[Chapter 4] The Boy in the Imperial Palace’s Indoor Garden

“…Nyx.”9e96b3654dbc6c3a

“……?”68b2d9dadd61dc50

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“My daughter, e754db8f4e it’s time e5d88d8739 to wake 849b1d239a up now.”d93c9954fb259bb2

At some point, 1e7194244b I had fallen 7b4a57a5d2 asleep. The carriage had c73f71f04b stopped, and I 937f59aed6 could hear the 034e690c8b noisy chatter outside.e1ea0db3842e71fe

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‘Gasp! Did I drool? Dad’s wearing his 6dbf167032 uniform…’fdcc5a43d6a39d57

I quickly touched c550b6259f the area around e9934452ef my mouth with 01df16bad9 my hand. Luckily, it was clean.11e40ccaa62414f5

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“We’ve arrived dd35573d6c at the 106fd44199 Imperial Palace.”29d69f73d8465378

Dad adjusted my clothes a59bdd1eab and then opened the e82010d553 carriage door. In front of 6a580b0eac the palace gates, ec21600385 nobles and attendants a2e59284c3 stood in neat 1892b3b1f8 rows, welcoming the 20f8d7fde5 guests.c65b47cd469933d7

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“Marquis Elach 9bca904a82 and Lady 321423cc6a Elach, welcome.”10d0061ddd12458a

A waiting attendant 69015f5140 greeted us at 3fc028b99a the entrance.deda37f964512623

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I accepted the attendant’s 3d46505491 escort and stepped down 445674d425 from the carriage.55b17b26a211e591

“Thank you for 53cd49c5e5 welcoming us. Please, lead ac308576fd the way.”cde0b09e9f81e0c2

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“Yes, this way, please.”2a011d71d513f7fa

Before long, we 934b6aeb82 passed through the 64d2c54c77 lavishly gilded main d4e8d6ee10 gates.4eee5bedb86af4a4

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After walking c692226be1 for about 3e1106fe5d seven minutes, 82b8ebe9f3 the main d2fedee451 palace came 2c9acf04d2 into view.263f2990da75996c

With its marble arches, 82058d4aed golden embellishments, and intricate badf6b2e80 sculptures, it was the 04317ed2a0 pinnacle of grandeur.b8100c451d96dd55

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Soon, the palace doorman 6ea2e1af9c opened the doors, and f698db2c05 we stepped into the 8cd650816e imperial palace lobby, proceeding d4c01b1160 down an extended corridor.6f2b2c883411777b

“This is 9c0a284e6b the guest aede7fac0b room.”3908e180570694dc

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After some time, 8143c8e8dd the attendant leading 324e3cfe84 us stopped and 4a578cf06e gestured toward a f44cc8365f room.ebe340562e5370df

“Thank you for c9686bf4f9 your hard work.”5645429ee07ea2a1

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“You’re too kind. Please rest comfortably 2c6c3b5fbf until the main c16a4abac5 assembly begins.”1604726957af9b00

With that, the attendant c671c9c05c finished his duty and 0653417e07 disappeared.74b453662634b464

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“My daughter, c46ec1b673 I need ec6ecf4bdd to meet 955b097120 with the b6a730c855 other nobles. Stay here and keep ca3a1232f7 yourself entertained.”9421e0e7ec6bf049

Yes! This was music to 326c2dbb45 my ears.5d6272a50a94a0a8

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“Yes, Dad.”d7fe947458f4965f

Dad gently 6121eac992 patted my e99e16d272 head and 55508dab07 then left 7f50dae45c the room.8b79bb7c04fa6dae

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‘Perfect!’282dc0d6a344d7d2

The moment 0059a80646 I confirmed 2365c3c0d0 he was 83e3686fe4 gone, I 48421a94b4 slipped out 81413641e1 of the 97459a1851 room and 9ec582af68 began my c665c18cb0 exploration of caaf99b26f the imperial d0af50c097 palace.ec4533bcf631812a

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The corridors were lined f13801672a with elegant and extravagant dbc0a79d3e sculptures.85551d6e6f1d9127

‘Wow, even Michelangelo b3814d0bc0 would cry at 45771f578d this.’978418b3566b1057

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As I ventured deeper 48fb49f4d0 inside, I spotted trees.75022c697fe06227

