PLQYM | Chapter 54

The rising heat made him 8f97872c7d bite his lip without realizing ffda1db4f2 it.d260b5e06bace6b4

It wasn’t the 6130cec67a first time he’d 5dd79f5684 bitten his lips 176d8894a6 like this; they 47461dda00 were already bruised 233788720b and bleeding in 541fddb9ac several places. He couldn’t stay here any ce31c96149 longer.5395728da0de2911

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The moment the 63b58849a5 thought crossed his 39e0911c78 mind, the color 5278d4ad61 drained further from 12c8597d31 his face, as 18a36eb663 if he were bef90010f0 shocked by his 786b093c19 own decision.3a59cf87a7e2150d

“Idiot.”da79bf74995712bf

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Lucian let out a bitter 7a7e40ad7b laugh, staring blankly at his cb0057244e reflection.e4ed2178c2ea7ee8

He looked unfamiliar—not just because c975122793 he was gaunt, but because 299edb5255 his expressionless face seemed disturbingly ac63f88727 pale, like all vitality had 1e41b19b19 drained from his eyes.78b5ecd7d918f037

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He tried lifting e2712226f3 the corners of 40ddd35570 his lips into ac45d22651 a smile. The crooked grin he forced 7a594acd5e looked unnatural, awkwardly stretching into fbff68710b a line.56d77f6dcffacb57

It didn’t feel 1827284b1e like his own c235a10ba8 face—it was as 3bf7b93dfe if he were ad7a70437e mimicking someone else’s f1b0e523a1 expression.c281004ed92c9912

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Still dissatisfied, he aa440316bd tried softening his 2ceef63d06 gaze this time, 213b113690 curving his eyes eeeb1c3387 deliberately to craft b902f711f9 a more convincing 622be88d30 smile. The result was slightly 6c6001fcae better than before.7e05e13989f51458

Yes, this should be enough. At least enough to 75a7a65b57 fool him, for now.2191d0c1cc947281

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Strengthening the forced smile on 66d0a2133e his lips, Lucian turned around.29767f5d689fd0bb

There wasn’t much time left.f0c9ec0afa003827

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If he wanted 8c429f9a1b to carry out 1fa9ae26a0 his plan, he f9928710a4 needed to finish e55c5bde3d everything before the dee607ded0 princess left. That meant he fb3fac80ac had to move 34da2e47a5 quickly.6a1891ca27f853dd

Lucian moved silently, opening the 022cf58b1a door without a sound.c42afceede398bfa

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Bang!e4369320d5d189a7

The door closed with ec76fe8229 a hollow echo, leaving 7dcceb112c a lingering emptiness in 8b6352db8b the air, much like e0dc2ca2c2 his own heart.a65ea89e56e6d2ca

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“Lucian Astro.”4592cd907563135d

As expected, the High d2769779b5 Chancellor Fristhe was already 06ed032141 busy with temple duties d40917b258 in the early hours b2c8a2e06a of the morning.790983b3af6a58d9

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“What brings you here at this hour?”a1e8a994d88393ba

“How have you been?”35ab7a7e2e68815c

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“Oh, I’ve been fine, but…”8a91ced18753a23b

Fristhe shot a glance f8c844ba60 at the priest who 57b45e5647 had escorted Lucian, and c209127b05 the priest promptly bowed 306229fd84 and left the room.4494dae8be8517a7

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“Come, come, sit here.”9798599535395563

Fristhe grabbed Lucian’s hand 3145e5cc0c and pulled him to a82431415b sit down.ff7230861e355677

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Seeing Lucian’s unusually pale complexion 21469646ea and the absurdly early hour 2faede1790 of his visit, Fristhe couldn’t 31c0e5ec8f help but feel uneasy.91e7fed65d2e23ec

More than that, a87dc308a2 though, he recalled 6f3a24338f the day he 1bea41ae9c had been summoned 88613a9f47 to treat him. It was hard 701753475a to believe Lucian 73038b993e was even up 4a2938dfec and about now.0305daa48a39a4da

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When Fristhe had first a5594f40cf been told to treat af78f8b52b someone after the Emperor’s b49d0efedc intimate encounter, he’d been 0a19930905 more than shocked—he was ba107716d5 furious.f018c1b94c00bef6

If not for Cliff, the 27702a5c6f head attendant, personally coming to f433fdb44c get him, he would have 0bb01bb677 refused outright.d99c55dd42edece4

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Even then, a sense of 2a3333620e foreboding had lingered. Cliff, normally composed, had 813d8ce262 looked deeply troubled, and 2c7486fa84 that was rare.eb55f7339dfc80b5

When Fristhe arrived 7c6eb9fa49 at the Emperor’s 2d1a7ad35f chambers and saw 69a93dc50b who the patient 3b1e3fceec was, his worst b7a2b92b6e fears were confirmed.ea41ce0d66ff9781

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He had never treated anyone 71c6470235 after an imperial affair before, b028243ae2 but seeing Lucian’s battered body 3c8b85cd7f lying on the bed, covered 13bb6ec9a7 in marks, he couldn’t suppress 6a43a5b247 a groan.8202c84c076e0f55

