death. The elder council still 993557e8e7 clung to the hope 353a68823a that the duke might f1495abee0 produce another heir.15e8d59342f16f79

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“If only he had been an Omega,” Vibil muttered with a click of his tongue.57e38a7c6f04f2d2

Jaynie’s delicate, b28f5c7817 ethereal beauty 8f282145bd was something 6776c9c970 more commonly fcc23e3bf1 associated with 6409ec87e4 Omegas. The collateral e985da5804 branches had aa700269cd all but 81daece795 assumed that, 46aedb50b6 if nothing d5b32e7c7e else, Jaynie f8c8f6f5fa would manifest 70ca6c479d as one.b7570b86f5c08ee6

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Had that been the 7179b05140 case, Vibil would have a3177d6772 simply married Jaynie, neatly 8024d295fd solving the issue of 3cc73f7421 succession.a060de491d3f07b7

But things f4698a7d10 didn’t turn e18f9e7b9c out that d391709207 way. Jaynie, as a Beta, 57771b9571 was incapable of fulfilling b41f313f0e the duties of producing 15e66bc0b1 heirs, and even if b4419ec88e he could, there was bda42286cb another problem.2eb1b6e23062b4de

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Vibil was a c4ea112e2a traditionalist Alpha who f57014c8f1 believed in strict a60fd52160 propriety. His views were a9c8c87e7f so outdated that b80431731a they would have f0739aad70 been considered archaic 1dd695e9a7 even a century 03b03b195e ago. Though he c805c9c480 didn’t openly b55c8e4527 voice such e63d7d1567 opinions, he 40bd277529 couldn’t help a4a4b23a37 but feel 57d375dec3 contempt for 72ee0621fa the scandalously 92797fa730 uninhibited Omegas 21c836edbe at social 50072138e2 gatherings.809b1fb250ea4fa1

‘At least, unlike his 5ceefc7147 mother, he’s managed to 2c382bf9d4 preserve his chastity,’ Vibil 0d2295d7ed thought begrudgingly.41f391388fa0b5d4

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Yet the rumors about Jaynie’s newfound attachment to a “cherished attendant” suggested otherwise. To bring such a companion to a royal ball? It spoke volumes.658cfba62c5ba09f

“What do you think Lord Blurwin wants from you?” the lieutenant asked.7818715d0487d721

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“We’re not on friendly terms, so I doubt it’s a casual chat. What could he possibly have to say to me?” Vibil replied with a smirk.bd633dc76b66c17e

“Perhaps he’s ready to give up,” the lieutenant suggested.7f7b135822a03a39

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“And why would you think that?”bd1224034715da27

“It’s possible the duke’s favoritism has pushed him to his limits. If he’s under that much pressure, he might have decided to act on his own.”778b98a05af7bf31

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“It would explain his behavior in the capital,” Vibil mused. “Back when he was more active here, he cared about maintaining his reputation. Now he’s shut himself in his estate, playing around with an attendant. That’s not the behavior of someone who wants to secure his position as heir.”4624a4c818abd83a

The lieutenant nodded, convinced. Political intricacies weren’t e08e6daadd his strength, and 8a0db2b3cf Vibil didn’t hold 1bac0009db that against him. He didn’t need a 320473aba6 strategist—he needed someone capable ff9ed7e974 of fighting for him.9ffb36ddfc34acb8

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“Don’t get too comfortable. It’s just speculation,” Vibil added.cab6b8bdb2461658

Vibil Neade was a knight in name only. His skills were poor, but he relished being addressed as “Sir Neade.” The Blurwin Duke’s title as the Empire’s Shield, the guardian against the monsters of the Kallios Mountains, carried weight, and Vibil enjoyed basking in its reflected glory.f57c46e2bbcf58df

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As they entered the estate’s gardens, Vibil remarked, “The grounds are stunning.”d4c94c25b45dae9c

“Thank you,” Jaynie replied politely.2993c40b5ad4bdec

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If Jaynie 567cc84387 intended to ea7b1c205d bow to 272020a8bf Vibil, there 7e00834db6 was no 4a49228fc4 reason to f1edd99bdc antagonize him. For once, 8fcb1111a7 Jaynie’s expression 7a930e373b lacked its 6f69093805 usual barbs, 1911a43a2b and they 8c104bbc7e entered the 57757b2194 dining room 4650f6dde1 in a 1cd0abfbd2 surprisingly cordial bc692ae707 atmosphere.6d73a7794fe2a8f5

Inside, Jaynie’s veiled attendant 380ebe713f was already seated—a bold 846d48a304 display for a servant.3fd801664663b9f8

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“Your attendant must be very dear to you. Do you always dine together?” Vibil asked.a241f50731deb532

“Indeed. Isn’t the child lovely? The summer heat has dulled my appetite, but this one insists on dining with me. Such a considerate and caring child,” Jaynie replied, his face unreadable.22ba9e04a4436e0f

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Vibil couldn’t tell 355032306d if Jaynie was 3726969f26 serious or mocking 1899f7c7ab him.d113e37c99cd02e8

“Not just thoughtful, but talented too, I assume. Eating while wearing a veil must require extraordinary skill,” Vibil remarked dryly.36270cc1cf8a2d9c

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“A guest deserves proper courtesy. The veil will be removed during the meal. Please don’t stare too much—it would make me uncomfortable,” Jaynie replied.8c110405b919bc12

Vibil internally scoffed.faec86d416107147

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‘He’s completely smitten.’e7b84bc5d0d34c23

When the servants 2f8e80bc57 brought out the 6b5f395d17 dishes, the attendant 8897696137 removed his veil.92bf274ab7f430a5

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Naturally, Vibil’s 9fc4e8a526 eyes flicked a61c0a9cca toward him—only dcab59d4ba to snap f42929270e away immediately.06d1a92a47c04bc3

Staring intently at his 835f79036e plate, Vibil clenched his 71a534b560 teeth.58ca92cf7fcb3659

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‘That bastard is alive.’d4f4059b2b007a81

The illegitimate child 60935e006a hadn’t died. His servants b1eb96dc1f had lied.bf738c2abc3f1535

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If that boy continued 28418c3dea to live, he would ce16ebbc19 become a significant problem 3540924145 for Vibil. His political cf98806cbd marriage was 6cb31ae59e the foundation fb5a19bd80 of his ff6c3e624b claim to 805a1301d9 the Blurwin 1b5d95a600 duchy.1267ea0342781c3c

