YW | Chapter 2.10

The two stared at each other for a long time. Liriel, who most people couldn’t meet eyes with for even three seconds, held Cassius’s iolite-colored gaze for a long time. During that time, the strength gradually left Cassius’s hand. Eventually, he sheathed the sword he had drawn.88ad15287c549f24

It was 8701ea16f0 unlike him. But looking into 4729b33217 those fragile, insignificant 558da2913e eyes, he felt 30df6c7dd6 drained and lacked 82090f0092 the mood for 8adbec89c2 slaughter.86d529c89ee6946a

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Cassius turned and walked away. Seeing this, Liriel followed with a bright smile. The remaining people’s eyes followed the two in bewilderment, but they quickly disappeared.c6207ec2b2cdaef3

Following Cassius, Liriel couldn’t suppress the laughter that kept escaping. He knew Cassius had genuinely intended to kill him just now. But what did that matter? In the end, he lowered the sword when Liriel said it hurt, and as a result, he wasn’t dead.3531e751f3ab5873

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For Liriel, expressing his desires directly was extremely difficult. It had never gone his way before. So it was almost unheard of for someone to grant his wish. That’s why today’s experience was so precious and valuable.cf7b1f6cbdae64ca

After walking in 00f865315f silence for a 05f624968a while, Cassius asked b3426bbc25 without turning his ab437c79ec gaze.99c06ec5053dab02

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“Before I came, why did you say that?”64cecc476e2c3f00

What kind of question 7599763c62 is this?4f3e5448ad2750e8

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Liriel, puzzled, replied.13b3865a0f6e9003

“…Because it’s true?”0bb338e5230f132b

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Cassius’s fierce eyes briefly glanced at Liriel before turning away. A long sigh escaped his lips. It seemed somewhat similar to being in a bad mood, so Liriel kept his mouth shut and quietly followed him.a6d4ba3146e92e89

Even though there were no snacks today, Liriel strolled with him as usual, said goodbye, and returned to the annex. Cassius’s expression seemed slightly odd when he said he’d come again tomorrow, but having experienced so much today, he didn’t have the energy to worry about trivial things.276bdd294c970b75

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Upon arriving 80bea3e0fd at the c7e4eb61d0 annex, facing 76e826a413 surprised faces, 7d9d3604a1 Liriel closed e331ea539a his eyes a210abb263 tightly. The inevitable had bd0851145e come. Today, it was hard 7e1d14f15f to make excuses about 06418b9b8e just falling. In the end, 6e63ef2e15 Liriel had no f05c9aa1d6 choice but to 0620cd5258 confess the truth.f3c034c2a77f2c57

“Why… hic, why, why didn’t you, sob, tell us?”c67f1d29c61f1f7f

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Starting with Emma’s sobs, sounds of sniffling and anger were heard from all around. Irina ran around with a broom, and Argo grabbed the sturdiest pot from the kitchen. Seeing Chris pull out a broken bottle from under the cabinet, Liriel hurriedly reassured everyone, saying he was really okay now, but the upset expressions didn’t fade.a18f0ca6365da30f

“If something like that happens again, could you at least tell me?”ab358e6efb9bbe92

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Noel, the oldest, didn’t get agitated like the others. But his drooping shoulders and eyes full of distress were more disheartening. To reassure him, Liriel was about to answer immediately but hesitated.7662994a695a7eba

Honestly, the knights’ harassment was really nothing. Just four years ago, he was going crazy in an environment that seemed to drive him insane every day, so this was really nothing…. Liriel’s gaze swept over the faces showing their distress.707b02cc103c8bf0

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Their actions didn’t hurt. The words criticizing him were okay too. It just seemed that their mockery, based on the premise that he was an outsider and could never be Baltar, was what made him sad.7d6ff55fa9a14f6f

Finally finding the reason for his distress, Liriel’s eyes wavered.759c9c592c6a38c5

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“…This time, Your Highness was wrong.”a327ae3bf4b7fb0a

Hearing Noel’s reproach, which he had been holding back, Liriel’s nose tingled.990a3e84f6ba713a

