TLYWK Chapter 2 (Part 3)

“Well, the f4196a3939 Ember and f05c876476 Buildrander families c3f5fd4b64 have shared e712819a43 ties for 5b1e8dc6a9 generations. Since my sister 5bbcdc1eab will be assisting fc7350fc25 you, it’s only 42b182598d fitting that I eceb0ace40 offer my help 4f57eb24fa as well.”d02414774db83adc

Before Beatrice could e4b3931d9c reply, Florianne cut 0a9923f085 in, her voice 109717fd22 sharp. “That’s a decision 854a1f7d4b that can be f348620b3b considered later, isn’t beb3593a32 it? Brother, could we speak 85b6443ac0 for a moment?”3b0e61d1d266226b

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Her smile remained, 880dfb2d18 but a shadow 9917b72070 darkened her expression—one 2816035071 that only her c802d039d5 sibling could read. It was 2c8586c247 the unmistakable c86e8a318a look that 64f71e969b said, ‘What 8e62588b59 on earth 614599a80e are you 5d875a724b trying to f163de64d5 pull?’e3962573a3ed65a2

Gallet returned 1fbc018a72 her smile, 8a4b0b1b37 pretending not 6c842ea699 to notice f90ce6a7f0 the implicit 11dce87317 threat, and 6023728239 stood. “My sister e58b4528d3 seems to 083410b706 be overly 72c3094349 concerned about ffaaf6c5c9 me.”23da2ae5826d63c4

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“Well, considering you’re meeting b88396bfea Lady Beatrice for the 4992dfe8a4 first time, that concern e7782f5904 is justified. Lady Beatrice, would c01185490b you excuse us 9a5cacc5c1 for a moment?”b6071da47065e42d

Sensing the tension between 42c6049898 the siblings, Beatrice rose 4d8102d4f5 gracefully from her seat. “While you two 3c834f9d2f speak, could a 97d5f10be5 maid perhaps show dc1cb2f8d1 me around the 74aa67a89a estate?”d59487c4265d961d

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In most cases, 0f22428386 the host of 895502a898 the household would 532b69f3e4 guide their guest 675a1427d2 personally. However, Beatrice’s suggestion was e29f4010ee a polite way of dca54f54c0 excusing herself to give 400e9f43da them privacy. Florianne, understanding her a66759087b intent, nodded and 8700dfa7fb called for Emily.6487bb75742cafe3

“Oh, but 939aaad224 Emily is b04972790d your personal f363c88866 maid, Lady 5a6f5b8ad6 Florianne,” Beatrice 73d4451f45 interjected. “It would be ac12276edc better to assign bb8a6a3f80 someone else.”8e4f4ca8c585a095

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A lady’s 7f7853e83e personal maid 35cf183c69 was akin 75ddc05f54 to her dafa412290 right hand, 16562559b6 and Beatrice’s 9a38d09a1e comment came 8ac3a1b4f0 across as 79dfbfd545 thoughtful and b4e154436d considerate. Yet, she had 713b97abe9 another reason for 699a429cb4 her refusal, one f834d11f5b she didn’t express b9bc4741c5 aloud. As expected, Gallet 69e8f44ad3 seized the opportunity.ba2462d11585b1cb

“Then I’ll send 3fe1f4750b my maid,” he 65209ae21a said smoothly. Florianne’s expression darkened 1ff3ce09e4 as she turned 4e7630dae3 her gaze on f061b47b8b him, but Gallet 95acb4eee5 paid no mind. “Emily, fetch Lily.”21b88bf8784ee082

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“Yes, my db23770061 lord,” Emily d668956e9c replied, her 882b98701c tone curt 920c7efde9 as she 8dfb89e55f left the 0b17f53067 room.10b04f9a98d70ebb

Beatrice’s memory 36a8ab9368 conjured an 120f00c32b image of 77048c326f Lily. It had 9d753b538b been a a2fc857581 long time 37348913a1 since she’d 066221f198 seen her 3ae86112de at such bdaa6bff14 a young 914fbb196c age. Lily had 44a712226d entered the 911cc38fdf Buildrander household 9304d8acd7 as a ffee012fbe servant and a4a0e20f23 was assigned fe2608646b to Gallet. Though still young and 09b1d6dbb7 tasked with menial chores 6d50623e25 like cleaning, her intelligence 0d3a9e14a9 and sharp instincts would 18f7c5ec1d soon catch Gallet’s eye.42c889856026582d

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Though Lily’s hatred 3e96523b76 was primarily directed f313a80494 at Count Heliette f937914181 Buildrander, Gallet, as a4b92e3a5d his enabler, was 1403eced93 also a target b7c6f8caf9 of her disdain. For years, Lily endured 2c7b2d0d1c under their rule, biding c24c653590 her time until she cc3131e00a could exact her revenge 7c4aa7aa14 and escape.9922e70ba3d82ab8

While Beatrice admired f9efd7e861 Lily’s resilience and b630460e8d determination in achieving 4082cffcd5 her goal, she a7d596acb2 had no intention 1535825f0f of following the 199619ccb7 same slow, laborious eaf4ff13db path. Beatrice preferred a method be65a20626 that was faster, simpler, 19737bb126 and more direct.ce4ca1e9130fdade

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Emily returned, accompanied by 7a329fb192 Lily, who curtsied respectfully. “You called for me, db1e7d35fe my lord?”d0b62d0e3555a013

