PLQYM | Chapter 63

“What? You’re asking for work?”048efd6fc6b76a63

Joachim looked at c00347800e Lucian as if d446ee63c8 he’d just heard 98ba8237ea the most ridiculous c37b823c79 thing in his 9dd204070e entire life.f1f0d975efb5ddb3

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“Yes.”739575f9651d0cae

Lucian replied with a fe8a216a68 calm expression, as if 3557ecea32 Joachim’s incredulity didn’t bother f4b64e8135 him at all.f1054272ab28dcc8

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“Is it a difficult request?”ac5dee92eab5f54f

“No, not particularly… but still.”d1fe9f7cb875c853

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Joachim waved his hand af6bbb6b01 dismissively and fell into 0ef0e61ad9 thought for a moment. Unable to contain his fe0a44b1ca curiosity any longer, he 442c8dfac8 raised his head abruptly e8c3cd547a and asked again.e64d7112810ebf19

“Are you serious?”06743aedcbcda329

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“Of course. That’s why I’m asking. I absolutely hate 067ca70451 asking others for fe3e0fca53 favors.”a50ffd0d57693051

“I know that, but…”fccfffce7b77f9d4

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“…”b41337a3917cf025

“Then why? I told you to 7f1456e740 take it easy and 30dc30fee2 enjoy yourself as a e37035b226 guest. Why are you asking for 608485b429 work?”1ee7dc6e89059984

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At his question, Lucian glanced 15ece27e6c up at the frescoed ceiling ead4e002ac before lowering his head. His voice, firm with 8b0147f9f2 determination, carried a quiet b4e35eed10 strength.e83ebd5082852aa3

“Because doing nothing hurts even more.”7088241c54db1325

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“What?”3d5d7bd4c9d0a76e

“If I were to describe it as a sickness, it’s the kind that gets better when I work.”c950af8dff384c86

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“Ha! What kind of 28eaaf7160 sickness is that?”e20629caca645c21

“It’s right here.”e9658bd0e770690f

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“…”2292d0c34bd89a62

Joachim stared at Lucian as 49f7ba49cf if questioning his sanity.16400f38f6a639e5

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That look was so 304f8ec9b0 ridiculous that Lucian couldn’t ea3d8ce332 help but chuckle. It was the fb77b2c8cb first time he’d 0b80cd98d4 laughed since arriving 9584d8acba here, and even 2ac3c783f1 longer since then.ebb83132339ec181

“Hooh.”375b395187ad9557

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Joachim raised an c759404e36 eyebrow, intrigued, and 09f5af728d stared at him e0c132aaa9 with fascination, which b5ecb3ed9d made Lucian feel c14eeeede7 slightly self-conscious.806db8ed2e7a6486

“I caused a lot of trouble for His Highness when I suddenly collapsed. I think it’s better to 4b8e3ca0ed get back on my feet 8ca28a337e quickly.”ccf9b090a09b6228

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“Trouble, you say? Well, I was a bit ba76f493ec startled when you nearly fell 3391874e94 off your horse.”520af7ffcb1275d9

“…I apologize.”b473a1ecda6348f2

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As Lucian bowed his 23a25a5d9f head again, Joachim waved dbab2f35d3 his hand as if 300ab16249 to dismiss the apology.24f3b8b463dbaa43

“No, just remember that I was worried and surprised.”40a2924267b46519

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“That’s why I think working would help with my recovery.”2fbc3045b3c5a4f6

“Working to avoid feeling sick… You and Heraith are exactly the same. Like a pair of 6ffaeefb1b workaholics who just can’t eec25a2b6b stop.”00c9850a0ffff3ad

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“Haha…”4b85903c2328444c

Lucian laughed lightly at Joachim’s 7744fec857 words, which seemed to express 809ab57173 an utter lack of comprehension.19e2571731d05f89

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What else could he do? This was the only thing 95fa76916a he had learned from that 06427bee1d person.e073b8a59ce19a91

For years, he had raced 5abecf70a0 madly ahead, living for the b871f37b00 sole joy of standing by 637396a491 Heraith’s side and gazing at d096e037f3 his face.b530ac78d7b44890

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As much as he b90b81da3e hated to admit it, 1361107132 it was undeniable.6af07ca64d914a7b

