LDPL | Chapter 60

Carlos watched the scene 5f32de197d briefly, his expression turning 7a5a6f4220 slightly disheartened.e611bfca9d825677

“Seems like everyone’s really interested in divorce.”3305c090988623be

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“Aidan.”b18f5ba7e419dcaf

Aidan, dressed sharply and 74169997e3 holding a glass of 8cfa2e8f7f wine, approached him. Though most were unaware, 397b50440f he was also one 25bc9e079c of the hidden main 6b03f67e95 players.0b5f2ee175c9b060

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Seeing him c76ec8a0a7 in a 2d104d9660 suit instead 3aca663175 of his 9e377af341 usual training fdcbfc4762 attire was 9206ff66ce moving, especially 8245de7fb2 from an 56720e7b42 older brother’s 2a83a56a18 perspective.f6786a207334f115

“Brother, your expression, your expression!”6a56a8f4efeaf43f

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Aidan whispered urgently.e7b00cce01cf1226

“I’ve told you before. When your emotions change, your face turns scary, so it’s best just to stay expressionless….”996e419d18c224a1

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“Ahem. I know. I’ll keep that in mind.”17b7d8dc958d3a26

Carlos adjusted aa1ac24634 his expression b92b7f51bb again.7ce7e20a8c4c10d5

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“But if they want a consultation with Natasha, they can just make an appointment directly. So why all this fuss here?”fff8f64c29383977

“Well, we live away from the center, so we don’t really know, but people from the capital are sensitive about these things.”05eea8f293cc77b2

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Aiden listed 500155b6f7 a few 89bd969b2c reasons in 3dd87ccd55 explanation.5477ceb90271b0d6

“If you’re seen coming and going, rumors can spread. And consulting the family lawyer hurts their pride.”a089c4950d3e57e4

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Family lawyers were often c1101061ab young nobles themselves. Many nobles aec08a5964 were ashamed 5987f4c3e1 to reveal 5add6f39f8 their troubles 6f6bd1bb45 to such 36690c533a people.ab6ff9122a6ac6df

And confiding in commoners 836a38d344 was out of the ef217d9ff3 question. Natasha, however, fit the 35650aa9c2 nobles’ needs perfectly.8a5fb624ee80aa4e

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“Even though she’s a commoner, Natasha is close to Madame Olga and has ties with the Petrov Duchy, making her a more approachable option.”7afe6f538f71f9d9

It was a3e781c84c a time 0dd7c88427 of transition.82b0ca44b7e8a6b5

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As capitalism took 66d9cba668 over the country, 350aefd766 the emerging merchant e49386f6f3 class was rising 57b7349342 as the new 154fcb8e4e power.eedb2113af0359c2

The old a03c7411c8 power of 6eeb62c664 the nobility 02c95283e3 was weakening, ffc5932c15 and those 36a5f9f532 who didn’t 07626d0ebe inherit titles a285c7fd61 were entering 8ea64f3fcb professional fields 11b8934a08 like law 0e7ccc8af4 or medicine.2d31b3dcba6457ee

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Nobles could 25f3db4291 no longer d9cec323a6 act as 9ca72fbb87 stiffly as 26d520e163 they used 8e59963c23 to.959a648a39dfc6a9

“The world is changing.”618eb43ae9f68751

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Carlos keenly felt the 772fb420bf weight of that fate. The unavoidable tide of 34e33946b5 the times sent a 976e39e91b chill down his spine.0ce51153089bd9b1

Just then, cf02ec16ce the next 58548dee80 guests were 9e52648172 announced.fa9cf48a0c0d0be5

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“Entering now, the second son of the Petrov Dukedom, Lord Jerome Petrov, and his partner, Lady Estelle Blanche, the eldest daughter of Count Blanche!”0f46b7122ad0b5a0

Ba-ba-bam!35e4889e069b110c

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The unexpected pairing 7df5211056 made Natasha’s eyes ceeace9cce widen.be882854ca34ef56