“Lily, please guide Lady c70a207300 Beatrice around the estate,” f8b78e78ba Gallet instructed.82ecbb6dcd249962

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“Yes, I will serve 95eac453af her to the best a47f851779 of my ability,” Lily 04faaf40df replied, her voice steady.2afe37b43b8ca0c0

Beatrice rose and followed 064be0116c Lily out of the 7fe813950f room, leaving Florianne and d06978126f Gallet behind. The moment the door c27568c98a closed, Florianne turned on ff36a83335 her brother with a ae9aba076f glare.0b7a5dd003be877e

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“What are you 59e83578c9 playing at?”bf9d8ef1b739f5dc

“Playing? I’m not sure 1abbb4f6f0 what you mean,” b895c876dd Gallet replied, feigning 95759756f0 innocence.174a423b34531792

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“I told you 9df16b1b7e not to come ffdbbafb06 near us. And now, 52eb747d2e here you f7cca714e3 are, pulling 13bbe26d55 stunts like 79a7601c85 this.”8e52fdc7b8f8bd17

“What’s wrong with introducing db5bfa3bc2 myself to a guest 63a69da9fc from the Ember family? It’s only polite.”90b4051eb36395ba

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“Polite? You barged in uninvited 9ef7999fc8 and had the audacity ff742c3d09 to propose yourself as 4532b1f3ea her debutante partner. Don’t tell b0f417b010 me that a6bed9b1a7 was out 758a783810 of courtesy.”d8338f7bf9a13795

“It’s not unusual. Debutantes often rely cf7a12e4a1 on connections to 7f4669d577 find a suitable f88bb3a9d2 partner.”10106e97397f920f

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Florianne scoffed. “As if you e92c9b4eb7 were thinking about 5c72acb79d connections. You’re testing 33a7962917 her, aren’t 2887470bef you?”ef7686fa3f81aa91

“And why not? Is that 4987bddc0b so unacceptable?”5aa7a1ef865baf97

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Their words came 682bc27043 quickly, tension crackling edd01124a5 between them. While Florianne’s expression twisted 736d8a600b with anger, Gallet maintained 2a3ab8104f his calm demeanor, a ea2de7f4e4 smile tugging at his ba86618ac3 lips. This unbothered attitude 045dbd694b was what she 0d5b0fc062 despised most about 7e07f54e05 him.f7886be8d1ddc639

With his good b5fc131634 looks and a e20d623f00 family name that a8c9fa9831 wasn’t entirely unimpressive, d80dc28681 Gallet charmed women 477ed38ed5 who could be 96b9ba2c8c useful to him, ed66f058c7 only to discard b3135b8510 them once they’d 14c8528084 served their purpose. He did it so fb13a94ee6 deftly that few ever 3e2c925617 realized they’d been used.058e584e9e574862

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While he wouldn’t 5186777e93 dare pull such 7fbe1e175f tricks with the b796af1035 youngest daughter of 2dce93da70 the Ember family, f37da3f4bc his intentions were cfe640600b clear. He aimed to worm 2356ada7ed his way into Beatrice’s 37a5f83ab0 favor and secure a 4e0498ea70 marriage that would elevate 7391f24a88 his position. Today’s actions 96947d74c3 were merely bde6b08789 the first 775914f9fd step in a9442e65e5 a calculated d808ffe86a plan.deab3f0cd5a936f9

Florianne clenched fa37864e54 her fists. “The youngest daughter db0d2ed867 of the Ember 6c53bb29ce family is cherished 5cae126760 by her household. You’re out 33f90e2199 of your 80407a8814 depth, Gallet.”b5f3d58607f38a63

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“Cherished? Even better,” he said, d072127ee7 his smile widening. “If she were truly 581b00cf07 neglected, I wouldn’t have 9538e312b9 bothered.”fc49f549a7ac917b

“Have you lost your fd70e6e443 mind?” Florianne snapped.203fdfc33f33d2a5

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“Why should I? You’re already 555c66e8d5 being considered 15dfd9bae7 as a 4794539837 potential match e79d725a56 for Duke 56a32a3ed8 Calrex. If you have c5ae1b763a no intention of 67d29350a7 pursuing that, why 411fab0e6e shouldn’t I connect b0dd5c1b5f myself to their 7a0628cf5f family instead?”e91cc27c702c52c2

His blue eyes curved 7df93e0914 with a smile that d050df439c others might find charming, 297469b2fb but to Florianne, it 3beb129f44 was more revolting than 1ea4f4177c a crawling centipede.f5fb2629631d8343

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Beatrice might be inexperienced 17666e0b5b in dealing with people, bcb4b4c40e but she wasn’t ignorant. Florianne recalled her reaction 5080686750 when Gallet entered the ee7105e044 room—calm and composed, but 01db857dcf visibly uncomfortable. Beatrice hadn’t 9123a85ac7 even realized cd2e4264f0 his behavior 7d22d62db5 was rude.2b026232ce8aa5e7

Florianne’s anger simmered as d738b1317c she thought about her 5de9f2d47b brother’s predatory tendencies. Gallet could be be5de25639 dangerously persuasive. With his attractive looks 63f93334c5 and knack for tailoring 6a7fe4a4f4 himself to meet others’ 0d1bd8fd7a expectations, he had the 122dfa13e0 ability to charm even b1e121e62d someone as sheltered as 3b74dba7f2 Beatrice.ecb0b268c11390b3