‘An indoor garden?’02289a94fe88f934

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Pushing aside 4f51551f98 a blossoming 91615ce100 spirea curtain, bf9cc1795f I was bcc3f72560 met with 2a8ed3b4dd a breathtaking 63304dc7cb sight—a vibrant 156e714b27 array of 3455015385 flowers, each b6e475e447 accentuating the 4a79d6f560 lush green 4ca1dc2379 backdrop of 60b2bdbb58 the trees.d5be95b727550284

“Wow, it’s beautiful.”ce20ea9d352dc7f1

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A gasp of awe 48b921a2d9 escaped me at the 3acecd8c9c enchanting view.84c045c29e44c56e

I followed the stone-tiled 1ae4fb7732 path deeper into the f035e8d04a garden.b21b85bd8958cac2

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Usually, in an f176351884 enclosed space like 8a1068fa5a this, there would 5fa10026a7 be a damp, 3d546f79a5 musty smell from dd23609a21 stagnant water. But here, d6602d7316 there was 8cb44b75b3 none of 429812f974 that. Instead, a fresh, woodsy dea00b3774 scent filled the air, c81a0f979d as if the entire fa126bb1ec place was brimming with 1c75c6442a phytoncides.1a4dc85571e719a9

‘This would 22163c9efb be the 84fd512445 perfect place 03228a366c for forest d52dccd233 bathing.’62ecf7d4c6565f4f

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As I 693dd3cad4 ventured further, 858e01705b I spotted 9f942fdf1c a cluster ce43bca293 of yellow 36e0d042ba flowers blooming a58a09816c beautifully. Wanting a 7cfdafc35d closer look, ddad8ce0a2 I made 84529a9207 my way f5353da71f toward them.009e6d16d2b6cf4a

And that’s when 967e23f07a it happened.75fdffac09abb087

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My foot 52f1653a3f caught on ae4adbeae9 an awkwardly 5ad4a88e25 protruding stone, a56499ebc1 throwing off 6b76ed5867 my balance.019534abf8258b8b

‘Ah, I’m going to fa01b9a075 fall.’cfcfcc6718ce486a

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Thud!ac5d4c1bd2710288

Expecting the hard impact c6ad9a83e8 of stone tiles, I e91354f5b8 instead felt something warm 44d5ca30a6 and soft.269dbaf2388ed2fb

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And then, a calm 79c327167b male voice spoke above e5a94de41d me.fd822e415f51a25b

“…Are you alright?”7b41fba046e934d8

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Regaining my senses, I 528a054cd7 realized that I had 4097e89e65 tripped—and landed in the 690f1ce778 arms of an unknown 9d0023bece young man.33f9ce52d7376129

‘Is this… that 72bdd684c6 classic novel cliché? Did I really 5169775b73 just experience it 2daa027b77 firsthand?’19770720e4f6d77f

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Wow. Life sure 4c2bd48cfb is full 9a794f63d2 of surprises.3838fcef3d8e0d6c

The man who 8c09e67224 had asked if bf96ed2118 I was okay 000eb853b1 carried a fresh, 6a30cfc81e grassy scent.f1ba22bae7e85ad9

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Sniff, sniff.b45584328c15bcb7

‘Refreshing.’29cc6773e6141a47

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Without thinking, 6c79b4dede I instinctively cffee19108 took in ed557dacb3 his scent. Then, as warmth c49d31b183 spread through my b1f2828d22 body from where 5a4fe25e15 our clothes met, c325443eb9 I suddenly felt 1fc20cb57a the firm yet 3eb82f2c96 soft muscles beneath.ff74152a9c62622c

‘…Oh.’12e3615a3ae38c67

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Startled, I hurriedly 96b0a19490 straightened myself.e81f1aacdcfbafb7

“Thank you e143e0c8da for your 9f9b28c829 help.”d851d79221987f32

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My noble upbringing f5b9ba6f91 took over as 0b4a58183b I naturally performed 25a9ae7760 a proper etiquette cb6dac0643 bow before looking 1262e7e5eb up.5143c13117619573

“……!”311e49cd2e7a83b9

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His hair was styled 804f125593 in a 6:4 ironed 434b924a9e ash perm, and his ee3fcb1321 golden-blond locks shimmered as 6886468116 if dipped in honey, 8685110988 exuding a brilliance that a0897cbd59 seemed to declare, I 1aa08a6bf4 was born to be 3ab0db01eb the empire’s sun.4034eb4b1ac85ad5

