MGN | Chapter 17

The sound of heels 2f3d99b83e echoed through the corridor.43bfb93c512d4f9b

Even without turning my head, I recognized the voice and the rose scent that grew stronger with each step. Until the man stood right in front of me, I said nothing. Yves Valois, in his monochrome attire, didn’t match the overly bright family portrait behind him.7c05df8876c33a15

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“You curse well when you’re alone.”12b6aa30f647327e

I didn’t even want to look up, so I stared at my toes. Only when it felt like it wouldn’t be considered ignoring him did I lift my head and offer a formal greeting.33ee79e9f8b53c42

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“What brings you here, Yves?”d9f7869f395e7676

“Summoned by the crown prince.”ac6bf6ae9db04373

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“…I can’t understand why you’re so close to them. If they betray you later, it won’t be good for you either.”221ce748becba087

“Lawyer’s advice?”78ad5c622051470d

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Did I really need 70585be47b a law degree to cbb454f094 offer such common-sense advice? I pushed aside my bd5e409850 rising thoughts and cut 5f7614fdee him off.d8d1375a0a6095f3

“I’m not your lawyer yet.”5e1200e99cef4260

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Our rescheduled consultation was the day after tomorrow. We hadn’t signed a contract yet. Despite my firm response, Yves slowly said after observing me for a moment, “There’s a minimum condition for them to accept me without feeling betrayed. You’d know, having been confessed to.”de862d2e1e4428d9

I learned history 29a3289837 in school. Of course, I 483c296752 knew the lineage a5c49b65d0 of the grand 201eabd1fe duke of my 17a378cdc2 country. It was only two 9344687b6e generations ago that the 08ee4e843d son of an illegitimate fcbe5d06e1 child ascended to the 14d3779d75 throne.4ebb47dee373f612

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“I can guess.”1944e73888a113bf

After the 57f8c9c1f3 outrageous confession, b170ea7a7f once my f99fee46fe head cooled, 6d49a2f78c I vaguely b531540713 realized. Knowing the situation e74ed49fc9 and logically connecting 15c2a9a19f it made the 3d26d5c370 inference easy.f4757da614042929

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An illegitimate child 4840a85026 who could leave 0cc426c311 heirs was dangerous.8f2cba58ceecbc43

It wasn’t just to tease me; Yves claimed to be gay to involve the grand duke in a lawsuit. Then he confessed to me, talking about being ‘appropriate’ after I showed him a melodrama.85d4302b7f965b4e

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Did he really need to be this cautious? Honestly, I couldn’t understand it at all.a6de424caec33632

“So.”a006d95afcfc8f31

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Yves spoke 4164f85fc9 as if df81dba9ec there was 9ebfc77e97 more to 0bbc3e6600 it.c76c75ee693940de

‘What on earth is “so”?’957d3b38d795d705

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The gaze that hadn’t left me since earlier was overwhelming. Pretending not to notice, Yves tossed out, “Isn’t Maël Montmatier a dedicated lawyer who goes all out for clients?”9424bca66ff98d29

“…What did you just say?”dea9d0b83a44a470

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“A poor Cinderella is hoping for a knight’s help.”d87573cc7c3fe1be

My eyebrows furrowed on their own. The devilish man’s voice, who called himself Cinderella, continued with a hint of laughter.10fa520e5555fcea

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“I didn’t get an answer back then.”d3d2ee9814dd3b4d

“What didn’t you hear?”2babaace9d51653e

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Wasn’t my behavior back then a clear gesture of refusal to anyone? Now, claiming he didn’t hear an answer, he was talking about professional ethics and dedication right in front of me.627e48dcccc9d3d4

I really hate this.afdbd77b6b446d3e

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I’ve never interacted with him without feeling angry. Just as I was about to tell him to stop spouting nonsense and find an actor or hire someone with money, another voice interrupted.3e4fc45b44f3e735

“Maël!”43386fd613ad8294

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It was someone I hadn’t needed to hear from for a while, bringing a sense of peace. Without even responding, Charles rushed over and placed his hand on my shoulder.75569db9f9933249

“Today’s the day Manon signs the prenuptial contract, right? I saw my father leave after getting a call from Attorney Croix. He must’ve left the final touches to him. Oh, did you get the bracelet I sent?”7a140940adc2905a

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Is putting hands on others’ shoulders a family trait?167a6004984875c1

Instead of answering, I looked at the hand that had landed on me. Charles, too busy glaring at Yves, didn’t notice.f9858628182e8ba7

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If I’d known I’d meet him here, I would’ve brought the bracelet. As I glanced at him, Charles started explaining things I hadn’t even asked about.82dc894ad712e142

