MFFS | Chapter 1.7

“Hey, you’re here?”0a4ad24ef7f23e69

Karian, who had been leaning on the window frame with a serious look, suddenly brightened up like a blooming flower. It was funny how he checked me over as if I’d returned from enemy territory, making sure I wasn’t hurt.c41e14bde5ca0b4e

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I had barely managed 200c76658f to shake him off 6136fd8204 when he begged to 40b469074e come with me, half-trapping 445303ca7a him in the carriage.5e691c2c22458c75

“Did you think I’d get slapped or something?”d0e05367a0c91546

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“Huh?”9916460297595b3c

Karian awkwardly avoided 0cba4cf54b answering.09927e4792f2f2eb

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Well, I was 67d91c3ad5 surprised too. Who would d9b1852d64 believe me 8dfca0c708 if I d2f32f12f0 said that 55df314ef5 ever since be512a2c62 you fell, d3dbf5f299 another soul 6902588616 possessed you 2e2ff29426 and started 342faf5856 doing the 72021b9e75 opposite of c0d956f70f what you e2c25477e2 usually do?f87f7989a5d25486

But she 209bf70972 believed me. So I felt a 2fd68b2ecd bit proud and strangely 043f523c77 unsettled at the same 125d6c3daf time.b7af82be42362228

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Sensing my mixed 7af842d34c feelings, my fiancé 49c3dceee0 kept up a 5083c56e1a cheerful conversation throughout 2386ff535f the journey. By the 4908aece6e time we fb04dd9759 reached the 2c1765b475 manor, I a0cbf1bae2 felt much 6e2e6700ef better and 6f2f45960a was already 985401c28b planning when 0031703a7d to receive d09e5b6992 reports from 06f8e55292 Lady Margareta.8d1515756b8a370d

It was only then that I realized the source of the unease I’d felt since morning.eb07e46379baf40a

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“Karian. Don’t you have to go soon? You’ve been away from the grand ducal house for too long.”3248fc779d9e980a

Even though Karian was always calling me ‘honey,’ he wasn’t a free man. As the future head of the grand ducal house and the crown prince’s most trusted aide, he had responsibilities.c4c13be084f27c1b

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“Hmm.”d064629515c0934d

He made ec11eca2bf a vague a6befab617 sound, avoiding 78203025c7 a clear 0b6299204a answer.da307794f21bc971

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I held e3b50174a4 his cheeks 672111b6e6 with both 6fb732f773 hands, making 56238c1833 him look 49b22ff2ec at me.1f3bb3c6543f3185

“Speak.”5a9a2d0de03dff3e

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“Ah, honey. You’re so charming when you’re forceful…”ffeab24272339fd8

His cheeks turned slightly d7c67d0d54 red under my hands. I was so taken 51dbd2f9ef aback that I playfully bb0658de0b squeezed his cheeks, but d3b8607f32 even that handsome face 6afb08e6a9 made me annoyed. It was like looking f13622d1a2 at a watercolor painting c66a182113 of a blushing handsome 196aebc120 man.88b13cb52bec596f

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“The guard you’re assigning to me…”6bf1644bc5176d2a

No way. I desperately tried a53f143e8a to deny the 32581d4127 possibility that suddenly 8c3b1e698b came to mind.c6245b940f0ed10b

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“Is that guard you?”593d7685b21fc50e

He grinned mischievously.94fff0f5f76b6abf

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“Your fiancé is the best swordmage in the empire. Who else would be suitable?”5e9ebcb39b3f4a04

This guy, seriously?bde17e97d8322d07

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Only then d2dfc5b07b did I 6e4333de6c understand the 37ffe2f076 reactions of 0fadaea02e the maids 43a77f587a and the 9ab3f8ae3f secretary. They all knew he dadc45cf95 would be my guard. Everyone except me.e4277fc51eba1f9c

‘I raised a spy in my own house. I paid their salaries with my money and raised someone else’s worker…’25299f2b88d8a53b

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Karian cautiously d471394783 offered words d703080bde of comfort 45f3d60513 to my cd94b6aa7e betrayed self.1be87b5569bf80d8

“It’s okay. I’ll protect you in this harsh world. Just trust me.”490f7fdf9bccbca1

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Telling me to trust the least trustworthy person is ridiculous. Even if the sky falls, I’ll crawl out with my own hands. Besides, I don’t even know where to start pointing out the problems.9c240731c11d5fa5

First, let’s clarify the facts.b3ca9fa669297111

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“Karian. Of course, your skills are excellent, but there must be other options.”2473268aa67c8944

