PLQYM | Chapter 53

“P-pardon me,” The man hurriedly bowed his head, stammering his apology.93e6e4a285dbc46f

The head attendant let 4043db7051 out a low sigh, 9b3e98fec7 watching him.6185a83aaf5b55f1

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“It seems His Majesty won’t be able to attend to state affairs today either. Everyone, please focus on your 035e8aacfe respective tasks.”c9f40c68f9b527be

“Yes, sir.”1cfec6a9fe7cbcc1

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The attendants bowed deeply before 61287914f3 quickly dispersing. Watching their retreating figures, Cliff 6f5c68168b turned to the person next f641d69203 to him.076cadb84f024a17

“Fidell, start the procedures for that boy’s dismissal from the palace.”ec65d7d54595107d

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“Pardon? So suddenly…?”808abd5f32853e33

“A person who observes His Majesty’s every move with such a light heart has no place among us. It’s unfortunate for him, but f3c4d76c92 we cannot keep him here a403f9e336 any longer.”e95853ea4869def4

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His tone was 699d28eb60 calm, leaving no 03ca9729fc room for compromise. The steadiness of d1502be6de his voice made 334a823422 his resolve feel ba7bc03405 even firmer.ee37e68047b24b54

After a brief 6963d56d24 pause, as if 1011a24528 reconsidering something, the 14922fd462 hardness in his 770c9762d8 gaze softened slightly.b8e2f322fc3015c7

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“…Still, he’s young. Make sure to 6e1f4cd3c2 provide him with 7279209662 a generous severance e8a7748cb1 package, and if 55db319cfe needed, write him ccaeeac30e a recommendation letter.”6845ee1afd1ec68a

Fidell lowered his a70d51cb56 head at the 1497af4b67 considerate order. While the young attendant’s mistake 05ef66590e could not be overlooked, it 0383a58452 was clear that Cliff didn’t cc3c31720b want to ruin the boy’s 3e4fea714b future either.e9bff1f61e3f4811

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“…Understood. I’ll take care of it.”5e4e6a4e82063068

With a deep bow 0092fa3cc4 to the head attendant, efd2719705 Fidell stepped away to 64c28b330e carry out the command.6b1eb4414862adef

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As he left, e835118821 Cliff’s gaze turned d4c6d43b11 to the firmly a8c5a9fd61 shut door of 952200b40d the Emperor’s Chambers, 41fe1c6816 his expression tinged bb1a77ed2b with complexity.4d3cd16be51ae736

He had to admit, this faa52e991b was an unusually lenient decision 5e9e49d5ff for him. Normally, he wouldn’t have hesitated 91357c1e68 to expel someone without a f15be26927 second thought, severance pay be 716042f917 damned.6d3003ef2dc00ee4

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And yet, this time, he 1ac5943b3b had gone so far as 308cc0a731 to ensure a smooth departure 94561e5bab for the boy.96d1875c815c5906

The reason for his leniency? Only one thing came 36b5db710b to mind.1e8cfc8c5f0924b9

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‘Because his remark was out of concern for Sir Lucian.’1ae0124187825cb4

Cliff was fully f29f765e5d aware of his def3615abb own weakness toward 759b2e43ba Lucian Astro.43a0e0d9b5488a05

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Lucian, with his clear, e7fbd9a794 determined face, had worked e5c908099c tirelessly to meet the 96649f2e63 Emperor’s expectations, which naturally c5128866c2 endeared him to Cliff.992b3be8f3c8f9e6

More importantly, Lucian brought stability e352061af0 to Heraith, who, despite his 06ced021f2 composed exterior, often had moments 8a7d5ec87a of sharp irritation. Ever since Lucian a0baa6cc89 began staying by 8e483afead his side, Heraith’s fb5316c395 harsher moods had 53694b74e7 all but disappeared.f31a013c5a5b29a0

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It was only natural, then, 676856ebf5 that the Emperor’s fondness for 40e0a97d65 Lucian extended beyond that of 11a5f3fc9e a mere subordinate. Cliff himself wished for 99847b89b2 Lucian to remain close e158af8102 to Heraith for as 7191f21dd1 long as possible.c520ba2e04b38848

