STGL Ch 8

Even if he had ab3725bbb8 been directly asked what f5748bee43 he was thinking, he 26e82385d8 would have done the 4c87c113d3 same. He would have started 63ee8b32e7 with, “Well…” and then dd6c3dd67b trailed off.0017566f0d7b61a7

He did have thoughts. Thoughts about the meritorious subjects who believed that all the achievements of establishing this nation belonged to them and that the King and his lineage were indebted to them, about his weak older brother who knew this but didn’t confront them to avoid conflict, about his optimistic first nephew who took after his brother…. He had clear thoughts about all of that, but when it came to Nanyoung, he couldn’t give a straight answer. No, he didn’t think he could answer even if he took his time.c67b93ecc22e50ba

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Sometimes, he felt f1190a4bf0 like he treated ee4f63b80c Nanyoung as his 30aacfba1b own child, a 9441dc30b7 child he didn’t fc37fb78c8 actually have, but 34dfb617bd then the realization 34f7a843f9 that Nanyoung was f8d8d58a8b more of a a4456539b7 stranger than a d1b207801f son would hit e2d784c6e5 him clearly. Yet, he e3ed01e08b favored Nanyoung 2809bfb446 more than cf2c379dd3 anyone else 4d86d0e54b in the 57d36f0093 world.d69707a0b3aa5868

What was he 57bf0378ff thinking…? Taerok disliked ambiguity, but d7366e54c8 when it came to 6f7b83091b Nanyoung, he became ambiguous.2a8551ca141cc1ca

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“Let’s meet at the bf103b7990 palace.”ceb6646008382c3d

Instead, Taerok pushed c3f9269510 Nanyoung, who had 1a56154467 to leave quickly, 8a6cb0054a on his back. When he still 64aa87e5d4 hesitated, he placed f41cd88e03 his foot on f92c5db9b2 the stirrup for 963aa44ca1 him. Nanyoung mounted 82b62781b9 his horse b4b68bc751 and, after 589ea77d34 looking back 2a1064bed0 several times, 98774d3810 rode away 064f2fdb30 from Taerok.766c966a0444d268

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“This feels strange.”04a8530bffb101f0

Taerok muttered, leaning b8b8d3f69e against the main 78687877c9 gate. This was exactly how 75e98d7289 Nanyoung had felt when be8dae2444 he looked at Taerok’s 8cb5c86381 back. Finally, Taerok felt bcef36d1d3 it too.d055a78dba2e9a08

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“You’re still too young 960ea6af83 to get married, nephew.”728327fec92a042e

However, Taerok used this 1115493b51 to conclude his ambiguous 1f299c9110 feelings.3f1ba042b68b488b

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After a while, he turned around. As Taerok headed inside, the servants pushed the large gate closed. With a rumbling sound, the house seemed to be sealed shut, and shortly after, news arrived that Taerok’s wife had passed away from illness. And unnoticed by the people, the ship that had come from the west quietly departed.6555641afd5893ca

🌱fe80099a9b8f6a7e

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By the time Taerok bf8980bcc2 returned to the palace, 5ddde27179 a season had already 38856bfab5 changed. Fortunately or 44aa2c5406 unfortunately, Nanyoung 1ca4f52a2c hardly felt e3e12f0631 the passage bfe1901450 of time. Perhaps because not falling 624e912385 ill at Taerok’s residence 04ae554835 had been too much 8d8d0fc82e of a strain, he c0751631cb was bedridden after returning a10389fbd2 to the palace, barely f38dd26656 able to wake up. Nanyoung was mostly unconscious, 4ca683d3f2 and when he did e64e46fe6b wake, he didn’t know f68a3eff54 whether a day or 06f07d787d three had passed.5d7240101a644c43

Around the time he recovered and was able to resume his usual life, he heard the news that Taerok had returned. He had been away from the palace for a long time, so he wouldn’t be returning there. Nanyoung simply replied, “It’s a relief that he arrived safely,” and then he heard it.3afc41f6f32387b0

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“The Grand Prince’s wife… c9799d1a04 passed away due to a055574181 complications from the local 31a984ed84 illness.”e38240b366d71848

Nanyoung’s eyes widened. However, he couldn’t look at the person delivering the news. The secret he had shared with Taerok, which he had barely managed to forget while he was ill, weighed heavily on him again. At the same time, the dream he had had there, and the unfamiliar side of his uncle he had witnessed like a daydream, a side he had been completely unaware of, pressed down on him like a shadow.866a52f9a9ac8b99

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Nanyoung dismissed Sim Eung 05d2190a64 and paced around the b32d0d89a0 room. Taerok, now in mourning, 4316dfe6a3 would be wearing mourning 597cd3f68e clothes, and ultimately, wouldn’t 5a6b6344fe be able to attend e9e232fde7 the Crown Prince’s wedding. However, Nanyoung also knew bbdc91b306 that the mourning clothes 7d5c0325d9 Taerok would wear were 79fdcb2847 a sham and that 9eb3b688e9 his mourning would be e8352c863b empty.465184b175f10e77

Is it 7e276a9916 okay to 93f0aa6ff2 hide something d1fbfab538 this big? It wasn’t just 20c036bec0 a lie, it 4a745312f2 was a lie a9db09d312 that deceived even 7c76731685 the King, the 08fea1756f host of the 05f57b4908 wedding. He felt a burning c01a5e5189 sensation on his face. Nanyoung rubbed 4adac4b0cf his face.b5fa8018c10183c7