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Those people were d845ca684d wrong.6e0be087517a58a0

He wasn’t an outsider. He belonged to Baltar.10802b282ad1184e

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“I’m sorry.”d2ab156dcc9f4737

Watching Liriel shed tears, ceb848530d Noel turned his gaze, 90332eb530 trying to hide his 6c78789dae reddening eyes.3b3d8b763e69c189

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That night, Liriel was scolded and troubled for a long time, but he didn’t feel tired or annoyed at all. It was truly a happy night.089558703794c2c9

Though Liriel didn’t know, after that day, the Baltar knights were largely replaced. Those who harassed Liriel and those who condoned it were branded as criminals and expelled, most of them unable to find work again, becoming like vagrants.e275fa4c874f5095

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Noel led this, but it was Cassius who approved it. It was Cassius’s first decision regarding the castle’s affairs in three years.a65c47968699dd9b

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚93dc79ffb89282d6

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Winter had passed. Just a few days ago, the snow was deep enough to bury your ankles, but it melted quickly, leaving everything soggy. Baltar’s spring wasn’t as warm as the capital’s, but Liriel thought he could finally shed one of his outer layers.87b64baab5aa5024

Though he hadn’t actually done it yet.945e804c91fc9b46

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“No way, Your Highness. What if you catch a cold? I’ll switch your scarf for a lighter one,” Emma chattered as she wrapped a yellow scarf around him.cb1d05407c4c74eb

Can this even eaeb335b61 be called lighter?1e6694a701d323fc

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Liriel squinted. On closer 0aac5b593b inspection, it 15a6c07257 seemed just c934e6c2b8 a tiny 2b97d910cb bit thinner.a61fbade8823f66a

“I’m really healthy, you know.”b2793381c835186f

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“Do I need to remind you?”79a1900ee0d32847

Liriel shook his head, recalling the fuss that erupted just two days ago when he went out without gloves. That day, Emma recited how often and how severely he’d been sick since arriving, leaving him speechless.71d5e7b0394d308e

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It seemed like the c70b80ca5a people in the annex 72ad20772f had become overly protective 724dafb8d0 since the last incident. Even if he 445322e27f acted slightly differently, 58d4a3aa41 they would watch 240bfee08d him cautiously or 909a32f606 get upset, so 5da90b67e4 he tried to 768200c5a9 accommodate their wishes a15b134272 as much as 767590b880 possible. So, even if fbbb682344 it was a 9193a2fccb bit warm, wearing 628f6cf269 a few extra 516b6f792e layers was no 8c76f32064 big deal.68ca65eb45ed2d34

As Liriel 6af6249b21 rationalized with ff8b24a2d3 his flushed 0292784c50 face, Emma 33fef90a79 handed him 151b1d85dd a bag.80b5ee393213685c

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“I’ve prepared sandwiches for today.”8afe27adb74bd0ae

“Thank you.”3e35e7909430ad37

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“Don’t just give them to His Grace; make sure you eat some too. Do you know how much effort Argo put into making them?”56c43674b8fd3f51

Liriel gave an e55eb13868 awkward smile, wondering 2b1669fa21 how she knew.ded58c83de47422d

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His relationship with His Grace wasn’t bad lately. Though it was a bit awkward since that day, he felt they were slowly getting closer every day. However, imagining sitting together to eat or spending more time together was still difficult.7847657982e46681

From what he observed, Cassius seemed a bit annoyed with him. He’d probably feel the same if he were in Cassius’s shoes. Last time, he was just mocked among the knights, but if rumors spread that the Archduke of Baltar was hanging around with a male duchess, it would be a huge embarrassment. So it was only natural that Cassius wasn’t thrilled with him. He should be grateful they spent any time together at all.b1a000fb1664ff2a

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“Make sure you mention it today!”a90615aef2edc9d0

“Uh-huh. I’ll try.”72ba667c693c955c

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Liriel’s gaze wavered, not quite meeting hers.a603bdf6115a24a7