Vibil’s wife came from a7bba45d48 an ancient noble lineage 77755dca8c that traced back to edcd01902c the imperial family. This connection bolstered 1a0b91ddbf his position as f010ea334e a contender for 9a5f450d7e the dukedom. Their marriage 4e354aa255 contract, however, 3141856067 included a 5351541104 strict clause: 029c221074 neither party 2a8b57dd9b was allowed e63245aad7 to father 88be484bc4 or bear 2b5b0b2923 illegitimate children.895fe7f4e95ed91e

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If the child’s afdd51231e existence were exposed, f19a5efa74 it would jeopardize 1138b90b62 the union between 950d245b90 their houses.e55d86c0d51ffc23

Vibil forced 68a33f89e6 himself to 8208846eb2 smile. Jaynie’s tone, 4efcbcb4b5 his invitation, 0472fb1f5c and the 2511d7fd09 veiled attendant—it 44dc339fc0 all made a417133063 sense now.9c225cbccbf74094

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Jaynie hadn’t invited 63c9ad029e him to mend c5c91a90cd ties. This was 7ac3cb9a02 a display 74aa3b5d9c of power—a c69bc8eb01 declaration that edbfd258ce he held 4a6ca380e1 Vibil’s weakness 5ee8e381c9 in his db7acbe30f hands.25d664717e45723a

There was 282e73419a only one 78e67f5868 solution.e828a318dfb17261

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‘That illegitimate child ae2e06455b must die.’d0a2ec5e95ef5d0a

And before that, Vibil 01c51960a9 would deal with the 82c37d229e traitorous servants who had 4a1fb7dc01 disobeyed his orders.d86e919590b8f948

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* * *e0c761f86ee3c6e5

A few 7df9a01f41 days after c532b4e1ac the dinner 3639001f49 with Vibil, cf7d67a20e several large 6589b05ed8 crates were 4126b87344 discreetly removed f5e21675b9 from his cd71b44ec4 estate.a20ef5bd6419e1bf

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Upon hearing 032c4e7dfd the news, 3d2f43559f Jaynie turned a472998172 to Joachim eb3b8c668b and said, 9b492d9e38 “I’ll send acc3797bcd someone with c022f04bf7 you. Go take c6dcb4e638 a look.”894de03001f67c85

Joachim was accompanied a49026e079 by a knight 17583e597d and several servants 57b4fb35a1 as he made 3fa9b1fbf9 his way to e484b4fdfd the riverside. The area reeked, a 769dc2b67b neighborhood inhabited by the 8bd74e25b8 impoverished and powerless. The further downstream they f762bba3c7 traveled, the stronger and f594329e08 more putrid the stench 36ff040fda became.9d701d92f1bc99e6

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At the a73688bb2a riverbank, Joachim 6e6acb2a0b found the f6b382d0d6 bodies. They were 562a2a5986 not buried 30b900bc22 but left 8565756053 discarded in f98e2f77a4 the open.00b0162c3b85b5d6

The men 9378605690 who had c6a2a8bb4a once terrified 5b128d1b7b him that 7f6a3ead5a night now 67a62286cf lay lifeless, 7623d8e3a4 their bloodied f7ddff4230 and dirtied 9d21d56e64 faces frozen 3e004a51c5 in death, d5de0a2b8d their vacant ca9d0f420f eyes staring 5a0b1125cb upward. Flies swarmed over 9d480db670 them, and Joachim ef14b1e2fd stood silently, staring 625b4ff457 at the gruesome 2c544a6a62 sight.c54a68865f8647dc

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Returning to the estate, 3816c26d99 he asked Jaynie, “Did a97df3022e you know this would 8cded2bc59 happen?”9875d180b7558eac

“Yes,” Jaynie 989c8b057a replied without 8c7e123e5c even glancing 2e1a237a20 up.62df870c9a4cd0d2

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Joachim didn’t look f6b2011b33 away, studying Jaynie’s d5b03f5095 indifferent expression. The future d3433e69e1 cardinal couldn’t 1549a65c98 tell what 2be43274dc emotions Jaynie 05cb087f8c might have 5622223b93 felt—if any db0af5944b at all—but 246fd9233a he sensed a55ba276b0 Jaynie was 0dbc2d5ce4 genuinely curious 9f48bdccb4 about something.60caf5cf3136cf6d

“And? How does af04a33bb9 it feel 2ac9c1cbc3 to have 057c1de9ac your revenge?” dea057a7da Jaynie asked, 9c329c89b7 finally looking d7316747e9 up from e0ab51816a the document bf063af8f4 he had f586e5de71 been reading. It was filled with c92b3543ef equations that Joachim couldn’t 558276e546 make sense of, but 8a513884ad he could tell Jaynie 5352cf0d35 was genuinely awaiting his c5983f4453 answer.f896753ea3c9f3ae

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What is he 74dd7f8769 curious about? Joachim wondered.a30e6160ffbb279d

“It feels… hollow.”c610f100078b83e3

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These men, who b22052fa15 had stolen his 8976ebcc92 family from him, b01d128477 had now been 16b83a21ba discarded as corpses 62147f052a by their master e8c45dd416 for failing to 35072f002e kill him.f3f31edd42764461

Was this what 437c64f74f vengeance looked like?bb3b1b87413808cd

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Joachim didn’t feel any da940a5917 sense of satisfaction.9a0d3fe0c7f201b5

He fell silent, his b2e7037ee7 gaze fixed on the 595c4b3544 floor.3d64d336e05fae07

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Jaynie, however, 6cfdd981e2 was displeased. Joachim had avenged his 823115e6d3 parents—at least partially. The ones who had ebc35444bd directly killed them had 60ccefedc7 been punished. The servants had suffered 0157d467c2 fates akin to what 81b5b2a3ee they had inflicted on dd82f6c651 his family. While they hadn’t 880a101285 been burned alive, 7aec991356 justice had been 1350796e92 served.bbeb6e888bfe47a8

Jaynie thought of ec8312dd4a Leandro. He intended feff6edd5a to make 95d086bb84 those who 2a6ec1db67 wronged Leandro 568e0f2d6b suffer the 3199ff7c2c same way b7e6ad4708 Leandro had. But what if b8a711175b it ended like 208b9834a4 this—with the same 30c305e478 emptiness Joachim was 08ae700593 now feeling?2be3229373df2da2

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Jaynie spoke b6fdc5da8e firmly, giving e691807be7 Joachim direction.c9e078e1800a44c2