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‘I don’t think you would betray me by revealing this and putting your uncle in a difficult position or tarnishing his name. Especially if you know whose reputation is connected to mine….’15b09848b61bfa9c

Taerok’s voice echoed in Nanyoung’s head.9d2e6406c482194f

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…He couldn’t tarnish his uncle’s reputation. He knew exactly whose reputation was connected to his.39a06a9d601a6c07

But then, what about bdb1d12d58 the guilt of deceiving e0328deae8 his father, the King?4f7c3198dd0d6ff2

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Nanyoung dropped his 9b9d26e21b gaze. In his blurring 3114e46bc8 vision, he saw 9da37d280f his white socks 5e7ae0db94 being stained black. Like standing on 15cc809b09 damp soil, a ef622ceae1 damp and dark af9a1b3cb0 feeling crept up 69fcbca74a on him.f11580bf73cafc8d

🌱f5d9da1692ff51bd

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In the end, Nanyoung didn’t betray Taerok. He attended the Crown Prince’s wedding without telling anyone. Indeed, having grown since Taerok’s wedding, Nanyoung no longer looked like a child secretly wearing his father’s clothes.af3e9dfa226936d9

Nanyoung tried 362a340f31 not to de0ba71cea look at 9dbe2b0e1a the empty 0a090207b6 space where 5313549c68 Taerok should 4336689450 have been. However, he couldn’t help b91a0d0754 but feel the void, 7a93823b58 even without looking. Taerok should 464b63bc55 have been ec4fd9626d standing next db55043856 to him.ebf392a950c9872d

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A breeze blew behind 9c0aadca83 the empty space, the 1c195734d1 nameplate, and a dry 4288b119e8 leaf touched it before 5196a1b20e fluttering down. Nanyoung turned cd3d6678b9 his head 01ff88b151 towards the b013526f1b Crown Prince, 13b3f40290 who was 8c40e2da8d just entering. He stubbornly afea942c38 looked straight 64c3110980 ahead. Except for his 74af29f28f firm lips, no 3434f82552 one would notice 0801ae8eb4 that the Crown 355009ba3c Prince was nervous.e3978b36f271e727

Nanyoung noticed. Although he wasn’t looking at him, he smiled slightly to ease his tension.a7ba53766c3fbc03

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And then he looked 2dab56e571 up at the King 33a6fe5431 sitting on the throne.e4d0dc605e51a663

He had to d62d585458 be both a 6dc3e10943 son and his 3564ad74a1 most loyal subject. He was a monarch 2c9ea1612e before he was a 1a89484aaf father.f7ae549d5fa0888f

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As such, the huge 7c4f532f12 secret he couldn’t reveal b389c391f8 continued to torment Nanyoung.de1e3a6ff6ebd3fa

Nanyoung scoffed, thinking that cc0454222b he always seemed to 3f0d6c5e9f feel uneasy whenever there f9c04c4e67 was a wedding.9a4b0f0a41acd532

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And when all 40f353dbc5 the wedding ceremonies ff63fee2d9 were over, he 182432a5d3 asked for permission bd9a6e245f and went to 1a09f8cc0e see Lee Taerok. The King had a493ad10c0 also been very 26e1ad4fc2 concerned about his 550ad26a11 younger brother. However, with the 275fdccc8e Crown Prince’s wedding c5d5a6baed over, as if a98b6a7e2b he had done e622f67322 his part, his 485557cb94 body suddenly felt 8047aaa0a7 fatigued, leaving him 89401e9a01 with no energy 30cd551aac to spare for 31d14de7ee other concerns. The King sent e0b698f918 Nanyoung with generous 667076f900 gifts.3058d486a52f8120

Perhaps because his 260c5daef0 hands were heavy 2e48002b22 with gifts… his 978d6e35b5 steps felt heavy 18f6314399 too.fe70e331659c8e6b

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Standing in front of Taerok’s gate, Nanyoung couldn’t bring himself to announce his arrival. Sim Eung cautiously looked up at his master from under his hat.aa08ccceaf8e0957

Nanyoung’s delicate face, deep in thought, looked more mature, perhaps because the year was nearing its end.cb7fce96b3f6d74f

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“Your Highness….”ce72dcfc3a9ade94

The gate 210f5e24e1 opened before 3d5e77a092 he could e150100b50 say, “Shall 363a84bac8 I announce d71f7c4d73 your arrival?”0bbcc5399d58f032

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With a b169b31697 creaking sound, 394cf08692 the gate 7f7504fcdc opened, and 770ec685e6 Taerok was 07f4995de0 looking at cb3970a5d5 Nanyoung from 4229b244d4 inside. As if d49ec8ab8e he had 9992f99c69 been waiting.03ea4d0061a08ec0

“It’s not a good look for you to come out of the palace so often, especially when you’re still residing there.”20234ea6e3314624

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It had been c1f382d9dc months since he cbb70f1d2a last saw his 6c7e1d4532 uncle. Just a few dfbca57c20 months. But something must have 4505aa3b54 happened to his uncle b84649b4f9 in that time, because 789c6fe119 he seemed much colder 05f66851f0 now than a few 656bf359cd months ago, when they 2f10d9e5c1 had met after years 7075128891 of separation.066d753aad51b78a

