LDPL | Chapter 54

“Case number B-2012517. Let’s begin the 630f320c4f trial.”e9ab3abd12f159a8

Bang, bang, bang!73fec8182667786a

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The sound 6e0113be8c of the 91badbf755 gavel marked a675ef4d20 the opening b504f60bd1 of the 0e04ea992b court.2b3fbf2158bad27f

“Now, the Dorothea side, please speak first.”56c3438d0bb08520

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There were cd32e10bef two trials 524ead269e involving Denis e00216de77 and Lydia. One was a f13559af7a lawsuit filed by fe07d78053 the Crown Prince 653acf77df accusing Dennis of 7fddbebbc1 adultery. The other was 026dd9de2a Denis accusing Lydia 9bd76b0fd4 of seduction under 171824c816 the pretense of bbc3f6bdcc marriage.fa1d511da2888d99

This trial 3e27a14867 was the d6ec476c22 latter, and d44e201fcd its outcome 2a21bcb5bf would significantly a71a137ff5 influence the 2918eedb56 former.3da1fd75689c6d6a

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“Your Honor, this case is utterly disgraceful. Although Lady Lydia’s behavior of meeting another man while engaged was not ideal, she has deeply reflected on her actions, and His Highness, the Crown Prince, has already forgiven her.”45368cca191b0f49

Lydia quietly watched her 1330f189a8 lawyer’s verbose argument from 58485154f6 the defendant’s seat.a55d5625668b0e66

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“However, instead of taking responsibility for his own actions, Denis suddenly turned against the woman he once loved. It’s truly regrettable.”85d6de15f4ddc5e3

The southern 05cc02319b region is 7c2e8d6791 known for 387d8998a1 its scholars 6d030bbc2c and artists. It was 4c602ce80e unthinkable that a74ec3d2f7 the ruling ddc2eae615 Dorothea family 7f6948cf8f would have c3b8fcf55b a poor e16642ac06 defense team.f21a841cd374d113

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Their lawyer spoke 75f083f8f6 quite skillfully.7e32e1fb83443cc2

“The plaintiff’s claim that he ‘did not know Lady Lydia was engaged’ is an absurd lie!”59103d727157fb83

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“Attorney Natasha, you may speak.”82867070568b77bf

“My client, Denis Petrov, spent his childhood at the Mage Tower and only recently returned. Naturally, he was unaware of the current affairs of the empire, including Lady Lydia’s engagement.”2420833e50e14451

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Natasha wasn’t at all intimidated by Dorothea’s defense team.8c993b9f75af56c4

Not that she bc2532ada5 had ever feared dfea7da335 opposing counsel, but a160a9e40e this time, victory 25a83d042d seemed to be 12a9e0472e on her side.7e669e7fa75eb34c

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“Moreover, it’s impossible that Lady Lydia herself was unaware. In the letters and crystal recordings exchanged, there is no mention of the ‘fiancé.'”0cc05a93933a9032

“She only didn’t answer because she wasn’t asked.”06895c0f4f700d4c

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“When two unmarried people are romantically involved, isn’t it common not to ask if the other has a fiancé? In fact, asking would be impolite.”bc784d0d62561a2b

Unless it’s 2974bc8328 explicitly stated, a5115dddac isn’t it 5f2938c7c9 normal to e6f082c99b assume the cf50b2202e other person ecc07d3951 isn’t engaged?b4d11c88d704de69

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“It’s difficult to argue that withholding this information constitutes intentional deception….”b6ea55626ed5e421

The opposing 51a2aae57f lawyer was 1052f9574b trying to c1e3053a68 latch onto 5d96f5cf33 every word.93189eea78046dc1

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“Then let’s ask directly.”ef7430ca2b1ae4f4

Natasha turned toward Lydia.27da71176ece9690

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“The most crucial witness is right here. I request Lady Lydia Dorothea to take the stand.”94bd9f9e85e90ebb