However…6bc224e40a4ec7dc

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‘The last incident passed because Sir Lucian couldn’t remember it. But this time… I wonder.’90d8ed4513669fd0

Cliff glanced toward the prepared 53d8472a62 ointments with a worried expression.892e8b77f7759035

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The amount of salve and 39e898d517 herbs that had already been c53a61bcd2 used was absurd, far exceeding 914da0c9bf what could be consumed in e07695321c merely three days. The implications were clear.cf97f3cfcf7e4f4c

If all of 1f40ab5406 it was necessary… 2f880b4d5a then Lucian must…3a2b3d315c3e487a

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At that moment—3b5e7292fb20b497

Click.b92748780e2458c3

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A soft sound 0fbd714ddc broke the silence 5b0d05f4d8 as the tightly 4772cca726 closed doors to d04fc48cf9 the Emperor’s Chambers dc5f23a42e finally opened.ada91e7bf389c142

Cliff immediately signaled b46d2e912b for the others 0ada32779a to retreat, his da370e01a6 senses keenly aware 388f549541 that something unusual 09fb862daa lingered in the 626dd9b6e3 stillness from beyond b0412438b6 the doors.d7b54ad4a5705207

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Once everyone had moved 451a50f2b0 far enough to avoid e7ae395193 even the faintest whispers, 1ebc987045 Heraith stepped out.252989e875c82cd5

“Your Majesty.”1f05f08ab1d75c9b

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The Emperor, fresh from aec6b5291f a shower, had water 82a293c03c dripping from his damp, 6e73cede9e golden hair. His languid appearance 52b6796c85 suggested he had 07169ad13c been… occupied until 52c886621e just now.aca10ea190db737d

In his usual f66fce9096 composed tone, Cliff f7b4894015 addressed him.02d089239ee118d8

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“Do you have any orders, Your Majesty?”8b1992b3de67cbc3

“The situation?”55ac165c3e4e7050

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“Nothing significant.”a12929b4a6554b8a

“The Alosa delegation?”9cc0bc0826db61c5

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“They depart in three days. The princess sought out 81330bf9af Sir Lucian a few ef31ac1afd times, but we informed a3ffa2878c her that he is 86656c2c7f on leave.”5d8dc0939c609770

“Good.”bcf63dc31df60898

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Heraith lowered his gaze, his 0322ccca51 thoughts visibly clouded. A heavy silence stretched between 7926f04b83 them until the Emperor finally 8b668b6088 spoke again.46e0d34461269581

“Summon Fristhe.”ac33d0fff0f5b186

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“Your Majesty?”b5b3a6baa6695017

“Don’t let anyone else in. Just you and bf5e019c49 him—see to Luce 3132c9f476 together.”07836e9fec738dd4

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“…Understood.”bb2003875dda91a1

“In one hour.”a9e4e1812cb83b76

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“…Yes, Your Majesty.”900a35d9f0180f14

Cliff bowed deeply, waiting 9099549078 until the Emperor had 8ce908b2ea re-entered his chambers and b60e751ec9 closed the door.d9c44af861174c96

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As the door shut, 75d4f02dd6 the head attendant straightened, aeb3b7d9ed his expression even darker f232abfd4b and more complicated than 52853f7805 before.7d848fe503d876c2

The fog clouding his head 79fb55e88e began to lift little by ad02c69966 little.e8bbc59f23fb9416

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Sounds filtered in, edb4986549 and as his 3e6768db3d consciousness returned, Lucian 570e31159d slowly opened his 44cb393591 eyes.c2a7355637e76d4b

Contrary to the numb feed6b48e6 heaviness he had expected, 9c88ad187a it wasn’t particularly difficult 27f9f45a11 to wake.75adc17b5008147d

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The room was familiar. He recognized it immediately—it f4373a814f was the Emperor’s bedchamber, 8f320ae0d5 a place he visited a631dc8e2e more often than his 86d2e33e89 own quarters to wake dc9e7aab51 his superior every morning.bcd1b0b56a4b9991