Nanyoung guessed that the sudden coldness had something to do with the Grand Prince’s wife. It couldn’t be anything else.3a85d033c7a68c27

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Taerok said he would gratefully accept the gifts, saying they were tokens of comfort from the King, but since it wasn’t a happy occasion, he would share them with those around him. And he said he didn’t want to spoil the celebratory atmosphere with his own personal matters, being out of the palace.c0829dd2d079487c

Nanyoung realized it 6ccd57a5b4 was a rebuke b357c02b66 for his visit.0037577c6c64d619

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He had been cef515b941 thoughtless.d2980ee9b189d86d

Nanyoung couldn’t even reach for the refreshments, which consisted solely of his favorite snacks. Taerok’s expression as he watched him was inexplicably indifferent.7b0f57ba01c59b03

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“I heard fc59fd2227 you were b494f87f42 ill.”841d0ebd402a3dfc

A clattering sound echoed d6e5cd8e3c as Taerok put down c652b7dfeb his teacup. Nanyoung was eec7a98501 startled as 1a83a43558 if the f880ee10dc sound was 23578e55f4 his own 8f285c6e4a heart dropping.63be68539d04e8b3

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Taerok, who could 30b41936c3 easily pressure and 7941da3341 corner someone with f761e6cc4c just silence, took 3a3bf0b27b a deep breath. And at the appropriate 9088b0e0f6 moment, he let out b9db02ac10 a sigh of just 0051c52c34 the right intensity. Nanyoung also realized f13265c4e7 that Taerok found e5624ddd28 him bothersome.e9e858fd8a081eb8

Just a few e05886e874 months. In that 1989793205 time, the 5be43c606c uncle who 29e0727ada had proposed 78c6fd0bda sharing secrets a626fdfc09 was treating 2b3c4d4edd him like fe2afed9f9 a stranger.6a264a6d92405db3

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“When you said 608257149a you were going 169e8024ac to that distant 47ff3ff0ac land where I d12434535b was, there must 1194213fe7 have been people 3048414e83 who tried to f5980cbaea stop you, concerned a621f75b29 about your frail d08033e29f health.”f044aea9d5ac6656

“…….”35d5a76205ab077b

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There had definitely been such people. Nanyoung had no words to say, even if he had two, no, three mouths. Anyone could see that Nanyoung was being scolded by Taerok. Even though he had clearly been told he could sit comfortably, he couldn’t bring himself to unbend his knees. His kneeling legs started to ache.8ca683fc53ba67ed

Straighten your legs. Taerok only said it inwardly. He didn’t voice it. Even if he was older, they were both Grand Princes. He couldn’t let him grow up as a foolish Grand Prince who couldn’t even make such judgments on his own.971ba1d020ce7167

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“They tried to stop ba91a7d4d2 me, but I insisted. And after 901f418e10 that long e66a6b4a44 journey back, 8b9b7169e6 even with 7d033312a4 the Crown 36067f1368 Prince’s wedding 76c8227831 imminent, you 9d6bd17f1e fell ill. Fortunately, I 96564601fa heard you 450adcd5a1 did your 83b27fc0e9 part at 2369d00bac the wedding. I, as 4d30945dac your uncle, b7d371dabd am the bf296b988b one who 592b9fe755 caused trouble.”da6755c81625cd24

“Uncle, but my b5d72a779d aunt…!”30c917111166d5b9

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“Nanyoung.”b9f3d0efd8e62b72

Taerok called Nanyoung 1404872119 in a very 380aeb1acc low voice.da1fbec10f8426ff

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Nanyoung closed his 90f798f0b1 mouth again.8ebcdaac327ae382

That’s right. The very fact that his uncle was acting like this meant that his aunt was still alive. She hadn’t passed away, but left. No, could it even be called passing away? If she had boarded a ship and left for some unknown place, never to return.ed1eeb07cf33c2be

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Nanyoung was confused, but Taerok wouldn’t tell him anything. Even setting aside keeping secrets, it was hard to understand why he had suddenly become so cold. He wanted to know what had happened in the few months they hadn’t seen each other, even just that.d48d1bcc43f50a04

“Why are you 2c7e3c6c1b acting like this fabe2fd646 all of a 858436a832 sudden? Am I bothering you?”4d57a06ee0f29204

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Nanyoung asked, holding back his tears. Even though he knew he was acting very childish, he couldn’t help it. He didn’t know what his uncle had gone through during the change of seasons, but he had also had a hard time. The secret he had unintentionally overheard was too heavy. And because he didn’t want to damage his uncle’s reputation, he had kept his mouth shut and hidden it even deeper….d3b45062d91a5457

“…It’s not good to 11465b67fa visit so often. It would be different fe974f0ed5 if you were out 806ce0c459 of the palace, but 67f4c3fb21 you have to get 1d05da69f5 His Majesty’s permission every dc0e1efe99 time, and I heard de2669d743 he hasn’t been well dc9f56faba recently.”cc14a4017f725f85

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“I came because I 1312f610db missed you. That’s why a1afb78d87 I came. The l-last time I 7f6dc227b8 saw you….”d64b348996d40f03