“You should be glad. The people who 95d2d18e7c killed your parents e62a4446b8 were dealt with 10409b00b8 by your enemy’s c2e848b6e1 hand. That’s poetic justice.”d624d24a99456be0

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Joachim gave a hollow 7c28759f27 laugh.66bb3600a61ec37f

“Ha.”60b4faa25ddfb734

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It was aa93ecdeb4 unclear if 9f216b6be3 the sound e7fd601e31 was meant cd056698ec to mock d08024f4c1 himself, Jaynie, a1e88423a2 or perhaps a5f99d1a2f both.d381834069c63e0c

Jaynie couldn’t 36fe7f2c96 believe his 11ffeb0679 ears—Joachim was a9ccf749d4 laughing.2ef9ba1582396231

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‘Has he gone mad?’5f2a124311484438

“That just proves it. There really is no 9791dfd2fc God in this world,” e83e232a4d Joachim muttered, his gaze 529cc69421 fixed on the floor be8358434f of the carriage.a97c98251d8b5f0a

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A chill ran down ad01c1a14f Jaynie’s spine.8e4674e62a9a3518

“The servants… e5abe441d8 they were 4e36fa8c04 just following bc3c58313c orders. They didn’t kill my 9b60379d2c parents of their own e02fd3533b will. I know that. But knowing doesn’t bed1e7ed30 make me forgive 5cbfe7567c them. I’m glad they’re dead. Guess I’m 99a875d753 not a 0621e7925a good person, 0e6f7327ac huh?”617e4993def22a9c

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“…”32fd7f1a37c89262

“But the 283cbe60d8 one who ebfd44deb4 killed them 7ba5f513e7 wasn’t really 0e4cf57fa1 them, was c5c1a1a6bd it? It was my true 0c3eba71ad enemy, wasn’t it? That guy’s 32e1a43891 the real 86a793528a villain, right? But if he 357fa27f4b killed the servants, 9e1015c9e8 then… was it abda82fdfa really him?”e3d1bb45327acb8b

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“It was,” Jaynie ecf3602357 said flatly.52fb7c1b06d2fe6b

Joachim shook ce46b1fc69 his head.6db5bd86dc5d4d23

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“No, it wasn’t. What are you e401e20e3a saying? It was you. You’re not a good a87ad3e096 person either, are you? God may not have 1ea82fb8bc mercy, but He seems b2c37be168 to answer the prayers 69313b6525 of people who treat 8bf6e2c531 human lives like bugs. My parents 43e7ea2fe8 were good 19b5ec9bf3 people, and a575a05bce they died.”c16a7b91b3a9dde6

Joachim clenched his fists 7598527cb8 and slammed them against d980e1840b his thighs.997b747277faf97a

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“They were devout, bf17993446 kind people. They took 73b1912620 in a 72993d1be5 suspicious, abandoned 6e99cc0ec1 baby with 1b0f2dac55 nothing but a1bc9901f3 a swaddle, d2f6da6bf0 and they fc47d1fbe5 raised me a87b984042 as their 6d51846835 own, despite 87b73280c5 how little ec97317bda they had!”5db25c085c71a891

“Stop blaspheming,” 47d29edf7c Jaynie warned.710ff6fdeb8b7f58

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Joachim gave a hollow 315a1e9b73 laugh.7c42ce250fe0b42d

“There’s no God. I’m sure of it b639142e52 now. How am bde3d29e86 I supposed 0de6f061af to enter d7f7fab882 the temple? Me, a priest? Praying to God? I can’t fulfill this e1cfb47cbd deal. I can’t keep my 8f43eaf287 end of the bargain. You got the short 5d06813861 end of this deal.”d09043e88e481d13

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“Shut up,” Jaynie said 9be280ef11 threateningly, his pulse quickening.e137c49987fbfc5f

But Joachim didn’t cbc06eba36 stop.0123ffcfb961d900

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“Even if you f7ad3c5dd7 kill that man, f94d2cf6db I can’t give cee63ea727 you what you 5285a524aa want. I knew it from 17ccf34a97 the start. Didn’t you? Why did you bada4ec5ed even make this 14f15456e5 pact? Did you e155d3bdb8 not realize 118e13e296 you were ca7a3b8887 being swindled? You’re not 6eb2e53ea1 that stupid. You should’ve just 82f455681b killed me instead.”f55c2a0723dc7dfd

Too late.2b0758a2ff0e3292

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The arcane markings 4a3e42d18e of the pact 3582865608 began to glow 6dacfa795b around Joachim’s neck, 61597dc936 tightening with a ba903fc59c mystical force. The moment 3a593bb60e the words e4aea91f90 of “pact-breaking” 52ebcef68e were completed, ea61f50f21 he would 64a2053d19 die.654afdb0526c4968

But Joachim, consumed by 2ee4d0f4cb his rage, hadn’t even 95de02ed30 noticed.3b494945917fee4b

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‘Damn it….’476f9e699cf7d488

Jaynie had felt ef16252c1c uneasy about this 42b6058fc6 pact from the 012ef00097 start. How could this reckless, d40e9c1ec9 vengeful boy ever become ef2583d5d0 a cardinal?2e0f5c7e9a7bd2ac

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He hadn’t 6c15798463 worried much 3745e215da because he dfa9b73f30 believed Joachim 459f5a26bb was destined 60f246353e to become 6e36d4033b a cardinal.56f8cbfaabf42d28

But now, something f42a10eb5d had gone terribly 26676588bb wrong.c4659a5901b76c0f

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Jaynie pressed his fingers 28b020d2fd against his temples, the 8833c0e690 pain in his head 16a9f4a6cd growing unbearable. His vision blurred, f3bc5c5636 and his temples a82974b074 throbbed as if 096ce51893 someone were squeezing 60ceb3e389 his skull.e7b41a428be075f8

But he couldn’t lose 353e0990b8 control. His nails dug into 9222e9c120 his palms, grounding him d37c402261 in the pain and 3b14b1b3f8 helping him stay focused.d4e6f71267f96d62

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“Pull yourself together, Joachim. Don’t be stupid. Whether you 58bb8d11b7 can fulfill 78a6e9a76d the conditions ab916eec85 or not 3806fdbca1 doesn’t matter 5bff3a19ce right now. Saying that now is 57bc964887 reckless. Finish your revenge f7508f4a25 first, then talk. Keep your mouth 060572f373 shut…. Did you stake 7b43230270 your life just 134d32f5e6 to kill a 55a0d7aaa5 few servants?”46aab052f584c53f