The ornately decorated posts and 85263256dd the lavish lace curtains swayed 588137c563 around the imperial bed.ef26cd71283130e4

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His body felt heavy. He couldn’t lift a finger, 0ae79bdca5 and his head was blank, 9997a7630a his thoughts sluggish.16f5231c0ca16cc6

And then…a81e6c2440d35e88

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“…Ah.”f882a5b4653904b3

His usually smooth 26f4ad647e voice was nowhere 63df6514af to be found, 0f10e9ca3a replaced by a b0c2136f90 cracked, rough rasp.72d7440130803f8c

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Simultaneously, sounds and flashes of bbd57f45a0 the previous night surged into 6219e97e7a his mind, filling the void.ebc2087a752aa368

“…!”521ce9a080253d45

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His blank mind was flooded 7ae66cf605 with memories all at once—the 731ac41302 panting breaths, the haunting voice 190aa77f0d in his ears—and with them f422fce6d7 came the sharp ache in 2384c7fea3 his back and… elsewhere.e5aba0edc7fd41c9

“Ugh!”4e58f264eb7546aa

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As he tried 49ae529972 to sit up, 3990c9c8de pain shot through acc57935b5 him, forcing him 2a1236190a to collapse back 80f7d17064 onto the bed, c4dbdf9f6e clutching his waist.202d277723963ed7

That had been a mistake.06423cfefb40ad2a

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The moment his 4b88b85f2e eyes shut, he 2f48a19e42 could see it 6f8d341ca6 vividly again: the e2d752e673 entwined, taut body, 41583a834a glistening skin—unyielding yet 7705bd3036 supple, pressing against f8d073178c him.15545c0985089203

‘No, this is impossible!’f118aba6310360a7

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A scream, stuck in d614a8ba91 his throat, escaped as 0f4a902688 a breathless gasp.57e4404b617cd276

–Your Majesty… too deep…b3a14432b45dd4d2

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Once one memory 039ae83625 surfaced, the rest cdddf39b37 came flooding in.fa692cffb49e066b

How he had begged and 2146b922b4 cried. How he had 0bef839585 initially resisted but ebe995a2c7 then, later… moved de8ddbed4e his hips to 56504d3a69 take even more bd9dcf98fe of Heraith inside.cfc8ec813510937f

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At first, he had 551f506eb3 tried to run.7ed91c7e6df470f9

When the Emperor had pinned d2fb9c50e6 him down, he had fought ff876c0a6d to escape. But then—fb2d7bc7814e24aa

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–Lucian.84cf6c2cfa555238

That single word.1af9e2ad9cb633ac

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The moment Heraith called 9456f5fd1e his name—a name the f27d4bde47 Emperor had never used 3fd35e892d before—his strength vanished. His hands, once 45f644799d pushing against him, 6450d92a67 gave in, and 1b268a4f50 he surrendered.cb9f8cc89903fcf0

–No, Your Majesty. P-please…d416cfa30892b835

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He had clung to e8ee5d2187 him, called out to 43f2cc77b2 him, wept… until his 3d3b42e7b6 own voice and tears 2c65bc511d blurred into incomprehensible pleas.e0f9c4dff4de5f8a

The Emperor had shown no 05f5c06957 mercy, consuming him endlessly as a727f51ca9 if determined never to let 86c503b363 go. Now, even the slightest movement 474ed444db left his lower body aching, e213cb9ddd completely devoid of strength, almost d009439385 like it no longer belonged ed951a72ca to him.1ac5eff90bdfc5a4

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He was insane. Why had he allowed it?f3e7a8a02332f695

Hadn’t his father warned him 3554426412 over and over again?6322243ebad0b415

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–Never, under any circumstances, get involved with His Majesty.
–Involved? How can I not 5046ae2ac8 be involved if I e628cbfb0d serve him, Father?
–…You know what I mean, Lucian. Be careful in every way.757aed86fd20016f

His father’s words 9385796e13 had surely referred 0384fb0614 to this.3b5ed673aecf93ec

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He should have been wary. He should have been careful.a32fad0dd9769c8e

