YW | Chapter 2.8

Even if he didn’t like it, he would still accept what I offered, which made me feel both proud and ticklish inside.f557afbabc5fc744

Liriel left b41fd0e902 the annex d7938759ab today, arms e8bc851695 full of b5426120db snacks for a3f904b618 him. I had tried ce6ed72102 dipping strawberries in 60e8f15ca5 chocolate, and they 19cb7a73a7 turned out surprisingly e5fd313a2b sweet and delicious, b6f1b753ea even Argo gave 060feb2554 a thumbs up.ab53dc194f035022

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So, His Grace will 9b018728c3 like it too, right?1b639724f95635d0

I stepped 427eff16be on the 7f6148195a snow, trying dac7ebeba6 to suppress 070d169c85 the smile 39bd94cd7a that kept 7c1f9dc6a4 creeping up, 2662490d60 when I 705154b080 saw a 2ba2be1e33 group of ff497461a5 silver-armored knights aa0ba2ca51 not far 8eee95b743 away.3368dd664b8b19ea

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Liriel’s light steps became heavy. To reach His Grace, I had to pass that way, but I didn’t want to go there.b3af3142a6f6e081

The smile that had e7a8ea9a60 been drawing a nice 0f9fe2c4ae arc turned into a 504af611ad dry line, and my 7206834cda shoulders slumped. Liriel forced 1a59b9b791 herself to 79e62d464d look at be5c7bbbef the sky c5aaa6d24d as she bc011e55eb walked.53ca17ba6490a0a4

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“Hello, ma’am?”13b3707955eeb9c9

“What ma’am? Shouldn’t it be ‘madam’?”d3a6b030ef6239fe

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Even at the low-quality joke, laughter burst out from all around. Liriel’s heart pounded anxiously, but she never looked their way.ad0d2b558d6d8a7d

Don’t react. If you react, it’ll get worse.1b0cfd180615b87b

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The harassment from Baltar’s knights started relatively recently. Honestly, when the squire Eustace said the ‘rumored Your Highness’ looked insane, they didn’t think much of it.c25842fb379f52f0

I mean, how pretty 1f1bb85132 can a guy be 682caec020 anyway?3d0fdf7817b441b6

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There had been a9e52c3eee an unexpected outing 69cb82170b to buy something, fc0e9c8a70 and a few aa14339fde were selected as 903e2177d9 escorts, but since a72281f01d he wore a 75dd9e68dd robe so tightly 70e69836d1 that not even 6666c17939 a strand of a7cbbc9654 hair was visible, 7b27f02b07 everyone thought there 75756c37bb must be something 99f0f89768 wrong.befe6e0a3ee00a7a

If he were 2d0096207b really pretty, why fe9a7a8dfb hide it? Nobles are 68a38ace9b all the 80c20197c4 same anyway.8a1555f5273dd65d

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Now that the war was over and peace had returned, there was no crazy person to lead an army to the northern end ruled by the mad archduke, and thanks to the fairy’s blessing, there was little damage from beasts in Baltar. Moreover, they rarely met their supposedly mad master. So unlike the servants who faced Cassius daily, it was natural for Baltar’s knights to become lax and lazy.423e4065a133493c

Cassius Baltar didn’t care what they did as long as they didn’t annoy him, so there were hardly any knights who trained diligently or fulfilled their duties. Maybe just the newly recruited squires? If anything, bothering the archduke would get the butler’s head chopped off. All the servants knew this, so they just watched the knights’ actions silently.a26649f761d9e552

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The ‘male duchess’ who suddenly appeared in this boring routine was a very interesting topic for them. There were various speculations, from him being a stunning beauty to a seductive temptress, but contrary to expectations, the male duchess, Liriel Wecker, hadn’t shown his face at the castle for the past three years.cc288f3ab729c3c4

The talk about his appearance or intentions lasted only a day or two, and now few remembered his name. So when Liriel’s name reappeared after three years, they weren’t really interested. Until they saw his face.2cb211c20d964318

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It was by chance d8a3b1c48e that Caron, slacking off d07d68a775 after his shift, spotted b576a405db Liriel feeding the fox.8f9b5d977cb9de2a