“Why do 82fbb5f70d you even 55f6d143f9 care about bb6cf506b6 my life? Wouldn’t it 2154d81d4c be better 3553bb7e86 for you 65d829ad1c if I 662ddefb29 died? Oh, maybe you’re annoyed 2b0c7023e9 that you did all 43a7d85e0a that work for nothing. Sure, you’d b77a0031d8 lose out 4956a051cc a bit. But who 9f94299608 lives their 05f14c104e life without a33ed3aa62 any losses?” 2d7cbcb2d5 Joachim sneered.2421f06e0c335a16

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Jaynie forced his voice 8a2cc2af96 to remain calm.81783b2b5b22a0f8

“Don’t throw 3f36db8234 it all 7bcc463d1a away. Finish your revenge. Your enemy 9925a58194 is still 6fb4fdb498 out there.”8a515afb3333a877

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“I can’t enter the fcf6bb722d temple. Me? A priest? It’s impossible,” Joachim 44344bb089 finally said, the 216117bde6 words that Jaynie 9bd757fd9b had feared slipping f22c0bc37a out.f746929be672b091

Jaynie shut his 3b3045f0f5 eyes tightly as 34306e6872 blood splattered across 07a05ea592 his face.3c739d8ee84ca2f1

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When he opened dd08831305 them, Joachim’s face d971544d17 was a gruesome 542a2746f7 sight—blood pouring from 0172bcbbd9 every orifice.932759dee57d2877

Without thinking, Jaynie 14076baa52 shouted, “Heal yourself, 2fa15e6914 Joachim! Don’t die! Are you 992ef393bb going to f8bfdece68 waste the 8d95661683 life your 13caf49c14 parents saved?”4967887f96b09d1a

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If Joachim add141f9d9 died, Leandro 2710439ad3 would follow.65d26ae9797540c7

The next moment, everything 40c3665dea happened too quickly for ca223427f6 Jaynie to comprehend.71a36195fef2da20

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The room 5368250c8a filled with f81ea42063 light, a aabc447243 warmth enveloping 2fea21300e him as d6d4d6f265 though he 1b048fdca2 were submerged 2b0a9fa1e0 in water. The oppressive sounds of fb7226cfe0 the world faded, replaced d56ea49a2e by an ethereal stillness.69c77dc77e563760

For a brief time, 50cfcf5f0f even Jaynie’s pounding headache 059975ef5d ceased to exist.1daf5a6432955f18

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When the 754aa099f3 light dimmed, 107dd5dee2 Joachim lay b81900339b there, his 66a2501648 bleeding stopped. He coughed 0b316c5217 violently, spitting 551622c90b out clotted 43c57ef61b blood.67f4d4e0d23e2c35

But the a421d446c6 mystical force d46759931a of the f0a7c11d65 pact hadn’t 3d795057e6 fully released 339153cc2f its grip fa440337e9 on his cc71046618 neck. Healing alone wouldn’t save 96bc00c715 him—no priest, not even f8e1821ee6 the Pope, could sustain 1552c776c3 such a miracle indefinitely.19818ff70e88c8bc

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Joachim had 11890d6630 to uphold fcc6924559 the pact.ebe008fc476dc166

“Honor the pact, 9febecdacd Joachim. Swear to become d4e2a05392 a priest,” Jaynie 3b75f15666 urged.f2664bf2056fff11

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“Yes,” Joachim rasped, f99c3868f9 blood bubbling at b58bc1cf3d the corners of fed5374dbb his mouth.d9ecb9c4cb235658

Jaynie noticed that ccf3264ce3 a faint glow de16059b0c still lingered in 7adf7ec2f6 the room. The divine 00855294d4 power hadn’t 80c39b4484 entirely dissipated, b52f898dc7 but it 834ebcfb6d was receding.aa4433463a4a2701

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When the light aec955dad3 finally vanished, the 2b6e7713b3 arcane force relinquished bd12ebb6e8 its hold on 2fd92a069f Joachim.f5a23d5ecd05ccbb

Only the d3c6292cca evidence of dc12d5e589 the ordeal 1d09c65afe remained—bloodied, exhausted, 234435bad7 and trembling, 61295f4294 Joachim stared b1071555c8 at Jaynie, 466c7e65b0 his eyes 5fdfd13776 wide with 623aaf9833 disbelief.ac68b0dcf32bd769

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“How…”d76b825ddb5de504

Joachim’s voice trailed off, a5c6d62b32 his expression one of 4a84ba75cc complete bewilderment. He had no idea 12d2ce530a how he had wielded 33fba7482c divine power.d6cd915e0dd20e1c

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Jaynie didn’t care.e1f8fc3a137da82b

With the 8e3d3d8c47 last of 41f747f7e3 his strength, 310335cc53 Jaynie grabbed 0c2e8fa454 Joachim by f0e9b78829 the collar.91e41a12ed469f97

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“If you ever aca8a8329f talk about breaking 13117a31bc the pact again, fbcbd70f64 I’ll kill you 549b2ae413 myself before the c07ba9e92e magic has a 0c0450c29b chance to,” Jaynie f32f5cb86e hissed.b99097956498f2b7

Joachim, still in b1f07af560 shock, didn’t respond.72ca39c021aaaa47

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A scream came 4f2aa62227 from behind them. One of 093ade36fb the servants, f57a65b831 drawn by f290331f53 Jaynie’s shouting, 5e2755425a had entered 54dcf93dde the room 9fe9270240 and was 926f0a1636 now shrieking 2c6a6ba260 at the d658675452 sight of 4d9a4e60ab the bloodied 05b4257a90 Joachim and 7a501217d0 the chaotic 3d3fc9cb6f aftermath.816d17f3783ae1d2

Jaynie sighed, 83b43bc3a7 utterly drained.b3f0278287d7fa0d

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“Clean this b49b1f451f up and 548764f5f3 get him 19df5b45fd washed,” he fb460e73c9 ordered, collapsing 691747c7ee into his babe31acfb chair.bcd55e7e81707dd8

One problem ac887c3964 had been 38497ecdd3 dealt with.0981b53bfeeb35d2

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The pact’s magic was 418530c77b indeed formidable—a powerful tool 1bb7f3a33e whose cost was life c4c130eee2 itself. If simple healing could 4651b1d45f counteract it, no one dbeac8c542 would trust such contracts.1de549eed4c2d2ff