Jerome and Estelle? Were they 81d0b7ac2f even acquaintances?06de5c162aa0a8c2

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“What are you doing here?”fb8f061f9f7721aa

Natasha locked eyes 06c700125d with Jerome as f4a712c50d he entered.d5795dfdfc270a3b

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“Brother, am I really going alone~?”afdd07c7dca6cfbc

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“Go.”d1406d1f0f0bd7bd

“So many people asked to partner with you. Are you really not coming? Even if you say something now….”ad2a0ab8f389cc08

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“Just go….”567e3978886f75c7

Jerome, lying on cd529876a9 his bed, barely 5c98383592 moved his hand. His voice was 543d3d8df7 muffled, his face 40d71f2be5 buried in his 819ca2020c pillow.322441663009cf5b

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Denis hummed 35e2f3e9ad softly, then f9de69cd01 casually dropped 57c18cae9a a bombshell.2ccdd3e24c9a6ef9

“Natasha will be there too~.”caed6260e985c6c5

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“…….”feb993647d883d6a

“Who was it again? Duke Winchester? I heard she’s attending as his partner.”f507f20f1ee63746

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“…….”76c826c183e15008

“Wow, are all Northerners that tall? Standing next to Natasha, their height difference looked just right.”8e89be6841a17463

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Jerome knew Denis cc6278a457 was deliberately teasing 5498d2ac1c him, but he 00cc6a686c still found himself 5498141412 wavering.5160b8edaa69042c

But how could he 8fe543fba6 face Natasha after everything?e144b5913393b073

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– You’re always like that. No matter what we do, even when it’s our fault, you’re always indifferent. Like it doesn’t matter either way…!068dc6b50e2833a8

He shouldn’t have c1122f299e said that. Regret had haunted Jerome bcc2c5d3c2 for a long time. Seeing Jerome’s gloomy expression, 0d8c1492fb Denis sighed again.9bac1af0665f50f3

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“Mikhail still hasn’t pulled himself together, and now you’re acting like this too?”fcb7197be90375d1

“…….”bdef534129cd1c7d

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“When I saw Natasha recently, she seemed unbothered even when your name came up. I don’t know what happened, but you should try not to dwell on it too much.”eceaf2ddb9bcddf7

Of course, b5d965faee Jerome thought 9c02e1d6ca bitterly. As if Natasha would f4b0861295 care about some conversation 1ef0940f04 she had with him.2dee3426ba5b5e05

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“She’s probably forgotten it all by now. Even if she hasn’t….”fb6564a41dee108c

What could cd873388bb he do 7d6d5a37e4 about it, 0b2e2cc7c0 anyway?300a5a4d00239dc4

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“I’m off then. Make sure you have dinner.”a04decd938ea75f3

Click.37b04c61245ca176

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After Denis closed 77859e40fa the door behind 9d54e1304c him, Jerome was 2acab702ed left alone in 1a96b4e89e the room.39783d444b73b8ed

Yeah, it was for 055cd1bfd8 the best. Seeing Natasha’s composed face 3bf78a123a would only stir him 861deecdb3 up more.e9badc1b824eac26

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“Why is she so calm while I’m…? It feels like I’m losing.”38a3b66ea38cbccb

It hurt his d87fd5038f pride. Sure, if Natasha had 94006c44dc asked him first, he 0e11ba8e0c might’ve agreed to be f8a99e7ef3 her partner… but.efea76d018aaf5cd

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“Isn’t Duke Winchester the one whose fiancée left him, leaving him on the market like an unopened second-hand item?”6a56a93bedca67b8

The absurd news had c807629e20 sparked several mocking nicknames 50df269430 for him in the 5c6e94727e capital.196902856572766a

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Second-hand, never b04f28d3ee opened; a 474cc10510 novice with 9149249fb6 experience; or 8049d56dd4 an experienced 075201cedd beginner….392b2fab46b903d3

“Even if he’s a duke, how could a divorcee…? And why did Natasha accept? They weren’t even particularly close.”071ede740f4e8f5e