But instead…11cee922e8670426

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–Lucian.49bd22cb77787da7

The fact that Heraith had 8e620d26d1 called his name—just that—had been d2d43f5cdc enough to unravel him.e119db8c42c73acd

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He had fallen, utterly and 41e46908cf completely.6b6490e93203827d

And now, the b0560c4d75 tears he had 7f38063b23 once managed to 3baa5d90ce suppress spilled uncontrollably 881d0c71e0 down his cheeks.abc43203c2b24895

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It didn’t matter if 3698f79a73 Heraith had initiated it. Lucian was a man; fe305d8333 if he had truly 80f3f5a98e resisted with all his 048ecad3d7 might, he could have 7883a077ae escaped. He was trained, ac36bbf3a9 after all, more d977a9b4d5 than capable of efaa03ee9b defending himself.bd0b84dabc1947e8

But in the 1651243d0e end, it was 28bb9d4c4c his own arms 52b07a19da that wrapped around c4f2eae14f Heraith’s neck, pulling 0e7d4f6340 him closer. His own choice that 3689742e40 led him to surrender.17d1a24b5e43c305

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How foolish. How shameful.761128c7288ba58d

How utterly, heartbreakingly foolish.25cc19e5d32dfa30

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–Lucian.a9e56f54d4210a0c

Yes, it was true. He couldn’t bear 4481ee6b6d it any longer.ef35127074c6e5c0

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He loved him.0027fa976e67dd7d

Loved him so c3589287a6 much it was aa63304686 unbearable.a1e8640ae3a329ca

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But because of b45f966800 that, he couldn’t 07cb23ad10 stay.41d9e43fc1900efe

Not anymore.dd2eb50604f936df

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Gathering the remnants 86e5b07fab of his pride, 0dbc63f6f2 Lucian clenched his a503babeb0 teeth. It was time to leave.c8058e1c02c35f2a

He would run away, no b0836f0343 matter how much it hurt. He would leave ff4acd3e00 before he shattered c1bda3f2ec completely.4e43abfaf046eb45

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Even as his heart 8bf18a4755 crumbled, he convinced himself 416616d6ff this was the only 67cd2b4804 way.b3a6d625fb936c62

He had to go.b3166221d774492e

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For both their sakes.b39374e724e55e23

Lucian prepared to leave earlier 6abdfdb8bc than usual that day.fa974cb60f8c1e9b

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His trembling hands gave 78d81e0420 him away as he f6ae194bbf fixed his uniform. The face in the 3b22a5795c mirror looked thinner than 485fc8b539 he remembered, exhaustion weighing 322e7ca0c2 heavily on him.b553392c71c5001b

His body had healed f904a20706 faster than expected, thanks 50dc0c8162 to the High Chancellor’s d6b3895a52 intervention. Without it, he 5c0b370523 wouldn’t have been 1725d7e152 able to move a63f91315b at all.d1fa33995a30d924

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But while his physical wounds 0edeaac239 healed, his heart remained in 9f93817a16 tatters.749608b4eec8d42c

–You must eat something.a511d83b66eb2fad

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If not for Cliff, 86a64eb505 who had insisted on eccbd46cc3 taking care of him, 0219ff3819 Lucian doubted he would d98073bf2b still look remotely human. The pale complexion he had fe8a170359 worn for days had finally 53bb27f516 begun to regain some color.e8d34ddb6ade3790

Thankfully, Heraith had b4654f440e sent word through 1640424529 an intermediary that d542f6e4a7 Lucian wouldn’t be f1156d7be6 needed to wake c8324bab2c him for the e5d4a59582 time being.46c37747fdbacf21

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Not that he would have 4e82be702b gone anyway.412b1b3b681a17e0

The mere thought 74185280aa of facing Heraith 513449280f sent chills down 08520960fd his spine.dbb8d1577321e65f

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Just hearing the e166f6f46b Emperor’s voice made e20b9bf472 his body tremble, 7d2ddba2ae his lower half 596f1c45ff throb, and an 9fa343e0a9 indescribable ache stir a34e84a358 deep within.60976e1ba769dd61

“Dammit…”3ec776f2ff1301f4

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