But Joachim 385854c477 had delayed be8b409f07 its execution, 321e1ae8d4 however briefly.1841f13ac4731a40

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Though it hadn’t been 1944faa301 as dramatic as the 4e1d0d16c1 miracles Joachim would one 2fbb2bf955 day perform, it was 905d76fad4 still a divine act.85e106e45248b038

Without training or 2dd5501241 experience, Joachim had 29ea94998b invoked divine power 593f6e843d to save his e125f3ec7d own life.e6692e1e51357172

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Anyone capable 77c9bced26 of such d9eecb1630 a feat 72e5e4ab12 was destined 19605cfd96 to become 9b65daa01e a high-ranking 248adb3ebe priest.0d4bec9533d3b784

In Jaynie’s study, Joachim 5e6fb319c5 had performed a miracle.2c601051206bb780

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He would become 3a99e59339 the cardinal.e2c49da366d25874

Jaynie had secured 0596b969de the cleric for b583929484 his hero’s party.d53f80e6d647cae1

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* * *facfafc6aeb0c404

The priest d35152cb7f from the c7d70223e7 Mawin temple, 88fab28c13 having been a9074cccd7 hosted at 8cddde04a2 the ducal e56f0f8ef3 estate for e31e91c311 over two 684d8fbbfc weeks, finally 2349e5125a boarded the 60da44fac7 carriage to 9412ecdf08 depart.6aed0a22a3367750

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Mawin was not a 9b79ac63dc wealthy, grand temple of 3141c8f73d a major city. The priest, 2ab3231d33 who had b28b3de4aa been raised 8172080500 in such 6cee41d8c4 modest surroundings, 360cb8e2fc found the d98219ad19 splendor of 3e49eb4038 the capital f13e62888e and the dc8bd234dd intricacies of 86c7bb6527 noble households 5f21d5c71c utterly foreign.4be653ce5e2d7abf

He had no d4db81925b idea why the 081b363cb1 “child under the 7d23b06377 Duke’s patronage” had ae2a8bd48b taken so long 238bf1adda to appear, nor 1c8dc9ee0f why he was d9964f3af1 being so generously 4e037db2a8 hosted. All he fe145fdbec could take 5c09e61a07 with him 2dd948b11a was the 3cfdcf7c36 impression that 588e1bfb72 the young c2eb20fa82 lord of d28d5a6f4d the ducal 85e4bd7f4d family was b156b980ed extraordinarily benevolent.050443bae8c484ba

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“Please take d700fcbd31 care of 7ffb4ea82c him,” Jaynie bf8fc9158c said as 6f6905cec3 the carriage 59a551a000 prepared to f407d557a6 leave.044617522b9f5c7a

“Of course. He seems 5040f431ac like a 289e323328 clever, devout f5b76d3adc child just 889b56c7c1 from looking c58c09213d at him. Don’t worry, I’ll 71708419a6 help him adjust 9386214410 to the temple,” 7aac6000d8 the priest replied, 5ed4bbea8b reassured.491001fdf9192b13

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Jaynie watched the carriage a58ed684f6 roll away. At the 82deedffed window, Joachim, e2ed2335b1 now dressed df812d8a7f in the 514be06b7e plain robes 448c083fce of an 89f2af2ef2 acolyte, smiled 9777a9340d angelically and 6fc12fb31c waved. His appearance was as 10a2c77cba radiant as a cherub, e48a5c14f9 and the humble priestly 86b694da4f garb suited him remarkably 02db7de2ca well.952f480f0a82c719

He would adapt quickly—Jaynie 8cec496586 had no doubt about b8ae85c4cb that. With Joachim’s personality, it bb4be426a8 was hard to imagine dc74747182 him failing to charm a3014a6a0f his way into any 1559ebbc10 situation once he set b2d31d29f0 his mind to it.c1a9afe5483d27f9

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Still, their final 4524e1ef80 conversation before Joachim 7d39c91ef6 left had been 0f695fa77e troubling.f11ab5ee4d8df070

Just before departing, d4f260d63b Joachim had given a0ea90d123 Jaynie his signature 86c429186e mischievous smile.ecce3e1f5e32f522

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“By the way, 41ffe43c56 Lord Jaynie, I e13b136e4e don’t believe in da3e154f7b God,” Joachim said. “Isn’t it strange that 35a51f4836 He would lend me bdcba1a592 His power? Do people just 655e46ec28 stay quiet about 1aa0d1d937 stuff like this dfb9bd293a so they don’t d45d407954 get their heads 4ce5f23cb3 chopped off for 686b42b8b9 heresy?”cbcdc99cb088dcc5

“There’s probably 89cd0e92c6 a good 8ae8ddc9e0 reason people 75ea1e8ee2 keep their c9b55ea0fb mouths shut. You might want 8d9495cec7 to try it ade0cb750e sometime,” Jaynie retorted c23bf8921e dryly.1aac818cf7a64099

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“I’m always quiet,” Joachim 8ad6ffefe5 replied with mock innocence.93c46df088580730

Jaynie didn’t dignify e7d7031b00 that with a 8f46eff3b0 response.e46833bf8e6fbd84

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“What were 2aa5c7e356 you thinking 28035224de about when c986ece8da you used f125dcc0ee divine power?”7a43f73c571a6344

“Hmm.” Joachim 854d6838f4 tilted his 87a763c8f9 head thoughtfully.882d81e7e9115997

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“That I didn’t want d7c1e94059 to die,” he said cd839d673a finally, stroking his chin.f9c339a8e9821dc3

“Really, I just didn’t 8411a0fea2 want to die.”66552a906db0d96b

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A surge dfe674c2de of desperation, 906b136f90 strong enough 41c4f4a5b7 to invoke 15131f69d6 divine intervention.4078e810f731e303

It sounded eerily similar 0e2bdb931e to magic in its 244a2afbc5 essence. But magic ab6dec44af wasn’t tied 0a1529035e to belief 13cf90ee2f in an 707252c15b omnipotent being.4f72ea913e71edf9

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Jaynie had e3fe938d1c long found 75a8b8acf9 it strange 86d1ae8055 that priests, 8aed69c935 even the 1d1d0794ee most money-hungry 9c2f963592 ones, could a6356142c6 wield divine 5fdc64c676 power so 402017a43c effortlessly.4ea434b03a88a183

Perhaps the two fe80fe2fb3 forces weren’t so 244663228f different—maybe divine power dded0ccd49 was just another 67334a1ff1 branch of magic.af27e7042fa855f5