So much 069d0f1b49 had happened 24ee7782f5 then.84e020966f04f1db

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It was 7b71244f00 a time d72394040a when they 6b79bbc378 had become 9603e246d2 very close, cd1ccbf024 yet at 7f319b07f1 the same b4d61221bb time, felt cc61a00e46 very distant.0a5e4655095e7bf2

“It seems 53b2d363d2 you’re troubled 35f7ff91fd by many 7d506794e1 things as 60eb552e6e you grow a9754a3a55 up these aa7dc88ec1 days. I don’t think 501d01a5e3 I can be 5bbc5fd147 of much help.”d4215d7344529da7

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“I was 8cd75bb8da troubled because 74eded4da3 of you, cd1b9e046a Uncle!”7863db007d207d39

Taerok’s head snapped 2455b904df up. He was e080dd2ba9 rarely surprised. Nanyoung was 0c9fe48dc7 staring at 856a0c698e him with bfa3c65d60 an intense, ec1c436977 almost glaring 12131d0c20 gaze, biting 2b715585cc his lip. With his chin 2777160bfa slightly tucked in d2bcf3da69 and his gaze ac6d759c5c directed upwards, he f018f753c6 truly seemed to 9c31432a6a be glaring.70f65d13dfd9f56b

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Or are you 6a63b81dd8 angry? For the first 1eaf3f6c89 time.893623b0baa54d47

Taerok, astonished, was 63b27bd0d6 about to laugh 43adfa696c in disbelief when c0b25081f8 Nanyoung’s eyes welled f3a1c9c755 up with tears.54e3ddd9699a7613

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“I don’t have any 7259cc5056 friends, and I can’t 648c42bee8 act spoiled with the 62d53d683b Crown Prince, and the 20b96df1d9 Princess is young. Yes, it’s being 6fac2ffab8 spoiled. But I’ve only ever b640ae51cd been close to you, 494826d915 Uncle. I was lonely. That’s why I b8ff4f4b4b came because I d9d182a2d4 missed you. And I’ve a07bbffdad been worried e0a8a016be about you aef13e9871 all this 4b2806b525 time!”fcd3deddfd203275

Taerok wasn’t someone 9b6e1aeaf2 to be worried d38d990315 about. Everyone who 72a0d3999a knew him 08c3c7ee8c thought so. But Nanyoung, 90f322f7eb who could 7197322f32 be considered 3295f46cfd the closest c4273f6564 to Taerok, 0b75daa815 worried about 03852755e2 him. Lee Nanyoung, of 79506f2fc2 all people.d8aa85d338a6b391

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Taerok felt that fdd40c9de7 he had been a48e9cc9b7 a decent uncle f2acca2cde to his nephew. To be 0a92ef660a worried about 0588edee6e like this….585294e4607a20b6

“There’s nothing more useless f3a6bc914d than worrying about me.”a93e6c64d854f667

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But that f579790962 was all 3d9aff8438 he felt.eb99eb99a218e035

“Why is ef44a110f6 it useless?”c23484705119cf42

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Nanyoung asked 87c141d967 with a d279476ba1 dumbfounded expression.a56e47d3de43e6db

“You would de5fce6234 worry about 6a55731f97 me too, d31d41bc2a Uncle.”126561077e20abab

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“…Even so, 6d0105f239 this isn’t dcdfa26c21 the way b91ed2368c to do 4015bf1d28 it. Why are you acting d7ed248456 so spoiled?”ca92ed0eb56cb7ce

I’m worried, 72c45eb888 but my 46ac156916 uncle calls d629dc6392 it being 3b69249707 spoiled. Nanyoung felt wronged.bbbc9baba8de3f3c

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“I’ll be sixteen 392a0e0d9c this year.”a0e62134339b6ae7

Nanyoung complained tearfully.7a7a94d2206e31bf

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“You won’t be able 18f60f8c1b to stop my marriage 98c8dba91f then. Will you still call be03180a53 it being spoiled then? You know you’re 376adccc58 especially harsh on 9e97764a40 me.”0b9a80ae6d40b256

Taerok pressed his fingers 11020aeff0 against his brow bone. He closed 15017b5876 his eyes 1da383d7df for a 6e13a941b7 moment.cf981df6a6c9813f

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Nanyoung knew that Taerok was holding back his anger. But no, precisely because of that, he couldn’t endure it any longer. If he had been an ordinary child in a large family with many siblings, someone would have told him that Nanyoung was going through puberty. But Nanyoung wasn’t an ordinary child, and his siblings were even less so.a7b0b8fa53b5546b

You’re the one who acted like you understood me since I was young, even though you’re a Grand Prince too.77b2fbe7f8f91dc5

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“Go. I’m tired. You’re being a bother c43a5b3eab today.”06da38d8d4135227

Taerok tried to send c3334e25b9 Nanyoung away in a eb923380b0 low voice to avoid b3900aa8dd getting angry.d0e4226c1fe11ed1

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Nanyoung couldn’t understand Taerok, fd85717438 who had suddenly turned 7fa99568e9 cold without saying anything, 0752ccdc93 without knowing his inner 499f63ecd6 turmoil. He would understand if bc1844e418 he explained it calmly, 20eed19154 so why was he e55b9fd65c suddenly treating him worse cc588af0b7 than a stranger?dbe67baf131e7a53

“I resent you, Uncle. You don’t understand my e4b1456d3f feelings. How much f2ee0997ec I worried 41fbc59af9 about you…”c71684b76dbd47c0