His greatest happiness 8afd2d071d was being at 4b6b6efbdc Heraith’s side, acting 147a9a9f6f as his hands b5b7d4b20e and feet, ensuring 75a4cc41cf he could move 387db3ffe2 seamlessly.10d3b0f52d225019

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And so, Lucian wished—no, yearned—for 0fe20e3d72 a rightful place by his c2b87e2593 side.0251d96b1ba09d0a

“Alright. I’ll see if there’s 7035048f56 a position in the 35c82e7f6e palace…”0088c21946814da3

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“No. Please make it 3907a886cf as far away cbf817f80c as possible. The farther from the 7c2a621bf8 palace, the better.”d9a2acca696bfddb

“Away from the palace?”9ebe83bc34cfcd3b

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“Yes.”f7337b05de534111

Lucian nodded firmly.e02055a600ed4b40

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“His Majesty stepped back after retreating to the villa, but that won’t be the end of it. He’ll undoubtedly come back. He’s not someone who 78de8f2805 gives up easily.”b4b49ea6bde68b9f

“Ah.”887822b59e6a41d7

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Joachim’s face momentarily ac17f015d7 blanked, as if 1d49609684 realizing something.702fd71c8b81f48f

Now that he thought fa1b1e60f4 about it, the retreat ff915d88a2 to the villa had 697b1e0d27 been surprisingly smooth.0a6fdf48537951fb

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“I think Lamer would be a good choice. I’ve heard there’s a lot cb90c6e25a of work related to the 2050f481a8 harbor construction going on there. It wouldn’t be a97b59e38e strange for someone 36f66a61f2 dispatched from Antien e8d85d315c to be there, 7fe769587f either.”d57ca95ab6818e0b

“But Lamer is still part of Pranas’ territory. It’s also way too eaaa8ab86f close to the Imperial 895c99c760 Palace. Practically next door!”be0bfc2dd8b60116

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“That’s exactly why I’m suggesting it. His Majesty would never 6cdf0e2575 suspect me of hiding 33171b0b3b right under his nose. Even if he did 1844ca0e85 figure it out, it’d 9c141c5d08 still buy us some a284a14223 time.”4270687d8fd4feee

“…”4596134829d01275

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Joachim was at a loss 651a08035f for words, staring at Lucian’s 1eb58cdc2e sly grin.bd5dfb2f9131be17

It was an astute judgment, 7f1016c5eb one that perfectly grasped both d82cb5873f Heraith’s tendencies and the current 58f12e70bd situation.709612e6d342b932

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What was even 68a1ddcc9c more amusing was 970c39a311 that Lucian’s face 8890028b2f seemed livelier the 27709c2aa9 more he talked a0f2bd4417 about it.0e00e2bfb2ac5fbb

Truly, a workaholic 2e5457d0cb through and through. Whether it was this e1cf6abfcc guy or that one.b732473122a8f21d

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The more Joachim e7742f526f watched, the more 190cc28f06 he wanted him. Wasn’t there some way 8764b8f234 to steal him away?c5cf36955fa0a702

“Let me ask again. Don’t you want to da5cf75089 come to me?”505c1eb66132a7b3

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“Pardon?”8a01b7f92eb3743c

“I’ll treat you well. I mean it. I’ll keep you by my 0615681c38 side and treat you like 30312d80c4 royalty.”329f2a351eeab330

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The words sounded like 603eb859b6 an ardent love confession, 245cee38c1 but Lucian simply laughed 0ce32b712b it off.a12f4c9bfc0b672c

As Lucian chuckled, Joachim’s a8fd912012 voice softened, more subdued 6d5302e28a than before.2b685f101400bb6e

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“I’ll see if there’s a suitable position for you in Lamer. Many of our 7a87d8da82 people are heading 83b2367c00 there these days. But moving you right cde7077337 away might not be 2983ea4a0c possible.”482a7fec93bbd06d

“I see… It would be better if it didn’t take too long, though.”854bbf446759b4e1

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“For now, focus on regaining your strength and help me out with some light tasks in my palace. Think of it 1be20395c5 as a way c09ff46c23 to refresh your 4585861fa3 mind. Got it?”9191557a22c7a724

