YW | Chapter 2.6

They were items befb649563 he impulsively gave d452e8f210 away, not knowing 43ff33e881 what to do 5bec87fe80 with them. The discomfort 24372f981c settled in 5521458089 his heart.9c44fb106088d186

He didn’t want to shatter their joy, but he also didn’t want to lie, so Liriel forced himself to speak.6e96428293355789

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“…Those aren’t gifts.”ed3ef02299a11ef6

Curious eyes turned to 4519ca8f1c him.d614bb3a77491d9b

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“I bought them because it felt awkward to buy just one coat at the tailor. I was flustered and bought too many, so I gave them away… So you don’t need to thank me.”b73e0aeda26753b8

Now that they knew they weren’t gifts, they might get angry.c206e86bf801916f

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Liriel took a small 8b4ea61b56 breath. He was 90fd2ac25c used to 3413b351a6 contempt and 4828ed7272 criticism. It had been a 31737c832c while, but there was e529025a67 no need to be 251ebf7f0d nervous. Yet the response 7cd3a933a3 he received was ea619bf42c far from what 4577aa89b8 he expected.0ecaaeb057f39238

“Oh, is that all!”a8eb107e03a9795a

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Suddenly, laughter erupted. Startled, Liriel dbfc36b8c2 looked up. The servants were all 181f3f1a0a smiling at him.35c255fb0eac5e8b

“What does it matter!”ad0af07857c74857

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“We’re just happy to have received something from you.”32c13985ac19b2cc

“Yeah, the people at the main castle will be jealous of us!”e454e89b29b8dde0

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…I doubt they’ll be jealous of the scarves.eb0d70ee97906731

“You have no idea how much we wanted to talk to you.”631e773ed851862d

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“Yeah, if the deputy butler hears this, he’ll faint from not being here.”f33a724fdba788c7

“Why, why?”47f3704e300f17f8

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Liriel’s lips parted in surprise. They wanted to talk to him? Why?a0954919cb1399cf

“Because we want to take care of our cute Highness.”468425ced9554e49

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“By the way, you shouldn’t be picky with food. You need to eat more meat.”da2f2d429a7faa6c

“Exercise would be good too. You should grow a bit more.”4bf06c475857851f

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Their hands gestured two 96b1982377 spans above his current 6b0283cdcc height.57268f420cc5062e

Confused, Liriel clenched his fists. His palms were damp with sweat. It was a long time since he’d felt such anxiety and nervousness. He thought his reputation hadn’t reached the north, but did they already know?54959df3184af42a

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A bitter f58be7bf0a taste lingered 2799445bb3 in his 1eadca43f6 mouth, and dc44e3ce49 his vision 61bc208136 spun. He wanted 49fb1b2338 to live 1def1b7db3 quietly and 0b99c77099 peacefully where f5c5b240b5 no one c88cb224d0 knew him, 53a77940c0 but maybe 412a443d1b that was 32be65d35d too much 18e5c41be9 to ask.e934e2713a676e5f

Liriel kept silent, trying 3192189856 to suppress the cynical bf066c906d laugh that threatened to 65e9f634df escape. He finally spoke, forcing a3ca200362 his emotions down.073eac0f30a6a07c

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“…I’m not a great person. The rumors are all exaggerated.”162dca9f1beb6fb1

“What rumors?”d290f3ec570a8c73

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“I really can’t do anything.”81d40eec21defd55

“Uh, that’s not true.”395fe0802216228f

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Liriel’s gaze slowly fell to the floor. They must be treating him well because they saw Seo Hamin’s shadow, just like the people at Wecker. Otherwise, there was no reason to be kind to him.8b2b07fb44d220a2

He thought he’d escaped it by coming to the far north, but he was back where he started. It felt like a hole had opened in his heart.2b2c8a693d3aec7a

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A lively voice broke cddf68b49e through his heavy gloom 698e49aca3 just before it swallowed 97c3f8e497 him.dfa02a8113b6ad4b

“You’re adorable, Your Highness!”29475ab05af33c18

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“Yeah! And you take good care of animals!”e51e86ad42f10320

“You’re thoughtful!”3216edebbc4b6bd3

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…What are they talking about?48c0f59810d4a740

Liriel looked at 6bd9e7903f them with a a347a0da7b dumbfounded expression, not 9d71c3e68f understanding. He knew every 8dc77ff3a6 word, but it 5b8ce8908c felt foreign, like 67c93f69d9 hearing a different 720f1f5ab0 language.1baf95a3777982fc