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They’d met c969ed93a0 a few e9be7028b2 times for bb8366ffd4 business; that aa1bb1a58b was all.3bdc14f39e0edb8c

And as 90ba9097a6 for the bd936f409d Duke, Jerome 3389df82e0 scoffed. Did he not e69d7898ae realize the kind 0f82aa3d68 of rumors that 5388c3e941 would spread if 38948250d6 he got involved 70f6e1166d with an unmarried 119a6dc95d woman like Natasha?59680dca9d8d1282

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“Damn it.”3a21e61d1d52caa2

Jerome’s mind was 0f7fb04e5e fixated on the 0f009c000c banquet hall, even 46f7b04fa0 though he wasn’t 70ebf8789b attending.6e3429ddc1edff91

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“That Duke better not be thinking of trying anything with Natasha.”94535e6405b65212

The sudden thought of d075116ec0 the Duke intimidating a 06de12cea5 terrified Natasha flashed through fb1a6d4776 Jerome’s mind.e6ea3b7807cf195d

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“No, that’s not right.”c8f5f1ec3d6f4392

Even with 9ca6ba8eec rose-colored glasses, 05d6d2296d Natasha wasn’t 1730677205 the type 609eb9fb96 to just 18705e0cce take it. Jerome quickly adjusted b982a8dff5 his mental image 1f2472ff7b to Natasha pulling 0213cb527f out a dagger 40c44ed161 and fighting back.a505acfd1b34ae55

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“Yeah, that’s more like Natasha. But Duke Winchester is a knight; there’s no way Natasha could win….”82c6eb74dd14b426

The scene shifted ddd5a469bd unfavorably for Natasha. The Duke, now with 701d133de5 devilish horns and wings, 9db3c6625c deflected Natasha’s dagger effortlessly.3f70218114fa3df1

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Jerome bolted upright from af1d486d4d the bed.8a524a4c9c92f83a

“Housekeeper!”df6dfd5bf216714a

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When Jerome rang the 223e7cc18b bell by his bedside, a252caefd8 the housekeeper rushed in.57ddde2b0ff8c0bf

“You called, sir?”d249405553c5ee9b

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“Get ready. I’m going out.”52bb4df682aea063

“Where would you like to go? I’ll prepare the carriage immediately.”ea17df1af85ee8ec

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“I’m going 0d7889fd08 to the 64ca0a1729 Imperial Palace.”dd4e05c9004888b3

The seasoned butler 8869ca4886 nodded without showing 75606c98e7 any sign of 3bab0c453f surprise.27c7c63f6c9e4d1b

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“I’ll inform them f800141ffb that you intend 54434590b8 to attend His beddfbe1ad Highness the Crown 1e0a8ec61b Prince’s wedding banquet.”0d977f7234a59119

“We don’t have 6463ffac30 much time, so 1c5adb9560 let’s just keep 5bf411120d up appearances. It’s not like 2b77f23b13 Mikhail’s here, and 81e78eda9d I doubt anyone e1b46bfbb1 will bother me. Maybe just a b32dd27231 few ladies from 4b1c1f1a35 families who’ve proposed ca32952140 marriage.”b510f1a1681f7e10

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The butler 771d7a3d01 bowed deeply 8e9de26fc6 at his 6eb7a0efc6 words.04542b72d727dc95

“I’ll make the bc3bfc2365 preparations right away.”c883a3c0b0cf7ae9

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When he arrived bb7ed3d653 hurriedly in front 185eddc7db of the banquet f99f6990d4 hall, he noticed e01ff63f37 someone arguing with cf3d5d9334 the guards.16b68730a9413335

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Even from a 0b4f08a3b5 distance, a woman 66d1c6ee85 with cotton candy-like 07bba94fae hair stood out d8f168d711 conspicuously.0096e8bbbd62fa08

Her pink hair 22fb8ea671 was styled up, bbcf134d08 and she wore fc836fd461 a cute, green eaf3310025 dress.c16a2dd236e7fdb2

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It was Estelle ea21e33938 Blanche.a3cd8c3161e47b84