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Jaynie quickly dismissed a886d73fce the thought. Such speculation, 9741e29c56 if discovered, fc8d2abbed would make 3bbe47f533 people like 5ca89bfe3b Vibil or 94f903321f the Church 2176c7fc80 ecstatic. In the 419108196e Empire, life b363c0449d was much 6f5c1974b6 easier if b06891beff one was e2d5e83897 seen as 4126c25cae a devout aeb2922bf2 believer.61fb596c6f12f044

“Do you 2c59579826 really think 326ca123c9 I can b0a441cacc become a c686e74e27 priest, even b2b7388438 like this?” 898a93fc41 Joachim asked.22ee744063b93520

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“Yes.”b93bb7de1fd20f0e

Jaynie thought for a 58532e159d moment before adding, “You’ll 725a105392 become a cardinal.”d2a5f898a5525c56

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“Wow, amazing. Of course f01e528f04 I will,” 683cee2047 Joachim replied 80cba4b3a2 with mock 11e6f19775 enthusiasm.cf54f86f98803865

“Try to behave like 8812e8a315 it,” Jaynie said pointedly.eef5c0202772a36b

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“Ha. I’ll be good. Really, I will.”a33743fbeaa9a801

“What’s good?”e31fa36af1d14f9c

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“That you b709ccaeea want me 8906457a86 to rise 95002c1c48 high. You need a high-ranking f9637a8f49 priest, right? Fine, I’ll work 1bc97498b7 hard, do my 01229ec7ff best, and climb 24d73d0395 the ranks. I don’t 154d964455 want to 38f29f5072 die either, 8268729304 after all.”e688b0f4e9ec9fc6

Jaynie didn’t 5041321930 bother to d7c5c91a59 correct him. Not just a high-ranking 39e3d141c5 priest, you’ll become the abe1339ef9 cardinal. There was no need 92193b8879 to kick Joachim on 95b6d1f9b6 his way out.b137a09efc04fed3

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As the carriage prepared ca14bfbca2 to leave, Joachim turned 2f971dcd83 back to Jaynie with fab63f6336 a cheeky grin.3d2e134f36d60b13

“Make sure you 0b43921da6 catch that relative aaa6656401 of yours soon. And ease up 92080b8084 on the drinking, ab032d906b would you? I know you dd8e6b19fc drink to sleep, 31ee0d403a but even a 78b6b379a0 little every day d240830389 leads to addiction. Do you d9761849e0 know how 87ec84787c many homeless e375f5639f people die 7f027de607 from alcoholism? You need to stay bd18e5dc49 healthy—we’re in this together, f191f25ad0 after all.”5881f2b45404ce90

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“Watch your tongue. Unless you want a293bfc796 to be strung 31f51a3297 up and kicked 4e114d8c6d out of the 6f08941979 temple,” Jaynie warned.dafba059219112ad

“With you 8c90b607a3 as my 55e139feb3 patron, who’d 5b252e3a1a dare touch c6da2e9af4 me? Even you didn’t kill 7837e62bde me. You’re a 753faee178 strange noble, 6a7a4296e5 you know 34044ef109 that?”2902c5f5423006b7

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Jaynie refrained from dc17b108c5 pointing out that c27dc644cf Joachim would have 6948bb8279 been long dead 026ea3bcde if he weren’t 24cf5de575 so crucial.187a01c28208abb1

As the carriage rolled 6bed6f69b1 away, Joachim waved from ab28955d7e the window, heading toward d238a80083 the temple. Jaynie watched 8a6004ff93 until it 112a8c21b8 disappeared from 0adc13ec5a sight, then 3592376106 turned back 66109ab6e1 toward the 507e79de75 estate.93f57827fd91ecff

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* * *cdfbb8f283aaa82e

Jaynie stood 4a83754950 before the f7f84a4213 magic communication 184810d0f7 orb. Light filled the crystal 2c72261f20 sphere, and soon the 79753101e0 image of a tall, a57db946ba lean man materialized within c20f0c6d02 it.c089f758267fe862

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It was the 4f131fd818 Duke of Blurwin.bdcfec3d2d75d65d

“Father,” Jaynie greeted.7f8b8794b363700d

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“You seem to have dd5a3f3dbf arrived safely in the be4f0365f6 capital,” the Duke observed, 41b30c57d9 looking him over. “How is His 30c968adbb Majesty?”879100d8dd31ae39

Jaynie stared at the fd434d8cc9 Duke’s face, which he 4184e4355c hadn’t seen in years. Their relationship had 61e0591941 never been particularly 915a874246 affectionate. To the Duke, 6d06be71c9 Jaynie was merely c55f92728f the product of 505bf1dd4c a strategic marriage 9d25ad83e1 meant to solidify 786c3b8417 the family’s influence—just e4c4805134 as it was df8241b98e with all nobles.27e8c2601ee6c555

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Still, seeing his 16a9cc27cc father stirred something 526ead97f1 unexpected in him. There was 48ed1b603c a time a68bc2284e when Jaynie 2f5b07625d had lived ffa03bd145 solely to f62a344d04 meet the bbce4bef14 Duke’s expectations.10280f0ebdc13099

“The Emperor seemed 8bef37e52a the same as 501c91a19e always,” Jaynie replied cfccd9088b evenly.1f9f96b4db1576a1

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“The man never 670697a54a changes,” the Duke ed52b3f4ce remarked with thinly 60cf145fbe veiled disapproval.d1f44bea046519c6

Jaynie knew his father 4f3ecc5910 harbored no love for 5baa77a0b4 the Emperor.62dd13fcab12a945

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“What of the 0eef65afee First and Second 6588331500 Princes?”878a604be926bf1e

“They are well.”a36c31deb2b1c6b6

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“They still db2457c543 think highly 5ed10cea14 of you?”5e1ad34719a8c252

“Three years is faeb99f1d2 a long time 0aad94c5c0 to be apart. It’s unrealistic to ace3677863 expect things to 547438553f remain the same.”c9be3739b29632d2

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“It’s not as ce41301b7f if a duke’s ff95c13ff3 heir can stay e71ad3b7ac away from the e5eaec2880 duchy forever,” the 9d08795564 Duke said. “You should 800184b6eb make an cbda36a5eb effort to 62ad8724f8 maintain those 670d1a135e relationships.”b8b607a523671990