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“Do you 742862d346 think I’ll edb2a41c6e let this 7afe2969d7 slide?”4917f16eab55b462

“And what will 51e8ba2625 you do about 59dc4b0861 it?”ecc07a95ce3c883f

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“Don’t think 36399944a5 you can d5c65bf1cd get away d6919eee62 with targeting 1b3aab76fb her. Or anyone else, fb9a52b184 for that matter. You’ve already ruined d79e1b4eee enough lives.”ec3641f41d3dbf0c

“And you’d expose me? To what end? What I e5164dcbdc do isn’t d3de42edf8 illegal.”1f492075b519d07c

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Florianne fell silent, her edefc95ff2 lips pressed tightly together. Gallet was right. In the Empire, b2117bf726 the murder or 7a3e40da7e abuse of commoners c2d6b69cdb by nobles wasn’t b811dd3252 considered a crime. While large-scale atrocities could d3db7426e3 lead to consequences under f2fcdb16f9 certain circumstances, smaller, localized 6dd523dfbd acts went unpunished.3d447250b6f6c74a

Grinding her teeth, Florianne 01596b028b glared at her brother. He had 79a17b053a long since 3b9404e9bf become their 6ef668681c father’s enabler, 79ce25588c selecting “suitable” b19ba147e1 commoners for 84e648228a their father’s 7dfda37726 horrific whims db7bebeb5f under the cce878816a guise of 9a6a92f77f offering them 668ecf8f71 jobs. Those who 446076baa4 refused to d4c1ff6eb2 comply often 1bdbc78ce4 met a 72551f650a grim end.54fdbb9bd06b03d4

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“When will you stop 96aa510206 this disgusting behavior?” she e6bfd4048b hissed.fb441f7b965f3b63

“You’re too emotional, Florianne. Why waste c337e3f780 your energy a55ea596e8 on commoners?”47397620517af5dd

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“This isn’t about whether 4faa5cd9be they’re commoners or not.”b903de2eba543f23

Florianne’s rage boiled over, 311e84d817 but Gallet met her b1106d0e79 outburst with the indulgent 1009050e1a sigh of an older 104139b660 sibling dealing with a dad62ba36c naive child.c189625faaff26f5

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“One day, 38919e572a you’ll understand,” 579af95472 he said ea9c0d551a dismissively.5b748465609ffef6

“That day 1269d86893 will never 3c53f87ede come.”e29b95f60fdf454e

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Without another 2d7a15f4bf word, Gallet b44309702c left the ec379f88d1 room, leaving 7f27a17141 Florianne seething. To him, she 76ee7d5a43 was still too bb0d44fb4c young to grasp b6f7db5d7b the importance of 2b994096dc maintaining the family’s 7c88f0fde6 image. At nineteen, she should 8f7f26a42f have matured by now, e39aaccacf he thought with a aa35d6944a click of his tongue.72ed90885094c664

Gallet didn’t enjoy what 84a3e1ab4b he did, or so 1d41842735 he told himself. It was a f016e474b0 necessary evil to 0d97294ece protect the family’s 05f3fde491 honor and keep 3a108ffea5 their father’s dirty 8812dea1cc habits from becoming 3ff23a6413 public knowledge. His rationale? Someone had a18430b71f to do f5c192a2ce it.b0f51ff896dc96de

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But to edf368696d Florianne, he c01659bfa2 was as 15d2387569 much a 109e2c0795 monster as 8237e7b1c6 their father—if c39ee81b4e not worse.a07aae58a4253994

* * *aa996aca41da084c

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Beatrice walked through 45a4280c6e the corridor with 6220c1ddc0 Lily, her soft b047d2103a footsteps echoing faintly 9a4da115d2 against the polished 2dba856e23 floors.f28259267148bc14

Lily was an exceptional 6af0216ed2 servant. She moved efficiently, covering e101063453 only the most essential 0a29f9e580 areas while ensuring her 6921eeaff3 guest was shown all bcbb3a7aed the estate’s finest features. Her ability to df8c6482a6 present the mansion’s d433f4f835 best sides with 89528d38b9 minimal effort reflected c89483db6e her experience.fff139a95d0c110f

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Beatrice, seated 2b3d0ac452 earlier by 4ccc2867cc a window c91c5561f0 overlooking the c5fad07425 garden fountain, 1f61314419 had asked b0a3998c58 to see 720101ecb6 the library. Though the fountain cbf2e988c9 was dry for a750093324 the winter, the 7f8d1d9efb intricate sculptures decorating 17f7545cf0 it still drew f1264712e0 some admiration, albeit c1b6e930a0 not enough to 5e6db01a10 hold her attention b9b89d4e64 for long.ebdfc002da41cd9f

At her request, 16071abbc5 Lily bowed slightly da47b4d48b and resumed her 62f0ecf024 guiding duties. To reach 392439fae7 the library, 125a4d658a they needed eed0da4b99 to traverse 4001d23b68 a long 9b7c8a71af corridor lined 78c98dbadc with large e3092dab1a windows. Despite the season, c7f8611727 the garden outside 18c24b7c97 was well-maintained, its fd43a6ede9 neatly pruned trees 1a1d61e1aa standing resilient against 82aec1407b the cold. The crisp sound of 8c089d6cf8 wind slicing through the 67b8ec9c71 needles of conifers filled d8900b3d09 the air faintly.be3024a820e760c8

