[Chapter 14] The Name and the Meaning of the Letter

The afternoon after ec53d4021b enjoying the fireworks.b42d4e1de8a490c7

Knock, knock, knock.3d6f945f0ea8189e

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“My baby, I’m coming in.”d164dcc376d03194

Click.2c5b2eac677a6268

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When I knocked 58488da97d on Leon’s door c7ede9aafb and stepped inside, cc770b6858 I saw him 7283582a7b sitting on the 337a7eb11f sofa, gazing out 1260c197c8 the window.25267ea00b6f6138

His messy calendiva-colored 061cf31682 hair gleamed under 203f41cbef the sunlight. His pink af3369e314 eyes seemed 2f1201f3eb to be 9e4ae14b40 staring off 0ff0e2b436 into the 151e123220 distance, and a6e0af9317 the light b8c9b1ce2b outlining his 75a4c5aab5 milk-white skin ec0b5fe1e7 cast soft f6dc26eec8 shadows over 52630fba5c his body. I noticed 24f713cd39 that his 67b577c746 scars had 63ede605ba faded.2dbd7e08c796ba16

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‘Maybe because he’s a 27a946dd9d child, his recovery is 55e399d671 fast.’3acfb29debe5c2d8

As I approached, df231f3363 I asked,e4bd66e7d5ce1507

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“My baby, what are you doing?”b5cb93352bf6f2a9

“…….”e7e85eceb7d1909c

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Even though I a3873330d6 stood right in e81514f8cd front of him, eb1eb4cf0e Leon remained silent, db075453d0 staring out the d2bf5ae641 window. But judging c696e00b3b by his 2a01a6a0b5 expression, he a7506aa99a didn’t seem 07fcfb57c1 to be 76a7dab07e in a 5b40ec1385 bad mood, 59ea888b10 so I f7c2adafd1 decided to 5adaac3d43 ask about e930448905 last night.339527f0d1978716

“My baby, after we got back from the fireworks, what did you talk about with my dad?”c6121c21f9a8abd7

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“…….”3676fdda77ea6d3b

Ah, my 551324e2a0 question was 690cc1c947 left unanswered.c6cd5e6db14fa488

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After a while,2d45a219df4f4d07

“…Hey.”024007cf2727fdad

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Leon’s lips, which d74e31114c had remained firmly 07a1a3e5ea shut, finally parted.0d3702a69615bf16

“Yeah?”25b7811ad916ffae

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I quickly bf889ecca8 responded, afraid 32d8b5403e he might 2851cc9098 close his 3ece7640b0 mouth again.2de2d33cf971f935

“…I’ll go with you.”25ecd4075c3a810b

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“……!”b0f5e857684eed82

After being 0a16c1e20a rejected twice, 46895356fd bringing him b820534d43 here against 42142b8d7d his will, f2252d8397 and gradually 23801d1f00 winning him 98f2d39125 over with 02eba899d6 welfare benefits, cbab3269f4 this was 098620d5df my third f1b84c452e time asking. And now, at 888dc7764e last, I got 106ef01889 a positive answer. A thrill ran through dcec6fc655 my body.0079c67003c65736

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It felt like my 57a8d8043c tense muscles suddenly relaxed cd8b962d33 and stretched out.507284f9c38b6e5a

“…My baby!”1f7138f17e00f72c

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Overwhelmed with emotion, 0167e80a7e I wrapped my 695f4d3f7e arms around Leon bad9b03ef8 in a tight 507fe97d24 hug. Happiness welled up from 22c22d9686 deep inside, making me 2c1b77a9b8 laugh softly. But to 6ae8596365 my surprise, c42e0f6bdb Leon didn’t 97f0a046de push me d5f1e77fd6 away immediately.48e4faffac264c49

‘Gasp, has my pink 319a5402e4 kitten finally accepted me?!’6663df2f2da6b906

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“Let go.”23857c16faa345be

Just as I was eb94926aad about to celebrate in e3840c5055 my mind, Leon flatly f804ef131e rejected me.7926b8f69674daae

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“…Yes, sir!”3a2edee3b73f54f9