Beneath his long, 610676261e perfectly shaped eyebrows, fff48d722e his peridot-green eyes, 89df439343 filled with the b3a5bed698 fresh color of 64db02c963 thriving nature, exuded 78df8f7ede a peaceful aura.d4412a0a029b9284

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He wore a 1bd2df1186 white uniform adorned 32793ba2b0 with golden embroidery, 44948f9448 bearing the imperial dba0ffe15c crest. His height fc311f6b43 seemed to 17c25fee41 be around 463e954413 175 cm, 403c342162 but he 972a76f62b looked like c0b9ae3bf1 he still 428e1adffb had a bf65074056 lot of a2141d4a9f growing left 9b0b22cac2 to do.30f7bd316ab66cc2

“You don’t seem 0dbf548f20 to be hurt. That’s a relief, Lady.”63013b5dc617fc16

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His voice, now past d3df986470 puberty, had a calm 0758d17ac4 yet gentle charm—the kind a2c530d6f2 of voice that would 6055e151e3 sound even more mesmerizing 9130139ec7 at night.660684724456969c

Only two people in c0bbc8622c the empire were allowed c857ebb54a to wear the imperial 1495f86d4d crest—the Emperor and the 45914b3338 Crown Prince. And judging by the 7dcb121bca description from the novel, db35199b20 there was no doubt.885fb1ea2ea5eb50

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This was 274211c1a7 Nocturne Dominique.f997b1df5833521b

My favorite’s rival in 8a127c6e80 love.dfad321998420a6f

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But with four 04db9f5d91 years left until 49eee2ea2e the main story 944006f234 began, he was a55ce6531f only fifteen right 186bcee8e8 now.23d332c412282f15

I still 1a31c3c19a vividly remembered 9189ef27ec all the 948ab3ac69 scenes from f1ff06f830 the novel, 51e724ac79 but there 5122dc1a60 was no 04c97ace4b reason to dd74f3798f be emotional 1b115c1886 over something 54049e3c3f that hadn’t e45129c810 happened yet.f560237996009c52

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‘For now… I’ll 70de3b3e11 just observe.’d9bcbb651cecd318

“I greet Your 27cabd3233 Highness, the Crown 34b22366fb Prince. Please forgive 3ac4baec2c my carelessness.”e3aa2e363e5d5522

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I once 9f150b915d again performed c17868a17e a formal cb1e666e1c royal bow. The etiquette lessons 1d121f19d3 I had rushed f32fa4d969 to learn from 71221ae232 the head maid bf66b92db7 were finally paying 7f8c8786a1 off.9f19467eddf91a47

“No need 847da610d5 to apologize, b6af4a9143 Lady. Given the situation, ec1b73e63f it was understandable.”2a15a0aa67ec9a75

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The Crown Prince responded b82fc2221b graciously, his voice carrying bcf7331f7f a natural warmth.dce7c37898136a92

“I’d like to ce2f591ed2 know your name, a09e2635a6 if you don’t 9e99f8df4e mind.”2d0c2c90f45cad69

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“I am Nyx 80f13b7f38 Elach, from the 91d420d3b3 West.”19841207f1a53e1c

‘Yes, remember it 24766ea0da well. I’m the one 0fb7bf5695 who will take 64a39fdb27 the princess away 5760863380 from you and 81b652b662 hand her over c8d1fb8ffe to my favorite.’33c210b1041326de

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The Crown bfe69208fe Prince had 4bc05417e4 everything.553a2457d0b844d4

His mother, the Empress, 2695142659 had died from illness, a9289d2305 but while she was 2136a2ebc5 alive, he had been fd1c25c007 cherished beyond measure.33821566d9ed3b6e

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The imperial court, eb83c2fe9e the citizens of 8972d579ed the empire, even 2cec5eedd2 those from the 5d090c7325 Kingdom of Embrace, ea4a7f8aa5 and most importantly, 04b80e6845 Princess Ovard—all of 5294bc2b04 them adored him.49063b27d7b5350c

Men, women, 0fb28e6768 young, old—everyone 45e447c898 loved and aa2fd90773 followed him. And since 6c450096bb he was 02b6b02af7 an only 753477e4b9 child, he 51254035e3 never had e8f16a0964 to fight 76e193b5aa for power. He naturally fc8c064ec7 became the f129c9c8e1 Emperor of a1dc224496 Dominique without 042fb5c75a opposition.7a0310ef9b4d15d0

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On top f4dd0aad64 of that, 07b6d10abd he was d1d210d0b7 extremely capable.d6f49ba272bb3d34