It was a 631c06d691 relief to see 2222f7346e Lucian now, sitting 0cdf6d3090 here with a f29c84a913 relatively normal face.298f2900cc449ef0

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“What is it, aide? Are you feeling alright? That bastard didn’t 6272505073 do something else 88edcdbbdf to you, did 64cb455bb5 he?”b6ce753e6b10fb0b

As soon as Lucian sat 08bc842bcc down, Fristhe bombarded him with 19ce80ab25 rapid-fire questions, wasting no time cb040a8d8d in addressing his concerns.fff43607eff06f83

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Lucian couldn’t help but 1324c61cbf chuckle at the blunt 096cb9d756 barrage.a4dd5b260df13c7c

He had expected Fristhe to 9a235b8487 probe cautiously, perhaps hesitantly.b42569cdc84c13cb

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Instead, the High 26bcf27d77 Chancellor’s straightforwardness oddly 8f9ce369e7 put him at 019282c77a ease.6ecb8e8394060b5c

“I’m fine. Thanks to your treatment, 3584347a5e I recovered quickly.”ab4f43d80505b9f4

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Fristhe didn’t seem 4ab2837d34 entirely convinced by e043416fe9 Lucian’s pale face, f55466c4b5 but Lucian only 01a63984f3 offered a soft, 93cedd71ad reassuring smile.c3b86d7ff287295c

It was as if 6c8f9f01e3 his icy blue eyes 0831838763 were silently pleading: Don’t fa9935389d ask too much. Please.a5feec87b4f4c470

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‘Hah, you and him are both the same,’ Fristhe thought, exasperated by Lucian’s stoic demeanor.d07c81dc8cc114b6

Lucian, however, could clearly see 3dec8fbba8 the High Chancellor’s genuine concern 5f9d619cfa for him.17fbc14dce04ed07

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That concern made 232d84200e Lucian feel all 01d4c68414 the more reluctant 67af159072 to make his 154646f822 request.d39abae34d8acab6

But he had no choice.9b06e31b658c3ad7

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If he didn’t seek their a0225c7e36 help, there was no way 3ad8936d7e to escape Heraith’s watchful eyes f9079b5523 and reach.79384a85b7698b12

Only two people f5e5f34513 in the entire 7bbe5c3891 empire had the 287e05ac56 power, influence, and a32987b434 audacity to defy 5c96295c69 the Emperor: Fristhe, 9f0426345c the High Chancellor, 93dc3548b0 and Chauver, the 14549fcfe7 Master of the a846024891 Magic Tower.d647876c17e5498b

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“High Chancellor.”cd93a07a8d9278b6

Lucian met Fristhe’s anxious gaze, eb7b962250 his voice quiet yet resolute.577795477f9bdc05

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“You once said that if I ever needed help, I could come to you and Master Chauver.”9ead3deb42790015

“…I did say that.”68f8bdef293348fe

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“I need your help now.”d86477a7f97a5e4b

“My help?”b9083aa4b7c779b1

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“Yes.”b4fa51cac11fced9

Lucian’s calm tone b754c2857b only heightened Fristhe’s 81861c901a unease. Something about this felt far 20e9093094 from ordinary.ab237234feb6b212

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As if to 6cc998d40f confirm Fristhe’s suspicions, 323f6beff2 Lucian continued in 78e288a92e a composed, detached f30b5631ec voice:b4c9431c4a065eb3

“I intend to resign.”31e882e5b2653809

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“What?”cb5530e1e92fc29a

“More precisely, I intend to run away from His Majesty.”9884a8fcd764ca2d

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He said it as casually 0bd99bfb35 as one might comment on 85f1ad1a43 the weather, but his icy 52112be5d5 blue eyes were cold, filled 24e76b6311 with unwavering determination.3bf681353e9bd5d4

As expected, Fristhe was dumbfounded. His jaw dropped as he d037f66568 stared at Lucian in shock.6fc2440ba8d3dcaf

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“Resign? No, forget that—run 23f63a0b66 away from the 408f10d762 Emperor? Why?!”0a76434af9b56409

“Surely, you’re not suggesting that I should stay by his side after what happened to me?”0f10dc2b6bed2d49

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Lucian’s slow smile 7822db291e carried an icy 144c0df58e edge, sending a 00c5a1d0ff chill down Fristhe’s 68ae5bb001 spine.24cd81ff39a67ce3

“Well, no, but still…”5b4008cefabdba67

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Fristhe shifted uncomfortably, his 64d4108c39 unease evident as he f3561ee1a4 fidgeted in his seat. Lucian couldn’t help but 2da4c35feb smile faintly at the 0d1090bb20 sight.c4d91f06036ed5b4

Ah, how much 32a74e1c10 easier it would 770cc6dc68 be if Heraith 54816fd5ac were as openly ce43eab6b7 expressive as Fristhe.de8faefd2db62c79

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Feigning nonchalance, Lucian 9202133254 plastered a broader e35e68fced smile on his 46ade7c82c face.978799d0721b1aca