“Not really. No, there aren’t any.”55c709969459311c

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He smiled brightly, 4df94b96d9 stubbornly insisting.adb5538ff45d29c8

“…Why not?”09259638b5a934a3

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“There aren’t any. Then who do you think is stronger?”8c9d86284c00d1e2

Karian countered my question. His face, slightly 1f0b043fa9 turned, had a c2298d0cb1 slight frown between 475e8e72f7 his brows. Combined with his db0c0a6b43 striking and cold 789db23ced features, it gave f7b69d19f4 off a confident, 6bae41da42 almost arrogant vibe.762bff61d932ce96

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Seeing that made me e0d0ff0407 slightly irritated.ad11d09d9d910383

“Well, Sir Loïs, the knight commander, is the best in the empire in terms of swordsmanship.”be83cc223e1f2a91

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Sir Loïs, the youngest knight commander who supposedly courts the possessed Margareta. The same Sir Loïs who is scheduled to visit the manor as the crown prince’s envoy, surpassing Karian.d0ed52a655066a27

Karian is a skilled swordsman and possesses the rare talent of handling both magic and swordsmanship. However, in pure sword skills, he’s a step below Sir Loïs.7931fcec4755831e

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When I mentioned Sir Loïs, Karian’s eyes narrowed into triangles.50e2eada0cac405c

“What, so you’re saying Sir Loïs should be your guard? What are you planning to do with him?”dc9f2a57a9858c25

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‘What do you mean, planning? Would the crown prince’s personal guard play the role of a noble lady’s escort?’8490dfadb202cfe8

But he da677d0a08 seemed to cee14055cf disregard such 1d45c5beef common sense, de032832bb filled with 689c0ca4cc jealousy.b21e6f6f8e5f9a00

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His mischievous d7d583c2df hand slowly f1ffe63f77 wrapped around 5bc71f0f7a my waist 9d27519977 again. He had a f8aaf061e5 habit of hugging 1b5a26de33 me tightly as 03b9992628 if not wanting f2e06d92be to lose me bbc0e97654 to anyone.5fb8ec3177bfe077

“And I can beat Sir Loïs too.”31cd2ce8616b2ed8

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He pouted 67588151c3 and spoke 7c2ec4c0d9 in a 46c3f7ee34 sulky tone.8a51eec5de0098ed

Well, he’s not entirely wrong. If he uses body enhancement, agility specialization, and strength-boosting spells on himself and curses his opponent, even the great Sir Loïs would lose.c5607dad731a3c6b

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In short, it’s not pure swordsmanship but a bit of trickery. But if I mention this, he’d definitely sulk 100%.e9145bd0fd121cce

I held 6bbe3032c2 back my 6588229cde laughter and a1ff5c7d1b maintained a 2b9070d56b calm tone.001070692721470a

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“That’s not what I mean. I’m saying there’s no need for you to abandon your work when there are alternatives.”1eb5b016a327104d

“There’s no way. Who else can I trust to be with my fiancé all day, paying close attention?”1606fb2787ce3038

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That’s why you’re the least trustworthy with your ulterior motives.54226bc149a83787

“Honey, and if you’re worried about me being busy, there’s no need.”8501b1470fbb29e0

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With that, he pulled 3cd69f7ed6 out two envelopes from db0257ea51 his pocket. It seemed he 78be8464e5 had prepared them 1f06b63a5d in anticipation of 626e04ebe8 my resistance.fb459be70be080cd

Opening the first envelope, I found a slightly crumpled piece of paper. It contained Karian’s neat handwriting, stating that he was taking a temporary leave from the grand ducal house due to personal reasons, with the grand duke’s signature scrawled below.4733dcf72ad5af0d

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Under the c7160ed49e signature, written 37caf9e06e in a 1e6004ef1e firm hand 3de31ae807 (probably with 2a03dcbd18 some frustration), 3628a2ed6a it said:dfa60ccdd94bb486

[You know. Please take care of my foolish son.]