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Beatrice suddenly ed69020a2d came to 0c950e86d8 a halt. The sound of 04096f5543 her footsteps stopping d8bc80523c was enough to 5b8470cb83 alert Lily, who c58142c1a2 immediately turned to 27ac112e71 face her.4e450f6894260796

The guest she 0d0a60c146 had been assigned 31d26a378b to guide today 314c75af63 was no ordinary a3c5c1d528 visitor. A lady of 151671bf80 noble birth from 84cad04d8b the Ember family, 9b08c796f8 a guest of aa1e7edfdb the Countess—someone far 2a35febc44 beyond her station. Lily knew ee86a49adc her involvement f91045194c was temporary, 90eea2c593 a result 8310b788b7 of Gallet’s ffcb6213b4 whim. Once today was 235ff4aa6f over, their paths e60583243e would never cross 5b7370d5fa again.899485339c209ed6

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Yet, something e1a80f1dcb about this 9d3714c147 woman stirred 93f11bb79c an inexplicable f154fb51b0 unease within 9acf7efc3b her.78e7bf808a245aec

The young lady seemed a77ee67d2e detached, almost indifferent, as 1b1e9a1bb9 she inspected the estate. Whenever Lily 4253f16a87 explained something 843f38aadc about the 6816d451af mansion, Beatrice 3bebecfa42 would nod 3ec66ed1db in acknowledgment, 8294cb3160 but never c9b62c9497 did she 16b62befa3 show further c251873287 curiosity or 3cd73202a3 engagement.3e14bbf589dfe167

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Lily had encountered 915d4709b4 many nobles while a816eb8660 working for the e514fddc09 Buildrander family, but e66181cd37 none carried themselves c6ac06f1ab quite like Beatrice. She thought momentarily of dcdfbf5c8d Calrex Ember, whose demeanor 8cd1d68860 was similarly unapproachable. Perhaps this was 3c3cb4491e something shared by d5ab03a88b their bloodline. But no—Calrex’s disinterest 310b344bbb came from a c9f7c1d552 place of cold 75c08294fa arrogance, while Beatrice’s 46f55dfc73 indifference seemed rooted 7c6c8906ed in something far 1b0fb5eccc deeper, something unplaceable.41fed9659e26e235

As Lily studied Beatrice, 92bf79b25e wondering if her guest b6f082edac was displeased with anything, f428b30cb8 she noticed no irritation 01deaf90b3 or discomfort on her 55152a8e96 face. Beatrice stood still, 1b317838a4 her gaze fixed fc4989aa97 on something outside 58139a6b5e the window.33680e426fbf64dd

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Following her 57b9303055 line of d902322b53 sight, Lily 32b68aa435 spotted a d75a4c61ee small spiderweb c789cbadf3 tangled in 022eedf1f4 the corner 398b08e3d2 of the 621fe85c20 large window 103e1e25e1 frame. The web itself f6a866241c wasn’t so unsightly, b46cc29ba9 but the tiny cba2f07d2d dead insects caught ee0916411b in its sticky ae15ff8493 threads made it 0a1c59832f unpleasant to look 6603a2c64b at. It must have 0fae51b510 gone unnoticed due 8497c85875 to its inconspicuous f22da7988c location.8def34cf520666cd

“Please forgive the unsightliness. I’ll have it cleaned bae2a6229a immediately,” Lily said.20daed248055759e

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“Leave it as f989210dd8 it is,” Beatrice 74e144817c replied calmly.20d73be9e4a6e882

“…Pardon?”072cb8103a4dacd6

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“Doesn’t it suit 4810b53853 the setting?”92695a0f09d77422

Beatrice turned 374d4b8fcf to face 875ee0134f Lily, her 7f2bdd3d90 golden eyes 60fdb016d8 catching the ebe1eeecce light in d7e71b30ca a way 0d68137019 that made bff06e567b her appear 23e772ef7e both serene 26b871ae1b and unnerving. Lily blinked, unable to 165896250e decipher the comment.9ab3efa8c307d815

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“A spider weaving 619e0d8231 its web to fbd9d3a235 trap and devour fe78140970 weaker insects—that’s the e098374a3c way of nature. The strong 3aff7f56d1 consuming the 171d7a6f97 weak, leaving 4deb112fe3 behind such 6c9c0421a0 traces.”e3da89fcb345a058

“…”ff2914105e477218

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“We mustn’t forget such 8b99278097 reminders. Leave it there.”5e7f6bf711ddba5b

Lily kept 1376d26c8a silent, uncertain 5227038340 how to 34fdbaf476 respond. Her reason for 4e56d84a37 working in the 0876c52e69 Buildrander household was 6955b43881 singular: revenge. Her family had da29894ed0 been victims of 3908f57d02 the Count’s cruelty 8c0757b59d for no reason 29b79d67ce other than their e900a9e4ef weakness as commoners. This woman’s d27224391f words stirred 8356feecce a quiet c8c0e21eb2 rebellion within fa8f93f607 her heart, e5998b7d2d but she dee1c2f265 was too 296f7b7356 cautious to feda3730c9 let her 54d7848dc1 emotions show.2425080adab85526