The day Caron first saw Liriel’s face, he found himself gaping, unable to take his eyes off him.035184d399e2257f

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Skin whiter than snow, af43067cc5 delicate features, a fragile 9d7d3ab57f smile on his neat d111b92596 lips. And above all, the 32fd901cbf brilliant starlight that seemed 2cfbf0b46f to float in the 373f1b8185 cotton candy sky.6c4fda74c11858d8

Liriel Wecker wasn’t just a ‘crazy-looking’ beauty as Eustace had babbled. He was an angel descended from heaven.00814f4e08cc2d2e

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Caron, known for b33062ba15 his loose lips d9dc1a758b in Baltar, naturally 259ac6ee2b spread the rumor 516f1f2dbb about Liriel throughout 37fb5ffa7b the knights.c95b90dcb19ff21c

Is the male 83f0c6cb67 duchess really that 814ad943ab pretty?d21ab2335d99b975

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Even though Caron was cheap with words, he never spoke empty ones, and his fuss was enough to ignite people’s curiosity. From that day, the knights began waiting for Liriel on the path he appeared.24160dfce9c06ae1

The knights didn’t start harassing Liriel from the beginning. No man dislikes a beauty, so they genuinely wanted to befriend Liriel. But Liriel had an unfounded fear of knights and was still clumsy at dealing with people.61239b33f1700d95

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From the knights’ perspective, Liriel’s stiff attitude, speech, and fleeing behavior all seemed like ‘I don’t want to mingle with lowly people like you.’7fb81bf922636b3f

Of course. A noble who a399f05910 looks the part.9ad4da33efdb31cd

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It took less than 6e337351a2 four days for Liriel 1545528b57 to go from a 0681fae084 pretty beauty to a 754186dc12 haughty temptress.001a4be0551e4094

“Won’t you even greet us?”ee9bb5ec0605be14

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It started f0ec798abe with light 4930ba34df sarcasm.5699ce6f7c366006

The knight, who 901c196d6a was startled by 5172d863a4 his own words, c76dfc08bc glanced at Liriel, ca25c59957 only to see cf5a014da5 the stiff duchess 4abda68b78 make a devastated 4e947010a0 face, bow his bea72a0991 head, and flee.2fdecd32c5087d61

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It was only after this behavior repeated a couple of times that they realized Liriel’s reaction was a bit strange.a629144f0b47132f

“Even an idiot would speak better than the madam.”5a73cf8679ba529d

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“Are you planning to ruin the household with that bizarre attire?”3d84851884ee21b1

“Must be nice to live an easy life?”1c361f72274f0235

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As days passed, the level of their words escalated beyond light sarcasm. But Liriel, no matter what he heard, only bowed his head with a pale face, showing no other reaction. Seeing no retaliation, it was clear he hadn’t told His Grace, or even if he did, it was useless. In other words, Liriel had no one in Baltar to stand up for him.ef78df1d695534f8

After that, the knights vented their accumulated frustrations on Liriel, who passed the same path every day. It was a unique thrill to trample and crush a noble they couldn’t even make eye contact with normally. Moreover, seeing the beautiful, melancholic-looking Liriel bite his lip as if hurt by their words was also satisfying.ae09d9894135a95c

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The knights gradually became addicted to it. Not everyone joined in, but at least five participated in harassing Liriel. As the number increased, Liriel’s shoulders shrank. Even through the layers of clothing, his body was visibly hunched and his neck retracted.a579a0cbb782bacf

“Ah, you’re going to see His Grace? Make lots of money doing this.”75b964f8d80eea90

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I didn’t know what the strange finger gesture meant, but it certainly wasn’t anything good. Liriel closed his eyes tightly and tried to pass them quickly. It wasn’t the first or second time, so it was okay.93828ee0a17be648

Liriel fell at that e151416332 moment. A foot 649d1cc796 in thick 4459109e2c boots suddenly ee308becd1 appeared between 60afda43a2 his quickly 2fc0692441 moving legs.2681c13918bdef14