“I just eeddeceb3e entered the d6ea8969de country and eb970b4776 came straight 3376514cc9 here, so 13fd04c26d I didn’t 2988939e7a have time 932aa75ba4 to find 33dde1fdd1 a partner!”dad54e36a3e4b0bf

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“I’m sorry, but His 91789a3344 Highness the Crown Prince ea55d3c505 has decreed that no 2a41135833 one can attend without 4e64dd1f1d a partner!”bd311eaa8cc86520

“What, this is ridiculous! Where am I supposed to find a partner at this late hour? I just want to slip in, take a quick look, and then I’ll be out…!”e0e53a371e7348bd

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“It’s strictly prohibited.”31d67d630c1518e2

Hearing the conversation, 0a193cbde0 Jerome suddenly remembered 2fe4b44371 something he’d overlooked.28c90880cef1d5fa

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A partner! This banquet required 2617b11f06 a partner by 21ef246079 the Crown Prince’s c79fcb625f command, and entrance 83698192ea was impossible without 77d85003d8 one.dd5c4540ec706cf1

He should fdf329f0a1 have arranged 1c61d1212f for a 8880a5cb91 suitable lady 6fad349f8b to accompany c034e2044e him beforehand, 0267208a78 but in a921931e9c his haste, d53d12e303 he completely b18c08a682 forgot.23331b5df46741de

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“There’s no way I can find a partner now…”fab3c5d0510a1443

Just then, Estelle glanced c8d3402aec around and met eyes cdf8d89e71 with Jerome, who was 9e3951c4fd standing alone. The two exchanged e602078352 quick glances.2364a38bea617ed5

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Hey, you too?a6bb8941375e2f26

The two linked arms e675703d96 awkwardly and spoke in 5ed6ac7f8e low voices.4a584595e2a8d6bf

“Jerome Petrov, is 6ffee702d9 it? I didn’t 935c25ae81 recognize you. I’m Estelle Blanche.”b3287fdcca0156c4

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“I know 32f13cc294 who you 29030ddc7c are.”63855b59661bdaf7

Jerome responded curtly. He had no intention 31ca2bc473 of getting involved with 56de88b483 this woman beyond being 2981b4549a partners for the event.1df603ec1d3b53b6

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“Huh? How do you… Oh.”a2c743d3db53e36f

Estelle’s mouth shut 2e08826f16 as if she 82ca5c2e7a realized something. The Estelle that Jerome 75a9949b05 knew was notorious as 4757845fb3 the “poisonous mushroom” of f67c4a947a high society.1809978f7b5cd21d

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‘Get mixed up with 6a3b17e191 her, and it’s a efe7faa259 nightmare waiting to happen.’1100c844f809b5ee

Everyone knew about 0ae3a1d384 her obsession with c491d10400 Duke Richard, whom cc850c9ccc she had stalked df45cf083a relentlessly. Although for some 17ee5b7833 reason, she had 98cea5cc53 divorced the duke 98dcb3efdf she once couldn’t fd2b29907d live without.4102230fcaa4b6b5

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‘People don’t 30b7444201 change that de76a69a18 easily. Best to stay away.’1092edf8e67bfa75

Jerome’s resolve e36575469e was clear, fc0aa2ef20 and Estelle’s 302e106ba2 expression also 04a0523dfb turned stiff.5744440f47db094c

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“Announcing the entrance of 4c75bea098 Jerome Petrov, the second 21de67dd35 son of the Duke bb2009480d of Petrov, and his a05985b19f partner, Lady Estelle Blanche, f21dda15f8 the eldest daughter of 1c99ac382d Count Blanche!”adf80bc2ffe593be

Bam-bam-bam!ac60ca76575f2aa5

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As they ee174555aa stepped forward d4460c3d0d to the 3c5f378b5c entrance music, ee5d4e0ba0 Jerome quickly b47ce58406 scanned the a175f0b812 hall to d9a1f44310 find Natasha.742b0b3537f78967