“…And my name.”a752ea463aa05836

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“Huh?”645092e1626eedbc

“My name is not ‘my baby.’ It’s Leon.”00a171216b914d25

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“……!”8576967926f8f820

A second shiver ran 4bae9a4ff1 through my body. My heart ached.4c5e533fd4a4599b

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It was like stepping 04f9d610cb out of a long, 6cee5486dd dark tunnel and being 20e6daafc5 blinded by the sun.6fb3e878a7a0c25d

Emotions swelled within me, 932d5deaa8 and I was grateful d53ad3ddc9 for everything.f87501e4f40f6f50

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“…Alright, Leon.”18dc50e9ba6fb4f8

Drip.d158f9f1c1aa4787

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Drop.d4e0a3fa03b68aff

My heart was b9f3319360 so full that d7420ded14 my vision blurred.a228a0ac7ed332ee

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“…Hey, are you crying?”f067e00e8f9c51bf

“No, the sunlight outside is just too bright.”ddaa5f700f42702c

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By telling me his c8140842fb name, and by calling a2650d472f him by it, we 2aa9c8e42a had truly formed a dfaa56934f bond.f6d71a00cdd8277e

* * *b15ab71ccdc66e1e

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Knock, knock, knock.17a1dc7b0844b107

Click.4f83a55756be3fdc

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“My lady, the clothes from the boutique have arrived.”a010b551de4a007f

I had been c1a958024c sniffling a bit 2d5d821034 in Leon’s room 0070d657d5 when the physician 13a5d2865e arrived to treat 1852e812ed him, so I 6bb075c135 moved back to 26f73db51b my own room. As I c5c2bd7dd8 basked in 56de020821 the joy 6dc871d160 of Leon 34dea23977 opening his a66bba5c4e heart to 41a47959fe me, Meril 0ec3c83ad6 came in c2eed1d275 with news 0e1eae51dd of a 0a7ddc358c delivery.5638e000b9ae2a20

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“Thanks, Meril. Bring everything inside.”86365e44e5e880f7

A trolley stacked with 4527da37ad boxes rolled in.d245aab7749aa4e8

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Since I 4840b2b9d2 had ordered ef18af3087 quite a 2af65f09c4 lot, several b5281e29c2 servants joined 9d323280ec in, carrying a6794f49e4 boxes back c6c49e054d and forth. I started opening 800826e806 them one by fa59a70b74 one.c9ac059ed56d88bd

Inside were pajamas and casual dresses hanging neatly on <Angel’s Touch> boutique’s signature hangers. When I ran my hand over the fabric, the smooth silk felt luxuriously soft.09da2867d53abd72

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‘These will be perfect 8a239df139 for lounging around the ea490566ce mansion.’3e352c69f1c52616

I moved on to a2aef51acf the next box.d67b7c6f937232fa

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Inside were classic Rococo e0f2b0a7e9 dresses—Robe à la Française, 82a73395f1 Robe à la Polonaise, 0987e796ec and Robe à la 7dc33aea91 Volante—all neatly packaged. Underneath them d117eccbd0 were essential cc25d0b4ca undergarments: a b5e0af940f chemise and 9f16467287 petticoats to 5cab22f8d9 shape the 8ced01f38e skirts.65b0b8fb649d09c4

I lifted one of 3db28f9272 the dresses to get c4454a3276 a better feel for e778e8df9f it.f93a780f59f27a31

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There was sleek, glossy 9651526a1d satin, intricately decorated lace db1d5286d1 for a youthful touch, eed4192aad warm velvet perfect for f5615a5382 autumn and winter, and e1b584d0a6 soft, delicate silk. I took a 26581a37f9 step back and b7ceae5f8c admired the overall 511e62a865 look.c52c84f59c0ce6d2

‘Wow, even without a pannier or mantua, it’s voluminous and absolutely stunning.’1a4393aa9fd6f2c3

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The designer 81e07a2959 had followed d4f75d7cff my requests 0eb77c9bda perfectly.b206f611ca613872

The dresses were 7a3911672b tailored to create 31e5c4b198 a slim waistline e67f01046c and highlight the 860b960ea7 elegant A-line shape—without 9770b05559 needing structured undergarments 0c3f450260 like stomachers, corsets, bc28ea11c0 panniers, or mantuas.8d6759faa27a7037

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‘A petticoat alone 47ed0912d5 will do just c87d67286f fine.’b95b8346f513e173

