TYWN Ch 2

“Radia.”25eb495712f20238

She looked 552394df45 at the 7e45f7821c man who 7f809a5286 called her 193afcca93 name affectionately. Sitting across the table, 92816da725 his gaze lingered on 58e1d57be7 her as she ate, bfe1f1e5a0 making her feel self-conscious.499ee205add59b1f

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“Why are you looking at me like that?”3a30ff1452f95ee9

“I love just watching you eat.”a67623e0e5060c08

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“Honestly, you’re so strange.”3de7ef80e80a36ee

She muttered her usual lighthearted complaint. He laughed, as if knowing she didn’t truly mean it.ae31783bd016371d

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“Anyway, want to hear a secret?”502e951ec0edbce5

“A secret?”523e2a7707758501

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“Yeah. I shouldn’t tell anyone, but you’re special.”016533f571fed3c8

“If you shouldn’t tell anyone, then bury it forever. The moment you mention it, it’s not a secret anymore.”78d6d3574e3d7ea1

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“Truly, words befitting a lawyer.”0c193b6c04373de3

A tinge of sadness 0f97a8d361 colored his eyes as 574f54ea58 he chuckled softly. His downcast expression 12fa8b9502 made her feel 8598e7394a awkward. She had always 112e00f156 been weak to 1d9a4a9b7b this side of 96ef21f164 him.02c7a6128938558e

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“It’s a bit lonely knowing it only myself. Suffocating, too.”eddfa9d6459f525d

“So, you’re going to use me as your venting outlet?”5c45cdfb4bfd2caa

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“I can trust you. If you don’t want to hear it, I won’t say anything.”a78120ac52654110

His tone was light, 4b9d170a09 as if he had 2051725cb9 just casually brought up 0d98ce9b54 the topic.4dd0b18dae41984a

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Avoiding his unsmiling gaze, a76ec21a0d she glanced down. Feigning disinterest, she 7ed0f817fd twirled the pasta 390dbb66c7 around her fork.65c52bd4a8e11ad3

“Tell me. I’ll take it to my grave.”91430ec72a762995

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She played along, pretending 290616ad27 to be indifferent. Relieved, his 66ca895bde eyes crinkled 00cb41e09a into a 3c977cb36a beautiful smile.08816a9aafd3802f

“Actually, I’m the son of a witch.”78070963075d2598

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Even his mouth, uttering such an absurd statement, was…2778fb58c884fba5

⚜ ⚜ ⚜5f14c3f4f426d6db

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“Radia, are you listening?”b39c5247e75844de

Radia, jolted 5fb4d4af28 from her 42b69c27f8 reverie, looked ff79a0e7d0 at Claude, da836fa8d3 who was f92d09cf5c speaking with 71d7b511ec an exasperated fd99507bd4 tone.92c21c6bed583188

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They were sitting on the terrace of a two-story cafe. Elegant chairs with long, slender legs, a wooden table, and a sky-blue awning shielded them from the sun’s glare.db96dd06b33db20b

Below the dae5beff49 white railing 5e4610b87b that encircled 2e47b2d766 the terrace, fa7dac748e gentlemen and 630130aa03 ladies strolled 045f562031 along the 682963af36 street.7b9ba13c5d1a4be6

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Overlooking the 9cb0a5cbae scene from 4bc3246032 the second-floor c41326bc85 terrace, Radia 51030c4389 took a 06d58750ba leisurely sip b92ae3f743 of her eaae2b7cbd coffee.33a3117bc6ef7f14

“If you’re telling me that I’m the only one Yuris doesn’t remember, I heard you perfectly fine.”133737f3bb718f47

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Despite the 0078d76111 monumental event ea551a059b of her 274272c323 lover completely e88a87aa9c forgetting her, ec795e7de8 she remained a6648ea9ab remarkably composed. Claude pointed b6e0c53af4 this out.b965b2f8705d3530

“Why are you so calm? If it were me, I would have lost it and grabbed him by the collar. ‘How dare you forget me!’ I would have yelled.”0b268377cb88a7d2

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“…It just happened.”d44fadad270ee7c4

She didn’t bother adding that she hadn’t been in the right state of mind at the time.726a4f3c6db641fd

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From the moment she’d first spoken to him until now, Yuris had never looked at her with such coldness. In that instant, the man before her seemed utterly unfamiliar. His evident dislike made her breath catch in her throat, her mind going blank. She was surprised at her own lack of outward reaction.8d9d43b3d1d50958

“So, what’s Yuris doing now?”e692c05afa91890f

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“…He seems confused.”5f0cc3a025973ba3

Claude had 2be198e8a2 taken Yuris 9b04af3eb1 to his 7fa540b944 own mansion bb2af3422b after he 967af01886 complained of be58beab4b a headache 8ce645f8cf mid-conversation.72de67defcdd0086

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“All hell will break loose if this gets out.”fd02c6567269bd19