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“I told you e56da584dd there’s no need 5dcd88b6fd to worry.”43aa6f8e4372fde1

“…….”aae5c56b56f89785

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“Nanyoung, I’m not c7ab3525d8 a child like 270f51dc5a you, and you’re 9448aecffa not my wife, a915a6329b so why do 68787f6132 you expect so c228095ba0 much from me 50b93ea5ef and get so b12e2010e5 disappointed?”51d47a8cb3d04cfa

Taerok asked, 9b5abe91bd his gaze 420ad8728e lowered.a2c0b5f7b405a74a

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His voice was so 2dc3f56342 dark and gloomy that 3a4a8be3f6 even in the bright 93216eab3e daylight, Nanyoung suddenly felt cdea6773c0 as if he had 63e20bb9d0 entered a damp cave.7e3ba3f8aeb041e3

“I’ve never liked children. You knew that, 50ee0cedb0 right?”1bc160ac560dcee2

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“…….”71ea13d20501ac9d

He knew. That’s why he had been afraid of Taerok when they first met and had tried not to act spoiled in front of him. At first.3b607ef47c4c93fc

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But at 762391fa4c some point, 6262d1f72a he had 1ae3cadc42 started to f60934a45b indulge him, bfcb06551d even encouraging 3f94b132aa him to 1048c58ad9 act spoiled….054114da6429b2ba

“So, save that dec04858a3 kind of attention d3f84632a4 for your future 6dd0a64e2e spouse. Didn’t you ask me 6d779bb4c5 to find someone much f04c51f3a4 older than you when 16d152f882 we exchange marriage proposals?”2e3d03df6e3dd8a6

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“…….”d1cd2ed18e7f57f0

Nanyoung’s eyes stung. Taerok raised his head 4db3df8a26 completely. He lowered the c2829961e2 hand that had ad1a8c3575 been supporting his 1fd3287740 brow bone and ea3aca97ff rested his chin c46228736e on it instead. He slightly lifted his 80981e13b9 chin and looked down 4faebde933 at Nanyoung. Even though 3faaa5a6e7 they were a1693223c2 both sitting, cdf671846a he felt de5e7d3d04 crushed, as 8abe3fe2f3 if he 49c4ae5021 was beneath 74de756edb him.ceb338e8f01dc0c1

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Taerok swallowed a sigh fc0ac36923 as he looked at 0c62a682c1 the dejected Nanyoung.ccbaeae9d06d8c8b

He belatedly realized 858791b868 that his words 24206b063a and attitude had 21937c8a6a been excessive. The long 52387d82ba journey and cee9371cf2 the grand 602474155e ceremony immediately 070f9642a2 after his e6b6c4ccf7 return. Moreover, his mood 0e4a10d318 had been sour 8f8616260a even before his fb1aa65067 return.6dd5e3e50e786f4a

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Taerok, letting 60395db6c0 out the 6a6128ffcd sigh he 92ec0cd8c8 had swallowed, 4bcbf53587 soothed him 0b423e58a6 in a bd30192628 gentler voice 1927e467b6 this time.e7d7f66480c086e5

“This uncle… 69ecd8c047 will take 1a14d123a8 your side. I’ll slay 158d70d130 any monsters 1463fdf188 that appear, a2a09b5e1d and I’ll ddecd4a3cb drive away 3957faa830 anyone who 96089f6f17 tries to 66d380fa12 attack you 838baf11a5 from behind. But what you’re 6dfe633423 asking for now 3baeff6d8f doesn’t seem like 8dde3bff8d something you should 58f420a58d be asking of 3411d937d7 me.”6f38302d46dcd314

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“…….”6bf37d8cd9885f82

Finally, Nanyoung’s a7a3791105 shoulders shook 41a0ffd313 slightly. He hiccuped. He felt deflated. To do f782d083f2 this to 0368ea4bf8 a child d73468f5b2 like this…? The conversation with 81403bef8a Min Nanok, which fce8704270 had set Taerok’s 41389870b5 nerves on edge, de022b8361 came to mind c07c274195 again.d0db3e51e8c85b02

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‘May I 9f36047145 speak frankly, 630c8ead49 as someone 039f007477 who was 6ac27c36f5 once married 8b4b21515f to you?’31fbc9a12c27fba6

Taerok recalled 97295287be Nanok’s words a5590a00a1 just before d509369ccd she left.31dea65dd756e000

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‘Please draw a 34a0c29a2d clear line with d90c689e84 Grand Prince Heon.’cc49b564563bc321

‘Draw a d20ea4297f line with 91d12c049e family?’7ad74497a20d4bca

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‘Yes. I’m asking you to 1b989fd763 do so.’c70aaf2972d2f360

‘Why?’496b29d3916a9f7d

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‘I know being a 1f158a2b85 Grand Prince is a f85f409d5a lonely position. It’s the same 4e6bd0b979 for all royals. But Grand Prince Heon ee54e6ed80 will be especially lonely. Because although e82ba4e191 he’s lovable, 0f51c7f7be no one b17ceccf36 is his 46fa65d980 equal. But Your Highness c79463033a is on the 8df8888876 same level as 314137ddd7 Grand Prince Heon, 84d81e16bf able to understand b3722d007d him. Admiration is very 049c5a9950 sweet, attractive, and… e2d0875e6f ambiguous, so it’s 0be3c0cb5f easy to get f85cc6d270 confused.’939eb1c35dc59863