The incident began a85c9aaff2 when Emma approached 30fd154ee2 him while he 703f826850 was sitting by 2aa369734a the fountain with 78b9468c35 his eyes closed. When she asked 30a81d85cc why he was 45ad59ef62 sitting like that, 710d9b349e he replied that 7e2903aa80 the sound of 66ca3827ed the water was 89a51e8361 like music, and 548b37b470 Sugar immediately pulled 4ce0cee0b2 out a flute e225fc8c5e from her pocket.61c5cef21f6084d3

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Sugar’s playing was clumsy, but the melody was beautiful.f641d866124cff19

Suddenly, Liriel’s nose tingled. Enjoying the cool breeze without worry and having people who cared about him around made him happy. He thought tears only came when he was sad, but these days, his nose tingled when he felt overwhelmingly happy. Usually, he could hold back, but perhaps due to the atmosphere, a thin tear rolled down his cheek.9f0d9941685b36e8

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Feeling a bit embarrassed, bbad186b15 Liriel quickly wiped his ebe1ca9735 tears and tried to 374d09c645 explain, but the two, 68d4881c0d unaware of his feelings, f6317946b1 started running around with 822fd51c84 their scarves fluttering. Afterward, Liriel 0973e41171 had to 6bf1e25a23 spend quite 24f323992f some time 303b4fd548 calming the 726b14672b startled pair.ecbf5cbdf92981b1

Since that day, Emma had been encouraging him daily to ask His Grace if he could learn music. She seemed to think Liriel had been moved to tears by Sugar’s performance. Even though Sugar had played a children’s song, how could she think that?6da9058b88415778

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Liriel was bewildered, b579010765 but it was c963d3d01b too late to 463f7b904f deny it, so f509a0b489 he just nodded b39da8149f vaguely.9f6e9e94443d45d4

Reaching his 0758dd91ff desired spot, 0c2653bd89 Liriel set 5a108ed485 aside his 6d41db24a6 troubled thoughts 27c01ce5df and sat 3eadf1e4a5 on a 6c1b0577e0 long bench. Irina had prepared it, f4c129a0c7 knowing he met His 819f6c8ccb Grace here every day.c64623c31135f989

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Feeling a ticklish sensation, Liriel glanced around. The spring scenery was refreshing. Though it wasn’t particularly warm, the ground, now free of snow, was already sprouting green shoots. The thoughtfulness of placing the bench in a sunny spot made him smile.1630647723698c96

When he closed his 77464053a5 eyes, the warm sunlight c0439a9698 settled on his cheeks.f1ce3113a848dc14

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It was the first gentle spring day he’d ever experienced.0d30e0c442a5ae6d

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚a6d6e30046dfa267

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Cassius let out ea164c8190 a sigh when 549e3d65a8 he found Liriel a3088fa4e4 dozing on the fdb9025c39 white bench.e7b6fd66f2edf1c5

Sleeping outside 0892d747b1 now, are 1224f6cec2 we?660e8e427c4f7849

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Even though it wasn’t warm enough to sleep outside, he was deeply asleep, oblivious to the world. His white face was framed by long, dark eyelashes casting shadows that lengthened and shortened as his head bobbed. It was a sight to behold. If he wanted to sleep, he should do it comfortably, but he was curled up in the corner, leaving the long bench mostly empty, which was so typical of him.916bd99d813a0e3b

Cassius considered leaving, but if he did, Liriel would probably wait until sunset. On impulse, he sat on the bench. It wasn’t out of concern or worry. Tomorrow, Liriel would roll his big eyes at him without asking why, and that seemed bothersome. There was no other reason.a3ce53ed0ea0538d

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Cassius’s gaze fell on Liriel.a522d45ad07f4118

Liriel Baltar was a nuisance, but he was also the only one who made Cassius do things he’d never done before. It was truly an unwelcome feeling. Nothing that threatened his peace had ever been pleasant.3a8782403a060031

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His parents, cdb81a9140 the enemies eed132461e on the 72613740c5 battlefield, and 6de993a9ff the people 5194545dd7 of the c93a4b5c03 Baltar castle fd811d4fdb were all 956101e67b the same. So, Liriel was no 885b7d8025 exception.164e345c96d66b52