“Granted.”18f9907fff73f32b

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Since this 893617129f had been ba7170275d prearranged, it e9a98eb318 didn’t take 35aed4cbce long for 4f3f76a7f1 her to 63dd5f2d27 take the 3285b0402b witness stand.8aa806d624b7afd3

Lydia was wearing f9869b7c6d a light burgundy f89b30007b dress that matched 018fe1699f her red hair, dc88bdb4c0 looking otherworldly.b73e625d993aae19

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If a single 6a36d13d29 rose were personified, ef62e48eb6 wouldn’t it look 7ed5f5ef9c like this?b8af5efe02c1596d

Despite her usual languid a083925dde expression, when her eyes bd3bf750cd flicked around, no one 24d8129f71 could look away.0cea80f93ad7bff7

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“Witness, please state your name and occupation.”58e3d97e45702439

“Lydia Dorothea. My occupation… let’s just say I’m a student.”856ba5c8152b3219

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She smiled.f33433b18a54309f

Natasha knew for ad312cfc8d certain that the dd18bf2609 goddess of victory 441aef6657 was with her.90547ab502e91b32

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“Witness, did you deliberately hide the existence of your fiancé when you met Dennis Petrov?”c244a158c6674144

“Objection! The lawyer is asking an excessively biased question…!”dbd5abbe062fcc8d

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The objection was quickly 66a15ffb79 dismissed.f9fd05ac5aa4b596

“Yes.”9392d7126026110d

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Lydia calmly admitted 425483b7ca it.e0634bd4f1966885

A moment of a229c0fffb silence followed. Even the judge was d721d8c51f speechless, and before anyone ef17c78870 could react, Lydia delivered e726469f8f the final blow.01b31432b01c6e80

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“I hid it on purpose. I was afraid he’d leave me if he knew I was engaged.”8f5765b5d14e7e81

“Miss…!”a1a0d888b57496d0

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The defense attorney 88cf9781a7 cried out, so 1117982557 flustered that a 9dc49b4097 personal term of 031f6598e1 address slipped out.8eb9f9a449001a11

But Natasha’s questions kept cf9458caea coming.0f7dc379989e740f

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“In the letter submitted as Evidence No. 13, the phrase ‘You may not know, but’—did this imply a secret about your fiancé?”b50daca32739d35b

“Yes, that’s correct.”a88716ae28dde9ed

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“According to Evidence No. 36, you discussed His Highness, the Crown Prince, yet did not reveal that he was your fiancé. Was this also intentional?”8d597b72184faab9

“Yes, it was deliberate.”d5f8044af8f1743f

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“According to the testimony of the Petrov family servant….”0f7df13a53d7a2f0

Lydia answered every question with a simple, “Yes, that’s correct.”47b9b54793473861

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The judge, who ccc9d7ba8c had been watching e796213093 in a daze, 0c925c8539 finally spoke.834604656ebeffb3

“Ahem. Lady Lydia, are you confessing to all the charges?”5a5d95405b5b1863

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“Yes, I am.”5f99d3040586046e

Dorothea’s lawyer looked 73bb31de52 like he was b328e1faf0 about to faint.29b5341d0008bb5e

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Natasha clicked her tongue 7692a4b5fa internally. Assessing your client’s condition 839740dbcc is a basic responsibility 17f6ad6bb9 of a lawyer.0e55adb37c9fa72b

That they only 39f707a945 realized she had d28e5567aa been swayed by c20e055f9a the other side 78dcc888d3 now? Well, no lawyer could 2b0c79d527 have predicted this situation.1fbe49d54fda46e1

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“…I see no point in continuing this trial. Do you admit to all charges presented by the plaintiff?”6aa67e0c934c137a

“Yes, I do.”bace0afd0e2df9ec

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Lydia didn’t seem to fb55b8b1dc notice her lawyer shaking 8116cf3004 his head furiously beside 45eaec0192 her.83b0cdd6eba00602

But then 36ee3251cc again, her c0cd6c2d17 lawyer was 8a3ba7b946 just an 02c3a59321 employee of f007d3af5a the Dorothea 18f95d975d family, so a91f6cd89a he couldn’t 513efddf97 go against 5d6cf73a25 his employer’s abd8419877 wishes.dde2291f71de4ba5