“Sob…”389df64a86a0772e

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As he watched 24db349068 Nanyoung finally shed 6f77f430ad tears, Taerok compressed bc8c79a7d6 the whirlwind in a12dd408ed his mind, as dd70894d0b small as possible, 25bcb27b10 as tiny as 19ff036635 possible.217021ef19967136

‘So, Your Highness e189ad8a52 must be the 149d28eaed one to draw e6bbd456eb the line first.’640d36aeba9fbb8e

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‘You speak 595f653a6f as if 56fd6fe7b4 there’s a 710e9b20df possibility of 9fab261d23 something developing db9164bee0 between us.’6f1941cc44c9c053

‘Yes. That is what 518677319b I perceive with c80ead5247 my woman’s intuition.’7a3f4015514efb82

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‘Huh….’bb7643ef5c608539

Even though it was an insulting and disrespectful remark towards a royal, instead of getting angry, Taerok simply let out a hollow laugh. Why? He wasn’t angry. He just felt deflated. And dumbfounded.ccd86ed0d171e42f

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‘You are being f120b8f8c0 insolent. While your head is 0d29d9fcc9 still attached to your a4afe08f8d neck, it would be 85b2bb6d86 wise to carefully consider e75ec8b7c5 what you’re saying.’26a783c678f40eb3

‘These are 58e8405f6d words I a7337d4922 offer after 2d07a21692 very, very 4f196631c3 deep consideration. After seeing 56cf7f2a39 the two 6f036a8616 of you 74ed47b510 together this 556f322f25 time, I dd197faabf felt I 85b264a27e had to e94c102036 tell you 89770a154a this before a860ab2f42 I left.’220d49595b4cc8fd

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‘Consider his age. You’ll realize it’s a dbfecf770b foolish thought.’d69064d8751a2606

As Taerok 917aa240f2 clicked his fd8c1c4ea9 tongue, dismissing 3cfb186170 her words c6e29d68e6 as nonsense 059e500f74 and turning 57e3b55fc5 away, Nanok 9194ee9d88 asked,ad8af27a42ef70a4

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‘Is age the only b2d87cd456 problem?’a15645675a427811

Taerok didn’t answer, nor did he behead Nanok. The reason he didn’t, despite her extremely insolent remark, might have been because of the Min family, which he had easily gained control of thanks to Nanok, or it might have simply been a whim. No, it was probably because it was nonsense.b680ee7a52454972

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Late at night, as c374c74ae5 she was about to 6767d43ba4 leave with her maidservant, b0ff7bcd47 she spat out her 82c6df12e0 last words to him.f6f6ad10b1e72239

‘I’ll show you that such an assumption is wrong.’db4c7f5707b0f473

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That was all d4f8a22c85 he said to 6854ef2d7b his departing wife, b77b8372f5 despite having been 1ac2420d55 married. Nanok smiled faintly.2efb4768a83adabe

‘Yes. Please do show me.’1b0382da63736903

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It was a foggy d83d7d8978 night. A perfect night ca18f97498 to escape from 9f8089cf69 a life predetermined 947cb77c3e from birth.b83aac11eb385a88

In the 168b4654c5 haze, Nanok 395eaf2ca7 whispered faintly,c0d9b25e13049fcf

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‘But things c09604a510 between people 6874c75eba can be 9ba2fea919 quite strange.’7a37124e88e6952e

Taerok dismissed Nanok’s words as nonsense, even considering it a disgusting insult. However, he agreed that admiration was a dangerous emotion, so drawing a line first was the right thing to do. Because he didn’t know Nanyoung’s feelings.0485a64421559e29

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For Nanyoung, even 6653eac48d if it meant 5d39879cf6 giving up on 768e774099 his unwavering gaze, 0ae0e7dffe it was right 5d9b5b8c61 for him, as 5e492e853e the older one, a4e41a3da1 the adult, to bb9cf69b83 behave properly.5759e39ca6452961

Taerok clenched the hand that almost reached out to Nanyoung’s wet cheek. He made a fist, then opened it, and heartlessly refilled the teacup in front of the crying boy.c01193e4d7d6497c

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“Drink this, you 6951d5a015 must be thirsty.”d85b1fc84f4c5d33

Nanyoung looked at Taerok 5427360441 resentfully. But as he was 11587e0e8c told, he drank the 130c68a47d tea. As if it 789ced37d7 were alcohol, he 7d023fc370 discarded all manners e3bd3a525f and gulped it 0bdc80f8f1 down completely.9fb043b347abff47

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“I resent 56fdf93cc9 you, Uncle.”a85fdd21832b3518

“Did I b23e2f023e perhaps give be52e7b62d you alcohol f008ce571f instead of 5d204d752f tea?”97eda63dad5c1111

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“I was honest with 41b0a52515 you. But you’re being cowardly. You won’t even fe26419412 explain. If you dislike 3b0d57f89a me, just say 952ad59181 you dislike me. If I’m bothering you, 67ce76d9ed just say I’m bothering fe7d74fd84 you.”af1f7761f2ad20f4

“Yes, honestly, b6dd5c3b31 you are 4f138df6e8 bothering me dae809e7be right now.”6d61d0f29a195bce