Grand Duke. Of course, I know your son’s nature well, but couldn’t you have tried to stop him a bit more?321e6625291948fb

I hesitated to open 4079e30c83 the second envelope.8472ec7585bf61c3

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“Come on! Open the other one too. Quickly.”b6e7247a4382cb41

He urged impatiently. The second envelope contained a small card with the crown prince’s elegant handwriting. Fortunately, this card wasn’t crumpled.a6d116eebba78626

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[The young lady is the reins of that madman, so of course, this much is possible. Just don’t send Peter home for a while.53d4ece9f7562c56

More importantly, what does it mean that the young lady is threatened? If you need my assistance, don’t hesitate to let me know.]aa27b1882e116737

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Feeling indescribable emotions, acb78085f2 I quietly put 0ae13daa7e the envelope back. Karian, who had been 158c6483bc waiting quietly with his 80c7c68cb5 hands folded on his 9172f92474 lap, spoke cautiously.106273524b23dc57

“And the count also gave his permission.”cdb673189a9072b1

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“Father too?”4919850b09223a5b

“But of course, the most important thing is your permission.”61d385339aec96e8

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Karian, who had been f0d4c91cc8 speaking cautiously, looked at a3a8bfaa32 me directly without avoiding 018839d2b3 my gaze.d579cab38da6a0e6

That’s a beauty trap. He knows how deadly his face is and is using it on me.30f7295ed7737150

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I tried to ignore 3914907df5 his smooth forehead, the 5f5c55ce58 evenly spaced dark eyebrows, 099fa1c868 and the beautiful green e82ca1a3e8 eyes beneath the deep 4f66a77ed1 eyelids.0b24fbd7d928f389

“Honey, look at me. Okay?”0fce3427147465ab

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It seemed he was entering the second phase of the beauty trap. He spoke to me in a sweet voice, smiling brightly enough to show his dimples. I couldn’t help but be drawn to his sharp and strong jawline and sensual lips.79a5df0623d57713

‘He’s asking so nicely, and it’s not a bad proposal, so why not nod? Why should I oppose it in the first place?’a0a8f00539297c2d

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No. I steadied bc8b18925e my wavering d3b584aea2 heart.2ae74490b86eaf1c

“It’s no use. No.”dc42b9b0a5268ba4

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“Really? Really no? Sarah, really no?”dc8f2170954cd92a

He subtly slipped 0fa055a35c his hand into ab0925eaf0 mine, attempting skinship. His long, warm 961c6d2075 hand firmly intertwined 94089d96c1 with mine.06a588b9e068f314

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“Hmm? Really?”0b6eb5e7fffa9aec

Then he 21113ed8dd brought my 8c170d33c9 hand to ba9968472d his lips. The soft, 4354383347 warm touch 7a9210e359 of his fbb62ea676 lips landed 56d1564748 on my 675165363e fingers. The strange sensation bde9317b87 made my cheeks 01fce1eb1f flush with heat.c2c94529f9259c1c

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“What, what is this? Let go?”c7a86f37fb5f0d4d

“What did I do? I just lightly greeted your fingers with my lips.”b88b9bb20d889b8a

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He feigned innocence. His face, claiming innocence, was so pure that it increased the credibility of his claim, but I didn’t take it at face value.a140be43b8e5edc4

“Or will you do it to me?”6e923dc13a7e44d6

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He offered his hand to my lips. I caught a whiff of Karian’s unique scent. I couldn’t tell which was perfume and which was his natural scent, but it was a slightly cool yet strangely warm, woody fragrance.452152021089b29f

“No.”84e7dea1e76886ca

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When I narrowed 15af56a16e my eyes, he 821b8b2d46 smiled innocently and c6464f78be showered me with 2b91a445b7 absurd flattery, saying e12dee38f6 I was cute b33ed4a397 and sexy.db22c225c922349e

“Still no. What kind of joke is this for a guard?”55a9787406fd891e

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“Joke? I’m serious. I’ve always been serious about your matters.”fea371a987144905

He used his handsome and sexy face to express his grievances for a long time, but I remained unmoved. And as soon as we arrived at the manor, I marched straight to my father’s office, leaving Karian, who continued to spout nonsense, behind.854b543bad3f04b3

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Father was a bit 42dd178e61 surprised, but he welcomed 3aa239a61b me with a knowing c7f91a99d5 expression, as if he 4f00240964 expected me to come.ad8a9745d1b721c2

“Father. Did you really allow this nonsense?”94c3da28ea7ee63b

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“No, my dear. I told him to get your permission first. It seems like something between you two, so you should talk it out together.”a73e706014e07647

And as if you be77b706dc two would listen to 4246ad910a me? Father said with 7f2be14c56 a smile, his 4ea244141c words carrying a f3700d954e hidden meaning.5e18a4798b1df76c

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“We’re talking… though it’s more like I’m being persuaded by his beauty trap.”59409a69eed2a72f