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“Very well. This court will now proceed with the verdict.”96499794ce3dd86f

The judge, 68396b210e though clearly 2f812c0ea7 uneasy, seemed 8489e12d4c to know a9ea94dc9a there was fa03c67021 no point cc0b259890 in dragging fe635e986f things out a99b756a84 further.26c095c142c7255b

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Natasha might ask a 797c94ac35 few more questions, Lydia df65bb69e4 would agree, and the 194416f63f Dorothea lawyer would keep 63377e5a49 getting more flustered.2f1a56e657131540

“Lady Lydia Dorothea, as the fiancée of the Crown Prince, had a responsibility to uphold her duties, yet she disregarded this and associated with other men. Though His Highness may have forgiven her, her actions go against public morals and constitute a severe breach of conduct. Additionally, she has admitted to deliberately hiding her engagement and misleading the plaintiff into believing marriage was an option.”8eb30f397e98e0bc

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Lydia’s eyes wavered 58fef3ce5e slightly.964236508d16b97b

The moment was 1d3516210c finally arriving.d2385493723e8f5d

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“Her actions are gravely inappropriate and show no signs of remorse. Therefore, Lydia Dorothea is found… guilty.”8fe1575305dc4031

Guilty!b9561301caaef1f1

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Bang, bang, bang!7a2e290dedecea66

The sound of 5e7b5d54f7 the gavel echoed bb3f1d6fd6 throughout the courtroom. Natasha smiled 7da714ecfa in satisfaction, 03d0100322 while Denis 015910c5c6 still looked 2aa2f7b6cd dazed.5f4cb25a1c757aa9

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“The defendant is ordered to pay a fine within the allotted time. As the plaintiff has not requested any compensation, this trial is hereby concluded….”f74b3b7e5d44c876

“Why?”f49af4bcdeb4c57d

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In the cdad57001c solemn atmosphere, 9f5e13e04a Lydia muttered 58f315e99b loudly.659686940e9aef30

Everyone’s eyes were on her. Unfazed, Lydia kept looking down at her hands, mumbling incessantly.60a9603e50631dcb

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“Why? Why isn’t the bad ending appearing? I even lost… So why? If even one person’s path had gone awry, I could’ve restarted right away…”8d8f47655981668e

She was 21e1cee9e3 still obsessing 80013a4439 over that b7d01cb76d game.8d2747906fd3b3f5

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It was time 8d0a72e7c0 to snap her d3dcdb0b6d out of it, 0405ca55b9 or maybe, the 79d51ba8a9 curse that had 5a2a850f0f bound her had c807bed279 been broken.c5f33574f39030d9

“Miss Lydia.”e7ebc7b5397f54e0

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Natasha approached her, standing be441a047d before the confused woman 6c7002f2f1 who continued to mutter 9222e16e78 absentmindedly.5087a8ff4de43446

“Congratulations.”d5445abc6579cbc0

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“…”cf8764c7c25ec100

“You’ve returned to reality, 9eb48075ed haven’t you?”0897ae98fcc62b60

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Those words seemed b9c19448d6 to trigger something.dc11870820b025cd

Lydia suddenly collapsed like 73aac5b6f2 a puppet with its f4bde0fd28 strings cut. Natasha, standing right in 5367558267 front of her, caught f79b9aca77 her just in time, ba81110ec7 almost falling herself in 3216250362 the process.c081a5f6ecb138b5

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Thud!85e8075e1f4edb74

“Medical team! Medical team!”9cca240580b425e4

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“Young lady! Please, wake up!”7f178be46a51a6b1

Lydia slowly closed 2cd353740e her eyes, oblivious c016e8d4d3 to the commotion 58a9117071 around her.c175b5e0052c233f

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For some reason, 1d6a89946f she felt like 8ffbb25098 she might finally 95fc802434 sleep deeply this ba4733cdbe time, without dreaming.24ff5020e69e7158