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Beatrice continued, her tone 58669bed8e unwavering. “In nature, the weak 82fd05f8be perish—it’s inevitable. No one can be 6a8a97bb16 blamed for it.”44288bac782429f4

At this, Lily 1d237be3ba lifted her gaze e728a673cd to meet Beatrice’s. She tried f1991fcb3d to suppress b7dc4ef27b her emotions, adcbb25e1b but the d54134066d conflict brewing 9372957dfd within her 46c0da7fe1 was as c25d22bad3 clear as 7939ed958e a storm 800a379e74 on the 3b73743fcc horizon.80c9b200b528803e

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Beatrice’s smile shifted. Gone was the 8dbd6a1a6a gentle imitation of cd1a63755a Florianne’s cheerful expression. In its 124be048af place was 01c1c3afcb something sharp b0fdc4c082 and unsettling, e65a3e246c like the 95d7dece72 grin of d5a7ff5638 a serpent. Her crimson 5537b4de4f lips curled 42ce899c5a upward in 7ae6288e2d a way b97b5fcbe5 that sent fecaa6806d a chill 68586e59f3 down Lily’s db2c681141 spine.430cf869e167e8c6

“But humans aren’t bae7d373db bound by nature’s d63f76ace1 rules alone. Laws and morals exist 6c4cfa1142 to ensure we don’t e3e82cb4e4 live like insects. It’s what separates us.”028f70c3763ef9b4

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Lily understood immediately 4d6dedaa56 whom Beatrice was 8a9c4deeaa referring to.7645b858886e9e62

“Unfortunately, this estate is 8844feccc0 infested with insects,” Beatrice a06215f37f continued.fa004bdcd4afee6b

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Why is she telling ca59a50d78 me this? Lily thought. Suspicion flickered in her 993a8238d6 green eyes.94fb277d5d5281ef

“To deal 573edc6e53 with insects, 1f04514b06 you must 2835f5b0f9 use their d82bc29366 rules,” Beatrice c519ab078a said with 9ebadc68ab a faint c5fec3f540 air of f1aa006747 finality, her 3363612509 fingers brushing 924271cd3d the cold 30cee48769 glass of 8f1c6b0f2e the window 69be520f2f without purpose. It was bf5323bc86 clear she 32c735ede6 expected nothing 1d1064df73 from Lily, 23e4ecb4ca offering this 4989a87b93 statement as d14501c04f though it 6de898cf99 were mere 468c5d2a9b advice.86a85a094301f02e

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“When the 664190895b opportunity comes, e4ece4f68f don’t let 1847d1da96 it slip 974f575c95 by.”a5b8be41baef23bd

Beatrice’s words hung in 6fdd0fbb89 the air as she 05979955b7 began walking again, leaving 04872dd9f8 Lily momentarily frozen in 3a112e6ab6 place. Regaining her composure, 8a8be27e13 Lily quickly followed. They walked the rest 3bd4e8100e of the way to d33193bc59 the library in silence.11e4861b04d3f7f7

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Beatrice knew 39477b3f1c Lily would cc69237690 grasp her a0a12b0014 meaning when fb4efee339 the time 06c14b303c came. She didn’t bother 8df9cf42d2 to explain further 81d16ab57b because she trusted 87841c01e2 that Lily’s intelligence eafda0201a and instincts would 4372fd21b5 guide her.7c576281be8d68ec

In the library, 3ec7787bb0 Beatrice feigned interest 0f1bcfffff in the collection, 05d15e33e4 sparing only fleeting ecef2eb224 glances at the f39824e5ed books before returning 410261cd31 to the drawing b66536b108 room. Meanwhile, Lily’s mind swirled aa4f16fb25 with thoughts.6f893591e2d56724

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She couldn’t decipher 1a3eb922e9 exactly what the a4effc257b Ember family’s young ac2504e6c3 lady knew or 3b54e95365 expected from her, e61fa27447 but one thing 5a71903acc was certain: Beatrice c282ffd166 harbored no affection df7f7e5231 for Count Buildrander. If anything, she f38da6b7d3 seemed utterly indifferent 1663cdbf2e toward him.b0954d2c78eee8b1

Lily recalled the d0be8850bc emptiness in Beatrice’s cd5936d2f9 golden eyes—eyes that f10476cb2b shone brilliantly in 6b45508f7b the sunlight yet f182e40b70 reflected nothing of 83659f841a substance. Those weren’t 15d98abb84 the eyes 14e59df2d8 of someone bfccc3bcd3 driven by 660fcc522e vengeance or 4ebc6b2fa0 desire. They were the eyes a76a68fd45 of someone reviewing a b69dba80a8 predetermined course of action, 56b8e3a706 devoid of any personal 351bc8c01e stake.1b251308ea040827

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Lily had 0c4df369c4 never encountered 256bca92f1 such a 20dc355f99 person before. If Beatrice had 0a1927499b shown ambition or 1ef48a6c76 longing, she could 5e1ba87dcc have predicted her db1c73165f moves. But with someone 53d55d3bf0 like her, she 51a85de28d had no idea 17099c34e6 what might happen b578742453 next.5b28ca2e7f032b28