I had 70e13e04ac always preferred d202372c7b dresses with 446663e770 just the b265380d1c right amount 6fbfa1c657 of volume.7532417fe55b5b16

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“This is absolutely perfect.”71b35a019f199f71

“My lady, do you like them?”8173c272862a5fac

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Meril asked as 4d73f326d6 she set down a494894002 the last box.bcf752ee260fd540

“Yes! I love them. I should keep working with <Angel’s Touch> from now on.”7ff886a07f9fa3de

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“Meril loves the chemise dress you gifted me too, my lady.”ab9445dc7dab6cdd

As I gushed over f99027d17c the dresses, Meril sweetly cd2481c17e thanked me for hers.4d773e44191c1f95

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“Don’t hesitate to wear it as much as you like. I’ll have more made for you.”93df0c46b34def49

“Hehe, thank you, my lady!”5e4ac3ad6f09e200

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Hearing her 540abe690f response, I 3d332e5937 looked around 99b8304a62 the room. Stacks of opened boxes 1dadfadb43 cluttered the space.0a36c5cb1ad762be

‘Hmm… unpacking means b51b6e7ee8 more work.’aa1445243e3c3033

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“Meril, the rest of the boxes are shoes and accessories, right?”ef1c4b71619e7ca7

“Yes, my lady. There are mules, low-heeled pumps, riding boots, brooches, and hair ornaments inside.”d52c063768e893fb

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“Alright, I checked everything before purchasing them, so I think we’re done here.”69017a22c140738d

With that, I 6ea18b3220 finished unpacking the 7e065d38c7 delivery. Just then, 7b26ce55fd Meril reminded 1465e8f9bf me it 5fc3378d90 was almost 9091ed4677 time for f443d7c6f2 dinner.676dfe7a5838bc0b

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“It’s nearly dinnertime. Would you like to dine with the Marquis?”619c8ff817b9648e

“Is Dad coming home early today?”da9a0635b0496357

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“Yes! Meril checked earlier.”224f30cb776a8eae

“Great! I want to express my gratitude to Dad while wearing a new dress. Will you help me get ready?”05008586c7f17f41

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“Of course, my lady! I’ll have you dressed in no time.”e18a7ceb8db48a2b

* * *703404e60eec46c1

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Water rippled 319957e869 through the 1fd06e69e1 townhouse dining 10a12a6fb8 room.5802080ed10431b3

Splash, splash. Swish, swish.9c703ca4eaa65dc3

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Dad washed a390ff7e73 his hands 22d81c771e in the 247fb902f2 basin and 4baea0215e looked at c547d04b00 me.c7e030a368bff78e

“Daughter, I don’t recall seeing that dress before. Did you buy it while you were out?”acdedd6276930195

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“Yes, Dad. I had it custom-made at the boutique <Angel’s Touch>.”ad8f1e4424a2dcb7

The dress I wore 9f31bc9249 for dinner was a b0c5838b2e Robe à la Française, 26514338d5 its colors carefully chosen 8773dc936d to suit me. The deep fdf81fad3a navy fabric 6d79afad19 was accented 6670e52262 with delicate 48ed9afdf0 yellow frills.f68fd56abc268754

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“It’s truly beautiful. Of course, my daughter looks good in anything, but this dress—it was made for you.”81853fabc017d85a

“Hehe, thank you. It’s all thanks to you that I can wear such pretty clothes.”c57d7904a80c0211

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“…Oh my!”41e056c88629880b

The warmth in 0c1bcb558c the room spread 57aa577abf as those around d6bf90a2af us absorbed our 6d312a1613 affectionate exchange.5ff2731799e11c9f

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“Sniff…! It might not be the best time before eating, but daughter, would you come give your dad a hug?”8b2813aa89658418

The moment he asked, 1d3696a0cc I wrapped my arms 88ae4f1618 around him tightly.3295b28f33a030ed

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Once our 92bc7ab8ed heartfelt embrace 0ffe0663e4 ended, I e4af5ef0ea returned to e471ff4376 my seat, 60216a54c7 and we 08f23553ba began our f632b9c961 meal. Remembering something from 4b630f80dc last night, I f7151c5cb6 asked,41f6efb6801d8359