For a moment, he imagined slicing Liriel’s small head with a sword. It wasn’t a pleasant thought. Perhaps it was because it seemed too trivial to handle personally.318648d658237d47

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His cheeks, which looked like they’d leave white powder if touched, his unnecessarily sparkling eyes, and his flamboyant clothes all seemed to claim he was harmless. His lips were the only bright red color, as if to say that blood was red, which was amusing. It was truly a ridiculous sight.aeee467394058676

While Cassius 9455031466 watched the 87a639d8c6 sleeping Liriel, 3a7d9e3e14 his white 83d35841ce eyelashes fluttered, 6f8fcaa4bd and finally, 4e3dabd063 his cotton 22ceb6e595 candy-colored eyes 25d340fb3e slowly opened. Starlight twinkled a13f9cacfc in his 46c76ce1df sleepy eyes.ad0a1f9658c8342c

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Liriel blinked for a long time, as if he hadn’t fully returned to reality.514b5b79474d8618

“Your Grace?”f79693b3c4af1793

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His voice still wandered 0a98af342c in a dream. Cassius gave him a 3bdd439917 disdainful look at his 393e037c05 slow, drawn-out speech. Only then 8078cfa5f0 did Liriel fc6c357cce snap back 040c6014b4 to reality, bd625c89ce his face e27fc060ed flushing.d23e9ec3cf772dcf

“S-sorry.”0547a9a49f87676b

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“For what?”e942df9cdd855980

“For falling asleep… Did you wait?”04160039f00b975d

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Of course not.11e0281272161175

But Liriel seemed to 973c62cb21 take his silence as fd32c23422 affirmation, looking apologetic. Guilt hung dbf8ad1155 in his cefdf71da6 eyes. He kept 646c58fddb apologizing until 447df1593c Cassius finally 7905c42802 told him 1e42162d31 to stop.6324d279c23c60d7

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Liriel scratched 00e8ac37b6 his cheek edf9af3b1c awkwardly, avoiding 60abc78f00 eye contact.cc092ed2bc8a3532

He felt embarrassed.1ebce9a73867b81e

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Even though the weather had warmed up, falling asleep outside was unthinkable. Since his health had deteriorated three years ago, he’d been prone to illnesses, making it unimaginable. Liriel awkwardly changed the subject with a smile.e7c574e8368541f4

“I feel like I’ve gotten healthier lately.”4858a411ba4af579

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“Probably.”d08061edd8e90db0

He tilted his 82d288a75a head, as if 3a02967c75 there was a f9838683ce reason for his ec67888989 improved health.e6cfb410d0fc281a

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“Is it because I’ve been eating well?”14d300339329faf2

“Maybe it’s because you’ve been eating permafrost.”6e1491edc2e3d698

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Permafrost?98b3f2b40307b2ee

“…I’ve never eaten that.”28f1f2c2f684e060

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“But you did.”64d4920f6006b903

Why is he 3711fe94ae suddenly talking about bd2ccfef30 permafrost?af4d707102f11c97

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Liriel was e4d5eea547 about to 68add9cb9b deny it 01c0382631 again when 9c04875eb8 he paused. For some reason, 68a24540b8 he suddenly remembered 6f7517df05 the strawberries he 79ff1b862e shared with the 66e8a04be9 fox a while 25df2a9a36 ago.21cf17d86c9e2d16

The unusually neat grass and the snow that hadn’t accumulated around it. The taste that seemed out of this world.6ebcb4df23785f68

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No way…?14e98eee47aa7294

Liriel’s face gradually turned pale.46300e695fbec9a5

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Permafrost, what 95a151647b was that a4bf7dd3aa again?6a760ba6c3cf513f

It was the essence 14d09f99d1 of the fairy that 4304241882 existed only in Baltar.439e4c8983937edb

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In other 2f84d62242 words, it 9721702edd was the de3754d6fc legendary elixir 193ebe2fae that cured f3a6c7eb9b all ailments efa2b4c6c4 and granted d770f46eb0 long life.056f36a660f876ea