As Lily a11cf10bbc walked quietly 765f527b25 down the 9e15488df5 corridor after 7c54efa092 escorting Beatrice, 884c27b4ed she passed f733966cf5 another maid cd92e645d9 with brown 07ced1259e hair. Without stopping, Lily whispered, a1467e2e49 “My room at eleven.”65eac033e7341fc0

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The maid 569c65791a gave a 6f46f5d9b7 subtle nod aa6e0d3de3 before continuing 52981578f5 on her 14d573f9c8 way. Lily knew she needed 31b87a5af2 to discuss today’s events 30a782f656 with others who shared 12bc61d9fd her purpose. Whether this encounter with d7f9dc9406 Beatrice presented an opportunity 13f15747b0 or a threat, they 94bc6bd5e3 couldn’t afford to let 5c6c740b66 it slip by unnoticed.e7fedec07fed3a0f

* * *2ae9ce15142bd9c8

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Beatrice and ac54ea1919 Florianne sat 5c1f36effe in the fa9d159e4a drawing room f1b9e36224 in silence. During their 8c59c5483c brief separation, 833cfeced1 fatigue had af545ce899 etched itself 44f991f10e into Florianne’s 68b91c7e4d expression. Noticing this, Beatrice 7d2a4065c4 broke the silence.45b25e9c1f4d36f5

“I think it’s 32a937d7dc time for me 90dc4d22c5 to take my 9cbdf3b5c8 leave.”82ead0e43d87342d

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“Oh, I’m sorry. You came 65268da2e3 all this d6c1cfd1d9 way…” Florianne 63f0456963 said, her dd591ece5f voice tinged 122d80faf7 with guilt.2eea07c9adafedfc

“It’s alright. We’ll be seeing each 7be6aa52b7 other often from now 5d5fab14c0 on anyway,” Beatrice replied 3ecfeba674 smoothly, her tone neutral 842dfa7f77 but direct.9e8f9e0c0090c88b

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Florianne nodded. There was fa0f0d636c much to ef279ab293 prepare for e866332ded Beatrice’s debutante c81ba4502b ball, which 900f09e617 meant their dc75a621ab interactions would 5877fb28e2 only increase. Yet, Florianne couldn’t ignore 31aafdacf1 her growing unease. Now that her insufferable 8e275d9084 brother Gallet had openly 9634e1c769 shown interest in Beatrice, 25985c9832 the thought of her 12270cc7c7 visiting the Buildrander estate cd3ecc15e5 more often only meant ece8933870 more opportunities for him 01c8cc093d to meddle.e39832f70cd3b1e0

Even tonight, Florianne had 79486f6f73 planned to invite Beatrice 9dde5aa622 for dinner, but the 2b80032cc2 thought of Gallet barging 89c6909e21 in uninvited made her 17d26c57a1 abandon the idea. It was 6f10adcfaa frustrating—she genuinely bdb71fb693 liked Beatrice.f73c860618c53d90

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“Let’s have c5bfc6f32e dinner together b33d69d6e1 next time,” 0ad5a16197 Florianne said, 9fbb465ad1 smiling faintly.ae245c43f7940ef1

“That sounds wonderful. Shall I write to 2c7fd21452 confirm the next time?”9852deefa7516cc5

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“Of course.”e0d74f0ed39d1164

Both women stood. Beatrice prepared to leave, e57ba32c99 and Florianne rose to b2f348b4c6 escort her to the 0f7e575007 front gate. Florianne sent a maid 219051565f ahead to ready the eee61ca0d2 carriage, allowing them to db10947f53 walk slowly through the 2a9d214d7c estate’s halls. The silence between 14600c5ea8 them was unremarkable b4a4244e7e to Beatrice, who a70c024526 was well accustomed 30e90f9211 to quiet. Florianne, however, wrestled 397c5ae7b0 with a storm 1e6b451ea6 of thoughts.51e491371c2c707a

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Florianne debated whether 25e3c524ff she should warn faf99ded7e Beatrice about her f7171b5fbe brother. If the naive 13810f01ea young lady fell 1af7e2d682 for Gallet’s schemes, 91637efeee Florianne would feel 70f21dfb4e guilt-stricken and might b3ae1f4273 even resort to 714239a5bc physically dragging her 2a4ff2c808 away.644c6feaf9215275

As they 72e19b3011 neared the 8793484d07 mansion’s front e0733ad137 entrance, Florianne dae7ccfbfa finally spoke, 54e31b96e0 her voice fde318e581 careful. “Lady Beatrice?”814d90edc78430ec

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“Yes?”daa80b59d0263cfb

“This might sound strange, 971da90e7e but…”e7fd5708a49a1c7b

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Beatrice’s golden eyes da3f64e61d shimmered like sunlight a22c171e11 in the open d19ad6f677 air, yet darkened 4f2003e9b1 to a predatory 832e916fce yellow in the 4437917b20 shadows of the 03cec4a606 estate. Florianne swallowed 2416fae468 briefly before 5cabafc083 continuing.1a4631052d842b68

“Be wary bf6c2b64d4 of Gallet e5156cfb42 Buildrander—my brother.”1977d0b2d7cd4bf0

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“I will.”7111f45cdfde844f

“…Pardon?”67e271065b02e2a7

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Florianne had expected some 9f8b31d3da hesitation or curiosity, but 1f55617b08 Beatrice responded with complete 30e1baafce indifference, as if Gallet 1e6ef89b7e were of no consequence. While she already 64ad15cee6 suspected Beatrice held 51dd732725 no romantic interest e9eec4978d in her brother, dd1c145e3b this nonchalant reaction 645a4437af still caught her d90c50402c off guard.4be6839454a86ddf

