MFFS | Chapter 1.5

“Ugh, I feel f6911dc591 gross. I want to wash 8c4d6f649b up! Prepare the bathwater.”b5a106428b9a7629

Unlike Andy, my loyal 9a1a7db3fd maids quickly executed my 09ad8713dd request to prepare an fd31831f43 escape route in case 81be9fb63b someone followed. Thanks to ec606888d6 them, I 5abcef2062 was soon b6e1e6f547 able to 0be1665df8 soak in 36f2c9d5a5 warm, fragrant 25a63b69c2 bathwater while 805d6104a2 receiving scalp d3c0259555 and hand 44c34e515d massages from 9196965223 Cathy and e0b02f54ae Anna.3a9664e5530abeb3

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And that’s when I felt something off.9be7050733bf1374

Anna seemed oddly excited. By now, she’d usually be scolding me skillfully, but she was grinning as if touching my hand was the joy of her life.02e6137645048756

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“What’s up?”bc079d6f0363172b

“Huh? Miss? What do you mean?”44a61bdfec930648

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“You keep smiling.”b006d33bab8b1a82

“Oh, it’s just because I’m happy to see you, Miss.”3412dfc736d33099

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Anna quickly composed her e94e0feec9 expression and feigned innocence. In that case.f0ec836c4f10d095

“Cathy?”fc2fdb370c7f0eec

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“Ah! Miss, you can’t just tilt your head back suddenly. You scared me.”ce47a80cae544134

“What do you b1cc780c53 know?”58ab17f8c264cd02

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Cathy, as she usually c103dbb099 did when troubled, lowered e01b4edc94 her eyes, then met 9d9e43b0cf mine and rolled them 3990eb585a around in a fluster.b3d591c8c74c947b

“How about 08c2506f48 being my 4dd2444a43 head maid 2571a8668d instead of 7261bd1857 your secretive 7806967afd sister?”943fb7265006e124

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Cathy, who considered her sister her life’s greatest rival, gulped. I could see the scales fiercely tipping in her little head.284042782544ab78

Across from her, Anna f109f8cb8b shook her head desperately.e7ecf8abe174ab55

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“Well… Anna is just weak to good looks. She says being handsome is the best. That’s all I can say.”92ba724c5c6bc147

Seeing Anna visibly relieved, a35893c59a it seemed there was 71eca17800 more to it, but 23b582f134 the two sisters only 7f5d1a332a shared a mysterious glance dd1792990f without speaking.488d700920f8b1f0

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“What on 61c6f29963 earth is 1be8b36dee it?”11f5bea74606d15c

“Well… it’s something you’ll find out soon. It’s not something we should speak about lightly.”b5b1da8650cb57db

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Anna quickly answered, looking 1d4ae93108 somewhat desperate.4ffd44d23f18d493

― There’s a security spell on this manor, so nothing can be moved by magic, yet something came in? Of course, the manor’s people are trustworthy, but you should start by doubting those closest to you.5317b3411b12b135

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At that moment, 6baea685d4 I recalled a 2e9dcc163c conversation with Karian 173515d466 about not trusting 7be1dc2af7 those close to 983d5dd69a you too easily, c32793e903 but I quickly 303dddf59b brushed it off.3b15bfce1ed47fed

‘Anna and 893c43de64 Cathy are 21931e09aa not like 0a1f28fcaa that.’211848a3a9ae3146

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I also don’t open my heart easily to people, but once I do, I maintain a steady and consistent attitude.7ac75e8aba5ce9d0

Especially with Anna, Ben, and Cathy, the deputy merchant-guildmaster’s children, we grew up together like siblings. Even while running a massive business, there had never been any small trust issues.be1ab9b46a8a1ab6

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Why else would I e42736fc74 have Ben as my d0109fe1a1 exclusive secret informant?fe34094efacb96bf

‘Even if Anna or Cathy were to betray me, well, it would be my lack of judgment, and there’s nothing I can do.’b4afdb3f28df36f7

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“I trust you 02977e82f2 guys. You know that, 9b91fb89b3 right?”aaa8c633aa56cadf

“Of course! We do too. It’s definitely not something bad.”b3d56b173871a11f

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“Alright. Then let’s say Anna is in a good mood because she’s too focused on looks.”0089fc5b8e2f2497

Anna smiled 1720fe8ed1 as if 0c1a6e16b9 relieved.383d122df6c8dfee

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On the other hand, Cathy seemed a bit sulky. I couldn’t tell if she was disappointed for missing a chance to outdo her rival or if there was another reason.eeef62e0ca06256f