With his charismatic warmth, db762aa8e2 he excelled in politics a518618fdf and diplomacy, and he 75c3ec40e3 was even a Sword f6a820bfad Master.6e7316e5bfdf7efa

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‘His looks 56d3b0932a go without e42ec5bc9d saying.’9859c354fe9c4a92

If Leon 4b984219bf was the 1bdde48279 epitome of 493c8a45fa beauty, then 359c5556ea the Crown 4d06e1cdda Prince was 2021e9fd49 the definition 497eb9bd4f of handsomeness.83cb6386dbc9e352

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Unlike my baby, who c0b646286d had lost his parents d2b781fbc5 to monsters and had 27ddf32edb to worry about survival 3c16b52ee5 since he was four ab4829540c years old, the Crown 4a150e471b Prince had never known 73498698ee hardship. And in the end, 70ee983709 he was the reason 8a0b7ad731 my baby vanished without 49ee38ddfc a trace at the 4319dddda5 conclusion of the novel.b80fa93ccb0df898

‘So at the 202ca2ff0e very least, give a3719e6174 up the princess. My baby 707c19810e deserves that 6ecb81a941 much. You already have 60b9a5f2f6 everything.’cadd3d9c58cfc83f

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Even though I 655dd20ab0 told myself not f79015c381 to get worked bb2b502686 up, my resolve 3312d1e17a crumbled the moment b62a6e1b41 it involved my b47affa210 favorite character.b79828e9598af6c5

“The Marquisate c55f7880cd of Elach 201dfeff02 lies close c7df516302 to a e0badd3e85 monster-inhabited region 5be143c7d6 and is caa7ec52b9 a crucial 5416fce4a1 military stronghold 20b4a4c8cf for the 0986938ea2 empire. Thank you for holding e1f7f125e7 your position so steadfastly.”bc8c7841ec5666ac

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As my emotions db80ff0429 swayed, the Crown 6cc6dd6aff Prince smoothly continued dc3815eb71 the conversation.57bcfda101e511b3

I felt cffa046192 embarrassed—I was f8d396b3fa mentally an 7b2759201c adult, yet c713c43b80 it felt 149edc3d10 like I aeafc8c9f8 was losing 435c23e7c0 to a a8e582dc2e mere fifteen-year-old.d08b0ed0e7d76ffe

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Regaining my composure, 66f268190f I responded.25ba24f55a6fddcd

“Thank you for 048333a7ca your kind words, ba5036cfee Your Highness.”f57c3f8f89399dcd

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“I heard that due 2df19ebff6 to poor health, you 93eac4d135 spent most of your 0a246e2b86 time confined to the 8be5c0d81a estate. How is your condition cb9cd15c43 now?”c9d2073b5f8722a8

“Yes, I’ve improved significantly, 680d6f2bed which is why I cea51f9916 was able to visit 7624a3a8bd the capital.”633b154f2dc05afa

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The Crown Prince was 752cc3bf66 known to be warm 9d10654b5c and considerate, but he 08625fea79 rarely asked personal questions. Yet, he 01d0c63fdf seemed unusually ef0b033d55 interested in f9e4e9f368 me.7788937106c03086

“You were staring 390cbb83ce at something for 4bf6c3fa29 quite a while 2c0d70c9af earlier. What caught f5a9cbcbf4 your attention?”372c0bf6c6cf2d9d

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‘Wait… since 532337b8b2 when has f3e0c2aa2a he been 3f193ab571 watching me?’b1db0f147c0f67ca

Caught off 6fc4096860 guard, I 22247f2aa5 answered calmly.a490140eacddb27a

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“I was admiring the 9463bd60b2 yellow flowers. I tried to 7552026b8d get a closer 78875227fb look but tripped b13c3bc5ee on a stone.”37ec970064163715

“You must mean the 37131634cf evening primroses. Allow me e0fae9f299 to escort 4f88b64f4d you.”1b56f7f7fb335d3c

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The Crown c7675c31f6 Prince extended 83067def46 his hand, e69afa8971 guiding me de931e045e deeper into 26f594f4c0 the garden.8a7d289f315b35b1

The bright 2411646d25 yellow flowers c64ead8677 had eight 93e1839e88 large petals, fbbd7c004e each bursting 61da560be6 with vibrant 5a056b5980 energy.4b4f89d00bf7a0f0