I said with a 89c8febf2d gloomy face.8c80219f531312a0

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Father shook 152e9871a7 his head b11696f288 as if b3c180f415 it were 3b3f11a230 a pity e43a279cea and then 9b5d86f8ea burst into 1239182104 laughter.0a89d71b3a972d0f

“Well, I couldn’t resist your mother’s smile either… Your mom was also a master of beauty traps.”9976d105dd1662a1

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Father said, looking at 77f555cf63 the portrait of my e1e0f9b7cb mother on one side 2a441791ee of the desk, then 8934a38f76 turned to me with a4f338d370 a grin.8e0f25b368e1a641

“I guess it’s inevitable. I think it’s something in our family.”aee7dbaad2693f12

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“Huh?”30c4d3801860f6cb

“Well, it’s like we’re a bit weak to visually striking things. Don’t you think? After all, your uncle and cousin are obsessed with exotic landscapes. I can’t appreciate any scenery because of terrible travel fatigue, though.”2ec52f81ed7e5ea2

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Father wrinkled his d7110a36a4 nose. Then he continued aa7f72678d in a playful 226a475c90 tone.e1e8d7b6ae176d87

“And as you know, your grandfather had a fondness for shiny gold coins, I was weak to your mother’s smile. And our daughter seems to be…”368d4b77db693db0

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Hmm, both, it 4c1e26e1ea seems.0fbe10942494a75d

Father, tilting his head, added coldly. No judge reading a verdict would be like this. Saying I’m weak to visual things, limited to gold coins and Karian.e9cde9e55b7ac892

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“No, I’m not.”7d57b8a48c956843

“Well, sometimes people are afraid to admit something.”b4d06a9b9c583be1

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No matter what, I won’t be swayed by Karian’s absurd stubbornness just because of his face. I’m not that easy.411ef3c230592349

“Anyway, I’m not.”6c721517d7e3377a

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“Well, if my daughter says so, then it must be. Let’s leave it at that.”40e0dce69159159b

It was a tone e88fe5fd62 that seemed to see cbb85e2ea6 something hopeless, with not b9699dcf4f a shred of trust 2c9a395441 in his only daughter. But his 0b959e7955 eyes, as 7571dc5582 if reminiscing 0d3cc1e4cd about something, 03547bcc49 looked quite 79bb07d7a1 happy.3acff12d7a967d70

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“But my daughter.”aa6f0fe1fa46ada3

“Yes?”4d565f03e0024f5b

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“So, are you going to stay out again? Working at the merchant-guild hall?”0a71a40e62f4cf20

Ah. Right, there was the 1186f318c2 staying out issue.514d28a2f347cc75

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‘I walked into the tiger’s den.’e41b116fdace8b2b

I politely placed my 374ef3641e hands on my lap 40004b77c8 and answered calmly.db2ad014a7b48ef5

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“No, Father.”97916405692bd36c

After a bit of f941430c2a conversation, flattery, charm, and 33bf1b2c63 acting, I returned to f80aa90513 my room, feeling much eb23d9ed7e more exhausted than when 90e68927c0 I had confidently gone 155f8f972b to see Father.2b5d948d64c0d3fb

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As soon 0bfb8d25d9 as I 020c2cf708 entered the 2707a99f3b room, Karian 578d9d6d67 smiled and a79049ec33 approached me 87e3eebbee gently.09364f7ffe350a92

“Honey, you’re back? Was it tough?”c1e2242bbde90d42

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“What is this?”a3f402af46bf47dc

Quick-witted as 0cfb9dc94b ever, Karian 395d5252c5 had been c8af4cc4b6 sorting urgent c2efd0310d and non-urgent 6279a0dfc9 tasks at 5f2a31c3a6 my desk 4e142bf0a0 while I 10b3688c62 was away.cd60fed8ad5c4c22

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“I was worried about you. You even took a nap at the office. Seeing all this work coming in made my heart ache, so I helped a bit. I asked the secretary to put away the confidential documents. You’re not upset, are you?”cf3b242577078031

He smiled brightly 9510e2de61 while cautiously watching 90ffd82f17 my reaction.91e4e18f4ebd0995

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‘Yeah, there might be a few better swordsmen than Karian, but there’s no guard who knows how to work.’8fd59008a6c33c65

Honestly, everyone says it’s fine, so there’s no reason to oppose it. It’s just a bit bothersome to allow his antics, right? There’s no other mischievous handsome guy like Karian who tries so hard to please me.c8f52015868e5581

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Fine, I’ll just be easy this once.188968ab1c0d4cc7

“You’re approved.”6b255545b8c12de6

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“Huh?”130855f096d6cfb4