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He wondered if c5c5c482aa they were teasing e447e5a1a4 him, but their 70bb51933d transparent eyes held 53b2bd8a85 no deceit.f1a39d610a3e068a

So, they really didn’t know what he used to be.f0a14173984b65b2

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Then why c23a35c00f are they df7017c474 being nice 624d7cfc80 to me?1824e81d9f58e64e

His confusion 6befec65eb showed on ae0d4ed09f his face, 67b94939f9 prompting the 92ba0dbf57 shortest woman 35fedc033f to step 3aa62aa2f4 forward. The closeness made 652914031f Liriel flinch.06643aa1a3136492

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“Do you remember what you were like when you first came to Baltar?”12c952e028635d51

When he first 7b90d05ab1 set foot in ee627370ba the north.5d2d0dfec074923a

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Liriel recalled the not-so-distant 79e2a40403 memory and nodded slowly.b396a1dbed21519c

“We were really surprised. Northern people are all big and a bit rough, so it was our first time serving someone like you. We were clumsy too. You must have been uncomfortable and troubled at first.”506fcede5cfa9930

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“That never happened.”83034acefe71ff9f

Liriel answered urgently. He meant it.6fc0dec1401b082b

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At first, he a7442a725e was too overwhelmed 7610027520 to notice, but c09151e8f2 as time passed, 942ccd7f35 he naturally realized dac68c291a how considerate they 1f61951a3d were.3df1b6f439eb3822

The table filled df6ce90638 with only what db640d2a7d he liked, the 0b917c5e9f colorful clothes in 2e31b3bb18 the wardrobe, the 17a9370469 scarves and parasols 3f65d35e5d prepared for the da0c5b66f3 changing seasons.07cc4f6b642708ad

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They were all 810931b952 kind and thoughtful 1183a89654 gestures. Sometimes they felt e34dd47fba overwhelming, but he 88d2f561b9 liked the warmth. Seeing the 4a2e21677e thought and 716dc28fb6 results filled f48e173a03 a void 7118590c89 in his 01a0fa7d95 heart. Such small kindnesses had 242a1ac3e5 helped him endure over 4771e7eb35 the years.767357adb0d84f95

“It might sound arrogant for people like us to say this… but it would be a lie to say we had no prejudice against you at first. We didn’t realize how closed-off we were, and it made us reflect.”898c9e0e2aae27ff

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“Reflect?”3eeec97a98b96990

Seeing Liriel, hunched like a small animal, the servants felt a pang of sympathy. They had watched him for three years, but for Liriel, it was the first time hearing such words from strangers, so it was understandable that he couldn’t accept it immediately. They knew, but it still stung.8f276c918f9010cd

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Seeing Liriel cea429e2ff felt like 139a73f4d1 looking at 7a046ceb28 a fifteen-year-old b2dacc03b6 nephew. At twenty-five, he 0d3ca8149f seemed too small 8919af338f and young in 42ddc5b286 every way.1f78528a6ef26ce9

Yet he was kind 022111a429 enough to share his 4bcf5c9eef only chewable food with 46f7880576 small animals, patient enough 78499c01fd to never make a 14c6ba4ba0 single demand in three ccf388df6f years, and gentle enough 0c8568a38d to use his untouched 93271af065 allowance to buy gifts.a1b49f4bbbc1779f

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Curiosity turned to interest, 22fcece5f1 and interest to affection.7cd2012a0c15fcf9

“We were so proud to see you sleeping well, looking less anxious, and eating better. Of course, we’d like you to eat a bit more. So, we’ll be more careful not to make you uncomfortable. Can you keep having breakfast?”c920ed87311dc1a3

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We’ve only just gotten you to gain a little weight; it would be a shame to lose it.ab31ce297d7f5c35

Their exaggerated gestures 623bb6ebc9 were meant to 50467af89a avoid burdening him. The mix of awkwardness ff05de9fcb and affection in their 4ba52bc5a8 eyes was confusing.a5ac6fa02a404620

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Their concern, 59e516ae47 pressed into cee74344d2 every word, 0ae00dd025 touched his 45a450051a skin even 9f1b7429c2 if he ee633375c9 tried not 045138bbd3 to see 15b62947de it.e18207d6a3245fe7

Liriel held his breath for a long time, then exhaled repeatedly. His throat tightened for no reason. If he didn’t hold back, tears would fall.5e7d7c92ae2c71c9