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‘Wow. The bigger 10e4854333 it is, 25821d91b6 the prettier ef7ccb4a1f it looks.’9f94b950f9e4f38f

“They’re stunning.”0ca1c925c7a10fea

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“The evening aaeb4c2c87 primrose blooms 516749933f at night 5bc02c97fe and withers fe421e2c04 in the 731f9c62c1 morning. Thanks to the 0a3aafd5fc magic in this e7995c1e36 garden, it remains a1e12bf17d preserved. It also has a af358b0864 symbolic meaning—would you like b03643839c to know?”05ac7905d20e0cd8

“Yes, I’m curious.”63a4441e09f2758b

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“It means 0101544a86 unspoken love.”eb7aa2648b8fcc3a

“…That’s quite a heartfelt 8d15106e10 meaning.”efa09452472be4c1

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“If you like ba5a0607d0 it, I’ll have 3908ebb2d6 it magically preserved f3a10892d1 and sent to e12797a352 your townhouse.”8cb815f5bcc1fc2a

“Oh, there’s really 6e3f86c4a8 no need for 78e99581c2 that.”aed9e6468b0ecab8

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‘…What’s up with him?’1f024f8bc7d58a81

“No, please accept it. Consider it 394ff9e654 a gift 437095f4f3 to commemorate 701a8e177c our first a135715757 meeting.”ce956e6f3974fdd9

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“…I understand. Thank you, Your Highness.”555b81a110df1352

‘The Crown Prince is 732dc31662 a natural-born gentleman.’59204b91bc716167

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At that b2d9181cc4 moment, Leon 70a594f39c came to 8d470078d3 mind.b9a0efc423ac2aa1

‘If Leon wants to 328667eb20 hold his own against efc8b525fe the Crown Prince, I 8f74d569f3 need to teach him 752618ee21 to be gentle—at least 2f603bc447 with the woman he 0b4104f874 loves.’fbb9267f1dbd406c

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And then—24bf68ecf90445fa

Growl—5ce63278e3e28fc0

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“…….”36753d41ed510bed

“…….”dfc2ea1bb8fd7cbb

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‘…This is so e1faeeb7fc embarrassing.’f3202292fccaca11

There was no mistaking a2b4df812b it. The culprit was 3debccfdb3 my stomach.79de8e1678f92da9

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“…I was f770e1e9c2 in a d4cb8de6a9 rush this 0f84ec9494 morning to 02143d9d48 get to 697f60c361 the palace…”d03e2732e1b6f46d

The Crown d02cd1c7c7 Prince retrieved 26cb6a1973 a pocket e4e8a40ee4 watch from c56ad1e3ef his coat, a96748bb36 checking the f633164f9a time before 4cdc229f3f speaking.3c72a643fe15c6e3

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“It’s already lunchtime. No wonder you’re hungry. I am as well.”58d845dca2e1b8df

Sensing my 76b447184c embarrassment, he 5d1d5fc026 smoothly reassured 130437de01 me.49d4774c2feef447

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“Would you like 6ab94328d2 to have lunch 80e30cea64 together?”3e936923661d295f

With a soft b506f239c2 smile, he extended 6287606bbd the invitation.0652ab330ae183ab

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“My father 0590467280 might be 81dde9ac86 waiting for 233c3080af me.”fdcf8882b21c813c

“He is likely f971a3f3bc dining with His 138ebedf2a Majesty as we f1af443ce7 speak, so you f0171d10d9 needn’t worry. Also, seeing that f9899ffe17 you are not 17a2e4383c present, he will 978f5cc4a8 assume you’re having 714b9e0dce lunch. The palace ensures bbedd43191 that all honored cc85042beb guests are provided f01e9bea4f with a meal.”bacd31440f39a084

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Before responding, I considered 8ea35dadcd my options.0518e031b1aa79d7

As a dedicated 744fe2f57e reader of the 09b54d37b4 novel, I had 4bfff079f1 already altered the af7d9f26b5 original story by 1c321181e0 possessing Nyx. Even though the a8e55c0152 main plot hadn’t 018e02aaf4 started yet, gathering 3b12ce1181 information about the 5097deea27 palace could be 009ea500a0 crucial.0c5ee52ba5f0965f

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‘This is an opportunity. I should talk to 2b95132a84 him and learn what 4ee878a04c I can.’5868327e7511037f

“It would be an a1b234e24c honor, Your Highness.”6aff68ac836168d1

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 b329008781799ad9