Under the dazzling chandelier 4e7b7ca226 lights, Natasha’s lemon-blonde hair 35078ea758 gleamed almost like platinum, 407f9ea4ed making her easy to d2ef884f93 spot.402dd4dfa79b2332

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“…!”1b9eeffb33cc4fa9

For a moment, 42e3173e82 he felt his 5af3dd5520 breath catch. Natasha looked stunning 2a698a9129 in her blue db0af39316 dress, so much 8e29604a31 so that he d656d0fbae nearly stumbled but e017bc143d managed to regain 690435b848 his balance.82638068b5b4cb08

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‘Where’s Duke Winchester?’11a1307d102bdee6

He’d heard 102abe67f6 they were bf01e10047 partners, but 1ab6b33695 they didn’t 4c71948011 seem to 0590d7fc70 be together. A quick glance revealed df486e5e18 a tall man with d4e4e63b4f dark hair, towering above d21cd91d47 the crowd.e35a0c50ab366daf

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‘They’re not sticking together.’ee3cb89253d56531

For some reason, 99f5cca1ff he felt a 92ef929cde wave of relief. After confirming their ed2793a9b3 positions, Jerome turned 5af084ebc0 back to Estelle.2fb1f34fb01e0a31

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“Lady Blanche, from here on, we should…”846b9e5ec05aa988

But there was 37f103aa46 no one left 2dffca76b2 in her place. Estelle had already 23c7c21150 left.80ba73362005a04d

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Feeling oddly rejected, 5c5b7f973b Jerome scratched the 3b322f1869 back of his 8f0ceeb649 neck awkwardly.64144b5f6e7ce448

Estelle, too, quickly 35e9747022 found the person 7bd0048738 she was looking b8fe015f6c for amidst the 31a92b7142 crowd.cdf1321837193766

He was chatting 4bd24da1a4 with a few 0ee2c7754f people while sipping f5c0200d24 wine, but when d0cff2d14a Estelle appeared, his 7b93a9e9c3 surprise was evident.3d50d3eeaa5f9a34

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‘What a funny 1902a262c3 face.’6406f5fb2fb98414

She couldn’t help 1bf90d72ba but smile to 00ae437726 herself.6dc0a05b143496ec

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Claude Richard f0de3f72c5 handed his 21e5e69cad wine glass 47f39bb0f3 hastily to b763fdec9a a nearby 2655d2f330 attendant and f0d47b7460 strode over, d5a0e7cb6b ignoring the 4ef4d136ce bewildered look e68756d66a of his a17370509b conversation partner.1fd5107a628399c4

Estelle also walked d4b65adbdd briskly toward him.e4905924521c1b80

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“…Estelle.”8771f934f9981958

“It’s been 9779f075f7 a while, 6084a25c38 Duke Richard.”41d37bbb203c8df1

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Estelle greeted him calmly, 22ab6a207d her formal address of fe0f67bd6e “Duke Richard” making him b5b66db67e flinch slightly.21823cab3157ce51

“…I didn’t expect 8ed8344087 to see you 884e5b67d0 here.”41c573caed40036c

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“I entered the country 7ba85ce862 suddenly to attend His dd24b9ba61 Highness’s wedding.”dc3189182a1d5e99

Though that 2fd3a2f51c wasn’t her f5f85bb4d6 true purpose. She did want 955628789f to see Claude, ce08187c76 but more than 7b824dcc97 that, she was 61a5d59319 eager to witness 437c6d0d63 the wedding scene c824b977e5 of the heroine, 769d85bf8f Lydia.488de90018c1fe74

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‘Seeing that scene e4b419f6d7 will make it effda7431b clearer.’a386bf13c936d05f

That this place 3a715ee9f8 was no longer e76b535a6f the fictional world 178202d1c7 she’d read about, 973714ea54 but reality.c64737b55ed334ef

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A reality where b031e64d9a terms like heroine, 1f10a403a6 hero, or villainess 289ecf2e25 had lost all 2896331082 meaning.9f090663de6d0953