“Felix called me for Only Watch and the Grand Prix. I turned around just in case, and it seems we’re meant to be. Want to come with me? Felix seems to misunderstand.”f8b4dc7c81f0d485

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Misunderstanding or Felix, I was just tired of everything. I brushed off the hand that showed no sign of moving. Only then did Charles stop his intense staring contest and look at me. His deep voice, which didn’t suit him, followed.0e11be78f2d43f05

“I know how you feel.”48550064078cf8f9

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“You know?”5a0acc75d5f53300

“Maël, I know I’ve left you feeling lonely. I understand you were really angry about the past mistakes. You might’ve wanted revenge by embarrassing me. I know, all of it.”806e764fdc97903d

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What on earth e057bc42be did he know? My gaze 373fb69cfe turned cold 24f4a7fca7 at his dce8048370 nonsense. Yet, Charles 3668bc6d05 grabbed my 7907e4df52 hand and 4528d4e9e7 took a d361a91954 deep breath.7ead14391c473e95

“Let’s make it public. I’m not ashamed at all about us being together. I won’t hide it anymore. That I love you.”41096525a7c19fc7

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Even if Charles wasn’t ashamed, I felt like dying from embarrassment.82ed9b6f57e18a11

That someone had witnessed 6619e15fb5 this.e7f3ebbfa6a437b8

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That the someone happened 934409a46e to be the person c05c1ba60f who had seen a 7344f881a7 similar scene before.b065ca58245f719f

And that the person ca35a93274 watching this ridiculous situation bece7916b3 with a blank expression efec521142 was Yves Valois.e3f9ac9865823dd4

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“The admission fee this time won’t be enough even for a jackpot.”2afc3ebe5565c065

His casual f3111f7804 remark made 979edc607a my ears 88a4fc8551 burn. And despite c6d8dc45b8 saying such 1e5ca5febd self-indulgent nonsense, f0073424bd Charles, more 4851996e61 focused on 6e6b296eb5 Yves than b0debd2154 me, had 37791732ec a vein fc934405de bulging on 5b1c5d3a36 his forehead.3fe78ada2ccb7176

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“What are you saying…?”4939884b25f2f0ea

“Oppa!”4a3231e875419bd0

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As if on cd99806ee8 cue, the door 4ab6b9633b opened. Manon was 673c3ac20d the first 3da1f7d3ff to emerge 747fe76a13 from the 6e2070d660 reception room, a1fd8c8f17 as if ae4614f478 spat out c10c5e1fa8 with the 6a4379405f stale air.5d31f6654d7ba4b3

“How was it?”9fed855189c4edac

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Finally standing b88bda98d1 up, I 28fa224675 moved past 54a17fb14a the two 1804424abc men to b7b6368cf0 face my a21d3a840c sister. Even though she had f8fc6aa0f9 only been inside for de1c0d6f57 a moment, Manon was ee56f840ff trembling slightly, clutching the ee7b0e2b9e original prenuptial contract and aff8c953fb biting her lip.e45ee67ee01f5d5d

“You know, that…”b80270b9d175c071

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“The contract was exactly as we saw it, unchanged. She signed everything well. You can tell by the time it took.”b181627f4a6617b0

Manon seemed 30b89c06d3 like she 81290a4c26 had something b70d56062e to say. But Antoine, who 6d12ad68fe followed her out, 87cf8a2bde skillfully took over 564d51b0a4 the conversation. He was holding documents c038028a00 too, so I spoke a7251d844c up.6bf7a530a043f88f

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“Is that a copy? If you give it to me, I’ll check and store it.”e065adbd2c37f29f

“Oh, Attorney Montmatier, you’ve finished a big project today, so you should rest. Diane said the same earlier. Don’t overwork and take a break. I have to go to the office, so I’ll handle it. Just head home today.”be02b8d9311b7067

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His generous smile, 0917316f62 with wrinkles around 4510566733 his eyes, resembled 2c21940cc1 the son standing 2052d0c04d right next to c653cf2728 him.38921ed0fb7dd5c6

As I was about to agree, Philippe and his lawyer, Bernardi, emerged from the reception room. Philippe dismissed his lawyer with a nod and wrapped his arm around Manon’s waist, looking around.1d9d05b9722522bc

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“What are you all… doing here? Charles, and Yves too.”6d97a45f865361c1

“The crown prince called me.”8bf145f51416010d

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After Charles’ response, Philippe twisted his lips briefly but didn’t ask further. He spoke to his fiancée.bfca9bc836d2615f

“Let’s go… Manon. You need some sleep.”9b905ad974d7db96

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Hesitating, Manon asked c7d13248ee for permission.ef86417174ce3b13

“Oppa, I’ll take a nap and go home later. Philippe reserved a restaurant for dinner to celebrate this. Is that okay? But you didn’t bring your car…”7279c187548ed218