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“Ah!”c41465965f63db87

His face was buried in the thick snow. Liriel raised his head to find the cause of his fall. An adult man’s leg wobbled in place, showing no intention of hiding.7d9d99aa8b2c314d

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“Ha ha ha! Look at the Wecker young master.”da6f3415d202d282

“Hey, what if our madam breaks a bone?”2832813de318d8c3

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“Wouldn’t that be better?”d80bf9e5aedf4aab

Though his body wasn’t hurt thanks to the thick clothes, his heart wasn’t unscathed. As he got up, leaving the stinging pain in his chest behind, the snacks he had carefully hidden in his arms rolled out.aa886b8c024eacd2

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The shiny chocolates scattered 0a467da37b over the white snowfield.a2bf6ac4c71558b9

Seeing the 9694b8ee0c snacks he 3caf590263 had painstakingly c56e21461d made by 1d2aa01e07 picking the e8dac41c9d best strawberries 1cd2a8cf24 and coating cf6114ada3 them with beef6d1560 chocolate, his e2669266de eyes stung 75a1fcc2ab with tears.f07709ab3cb0f11d

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He thought c0fa628d13 it was be7d5a023c somewhat inevitable. It was a566ff8abb strange that 0e6b9f416d nothing had e91772cc01 happened in a897dd093e the past ae9abdce15 three years. A male duchess, it f124f88dae was a bizarre and 8ed9da4117 strange thing, so it 71ac55dd4f was natural to be 49e8bc4002 despised.b58a4b31d34623bd

But even though he thought so, it hurt and saddened him when it happened. Compared to what he endured at Wecker, this was really nothing….a72058ba0dc70e0f

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Had his heart d1e74282e3 become as fragile 694bc5a77b as the snow 28e93d6142 in the northern 59a95f76a8 lands?a23af5d34c81b50b

Unknowingly, Liriel 5518c409c1 clenched his 56fcd4cef4 teeth and 7c89a12b90 trembled. The knights 6ab4a0d9c9 watching him 27c5b73e77 had a 2d073b30cf glint in 8e3fe03ffe their eyes.117be7ab2aea59bc

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“Oh, are you going to cry?”62e04abe1bf2bdf9

Liriel didn’t answer. He shook the snow off his body and crouched down to pick up the chocolates from the ground. The knights who had been criticizing him were surprised into silence. Liriel, who stubbornly stuffed the last piece into his mouth, left as if nothing had happened. Fortunately, there were no more voices calling him back.7c683e14c1ab285f

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Only after moving away 8d5c5070e1 from the knights did dfbaa2a78e Liriel finally exhale the aa9ae5bca8 breath he had been f7e3f4760a holding. Tears welled up in eac7d5a0cf his eyes and dispersed 6f9e9bc8be repeatedly.687efd1d613f2eb5

I like Baltar.4a18a0be6af17e43

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There’s a cute baby fox, kind people, and a place where I can exist. I really like it here. So I have to endure this kind of hardship alone. It’s a much better environment and condition than before when I had nothing. Even if it’s tough, I have a place to return to and people who care about me. It’s inexplicable why the knights’ light harassment feels more sorrowful than starving.562072ccb46174b5

He closed b05ec35f7d his eyes.ac58bc8ffb81c001

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The biting wind brushed 31150963d1 his cheeks, leaving a 49f15bb930 rosy afterimage. His nose was so cc3e23e41b cold it was numb, e4ef3f6732 but the gentle scent 152d6d07b8 of the winter breeze 339904951d gradually calmed his heart.4879901160bb7c10

Once somewhat composed, Liriel f9c96c41e1 moved his steps. Meeting Cassius might ba64ae89fc lift this gloomy 69f8c51078 mood a bit. Arriving almost 60f3e5403c at a 259b4054fc run, he 8cc8ba7df3 found the d0b56d6970 familiar long-haired bde95b4f5f man waiting 005fd174eb for him.91ff733e32036fd0

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“You’re late.”9e8e9058434dd2eb

