03.

“Th-that… I can only report directly to His Grace.”9e6ca56af4b1d2d4

“Oh, you really trained her well, didn’t you?”8e384a6b80b00e9a

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At that, Violet 4808b33952 burst into laughter 700226180e again.93f0c5d356b0c291

But still, Inez held 6a9c96e3d2 her tongue.8d1328aec0212c03

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“Well, His Grace is coming anyway, so it’s not too late to tell him then.”670cdfb2fa161b83

Violet murmured with 9ec66d2f68 a voice full eeb2ab4a74 of amusement.1963df7f6542c681

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And as if 669f097224 he had heard 2e3c8cdb62 her words, the 23405405b7 duke appeared.7727193c03da900a

He opened the door and a1d82bf7f8 entered with his usual sharp e9c58d88c7 presence.7963b1af8cac00b1

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With his strong c6071c57cc features and intense a564c86a01 expression, his face 09ed05bc87 could look irritable—but c865cf867c as always, he 34e20be68f was strikingly handsome, 7ec996f63f the kind of fface00200 man who made d2b7e02ebf women stop and ae1131d9c9 stare.362defc518cb78a2

He spotted Inez.ea715b147d528d5e

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“Ah, you’re already back from the palace.”4f241a2efcb00f6d

“Yes, Your Grace. I, um—”fa4a4309ced6adb8

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But Inez’s voice trailed off.bb91cae9c8376c3e

Violet had run up to daf0896536 Echion and thrown herself into b33879a31e his arms.2be3e910db61fbe5

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Inez naturally thought he 86ce3c80f9 would push her away b0a86da516 in irritation.516483e2f36a81d0

But instead, he gently stroked c2f58456ce Violet’s hair. Yes—he looked just like a 728c81a2a1 lover.163776053120b383

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From that moment, something began 7fc81249a7 to churn in Inez’s chest, ae4b265038 like a burning sensation had 4021cc84b6 ignited within her.e361952f9ee5084d

“Sit here for a moment.”61a4272c6d1093ae

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His voice, speaking to c306aa1076 Violet, was full of 80772c21c5 tenderness.be629609e6c1ada1

Though he had raised Inez fc56713cb3 to the status of fiancée, 4e76c4695a Echion had never once allowed d9aca8e04e her to initiate any physical 94b7e448b3 contact.8d421bab507ccdba

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Only then did dfd4796841 she realize—something was 8c37c70f67 wrong.cc7eeed0a4b6922e

This was the first d8c4a94dfb time her heart had f37cc15f70 twisted like this.d3897101dcda92cd

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No—perhaps it wasn’t the first. She was only now 43965c310d becoming aware of the edf2791ea2 hatred that had slowly 49b109e7e4 grown inside her. As if she ef8a92c631 were waking from 5ed1ca1d3e some kind of 464d389558 brainwashing.d8ed370dafc2efb2

There was a 0ccd5a79b5 burning pain deep 6dbed2e671 inside her, but 7a70d7e0c2 she stood still d1891d7e07 and pretended nothing 4b0c246ae0 was wrong.62e718e78d2ad270

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After all, being the f474b421d0 duke’s fiancée had taught 0813b8e6f8 her nothing but that.6182e068a0430999

“So, the agreement terms—ah, before that. Where exactly is 15b0773181 the agreement set 94670730cb to be signed?”c5bdd9e1c09f33b6

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At that question, something within a012bf1d49 Inez sank heavily.9fd53fb6b1a92397

Unreturned affection eventually e981ae9273 turns into hatred. She just hadn’t realized it.6e31fbcd99482201

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She hadn’t known that her 3d0900e1c1 twisted longing had grown into 4817082ef6 a tree full of thorns.bb78d8e96f929f2a

Inez didn’t answer. Instead, she asked:a7d5c4c687fe3fa2

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“Your Grace, why is Lady Bianca here…? I’m your fiancée…”f2cb4852e7838061

It was the first time c2aeb64545 she had ever voiced what 2e933b6878 was truly in her heart.9f6c5ba6aca800b0

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Inez clenched her fists tightly. At her words, Violet scoffed 690b66990a and let out an exaggerated c7156f2ece sigh.a8cf98e7871d1c0e