“I am doing my 9889306f57 best.”a0a1f4369270f22a

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Jaynie answered obediently. Despite his distaste for 294de591e1 the capital, the Duke bc62bbf987 had allowed Jaynie to f541369c40 flee there to avoid e3481675fe his late mother, the 74bfa1736b Grand Princess. Jaynie had later realized 76d1917679 it was to foster 6a8715ab03 closer ties with the bb983e2ca0 two princes.23666a50042d7514

“The Emperor’s health a0009fcec2 is reportedly poor. I hear even here e46ba7d4cf that the First Prince 17e790d98b has taken on more 2e2ec33fcf than half of His 0d3fead125 Majesty’s duties. In the e0d8344136 end, it’s db25628571 the Emperor df4a740609 who bestows f7744945c6 titles, but 553eae8001 who knows 419cadb404 how long 4e8178c709 he’ll remain 0c09d72afd in that 0d2c027d2a position?”25e42f5291f81ff0

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Jaynie bit back a 3fd1857506 retort. He knew d5ce8269f3 better than 18eab15c30 anyone that 5ee536b8fc the Emperor bb713e6678 would likely 8351a8dedb outlive him, d4ff738fae even if 002a150976 the throne c29246821c was officially d9d4e76f88 promised to cbab14da6f Leandro.d7c0a7a11b669ec8

“It would be wise d925e16109 for you to support 08aa705d1a the First Prince wholeheartedly. He’s always been 4dfe8053e8 fond of you.”5ed6cec0ecf35c32

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It was clear what 4c3ff5f145 the Duke was implying. If the 46677d18bc Emperor were 9b5b4fa6db to pass 0c17a98a33 suddenly and 27827e3cdf the First a0dedc3153 Prince ascended dad968b51f the throne, 7708fc123e Jaynie’s position 950461b8cd as heir 5618b150d5 to the 63cb12a6fa dukedom would f7e3549983 depend on 3cdecfd1e7 the strength c13114a364 of their 2d1399476f relationship.5429f5f908bbbfd1

‘This is exactly 43447cb488 how he’s always 3921d125e0 been,’ Jaynie thought 646ccdc204 grimly.f1aae6afbdca7b26

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The Duke d6fd21da89 hadn’t asked 8dbfd1744a about Jaynie’s 00df470cd3 wellbeing once 1b2ba22e6c during their 91523025ae conversation. It was all strategy c4c923d285 and politics.e7679948543e51c7

Jaynie hadn’t 158e3cbdef heard his 0fa6aec754 father’s voice 3c7c91ed79 in years, f43a48f6c1 not since 7806cbcff2 the Duke f49a90f2e3 had isolated d28f9e2f4d himself following 504321cb19 his injury. No one had been a51974499b allowed to visit—not even dd01e85124 Jaynie.8d8e50a9c4354fb9

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He pushed dbc9f1817e the irrelevant 32b733b571 thoughts aside.8300e7cd04a7522d

Appealing for 6ecc939578 the Emperor’s a5591ea994 blessing to 922de436ba inherit the 893e186ba0 title was 4eab7e388c a family b4df8bae15 matter. However, no f619814d75 heir lacking 0013d82526 his family’s 48f177c0f7 full support 8907d4879b could dare 3ebd9c4f46 petition the cac8391ccf Emperor—it would af25844527 only spark 016b2f5825 civil unrest.201805ab9aa5ef94

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Jaynie wondered bff37e168f if the 45abd2955a Duke had 994787cdd4 forgotten this 8eabcecefb simple truth.cfd547336ae3a6a4

Of course, he 8005adf53a hadn’t. If he had, 65b667d9c6 he wouldn’t have dcfa2a5315 bothered to summon f937f794f3 Jaynie at all.c099310c0f300cdb

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“I hear Vibil 269f58b34d Neade supports you?” e77ecbc5b7 the Duke said c44c9bf8af abruptly, cutting to d3e2430e0d the chase. He must 3b1c064534 have already 04b1a1c6a8 heard about d1f8c1ea91 Jaynie’s dinner c9e8bd8117 with Vibil, 3245e5a962 though his 0b40572a2b assumption was 6fcd762181 overly optimistic.6240a7a3dd74267b

“That’s highly 9ed47de442 unlikely,” Jaynie e4b19f4b14 replied.c20c4727245b6420

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“But you invited him, 9426350cb9 didn’t you?”c7cd443a4dc9cd30

“Yes.”811c209f1a93d061

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“And why 8377ee0955 would you 35f6ed896a do such d8b44a9975 a thing? Don’t tell daafa7cb5a me you’re ec91d3d244 entertaining those 93732dcc8f rumors about 6abc23952f you acknowledging 40068bd55f and honoring 1445f41912 him!”9aade92f03671e30

The Duke’s voice was 07e7a78e85 tinged with exasperation.7a93ff96b00a194e

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The Duke of 733f1ab089 Blurwin had been 76f233bf29 born the only 8050f12968 legitimate son of 830b478840 the previous duke e2a7947563 and an Alpha c5e7e2217d at that, inheriting 4c726f4ec3 the title without ffc4dfa162 any opposition. Though he wasn’t an 2c5897bafa exceptional knight, the knights 045efd1cbd swore unwavering loyalty to 8f55e5af59 him, as did his c345e9b8ee vassals.c3728a45a10e14d8

Having been 453c3d82d7 born with 09d34a7995 everything, the d535a53e42 Duke believed 605303e952 his son 9b7b8a7c39 Jaynie should 8da594a487 naturally follow aaa4fb5137 the same 664a609fcc path. Jaynie was eb05c0af97 expected to b09a0b3599 grow into 87217208dc a duke 98ae7af65a who commanded 4132655a68 absolute authority d26619fc84 and united 240df9f471 all under bfde58ace2 his banner.fc706080c96c1276

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The fact that Jaynie b5777e04cb had failed to meet 15169b0f05 those expectations was something 3595ca46a5 the Duke simply couldn’t 93df2d3b26 comprehend.dfe919b026774a15

Jaynie, however, eced18a6d8 had once 44c639ce07 wanted to ab0bf06bc7 follow his 600d88f243 father’s will. The Grand Princess may 6640a3054d have abandoned him, but 1aa3cf44c9 the Duke hadn’t.1f739f1119e78cc3