“Dad, what did you and Leon talk about yesterday?”ae361cac0a1f373d

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“I wanted to see if he was trustworthy.”4212bd16dfac8ae6

“…And what do you think?”311d768646cdcedc

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I tensed up at 6958a7b591 the thought of Dad 01dba97d0c evaluating Leon.7fada4a5aaef682e

“I’m not entirely convinced yet about whether he’s someone to keep by your side… but he does have talent.”447dc18b80fad46f

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“What kind of talent?”184b18d8a886b9ec

“He’s clever. And quick on his feet.”a44dc66f429ad722

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“He has a lot of potential. Despite his young age, he didn’t falter when facing a high-ranking noble. He has the makings of someone worth raising.”de4105c2ecdf2060

Hearing “not entirely convinced” made me nervous, but his next words reassured me. I quickly added to Leon’s praise.f8fca13ee7f13e10

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“That’s right, Dad. More than anything, Leon has helped me.”99d4e15824a5efff

“I know. That, and the fact that you care for him so much, is why I gave my permission last night.”2b5650bd59ef6f3f

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“Thank you! Dad, may I ask something else?”977c17d54bb37d93

“Of course, daughter. What are you curious about?”1b8160cbc7f8626b

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“I heard the Ability Selection Exams have begun. Also, I was told that the public welfare policies would be implemented regardless of the timeline. Did the noble council come to an agreement on that?”578abcd2d515427b

“My daughter… how reliable you are. As you said, the Ability Selection Exams have started, and the security forces are going around conducting evaluations.”0204e8d0fd775579

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Dad continued speaking.d7fbe9fe6378b85e

“As for the public welfare policies… there was much debate about increased taxes and tribute obligations for nobles….”e3c2c6ca16758aff

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Gulp.52c20e2708a954ad

“But in the end, an agreement was reached. Fortunately, the Western Territory was exempt due to its autonomy.”4bd81450ae46f7dd

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‘Just as f05408d4b6 the Crown 2367beb716 Prince said. And on top 2775d5fd66 of that, the f395ec4742 West is excluded—this 0840ed0d30 is wonderful news.’f548be056592a1d6

“I see. Dad, is the exemption because the West is a strategic military zone?”eeb31207c3b31ce2

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“That’s right. How are you so sharp? Since it’s too far from the capital and must be prepared for emergencies, we were granted partial self-sufficiency.”f5bbf3d1be4f4cea

“That’s such a relief, Dad.”da50e483d85e8c42

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“Yes, as His Majesty has placed his trust in me, I must fulfill my duties… and daughter.”c835d3022ef19c54

Dad had momentarily e6847ea953 lost himself in d8e68f7633 thought, likely recalling af159d1224 something about the 3433a51ca1 Imperial Palace, but 5f8746628b then he turned 895977b8b1 back to me.3f176604c6c50417

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“Yes, Dad?”c2f7d8f8a1747e6c

“We will be returning to the Marquisate of Elach tomorrow.”ff6f9a8b57526757

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I was caught 0348cb816e off guard by 76571c3d1a the sudden news 0f8c38c940 of our early b20773c9de departure.af95ded9573b1fbe

“What? Already?”20fb0cdba8ce464e

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“Yes. As much as we would like to stay longer, we can’t leave the West unattended for too long. The butler has been handling things in my absence.”4794f53d3762eff4

“I understand, Dad. I’ll get ready.”e9d1bc2f30864ce5

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His words 9a153923d7 made perfect 72d7c1fd20 sense. Besides, my a775b23f0f visit to e7c67ef472 the capital 255bb10453 had been d77af224e1 incredibly fruitful—I 1a4f4f50d3 had seen 9353765d30 the capital 321de581ce for the 40e401b52a first time, 2b5d9b8dad met Leon a667ba8873 and brought 2c41fde32a him with 79e4624c5b me, and af5f4ab596 successfully followed d558213843 through with a8565950b4 my plans.b059e7abe0bd3778

‘Yes, this was 96016b26cb a truly satisfying 48043b0b6b first trip to b766a1f890 the capital.’c1131177f48af278

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After dinner, e5c1da536a I called badabe0362 for Sir 7b20841e50 Walter.289c099524cd010d