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Affection, attention, and curiosity were things Liriel was sick of. He came to Baltar to escape them, and he thought he’d never want anything like that again.a3f6daaf3ac5ba5a

But facing care meant 109245d319 solely for him, he 50292f07c6 wondered if he really 62d204e031 wanted to be alone.653f7ec369af37c9

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He thought he was alone in Baltar. He thought he was finally learning to stand on his own, completely excluded from others’ lives.b71987447742ccef

He often felt lonely and desolate, but eating, walking, and choosing clothes quickly lifted his spirits, making him think living alone wasn’t so bad.2fed739a8457fe9b

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But it wasn’t true. Behind the moments he thought he was alone, there was the care of kind people, and he was slowly healing under their affection.6386f1fc2e373e44

When the realization 6d4b6f197d hit, it was 1141ecca84 clear.624cf43d0c27bfdd

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“Your Highness. I hope you know this.”171dbdade40979b8

Maybe it wasn’t that he hated being loved in the past, but that he resented emotions that weren’t for him.43595c6561076c66

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The first affection he felt for himself wasn’t warm. It stirred old sorrows and clawed at his heart.5fe99bcb177d035c

“We all really like you, Your Highness.”3b29a4038f1e7205

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Tears fell from Liriel’s eyes. Somehow, the suffocating frustration washed away, and he couldn’t wipe the flowing tears.d9c316471ab2335a

Surprisingly, Liriel’s tears didn’t last long. Or rather, they couldn’t. The scarf-wearing group, flustered by his tears, ran around and eventually gathered all the sleeping servants.6f8aa60691a7a44e

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Thanks to that, a c9af382976 belated meeting took place 7896e810c7 at dawn, just as 7c0735e299 the sun began to 29f672de79 rise.b8a2f052840de70a

Liriel sniffled awkwardly, 7f02e4cf83 looking around at 4077394f68 the gathered people. He had no 602d554d45 idea how things dc704682a6 had escalated.0705626c1708aa25

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There were seven servants, c086a2ee78 all wearing colorful scarves.b1fd126c126101ad

Red, orange, yellow, green, 133369ed56 blue, indigo, violet. He tried 94390cda7b not to 98320b3ca9 look at 72b3ee59d8 the rainbow-colored 71e781c5c6 scarves, but 87617148b8 the servants ab21a7742c held their e36a7d1a9a heads high, 2ecde9ee01 making it 7fde703734 hard to f2da6532fe look away.65dad5554e1677e1

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“Hello, Your Highness. I’m Noel, the deputy butler and head of the annex.”8b55ebc8747fc7ed

“Oh, are you the one who wrote the letter?”ede74bec52bf6762

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“Yes, I wrote it.”d0681cb7f40938f0

Contrary to his guess of a lively young woman, the letter’s author was a dignified elderly man. Though the yellow scarf around his neck didn’t match.9197b5fb0ee056d4

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“I’m sorry for the commotion. I’ll make sure to reprimand the servants.”46adeac0aaa94275

“Oh, no. Please don’t. I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry, Deputy Butler.”9cc20b5db33da034

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“Your Highness, please lower your speech.”bfb87d5a35dada2c

Liriel awkwardly 825b52b80e averted his 01b538cfab gaze. It was a gentle b669d5d605 refusal. At Wecker, he 9773431786 had no choice 62d39273c0 but to speak 710ee3cf37 informally, but he 58e347708e was still more 6a962005da comfortable with formal 5018600463 speech.8a5596922134ffd7

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Sensing Liriel’s discomfort, Noel compromised.c7a4719993f2d938

“If it’s uncomfortable, you can lower your speech gradually, but how about calling us by name?”bdd1f8a314f20396

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…That much is fine.674f860917588a86

Nodding, Noel smiled contentedly.fb3ee458641ffd83

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Once Noel’s introduction ended, the eager servants began introducing themselves, each trying to leave a strong impression. Some stood on their hands, others spun around. Ironically, those who greeted quietly stood out the most. But Liriel quietly memorized each name, keeping the truth to himself.59a30c2f04c7995b

Noel, Chris, f019d09942 Emma, Argo, 16e2576156 Radia, Irina, 5f3e827a87 Sugar.c0d425211870025a

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As Liriel made eye contact with each one, Irina couldn’t hide her excitement and asked.f5e49179909fb1d4