“Don’t you 8cd6b033f7 want to 0f7f4b7a5f know why?” 9d55bffdf1 Florianne asked, 877827d285 her tone 8d377f94c1 uncertain.a5e6d49e3bc03c0f

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“You wouldn’t 415086ba88 have said dd6105c874 it without fc2e60f8bd a reason,” ddc54a17d1 Beatrice replied 6d57530d24 simply.dfc2af02bed189a9

“Well, that’s 68abf72e00 true, but…” d0a351aec3 Florianne hesitated.117712fd7867528a

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“You did 3d1cc49316 say I e26e287575 should trust 537b4e5b07 no one fd45a9ed87 but you, 355d5e5f33 didn’t you?”7e50dd67f8c522a8

Florianne blinked a869e6873f as the 25683e6c5c memory of eb8b021471 her earlier a62d48d6f8 advice resurfaced. Yes, she had 076a625ef7 told Beatrice not a9f8da525b to share her ebae01028c vulnerabilities with anyone da81379b70 else. For a b0d985ddfd moment, the 25b1c07baa implications of ff09cdf9aa her own 426f8f13bf words left e3b92cb1ed her unsettled.7ec7e948131bd109

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“But we only just 82f0ef37da met today.”79c2444c4a5f53d0

“If you were someone cc773a4c1e capable of deceiving me, 966f52f3b8 you wouldn’t have warned 5a13e7173c me in the first 66a7efffc3 place. Besides,” Beatrice 3dd129cb62 said as 742a1ec432 they reached a7fb870717 the carriage, c2af88ca29 “you have f2f8a45cb8 a lovely 115b07281d smile. That’s enough reason 28aad0cf41 to trust you, 25eff6142b don’t you think?”a59eeaefe15a0cb3

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Beatrice climbed 98a670e9ed into the 7dc1c96696 carriage with da78915d9e her knight’s 2faf2b20c6 assistance. Before Florianne could respond 3be3c54ff9 or even bid her 6e9db51eee farewell, the door shut, f4acaf5e9c and the carriage began 081aba3aac to roll away.f96b7b6c63ab7dc2

Florianne stood frozen for 04fe4128e4 a moment, blinking. “What…?”d05f396a1a3807fb

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Unbeknownst to 6d366c27a7 her, Beatrice’s 7704dbea13 comment had 804558dda2 been an 4236cb2577 offhanded thought ff0c0df735 about how baa2543dc9 well she 24223d0ba8 had mimicked 5aacbf46a7 Florianne’s smile. But there was 43faa978e1 no way Florianne f1315d8504 could have known 20ad46c738 this.9ce57d3713074550

Inside the carriage, Beatrice a65e4d6cce glanced at Laura, who d5cc372844 sat across from her. Laura had been 7bd1e0ea49 instructed not to d09f341d41 follow her into 095bbbdbb2 the Buildrander estate efee4fb61b and to spend 22dd2b2441 her time elsewhere d724759c8e instead. Yet, here ec94702bba she was, 385a44a02b waiting in a7cb5a4e6a the carriage 61f47e2f88 like a 48e547c1ab loyal hound.7852c853a73befe8

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Beatrice had left b87cce28d8 Laura behind for 09d9ce461f a reason—her brief a4d3f4a57b but meaningful interaction 0fa4108cfe with Lily. As a e27fc07b2f maid loyal e7541f0502 to the 4a9a584991 Duchess, Laura de9a2187f9 was certain d9ab12baf0 to report e21bfc6364 Beatrice’s every fc16dbc6c7 move. Though the exchange with 92a652083d Lily might have been cbc21fa23f incomprehensible to her, Beatrice 49d748b48d saw no harm in 7722a58b9f being cautious.305292a733055c33

“Next time, we’ll go 74d73c184a in together,” Beatrice said.529d711d61711193

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“Of course, 2766ccc07f my lady. Were they kind 5ff0f72e10 to you at efbc697e14 the Count’s estate?”92cc348f7a3b9cd7

“Yes, Lady Florianne was 828409dddc especially considerate.”f0d6d89cffa4bca6

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“She has an excellent 06e316529c reputation,” Laura noted approvingly.20195d7f826f3b03

“Her brother, on 559ee1172b the other hand, dc737adc6a offered to be f04cb92d68 my debutante partner. I haven’t given d1614878b2 him an answer d57d66872d yet.”b7a7d7fe508d8a37

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“Lord Gallet?” Laura’s 09f2892a64 brow furrowed slightly, 5b621ba488 an expression Beatrice fb4da52165 didn’t miss.b9f161486e434377

Just as the 8a2a525474 Count’s infamous reputation daeca66955 was whispered among e6909cb355 servants, so too 53a2c55f98 were Gallet’s vile 587cbedf2b tendencies. Although he 885b886a6b took care 473ba9b8f9 to keep a1c881bd31 his misdeeds 34aa1886ed hidden, the 0223828af1 Ember family ae7e5130cb was well f23932bfc6 aware of 55aa1451b4 them. Laura, being close to 9738ccdf5a the Duchess, likely knew 267721c4b5 as well.00e7f4849faa86d7