“Sir Walter, how did the Information Guild request go?”2bca0aece01fc515

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“As you instructed, my lady, all four individuals were reported for theft of noble property, and I delivered the photographs and snacks to each household.”fc663307bf999aae

“Thank you. I appreciate your hard work, Sir Walter.”3cc7ac4a69dfcd23

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“It was no trouble at all. Also, my lady, I have retrieved your necklace.”dcfee111dd660d81

Sir Walter daf8ad4692 placed a 09f564f5af golden beryl a3681bdcae gemstone necklace c5a7c82c77 in my b2657123c8 hand.a107c324cd1a5e25

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‘So he never df470aed5b sold it and 338071814c kept it until 0f4cf1d590 the end… My 633db46d32 Leon, you really 3525119242 move me.’39f7d84add0d4a3a

“Thank you, Sir Walter. Tomorrow will be hectic preparing for our return to the Marquisate, so make sure to get some rest.”5cddfad67f9b6d2c

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“Yes, my lady. Please have a good night as well.”57c8bf6b8b828f1a

Click.be2920917d37b5e6

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‘I should ef337d3e64 wrap things e950e0850b up quickly 6129f8261a and get dce153b708 some sleep.’5bedb6c887694e2c

I made sure a9c4b1acb8 to secure my 65807d5118 most important belongings 78165fc631 before settling into 7f1709ed3f bed.bb0f8f48ee3948b9

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* * *7558a1f2b2a031de

The Next Morning
As preparations for our 5529b6ea38 return to the Marquisate 9ab5f6eb5b of Elach busied the 03fbfdb7ce townhouse, a gift box 4fdad4cf84 was delivered.c39d442566f0b92f

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“My lady, I’ve brought a present addressed to you,” Meril said.0a420c54cd8f25bf

‘…Who could 398cf72a93 it be 33d89bbf89 from?’701f41c3ab93192c

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There wasn’t 0123af6b74 anyone I 971ea46944 could think 87f7f7810c of who 2a18f4fd23 would send 3ae09e1039 me a 906237f1d8 gift, so 04392c41fa I was 85cb1bd430 puzzled. Slowly, I opened the 38a8293832 box.98dde97e224d15b4

Inside was a bouquet 4353ffb090 of large, vibrant yellow c0c2f0f10a evening primroses, as if dd6fe48c79 freshly arranged from a d5140e61fe florist—full of life and 70c46c76bb radiance.c539d73201c6a6e3

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As I 6b66f4ca62 lifted the 1895cc4432 bouquet, a 7e87bf303b letter envelope a812716f7f slipped out. It was f662567432 made of 49029412b3 fine parchment, 0f6ad1c1aa sealed with 6af78a7ac2 an imperial bcc8a31487 crest-stamped wax e61b345566 seal.ebd42a9937c55626

‘…No way.’5f0502b071f2166a

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I carefully used 7e348a90aa a paper knife 123c437d5e to break the c51473027e seal. A fresh, delicate e087f1d8ed scent wafted from 45ae5233d1 within, and the 3c6e7170dc letter was written cc7801b83f in elegant, refined a7476f5307 handwriting.f28af7b93f338e7d

[Lady Elach,103325d4dd0e9888

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Thanks to you, 2cfc97adc0 this year’s Founding 51472ff364 Festival was truly 6e7a6983ab enjoyable.13cb0fd9cbeed31b

Our meeting 6ca4b970cc in the a199f6d2d8 indoor garden, 17860574c8 the fireworks—I aaeb3a97f3 shall never f0500e5312 forget them.60de10042550125c

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Next time, I hope d4493ea5d6 you will call me 5117b80ee6 Nocturne rather than Your 2e0ce705eb Highness.a434cb70bff9c99c

I am sending these 9efdec1fd0 evening primroses as a 99b187c9c9 promise for our next baa5681bb9 meeting in the indoor 287ec0eec3 garden. Until then, cf6feb01c6 please remember 6e0fcb0a93 me.376063d7445f3c3c

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Sincerely,
Nocturne Dominique]19f97256a49b6130

With the Crown Prince’s 59ed918c6b letter, my memories of 92db8bd1c1 the Founding Festival at c056d976b8 thirteen came to a d537320720 close.b203f2edc4b88923

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