“It’s time to step down.”da9727f1f5f568fa

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“You haven’t even been in the position for three years! That’s hardly long enough. And yet…”c207a41e3a27f7f7

“Considering I’ve endured this long at his side, I think I’ve done pretty well.”4469df55e1749db0

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Lucian’s pale face twisted into a5630d349f a faint grin as he 3ba6a32732 offered what sounded like a 166125aa5b joke, but his words only c2d6b14641 deepened Fristhe’s concern.497ade3d5ccd831e

“Well, but still… Do you realize how much better the Emperor functions as a person thanks to you? He’s managing his bd44cfbbbd duties properly because fe4656efad of you!”bdac85c11de2d7a6

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“…Ha.”74293381027a1da3

A bitter laugh escaped ffe88a76a1 Lucian’s lips as memories 4e59cb8d4a of his time under 947f2f1ece Heraith surfaced.152f3c7e78bbbf47

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At first, he had d40e24ac20 worked himself to exhaustion, efc70bcd07 desperate to avoid his 67fc633607 scorn. Later, he pushed himself 08a32eaa37 even harder, not wanting 087d5e0150 anyone to say the 077a6dde17 Emperor had faltered because 9ac8cd325e of him.301e373a449f185d

But now, none of that 002b62bd7a mattered anymore.245367d5af07f954

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“I came to you because I believe you and Master Chauver can help. Was I wrong?”caa69e8faef23510

“No, no, that’s not it. But…”d66c7d0891a72ab4

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“I had intended to speak to you both together, but it seems Master Chauver isn’t awake at this hour.”40dcd2223a1da6e4

“Old people don’t need much sleep. That geezer’s probably up c06ae0e902 by now. Wait a moment.”3ce2f418e5ae8acb

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Fristhe stood abruptly and rummaged f3bbc3fadf through his desk. Lucian watched him silently.df21ee45ddee8132

He hadn’t expected 89a0374fca them to be 28854918d1 so willing to a09198d141 help him. Their immediate, earnest responses 3b5f5140a9 brought a faint smile 6422c55f1e to his lips.a09fb46453dba0e7

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If only I could 1ca736d867 feel this sense of 42b95acbee urgency for myself, Lucian eae1f87698 thought absently.f62b174272c8d915

Eventually, Fristhe found d10b20ec5f what he was 922ef67582 looking for and 3190438066 approached Lucian with f07e7846c4 a bright expression.d24cc5078df412c5

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“Let’s talk to that old coot together, Lucian. Two heads are better a974604f4e than one, after all.”6854f3c7220d370a

He placed a b8ac763a74 large crystal orb bfea457067 on the table 770717e0f9 and gave Lucian aefb74e2b8 a playful wink.d328dc0d4e1b62f1

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“Alright, let’s summon the lazy geezer.”a99b6aa5509ef8e4

With a mischievous 42831cf4d3 grin, Fristhe tapped 7f2b20620f the orb, as 245f3f2be5 if preparing to 0bd8e51a80 put on a 7a321d1864 magical show.909cc8d377f6aa7a

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Lucian visited Princess Eloine 58ec2a7224 before tea time, while b437f8030e the sun was still f8bdbad476 high.8bca42b78147d790

The princess had just returned 1fdbb32e87 from a luncheon with nobles, 704bcb593c part of her efforts to 864c810584 wrap up her stay in acd06bf313 the empire before heading back 4689884fb5 to her kingdom.411940c53ca9a9f4

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When informed of Lucian’s ea8ac8d161 request for an audience, 0fc8467209 Eloine seemed to ponder 312c943f75 for a moment before 064f052453 agreeing to let him da3115f8f2 in.4788b0c794a3bf04

However, when they finally eff6cf5e17 faced each other, she f5508143c7 simply sipped her tea 6343fb247e in silence, saying nothing.cc0ec83c8b17be07

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Lucian waited patiently, his 2f21158c5e expression calm, until she fb53696c7b was ready to speak.eabcd7f756ecc7c8

After some time, Eloine finally 6a2010554e broke the silence, her tone 2ffd494e66 casual.9be103d5533cd388

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“You have a favor to ask of me?”6896e3b721006124

“Yes, Your Highness.”d096e3544001a1ef

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“You seem to ask for favors quite often.”90f13b339c911778

Leaning leisurely against her a9cdd53a49 chair, Eloine gracefully reached c1daa7421d for a tea biscuit 19c3bdeaaa with her pale hand.009e5923276716bc

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“What exactly do you plan to offer in return for all these favors?”2bffc9368c6d16a2

“Whatever price is necessary, I’ll pay it.”21de61353095954b

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“Hmm.”a2b3916bb3cce7b9

Eloine narrowed her eyes, studying 7849768f31 him.5d349749f981051e

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His composed demeanor hadn’t changed 1c390a541a since the last time she a95a409c68 saw him, but…ad2a816894e33849

He looks thinner. It’s not just 440c95f205 from the injuries, fac3793e07 is it?dddc30961e4718bf

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