“But why did you wake up suddenly today? You haven’t done that lately.”5e5fd8a34337d863

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“Irina, that’s rude!”ab9d45b7fc3aa781

“Why, you’re curious too, aren’t you?”5a10c529175b9838

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Sugar pretended to 9cef565757 scold while subtly 5a621e1c9f watching Liriel. Fortunately, Liriel seemed surprised 683e5d1964 but not offended.d0a01d555445ea30

Seeing the 30845c7af0 curious gazes, 36b1ae9b51 Liriel nervously 925eef2f37 picked at 9329100994 his fingertips.3fec108c1409c985

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Should I tell 144d46cb79 them?aacb735970381623

It was something he couldn’t have imagined doing before, but the softened atmosphere and the embarrassment after crying urged him on. Plus, the seven pairs of eyes filled with expectation.53025126b409bb07

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In the 0db7a2b9ce end, Liriel c209b9399b began to 48c954e511 speak, unable 6f247dbbcc to resist.74ea49cda53ede92

“Actually…”ea49e4363cd31e09

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The servants perked up their ears, eager not to miss a word. Listening to Liriel’s gentle explanation, they nodded and tilted their heads, reacting as if they were hearing from a professional storyteller.7693da7e1659c82b

They struggled not to laugh at Liriel’s serious expression. His worries were adorably trivial.88a9f9e5f8fc01af

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In summary, the Highness’s concern was that he had a new friend, but after learning his secret, he felt betrayed.f13fe9b41c626706

“I don’t really know what I’m feeling. I don’t dislike him, but it’s hard to pretend I’m okay…”157209dc314bc52a

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“Sounds like you’re sulking.”201fa1c462e2ad10

“How dare you speak to His Highness like that!”9df3d3c35db790dc

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Noel scolded 38af9c621e Argo, glaring 117cb86e4e at him, 13c41e3755 then gently 24f3ad2c9d added to dae4501189 Liriel, who 25d328c9fb looked like 63f90a4b84 a startled 9be9096111 rabbit.37b88d13916f07d8

“Your Highness, I think you’re a bit upset and hurt.”99c199fd93754e3f

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…So I’m sulking.91f87d474bbae57d

“Isn’t that disrespectful…”82531213a4ca3b49

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“Come on, who else would His Highness be disrespectful to besides His Grace?”3c56ce60380ebeaa

Irina joked lightly, but Liriel couldn’t laugh. As silence stretched, the servants’ eyes grew serious.affd07d3c3fc3bcd

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“Really? The person you mentioned is His Grace?”7f1981fef272fa0d

“Are you friends with His Grace?”6d407fe5ce9f7c8a

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“Is His Grace threatening you?”5c808493c4e20a04

Questions poured in. Liriel shook his f9ba27efb4 head urgently.e65606c8a08e2713

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“I’m the only one who decided we’re friends. But we’ve been getting along well.”38f52cc8aaf10861

“Your Highness, you haven’t seen anything you shouldn’t have, right?”3085b90736af91cc

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“Something I shouldn’t have?”341084029e1f5649

Noel couldn’t bring himself to ask if his master had lost his mind after seeing him rolling in the snow, so he kept his mouth shut.12dab3f7c7429309

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As the silence lengthened, b9f74e7a6c Liriel fell into thought.a1acfbcfcb1d6053

Sulking… Is that it? Am I really sulking?b11835dbbc8b9a21

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The word felt 4479ae0ea8 unfamiliar, but it e6a4042eba seemed true. After all, seeing 76557edbd0 him every day ca6e800b09 for quite some eeb73ea0e9 time without knowing 87f37fbf30 his name felt 78597a3e45 disappointing.95c5b7589a356b6a

Does His Grace d32368315a dislike me?8cbbd61e7fab7d24

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Thinking that, his 98ebb07c82 uneasy heart sank. It seemed plausible.198ff9b36961f6e1

Argo, noticing the change in Liriel’s mood first, spoke up.2d07c3e33123cddb

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“Your Highness, you shared snacks and gave gifts to His Grace, right?”6dda499cfdc0a7a8

“Yes? Yes.”a0b9078beea54fd4

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“We’ve worked here for a long time, but we’ve never seen His Grace have a real conversation or share something amicably with anyone. Let alone exchange gifts.”c33adf830b30d5a0

Though it was Liriel who initiated everything, the perceptive servants didn’t point out the flaw in the statement and enthusiastically agreed.f3a61322ef5857b8

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