Gasp!f08d778cc17e7b8e

Lydia jolted awake, a5d271b8b1 breathing heavily. She instinctively sat up f94c897f93 and looked around.f33df59711a3efaa

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The touch of b38e239080 the white sheets 00d1a80aae was vivid. That wasn’t a good 93255f0f98 sign. It was the sensation 6a93553a66 she felt every time c842ee26b0 the game “restarted.”eca6630cfac37a00

‘So, it happened again…’513c03a9de918bd8

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A familiar sense of resignation washed over her. Of course. The “Bad Ending” text had just appeared a little late.822baa75f9053b42

There was 5d6ea22f9f no way 913cfbdda4 she could e6465b27e0 have been 7820f6aa08 freed from 237919aff9 this endless 9b00bdc1ff loop so 80ec484700 suddenly.3825b27188ce7ca7

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‘Fine. Let’s do it again. If I can just pinpoint the branching point that changed in the last run and adjust my choices…’efba2cdae4bb38d2

Clenching the sheets a2a619ca58 tightly, Lydia resolved 68caaef3d1 herself.d4242db74b2fdc05

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‘…Just one more time…’73cc43f27852660b

Damn it. When will 2d7186eace this game a71efa6893 finally end? No matter how 7e9be53f36 much she corrected de16418126 her mistakes, the e5afc87f6c hard mode was 2136124dee relentlessly difficult.6e448dfadc3df128

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Every attempt at 3d02690561 completing it fully 17b73e5546 ended in failure, fc498bb306 and with each 274203d367 failure, Lydia grew c9b41282c6 more exhausted.dcb3d0f0e6518d46

She had repeated 8cc5769e2c the cycle so 0a0859992a many times now a71ed76103 that her memories 09567a4229 of the real d76e78e734 world had become f418d40e49 blurry. She could no longer 7cac3140d4 remember her original name 2e19825d13 or what she even 9f713f2f39 looked like.609864e9ab7e0d0a

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Lydia had just one 3a2670703b wish left.1fd0f150712f7bb6

‘I don’t want to 35ef8aed3a do this anymore…’32e27f8ca72dcd61

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Click.156794b657ce7780

“Oh, you’re awake?”3d0d41686d451a0e

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Lydia snapped her head b267be3645 up.be2aa47703c39d4c

A young 35e13d8b81 lawyer with fa59165ab2 a perpetually b15befa1a9 nonchalant expression 57d7a3988d had opened 8473813ee0 the door 3c7a7f1f39 and entered, 684d4575d1 just like 597abc3739 always. Except for the 351fc5e84f last run, Lydia 17239c76ca had never met 5068f0d2b0 her before.3739ca36230b8d3e

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“…Natasha?”0cbc4c84e4a3fc18

“Why do you 774ee5659e look so surprised?”2df5d2fa05137dee

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“…”6ebc16a68da162f9

A rush 4c98fcb5a5 of emotion 681c2538b6 burst forth bf4e3cb7d7 from deep 3fdcfba769 within her 8042da857c chest, something 539b2a7055 that had 25e4f52450 been repressed ee4322d2b6 for so 89047a758a long. It felt as if 524a61f202 the dam of emotions 4d14eadf88 she had carefully built 8a1fa99c2b up was suddenly breaking 74e220bb89 apart.1f4334fcba35eab5

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“…Sob…”1669a35435be2c52

“Why, why are 1472843055 you crying? Are you 91b6b8f969 that upset 720a7bc0e5 about losing a0034249e9 the bet?”c67fa54b2019aef4

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“Huu… huhuuhuh!”f05a5123191e93cc

“Ugh, fine. I won’t ask for 87c6103d5a the 500 gold coins. But honestly, that’s a 61c9ba5c82 mere fraction of the 36d826bc21 Dorothea duchy’s entire budget…”35f89ae2275a28b2

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Natasha’s words barely registered. Lydia suddenly stood up 6036d64d6f and hugged her tightly.9e8228580c253435

“Sob… hic…”55e172a97cb3e88f

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“Could you, uh, please a2a659f9a8 let go?”65df35c0d5b10e84