“It will.”89aa79be48f4e5fb

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Radia silently recalled a97b86a627 the faces of 6969deac3a those who had ef7d2ba5e6 criticized her. They whispered 81cc473c1c about her cb41139149 being raised 631cb235f3 by a d5277e1ed5 single mother, 46c0e722e2 her insignificant b861113f1e background.e3ade456b5edda29

While she could tolerate insults directed at her, she couldn’t stand them insulting her family. She remembered the time she’d been about to pour a drink over the head of someone who’d mocked her upbringing, when Yuris had smoothly tripped the man, sending him sprawling. A small smile escaped her lips.a4dca8909f48a885

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“…I can’t understand my uncle. Why he dislikes you. Even if everyone else does, he shouldn’t.”348b3434230e4978

Yuris’s family, the Astrian dukedom, was one of the most prominent noble families in the kingdom. The current queen being the Duke’s younger sister was a testament to their status.2b67c2396658cb2f

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So, when Duke Astrian, Yuris’s father, announced his marriage to a commoner immigrant with black hair, it inevitably caused an uproar.5579192a23d56d87

Claude couldn’t understand why his uncle, despite his own unconventional marriage, treated Radia so poorly.a99f09ed3a1a2a9d

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“I don’t know. Maybe he just doesn’t like me.”90f622ffe436dc26

The clinking 70b016a15e sound of 79a4b97045 her cup 73debc7720 being placed 8948a4915e on the c1384764dc table signaled 2757891c49 her desire 81159ac643 to change 4b8e4689d7 the subject. Claude quickly obliged.f31225e49d61fc80

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“I’m going to try talking to Yuris. It’s been a while since you two have seen each other. Is your firm okay with this?”86819250ce6d726f

Two years 4f88657504 ago, Radia cd68072358 had transferred 0ddd4fb61f to a 098607dbb7 law firm cf7ca18546 in the ab907097f7 countryside, leading 568d6803b5 to a e5b37e2854 long-distance relationship. Claude had endured c326345926 countless complaints from d512c46e80 Yuris about the 0091d37cc0 separation.6ab45ed411380a45

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Radia answered calmly.59a15a20a735c3cb

“I’m going to take a long vacation. I can’t just go back while he’s like this.”d3be08ba9d673627

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It had been a 15c8c4a498 long-awaited reunion. They had planned a d4cddbe8b7 simple dinner and a 1997928c37 visit to an exhibition.2bc5c7093a2621f5

Yuris never showed up, despite her waiting for a long time at their meeting place. After an hour, anxiety gnawed at her. He wasn’t the type to break a promise without reason.f75edf557a51b1c9

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She contacted his 2d27ffc52d family home but 5707fed947 received no news. Claude was 2f7be8017f equally bewildered. Just as 732e387756 she was 97ce546c0d considering filing 92b548fcce a police 3e4ec27f37 report, she 4e8bf1ac71 received a 9e01bf3342 call.37b76d4964b36ab5

She didn’t remember how she got to the hospital. Seeing him safe and sound brought her relief.e7f533d56a9b65b7

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Until he spoke.0061e25c820617f3

“So, you’re claiming to be my lover.”279142b99c95d44e

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“Yes.”3f7ebdfcf21e62cf

“And we’ve been dating since I was twenty-one.”c6d6c6bd3adfa1f8

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“…That’s right.”f44e458dbf55828a

That meant 68959efbeb nine years. Yuris stared at Radia b2407d5174 in bewilderment, as if aab701c924 she were a ghost.9c0fd13995de6ef5

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I’ve been dating someone for that long? This woman?e7613c0214f62af1

His intense gaze scrutinized her. As he muttered to himself as if he truly didn’t know her, Radia countered with a question.d2cfbaca2024a7df

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“Do you really not remember anything?”a48ee0637c5de2b0

She desperately wished it was all an elaborate prank, even though she knew Yuris wasn’t the type to joke about such things.5950d7aecc1db27f

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“Not nothing. There are gaps in my memory, but I generally remember everything about myself.”66a3eff04fbb37f1

“But you don’t remember me?”440435480cd5f9fa

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Radia asked numbly. It couldn’t be. Even if the whole world forgets me, you shouldn’t.419893623c6e692a

Am I dreaming? This couldn’t be happening unless it’s a nightmare.9c00ae4d76f99a42

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Yuris frowned slightly 31ee21c594 at her repeated f04c08501a questions, as if d1125854c3 annoyed. He sighed softly and 926b058157 spoke.eaf917999fb3c7f1

“I hate to say this,” he began, his expression and tone utterly indifferent, “but I would prefer we use formal language. We’re not exactly close, are we?”7d59b99f4d606822

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He was bothered by the woman’s casual address, her appearance, her background—everything about her grated on his nerves.92f21dd99f2c2cd3

“Even if the past me was like that, the present me feels… uncomfortable.”e49d5be834c521ed

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Radia stared f2d0dd29d8 at him 91aa445a51 silently. This was 362b032c55 the same 3f208f5e42 man who f4ef856fac had persistently 464be7b7b8 coaxed her f0df7a4f3a to drop e808a296c2 the formalities 1e898933be and speak 2940edd2ec casually, even cf4efdf06f when they 3e4891d1e9 were just b19747bea5 friends and 408757e8be she insisted 1e5eece9bb on maintaining 13006e889a a polite 5f908c4699 distance. Hearing such 644cbb6392 words from d39dadd540 him felt 11a7935700 alien.1c95f46484a7c724