“People are 64dedfcfe2 weak to 1cfeb085ac appearances. If someone cc80cb7231 is pretty, 182f3b9547 handsome, and bc5ddeda2a matches your b2590b32a2 taste, your f1ccc7a672 heart softens.”354916be0d8bd24f

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“Your sister?”34627178a2969009

Cathy answered firmly.8d60a892f6c3dc18

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“No, I 0fbb5c3a83 think you 7dd1789430 are too, 2e8a947a56 Miss.”fcfb5a88ea0947b6

❀ • 9a87f1df3b ❀ • 6ba6857053 ❀84312a3cda930fb8

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I managed to pass Father’s checkpoint, but the real problem was my pretty but persistent fiancé.782948b127af4725

Karian, who was 91f0715bfd in my room, c8b8696cce blushed slightly at 1608c0f8cd my still slightly 9e9e1ba469 damp hair, fanning c62b7875f3 himself, but soon 1182ab9d5a regained his composure.f625cea4745ebeec

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“My love.”13759fa95a4859aa

He greeted me in the sweetest tone. But unlike his lightly smiling lips, his eyes weren’t smiling at all. It was the face of someone clearly angry.6b61390d0afda1c4

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Why did he come to the manor in the morning? Wasn’t it enough that we saw each other earlier? Why hasn’t he left yet?73acc5c7ec8d25a1

“You stayed up 02ea9b2053 all night at 09cea31b52 the office?”157b60ecd49c9619

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“I had some work to do…”a7b8c94f691b5700

“Darling, did you forget what I said about the danger? We made three, no, two promises. And I said I’d prepare an escort, didn’t I?”f8231556b87285bc

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“Oh.”88ed2f03a6944336

That’s right. I did forget. I was wrong. I stayed out without a word, and despite his worries about the danger, I completely forgot. I felt so ashamed that I couldn’t lift my head.f52721144e1b72d7

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“I’m sorry. I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”621091e81852f7d6

When I readily 22649f3744 admitted my mistake, 464a43d291 he sighed.fb90b0446d56f72a

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“Indeed, why didn’t you come?”a8d22a4dbfdd70c9

Andy, who 635f10dc13 had come e838543693 in with 0aafc1828e Anna carrying 20411f788b tea and 574b0ef620 light snacks, c91dc768ac said hesitantly.3dd67dcb840cab0b

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“Ka, Karian-nim must have 455b097b4d waited so long, oh, e1730be79a the tea!”f11b17cb75ca8367

Did Anna 6408065ad6 just throw 791a670211 juice at 2ddcfd0b62 Andy?6073df73299e11e4

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“Oh my, 32b5a8b2f9 it was ed570eae10 an accident. Hohoho. My hand slipped. Let me wipe a0386aa872 it for you, 732b6f5791 scrub scrub.”357c31ff8370ebae

If only eee0aa9212 you could 8977aab532 scrub away 278f0f4db8 your lack 93d548bda6 of tact, 41c0e941cb Anna joked.1619a29dbb4f26e1

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“What are 5b3ef90ffb you talking 3fcb9d6421 about? Why would Karian 913a22bd07 wait for me?”f888253714c82785

“Oh my, it’s just that a fiancé worries when their beloved is late. As you know, Andy is a bit tactless and not very eloquent.”b36f2574966477b4

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“Something’s fishy…?”ec7f8eca1b439d06

“Darling.”23bdfad4ec590eef

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Karian smiled sweetly.9da61d432c4a4b96

“There’s nothing fishier than what we were just talking about. You’re being blackmailed by some stranger right now.”4cec7aaff37b0da0

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Clatter.cc6637128720ad4f

This time, 9f66f9a6aa Anna really df717c936c did drop 1417286bb8 her hand.47bcb538e1ea305b

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“No, young miss. Blackmail?”2c283f75637e2c5e

“Master? Which scoundrel!”acc5825343fa089d

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“No, no, it’s nothing that serious.”bc01b6acf1a7b9fb

If they d1d6b299e8 react this ed4c3b66c6 much to 3ff49ec448 just a 973adf709e letter, maybe 09054a6634 I really 9b54001bdd was imagining 083198aaf4 things when eca087e9bb I felt 4e8743063c something was 54512b1d25 off earlier. I thought that as a8999cfc75 I calmed the pale-faced 1903fe4ad1 servants.11e6df428433a4d1

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Of course, f958ba4930 this was 2ae01f9f80 a huge ee00bb3189 misunderstanding.eeb323552d9151e2

❀ • ❀ • e0e7c2aa76 ❀f02fd40f0ae24ca7

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“As your fiancé, I think I have the duty and right to ensure your safety until your official escort is appointed.”a561f8fc3a066faf