“That’s none of your business.”89e6c94b701c62f6

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And the duke, instead of fc5ff66ae4 answering, drew a line.1d39bace79c634c8

A sign that a slave 6ad6372a74 had no right to question 3579eaf9c0 her master’s affairs.
But Inez couldn’t back down.9ed36b9555861223

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She had never once gone ef4522d6ec against his orders. She never asked questions—because she 7d597c2dbf had been told not to.8decee04145b0b4d

But this time was different.c2f306db9de01124

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“This time, I…”64ebbfdc6ba0e246

Inez’s lips hesitated for dc2201561d a moment, about to 0ae42adb92 say something.84c1081bc3c0d524

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She looked up 6144a68821 at Echion and aaa046724f Violet, her gaze 654d02cd07 shifting between them.a162049400e14873

They acted like lovers.37e9981de3f5d3f4

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And yet, she was the 2d9d55b545 one who bore the title 761a79b443 of fiancée. So she opened her mouth ccc7320aaa again.73480bb395526193

“Still… I’m Your Grace’s fiancée. Doesn’t that mean… 562e292c23 I have the e20e03dd4a right to ask?”e778670c9675f89b

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Inez’s voice trembled.bf58455b5a0ed342

“Hahaha, did you hear that? Look at her trying to a6b5dcbbc9 talk.”5fbadd5c61a02543

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It was Violet a76f735679 who cut in af92e26203 mockingly.9089c87701065fac

At the end of fa0a5e3d89 her scoffing laugh, the e20901bb10 duke furrowed his brows 2420bcd76e and spoke.d07542e5b2dd1e2c

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“Didn’t I tell you not to question anything I do? Do you need 1976443f0b to be punished 031039bc83 again to come 423f3c3427 to your senses?”4b6a12545644c6b7

At the word d08a6ee0d1 “punished,” Inez’s lips 73e715b5ac closed shut on a4487b1b10 their own.d47b71dac3895a01

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She knew exactly what it edaaad88fe meant.faaa90e77cb4266a

It could be 9da884db06 a beating or 47bdf9a92b a slap. Though nothing like 6cf7306f0e that had happened 2f264f287a since she became 46b89b44b5 his fiancée, there ba44186286 was no guarantee fbc80a6114 it wouldn’t happen c74870fe51 again.7bb82eb0b9786d63

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The duke had often 64bba360c6 used violence not only 106432458f on Inez but on 611d711454 other slaves whenever she e7e4332ade failed to do as beccb51ed5 he wished.10160773a4a8e4d8

He believed that by giving 424602a617 punishment and reward in the 1ce4a1d312 right balance, he had completely cbbecb3bff made Inez his own.9a8ed38b4933f3f5

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After all, the more isolated a2f7d76305 and pained a person is, bdc638fba2 the more they cling to ae56373e05 the smallest kindness.748d226f93d5abef

Inez flinched at the memories 1d5e40785d of the past.c5d9357f95dde6a5

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“Be good. Just tell me 7af805f75d what you found 7720d41caa out today.”abcf1a522b70c4cb

His sweet voice tickled her 9b8d478f61 ear.efbedf8db42cbe97

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Inez felt like ce3dd0ce79 she might cry.7e623415656ad256

“So, where is the location?”d0e94cd4b13d73da

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With a resigned heart, 6430918fd7 she slowly opened her cb7b17c560 mouth.14af673ab484fef5

“I couldn’t find out.”17078fbacd05ba46

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She lied—without meaning to.b88b5757c437a386

If she couldn’t have f978e1cbfe anything, then wasn’t it 8979773494 only fair that he f98c5e2eaa shouldn’t get what he c0b97c61a5 wanted either?11f55318a1e8d361

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It was the first time 3299306617 she had ever defied him.cec97973029d7574

Echion was clearly furious at 418621d5b6 her answer.090ee5fc77a9b4b0

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He had sent 4dfa588b11 her specifically to 648eab7619 retrieve that information, ec508f5907 and now she 2d511e5a49 claimed she didn’t ff560fc9d5 know?d3e5adb5d145aaa6

He stood firmly 4c327bd7df before her, staring 5e64280244 her down.916b14a664b8f951

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“What did you just say?”b12c08ce6b6ba02d