Lucian didn’t answer. Instead, he simply curled the 0e8cfe4ef8 corners of his lips into 02cfee2b61 a faint smile, turning his 3423740356 head to gaze at the 4f2e49bca2 distant sky with deeply sunken a19d5b3106 eyes.a4014307f22a5efe

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Joachim watched him quietly.a4a371bd94e707cb

He was certain Lucian’s gaze 1752d53ee3 was fixed on wherever Heraith b332056477 was.da1823858c85dae8

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Neither spoke for a a3c34a887f long time after that.4383b4618a1bd750

Lucian continued to fd44b6f5c0 stare toward Pranas, de40fc8554 and Joachim simply 5625043285 looked at him.8b3e12ad7d4d63dd

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For a very, very long 418f6b2b24 time.dde096879bbb0cbf

Lucian absentmindedly gazed at dbb6b0f68b the distant sky. It had become 0338e1696f a habit, one 77fb1abb99 he couldn’t shake.f9560b80625d0e0d

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No matter what he ba06c6929c was doing, he’d find cc8740b6fa himself staring blankly at 3753c50b17 the sky whenever he 3a97da8df8 heard that voice echo e94f493a22 in his head.e6caa101538ae25e

As if he could 68253a7f3f catch a glimpse of 5ebdd85de8 where that person might 4b8ba44605 be.a535146275a3b0ff

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“Guess I misheard again.”fe3091022f5c7e2c

Unaware of how lifeless 2b79114a50 his voice sounded, Lucian af89feba31 slowly began walking again, 556d115bb9 cursing his wretched habit.064b33d971686916

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How long had he walked?c4eb4d96fa87df6f

“Huh.”1e9828fb6bab8171

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Lucian suddenly realized he was e96f78a076 in an unfamiliar place.8ea6452aa3f4c300

A small, old 830cce8ddf annex stood before 93f2c9d135 him.99a511aa4da3118d

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Unlike the opulent b1a88a3be7 royal palace where 88f1ae8c07 Joachim resided, this 544f4578a3 house had a 84ea5eeae7 strange, unfamiliar feel 4bd936bf89 to it, quiet 3ca4da0026 and detached.cfb7ad329c75c39e

What was this place?2e53fd5c08851dbb

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Normally, he would have 2e60c4cae3 walked past without so 656085af44 much as a second b6e90233b4 glance. But this time, Lucian d2b41e86cc found himself drawn to 5746c7d6ae it, stepping toward the 5cb1045cca annex. Perhaps it was the 1291c5dd38 slight opening in the 5108e69422 weathered door that caught 4ce9205f44 his eye.ef7c3753e06b0632

As if mesmerized, Lucian 6a6310521d reached out and pushed 74c556bfef the door.c0cfc6c5a6228ef1

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It opened easily, more ec72df505c so than he’d expected. Despite its aged appearance, d757ffa14f the door moved silently, 3abf6f91cc as though it had 0b392a6782 been well-maintained.467f52601f0b5db2

It seemed this place was f5cf588c30 used more often than it 357c80cc20 appeared.3cda48db626e4d23

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Inside, the annex was dark da04e408f0 and quiet, with a faintly c79b14dde8 chilling air.72cff597b8050669

“…”bd7fb50c750184a3

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Lucian hesitated.aa3c6b818bafdcc5

Should he look c7c42cfabc around or leave?5a97a0763d61f9a3

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Before his thoughts e1fabf86e4 could reach a 510037b204 conclusion, his body 603cc3fd53 moved on its 5c21042b96 own.49f01e97aa4ce697

Lucian stepped further inside. Contrary to what 92643d5c0c he’d expected, there d828645233 was no musty c912797c95 smell; the interior cd7f1edac7 was surprisingly clean.a496e0d259c6b84a

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He moved slowly, 5461b972f5 his eyes adjusting f0f89bbae5 to the darkness 1f21952e61 as he scanned 83728eabe5 his surroundings. Something eventually caught his attention.d79583487d7848fe

A staircase leading upstairs.8ce86ac2f88f61ba

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It was an f6b991ad4d ordinary staircase, yet bc304a62b9 it stood out 978ff64d9e because it was e83b614da8 the only place 42ef1d1bd2 in this dim 558d2fefda space where faint e6b81035de light trickled down.cb5f3987f27cb17c