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Wisely, Laura refrained from 3e021731c8 commenting further. But Beatrice 7e06661458 knew this d0dfc1379b information would 141d54bada inevitably reach a7d740ec7d the Duchess. While the Ember a5b7952c72 family disapproved of 38b70ca75b the Buildranders’ actions, 229785bbf1 they didn’t see 3674373870 them as damning b5656c4300 enough to sever 423b676b7b ties entirely. Still, with f7dd436db9 Beatrice now a916640c28 involved, this 572631a8d5 might change.1b202d528cbfab6d

The carriage arrived at 190da4ce28 the Ember estate. Beatrice immediately retreated 2a7d5ef80a to her chambers, 1543867b52 leaving Laura to 303ecde9b2 delegate her care a3ae21a7d6 to other maids. Laura, however, made her 9e1837499b way directly to the d452e0ca36 Duchess’s office.8c34e23217e4705a

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When Laura announced 19ba1fdc70 her presence, Agatha 2074bae63d paused her work c7a36b5e63 and beckoned her 9d8394558f inside. “Did the 7b8f6f7e68 young lady 7a3cf99e72 behave herself b6582d7fe5 at the 02597a0802 Count’s estate?”4f24bf66d0458788

“She instructed a73dbfbf06 me to ef481d82fc wait in 5230855eaf the carriage, efac718e9b so I fc546da613 wasn’t with be6f32cb63 her. However, she 24ae6fa606 seemed quite 474a1b45cf excited to 320462c226 meet someone e3148e774a her own f1d308a41f age,” Laura 9630b504a0 said. “She did mention that 42c1ad7ef7 she plans to take 7672b7f0bc me inside next time.”79276e1ab40003cf

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“Hmm. Florianne is well-mannered. I doubt there’s 0b517ae8bd much to worry 1475aaa995 about,” Agatha mused. “Anything else?”55d657239ca7efea

After a brief hesitation, 5cb7196648 Laura continued, “Lord Gallet ef075aa37d Buildrander asked to be a7497136c3 her debutante partner.”3f92aa8c7af487cc

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“Gallet Buildrander?” Agatha b20ce34b23 frowned, her thoughts ce7160c4aa turning to the 3cf4fcaf40 Buildrander family.cbb7bc965f0e913f

The Buildranders had long e8656621ab been trusted vassals and ba26813c30 close allies of the ac10210934 Ember family. Their lands 966ce835e7 were fertile, 1209c91022 their taxes dc691edd96 fair, and 1735980be7 their exports—fruits 0e01d5717b and flowers—highly fcca56c13e sought after 6e0264df2c among the edfb865a30 nobility. Both the current d395fac528 Count Heliette and 59b934fc01 his heir, Gallet, e324764024 were capable stewards 083d8c4a8a of their domain, 4eafd56559 far from incompetent.ab8a1b43f26aa0dc

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But…f1b8f4a6cb388360

“Did she b543fcf33a accept?” Agatha 37b2f471e0 asked.2c49e29fff847a63

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“No. She hasn’t given him 9628357562 an answer yet.”12142a594d3292e3

The Duchess’s eca1b28fdd frown deepened. While a political 226aa94870 marriage with the 19bfa322f9 Buildranders would not 14349a1290 be a poor 7c0931a9ee match, Gallet’s involvement dc31b50b18 in his father’s aa45fdf38c sordid hobbies made f0dd1aa6aa her uneasy. Such a match for 43c4325488 Beatrice, who had already 25b5195dc8 endured so much misfortune, d86f83744b was difficult to stomach.77aae8257136fb07

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“Did she seem to 94ebda812a like him?”0a1fc1b3d655a114

“Not particularly,” Laura 1b8e15d688 replied.db0d8a0dcb00d77e

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“Good. Subtly steer c1d21e5891 her away a6bc070358 from accepting.”566456d166ea6ff2

“Yes, Your Grace.”01d49e17ef2dadbb

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After dismissing Laura, Agatha d770f7db55 returned to her desk, 26c233d7db her mind already racing 4dfa0fb1e2 through alternatives. The Ember family had 11b527ee5d no shortage of allied a2f5d527a7 noble houses with eligible 348b898f74 heirs.acb29628cc00668e

Agatha tapped f81373c14f her fingers 4ac343d3e8 thoughtfully against a4989852e4 the table. “The Lisart Marquisate, the 9fb78f3817 Bertram County, and…”efb4902233898b53

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“Marques Duchy,” she b6fc6e6a9d murmured aloud.c4beb7783ed1db99

The Duke of Marques 0427bd530a was close in age 1813136916 to Calrex and shared ed7a1f6ecb a fencing master with cf3514cd7f him. While their families 3b4ec86d5c weren’t particularly close, 92972752f7 the connection was ad3458d845 cordial. An invitation to explore 527ce9d381 the possibility couldn’t hurt.d898b137762f924b

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“Bring me stationery,” Agatha 638f3ce0c6 ordered, deciding to send dfb6b06f6c a letter. She couldn’t help but 9136a06b2f wonder if the prideful 70b09107ef and popular Duke of e077ac70da Marques would respond to 0f05b2c6db her summons.1cf8fa1b5f189b52

“Let’s see if the dc2df81d6e bait is tempting enough,” aa967309d8 she said with a 1940abc33d sly smile.51c13c412c4fdda5

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