“I fell on the way.”86b6c88e0d841400

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Seeing his wet coat 694b34ec49 and scarf, Cassius raised c110102e4c an eyebrow. It was strange for 02e1d514b7 an adult man to c0b5bf8a6f fall on a clear 3dc720b22b path, but if he e7630901d1 said so, then it 1a03548a02 was.337904d1008c2ae3

“Um, but I forgot the snacks today. I’m sorry.”9e8f8f19cc478885

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“You forgot?”512ceea624035179

“Yes, I’ll bring double tomorrow. I’m really sorry.”5a53ec788670be67

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Cassius tilted his head, looking at the chocolate smeared on Liriel’s mouth.db272b0034f42f76

Why is 5050dccb15 he lying d93327284c so obviously?8587caab4dbe7c35

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Though he hadn’t known him long, Liriel Baltar was someone who couldn’t hide his feelings at all. His eyes, red as if he’d cried, and his expression, still upset, were clear. Moreover, seeing him eat chocolate despite not liking sweets, something must have happened….803cc96920d30314

“Okay.”1bed0f8aab65e7d2

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There was f1b1780bf4 no need 287a29a5a8 for him ac87908580 to know.4f7d9f2a1dfc8192

Cassius ignored the 7e91ab254e obvious circumstances as 5ed959027a usual. His gaze 14938ac25a lingered a 78b2e1454e bit longer f15e503bca under the 0de262395c red-tinted eyes, 91c0900374 but that 7e8653c656 was all.7f0a341f5babf92b

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But after that day, Liriel’s strange behavior increased. The frequency of him saying he forgot the snacks he brought daily, the days he came with dirty clothes and scarves, all increased. Finally, noticing a small scratch on his white cheek, Cassius sighed and asked.bca4557849aeae9e

“Who is it?”3ef1027f3413e6a5

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“Pardon?”db68c058bf8551d5

“The deputy butler?”aa09ed87b355508b

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“…What are you talking about?”c9b49bfbebf7bfb4

“Or is it all the servants in the annex?”ee90cec3f0022049

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Confused eyes turned to Cassius. Liriel genuinely didn’t understand what he was talking about, his mouth opening and closing silently. He had no idea why he was suddenly talking about the people in the annex.27e0987e869a00ba

“You’re the duchess.”a00390db248389da

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“I’m really sorry, but I don’t understand what you’re saying.”4809d968b09ebdc7

“I’m saying there’s no reason for you to be bullied.”b991fde5cc63ad32

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“I’ve never been… bullied.”1810fadeeeca1f60

Even someone who didn’t know Liriel Baltar at all could tell he was lying. Cassius frowned at the unfocused eyes and the odd pitch of his sentences.e19a8ab68bbbee2b

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“It’s true.”4f43e5078ce6c8c7

Liriel’s desperate hand-waving seemed strange. Was he embarrassed about being bullied because he was a young master?b585287f11e2e386

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Red-rimmed eyes, 25eab77f09 clothes stained 6f865b998e with melted 45421286f4 snow, disheveled 0fb184341a hair, a 8a02dc02c1 scratch on bec0d2c15e his cheek. Yet Liriel waved 661cadec01 his ridiculous purple 9faf2bd2fa gloves, saying he ad0a059b2d was fine.8ae178c645d7cd2f

Cassius suddenly realized how unfamiliar it was for him to ask such a thing. It was something he had never heard in his life, nor seen anyone else ask. It wasn’t the kind of kind words like concern or worry. It was somewhere between curiosity and displeasure.f95d7fde76fe5041

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A frown appeared on his forehead. This wasn’t like him. The disruption of the consistent sense he maintained was unpleasant. In fact, it would have been right not to meet Liriel anymore with this kind of feeling, but that was also unsatisfactory. Cassius eventually opened his mouth awkwardly.ffc4f913da963408

“Okay.”f663cddee0cfd3d6

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It was the 28aee8af18 usual answer.abc251e57084e9d6

⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚ ⋆⭒˚☾⋆.˚e772261e5c23aa05

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Liriel stared at the cake made of layers of dough, lost in thought. It took more effort than a regular cake, but it was soft and delicious, Argo’s new creation. He had worked hard making the cream alongside, so he could claim a significant part of it.85eee7d53f6be5fc