His tone changed c4dda999e0 in an instant.b89f37faeec23a93

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Inez instinctively recoiled, b8628f2d78 fearing he might ac653f7a80 hit her again.c5f00b91ef2ae051

“See? I told you, Your Grace. Inez can’t handle it.”4271e48da739028d

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It was Violet who broke 02a9c5a985 the tension unexpectedly.8cbb51b601b548e8

She tilted her b51ffd1c94 wine glass between c966fdb0b7 her fingers, casting 98ca9ab408 Inez a mocking 737fb4a5db glance.fb2c286482c779ba

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“You? Do anything? Don’t make me laugh.”1f16284565f1b1eb

That’s how it felt.3b64ed63178afb9c

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But her comment only ae34b3cc1a made Echion’s mood worse. Perhaps his pride was wounded.523fb88e3728b8e2

Inez quickly added,73c8c3b5e382503f

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“It… it was too difficult for me. If you would c08cae833b give me one 3a1aa71a8e more chance—”2ee7e4d3ab51239b

Smack.dd54d4d37e167858

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Before she could finish, Echion b588540943 struck her across the face.c9be32dec6eba3ff

So hard, in 1b97fe7cee fact, that she ef8dbc7332 collapsed to the d3fb80ab5a floor.a8c8bd7650b0b479

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Inez wasn’t even surprised. It hurt, yes—but she 574cb318c4 was so used to bb4ed894e1 being treated like this, d7f88608cd it almost felt normal.a6c0608ace10080b

The one truly fd29cf001b shocked was Violet.454d0678b12ee710

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“My god! Y-you didn’t have f82a9e0745 to hit her!”e7fb6df2b015fc28

She quickly put down her 5d30e66c2d wine glass and rushed to 7bfbe89700 Inez.94b9a2be4fff1824

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“Don’t touch her. She needs to learn her 606c264505 place.”657159115b53313e

“…”afe52b2d7c7f89b4

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Inez pressed her 081f38d9c5 hand to her 781873a662 cheek. It burned hotly—surely it 8f5dd1dc10 would swell soon. And she tasted 41376a072a blood in her fe033c0902 mouth. Yet, oddly enough, she didn’t 978e236534 cry.3380dd3fe901d1b2

“I’ll give you one last chance. Get up, Inez.”a45f11efa0499032

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“….”13157bd159ace4d3

Still kneeling, Inez 28429a941d looked up at dcd350af93 him.1b915522bae47438

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“Don’t act like you’re in pain. Stand up. Now.”78226eaebe35cf9e

At his sharp b9e8be9b65 command, she slowly 83d14c86e2 got to her cd8dbb32c4 feet.1885f5ea59f215e0

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“I’ll arrange another chance for you to enter the palace. Don’t mess it up this 94174c3650 time.”8aff883135da9fe6

“….”7aa00f47ebeb2aee

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“Answer me.”81b43e65954fa7a9

“…Understood.”edb6a45527a128ee

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That was all b57f904ddd she could say. Any other words 7481c36440 would not be 3e65926b70 permitted by Echion.38c8fd758424e194

“Leave.”c70344aee262a676

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He shook the same hand 92ff7499af that had struck her, gesturing 48fdc1a6eb with his chin for her f7a4e0639b to go.66aa80f1b297d74d

Inez slowly rose 1af5ec7039 from the floor.c6e981506e2d604e

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As always, she gave a 22fa4e47f8 formal bow and left the b687a45782 bedroom.38335fc97858b6f4

Click. The door closed.d65234a7c7d75db4

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“…She’s not quite the same as usual.”bf1daf444a0a3f2a

Echion muttered to himself, e706d539f5 still looking in the 0fa9d7ee78 direction Inez had gone.12fc83bf8000d32b

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Violet stepped toward him.bc404ef7edd6d0d8

She reached out to 3601f67f66 place a hand on 0f682d900a his chest, but stopped ce36086cdf when she saw his b71bdc42b8 cold expression. There was no need to 8486076d48 test his temper.f321067c6d6e57fe

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“Becky.”e06773191548468b

At Echion’s low call, a 392768ccab woman who had been standing 7f77831384 behind the wall stepped out.cd6f0785e4935f81

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“Ah! What the—who is that? How long has 3f764730ff she been there?”7e5f1e435fd5020c