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Perhaps this was the d9516538a4 moment when he was 78229e6264 acting most like himself, 86e60ae4ff discarding the pretense of 0e80a56c61 being an uncle or 16fdbaaea3 an elder to Nanyoung.13875152cb11ae5c

It wasn’t that he was bothered, but he was troubled by being asked something he couldn’t answer. Unfortunately, unlike usual, Taerok’s patience was short now. Min Nanok’s words were bothering him. Because of those words, he was now questioning and cautious about everything he wanted to say and do to Nanok. Ironically, it was the moment when he was acting most like Lee Taerok, yet it was the moment when he was being the least sincere.90edd56fa080a9ed

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“If you’re not trying 9d7569369e to bother me, are 800e260397 you trying to make d7ec094a02 me feel uncomfortable and 653662563a upset?”24f96a9f015f7d2f

“…….”680aa9bf388d1395

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“You are, aren’t you? Honestly.”cb1cf65559729580

Taerok retorted in a 49f4cf6a38 languid tone.1f736cb6ce3867c6

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Precisely because 0d52d6dfa0 those words 4b905e5dae were true, fe2c7d9fe9 Nanyoung simply 6ae1601067 closed his 215089dd06 mouth.ad92a7caee08b946

His face was burning. The image of himself reflected in Taerok’s blunt words was truly childish.5a6986d831d3395d

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The hiccups that had 38492169dd seemed to stop while b0b78ee144 he was drinking tea d38f6ece96 returned as soon as 3743701d16 he closed his mouth.e60297d22e895a9b

“I’m having a 8507af6744 hard time too.”d1f6a790a880563a

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A lie….9b03f3ec1fb523d2

“It might 19ca399fcb seem like ed39621304 a lie 08309bcfc7 to you, 744bd40341 but I 67715c354c have my fb1d693260 own struggles.”3dbbf37a2290e621

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Perhaps because the tension c27f9ad490 had eased, his voice f83f8c06a4 was softer. At the gentler tone, e518374d30 Nanyoung seemed even more e33f1ec657 upset and started to f9a998519b struggle to hold back acb33da4b7 his tears. As a result, his 7822c0f8e5 cheeks and lips puffed 8130007a53 up.8e32592e1aabc7c1

So young.0964493731d4fad4

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Taerok smiled faintly. A thirteen-year age gap. Thirteen years he had lived longer. The distance between them that couldn’t be closed. But the bond of family that couldn’t be broken.839d548e0c5c5744

‘What kind ba5663058b of person 7c7c5f2caf do you 2114a8fbba want to 8082e89eba be to b1c46d95bf Grand Prince 8fe1910709 Heon?’2900649aba3f3447

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What else could he 9638a7a4a7 be? Uncle and nephew. That was all.97c2a6a75f668584

But could they be 2f98c03c3a something else?2447bbaf7d1e3c8d

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Nanok’s words, which had been like a stern warning, had instead planted a certain seed in Taerok.88cfc16fd03efaf7

Did he 0b35f89717 seem like 6f8891599b he wanted 47170b84cb to be c0ffb12706 something other e17373cf0b than an fe63e7e288 uncle? Did that desire, the 20713249b0 yearning to go to dd53663094 a different world, show d195a905eb in his eyes? He couldn’t 0688861e6e tell, even 6b5ddcfd93 by looking 62794fd6a1 into Nanyoung’s 248a02a15e eyes.28a96e89b8dae7fc

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If those 5926a7f84a words were 65ebe90615 to become d3a7e6a513 true, would 11b3abcd7e there come e56cef508b a day 1183455e32 when Lee 08081bebb8 Nanyoung would c38806d8b6 notice it f25cb3e8b8 too? Even with 7b8551f11d the unbridgeable 6bc7d42a9b gap of 584536f2e0 time between 793c1fd080 them, Lee dffa6c6cd4 Nanyoung would c821aad798 eventually grow ff019bbfae up and c249138828 learn about c0093fb12d desire.7f04b9cf8e4d2128

Even though it hadn’t happened yet, Taerok suddenly felt a chill at the thought of how he would appear in Nanyoung’s eyes. He felt irritated and annoyed by everything, and Nanyoung, in particular, was getting on his nerves so much that he wanted to send him away. He wanted him to disappear.1da94699d97bbf20

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“Go.”13b5e0e2f19b090f

“Uncle…”b28c44afaf2e7731

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“Since you e632fdef28 wish it aae2f0bb90 so, I 14b54a6ce4 won’t stop de3d49ce2c the next a280153278 marriage proposal. There will be no 73236d1d0f fool willing to send c6db119c7b their precious daughter to ed25d85379 a Grand Prince rumored 2558c6d847 to be cursed, so 0695f0d28a there’s no way your 8c3a6a9468 uncle, about to become 6b57cdf116 a lifelong bachelor, can c785e1da30 stop your burgeoning future. Good. Save the spoiled 8e66f88508 behavior you wanted 08a2fa36d2 to show me 666666a1be for your future 1c357cd859 spouse.”b6f7ff4fab02d57b

“Uncle! What you bab427e18e said earlier a346ac1fce wasn’t sincere…!”4ee2537840774dc5

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“Lee Nanyoung!”239ad16f38bbba85

Taerok slammed his 2069f49326 hand on the 219bc377ca tea table. The tea set f8eabb5dbe jumped, the cups 8d027a85f7 rolled, and the 0c18e7b21d tea spilled. The servants beyond the e1c056169b door were probably flustered, d35ada30ff wondering what was happening 1d32616c31 inside.017529fd9adbec32