Natasha sounded flustered, 9fc901cc42 but Lydia only 0bd4a1a77c held on tighter.980981666b4fad22

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She couldn’t let e5d6e879bd go. If she c9fae8f953 didn’t hold 7836df6b89 on tight, 27a88baa24 she was 0932a2957c afraid reality 43e3380387 would slip 7b9316a3b4 away again.b0c37b9b93194e9a

‘It’s finally over…’c202e3d5dbcf93b7

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The Natasha before her c96e923487 was proof of that. Someone who hadn’t 0b3962b074 appeared in the 331141c40f game. A real d0ac3f6356 person, not ebc6081de4 an NPC.018a1c30c9645123

‘Finally…’c99fc255c1ff5f83

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It took 5115221b48 some time 2901964ea3 before Lydia 050cedc784 finally let 97ba206158 go of b39a9da920 Natasha.b48f405cc79af23a

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Or rather, instead 28ed028e75 of hugging her, ff0309740c Lydia had merely 12f8af420c settled for holding 50447ba6b4 her hand.75cadfd148de871b

Natasha, who couldn’t 74837187fd dare lay a 2ff783e945 hand on a 266414fce1 noble lady, had b576634c20 to coax and 47de2ecca0 persuade Lydia until 3d1f4f298c she could finally 545df994c0 free her limbs.a6a723013f856b9c

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“Whew.”6b88a9b170492784

Natasha wiped 1381745b00 the sweat b8c8bc000e from her 2a0cf33861 forehead with 7c376cdfe6 her free ef82db1dff hand. It had been quite 3a2b2c9bd7 the ordeal.24d864aa02406825

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“Feeling a bit calmer cf1d5ab5b3 now?”589afa689d1852d3

“Mhm.”e5b4185c275e420c

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“I still won the 112652ffca bet.”3e8fb8503820f78f

“I know. Tell me whatever 291bb445b3 you want, and c6664024a2 it’s yours.”fcce50e4e0794c1c

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What did f962c24b27 it matter, 8ffae143cc now that 3872ae1486 she had edd0e2bb78 escaped from cc7554cb59 that hellish b5b997f88f game? Lydia was ready f90504eb20 to give Natasha 57bfca781d anything she asked 612dcf9c5f for, even if d26fb3e1ca it was the b9f7e2e350 entire Dorothea duchy.a9694bd81062be6e

“I’ll tell you cb7f9273cd what I want c95cedd5ef later. For now, you 502faa48f8 should eat this 6ea6e53972 first.”2c344440a8c5ed96

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Natasha pulled out ae866513c6 a lunch box 87e5eaf26f and handed it f49988e985 to her.f781852870ca8dcc

“The chef from the 676cd8cb1a Dorothea duchy prepared this 576b431184 nutritious porridge just for 927bba0be8 you. They say 913e1cf944 you’re too 641f4c2f15 picky to 0597a04988 eat just aa3943157d anything…”fc6428eb11bc3284

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“Why do you have 2adaf447e3 it, though?”c94de42383f6b3a5

“Outsiders aren’t allowed 8873857809 in the court, c2b7c53e3e and technically, outside dbe264fa2b food isn’t allowed 4cd3f299e0 either. I smuggled it 9250bced0e in.”9ed3fd592795f3cb

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Natasha discreetly showed her 235a616c9b a pouch of gold 8d5ffb31f0 coins. It wasn’t much of 4f4ac59b12 a secret that she c4dbcfa4ca had bribed someone to 53282cac4a get it.34e4e668ec38559d

“…Thank you.”eea1377b1a90927d

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Lydia responded more calmly 05b37e4983 than before.f04be5774a6f8869

She opened 9b796b85d9 the lunch 69cbeaa333 box and a54b05af4f was about c41fa20140 to take 3a2ae4874a a bite a681feaf06 when suddenly…3511c27c99a68364

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“Ugh!”6d8ff6d80c9f951c

A wave of 8bcac46b29 nausea overtook her.a7c714d34eeea75b

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