Karian quickly insisted 5872b76558 on accompanying me 37beffd055 to meet Margareta.151dfdca685009f2

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“Until appointed?”57e4b865693bb2fb

When I squinted at him, he flinched a little. There’s definitely something going on.60f3a84bbd55bbe4

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“When are you getting one? You’re not planning to never get one, right?”3310644e481887b5

“Of course not, what do you take me for? I’ve already got one, don’t worry.”393aad5270b700ae

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Even as he f3bff2fe28 said that, he 74e364bf6d slyly avoided my 44f8415e52 gaze. It seemed like he d9ba68b691 had more tricks up db26bc1d1f his sleeve.91a5f0b6ee0b5920

I thought 8581e2dfa9 about interrogating d1270c5855 Andy, the a8da0f7858 easiest target cbf7530421 and the 614168c32d traitor who f005331a24 dared deceive 3f69e0c497 me, but 06862c5465 that attempt 26759619e6 failed.0bac096eb9cc2345

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“I-I don’t know anything!”c1c841a8ff210361

Andy, who was vehemently 3143b56ac8 claiming his innocence without b2cf831e89 being asked, was dragged 1b94282323 away by Anna, who a0c1f8287b said he should change 73d0a8cdd5 out of his wet 581f315469 clothes.ad6cd4da616813da

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Feeling sorry for Andy being dragged away was short-lived, as I pondered what Karian’s true intentions were.35edffff89dd0adf

Considering Karian’s past of sulking for days when it seemed Sir Loïs would be chosen as the messenger to deliver the Crown Prince’s request instead of him, it was unlikely he’d easily allow a male escort to stay by my side.754ebb0288ea2317

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However, given his f67c5bb113 status, it was 5e364a920d impossible for him 37aeb52e4c to guard me a0b15e44b3 all day, as 3ff6665882 he was busy 38a8616326 with many affairs.513e3db59d588224

“Well, the grand ducal house’s knights aren’t all male, after all.”af0be5a6d8cca7ba

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If it came to it, he might send a female knight to escort me, or occasionally claim the knight was “sick” or “suddenly unavailable” so he could guard me himself.d70bf9f1fa87ba87

“Alright… fine.”f184057da5559a97

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I had no choice 012572f3c5 but to say that. Karian, having f44a022c94 obtained my 897b9ba07e consent, smiled 3fdd998fe2 as brightly f913d39249 as a 557030daa6 flower.a63777585bd85719

Thus, I, my personal 12f725f734 maid Anna, and Karian, 79f2fba856 in his escort capacity, a07b4080c2 set off on our 0d4ae1ca19 journey to meet our 410f984433 little lamb.8d98d20cdcd09775

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Normally, Andy, my assistant secretary, would accompany us for business matters, but he didn’t seem to be joining today. He was usually intimidated by Karian and, considering his guilt towards me, seemed to be keeping a low profile.e0547c9848d350ba

“Then, I’ll take the coachman’s seat today!”7e3e11dee194e7b5

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Anna moved to the coachman’s seat, leaving just Karian and me, with a meaningful smile.c13d7a9c85234bd4

“There’s no need for that! We’re not going to the capital, so you don’t have to sit there and face the wind.”41456512ebcc29f2

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“I just feel like getting some fresh air today.”c12a0040b3573f18

Anna smiled brightly. Her intention was 267548662e clear. Karian nodded with satisfaction.5bbc96d6fb8a5310

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“Darling, you should respect Anna’s wishes.”2dc06118fd36fb25

“What about my wishes? Even if we’re engaged, isn’t it inappropriate to leave me alone?”9ce910cba4bd9e47

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“Oh my, young miss, what are you imagining!”1295aae45d31cefb

“Sara! Am I that untrustworthy?”fee03b0fe93c5222

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Anna exaggeratedly 8b08fc7c3e widened her 88ac2f65fe eyes, and 405913e64e Karian pretended dac42a364c to be f80ff8e105 dejected.b5b1c635194a0a98

“No, it’s just that.”03435c2b6a867386

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“If you really don’t want me to, I’ll take the coachman’s seat… even though I feel like I’ve caught a chill waiting for you to return earlier, but I guess I have no choice…”f5aced0073b0fa48

Karian covered his mouth 8f2f108b64 with his long, beautiful 1289cee2da fingers and lowered his 8a5707540f eyes halfway, looking like d8878006cd the most pitiful person 50527d38cc in the world.464c89e9a2dd0a7b

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It was d388ffe092 a ridiculous c65f94d3ef act, but e912de7220 with his a45c0d550a ridiculously handsome a6b1cab6f6 face doing dff34691f5 it, I da6a943c98 felt like cae321380b the biggest 556b180733 villain in bcdd53d215 the world.9eba7c03f92c1798