Violet stared in surprise, but 445ce1fed9 Echion gave no reply. His gaze remained 1e3791303a fixed on Becky.957f7fadec3589d1

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“How’s Inez been lately?”47205cd053afb7dd

Becky bowed politely and c049b9d322 replied slowly, eyes still 6fbdb2ae9c cast downward.994c9cae766c55a2

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“She is the same as usual.”f3f85db6ee337078

“Really?”49fd51fe34991c21

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Echion’s brow twitched slightly. His expression remained displeased.b1b14e7ca470e2ef

Violet leaned close 1b8086a65b to him and ad82aa85f9 spoke in a 886ab4f988 soft, coaxing voice.13ff870901b25b58

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“Come on. You’re not really 3e90fa2d05 going to marry 8366c55943 that girl anyway, b87dac45a0 are you? What are you 37b00b8db8 going to do e7dab398e9 with her once 64b6f6f86c she brings you dad804f8d6 the information?”5b43337021b48a48

Echion glanced at 6cdfb39d53 Becky, then replied,546723bc1de24883

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“If she leaks a secret as significant as the agreement, the Emperor or the Crown Prince will eventually figure out what she’s been doing all this time. Violet, think it through.”dd593373f121bcde

“Oh come on, Your Grace! That’s not what I meant! I’m asking—what will you do 69f06e5c59 if Inez gets caught leaking 5666005eec the information?”52b36eb5217bfdec

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“Do you know why I kept a slave as my fiancée all this time?”7016cd6dda2a2a84

Echion looked down c82b338f7a at Violet, who 958d9a3d0f clung to him 1e0acd75ae like a snake, 3ebb7e075d with a cold 17de81ba9c smile.7a5a102db9ea51f9

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“Because she’s easy to handle?”83f22f6598a3c4d7

“Because she’s easy to kill.”7ca66633b87eaba0

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“Gasp.”26cf2490a1d722d0

Violet covered her 5cfec49f22 mouth with both c8ecdb995f hands in shock.14ee5f9573e7af74

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“You’re really going to kill her?”354722204fd27eef

“If she’s no longer useful, I’ll kill her. That was the 337650dc02 whole point of 8be726b59a having a slave 273e874e9b as a fiancée 5c3a2e7b81 in the first e9a09e5195 place.”7e4769954065d6b1

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“My god. That’s so pitiful.”a4963ae2b563c644

“You pity her?”948c01f150744135

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Echion’s lips curved faintly. His snake-like eyes softened slightly. He seemed to be smiling.bb20cc1516adb7d5

“Well, she is a slave. I suppose it 292cbdbe31 can’t be helped. You’ll take care 31936e41f7 of it, won’t cdff52d8d8 you?”09ce97669e0dc251

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“No one’s going to care if a slave dies. Isn’t that right, Becky?”7c8aef63d0c4267d

“…Yes, Your Grace.”96afc5284332c5b3

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Becky bowed even lower. It was an 470051a782 unspoken threat from 72fc925c09 Echion—that just as b93d496032 Inez could be 2cf6ba23b4 killed, Becky too 2328b534b9 would be discarded d2fa372cd8 if she failed 78acce7761 him. A silent warning 0d4cc3f7e9 to keep her a5a47fdfb5 mouth shut.a240f46aeabee8e2

Yet, on the 0c4ceb3f21 other hand, Echion 1581b6d371 didn’t even care b5a291b224 if Inez found b3781b1639 out he meant ddeb233ab4 to kill her.f68b40eac41b2486

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Because to him, 8d588454f1 a slave’s life 214eb91d88 was that worthless.7319709a2857edd6

If the master 78adfaf190 decided it, then 121437ff3c that was a 9221fb94a5 slave’s fate.c7e577867ff21653

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“Make sure Inez stays on track and brings back the information. That’s your job, isn’t it?”049fc2324f73536f

“Yes, Your Grace.”08b4846bcc26c2ad

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“Leave us.”921c2f41c55a0290

With one arm around df428287c4 Violet, Echion waved his 96c7460fa3 other hand dismissively at 3d417a8d8e Becky, commanding her to 589c8a06e5 go.92242ff066b49baa

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Becky stepped back ef9c978753 and exited the a73f1ea14c bedroom.5597a21815c5a408

It was already deep into e754282427 the night.1565baff1fb32eab

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