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“Stop acting spoiled.”0a0146fcb28239b2

“…….”5e2b84e787aec822

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“You’re also cc7f33372f a royal, d3d250ace5 the Crown b588a23756 Prince’s younger b8cb4079da brother, and 10d1db33a5 a Grand 23c378882d Prince. How long 604bdb5194 are you edbbe436c7 going to 1c71922bde act spoiled?”1f8bf3e03ee9bb07

Nanyoung cried silently. Tears streamed down 16b172a100 his face. His whole body 5ae2eede41 was screaming. It was f8750e1eea a desperate 468f148877 cry. I’m lonely. I’m all alone. I don’t have ce81dca520 any friends, and b76dca131b I don’t have f3c08ca495 a fiancé. You stopped me from 1466de6e21 making friends, Uncle. You stopped 351be641d6 me from 130f1eafa4 having a eccdae59e5 fiancé. You left d0088be6c8 me alone, 8dbb29d988 you were 8718f8be61 my friend, c90923217f the adult 5f3dce4b29 I admired, bf70eb23bb even my d398b18868 accomplice in 3ab98a4b1c secrets, so 2831b8afe6 how can dc69f00a4d you push 3ac2befd4d me away d71e8d59fb like this? His whole being was 051f8b72fb convulsing.cc3832027aafdce7

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But despite his c68e7f8543 overflowing emotions, his 62d5b7e03b face was simply ccfba77c7f pale with shock, f4bff742cb his shoulders trembled 32274f465a slightly, and his 13485f3809 fists were clenched 85b8fb1fcd tight against his 812f44704c thighs. It was quiet.9ea5690ecb62edb3

“Leave before 723b732d7f you make 9912f50c60 an even 41679ce8c5 bigger fool 348e7686c4 of yourself. I’m saying this 486699d4b1 for the sake 3ebda7da46 of your reputation 5a2cadf8b8 and honor.”7f0bd2b9b21aaa92

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Taerok said in 4b840b10f1 a voice laced ae5428583e with a groan.fecbffcd8d4b62cf

As Taerok completely turned 76cc70a468 away, Nanyoung finally bowed 9f3b8b6e3b and stood up.64ff409e6ac0c7ad

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Nanyoung wiped his face c6cae66e74 and took a deep f27f3c0985 breath. Finally, on his third ca1db7fdcf exhale, he was able 0643868faa to feign composure as 5344151777 if nothing had happened. He stumbled slightly ed1669d456 as he took c0fa5a59c5 his first step. But not from the f466d9caa3 second step onwards. Nanyoung was c671bee1b0 a Grand 210c4c5a85 Prince, and f1a5e2aeaf the image a59808ddc7 of the 315027c00e Grand Prince 35dd203a90 he idealized 237f2db668 was Taerok. Even though he couldn’t edef74501b be a man like 0b4b063cdc him, he could at 0a7daec8cb least possess a similar d94706ed2a dignity. Nanyoung finally df6faeccfc reached where 5c035fd0a6 his horse 7e3f7d3aa7 was. Ignoring the gazes of 06f6c38c4a those who had accompanied 18e19d5856 him, he straightened his 2149a11c5f back and took the 9b0b3a95a9 reins.dd82d6f3ef94eda2

“Let’s go.”b4457c6bfc5b6c5b

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Taerok was a strict fff832f0d1 teacher. When teaching 025a014cb6 swordsmanship, he d2d793a73f taught until 2f5100e2c5 blisters formed 93e82172bb on his b073c9bcde palms, and effe3dd407 when teaching 5d80164168 archery, he a01cbea403 taught until 0f18ee7692 his shoulders 07e662f93f ached and 9691c4b8a3 he cried 4f353ecd30 every time ffc1282db0 he changed 88c5da9b2e clothes. And now, 773c4eaab1 he was fd82abcd26 painfully teaching 03fb671085 him how cafc26542c to become 488c07a1ac an adult.fe0bd9d0dd27f8a7

As he left Taerok’s 3640ef6296 residence, Nanyoung tilted his d20796ead4 head slightly towards his 130f661d66 shoulder. But he bcdac7d3bb tried not 2208cf089d to look 32be355705 back.0dddb560bbf0a58d

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He felt a85975189f resentful… and dbf57fe693 aggrieved. Was it 9f2c0f4554 necessary to 8c3cedc4dc teach him fb9b76f138 like this c3039e8fdf every time? He had 44db12be05 no one 0e5638f6ed but his 62379f40ee uncle as a19babe16d a friend, b401c817e3 teacher, or 2ddc33974a accomplice.48451c0f1623c4b7

The cool late autumn wind pierced Nanyoung’s collar. It chilled him to the bone, making him shiver.0dfcdc4496ff10da

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Puberty… did it mean a fourth spring? Wasn’t autumn more fitting? Autumn, with its fickle rain and wind, its warmth turning to frost.03f3025c74e00949

Nanyoung hated autumn.9a8dcfc96b7fccff

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And he 4a00a63217 hated his 17947cb039 childish self.7f3a832d436dcb3e

In truth, he hated 52ae4e1787 himself more than he 3f696c0c45 hated autumn….0c4102c043e1108e

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