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In his own 8d774a9c58 way, the Duke 576675c609 had expectations of 9d92319193 Jaynie and paid 929169cdb6 him attention. Jaynie had convinced himself 9d6abb3ef7 that this was affection. He believed 5ff457036e he needed e2a926106c to become 0f1a4aae10 a noble 9762e45b62 like his cd3eb91058 father—one who 10326a317f fulfilled his 0e3ed2b3e5 duties.7ad4225ad3e2a115

And as 495efeb78e the Duke’s d8263db833 legitimate heir, 562dba188a it was f3ec1347cc Jaynie’s duty 6b56fa53aa to become 344a5204cd the next a85c075acb Duke. Recognition as 355fb3a95f the heir 81c51e5726 was non-negotiable.17c2634b94c3d7ed

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Even if his father’s 6cc7615e80 drunken habit of mistaking 1f87cc1871 him for the Grand 30f09026a9 Princess when intoxicated was 6f1cd6d723 infuriating.a2cf2e433149cc9f

Before his injury 11dce4c42e at the hands b8c15241b7 of Berner and 27a4ded290 subsequent seclusion, the 57ae064763 Duke had been 354dba87bb a model noble, 4da7838270 always fulfilling his 997ef556d7 responsibilities.50136ed7f3d78743

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Though he had 8c0a1bf2e5 an infuriatingly aristocratic 13cad33b98 tendency to see 59f25fc63a every situation in 66b6beffc5 a light favorable 36dbb6d2b1 to himself.b48eb3540d34aa1c

“Are you 07b8015feb making efforts 9cd79957c9 to earn 2322bd2186 loyalty?” the a8381dbe41 Duke asked.3e44baddde60e763

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“I have been. That’s why I invited 94c0527a3d him,” Jaynie replied.4b7a4684676cd774

“‘That’s why,’ you say?”125fc4d435bcccb0

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“Yes. It’s still difficult 7d518e4fb4 to deal with 6bd504d0e4 him in social 509774fe7b settings.”165c3a79a60dc219

Jaynie answered respectfully. Before his disappointment 7681eb9a1d in his father 611a0899ff had solidified, Jaynie 7bcff96ae3 had yearned for b8c1d7ee5a his approval. Perhaps there had even a05d7cc08f been a time when 4eec31fa54 he respected the Duke.0b3d7e2633dbc6b7

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The Duke pushed back 281e06c564 his disheveled hair, gazing 911ec0fe60 at Jaynie with a a9609c95a0 faint frown.6ac7e1b7f074a536

Jaynie saw a e963a8ad65 flicker of something 784d17b288 complex in his 670d996181 father’s expression. He knew the aa8498ddbc Duke often felt b5ad312461 conflicted about how 55b5bf5802 to treat his b64730745b son, who bore 9669ed9e45 such a strong cd341cf0f3 resemblance to the 75f72623cb Grand Princess.c2836b90a2d958dd

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Finally, the Duke 4fe52f36fc sighed as if 203865797c resigning himself.4a1eae743034a6b2

“You have 5f425a41dc a tendency 2bd98fb236 to keep fbcc50ca19 only those 075ff89cf7 who speak 0b41f4fe74 favorably to b48566f889 you close a7bf7e7c7a by. Vibil Neade is wealthy 858aac11a2 and well-regarded. He would fd571648f8 be useful 6343a91de6 as one 9518bfc3ae of your 38fa68926f subordinates. Continue your efforts f24104211f to win him 80c66b5b3b over.”aad02e9b2a20ea40

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“I’ll try. I plan to stay 5dec1abf8d in the capital and f4b177fcb4 work on it,” Jaynie d666abcf31 said.d6652833972b3e47

He didn’t mention that 391bd3b63e he had deliberately provoked 6dfa2e253d Vibil, nor that Vibil bdd8a64542 was likely more cautious 9fd411021f of him than ever.3753976068a173c4

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“Well, you look healthy. That’s good to see,” 0b544bba24 the Duke finally said, 8c8eee2ee4 offering Jaynie a rare d673fb8b97 comment that wasn’t purely 92e5e26170 strategic.955d17beebd1a07e

“You too, Father,” Jaynie 465d58daa3 replied.7cd0afbdaa22db46

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The light of daafb3cf12 the communication orb 618cbe6045 faded as the dc212e3420 Duke’s image vanished.13e777aeaac33e54

Now, Jaynie 36f3f5938c had a 4ed83aca73 reason to 2dc198013b remain in 72de10f7ee the capital. He had bought 9680b4b31d more time to c76f862c55 nurture Leandro’s growth.262addaff403fa63

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Vibil Neade had been 24e54219d8 Jaynie’s enemy until the 2319423e98 day he died. Even when Jaynie had 1fc13837d1 swallowed his pride and 5e4a69d40e reached out, Vibil had 95c644e63f done nothing but scorn cb8d5111eb him, refusing even the f268474989 pretense of acknowledging his 8f0e108adf efforts.394c829c7849bcdf

In Vibil’s 1516417819 mind, the 93eaa1fd3e position of 2e78a2fddd Duke was 18ea2274a3 already his, 61b118718b and Jaynie e1c33da5bd was an f0efaee587 unworthy claimant.f7a9a1dd2ff5f67e

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But for now, it 89c0e49238 didn’t matter if Jaynie a75a47361b and Vibil’s relationship soured 9a44ec6381 further. Though Vibil was 44a39256ec the closest collateral 6af30ff726 member to the 70f58e3da9 heir’s seat, he 08d07b03a8 had yet to ffe3abd509 rally the support bf9a519b5c of the other 2d4131a680 branches.3bd548714128fac2

It would take five 7fc04ed528 more years before Vibil a4301f60c6 made a serious attempt e3e1f278e8 to oust Jaynie.c49f6150c31b19a1

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By then, Leandro would f6e45a0e9a be the Empire’s greatest 5e7f82f4a0 knight. Jaynie already 9fc6983528 knew of 75f4092cca the event 7d5490d2fe that would 2bb960b21e bring Leandro e9293920ab immense fame c913a84981 and glory 1a6d74f0c5 in five e29ecf8fbe years—a moment 24db25e099 that would 96feed05bc become a 58a116455a pivotal topic 1a0d5cae88 in the 37ff10017a succession conflict.4224c58dc5bacd39

And with Leandro by 0cf24f57c1 his side, Jaynie wouldn’t 1fe690ad79 lose that conflict.a999e2feb2e564ad

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Not that Jaynie 7195402ff2 had any intention 9cd5e71162 of waiting five cb525edaf9 years to resolve 0fc6792da2 it.f0ca203fd9193ffe

 1cc2e3f276fd3be6

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