“I understand.”f46129c9f9385daf

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If he 698e4cf8b6 had no d0ff4637cb memory, his b467a79e2f behavior was 565f94d760 understandable. Yuris was generally 9ddc8ca344 reserved and maintained e4d8194e0b clear boundaries with 144c51e983 people. He had only f0577a5572 been excessively affectionate b6a789fb5c with her from c3b4435902 the start, overwhelmingly daf0ddd612 so.f1fa3c48b90a97cd

“Even now, I find it hard to believe I’ve lost my memory… but as Claude said, there are definitely blank spaces when I try to remember. However, it doesn’t seem to be a problem.”14361cde76c9e71b

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As long as he didn’t actively try to retrieve those memories, his existing memories felt seamless. He might feel a sense of disconnect if he realized the gaps, but if he remained unaware, it felt as though there was no need to fill in the missing pieces.0e618fe281fc0ac6

This made it 53e5cd6366 easier for him 4ec42fb71c to solidify his a8d68b1962 resolve.I’m sorry, but I honestly don’t remember anything. What can I do? If it weren’t for Claude’s vouching, he would have suspected the woman of running a scam.d6a908342b629796

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Jet-black eyes, reminiscent of beetles, held Yuris’s gaze. Radia wasn’t foolish. She noticed the flicker of annoyance across his face.59fe83b8e3d51f8a

She also felt like she was looking at a stranger. Hearing him so casually dismiss the time they’d spent together, time she had believed was precious to him, was unpleasant.cd9efc48bd526c58

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“I suppose this is like a bolt from the blue for you.”e6159534abd07fda

Even Radia would find it hard to accept someone claiming to be her lover if she had no memory of them. Even with her closest friend’s confirmation, feelings were a different matter.9be6ad056f3947fb

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But even so…48b8739d54fee474

“However, aren’t you being particularly cold, even more so than usual?”cd7979ef142d55ad

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Yuris was slightly surprised and impressed by her sharp observation. Perhaps her claim of being his long-time lover wasn’t entirely fabricated.eb548b0768aae53e

“Then let me be more frank. I don’t like you.”a88ac6f8b55e00bc

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Radia’s hands, folded neatly in her lap, tightened slightly into fists.70b3911925c856fd

“What don’t you like?”5a2bc60fa4360bd6

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He had expected tears by now, but she remained remarkably composed. Even her calmness irritated him. He liked her direct gaze, but it was meaningless if it wasn’t directed at him as she remembered him.0841e59ab241c581

He didn’t bother masking his displeasure.e65a7b1757827146

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“Do I need a reason to dislike someone?”dd28066571c9cec8

“If you’re going to insult someone to their face, you should at least have the decency to explain yourself.”8b3c9057a5772c60

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“You don’t back down, do you?”eb456f10f4af5fd1

“People always say that when they’re losing an argument.”248f20b26384e9d5

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Radia replied 8a95707d49 lightly and ce75f2c46d rose from 19af1a5d2d the sofa. As Yuris stood up 20aa8498d2 as well, she offered 4193246375 him a smile.af69df7e6baf13d0

With the 3c980f99a2 slight curve 1d5c5d1615 of her 808f6fc5ef eyes and da53266bbc the gentle 8455fd0a7d upturn of 5d7fe600f3 her lips, 11496a8b7f her previously b4995d4c0f cold expression ac7b1be8bd transformed. He had expected her e38423dd08 smile to make her ac01239c59 appear more intellectual and f833a8a85f confident, but while still 86c4dc34bf composed, she now seemed 0754389027 kind.c159d7fad3b3ee95

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Realizing he couldn’t tear his eyes away, Yuris chuckled dryly.37a10c7ea37202e7

He should be 11e3ed62d3 thinking of spring, f5ffe0cb79 but for some c7e8e7df4f reason, her image 65503927fd evoked a grey 63599ac13f winter.2a990a30ae2b388c

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“I’m not going to give up easily.”fa0438af9998eec8

“That’s unexpected.”91eb5b5de2a14346

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She didn’t seem like someone with so little pride that she would tolerate such treatment.c1fcf49d61dbeb8d

“I know you better than you think.”70dd9c66c98f3216

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Her feelings weren’t so trivial that she’d give up easily, nor was she so weak that she’d crumble under this coldness.ca2e75876b55becf

[I can’t help but love you, Radia. No matter when or where we meet, that will never change.]

She had no choice but to believe those words. She couldn’t trust the stranger before her, but she could trust the lover she remembered.e9ea3f0e50031262

“I’ll be going now. See you later.”88fb3574eeceffc0

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He had no 8c95fbd157 choice but to d6469e21eb accept this declaration, 1100efa3d8 a declaration of 457d22c99a war in disguise.c21f6b464301e546