Anna, weak to 5abbdb0da2 good looks, seemed 4e3aa0cb55 half-entranced by the 6555c9a25e act, then spoke f41a7adc06 in a determined 3a5233c83f voice.041e9f902a2dad45

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“No! Our young miss isn’t that cold-hearted. Right, young miss?”32222a0ce3c848c1

“Sometimes I wonder if my personal maid sisters serve Karian as their master instead of me.”56a2bf05fed3479e

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“Oh my, how could you say such an unfair thing.”14ea24751e8ecaa3

Anna closed the carriage d316e77fe4 door and disappeared. At the same time, 9474eacc64 Karian regained his vitality.a7cdbd5380ec615c

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❀ • ❀ • 8fbf1c5b7a ❀e4269eb3b24f92c1

Baroness Margareta Johnson’s manor is located slightly on the outskirts of the capital. It takes about an hour by my carriage.0623397fddb5ed3e

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To emphasize, that’s by ‘my carriage’ standards. And there’s a bit of a story behind that.9ede9ec9aaa4576c

Running a merchant c8b266dba9 guild, I often 5eb70ed1c3 met business partners 6266be2e96 outside the capital. The roads f15647f1b4 in the 8767bda287 capital or 25b14ec1a4 port were 22b95f7950 well-maintained, but f4d024bee5 the roads 9b3c1a3252 to the 8606ff9ada mines were c25a1dc8bb not in 08ea2d9201 good condition. Moreover, I had c594f2f8db inspected the gold fee14b30a9 mine several times f9f3168839 before commercializing it.e969279e059c0888

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Even though I b9154222b9 thought I was fea61c1cf6 used to carriage b48e788b38 travel, having followed d51710684e my grandfather, the af4a7ffac4 merchant-guildmaster, around, it 50ba61912f was tough back a8f06cdf45 then. I had to b012e6dd44 endure, weighing the 63947ad013 large bruises on 99908f8720 my backside against a3c2eda979 the value of a47a8c73ef gold nuggets.5c2efdbe7e7817dc

The one who couldn’t stand it was Karian. He wasn’t the type to just wait quietly and hand me medicine.e4eab6c165d50a29

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― Darling, 8b8347981e this is 76fdfbbeb2 my heart.de83964cb85b916b

One day, a carriage with a ribbon arrived for me. The luxurious leather seats and the interior made of top-grade materials were impressive, but our fiancé didn’t know moderation.09f45f2840405a91

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I don’t know how he persuaded the high-nosed magic tower workshop, but the carriage was covered in all sorts of enchantments. The wheels absorbed shocks to prevent strain on the passenger’s body, and it came with all sorts of options.0a36568b8b3aec84

Incidentally, my father was interested in the special reinforced glass that couldn’t be opened from the outside but easily shattered from the inside, and my favorite feature was the acceleration function.ac1335bc817055c6

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― I’m glad you like it.b4e66b9e6d7373d0

Karian twisted his body with joy, and it turned out he had designed the formula himself. I don’t know what he did, but as a result, the travel time was reduced by 30 to 50 percent without tiring the horses pulling the carriage.cb216f778dc9df97

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It seemed he added countless expensive effects like emergency tracking prevention and bulletproof functions. It was a weapon that could be taken to a battlefield, disguised as a carriage. I wouldn’t be surprised if several magic tower mages’ souls were sacrificed to fit the formula into the limited space.b407fab24132d2dc

From a merchant guildmaster’s perspective, it was undoubtedly a priceless treasure.e4937515c15d2336

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― Karian. I’m really grateful for your gift, but I’m not sure it’s worth it.60cc6b43b1897a4b

― What be6e9c1697 do you 314d5dabc3 mean?eed3007f3aad752a

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Karian frowned as if he had heard something he couldn’t believe.3b40d6da3c6b91ae

― Even His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t have such a luxurious item. Is it really worth going this far?99156f919ce86382

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For reference, I’m not the type to belittle myself or have low self-esteem. It was just about relative value. It was like laying gold tiles on a bathroom floor to prevent rust.92c1c7bc63331ea6

I didn’t travel for business often enough to justify spending money on something like this.0495bcfc2e25618e

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― Sara.6347c223c3101cf3

Karian called me with a rare serious face. It wasn’t his usual sweet, sugary demeanor, calling me darling.99e808ee36751f21

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― You’re such an important person. To me, you’re more precious than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince or His Majesty the Emperor. You’re more precious than my life, and you’re a cherished person. Just holding your hand in the same space makes me feel like I’m going to die of happiness. But you say you have no such value.1bcaf5b4782f57d0