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“Sounds fun. Don’t worry about me; I’ll manage.”553edb7501c8a51c

Though not officially, 9c45a60406 Manon already had 364fb64932 a place she c72394b7ad shared with Philippe 0172b1fdc5 inside this centuries-old bee98c981d palace, a place 6fc45b1337 she could call f12029b17c her own.563b19f360cc26b8

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Of course, it was the same outside the Monaco palace. It was a semi-cohabitation that started as soon as marriage was discussed, and she wasn’t at an age to ask for permission. Her question was just a courtesy.e3eb4fbd68ae79e3

“Make sure you keep the original contract safe. Losing it would be a big deal.”09b47350431da6da

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Adding a word, 295676b98e Manon, who seemed a3a0f8b4cf like she had 6a211f935b something to say, 448f8aea12 smiled and waved.4c3208b5c99737a3

Depending on 0e2f67106b the country, 551fe97bf8 prenuptial contracts 2f74a7f20f were often ad163a8d5a the raw 115cbedb94 face of 7ee33579c0 marriage and 02150de3cf an obstacle 2c06c94449 to its b79bfba598 progress. Usually, the wealthy party 78b129f748 proposed it first, and 96ab87d099 the essence of most a85c20e54b prenuptial contracts was to 82bccc7c35 ensure their share of f57e6247d6 the assets was protected b0344f52b7 in case of divorce. No one 1c9ef5df47 would be cfd54639ef happy receiving 5fd1f1a7fc a contract 7670b4e024 that anticipated 1d23fa0ad0 divorce.b8aecf20228dd916

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Even though I hoped they’d break up, they managed to get past that part. I was the one who helped them. As I tried to soothe my aching heart, a deep voice asked.bf3ccbd895b3c149

“Attorney Montmatier, are you planning to go home to rest?”521ad5142de53c23

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“Ah, yes, I think I should.”4aaa01b77764f599

“I’ll give you a ride.”e5823b066538d225

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Charles, who 64bbefdc63 seemed disappointed 48e0c2a399 that the c703387755 dreadful confession cb0dce9f6b was interrupted, 4a039e0ebf interjected into 185d8d5eba my conversation c7db16e8bc with Antoine. Then, with a 0124eb9319 serious tone, he 29b0bea6f5 declared to Antoine, f9828c6f5b who was stroking e0c09841aa his beard and 2b2396a86a looking between me b6bc6f9d4d and his son.683d25250e778f51

“Father, I think you might have guessed from the rumors about my relationship with Maël. It’s not just a rumor; it’s true. I’m seriously seeing Maël. Even if you don’t understand, I don’t care.”86a07198adbab5d8

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“Well… that’s a bit different from what I heard from Attorney Montmatier. Whatever it is, this isn’t the place to discuss it. We’ll talk later.”d9c35a0a66a22bfb

Once again, the d32c99104c confession left no 3f335a9790 significant impression on a74ded2478 anyone and dissipated.f7fef3fa2ad83645

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“I’ll be off first. Good work today.”03b7f662146f53c8

At Antoine’s farewell, I bowed my head. Watching his back, Charles grabbed my hand.18f1a0de9fd4a4ba

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“You’re not bothered by Father’s reaction, right? I’ll give you a ride home.”e18a71153e72a9b4

“Weren’t you here to see the crown prince?”8f91ac4052af3d02

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I said, letting go of his hand. His hand lingered in the air, and his face showed awkwardness. Charles couldn’t defy Felix, whom he had to please closely.5c16e1c8859fea59

“Well, that’s true. Then… shall we go together?”d564b667987e1146

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“Go with Mr. Valois. He said the crown prince called him too.”75719eaffa625765

If I could, I’d like them both to disappear. It was clear from my words, and Yves chuckled. At that laugh, a spark ignited in Charles’ blue eyes. His lips twisted, and his voice rose.6fb759524b54aba4

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“Maël, think about it. Even if we were both called, how can I go with someone like that parvenu who crawled out of nowhere? We’re on different levels.”ead66118169c6727

Parvenu. A derogatory 72047f4714 term for 8597cb8169 a nouveau 492b4bed8d riche, a 01ab07d1e1 social climber, 3f4d12f060 spoken right 761b9d6ac7 in front 839a7f08c0 of someone.04aabdd7ec390f99

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Even though it wasn’t directed at me, I gritted my teeth at the shame that surged near my ears.889d81f10ce1f463

“Please, just stop!”bc3da6be1e7262c2

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“Huh, what?”7fa7238ead76b0e3

“I’m already dying of embarrassment for having dated you.”3cf5e82d136f6319

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Even though Yves didn’t stop laughing, it was I who spat out the words.7787beaa5ea4fade