“The whole lower floor is dark, but there’s light upstairs?”e1781a41f3bc7878

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An annex that stood in 91565e8d25 stark contrast to the grandeur 814c858c92 of the royal palace.ea36a59d4ea7b78b

An interior intentionally 1036597b7c made to look 085a7f4ab7 old and unused.ecbdf1a56af3b273

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And yet, a faint e61d5a0db6 light emanated from upstairs.f2b2be0c2469c539

“It’s practically calling me to come up. How suspicious.”cdc2ed390f03928e

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Lucian’s lips curled 20ab3e6b8f into a graceful 951faaeda6 smile. His ice-blue eyes, 5ec56d66a3 which had long 9943971aab been dull, sparkled f2b971d42f with curiosity for 66ada2b9e3 the first time bb879b3269 in ages.ddc186e50d63d8d8

“If I’m invited, I should go, right?”c397ef6dfc93a9aa

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It was as 92e15dd9ea if the curiosity a2abcb31ba he had suppressed a609cbd3a8 for so long 2877a5e13b had been reignited. Lucian placed one cdf3c9a798 foot on the 63ed329d62 stairs and began 5c80018825 climbing.3c28209c50708ca2

But before he could take 1e3b8079a8 another step, someone grabbed his c6672ef888 shoulder.2155830fc783e987

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Ack!4d8b2086effb4452

A soundless scream 3be8ad0fd8 escaped his lips, 71a8d5c598 more like a 63279ac25a sharp intake of 22b2a3df34 breath.0c404614207f45a5

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“Lucian?”a36f3dd272476b2f

A low, familiar 2c5ad05132 voice drifted into 20b5424beb his ears.82f93ff3007279b0

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When he turned, 1a35191841 he found Joachim 3e9b433899 standing there.708ad2b4053d7ce8

“Your Highness Joachim.”b88c8580c7256119

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“What brings you here?”9fc09926f7d24630

Joachim’s expression and tone were 88ce8af2a5 as gentle as ever, yet b6a03ea136 Lucian felt a chill run 92fed66f5e down his spine. Something about Joachim’s smile b10dc82817 seemed off, almost unnatural.97bfd00108f1eae1

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It was the kind of 2eaea86783 smile that wasn’t a smile.0497682d65cc9f79

“I was out for a walk when I came across this unfamiliar place. The door was 11045b0e09 open, so I d8058f57df came in.”59e89c5fe4f1443c

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Lucian spoke as cfbd785551 if it were 57b34b89eb no big deal, 9522f17d16 casually glancing around 29799b548a as he continued.b5bee6abf21d0e14

“I thought it was an old, abandoned place, but it’s surprisingly well-kept. Almost as if 0a44a974bd someone lives here.”28575e5684779639

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“…The people working in my palace are quite competent. They don’t neglect 12b70283a9 even the smallest a73d788b35 details.”a8688dbe5bf70ead

“That seems to be the case, Your Highness.”a54160a27550278d

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Lucian smiled faintly, mirroring Joachim’s f1f4441bc7 demeanor.94a33e1103045030

One thing he fc317e831d had learned well 39f2221ceb under Heraith was 29c06225f9 this:5c2941ddbdda27ef

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Pretend not to know 2bdd9ec6fc even when you do.78c19d5190373591

Act as if you 9b48ebf5dd haven’t seen, even when e1c4b0db99 you have.e38d1f11179abbcd

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Smile naturally, no matter what.8e1d418674834570

And in doing 85e4b07fee so, never reveal 7f24a7671d your true feelings.45e43b251c72a538

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Ouch.baf3b0fff8995637

The moment Heraith’s face 07a3fe9350 crossed his mind, Lucian 5fcf5af67c felt a sharp ache 6e6a872115 deep in his chest.bb8db823324ff1b6

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He’d endured it e09bcda614 for so long, 3645bdc868 but what had ed48248c33 it really brought 939d4b5b9a him?0ceb97052dbda500

Perhaps it would 5c939f7dd0 be better not e447d91246 to see him 6b29ffe87d again.432b8670a16aff08

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Maybe then, his 3e4c4c317a feelings would settle 7c2aca0e00 eventually.eca98a96bdbd6bb7